Maggie, a Teacup Yorkie, won Best Costume in the 2011 Newhaven Court Dog Show. Maggie is owned by Alma Plunkard, the director of sales and marketing at the assisted living community. Plunkard plans to enter Maggie again this year.

CENTER TWP — Who let the dogs out?

Newhaven Court at Clearview is calling all dogs for its annual dog show.

This is the fifth year for the doggy day, scheduled from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 22. Executive Director Brenda Daubner and Kathy Roudybush, activity director, enjoy coordinating this event.

“Last year we had approximately 20 dogs of all breeds and sizes. The largest was an Irish Wolf Hound and the smallest was a Teacup Yorkie,” said Daubner.

“Some of the entrants are from staff, some are people in the community,” said Roudybush. “Some of the folks in the condos around the facility, they have dogs and they come up, too.”

The winners of the four categories — Most Obedient, Best Costume, Cutest and Best of Show — receive a trophy.

Four judges typically make the call.

“This year, judges will be local groomer Beth McGarrah of Beth's Pooch Parlor, Jeffrey Banner from Banner and Sechler Elder Law Attorneys and Michelle Sambroak of Country Club Kennels in Grove City and one of our residents,” Daubner said.

“But all dogs get a small 'doggy treat bag' with handmade doggy treats made by the Newhaven Court residents as a prize just for entering and making this a great day for our residents,” Daubner explained.

The dog show is a big hit with the residents and proceeds benefit the Butler County Humane Society.

“Since Newhaven Court does allow pets to live with residents, we encourage them to enter their pets, but usually they like to just watch the others,” she said.

Mikey, a 2-year-old Shih Tzu, who is the house mascot and lives at the assisted living community, will be the tuxedo-clad “host” of the dog show.

“Events, such as this one, are so very important to our shelter,” said Jill Hall, volunteer and events coordinator with the Butler County Humane Society.

“Newhaven presented us with a great opportunity for community engagement. And through the community's support, we are able to continue our mission to help neglected and abandoned animals,” she added.

There is a $5 registration fee that will be donated to the Humane Society.

“These important donations help pay for everything from feeding the animals, to life-saving vaccines, to spay and neuter procedures to reduce the number of unwanted animals,” said Hall.

For more information or to register, call Kathy Roudybush at 724-477-8703 or e-mail kroudybush@integracare.com.

The next Newhaven Court events are a spaghetti dinner fundraiser to benefit the Alzheimer's Association from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 13 and the annual fall festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 13.

<B>WHAT: </B>Newhaven Court Dog Show<B>WHEN:</B> 2 to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 22<B>WHERE:</B> 100 Newhaven Lane, Center Township<B>INFO: </B>$5 registration fee. To register, contact Kathy Roudybush at 724-477-8703