Canine Partners for Life (CPL), 334 Faggs Manor Road, Cochranville, will hold its annual Fall Festival on Saturday, Sept. 20, from noon to 4 p.m. Attendees will not only enjoy fun activities, but they will also learn about CPL, which trains service and companion dogs to help people with physical, developmental and cognitive disabilities. The goal is to provide these individuals with independence and enhance their quality of life.

The Fall Festival will feature vendors offering a variety of items, including baked goods, beef jerky and pet-related products such as dog treats and apparel. The Avon Grove Lions Club will also set up a booth.

Live music will be provided by Ol' 442, and there will be a Puppy Kissing Booth. Guests will have the opportunity to visit CPL mission booths to talk with current program graduates and volunteers and meet service dogs and puppies in training. CPL's training team will also present service dog demonstrations.

Also featured will be a Family Fun Zone. "The Family Fun Zone is being run by Avon Grove Library, and they will have dog-themed crafts," said Amanda Walton, CPL communications and volunteer manager. "We will bring out some yard games like giant Jenga and Connect Four and corn hole. We will have coloring pages and face painting for children."

Food trucks on hand at the event will include On the Roll, Landhope Farms, Dixie's Down Home Cooking, Woodside Farm Creamery and Kona Ice.

 The day will end with cow bingo. A fee will be collected per ticket, and squares will be randomly assigned. The cow will be released at 3 p.m., and the ticket holder of the square in which the cow heeds the call of nature will win the grand prize of $5,000. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased by cash, check or Venmo. The winner does not need to be present.

The goal of the event, according to organizers, is to make people aware of CPL and its work. "We do have donation boxes around, but the service dog demonstrations, tours of the kennel and the Family Fun Zone are free to enjoy," noted Walton. "It's about bringing the community together and educating people on our mission."

She noted that dogs trained by CPL serve as home companions that perform a range of tasks to assist individuals with disabilities, including retrieving objects, opening doors, operating light switches and providing balance and support. Dogs can also be trained to perform medical alert tasks, such as sensing seizures or cardiac issues.

Since 1989, CPL has placed more than 800 service and companion dogs nationwide. It provides support to more than 150 active teams and between 60 and 80 service dogs in training. CPL is an accredited member of Assistance Dogs International.

The Fall Festival will be held rain or shine. All parking will be on-site at the CPL campus; a parking donation will be requested. Handicapped-accessible parking will be available. Personal pets are not permitted.

For more information and to purchase cow bingo tickets, visit www.k94life.org. Information about the event is also available at http://www.facebook.com/CaninePartnersforLife.

To learn more about CPL, visit the previously mentioned website and Facebook page, call 610-869-4902 or email info@k94life.org.