MOSES LAKE - A variety of dogs, large and small, fluffy and shorthaired, were walking laps at Frontier Middle School Saturday.

Humans and animals alike were getting fresh air and exercise, all while helping cancer research efforts during the "Bark for Life" event.

The event was put on the schools' Builders Club, an organization that encourages students to help their communities.

The club also participates in other events, like Christmas caroling and Relay for Life, said Club President Alexandra Nevarez, 14.

She and club Vice President Serena Madrigales, 13, are cousins.

Nevarez said one count showed 50 participants Saturday, making it appear more people were taking part than they had last year.

Last year was organized, but this year "is a lot better," because it wasn't the event's first year and Nevarez and Madrigales knew exactly what they needed, Nevarez said.

Participants came from as far away as Seattle, to join local participants from Ephrata and Moses Lake.

Madrigales said she enjoyed seeing peoples' faces light up and helping them.

Nevarez learned about the event last year from club advisor Sherri Osborne.

Osborne heard about "Bark for Life" in Seattle and brought it to Nevarez's attention, Nevarez recalled.

Nevarez and Madrigales hope to see everyone at Relay for Life at Moses Lake High School on June 3-4.

Kamiree Daniels, 11, of Moses Lake, and her dog, Rusty Moe, were among the "Bark for Life" participants.

The day was fun because they got to play outdoors with their dogs, Daniels said.

Rusty Moe enjoyed walking up a ramp on the dog course, but didn't like waking down.

Daniels said she came because she thought it sounded interesting, has a family member with cancer and wanted to help.