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PsycHOPuppy 2 to raise funds for local animal outreach

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It’s probably why last year’s inaugural PsycHOPuppy fundraiser was such a success, and the event’s organizers are hoping to build on that Monday when PsycHOPuppy 2 returns to MadTree Brewing Company’s Pleasant Ridge taproom.

“I swear, if you just say, ‘dogs, beer, in a bar,’ people will come running,” said Sarah Schmidt, a volunteer with Sweet Dream House Rescue.

The brainchild of Schmidt and Fureverhomefounder and CEO Jayme Basil, last year’s PsycHOPuppy drew more than 300 people. The fundraiser benefits Sweet Dream House Rescue, a last-ditch animal rescue that works to get dogs adopted before they’re euthanized.

More than 1,000 people have expressed interest in the event on its Facebook page; usually about half that shows up for an event, Basil said.

“I don’t want to get my hopes up too high, but it does seem like it’s going to be pretty crowded,” Basil said.

Basil recommends that attendees carpool or use a ride-sharing service to get to the event, as the MadTree parking lot is bound to fill up quickly.

Entrance to PsycHOPuppy 2 will cost $5 per person, and pets get in free. The first five people who bring their dogs in with them will receive a free one-day pass to Wags Dog Park.

The event will also raffle off 13 prize baskets, including both dog- and alcohol-related prizes. The top prize is a training package from Pawlished Dog Training. Raffle tickets will be sold for $2 apiece of $5 for three.

Although the money helps the operation, Schmidt says the event’s important to Sweet Dream Home Rescue because it helps the organization stay in touch with its past adopters — which, coincidentally, is how Basil and Schmidt met — and make new connections.

“Say we make $1,000 — that would be awesome,” Schmidt said. “Say we make $10 — that would be awesome, too. But the biggest thing is outreach in our community.”

Returning to PsycHOPuppy from last year: A Siberian husky-manned “kissing booth,” and a GoPro booth where your pets can be recorded doing tricks in slow motion. T-shirts, which were unavailable but in high demand at last year’s event, will be sold this year, Basil said.

The event derives its name from PsycHOPathy, MadTree’s flagship IPA. However, if you actually have a psycho-puppy, it may be better to leave it at home, Basil said.

“It is a pet-friendly event,” Basil said. “But because we do expect a crowd, if your dog doesn’t get along with other dogs or just gets nervous in crowds, we don’t recommend bringing your pet.”