A day off from school benefits KC dogs in need

Two dozen dogs strutted their stuff Friday as part of the Dog Trot and Puppy Pageant at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village.

The event, in its second year, raised money for the Great Plains SPCA, which operates local animal shelters and pet adoption services.

Pet owners during the event walked their pooches around the school track in two groups, winning certificates for such things as best style or fluffiest coat.

Grace Chisholm, a 16-year-old junior at SME, started the pageant last year with Claire Gibbs, who is now a freshman at Duke University. That event raised $300 for Great Plains.

Chisholm said she planned to continue the event next year, saying she was motivated by her love of dogs and "raising awareness for the fact that there are dogs who don't have safe, loving homes."

Schools were out on Friday for parent-teacher conferences.

This story was originally published October 21, 2016 at 3:52 PM with the headline "A day off from school benefits KC dogs in need."