It was dog day Sunday - literally - at the first-ever Wimmer Wag Fest held recently at the Animal Therapy Center in Bethlehem. The outdoor animal adoption event celebrated the work of 25 non-profit shelters, rescue centers and advocacy groups that participated with a variety of adorable adoptable pets from puppies and kittens to more mature animals.

One purpose of the fest was to provide information on adoptions and to give prospective pet owners the chance to observe and interact with the animals, according event coordinator Brianna Russo.

"People don't realize that most of the animals [in shelters] are already trained and housebroken," Russo said. "They are also are spayed or neutered, and have all their shots."

Wag Fest was also an opportunity to demonstrate the facilities at the therapy center, Russo said.

"We want to highlight that if a dog or cat has a medical problem it is not a barrier to adoption. There are options - therapy, pet insurance and organizations to help with funding for animals with special needs."

Russo added that physical therapy isn't just for pets recovering from surgery or an illness.

"Even healthy or senior pets can benefit from exercise," she said.

Dr. Kim Mayer, a veterinarian with the Animal Therapy Center, demonstrated agility training techniques with large inflatable rubber balls and wobble boards. With her dog Rylie, a shelter pet she adopted several years ago, Dr. Mayer showed how an enclosed treadmill partially filled with warm water was used to exercise and strengthen canine back legs while reducing pain.

The center has both flat and incline treadmills, as well as a hydrotherapy pool.

Wag Fest wasn't just for the dogs (and cats), however. For the humans, there were games, face painting, food, music, and a special presentation by the DaVinci Science Center. Based on the response from shelters and the public, Russo said the sponsors are definitely considering making Wag Fest an annual event.