BOARDMAN — Rachel Chmielewski is hoping her beloved pet one day will be groomed for big and healing things but, for now, she’s happy with Mishka being Mishka.

“I would like to get her certified as a therapy dog,” Chmielewski, of Boardman, said.

If providing unconditional love and joy to others in her orbit is a type of therapy, suffice it to say Mishka got a jumpstart, because the 8-year-old golden retriever attracted plenty of pats and praise as she competed in the annual Paw-Lapalooza dog show Saturday afternoon in Boardman Park.

The Junior League of the Mahoning Valley sponsored the family-friendly competition that was judged in five categories: friendliest, best talent, best costume, what’s in a name and judge’s choice. Small, medium and large dogs took part.

The event took place on the same day as the death of Bob Barker, the longtime host of the game shows “Truth or Consequences” and “The Price is Right,” who also was known for being a staunch animal-rights activist who encouraged viewers daily to have their pets spayed and neutered. He was 99.

In 1988, Barker stopped serving as master of ceremonies for the Miss Universe and Miss USA beauty pageants because both contests gave away fur coats as prizes.

Chmielewski, a mental health worker who counsels those with such problems as addictions, recalled having gotten Mishka from a breeder. She also remembered having worked at a facility in San Diego for veterans that partnered with an organization that worked with therapy animals, Chmielewski explained.

“Dogs have a way of calming and helping people regulate their emotions,” she observed.

Many aspects of her golden retriever’s personality also live up to the animal’s namesake, which in Russian translates to “little bear.” Mishka is physically strong and agile, yet loves doting on children and adults, Chmielewski said.

“She takes me for walks,” she said with laughter.

For five years, Princess Jezzabelle Grace has been a loving fixture in Kayla Cameron’s young life.

“I’ve wanted a dog ever since I was little,” Cameron, 17, of New Wilmington, Pa., said. “The minute I saw her, I knew I had to get her; she stole my heart instantly.”

Her 7-year-old sheltie came from a breeder in nearby Pulaski, Pa., and was in a litter of four — and was a gift for her 12th birthday, Cameron recalled. The occasion was emotional also because her sister had a dog that died at a young age, Cameron continued.

For Saturday’s dog show, Princess Jezzabelle Grace was a touch nervous because it was her first appearance in such a competition, Cameron explained.

Nevertheless, the dog became acquainted with ROY G BIV, the fictional character that is an acronym describing the ordered colors of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet). That was because the major part of the animal’s costume was a cloth of rainbow-shaped and colored sides.

Not to leave out any preparations or extra treats for Princess Jezzabelle Grace, Cameron also brought her dog’s favorite toy: a light-brown stuffed moose.

“He’s fun-loving, excitable and 100 pounds of love. He’s also great with kids,” Steve Popillo of Austintown said about Jack, the family’s 1 1/2-year-old black bernedoodle mix.

Jack came from a breeder in the Ashtabula area after a friend got a dog there, Popillo said.

“Jack was one of the last in the litter. It was love at first sight, especially for the kids,” he said, also referring to son, Sammy, 6, and daughter, Lydia, 9, both of whom accompanied their father and pet at the show.

At least 50 dogs competed in the event, several judges said. Awards were distributed for all categories.