Try to find local pup groups, see if they do meetups and moshes.

Pup play is what you make of it; you dictate what and how much of you do.

As for gear, there is nothing required. Helpful to wear kneepads and padded gloves if you plan to get on all 4s. If you want a pup hood eventually, there are loads of merchants and brands nowadays. Mr S leather, mistr bear, forfun, furrjoi, wruffstuff, scrpyard leather... Find a style and material that is comfortable to wear and affordable for you. Do consider wearing contacts or some kind of sporty glasses when wearing a hood.