Published: July 09, 2008 12:40 pm            

Arts center event spotlights 4-legged therapists

One of the Golden Girls will be remembered at an event dedicated to what she loved doing.

The fourth annual Pet Therapy Day will be held in memory of Hannah, one-half of the golden retriever pet therapy team known as the Golden Girls, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 19 at the Community Arts Center of Cambria County, 1217 Menoher Blvd., Westmont.

Owner Christine Fogle of Richland Township, who also is event coordinator, said it has been tough without Hannah, who died from cancer in September, but her team is still on the move.

Josiah, a 7-year-old Australian shepherd and golden retriever mix, has received therapy training along with Gretchen, Hannah’s sister.

Fogle visits 11 nursing homes, hospitals and personal-care facilities in the area to perform pet therapy and always is grateful for those who can help.

The animals are used to bolster a person’s physical, emotional and mental well-being, Fogle said.

“We sometimes went to six places a week, which is too much for the dogs,” she said.

“Four is about right, and sometimes three is enough for Gretchen, who is 9 years old.

“Josiah wants to go all the time. He cries to go. He’s more of a spitfire,” she said.

To honor Hannah, Jennifer Pynkala, operations manager for Petco in Richland Town Centre, will make a memory board depicting Hannah from puppy to pet therapy dog.

Since moving the event from September to July last year, Fogle has seen an increase in attendance.

“I’m hoping for more than 200 this year,” she said. “It keeps getting better and better.”

Pet Therapy Day has attracted about 20 to 25 vendors.

There will be greyhound adoption groups, pet sitting services, local humane societies, Habitat for Hounds, Petco and a pet cremation service.

Fogle’s sister, Karen Ream, will bring her Lab, Heidi, to demonstrate how search-and-rescue dogs work.

The Classic Clowns will be on hand, and there will be some miniature horses, which also can be used in pet therapy.

A silent auction will include a print by painter Joan Miro, and a Chinese auction will include pet-related products, baskets and handmade wreaths.

Women’s Help Center will have a bake sale to benefit its “Paws for the Cause,” a foster-home program for pets of women and children who use the shelter.

The event will benefit Conemaugh Health Foundation’s Pet Therapy Program.

Information: 255-6515.

        

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