DAY 1:
My aunt is brewing coffee
downstairs as I put the finishing touches on my outfit. First day it screams.
Too nicely done hair, make up trying to find the balance between professional
and natural and nerves attempting to nestle themselves in the pit of my stomach
as I head out to practice what I’ve been studying the past two years at the
University of South Carolina, Public Relations.
Do I feel as though I’m going to
walk in and proceed to have my mind go blank of all things journalistic? YEP.
Thankfully my first task is to
write this blog about my two favorite things besides Wawa hot chocolate, dogs
and putting a smile on people’s faces.
I learn quickly about the upcoming
event scheduled for October 16th. Previously known as the “Calling
All Dogs” charity walk, now the 2016 National Dog Show Charity Walk is my new
project. The fundraising event kicks off Philadelphia’s National Dog Show
Month! Taking place from 9 am to noon at the Wilson Farm Park in Wayne, PA,
pooches from around the region will have a chance to play, eat, and show off
their tricks. This walk precedes the National Dog Show Presented by Purina
which takes place on Thanksgiving Day following the Macy’s Parade on NBC at
noon in all time zones.
If you want to find out more about
the show, go check out:
www.nationaldogshow.com
So without a
moment’s pause, I start writing press releases, media kits, and more. So far my
favorite part is learning about the charities supporting the walk. This year we
have the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, New Leash on Life USA, PACT for
Animals, Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society, and Morris Animal Refuge. More
info on these charities can be found below. :)
The event will be hosted by David Frei, expert
analyst for The National Dog Show on NBC and America’s foremost authority on
all things canine. It will feature a one-mile walk plus games and prizes. Molly Sullivan French, the Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia
sideline reporter for the Philadelphia 76ers since 2012 will also be on hand.
AND GET THIS:
The
one-mile walk will be head by gymnasts from the Gymolympic Sports Academy who
will start off the procession by walking on their hands with the dogs leashed
to their ankles.
Their hands… with dogs… on their ankles…
And here I am barely able to walk on my two
feet.
.
The
Gymolympic Sports Academy, based in Exton, features gymnasts from the Delaware
valley who compete both regionally and nationally. They’re going to give us a
taste of their skills with a routine later that morning!
So I babbled and babbled but after having so
many amazing experiences with my own dogs and seeing the magic they work on
people in need has my excitement level through the roof! I cannot wait to see
what else is in store.
More posts to come so stay tuned!
-M
-M
More information about these
charities can be found below or at the links provided!
The Philadelphia
Ronald McDonald House supports families of seriously ill children by creating a
community of comfort and hope. Therapy dogs play a vital role in fulfilling
that mission, giving guest children an opportunity to keep their minds away
from their current medical challenges. http://www.philarmh.org/
New Leash on Life
USA is a new generation prison dog program.
At-risk shelter dogs are placed into Philadelphia prisons to live with
inmate trainers for 3 months of intensive training, medical care and
unconditional love. The dogs are then
adopted into loving homes and the inmates learn skills and confidence for
successful reentry into society along with employment opportunities. http://www.newleashonlife-usa.org/
PACT for Animals
gives peace of mind to hospital patients and military personnel by placing
their pets in temporary foster homes until their owners can be reunited with
the companion animals they love. PACT works with military throughout the world
and health care facilities throughout the Delaware Valley. https://www.pactforanimals.org/
Philadelphia
Animal Welfare Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving
homeless, abandoned, and unwanted animals. PAWS is the city’s largest no-kill
shelter and operates two high-volume, low-cost clinics serving pet owners and
rescue organizations that lack access to affordable basic veterinary care. http://www.phillypaws.org/
Morris Animal
Refuge offers innovative and high-quality care for cats, dogs and other small
animals. The Refuge provides a full range of preventive, protective and
adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned animals. http://www.morrisanimalrefuge.org/
