Raffle Basket Fundraiser

The kind folks at Hudson Veterinary Hospital are holding a raffle to benefit the Akron Children's Hospital Doggie Brigade Program!

HVH CHRISTMAS RAFFLE

“GOING TO THE DOGS” & the Kids!

Dogs bring smiles wherever they go, but nowhere is it more important than where children need a special companion to help them through a difficult time. That’s why we here at Hudson VeterinaryHospital support the Doggie Brigade Program at Akron Children’s Hospital. 

Since 1992, the Doggie Brigade Therapy Program has brought encouragement, comfort and joy to sick kids whose doctors have approved dog visits. Beyond this, hospital staff also appreciates the presence of Doggie Brigade volunteers. They often call for a dog when placing an IV or where trying to motivate a child in physical therapy. “It’s awesome what these dogs can make the patients do; it gets their mind off their sickness.”  

All dogs involved in the program must undergo a veterinary exam and a special behavioral screening process to ensure their suitability for the program.  Once certified, they receive their official Brigade Bandanas, begin making hospital visits and bring on the smiles!  

This year our team has assembled a special raffle gift basket so you, our caring clients, can take part in our effort to support the Doggie Brigade.

• Tickets may be purchased for 1/$1 or 6/$5 from December 1-February 29, at our office, or by phone at 300-650-2929.
• The winner will receive a gift basket filled with pet supplies and special offers for the care and wellbeing of your own furry friends.
• Funds raised from this project will contribute to the certification and supplies needed to train additional Brigade dogs.  
• Drawing for the winning ticket will take place March 1, 2012.  

A wagging tail can do wonders for a sick child!  

Holiday Tree Festival 2011

Gilda attended her first Akron Children's Hospital Holiday Tree Festival last night and it was a huge success on many levels!

{Gilda in the crowd)

In fact, the only disappointment was that our camera malfunctioned and this is our only photo of the evening!

I can't imagine how unsettling it must be for a dog to enter a brand-new building with crowds of people and yet, somehow, Gilda handled it all extremely well!

Gilda seemed a little nervous about the fact that she was in a room full of lighted trees but she willingly met and greeted many many kids and adults and was willing to perform tricks for all of them. (Tricks keep Gilda focused and comfortable as she feels better when she knows exactly what she is supposed to do).

The highlight of the evening was when a woman came over to meet Gilda and told us that she had to spend some time at ACH when she was 11 and that she still cherishes the memories of visits from the Doggie Brigade!! Stories like these make me so proud to be a part of the DB...

We stayed for about 1.5 hours and then left while Gilda was still happy.

The Tree Festival is an amazing event and we are thankful to have been able to be a small part of it!