Picasso Pets Event - Saturday, August 16, 5:30 P, Cahaba Grand Conference Center
Picasso Pets set for August 16 - Gala auction evening benefits Hand-In-Paw
(Birmingham, AL) Celebrity pets and local artists team up for Hand-In-Paw's Picasso Pets, an "Animal Artist Debut and Auction" August 16. The festive event is the major fundraiser of the year for Hand-In-Paw, a local non-profit that provides professionally trained handler and animal teams to promote human health and well-being through animal-assisted therapy. The Honorary Chairs for Picasso Pets are Howard Smith and Lisa Thompson Smith; Jeff Pizitz is Sponsorship Chair.
The gala evening at Cahaba Grand Conference Center includes cocktails, dinner and an exciting live auction of "arfwork" created by celebrity pets and local artists. People whose pets are painting for Picasso Pets this year are: Lori and Antonio Carballo, Allison and Jeff Cornelius, Edith and Bill Couch, Cameron and Derrill Crowe, Jim and Karen Cunningham, Ginny and Nick Derzis, Jessica Foulad, Beth Gibbins, Cecilia Graham, Margie and Sam Gray, Katie and Jim Lasker, Pam and Joseph Morad, Paula and Merritt Pizitz, Bill and Jean Shanks, Howard Smith and Lisa Thompson Smith, Debby and Mike Stephens, Doree Walker and Tina and Wayne Willard.
Back by popular demand- radio personalities Rob and Shannon from Magic 96 will serve as emcees, taking the stage to orchestrate what is truly a "dog and pony" show this year or to be more accurate a dog and horse show! The animals on parade for the first time ever, include a horse- the handsome Arabian stallion Justafire, owned by Mike and Debby Stephens of Resting S Ranch. Birmingham's favorite charity auctioneer, Ken Jackson, will lead the bidding as dogs, pigs and the horse take to the stage to present their works of art. Of course the animals all had a little help from their muses-popular local artists who graciously donate their time and talents to the cause.
The muses this year are Charlotte Holder, Lila Graves, Barbara Henderson, Bob McKenna, Beth Bradley, Tres Taylor, Thomas Andrew, Karim Shamsi-Basha, Sue Ellen Brown, Leah Dodd, Patrice Brunet, Bo Berry, She She, Mary Margaret Binkley, Linda Ellen Price and Connie Crowe.
Tickets and additional information are available at www.handinpaw.org or by calling (205) 322-5144.
Directions to Cahaba Grand Conference Center - 8/16 5:30 PM
Hand in Paw, with heart in hand
“The love of an animal is miraculous healing.”
Hand in Paw is a non-profit organization started by Executive Director Beth Franklin in 1996. Their belief is in the miraculous healing of the love of an animal, and they reach out to help heal others in over 60 facilities in Greater Birmingham, including: Children’s Hospital, the Bell Center, the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, St. Vincent’s, Trinity and Brookwood hospitals. The therapy animals and their owners visit the facilities, providing distraction from painful medical procedures, company, and encouragement to the patients. While the facilities are never charged for the visits, they see Hand in Paw’s services as “priceless.”
Providing the professional training to therapy animals to help people heal emotionally and physically is Hand in Paw's stock in trade. The professional training to animals and their owners is provided onsite, in 4-12 week courses taught by the Delta Organization. Once the volunteers and their animals are trained and licensed, they visit others in need of the love of a pet. The trained volunteers of Hand in Paw’s programs resulted in over 40,000 patient contacts in 2006. Reaching out to patients by letting them reach out to a pet provides an emotional healing in almost every health arena. No matter what charity pulls at your heart - Cancer, Alzheimer’s, Autism - chances are, Hand in Paw serves.
Hand in Paw programs include:
Sit, Stay, Read! Children who haven’t developed good reading skills are allowed to read to dogs. An adult’s inclination is to correct a child, a dog simply listens. Every reader’s confidence grows, and they feel good about their skills. Studies have shown that readers’ scores have skyrocketed.
Pawsitive Living – helps teens from broken homes and neighborhoods produce great results in life skills they haven’t previously received. The course teaches anger management, relationship-building and compassion to at-risk youths. The teens bond with the animals first, more so than with people and things; helping to build self-esteem and learn tolerance, patience and trust.
Petscription – offers a positive distraction from pain and worry to hospitalized people, and inspires those in rehabilitation facilities to meet their therapeutic goals. This program takes the animal and their trainer into hospitals so the patient can pet and spend time with the animals. While this program is comprised mostly of dogs; cats, rabbits and even miniature horses have participated.
There are countless success stories from Hand in Paw, and their volunteers from every different background and social setting. Mary Phillips, Director of Volunteers: “All different occupations, every income level, young, retired, an Oncologist and a receptionist; they are a diverse group that meshes well and that otherwise might never come in contact with each other. This provides not only meaningful service, but an outlet to our volunteers.”
Fundraising Events including The Wine Diva Event, Picasso Pets, and Paws on the Patio bring opportunities to socialize and raise money as well as awareness for the Hand in Paw programs. “These are fun events, and everyone is invited. Our sponsors provide excellent food, drink, and prizes; and donate the proceeds to Hand in Paw.” For instance, this year’s Wine Diva Event sponsor The Grape at the Summit provided an extensive selection of Wine at this year’s event, and discounts to participants who become customers.
Hand in Paw has 8 full-time staff members, and over 70 volunteers. They are open Monday through Saturday, 9:00a-5:00p, at 2616 Seventh Avenue South in Lakeview.
Want to get involved with your furry friend? Sign on at their website, www.handinpaw.org, or call 205.322.5144.
