As we near the end of 2011, we at Austin Dog Alliance are reflecting on the amazing accomplishments of this past year. With more than 70 pet therapy teams and 200+ volunteers logging more than 10,000 volunteer hours the first three quarters, the Austin Dog Alliance shared the magic power of dogs with an estimated 13,000 people.
Because our programs are so highly successful, there is tremendous demand for our services - more than we can provide without additional funds.
We need your support if we are going to meet our communities' needs in 2012 and beyond!
The K9 Club - Autism Project is a therapeutic intervention program that teaches social skills using therapy dogs as a learning tool, making it both unique and one of the COOLEST social skills classes for children with autism/Asperger's Syndrome. Our students look forward to class. They talk about it all week. They make friends while they are there and they don't want to leave. For children with autism, this is remarkable. For their families, this is life changing.
Our Pet Therapy teams visit 30 hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation and hospice locations. These therapy teams visit patients and make a major difference in the patient's comfort, progress and recovery. Studies have shown that physical contact with a pet can lower blood pressure and that petting an animal can cause endorphins to be released.
Our Bow Wow Reading Dogs volunteered at 21 schools on a weekly basis, made 97 library visits and participated in 65 special events so far this year.
In addition, ourDog Adoption and Youth Association Leadership programs are extremely popular.
The demands for our services are increasing every day:
- More parents are asking us to offer our K9 Club-Autism after-school enrichment programs for a wider variety of students.
- Many children are turned away from our summer camps because they are full.
- More hospitals, more schools and more libraries are requesting our therapy team services. In fact, 22 schools are on the waitlist for the Bow Wow Reading Dog program.
That's why we need your help now.
As you make your tax-deductible, year-end contributions this month, please add the Austin Dog Alliance to your holiday list. Your support allows us to continue our current programs and expand our ability to improve lives through the special, unconditional magic that occurs between adults, children and dogs.
Please don't wait. Donate online or fill out the donation form below and drop it in the mail before it gets lost in the holiday rush. Hundreds of children are depending on your gift to ensure we can continue to serve them.
On behalf of our board, our staff and volunteers, thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Susan Culp, DVM - Board Chair
Debi Krakar, Executive Director
