by David Frei The Westminster Kennel Club (NAPSA)—America’s oldest 7 so and most prestigious organization dedicated to purebred dogs is creating a therapy dog program for New York’s leading children’s hospital with the goal of enhancing the healing process for its pediatric patients. Angel On A Leash brings together The Westminster Kennel Club and Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian to benefit young patients and their families through the integration and expansion of therapy dogsinto patient care. The announcement of the program was made recently at the Hospital. Dogs and children were in abundance, and the star of the day was “Josh” (Ch. Darbydale’s All Rise Pouchcove”), the re- doubtable Newfoundland that captured Westminster’s coveted Best In Show award last February. Josh retired from the show ring after his win, and is now a certified therapy dog for owners Dave and Peggy Helming and Carol Bergmann. His presence rivaled that of any human celebrity, with crowds gathering hoping for a look at “America’s Dog.” Five other dogs were also on hand, interacting with children in the Hospital’s Wintergarden area before going up to the sixth floor to visit patients not mobile enough to come downstairs. Science is finally confirming what people have knownintuitively for years: that the amazing healing powerof therapy dogs can help people physically, emotionally and socially. Studies have shown that hospitalized children progress more rapidly when interactions with dogs are part of therapy. “Westminster is much more than a dog show,” said President Peter R. Van Brunt. “Westminster —_ Photo By: Amy Lee Anna Lee, a patient at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of NewYorkPresbyterian, is delighted by a visit from Josh, the Newfoundland that captured Best In Show at the Westminster Kennel Club in 2004, and his handler, Michelle Ostermiller. Josh was visiting as a part of Angel On A Leash, a therapy dog program at the hospital sponsored by Westminster. is a celebration of the dog as an important part of our lives. Our partnership with Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital is affirmation of our belief that our dogs make our lives happier and healthier, something that we have been showing the world for more than 125 years.” Being in a hospital can be a frightening time for children— away from the comforts of home and family, facing medical procedures and treatments. The use of therapy dogs has been shown to help reduce stress for pediatric patients and their families. Scientific studies are showing the many benefits, ranging from encouraging smiles and conversation, to motivating them during physical therapy. “Pets are often a dearly missed part of the family when children require extensive stays at the hospital,” says Cynthia Sparer, Executive Director of Children’s Hospital. “Our partnership with Westminster and the launch of Angel On A Leash will provide an opportunity for our children to play, be comforted, and express themselves, just as they would at home.” “The therapy dogs connect patients—especially those who are suffering from chronic illness—to the outside world,” said Joan Bompane,Director of Child Life at the Hospital. “The program brings unconditional love from an animal to the bedside, which greatly contributes to the emotional and physical healing process.” Westminster will fund its inno- vative undertaking through the sales of its 2005 poster created for its annual dog show: Westminster. There’s only one, by noted artist Misha Lenn. For information about Angel On A Leash, call (212) 213-3212 or e-mail angelonaleash@wkcpr.org. To order a poster or to learn more about The Westminster Kennel Club, log on to www.westminster kennelclub.org. The Westminster Kennel Club is America’s oldest organization dedicated to the sport of purebred dogs. Established in 1877, Westminster’s influence has been felt for more than a century through its famous all breed, benched dog show held every year at New York’s Madison Square Garden. The show is America’s second longest continuously held sporting event, behind only the Kentucky Derby. Watch the Westminster Kennel Club’s 129th Annual Dog Show February 14-15, 2005 televised live on USA Network from 8-11 p.m. ET each evening. More than 2,500 dogs of 165 breeds and varieties will compete for the ultimate win in the dog show world, Best In Show at Westminster.
