Brunch is always a good idea…especially when it’s for a good cause. Pop some bubbly with your furry friend on Sunday, February 11 for the 11th Annual Dine With Your Dog Celebration. From 10:30a – 1p at Heritage Square, dog moms and dads will enjoy a scrumptious brunch spread that includes bottomless mimosas while your pup chows down on a dog-friendly gourmet meal.
Grab a couple #poochies (dog talk for ‘selfie’) at the photo booth and take a stroll by the “pup-arazzi” for the full star treatment. PetSmart trainers will be on hand to teach old dogs new tricks while live music entertains two and four-legged attendees. Guests will have the chance to explore pet play areas, chat up fellow dog owners and bid at the silent auction.
All event proceeds will benefit PetSmart Charities’ Paws Can Heal Animal-Assisted Therapy program, which supports training and education for therapy dogs to visit Phoenix Children’s Hospital to help motivate, heal, and lift the spirits of patients. Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s provides an Animal-Assisted Therapy Program to patients and their families for therapeutic purposes.
Scientific research has shown that a patient’s interaction with an animal can provide positive physical and emotional benefits. It can reduce stress levels and invoke a sense of well-being. Animal-assisted therapy acts as a catalyst to motivate patients to help themselves. A child will happily take a dog for a walk, or throw the animal a ball, forgetting the pain for a little while and moving closer to going home.
Among the specific benefits of animal-assisted therapy are the ways it motivates children to:
- Get up, move, walk, leave their room and play.
- Participate in therapy (physical, occupational and speech.)
- Forget their discomfort or pain.
- Interact more with others.
- Improve their mood.
- Improve their interactions with family and staff.
- Do things that may be a struggle, such as eating, taking medication or waiting.
Dine With Your Dog reservations can be made at DineWithYourDog.org and the cost to attend is $125 for one canine and their well-behaved human. If you can’t attend but would still like to help click here.
