Colorado State Veterinary Students Organize ‘dog Health Day’ to Raise Money for Americares ‘hero Fund’
Dogs throughout northern Colorado will have the opportunity to get their health checked and their owners will have a chance to make a donation to a worthy cause during "Dog Health Day" from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 29 at Colorado State’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Fort Collins.
Organized by the veterinary medicine student body at Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, "Dog Health Day" is a special event benefiting the Americares "Hero Fund" which offers support to families of firefighters and police officers who lost their lives in the recent terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C.
A host of veterinary services will be offered for a suggested donation of between five and ten dollars per service. Participation is on a first come, first served basis, so no appointments are necessary. This event is for dogs only. Families are not limited to the size or number of dogs they can bring.
Support from Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Waltham Pet Food, Kinko’s, A-Z Party Rental have covered the basic costs associated with conducting this event, so that one hundred percent of the money raised will go directly to the "Hero Fund."
"The entire student body has been affected by this tragedy. In talking about it, we wanted to find a way to help these families in some way," said Lisa Parshley, president of the Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association at Colorado State.
"The veterinary oath states that we will ‘use our scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society.’ In conducting this event, we felt we could benefit the Fort Collins community and demonstrate our appreciation for the sacrifices these heroes and their families have made."
Veterinary services offered include:
- Physical exam for a donation of $10
- Dental exam for a donation of $5
- Nail trimming for a donation of $5
- Dog wash for a donation of $5
- Puppy socialization class for a donation of $5
Participants will also have the chance to take home a variety of products in exchange for a contribution. These items include: homemade, all natural dog biscuits, mugs, dog beds, t-shirts, cookbooks and luminaries will also be offered for a small donation.
Other local groups are showing support for the event by donating services including: Centennial Bank of the West has donated the use of its vintage stagecoach and six Percherons to give rides around the grounds; the Fort Collins Police Department’s K-9 Unit, a team of firefighters from the Poudre Valley Fire Department and the Rocky Mountain Search and Rescue Team will be on hand throughout the day giving demonstrations.
The Veterinary Teaching Hospital is located at 300 West Drake Road in Fort Collins.
Refreshments will be available.