Dog Days of Summer promises cool night of fun

Dog Days of Summer on Aug. 19 will be held at the Adams Street home of Rusty and Connie Stephenson in downtown Huntsville. CONTRIBUTED

HUNTSVILLE – Oppressive heat has forced people to find a cool shade, but Therapy Partners’ Dog Days of Summer will offer everyone a cool evening of entertainment, while helping a worthy cause.

This year’s venue for Dog Days of Summer on Aug. 19 will be the Adams Street home of Rusty and Connie Stephenson in downtown Huntsville. From 6:30 to 9 p.m., guess will enjoy live music, a silent and live auction, fabulous food and a chance to meet some of the therapy animals.

The silent auction will feature the “da Vinci Dog” works of art from local and regional artists who donated their time and creative talent. “The renowned ‘Bad Puppy Punch’ and presence of Therapy Partner Teams all help add to the ‘best summer party in Huntsville,'” volunteer Summer Allmon said.

Dog Days of Summer also will offer a “wine grab” for $20 per bottle, Allmon said.

Tickets for Dog Days are $75 each. To purchase tickets, call Nancy Farris at 256-682-8208.

A 501(c)3 organization, Therapy Partners Inc. uses certified owner-and-pet teams as a therapeutic tool for community organizations, from Huntsville Hospital Pediatrics to public schools to Hospice Family Care.

“These animal interactions are designed to benefit people by reducing stress and anxiety, diminishing pain, normalizing the environment, providing unique sensory stimuli and assisting in meeting treatment goals, Allmon said.

Therapy Partners provides pet therapy services to Madison, Huntsville and surrounding areas. “We also have several handlers that live with their pet partners in Madison,” Allmon said.

The 30 volunteer therapy teams are registered and certified handlers with their dog or cat partners. These teams assist physicians, nurses, therapists and social workers to reach their health treatment goals with patients and clients.

“They also work with teachers to provide educational stimuli for their students. They visit assisted living facilities, community centers and long-term care facilities,” Allmon said.

Therapy Partners offers numerous programs. WAGS (Wait, Ask & Greet Safety) instructs elementary children about approaching an unfamiliar dog and recognizing warning signs of an unfriendly dog. RRT (Rapid Response Teams) offers comfort and emotional support to disaster victims.

For more information, visit therapypartners.org.