‘Dog Days of Summer’ to help Therapy Partners

MADISON – This party ‘may go to the dogs’ but that’s following exactly to plan.

The “Dog Days of Summer” party on Aug. 26 will benefit Therapy Partners Inc., an animal-assisted therapy organization in Huntsville. Numerous clients for Therapy Partners include Huntsville Hospital, Hope Place, Huntsville-Madison County Senior Center, Still Serving Veterans and area nursing homes.

Tommy and Susan Siniard will host Dog Days of Summer at their home at 5 Old Chimney Road on Monte Sano. “The fun heats up at 6:30 p.m. as Therapy Partners teams gather to greet you with a smile and a wagging tail,” spokesperson Tammie Berzett said.

Guests can meet some of the therapy dogs that will attend the party.

“Days of Summer is a fun and casual event that allows dog, art and community lovers to mingle in support of Therapy Partners. Our honorary sponsor is Paradise Pet Resort and Spa of Madison,” Berzett said.

Guests will enjoy live music, tasty food, craft beers, wine and the infamous Bad Puppy Punch. “The fabulous silent auction will offer opportunities to win jewels, beach vacations, world travel packages and many other highly popular items,” Berzett said.

Da Vinci Dog paintings will be displayed during the evening. Created by local artists who donate their time and talent to the cause, these one-of-a-kind artworks are portraits of pet owners’ animal companions. To have your pet painted for next year’s event, call 256-426-2183.

Therapy Partners has 22 volunteer therapy teams of registered and certified handlers and their dog or cat partners that assist physicians, nurses, therapists and social workers to reach their health treatment goals with their patients and clients. They also work with teachers to provide educational stimuli for their students.

Some of their programs are WAGS or Wait, Ask, Greet Safety for elementary students on approaching an unfamiliar dog; PAW or Partners Achieving Wellness that visit patients in hospitals and other care facilities; PSM or Partners Serving Military that consoles families who have lost a relative in military service, based on a program at Redstone Arsenal; and PSH or Partners Serving Hospice to assist patients in hospice care.

A reservation for Dog Days is $75 and available by calling 256-881-5700 or visiting therapypartners.org. All reservations will be held at the door. Also visit Facebook/Therapy Partners.