Baycrest’s second annual Dogs on the Catwalk fundraiser, a free community-wide event in support of Baycrest’s volunteer services and its pet therapy program, will be held Oct. 20 at the Winter Garden Court and will again be hosted by TV personality Jeanne Beker and her beloved dog Gus.
Some 40 dogs and their owners are raising money for Baycrest volunteer services, which runs the pet therapy program. A Dogs on the Catwalk webpage has been created, along with individual pet profiles unique to each dog, with photos and stories. The dogs’ human counterparts sent messages to their circle of supporters to help fundraise through their pet profile.
Last year’s event was based on a tongue-in-cheek beauty contest.
“This year, we have changed it and will showcase our top fundraising dogs in a variety show. The Baycrest residents have been looking forward to this event all year,” said Ian Leventhal, director of leadership gifts.
There will be three segments to the event: a fashion show; a celebrity-dog look-a-like contest and a concluding “trick-or-treat” segment that will showcase the dogs’ talents.
“With a fundraising goal of $75,000, we have raised $44,493.35 so far. That’s 59 per cent of our goal,” Leventhal said.
There are 2,000 volunteers who come through Baycrest at any given time.
“There are so many things that Baycrest wouldn’t do or can’t do without the volunteers, with all the services they provide. Pet therapy is one of a multitude of programs they furnish,” Leventhal said.
There are two ways your canine friend can be in the show: either he or she is a registered pet therapy dog, or you can raise a minimum of $2,000.
“CutiePie Shiffman is our top fundraising star, raising over $12,000 so far, while Jack, Kitty, Tetley, Clancy, Moishie and Bobby have each raised more than $2,000. These dogs are all eligible to be in the show,” said Leventhal.
“At Baycrest, we have run the pet therapy program for over 20 years, where volunteers and their dogs who have completed either Therapeutic Paws [training] or the St. John Ambulance program visit clients,” said Karen Hirshfeld, Baycrest’s professional practice chief for therapeutic recreation.
Dogs and owners in the program visit clients at the Freeman Family Day Centre, the Samuel Lunenfeld Mountainview Club and Baycrest, including palliative care, the Terraces of Baycrest, and the Apotex Centre Jewish Home for the Aged.
There is much literature and research that supports the use of pet therapy.
“In addition to the immediate ‘in the moment’ benefits we see when the dogs come to visit, such as improved mood, interaction and engagement, the literature also tells us that pet therapy can have a number of positive benefits for the residents after the visits are over. These include improved social interaction skills, coping and ability to communicate,” Hirshfeld said.
Therapy dog Jackson is an eight-year-old poodle bichon.
“When I’m getting ready to take Jackson to Baycrest, I mention to him some of the residents’ names, and his tail starts wagging in excitement and anticipation of his weekly visit – he recognizes where he is going,” said his owner, Baycrest volunteer Sharon Kreiger.
While petting Jackson, Baycrest resident Ginger Howard-Freidman told The CJN, “I have these wonderful feelings of love, relaxation and happiness.”
Every Sunday, Jackson can be seen pacing the fifth floor of the Apotex Centre.
“We go to concerts with the residents, we go to the gardens when the weather is nice, we talk together and we even play dominos. Jackson comes and sits down, and everybody pets him. If they can’t reach him, I pick him up and he will sit in their lap. He loves it. He is Mr. Relaxation – Mr. Perry Como,” Krieger said.
“Some of the residents even try to pinch Jackson’s cheeks,” she added with a laugh.
All images courtesy of Baycrest.
