Somers Golden Retriever to be Grand Marshall for Cancer Society Bark for Life
A Golden Retriever from Somers will serve as the Grand Marshall for the American Cancer Society’s Westchester Bark for Life event on Sunday, April 10 at Lyndhurst in Tarrytown.
Abbie is a Certified Therapy Dog and a cancer survivor. She was scheduled to attend the kick-off party for the canine cancer awareness and fundraising event on Monday, where she was set to do agility exercises and an obedience demonstration with her owner Mike Jones.
“Each year we elect a special dog to be our Grand Marshall and lead our walking event,” said Janis Castaldi of the American Cancer Society. “We are so proud that Abbie Einstein will fulfill that role in 2016.”
Abbie contracted Squamous Cell Carcinoma, an extremely aggressive type of cancer for dogs. After successful surgery and care, Abbie has proceeded to achieve numerous Rally, Obedience and Agility titles, as well as photo shoots. During her seven years as a therapy dog, she has visited nursing homes, hospitals, and Autism halfway homes and done grief counseling.
She currently “works” at the Kent Library’s Reading to Rover Program, visits the home of an Alzheimer’s patient in Mahopac and has worked with the Girl Scouts of Somers and North Salem. She is one of three dogs that visit patients who are undergoing dialysis in Yorktown and also serves as a therapy dog for the Danbury Music Theatre’s production of the Nutcracker each year.
Last year, more than 20,000 registered canine and caregiver participants at 300 Bark for Life events across the country raised $1.2 million. The celebration this year will include doggie games, dress-up contests, music, food, and a one-mile walk. To learn more, call the American Cancer Society at (914) 397-8845 or email Janis.castaldi@cancer.org.
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