PHOENIX, AZ – Valley pet lovers will soon get a chance to raise money for research that may one day benefit their own pet.
The
Heart to Heart Pet-A-Rama fundraising pet walk is set to occur on February 14 at the Steele Indian Park in Phoenix.
The goal of the walk is to raise awareness among pet owners about the dangers of animal heart disease, the second overall killer of canines, and to raise money for research efforts about it.
“This year we hope to raise over $100,000,” said Lois Arnold, creator of the walk and devoted pet owner. “100 percent of the funds raised directly benefit the animals and with the community’s help we have the power to save lives.”
The Heart to Heart walk was created in 2005 by Arnold, a Phoenix resident, after her dog Carmel had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure by a veterinarian, and she was told that nothing further could be done.
That was not acceptable for Arnold however, and she managed to secure an open-heart bypass surgery for her pet in 2001 at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University. The surgery was a success and Carmel is still alive today.
The walk will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Valentine’s Day and will feature animal agility demonstrations, performances by the Disc-Dogs and Petite Elite Miniature Horses Drill Team, and various contests for dogs and the owners.
During the event, participants will also have the chance to get free heart check-ups for their pets from Dr. Chris Orton, the very same doctor who performed the surgery on Carmel eight years ago.
The
Phoenix Animal Care Coalition will also be present at the walk and will host numerous animals from multiple valley shelters and rescues for adoption.
For more information on the Heart to Heart Pet-A-Rama event or to pre-register for the walk, visit the Heart to Heart
site.
