Brandy and Val

YES!  We’re so excited that our Country’s Post Office has released a commemorative stamp advocating the adoption of shelter pets.  10 different stamps are available, each with a photograph of a former shelter animal, all of whom now have been adopted.  Products ranging from Pet Adoption Certificates to Pet Adoption notecards are available through the Post Office website and at your local post office.   Mugs, coasters and artwork are even available.

According to Postmaster General, John E. Potter,  “These stamps continue a Postal Service tradition of bringing attention to serious social issues of the day … one letter at a time…This campaign will increase public awareness about sheltered pets and our hope is that it will encourage pet adoption and promote humane and responsible pet care.”  Ellen DeGeneres, a long-time advocate of pet adoption and  avid promoter of pet adoption awareness has teamed up with the Postal Service and, in conjunction with her company Halo, has pledged to provide one million meals to sheltered animals.   Halo is a holistic pet-care company that Ms. DeGeneres co-owns.

We’re so happy that a cause that is so near and dear to our hearts is taking front and center stage.  Our mission is “to do good where good is needed” and since we are both former shelter dogs, we help animal shelters and sanctuaries with the sale of every one of our kids’ books and toys.

The Gulf Coast needs our help, again!  Still recovering and rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina which hit the area 5 years ago this August, Louisiana is now combatting the effects of the massive recent oil spill.   In danger  are its’ water, coastline, wetlands, wildlife and general economy (think fisherman).

A dead Portuguese man-of-war floats on rust-colored oil off the Louisiana coast on Tuesday.

An interesting article caught my eye this morning regarding how human and animal hair (fur) and nylon pantyhose is being used to help in the clean up efforts.  Apparently, hair’s texture makes for good “sopping” material and works well on capturing crude deposits, having been tested back in 2007 when a tanker hit the Oakland Bay Bridge and spilled oil into the  San Francisco Bay.

The San Francisco based environmental charity, Matter of Trust, is organizing a campaign for the collection and distribution of  all types of hair and nylon stockings so, collect those dust-bunnies!  keep your haircut trimmings (I actually got mine cut today, coincidentally enough)! and contact them to find how you can help curtail the gushing oil ravaging the Gulf Coast off New Orleans.

At Brandy and Val, LLC our mission is “to do good where good is needed” but we can’t do it alone!  Val is a Hurricane Katrina survivor and he, along with his family, doesn’t want more destruction to befall the great Gulf coastline.

Last July, the Service Dogs for Veterans Act was passed in the Senate, propelled by freshman Senator Al Franken of Minnesota and the Wounded Warrior K-9 Corps Act worked its’ way through the House, thanks to Congressman Ron Klein of Florida,  authorizing the use of federal funds to help furnish animals as pet therapy and service animals to U.S. veterans suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Service dogs are already provided  to veterans who have lost their sight or who are physically disabled but these bills now cover pilot programs for psychiatric disorders, too.  I have frequently commented in this blog about the “power of pets” for use as therapy animals and it is good news that the Government is recognizing their use to help former veterans, mostly from Iraq and Afghanistan reintegrate with society after they return home from combat.   Horse therapy is being used in Davie, Florida as stress relievers and dogs’ roles  as psychiatric service dogs include their being trained to dial 911, sense panic attacks before they start, activate lights, and provide protection if their guardian feels threatened.  Dog companionship has also been shown to instill feelings of self-esteem, responsibility and optimism in those who care for pets and is also a vital component to the rehabilitation to the physically and mentally wounded vet. Watch this video from the New York Times for first-hand insight from the veterans being helped!

Since our mission at Brandy and Val is, “to do good where good is needed” we are also thrilled that some of the dogs being trained for these programs come from Puppies Behind Bars, an organization that uses prisoners to raise and train the dogs. Programs such as these serve the community at large not only in providing the dogs that help vets but they help with the rehabilitation of the inmates working with these animals.  Seems like a lot of good is being done here.

Since Brandy and Val participate in pet therapy programs with autistic children, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge       World Autism Awareness Day which already passed on April 2.  In the United States the entire month of April is designated as National Autism Month.   It is estimated that 35 million people worldwide are afflicted with some form or autism and it is hoped that by raising awareness of autism, the importance of early diagnosis and intervention will be encouraged and greater research funding will become available.  The jigsaw puzzle is the emblem for autism and major buildings in several cities worldwide will light up in blue in recognition of the month – including the Empire State Building in New York City, Willis Tower in Chicago, the CN Tower in Toronto, and Kingdom Tower in Saudi Arabia.  Airports, bridges, museums, concert halls, restaurants, and retail stores, are among more than 100 structures that will also participate, including Madison Square Garden in New York City and even NBA stores!

Most people don’t know (I certainly didn’t) that World Autism Awareness Day was formally adopted by the United Nations in 2007 and that April 2 is its’ designated day.  Autism is also only one of three diseases that have formal “days” specified by the United Nations.  The other two diseases, by the way, are diabetes and AIDS.   Autism Speaks and the Autism Society of America are the two primary U.S. based organizations responsible for disseminating education, information and news about autism, current treatments and where to get help.   It is estimated that 1 in 70 boys has autism, another fact that I did not know until recently.   In the classes I work in with Brandy, there is only 1 girl out of about 30 kids!  In addition, the NBA is teaming up with Autism Speaks this month promoting autism awareness in its NBA stores, in public service announcements and during its games.

To read more about how pet therapy assists in working with these children, please refer to our earlier blog posts: (Pet Therapy Breakthroughs, Pet Therapy Breakthroughs, contd.)  or our recent guest blog article on Imagination Soup.  Autism Speaks also has many informative videos about the subject, divided into categories:  http://www.autismspeaks.org/video/index.php

On December 9, I wrote about the growing need and number of food banks that are supplying food for pets as well as people.   Apparently, this need has reached critical levels and Petco is expanding its Petco Foundation to help build a national network of food banks.  That’s GREAT!   While I generally try not to link “big box stores” in favor of small, family run operations, the Foundation and its’ resources are so important to helping animals and families who have them that I encourage all to read more about what they do.  Use it as a resource for where to go if you need help or if you wish to help.  The Mayor’s Alliance in New York City is working with the Petco Foundation in its’ expansion efforts.  Food bins will be put in Petco stores for donations so, if you can, help lend a hand and donate some food.  If you have a local pet store that you like to support, urge them to help a food bank by donating some food.  I know that one of our favorite local stores, Bentley’s, in Arlington Heights, IL, is always working on some project,  helping shelters and donating food in the area, giving them an A+ in our book.  PAWS Chicago will also distribute Petco food and products through its spay and neuter clinic.     If you  know local stores in your area who also help out, please comment our Facebook page or here so we can start our own resource list!  Some other resources are noted back in our December 9 article, as well.

As we wrote about previously, Brandy and Val is supporting the animal relief effort in Haiti by donating $5 from every sale of our children’s books and toys now through the end of February.   Our donations will be made to Best Friends Haiti Animal Relief, a member of ARCH, the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti. ARCH is an international organization, created by the World Society for the Protection of Animals and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.  The American Veterinary Medical Association, AVMA,  has also joined forces with ARCH to help out.  See our blog post from January 20.

For continuing coverage and video, check out the ASPCA who is providing field reports along with the AVMA

AVMA video

Don’t think Haiti’s rebuilding much matters to the world or to the U.S.?  Think again!  Read insightful articles recently written for Newsweek by President Obama and Former President Bill Clinton.

Animal relief efforts are underway in the aftermath of  the earthquake that devastated Haiti on January 12. Food, water and first aid are desperately needed to help the animals that survived and vaccinations are needed to help curb the onset of disease.  Haiti will not be able to rebuild and renew if its’ animals, including their livestock, die off!  BRANDY AND VAL will donate $5 to Best Friend’s Haiti Animal Rescue, a member of the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH) from EVERY Brandy and Val book and toy purchase now through 2/28/10.    We are especially fond and thankful to Best Friends since they were so instrumental in coordinating relief, pet relocation and reunification efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina (Val is a Hurricane Katrina survivor!).

We are pleased to announce that yesterday, Brandy and Val, LLC, donated 100 of our books and 100 of our mini-toys to the TOYS FOR TOTS Holiday toy drive campaign.  Recent news broadcasts in the Chicago area foretold a bleak outlook for toy contributions this year and we were happy to lend a helping hand along with our books and toys!

The Season For Giving rings even truer this year with so many people, pets, families and not-for-profit organizations in need.  Sure, we feel warm and fuzzy when people make donations in our names but, if you’re contemplating material gift purchases for loved ones this season, why not consider ones that give back to a cause that you believe in, as well?  Gifts such as these abound!

Of course, nearest and dearest to my heart are the ones that help animals, including my series of Brandy and Val books and toys. Since most of the gifts given out during the Holidays go to kids, these books fit the bill as they help animal sanctuaries throughout the U.S.  with 100% of  profits from Brandy and Val’s Special Story being donated to the rescue Brandy and Val were adopted from, Fortunate Pooches and Lab Rescue.  While we’re on the subject of books, Happy Tails Books aims to donate 20-25% of their net proceeds to animal welfare groups through the sale of books about adopted/rescued dogs.  What’s cool about their books is that they’re breed specific and they’re comprised of stories submitted by the guardians of the pets that were saved.  Help Save A Stray’s Shop offers t-shirts, tote bags, doggie bandannas and more and YOU get to select  where your donation goes from over the two dozen animal shelters they have listed on their site.

In no particular order, here are a few other unique gift ideas and sites that I’ve come across that help support our furry friends: Laughing Dog Art Studio creates pet portraits with a donation made to the animal shelter of your choice; The Dog Lover’s Wine Club of Carivintas Winery support a variety of animal rescues.  Wine selections can be chosen that support dogs, cats and horses!  Silver Bean Coffee sells a special blend that supports one of our favorite animal sanctuaries, Best Friends

I was even surprised to see how many Yahoo Groups there were that held discussions about gifts that give back to charity and My Shopping Connection has a section on gifts that give back to charities.  Brandy and Val made that list!  Finally, most rescue organizations have a myriad of gifts bearing their own logos, books etc. that support their causes and there are several companies such as Giftback.com contribute a back to a variety of charitable organizations with every purchase.

HAPPY SHOPPING!

The Holiday Season has always been a time of giving and good cheer.  This year, with such uncertain economic times and with so many out of work, it makes it even more important for those who are able to chip in a little more  to do so and help others who are in need.  Family pets are often given up when money is tight since the added expense for feeding and caring for a pet’s health becomes too burdensome.  But, since having a pet has been shown to contribute to our own sound emotional health and well-being, it makes perfect sense to make every effort to keep these animals as part of the family, especially in times of great stress.

As a result, animal shelters, animal welfare agencies, the pet-store mega-chain, Petco, church groups and others are are establishing pet food banks to assist such families and individuals confronting this situation.  And, they are are stepping up to the plate big time!   In Berlin, Germany, a soup kitchen called Animal Board has even been established to cater to the dogs of the homeless and unemployed.

In the United States, the agencies getting on board are growing rapidly by the day.   At present, there is no national network coordinating pet food assistance programs.  However, many cities and towns are now offering pet food assistance programs and volunteers are always welcome!   For those in need or for those wishing to lend a hand, SaveOurPetsFoodbank.org lists several locations and organizations in about 2 dozen states that offer pet food assistance programs.  The Rescue BankSM in Houston is that city’s first food bank for dogs and for some reason(!) the blog FamilyWorks Seattle includes pet food bank info for New York and Oregon.  A special “GIVING” section in the November 12 edition of the New York Times devoted an article to this issue, titled: “A Patchwork of Food Assistance for Pets.” Individuals and pet-food distributors alike are contributing to help make things happen.  Happy people, Happy Pets, Happy Holidays!