Tue, Sep 26, 2006
 

National Network Animal Planet to film at La Porte Hospital

One little four-pound Chihuahua that has brought joy to hundreds of patients, is preparing to enter 87 million households across the country via national television. Animal Planet™ has announced plans to film at La Porte Hospital.

This month, Painless Productions, on behalf of Animal Planet, will visit La Porte Hospital to film Abby the Chihuahua, a special little pet therapy pup who is one of five dogs in the country to win the Award for Canine Excellence by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Animal Planet plans to air the segment about Abby during the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship dog show December 2-3.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Painless Productions and Animal Planet crew here, and are very excited that so many across the nation share our enthusiasm for the value of pet therapy in the healing process,” said Shawna Oros-Burke, Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Strategy at La Porte Regional Health System.

Abby is owned by La Porte Hospital volunteer Cathy Albrecht, and was nominated for the ACE award by La Porte Regional Health System in June. Albrecht is a Whirlpool Corporation employee who established Abby’s Pet Visitation Scholarship about three years ago, whereby a $500 scholarship is awarded to a student entering the healthcare profession. This scholarship is presented through the La Porte Hospital Auxiliary and is sponsored by the Whirlpool Foundation in acknowledgement for community volunteer service.

Abby, a long-coated Chihuahua, has logged countless volunteer hours with La Porte Regional Health System. As a certified pet therapy dog from the Delta Society, Abby knows just how to respond to each person and has a calming effect on patients who may be experiencing pain, loneliness or depression. She participates in many community programs and is a great ambassador for pet therapy. She volunteers for LIL’ FISH, a program that teaches health and safety to children. Each year she joins cancer fundraisers, and the Whirlpool Foundation even offers an annual scholarship in Abby's name for her work in hospice.