Dogs to Bark About Philosophies on Life and Raise Money for Multiple Sclerosis



May 4, 2005 -- Hundreds of dogs from all breeds will meet on Sunday, May 15th in Wantagh Park to discuss life and raise money for a devastating disease.

The 9th Annual Pooch Parade, presented by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Long Island Chapter will have a petting zoo sponsored by Petland Discounts, "Ask the Vet" information table provided by the Center for Specialized Veterinary Care, demonstrations by Grateful Greyhounds, caricature painting as well as music provided by Spin-A-Round Sound. Highlighting the day will be the parade itself as hundreds of dogs will take their owners for a walk around Wantagh Park.

We appreciate the vital roles that dogs play in the lives of people with multiple sclerosis . This is an event where you can bring the whole family out for a day of fun and at the same time raise critical funds for programs, services and research for MS," says Pamela J. Mastrota, president and CEO of National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Long Island Chapter. "Your four-legged buddy will also have terrific experience and be treated like royalty."

Throughout the event, pooches will have an opportunity to discuss with their peers a number of issues that touch their lives ranging from "annoying things that owners do" to the "best places to take a walk." These bark-alogues will take place in the Wantagh Park's picnic area. At the end of the day an exit poll will be taken by Elizabeth Cathor, NMSSLI Development Manager to learn what the dogs woofed about.    

All money raised at the 9th Annual Pooch Parade supports MS research, as well as more than 60 programs for Long Islanders with MS and their friends and families. To register you and your dog for the Pooch Parade (25$ per human), please call the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Long Island Chapter at (631) 864-8337 or visit www.nmssli.org.

Directions:

From the West
Southern or Northern State Parkway East
to Meadowbrook Parkway South to exit M9 (Merrick Rd.).
Go East to Woodland (just before Wantagh Parkway).
Make a quick left into Wantagh Park.

From the East
Southern State Parkway West to exit 28 (Wantagh Ave.).
Go South to Merrick Rd.
Make a right onto Merrick Rd.
and pass under the overpass.
Park entrance is directly on left.

Calendar Listing:
SUNDAY, May 15, 2005
National Multiple Sclerosis Society LI Chapter Presents, "9th Annual MS Pooch Parade," 10 a.m., Wantagh Park, Wantagh. For more information, please call Elizabeth Cathor at (631) 864-8337 ext. 26
(Sidebar) Exit Poll recap of the 2004 Pooch Parade:
-    95% of all dogs agreed their owners did it
-    70% of all dogs believed there is a doggie heaven
-    60% agreed that their owners should install cable in their dog houses while the other 40% said they'd prefer surround sound instead.
-    92% of all dogs agreed that the "reindeer antlers" their owners put on them are embarrassing and cause low pooch esteem.
-    For the 3rd year in a row, the tennis ball was recognized as the "best object to chase"
-    80% of all dogs agreed that cats should just "get over it" while 20% said that a tough upbringing was at fault for their moodiness
-    40% Bearded Collies said they'd prefer to have a goatee instead.
-    100% of all dogs agreed that raising money for MS research and programs was a noble cause and encouraging more humans to join their fight was a great idea.

About National Multiple Sclerosis Society Long Island Chapter:
Founded in 1946, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society supports more MS research, offers more services for people with MS, provides more professional education programs, and furthers more MS advocacy efforts than any other MS organization in the world.

We do this through the extensive research we support to find the cause, cure and improved treatments of the disease; the comprehensive services we provide to people with MS and their families; the professional education programs we offer to assist health care providers better serve their MS patients; and through our advocacy efforts on state and federal levels to encourage public policies supportive of the needs of people with multiple sclerosis .

Ryan McCormick
Communications Manager
National Multiple Sclerosis Society,
Long Island Chapter               
Office: (631) 864-8337 ext. 14
Cell: (516) 901-1103   





Dogs to Bark About Philosophies on Life and Raise Money for Multiple Sclerosis