Dogs Will Put Their Paws Forward to Fight Multiple Sclerosis



May 20, 2005 -- Dogs across Long Island will put their best paws forward to raise money for a devastating disease. On Sunday, June 5th at Red Creek Park, Hampton Bays (10:00 a.m.), the Southampton MS Canine Classic will take place.

"Open to Long Islanders of all ages, this event is as much fun for dogs as it is for humans," says Pamela J. Mastrota, President and CEO of National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Long Island Chapter. "Your pooch can socialize with hundreds of other dogs and then take you on a serene walk around the park. Later that afternoon, you can relax and enjoy great music and food in our picnic area."

At the Canine Classic, participants can visit with vets from the Center of Specialized Veterinary Care. They'll also be given tours of the Suffolk Country SPCA MASH Unit and the Southampton Animal Shelter. All pooches who attend CC will be given goodie bags provided by Total Pet Care and Old Mother Hubbard.

All money raised at the Southampton MS Canine Classic 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:
Sunrise Highway to exit 65N (Riverhead / Town Police Station exit)
Make right at light to Old Riverhead Road.
Make second left after Town Police Station into Red Creek Park.

Calendar Listing:
SUNDAY, June 5, 2005
National Multiple Sclerosis Society LI Chapter Presents, "Southampton MS Canine Classic," 10 a.m., Red Creek Park, Hampton Bays. For more information, please call Elizabeth Cathor at (631) 864-8337 ext. 26

Canine Classic PSA:
Over 42,000 Long Islanders are affected by multiple sclerosis, a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that affects the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord. Long Island dogs will put their best paws forward to raise money for this devastating disease at the Southampton MS Canine Classic which takes place on June 5th, 10:00 a.m. at Red Creek Park, Hampton Bays.

Open to all Long Islanders ($25 registration fee), the Canine Classic will feature dogs walking their owners around Red Creek Park, visits with vets from the Center of Specialized Veterinary Care, and great music provided by Long Island's WBLI & WBAB.

For more information or to register for the Canine Classic, please call the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Long Island Chapter at (631) 864-8337 ext. 26 or visit them online at www.nmssli.org.

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 Will Put Their Paws Forward to Fight Multiple Sclerosis