Doggy Beach Party to raise awareness for at-risk, abused kids
By Julie Connor
Instead of bringing suntan lotion and beach blankets, Kyrene Corridor resident Riva Litz and her dog Marco will be bringing their doggie snacks and chew toys to a different kind of beach party.
Litz and 4-year-old Marco, a German shepherd mix, have been volunteering since October 2001 for Gabriel's Angels, a local non-profit whose mission is to end the cycle of violence.The two will be gearing up for the third annual Doggie Beach Party March 8 at Tempe’s Papago Park in Tempe.
The annual event is a way for Gabriel's Angels to raise awareness about its work with abused at-risk Valley children, as well as to recruit new volunteers and raise much-needed funds for the organization.
Litz, a local pet trainer, said every week she and Marco visit at-risk children at the Boys and Girls Club of South Phoenix to teach them to love and respect animals—and, of course, to have fun.
Marco gets brushed, walked and occasionally enjoys a few doggie snacks, but Litz says it’s the message they're sending to the children that is most important."The animals teach kids about unconditional love," Litz said. "But we also stress that there's never an excuse to hit an animal or a person."
Pam Gaber, founder and president of Gabriel's Angels, said the beach party is another fun way to educate the public about their cause.
"Dogs can offer so much more than companionship. Through Gabriel's Angels, these children find unconditional love and acceptance. This is something they may have never experienced,” says Litz.
Gabriel's Angels' certified Pet Therapy Teams consist of an owner and a dog. To become certified, dogs must pass a 20-part test, which consists of basic obedience commands such as sit, down, stay. The training also teaches the dogs to be comfortable with touching and distracting settings.
"In training, we often do a simulated argument so the animal can become desensitized to loud noises and distractions," Litz said."But more importantly, the dogs also have to like being around children."
Currently, there are more than 85 teams visiting about 35 facilities serving abused and at-risk children in the Phoenix area.During these visits, children who are victims of abuse and neglect find an oasis of acceptance, love and serenity. Their new, four-legged friends offer unconditional love, teach empathy, respect, trust and a host of other life skills these children have not learned through traditional channels, Gaber said.
But when Marco turns down the street to the Boys and Girls Club, he's channeled into the fun and playfulness that's ahead.Whimpering with excitement, he awaits lots of love and attention from the children.
"He likes the kids; it's like going to the park," Litz said.
Members of the public are encouraged to attend the event with their four-legged friends and enter them in such activities as best doggie bathing suit contest, best doggie beachwear contest, best body contest and the doggie limbo contest.Cost is $25 per family of four in advance, $30 the day of the event. Individual tickets are $10 per person.
Tickets include two raffle tickets and a beach-style barbecue.
Information: (480) 460-5333 or www.petshelpingkids.com
