Charity Chicks Houston

Kristin & Alfie – August 2012 Graduates Tricks for Pits & Friends

Via email, we just learned about this great new group, so listen up Houston animal lovers, here’s a little info on CountyPets - hopefully one or two of you will find some time to get to know them and volunteer some of your time.

WHO ARE FRIENDS OF COUNTYPETS?

Friends Of CountyPets is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded to support the HCPHES Veterinary Public Health mission of building a community of responsible pet owners.

HOW WILL FRIENDS OF COUNTYPETS HELP BUILD THE COMMUNITY OF RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERS?

As the fundraising agent for HCPHES Veterinary Public Health, Friends Of CountyPets provides resources supporting non-mandated programs including community outreach, educational programs and pet services.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

The majority of animal suffering and human injuries caused by pets are directly related to human behavior. Pet overpopulation, animal cruelty, animal bites, aggressive animals and other animal issues can only be changed by changing human behavior. Without human involvement and engagement, the animal issues we all try so hard to overcome will continue. Friends of CountyPets believes that preventing the problem is better than trying to fix it after it happens.

WHAT TYPES OF SERVICES DOES FRIENDS OF COUNTYPETS PROVIDE?

Although a fairly new organization, Friends of CountyPets has already provided funding for area-targeted spay/neuter projects, teen-directed animal training (see Tricks for Pits & Friends below), and technology training to be more effective in outreach efforts.

Tricks for Pits & Friends

The “Tricks for Pits & Friends program was designed to teach at-risk youth owners how to use positive training and communication skills to create a well trained pet. Originally started to address the issues of pit bull dogs in the community, participants and community leaders requested the addition of other types of family dogs which served to broadened the scope of the project.

The goal of the program is to develop a community of responsible pet owners among the younger members of our target communities.  Students are not only provided with training instruction, but also veterinary checkups and vaccinations for their participating dogs, instruction on pet nutrition, grooming, safety, and socialization.  Additionally, in past classes, partner organizations have provided free spay/neuter services for the pets of our graduates.

Training with positive reinforcement instead of negative actions or punishment is frequently a new concept for our students.  Learning how to communicate with their dog, practicing empathy and visualizing how their actions affect what their dog does are lessons easily transferred to day to day life not only with their pets, but with their families and friends as well. “

Cocktails for a Cause Guest Bartenders Photo: Clayton R. Harrison

Last month, we took part in a great event: Cocktails for a Cause at BlackFinn in Midtown. The event benefited Dan’s House of Hope, and not only was it a heap of fun (I got to serve/drink champagne all night), we were able to introduce a ton of people to this great charity.

Cocktails for a Cause – Featuring Some of Houston’s Favorite Do-Gooders

Seven of Houston’s most active philanthropists took the time to step behind the bar and sling drinks for a man named Dan.

On Thursday, October 4th, the Midtown hotspot hosted Cocktails for a Cause, the first in a series. The bar was staffed with seven committed philanthropists rather than their regularly-scheduled bartenders (but thankfully the real staff was there to help!).

Guest Bartender Nicky Patriarca Photo: Clayton R. Harrison

All seven bartenders, some with ample bartending experience and others with mere rookie enthusiasm, donated 100% of their tips to Dan’s House of Hope (DHOH), which serves as an oasis for adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients traveling from communities across the US.

DHOH was selected as this quarter’s charity after being nominated by Kevin Moody, one of the night’s guest bartenders (who gave a great Cocktail rendition speech on top of the bar!).

“Dan’s is there to fill a huge need in the fight against cancer. It’s a tremendous idea and cause that came from one of the bravest young men I sadly never got to meet. That’s why I support this cause and why I’ll be mixing the best cocktails for this cause,” said Moody.

Guest Bartender Sam Dike Photo: Clayton R. Harrison

BlackFinn made it easy for guests to generously donate by offering $3 Domestic Drafts, $3 House Wines (including a champagne booth), and $3 Well Drinks.

Guest Bartenders and Their Favorite Drinks Included:

Kieley Beeman – Sales Rep with Beeman Marketing – Dirty Martini, Chase Culver – Medical Student at Baylor College of Medicine – Vodka & Soda, Sam Dike – City of Houston – Sam has hopes of reenacting a scene from the sitcom Cheers, Jayme Lamm – Sportswriter at The Blonde Side – Champagne, Kevin Moody – Institutional Sales – Ginger Snaps, Nicky Patriarca – Market Development  - Campechano (we don’t know either!!), Bob Reineke – Owner, Ascend Massage Therapy – German Beer.

Thanks to BlackFinn for hosting such a great event and a big thanks to the photographer Clayton R. Harrison for capturing all the great (and goofy) shots of the night.