Sometimes the things that are the best for us are unspoken.
Dogs have an extra-sensory way of knowing when we need love and guidance and encouragement. Just being around man’s best friend gives a sense of calmness and well-being, and this is why the Prescription Pet program at Children’s Hospital Colorado has been successful and growing for the past 31 years.
“Over the next two years our dogs will be interacting in a controlled manner with patients on the autism spectrum,” says one of the original founders, Dr. Sara Mark. “The study is carefully designed to measure psysiologic changes in children when they are in the presence of dogs.”
There was no question how happy dogs made attendees at this year’s Wags and Wine event at Kuni Lexus in Greenwood Village on Tuesday night. Smiles abounded and tails wagged and friends hugged. This event brings awareness of the Prescription Pet program that started with 4 dogs and has grown to 40 teams.
Volunteers are always welcome: check out the program at www.childrenscolorado.org.
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- Longtime supporters Beth McCarthy, left, (23 years) and Sara Mark (31 years) with Rosie
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- John and Margaret Mansanti
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- Vanessa Ernissee, left, and Mary Maikoetter
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- Elizabeth Kashinski, left, Carolyn McBride, Ellen Simonson and Arlen Heller
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- Connie Brakken-Smith and Rod Smith
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- Dr. Peggy Kelley with Jaxon
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- Patty Moody with Ernie
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- Event coordinator Lyn Schaffer, center, with her daughters Sara and Claire
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- Len and Nancy Sahling with Zach
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- Dogs deserve treats too!
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- Randy Burns, left, Angie Gonzales, Tanya Mrazek, Courtney Zimmerman, Graham White, Caitlin Brateng
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- Darby Kelly with Cormac
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- Sam Ferszt, left, Barry Glass, Becky Coughlin and Lauren Fraser
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- Jenny Follett and Karma
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- Smiles from Jenny Follett and Karma
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- Amy Traver, left, and Jana Hundley
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- Gerard Langhuoth and Valli Mangan
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- Jamie Pronto , left, and Jeanmarie Paradise
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- Boer Zhao, Sihai Jiang with baby Jayden and Polar
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- Ron and Linda Powers
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- Charles and Kathryn Pride, left, with James Smith
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- Scott Cast, left, Robert Karow and Bill Strickland
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- Ron and Linda Powers sample the great hors d’oeurves provided by Biscuits and Berries
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- Carol Strickland, left, Diane Cast and Maureen Horgan
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- Price and Rebecca Stork–they hope to have their dog accepted into the program
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- Carole Knack
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- Jeffrey Montoya and Linda Wilson from sponsor Kiehl’s
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- Patty Moody with Ernie and Betsy Widner with Hudson
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- Betsy and Bob Widner with Hudson
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- Carole Knack says hi to Kayla
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- Judy Baxter and Kayla
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- Yeti gets some treats
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- Jen Anderson and Yeti
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- Shelby gets some love
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- Irene Zimmer and her folks David and Sheila Rabb, who came in from Winnepeg for this event
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- Ernie makes himself comfortable
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- Pam King and Shelby
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- Ken Proch and Pilar Baca with Gracie
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- Malinda Kohne, left, Diane Winslow and Rosemary Hanratty
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- Shawn and Dean Dubach
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- Michelle Calderbank, left, Caitlin Brateng and Alex Kendall
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- Kathleen McBride, left, Renata Colitti, Jeanmarie Paradise and Jamie Pronto
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- Dr. Michael Schaffer, Dianne Black from Kuni Lexus and Lyn Schaffer
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- Rosie’s been a popular participant
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- Dr. Peggy Kelley and Jaxon
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- Bob Widner and Hudson
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- Hudson is just so cute you can’t not take his picture.
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- Dogs socialize
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- Dr. Sara Mark and Suzie Jordan
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- Nancy Kopp, left, Dr. Sara Mark and Carla Herman
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- Lynn Jordan and Rev Spike Gilbert
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- Zach and Kayla get into the action
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- Dr. Sara Mark and Lyn Schaffer receive bouquets of gratitude
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- Peggy Fitzgerald, left, Pat Erickson and Patti Proffitt
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- What a face–Yeti
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- Bob Cuculich, left, chats with Arlen Heller
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- Ernie and Karma looking for treats and attention
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- Dean Dubach won one of the drawing prizes as Sara Schaffer looks on
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- Kuni Lexus generously hosted the event
