Second Annual Therapy Dog Walk-a-Thon in West Haven Will Honor Sandy Hook Student Charlotte Bacon

Press release from Newtown Kindness:

Newtown, Conn. (September 8, 2014) - Newtown Kindness announced that it will host its second annual Therapy/Comfort Dog Walk-a-thon on Saturday, October 18, 2014 from 10:30 am – 2:30 pm at Sea Bluff Beach in West Haven, Connecticut. The event will celebrate the first year program results of the multi-faceted Charlotte’s Litter Program in recognition of the benefits of therapy and comfort dogs.

Charlotte’s Litter, a Newtown Kindness program, was founded in honor of Charlotte Helen Bacon, an avid dog lover, who tragically lost her life on December 14, 2012 in the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Charlotte’s Litter was founded in honor of the support that her family and friends received from local comfort and therapy dogs. Charlotte’s Litter connects resources and experienced people where they are needed, and provides input and guidance to parents and educators in an effort to apply appropriate therapy dog programs in educational and societal settings.

“The goal of the Walk-a-thon is to support the ongoing efforts of the Charlotte’s Litter Program and the value of therapy and comfort dogs within communities,” said JoAnn Bacon, Charlotte’s mother. “We will also share groundbreaking results in animal-assisted literacy and psychosocial support as well as K9 First Responder program updates.”

State and local representatives as well as Milford school officials who have been influential supporters of Charlotte’s Litter and the development and implementation of state-wide animal-assisted therapy programs will attend the Walk-a-thon.

“The City of Milford was very fortunate to have Charlotte’s Litter available to assist both students and faculty during a tragedy that took place at Jonathan Law High School on April 25, 2014,” stated Milford Mayor, Ben Blake. “The volunteers, along with their therapy dogs, provided immeasurable comfort, support, and compassion to all those they touched during this extremely difficult time. Charlotte’s Litter was an indescribable help to our school community in beginning the healing process.”

At the event, attendees will learn more about Charlotte’s Litter initiatives, the various benefits of animal-assisted therapy and K9 first responders, and two new book publications about Newtown’s experience with therapy and comfort dogs.

“As the host community of the ‘Where Angels Play’ playground in honor of Charlotte Bacon, the city of West Haven is humbled by the invitation to support this benevolent cause in Charlotte’s memory,” West Haven Mayor Edward M. O’Brien said. “Comfort and therapy dogs provide immeasurable benefits by giving hope and help to individuals and families in their darkest hour of need. I encourage the people of the great state of Connecticut to participate in this Walk-a-thon and raise awareness of Charlotte’s Litter.”

Newtown Kindness’ goal is to raise $30,000 from the Walk-a-thon to support Charlotte’s Litter initiatives.

For more information, FAQs and to register for the Walk-a-thon, please visit: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/charlottes-litter-therapycomfort-dog-walk-a-thon-tickets-12859542237?aff=eorg.

To sponsor a walker/therapy dog, please visit the Charlotte’s Litter CrowdRise page at https://www.crowdrise.com/charlotteslitter/fundraiser/carolynwalker2.

Additional donations can be submitted directly through Newtown Kindness’ website at www.newtownkindness.org.

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About Newtown Kindness

Newtown Kindness is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded subsequent to the tragedy at the Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14th 2012 in an effort to encourage, facilitate, and recognize the value of kindness. The organization’s mission is to promote kindness as a guiding principle of humanity. For updated news on Newtown Kindness and Charlotte’s Litter, visit: www.newtownkindness.org or www.facebook.com/NewtownKindness.org andwww.charlotteslitter.com.