"Best in Show" Uno becomes certified therapy dog

Demonstrating the determination that led to his “Best in Show” title at this year’s Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Ch. K-Run’s Park Me In First, otherwise known as the beagle “Uno,” successfully completed his Delta Society Pet Partners training at the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®).

David Frei, also known as the voice of Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, assisted Uno in this astounding accomplishment. “Uno’s historical win at Westminster confirmed his role as America’s best dog,” said Mr. Frei. “But, now that Uno is a certified therapy dog, he is much more than a pretty face. He has the ability to comfort and love those who are in serious need, and that goes beyond breeding.” Mr. Frei stated that Uno serves as a celebrity “spokesdog” for Angel On A Leash, the therapy dog program that is a charity of the Westminster Kennel Club (http://www.angelonaleash.org/).

Added Greer Griffith, the ASPCA’s animal assisted therapy program manager, “In addition to enriching the lives of people in hospitals, nursing homes, classrooms, libraries and other facilities, Uno is the perfect ambassador for a greater acceptance of dogs on a community-wide level.”

On February 12, Uno received “Best in Show” at the 2008 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Although beagles have consistently placed in the top ten of popularity polls throughout the years, no beagle in the history of the dog show had ever won the coveted award.

Last month, Uno completed six weeks of Pet Partners training with ASPCA therapy dog trainer, Michele Siegel, at the ASPCA’s headquarters in Manhattan, which is the Delta Society’s East Coast affiliate. The Delta Society is a national organization that aims to improve human health through the assistance of service and therapy animals. The ASPCA helps to carry out Delta Society’s mission by providing a full-service program to the public in which individuals can register their dogs and cats as animal assisted activities and therapy animals.

For more information about upcoming Delta Society Pet Partners classes and workshops at the ASPCA, please visit www.aspca.org/pro_nyc_therapy .

About the ASPCA
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) was the first humane organization established in the Americas, and today has more than one million supporters throughout North America. A 501 [c] [3] not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides local and national leadership in animal-assisted therapy, animal behavior, animal poison control, anti-cruelty, humane education, legislative services, and shelter outreach. The New York City headquarters houses a full-service, accredited, animal hospital, adoption center, and mobile clinic outreach program. The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York’s animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series “Animal Precinct” on Animal Planet. For more information, please visit http://www.aspca.org/.


*** PHOTO (LtR) Michele Siegel, Greer Griffith, and David Frei congratulate Uno (center)