Frazier Rehab Therapy Dog Charlie to Celebrate Fifth Birthday - Archived

For More Information:
David McArthur, Senior Manager, Media Relations
502.587.4230 or 502.648.3411
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Frazier Rehab Therapy Dog Charlie to Celebrate Fifth Birthday
Luau-themed birthday party will include cake, festivities, canine and human friends

One of Frazier Rehab Institute’s smallest employees, Charlie, will be celebrating his 5th birthday with a Luau-themed party. The loveable Goldendoodle helps promote physical movement, emotional well-being, cognitive functioning/awareness and social improvements, and has left a lasting impact on patients at Frazier Rehab Institute. When he’s not socializing with patients in the therapy gym, providing comfort, napping with patients and helping those in the animal assisted therapy program, Charlie likes to let loose and have fun with his little buddy, Stanley – a yellow Labrador retriever puppy who joined the therapy program at Frazier Rehab Institute in late 2016. Charlie especially loves birthday parties and has invited all his friends to celebrate his 5th birthday. He doesn’t expect gifts, but wants everyone to come and enjoy the Hawaiian music and hula with him!

WHAT:
Birthday party to celebrate Charlie turning 5!

WHEN:
Thursday, April 13, 2017
Noon-2 p.m.

WHERE:
Frazier Rehab Institute
8th floor, Larosa Lounge
220 Abraham Flexner Way
Louisville, KY 40202

WHO:
Charlie, Frazier Rehab therapy dog (the birthday boy)
Frazier Rehab Institute employees and patients
Fellow dog pals, including dogs from Paws with Purpose (PWP), Wonderful Animals Giving Support (WAGS) and Canine Partners for Independence

OPPORTUNITIES:
· Photo/video of party participants singing “Happy Birthday” to Charlie, a photo booth with  props,   a flamingo ring toss, cake cutting, and other festivities
·  Photo/video of patients/employees playing with dogs
·  Interview with Jill Farmer, Manager, Therapeutic Recreation and Adapted Sport Programs, Frazier Rehab Institute
·  Interviews with patients (per request)

MORE:
Charlie was donated to Frazier Rehab Institute by Sharon Merriam, who owns DaeShars Designer Doodles of Deer Park, Washington. Charlie was 14 weeks old at the time and after a year and a half of training became part of the Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) Program at Frazier Rehab Institute. The AAT Program promotes physical movement, emotional well-being, cognitive awareness and social improvement for individuals with disabilities. In 2015, he replaced Madison, a therapy dog who had been with Frazier Rehab Institute for more than eight years.