Proceeds from Hiwassee Paddlefest to help New York Rescuer Animals

BY KATHY GILBERT

Staff Writer

People who help animals are raising money this weekend for animals who help people.

The Homeless Animals Need Doctors Foundation is holding Paddlefest 2001 on the Hiwassee River this Saturday..

All proceeds go to the Fairfax County (Va) Search and rescue Organization, the nations largest official disaster team. Fairfax,s K9 Team is helping locate victims of last week’s terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, Founder Tallulah McGee Trice said.

The Dogs pads are a concern due to the conditions and they are having to step out because of this, she said.The K9 Division need medical supplies to keep them on their paws such as antibotics and paw protection booties, she said.

Two Search and rescue dogs already have died, one from smoke inhalation and another from heat exhaustion, said James Culpepper, co-owner of Makor Canine International of Signal Mountain and a advisor to Ms. Trice on search and rescue issues.

Other dogs may die this year from asbestosis, he said.

“they breath anywhere from 200 to 250 respirations a minute,” Mr. Culpepper said. “and they’re sucking all that stuff into their lungs.”

Search and Rescue dog owners typically volunteer their time and spend about $1,200 per year on veterinary care and kenneling, he said.

The HAND Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides medical care for homeless animals.

Beginning to novice rafters can sign up singly or in teams for Paddlefest 2001, Ms Trice said. The fee is $20 per person, and registration includes a T-shirt, a lunch from Panera Bread, beer, soft drinks, water, and a raft. Beginners are welcomed, she said.

For more information, contact HAND at 756-HAND or go to the website www.handfoundation.com. Donations to New York K9 Search and Rescue Teams can be located on www.guidestar.org

The Mountain Mirror

I hope that some of you were able to participate or at least attend Paddlefest 2001, which was a fundraiser for the K9 dogs who helped New York City. It was hosted by HAND, (Homeless Animals Need Doctors) which is an organization headed by Tallulah McGee Trice, Daughter of George and Corinne. It was a river rafting race on the Hiwassee River, and it was won by the Mountain Bp sponsored team consisting of John and Ginger Johnson (Margaret’s children). Tricia Sebes and Becca Byson. Coming in second only by seconds was the Grahm Vannoy sponsored raft containing the Settles Family, Mark, Becky, Adam, and Tyler. Also participating were George and Corinne, Joel Trice, Tallulah’s husband, and Ashley Yates. It was a very fun event, and it was for such a great cause. Way to go HAND!

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