9th Annual PAWS 4 Kisses & Hugs
Aydiee Vaughn Dunson of BLMentertainment/Black Lucy Music, from Woodland Hills, CA is the Director/Founder of PAWS 4 Kisses & Hugs, established in March 2016.
REMEMBERING 9/11: THERAPY DOGS HONOR LOCAL FIRE HEROES
STATION 39, STATION 88, STATION 83, AND STATION 93 WERE HONORED
IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
Since our 2nd year, PETSMART Canoga Park team leaders have provided PAWS Therapy Dogs with customized fire truck boxes, designed and branded by Aydiee Vaughn and filled with PetSmart treats, snacks & products. This collaboration started years back and is a special PAWS in-store appearance with Petsmart. Managers Todd Fry and shown in photo Petsmart Store Leader Steve. Right to Left: Linda & Robert Small and their dog Maisie.
Station #39, Capt. Ramirez and his team were our very first station. However, as soon as we arrived, they were called out on an emergency so we could capture the therapy dogs, volunteers, and all the firefighters. Aydiee Vaughn, Ann Bangs, Wendy Barnard, and Cosmo returned to deliver their gifts at the end of the day and presented honors to Captain Ramirez and his team, who were very appreciative when the PAWS team circled back to say hello!
Capt. Clark took to the dogs and volunteers with love, open arms, and appreciation. When he was presented with the Prince Bailey Crystal Award, Vaughn began to cry, and Captain Clark did too, as he embraced her like a dad, reminding her that her dedication does not go unnoticed. Mercy J. Alpert, community leader, and Graciela Patino retired.
LA deputy sherrif was amongst the volunteers who adorned the firefighters with a beautiful heart-shaped pendant. Everyone felt Capt Clark’s entire team’s expressions of gratitude. We came to honor them, but they equally made the volunteers and therapy dogs feel welcome. Station 88 is also one of the stations to be given a piece of the monument from 9/11, where several servicemen and women were deployed. The Monument is proudly displayed In front of their fire station.
Capt. OETGEN was surprised when Hilton Hotel Woodland Hills Director of Banquets and Catering, Babette Shade, showed up with a fully loaded gift basket from the Hilton’s Blue Energy Team. The volunteers also presented gifts from Nothing Bundt Cakes West Hills and several other gifts from the community and private small businesses. Martha Glasgall teamed up with Vaughn to get the word out about her Paws of Love Kaiser program. Marsha read Vaughn’s special message to the firefighters with such eloquence and pride as her two poodles, Ben and Chandler, majestically stood by.
Station 83 Captain and team were happy to receive such honor from their community. In a twist of fate, Construction Contractor volunteer Gigi Kropfl from Ventura County and Aydiee Vaughn’s best friend, Gigi, were equally honored to take part in the pendant ceremony because last year, Gigi fell off a 50ft cliff in Malibu Canyon. Firefighters rescued the broken body, and as fate has it, she survived and is still recovering, but today, she found the strength to be present with love and smiles of gratitude for her life.
Capt. QUIGLEY, upon arrival, immediately escorted the therapy dogs and volunteers into their private chambers to cool off. At the same time, they waited for the other Firefighters to come back from a quick run.
Yummy Nothing Bundt Cakes sent by Bonnie & Jeff Abel from West Hills locations. Capt Quigley was all smiles to get that box bundt, along with several other gifts given to the firefighters. As the team prepared to leave, Gigi noticed the station had t-shirts for sale to raise funds for their station and rallied the PAWS, and several volunteers purchased cool t-shirts branded with #93. The firefighters, already so appreciative, were surprised by the jester and scrambled to collect cash, Venmo, and Zelle from the PAWS team. Angelique Vantoux, Kinesiology Administrator at CSUN, was selected to pen the firefighters. She has been with PAWS from the beginning with her now past therapy dog, King Leo.
Press Release Link – Online view. Attached – pdf
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Pawsitively Thankful!
Aydiee Vaughn Dunson
Director/Founder PAWS 4 Kisses & Hugs
BLMentertainment/Black Lucy Music
