Therapy dogs have long been used to help improve the mental state of patients of all ages and residents of senior facilities. It is therefore little wonder that a Cape Coral business wants to see more families adopting a pet.
Many Blessings has joined forces with the Animal Refuge Center to help with the adoption of homeless animals by organizing a “Family Fun Day.” It will be held from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at 1059 N.E. Pine Island Road.
Among the activities will be: raffles, face painting, pictures of children taken with a horse, lemonade stand, bake sale, white elephant table, double dutch jump roping, fishing, beanbag toss, games and sidewalk sale.
Admission is free, but participants are asked to bring donations of dry or canned food for dogs, puppies, cats or kittens.
There will be free entertainment, Hula-Hooping, music, dancing and a clown.
“We are trying to find homes for some of the animals at the center,” Many Blessings owner Maria Sanz said in a prepared statement. “We will also have activities and a bake sale as well as a sidewalk sale. Readers at the center will be doing mini readings for $5 and many other activities to raise funds for the Animal Refuge, as well as for Many Blessings.”
Many Blessings’ focus is on the wellness of mind, spirit and body. The facility offers yoga, meditation classes and other services, including astrological and psychic readings.
For information, call 573-7630 or visit: www.manyblessings13.com.
“In this economy, everyone is looking to help each other,” said Trudy Dintzner, Sanz’ assistant. “It is a must, and we can do it in this metaphysical community. It is all about loving and helping each other along the path of life.”
Dintzner added that the Animal Rescue Center is a no-kill animal shelter and will be on site with pets.
According to Carlos Navedo, development director at the Animal Refuge Center, 499 dogs and cats are currently available for adoption.
“We are happy to be participating, and we want to continue to raise awareness about homeless animals,” he said.
Asked if a pet can contribute to the wellness and happiness of its owner, Navedo replied, “Most definitely. A pet owner has a good, healthy life.”
The Animal Rescue Center is at 18011 Old Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers. It is open seven days a week from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Every animal ready for adoption has a microchip, is spayed or neutered and has received all the needed shots. The cost is $65.
For information, call 731-3535.
Family Fun Day also aims to introduce the community to the services Many Blessings offers. According to Dintzner, different classes are offered from meditation to gem stone healing.
She said event attendees can expect to “connect with their own soul pets.” They also will be introduced to the “four agreements,” as listed on Many Blessings’ Web site:
— Be impeccable with your word — speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
— Do not take anything personally — nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you will not be the victim of needless suffering.
— Do not make assumptions — find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
— Always do your best — your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.