Shriners Event Brings Children And Dogs Together

Thursday, March 1, 2001

Shriners Event Brings Children And1 Dogs Together (NAPSA)—The Shriners Hospital for Children in Spokane recently held its fourth annual Tkidarod. This one-of-a-kind event, featured on the television program, Animal Planet, brought together more than 30 patients and siblings on the Big Foot Tree Farm, north of Spokane. Thirteen teams of dogs, including Samoyeds, Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies, were eager to pull those special kids for the rideof a lifetime. “Many of these children have limited mobility, and this suspends that limitation for a brief time,” said Cheri Hollenbeck, director of patient care services at the Spokane Shriners Hospital andoriginator of the Ikidarod. An event of this magnitude could not happen without a lot of help. More than 30 staff members volunteered their time for set up, checking in kids, helping kids on and off sleds, monitoring trails on snow shoes, cooking lunch for the mushers, serving cookies and hot chocolate and taking pictures. The El Katif Moonshiners also helped monitor the parking lots, keep the bonfire going, arrange for plowing and set up the warming hut. There were many beaming faces as the kids returned from their ride through the glistening field. As families departed, many shared their appreciation to the Shriners and asked to be invited next year. Oneof the mushers summed up what the Ikidarodis all about: “We may not win races, but our dogs This group of dogs doesn’t win any races but helps to put smiles on children’s faces. put smiles on children’s faces.” For more information on Shriners network of 22 hospitals that provide free treatment to children with orthopaedic problems, burns and spinal cord injuries, write to Shriners International Headquarters, Public Relations Dept., 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607, or visit www.shrinershq.org. If you know a child Shriners can help, call 1-800-237-5055 in the United States or 1-800-3617256 in Canada. Shriners Hospitals provide free treatmentto children under age 18 without regard to race, religion, or relationship to a Shriner.