BY MIKE STROMME
Who doesn’t remember their high school prom? To relive it, attend Conestoga in Action’s latest charity event, Prom4Pups.
On the evening of April 8, CIA will be holding a prom on campus with all of the proceeds going to Therapy Tails Ontario, a program that has volunteers and therapy dogs that go into the community to teach, listen, visit, mentor and become involved with numerous outreach programs.
“It’s all for a good cause,” said Tom Hemingway, CIA vice-president of logistics and recruitment. “Therapy dogs are an under-utilized service. It’s good to support a worthy cause.”
Therapy Tails Ontario (TTO) is a charity that has many therapy dog-based initiatives. Those who volunteer go out into the community with their dogs and visit many different people who benefit from seeing a therapy dog. The volunteers visit hospitals, nursing homes, community living homes for developmentally disabled adults, brain injury clinics and juvenile detention centres in addition to many schools, libraries and clubs. TTO even made an appearance at Conestoga last October.
Liz Dirksen, CIA vice-president of communications, volunteers with TTO herself. Along with her mother, she has been taking Titan, a Bernese mountain dog, to a community living centre for over two years.
TTO is a charity that is near and dear to Dirksen’s heart. “My mom’s dog is a therapy dog with the group,” said Dirksen. “I’m very passionate about this cause.”
Proms4Pups is a prom-style, semi-formal event. For the price of admission, patrons will receive access to a cash bar, a DJ, free pizza and a chance to meet a therapy dog. Despite prom being in the title, there isn’t a strict dress code.
“We want to keep (the dress code) as budget-friendly as possible,” said Dirksen.
Tickets are $25 and should be available at the CSI office. CIA will also have a table in front of the Tim Hortons on the Doon campus, or students can purchase tickets from CIA president Chris Hussey personally.
For more information on the event, “Like” Conestoga In Action on Facebook or follow @ConestogaCIA on Twitter and @conestoga_in_action on Instagram.
To learn more about TTO, visit www.therapytails.ca, “Like” Therapy Tails Ontario on Facebook and follow @therapytailsontario on Twitter.
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