155-Pound Therapy Dog Swims His Way Into the Hearts of Cancer Patients
Dallas, TX, April 27, 2012 --(PR.com)-- So what has your dog done lately? If your dog is 4-year-old Quinn, a 155-pound Leonberger, he has roamed the halls of Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center bringing joy and hope to people facing devastating diagnoses, swam alongside Olympians, and raised thousands of dollars for cancer research.
When he isn’t working, you may be able to find him swimming in a nearby lake or pond. At first glance, Quinn may not look like a canine built for water events; however his breed is known for their swimming prowess because of their uniquely webbed feet.
“We keep him on a long leash when he’s in the water, otherwise we’d never get him out,” said Peggy Walker, Quinn’s owner and handler.
This over-achieving pooch has been working as a therapy dog at Baylor Sammons Cancer Center since he was 14-months-old.
“The patients here just love him,” said Linda Marler, director of the service animal training program at Baylor Health Care System. “They are sometimes startled by how big he is, but are won over by his sweet disposition. He has a great calming effect on the patients he visits.”
Quinn has found a way to marry his love of the water and helping others. Last year, Quinn raised more than $4,000 in one week for Swim Across America’s inaugural open water swim at Lake Ray Hubbard outside of Dallas through his personal fundraising page. Swim Across America is a national non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swim events that feature local swimmers and former Olympic swimmers.
The monies raised by Quinn and the other 224 swimmers who participated in the Dallas open water swim, of which 13 were former Olympians, went to help fund the new Innovative Clinical Trials Center (ICTC) at Baylor Sammons Cancer Center. Many of Quinn’s donors were people who own Leonbergers or who were fans of the breed, as well as people who saw him at the hospital.
“It goes to show the impact you can make just by doing something small like Peggy did by putting up a fundraising page online for Quinn,” said Jeanne Cunningham, co-chair of the Dallas SAA event. “We’re thrilled to have Quinn back this year to participate in the event; it’s quite a site when he leaps into the water.”
Seeing Quinn at events brings a special smile to event organizers and volunteers like April Samuels, who is also a former patient at the Baylor Sammons Cancer Center.
“When you’re in the hospital for treatment, it can be a very daunting experience,” said Samuels. “But seeing Quinn is such a joy knowing what he’s doing to raise money for potentially life-saving research that I may benefit from one day.”
Swim Across America will host its second annual open water swim event on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at The Harbor at Lake Ray Hubbard in Rockwall, Texas. Quinn will once again be the event’s only canine participant.
“We’re just glad he can use his love of swimming to raise money for such a worthy cause.” Walker said.
To see this four-legged wonder dog in person or to speak with his handler Peggy Walker, SAA co-chair Jeanne Cunningham, or cancer survivor and SAA participant April Samuels, please contact Denise Hodges at (214) 599-8703 or denise@granadopr.com.
About Swim Across America
Swim Across America, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to raising money for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming- related events. With the help of hundreds of volunteers nationwide and past and current Olympians, SAA is helping find a cure for cancer through athleticism, community outreach and direct service.
About Baylor Health Care System
Baylor Health Care System is a not-for-profit, faith-based supporting organization providing services to a network of acute care hospitals and related health care entities that provide patient care, medical education, research and community service. Baylor recorded more than 2.8 million patient encounters, $4 billion in total operating revenue, $5.2 billion in total assets and $494 million in community benefit in fiscal year 2010. Baylor’s network of more than 300 access points includes 29 owned/operated/ventured/affiliated hospitals; joint ventured ambulatory surgical centers; satellite outpatient locations; senior centers and more than 150 HealthTexas Provider Network physician clinics.
When he isn’t working, you may be able to find him swimming in a nearby lake or pond. At first glance, Quinn may not look like a canine built for water events; however his breed is known for their swimming prowess because of their uniquely webbed feet.
“We keep him on a long leash when he’s in the water, otherwise we’d never get him out,” said Peggy Walker, Quinn’s owner and handler.
This over-achieving pooch has been working as a therapy dog at Baylor Sammons Cancer Center since he was 14-months-old.
“The patients here just love him,” said Linda Marler, director of the service animal training program at Baylor Health Care System. “They are sometimes startled by how big he is, but are won over by his sweet disposition. He has a great calming effect on the patients he visits.”
Quinn has found a way to marry his love of the water and helping others. Last year, Quinn raised more than $4,000 in one week for Swim Across America’s inaugural open water swim at Lake Ray Hubbard outside of Dallas through his personal fundraising page. Swim Across America is a national non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swim events that feature local swimmers and former Olympic swimmers.
The monies raised by Quinn and the other 224 swimmers who participated in the Dallas open water swim, of which 13 were former Olympians, went to help fund the new Innovative Clinical Trials Center (ICTC) at Baylor Sammons Cancer Center. Many of Quinn’s donors were people who own Leonbergers or who were fans of the breed, as well as people who saw him at the hospital.
“It goes to show the impact you can make just by doing something small like Peggy did by putting up a fundraising page online for Quinn,” said Jeanne Cunningham, co-chair of the Dallas SAA event. “We’re thrilled to have Quinn back this year to participate in the event; it’s quite a site when he leaps into the water.”
Seeing Quinn at events brings a special smile to event organizers and volunteers like April Samuels, who is also a former patient at the Baylor Sammons Cancer Center.
“When you’re in the hospital for treatment, it can be a very daunting experience,” said Samuels. “But seeing Quinn is such a joy knowing what he’s doing to raise money for potentially life-saving research that I may benefit from one day.”
Swim Across America will host its second annual open water swim event on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at The Harbor at Lake Ray Hubbard in Rockwall, Texas. Quinn will once again be the event’s only canine participant.
“We’re just glad he can use his love of swimming to raise money for such a worthy cause.” Walker said.
To see this four-legged wonder dog in person or to speak with his handler Peggy Walker, SAA co-chair Jeanne Cunningham, or cancer survivor and SAA participant April Samuels, please contact Denise Hodges at (214) 599-8703 or denise@granadopr.com.
About Swim Across America
Swim Across America, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to raising money for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming- related events. With the help of hundreds of volunteers nationwide and past and current Olympians, SAA is helping find a cure for cancer through athleticism, community outreach and direct service.
About Baylor Health Care System
Baylor Health Care System is a not-for-profit, faith-based supporting organization providing services to a network of acute care hospitals and related health care entities that provide patient care, medical education, research and community service. Baylor recorded more than 2.8 million patient encounters, $4 billion in total operating revenue, $5.2 billion in total assets and $494 million in community benefit in fiscal year 2010. Baylor’s network of more than 300 access points includes 29 owned/operated/ventured/affiliated hospitals; joint ventured ambulatory surgical centers; satellite outpatient locations; senior centers and more than 150 HealthTexas Provider Network physician clinics.
Contact
Swim Across America
Denise Hodges
214-599-8703
www.swimacrossamerica.org
Denise Hodges
214-599-8703
www.swimacrossamerica.org
Contact
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