Fulfilling a class project and a passion for public health, UMD seniors Ali Mueller, Katie Franklin, and Morgan Inman are organizing the second annual “Prints for Paws” fundraiser to create student scholarships to pay for pet therapy training programs.
“Prints for Paws” is scheduled for Thursday, April 21 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Master Framing Gallery, 1431 London Road. Thirty percent of the purchase price from each piece of nature photographer Ladona Tornabene’s, Ph.D., prints sold during the event will go toward the scholarship fund as well as 10% off other prints and select framed art including Ladona Tornabene’s photographs.
“Students receiving the scholarship will be able to test and register their pets as therapy animals, which, at around $200, can be cost prohibitive for many college students,” says Ali Mueller.
The event is also supporting UMD’s monthly Pet Away Stress (PAWS) program.
Pet owners bring their therapy pets to campus for PAWS, offering students the relaxation of spending time with animals, but volunteers must first overcome the stress of parking at UMD. “Like most campus visitors, the volunteers find parking difficult, so we’d like to offer them parking passes,” says Mueller.
Brenna Jordan of “Calligraphy by Brenna” will be co-creating customized pet names with Zentangle (R) inspired pattern artist Esther Piszczek, CZT, throughout the evening. Krista Carson of Master Framing Gallery will professionally mat each name for future framing. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the even.
Award winning journalist David Cowardin will also be there selling and signing his new book Down South Justice, Animal Rescue in the Deep South. Cowardin will donate a portion of the proceeds from each book sold to the scholarship fund.
“Prints for Paws” is sponsored by Animal Allies, Master Framing Gallery, UMD PAWS, Bulldog Pizza and Grill, Calligraphy by Brenna, and E.P. Designs.