CARING ABOUT OUR ANIMALS

Date: April 6, 2000 Section: CURRENT Page: NRV3

By JACOB PARCELL SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES

Animal lovers, animal welfare groups and Dr. Dog will converge at Virginia Tech on Saturday for the benefit of dogs, birds, cats and rats.

The Spring 2000 Animal Welfare Expo, running from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, will bring community members together to address the welfare of companion animals in Southwest Virginia. Companion animals - better known as "pets" to most people - include everything from dogs to ferrets. The expo is sponsored by the Virginia Partnership for Animal Welfare and Support, the Virginia Tech Student Animal Welfare Club, Hans Meadow Kennel, NRV Kennel Club, Tetra and Ralston Purina. Admission to the expo is free.

Exhibitors and demonstrations will include: Lost Paws, which helps reunite lost pets and owners; St. Francis of Assisi, assistance dogs; Canine Search and Rescue; the Pulaski County Humane Society; the Center for the Human-Animal Bond; the Feline Education Rescue & Adoption League; the New River Kennel Club; Canine agility; Your Pets Closet Inc.; Hoof 'n Hound; and Bone Appetite.

There will be booths featuring computer identification of animals, organic dog bones and breakaway collars that prevent strangulation, said Chris Thompson, a member of VAPAWS.

Prizes will be awarded to winners of a photo contest demonstrating the human-animal bond.

The goals of the expo are to bring together the various animal welfare organizations and other companion-animal interests of Southwest Virginia, increase public awareness of issues involving the animals and begin a regional dialogue about animal welfare issues.

Conference topics will include: education - responsible vs. irresponsible ownership and breeding; spay/neuter efforts and programs; incorporation of animals into everyday life; the human-animal bond; animal legislation; mutual support and cooperation between companion animal organizations.

"This is an introductory program to the community," said Kathy Davieds, a veterinarian and president of VA PAWS.

In addition to Davieds, the speakers will include Bob Christiansen, a nationally recognized expert in animal welfare; Marie Suthers-McCabe, who leads an initiative to generate increased professional and public awareness of the relationships between people and animals; Teresa Dockery, president of the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies; Carol Willoughby and Blake, her St. Francis of Assisi service dog; and Douglas Gordon, who teaches a Dogs in Literature course at Christopher Newport University in Newport News. The popular course is the only one of its kind in the United States. Gordon, who has taken the alias Dr. Dog, is a contributing editor to The Bark, a magazine exploring the unique bond between humans and dogs.

For a list of demonstrations, booths, information or questions, call 639-6573 or 651-4530 or visit the expo's Web site at www.vapaws.org/events.htm. The vet school is reached by taking Southgate Drive off the U.S. 460 Bypass in Blacksburg. Take the first left turn, onto Duckpond Drive, and the vet school will be on your left.

Caption: photo - 1. These five puppies have a lot to live up to - their mom is doing therapy work in nursing homes. COLOR 2. The Animal Welfare Expo will focus on companion animals like Dahlia. COLOR 3. Seneca and Ariel are bonding with humans by doing therapy work in local nursing homes. COLOR