Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Canine Art Auction, & Best in Show

Above: Uno the Beagle and Best in Show at Westminster in 2008 is busy touring. (Getty Images)

So today the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show concludes but the events are attracting interest in a variety of programs and charities and 2008 Best in Show winner, a Beagle named Uno, has been busy touring the United States as an ambassador for Angel on a Leash.

The Angel on a Leash (ANGEL) began as a charitable activity of the Westminster Kennel Club in 2004.

Approved as an independent 501(c)(3) charity in 2007, today approximately 30 ANGEL therapy dog teams regularly visited the Morgan Stanley Children’s Presbyterian Hospital of New York and the Ronald McDonald House of New York City.

If you are interested in becoming involved with therapy animal work here are some programs to consider:

ANGEL ON A LEASH and the ASPCA animal-assisted therapy classes.
Greer Griffith, Director of Programs
Toll Free: (877) DOG-ANGEL
Local: (646) 259-3811
greer@angelonaleash.org

DELTA SOCIETY
Dianne Bell, Program Manager
(425) 679-5505
dianneb@deltasociety.org

GOOD DOG FOUNDATION
Sue Nastasi, Director of Training
(718) 788-2988
info@gooddogfoundation.org

READING EDUCATION ASSISTANCE DOGS
Intermountain Therapy Animals
(801) 272-3439
info@therapyanimals.org

This week kept Uno very busy. Not only did he make countless network and local television appearances in various cities but he also made history as the second dog to visit the Empire State Building (Lassie was the first) and Uno switched on the purple and yellow lights at the Empire State Building with his paw.

In case you were not aware of it, Uno retired after his win and is now owned by Caroline Dowell. He is working as a therapy dog and has done one commercial endorsement since his win–with Nestle SA’s Purina Pro Plan.

The $20,000 promotion proceeds were donated to research in canine health…which is something to bark about.

Speaking of donations, the Pedigree Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) philanthropic organization dedicated to helping shelter dogs in need find loving homes is matching funds for donations made during the Westminster Dog Show.

The goal of the Pedigree Foundation is to raise raise more than $1 million plus you can view some Westminster related videos at Dogs Rule®.

Today will also be a Canine Art & Memorabilia auction by Bonhams and you will simply drool over some of the art work and vintage dog statues and collars that range from the 17th-20th Centuries and come from all over the world.