This is an exciting new event showing how much we dogs can help humans! In this case it is all about us dogs helping injured American soldiers and this also helps homeless dogs get off the streets, WOOF!
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Jennifer Schulz, for Operations Heroes & Hounds, Jennifer_Schulz@comcast.net
Elizabeth Kane Tate, for Collavini Winery, Elizabeth@EKTCommunications.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A wine-tasting and dog friendly event to aid injured soldiers and homeless canines

CHICAGO — October 9, 2009 – Join wine aficionados, dog lovers and their canine best friends, and those in support of our American soldiers for a fun evening of wine-tasting, culinary delights, and a presentation by renowned dog coach and author Tamar Geller. Wine, Wags & Dog Tags, a dog-friendly event, will be held at Bice Grill (158 East Ontario, Chicago) on Saturday, October 24th from 6:00pm to 8:30pm. Steve Dale, host of Steve Dale’s Pet World on Chicago’s WLS radio and blogger at Chicago Now, will serve as honorary host, alongside Lucy and Ethel, his canine companions. Sponsored by Collavini, the famed Italian Winery, all of the evening’s proceeds will benefit Operation Heroes & Hounds, a non-profit program dedicated to improving the lives of injured American soldiers via the helping paws of homeless canines.

In addition to pairing Collavini wine with Italian delicacies, Chicago’s dog-owning attendees will be treated to a special Question and Answer session with The Loved Dog author Tamar Geller. Geller, whose canine expertise is sought after by celebrity clientele including Oprah Winfrey, Larry King, Ellen DeGeneres and Charlize Theron, is also the founder of Operation Heroes & Hounds. Through this program, injured soldiers can heal emotionally by coaching and bonding with shelter dogs.

In support of Operation Heroes & Hounds, attendees of Wine, Wags & Dog Tags, will be encouraged to bid on exclusive silent auction items from the Chicago Cubs, Ritz Carlton, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, among many other companies. In addition to fabulous items for their furry friends from local pet boutiques, bidders have the opportunity to win a personal hour-long consultation with Tamar regarding their own pooch’s personality! To get tails wagging, four-legged attendees will be delighted by their own gourmet Dog Bar.

To reserve tickets, or for more information, call 310-476-7720 or register online at: www.tamargeller.com Tickets are $35 (includes admission and VIP goodie bag, estimated value is $200+); and $5 per dog (limit: one well-socialized, leashed, and licensed dog per adult). Attendees must be 21 years and older. Adults with or without canine escorts are welcome to attend this fun event. A limited number of tickets are available, so reserve early to ensure attendance.

EVENT DETAILS:

Event Title: Wine, Wags & Dog Tags
Event Date: Saturday, October 24, 2009
Time: 6:00pm to 8:30pm
Location: Bice Grill, 158 East Ontario, Chicago
Admission:
Tickets: $35 per person (includes admission and VIP goodie bag,
estimated value is $200+)

$5 per dog (limit: one well-socialized, leashed, and
licensed dog per adult).

Attendees must be 21 years and older.

Adults with or without canine escorts are welcome
Benefiting: Operation Heroes & Hounds
RSVP: 310-476-7720 or register online at www.tamargeller.com

ABOUT THE PARTNERS:

Collavini, the famed family-owned and operated Friulian winery known for their award winning wines has a history of supporting animal shelters and foundations in Italy. Collavini Winery, along with 100 national wine retailers, including Sam’s Wines & Spirits in Chicago are supporting Operation Heroes & Hounds. As a true dog lover, patriarch Manlio Collavini pays tribute to one of his dearest dogs, Ribolla, by placing her picture on all of his company’s wine bottles. For more information on Collavini wines and its relationship with Operation Heroes & Hounds please contact MW Imports at 1-866-646-2582 or email MW Imports at gwirth@mionettousa.com

Tamar Geller, is a renowned dog coach and author of the best-selling book, The Loved Dog™, based on her fun, play-based training method. Tamar provides insight to millions of dog enthusiasts nationwide through her appearances on The Today Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Larry King Live, and Ellen, as well as in the pages of USA Today, Newsweek, and many other media outlets. An active philanthropist, she founded Operation Heroes & Hounds to aid injured military personnel with their integration back into society. For more information, visit www.tamargeller.com

Operation Heroes & Hounds is a 12-week program which offers injured members of the United States armed forces the opportunity to coach (train) and live with shelter dogs. The program aids both two- and four- legged participants. Service members gain a renewed sense of purpose, confidence, and life skills to aid their transition back into society. The shelter dogs learn canine good manners, experience unconditional love, and have an increased chance of adoption into a “forever” home as a result of the program. For more information, or to make a donation, visit www.tamargeller.com

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Have a pawsitively tail waggin’, Wine, Wags & Dog Tags day, WOOF!

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