Southeastern Nursing, Health Science to host Canines and Cupcakes

 

Friday, November 22, 2019 
by: Tonya Lowentritt 


     HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences is hosting a dog-gone good time for a “pawsatively” worthy cause – its second annual Canines and Cupcakes fundraiser. Scheduled Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., the event for canines and their owners will take place at Southeastern’s Kinesiology Building Gym, located at 400 Mane Street.
     Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences Ann Carruth said the event is not only a fundraiser for the Nursing and Health Sciences Foundation to promote student educational activities, but it also serves as a stress reliever for students as final exams approach. Families planning or considering getting a dog over the holidays are also encouraged to attend and learn about dog ownership.
     “Join us for a fun-filled day of yoga, games, photos with Roomie and the Grinch and, of course, cupcake decorating at our cupcake station. Although the cupcakes will be baked for human consumption, we will leave it up to the owners who ultimately gets to enjoy them,” she said. “Attendees can bring their canine companions for some exercise, fun activities, photos for humans and dogs and demonstrations throughout the event. This year we will be adding a dog treat station.”
     Activities include demonstrations by Southeastern’s Communication Sciences and Disorders Department of animal assisted therapy used to improve communication; dog-training techniques courtesy of Dog Gone Right, LLC; education on heartworm prevention from Crosspoint Veterinary Hospital; and safe food handling instruction, especially during the holidays, by Northshore Technical Community College’s Vet Assistance Program. Hammond Police will also be on hand to fingerprint children, along with volunteers to help paw print dogs.
     Also planned is a costume contest at 10 a.m. that will award prizes for the following: best Christmas character portrayal (human and canine); best use of Christmas colors (human and canine); best doggie Christmas character (canine only); most Christmas look-alike (human and canine); ugliest Christmas sweater (human only), and best dog trick.
     Costume contest, silent auction, door prize and raffle winners will be announced at 10:45 a.m. Judges include CEO of North Oaks Health System Michele Sutton, Dean of Students Dr. Gabe Willis, Student Government Association President Karley Bordelon, and Donna Miller, owner of PJ’s Coffee.
     Vendors for dog-themed shopping, paw print face painting, a kissing booth where attendees can volunteer their dogs to give kisses, games and music are included in the day’s activities as well, Carruth said.
     Rounding out the day is a pet parade at 11:30 a.m. (floats optional) through Friendship Circle. The route will begin at the Kinesiology Building breezeway then continue through the Student Union, around Friendship Circle and back. Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Eric Summers will serve as grand marshal.
     A highlight of the event will be the raffle drawing for a dog-themed quilt made by Southeastern retired faculty member Paul Simoneaux.
     Sponsors and local vendors for the event include the following: All Barn New, Aramark, Big Frog, Charles Black III and Hunter Black, Connie’s Impressions, Crosspoint Veterinary Hospital – Dr. Christie McHughes (SLU alumna), Denise Austin Pottery, Dog Gone Right, Farm Bureau – Malcolm Fitzhugh (SLU alumnus), Gulf South Bank, Helm Paint and Decorating, Nothing Bundt Cakes, North Oaks Health System, Pennington Student Activity Center, PJs – Downtown Hammond, Rho Zeta/STTI, the Ribando Family, Ross Downing Chevrolet, Inc., Royal Pets Grooming Spa, Tangipahoa District Nurses Association, Tycer Ready Mix, and Zocalisa Fine Chocolates.
     Cost to attend the event is $25 per family with a canine, $15 per family without a canine, or $5 for Southeastern students with or without a dog.
     Registration for Canines and Cupcakes is available at the door or at caninesandcupcakes.eventbrite.com and includes a photo gift.
     For more information, contact the Department of Nursing and Health Sciences at 985-549-3772 or cnhs@southeastern.edu.




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