HOPE Telethon Raises Hope for the Future…(and $220,000!) 

Rancho Santa Fe, CA – Animal lovers donated $220,000 during Helen Woodward Animal Center’s annual HOPE Telethon presented by Henry’s Farmers Market and Iams Dog and Cat Food on Saturday, November 14, 2009 on KUSI-TV.   

The HOPE Telethon benefiting Helen Woodward Animal Center stands for:

      Helping people with special challenges

      Orphaned cats and dogs finding safe haven

      Parents and children learning about sharing the earth

      Educating shelters about “the business of saving lives” 

The annual HOPE Telethon featured information about the Center’s two original programs… Pet Adoption and Humane Education …as well as:

      AniMeals for the pets of homebound elderly and disabled people

      Pet Encounter Therapy for people in institutions

      Therapeutic horseback Riding for those facing mental and physical challenges.

      And HWAC’s fully equipped Equine Hospital 

Actress Diane Keaton appeared on the Telethon to tell about a puppy that she rescued from the side of a road. After her story Keaton was reunited with the pup and met the Leucadia family that adopted it from Helen Woodward Animal Center.

A presentation about the Center’s Therapeutic Riding program was followed by interviews with student rider Jeffrey Ausen and his father, Bill, explaining how the program had helped to enrich the lives of Jeffrey and his sister, Hailey.   

On-air hosts included some of San Diego’s best-known animal lovers.

      Bridget Naso, Lena’ Lewis, and Dave Scott from KUSI-TV

      Dave Mason, morning host on The Walrus – 105.7

      KSON radio’s Tori Peck from the Cliff and Company morning show

      And HWAC’s Trisha St. George and John Van Zante 

Donations can still be made online here or dropped off at Helen Woodward Animal Center at 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe.  

For more information about programs and services benefiting animals and people in-need visit Helen Woodward Animal Center or call 858-756-4117.