One week ago today, I beamed – #likeahalogen – watching two therapy dogs take their “bow wow vows” on the most romantic day of the year…
Months ago I started planning a prelude to our Annual Pet Therapy Valentine’s Day Parade. Before I knew it a canine wedding ceremony in a chapel, complete with a bridal pawty, live music and a fund raiser for a local shelter was born.
It evolved beyond my wildest dreams. For weeks medical personnel talked about coming. The I.T. staff made it possible for patients to watch, via live stream capability. University medical students were gathering in the library and study halls to view it together.
Enjoy excerpts from a creative article written by Helen Adams (editorial staff at MUSC)…
BOW WOW VOWS DELIGHT PACKED CHURCH IN ABSURD AND AWESOME VALENTINE’S DAY EVENT
The gentle jokes were as plentiful as the wagging tails at the “Bow Wow Vows,” a Valentine’s Day fundraiser for Charleston Animal Society.
Jazz and Murph, pet therapy dogs who visit patients at MUSC Health to cheer them up, were “tying the leash for a cause,” the program proclaimed. The bride and groom made their way to the altar in St. Luke’s Chapel on the MUSC campus after a “muttramony pawty” of seven other dogs led the way.
Wedding guests looked delighted throughout the ceremony, snapping phone pics and beaming as the chaplain asked if the dogs took each other as their “fur-ever furry beloved.” Dogs, in wedding attire, seemed to enjoy it too – although the bride and groom looked ready for a nap at times, lying down as the chaplain spoke.
Here’s a look at some highlights from the event put together by Cathy Bennett, Therapy Dog Program coordinator at MUSC Health, and her team.
Packed pews: As many people turned out to see the dog wedding as you’d see at a human wedding – if not more…
The bride wears a veil and a heart symbolizing her bond to fellow therapy dog Murph...
Jazz and Murph with their humans, Pam Diehl and Kitty Sanderson, pose for wedding photos after the Valentine’s Day ceremony at MUSC. …
WATCH AND SMILE ALL DAY –
It was love at first sniff ❤️
February 21, 2020
That’s one of the coolest events I’ve ever seen to benefit a animal society and a clever take on Valentine’s Day. Bravo, Cathy! You did a pawsome job! It looked like effurry-one had a great time.
February 21, 2020
Super fun girlfriend, watching everyone get so excited as the day got closer was the real high for me. Get moral booster for the medical staff.