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CONTACT: Sandra Viden-Martins 760-343-3216
sviden@animalsamaritans.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHINESE DISABILITY SPECIALISTS TO MEET WITH ANIMAL SAMARITANS SPCA
Group to Study the Role of Animals in Therapy

THOUSAND PALMS, CA (January 19, 2007) - A group of 26 Chinese representatives has been sent at government expense for a series of classes and site visits across the United States to learn about the U.S. practice "integrating and revitalizing" the lives of the disabled. On Tuesday, January 23, the representatives will be at Animal Samaritans SPCA to learn about the animal welfare organization's Animal Assisted Therapy program, and for a tour of their animal shelter and clinic.

According to Dr. Catherine Levitt, who will accompany the group to their meeting with Animal Samaritans SPCA, "they are particularly curious about how we use animals in assistance and therapy roles because this is so different than their experience." The group is from the Guangxi Province and is studying through Cal State San Bernardino where Dr. Levitt is faculty. Representatives from Animal Samaritans SPCA's animal assisted therapy program will talk to them about the benefits and structure of the program, and of course introduce their animals.

More information about the group's mission: http://www.cdpf.org.cn/english/organization.htm

Each month Animal Samaritan's Animal Assisted Therapy volunteers and their approved canine and feline animal "therapists" visit over 1,000 residents in local hospitals, nursing homes, and Juvenile Hall facilities.

Founded in 1978, Animal Samaritans SPCA is a non-profit organization committed to promoting the welfare of animals in the greater Coachella Valley. Its animal assisted therapy program has been available to the community for more than 20 years. Volunteers and their animals visit hospitals, health care, special needs facilities and Juvenile Hall. Other programs and services offered by Animal Samaritans SPCA include low cost and no-cost spay and neuter, low-cost vaccination, shelter, animal adoption and humane education programs. More information about the organization is available by calling 760-343-3216 and by visiting www.animalsamaritans.org

Dr. Levitt is Director of the Center for East-West Entrepreneurial Studies in Southern California and does consulting on privatizing industries in transitional economies. She has lived and worked in China and is fluent in Chinese.