American Humane Association National Spokesdog RIN TIN TIN Rings Closing Bell at New York Stock Exchange in Honor of the Four-Footed Heroes of 9/11

Prelude to tonight's "10th Anniversary Tribute to the Hero Dogs of 9/11"

NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American Humane Association brought its national spokesdog, RIN TIN TIN, to New York City to ring the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday, September 7 at 4 p.m.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110908/DC64764)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101108/DC97343LOGO)

The highly trained animal performed the honors as board members and guests of the national charity called attention to how heroic dogs have worked to protect and comfort people for generations, including their valiant service following 9/11.  Some 300 search-and-rescue dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs served their country by helping lead people to safety, finding survivors, bringing closure to grieving families, and comforting the living. They will be recognized tonight during American Humane Association's "10th Anniversary Tribute to the Hero Dogs of 9/11" at the National Arts Club in New York City.  The evening will feature Whoopi Goldberg, Victoria Stilwell, RIN TIN TIN and more than 200 VIP supporters of American Humane Association, which assisted the heroic animals in the days following September 11th with its 82-foot mobile veterinary clinic and Red Star™ Animal Emergency Services teams.

This RIN TIN TIN is a twelfth generation relative of the original puppy found on the battlefields of France during World War I. That puppy evolved into the model for a military training program for search and rescue dogs at Camp Hahn in California in the 1930s. A subsequent RIN TIN TIN became the most highly paid TV actor in America during the 1960s in a children's show. It featured the dog and his owner, a boy named Rusty, who depended on the dog's search and rescue skills. The current RIN TIN TIN continues that tradition by serving as a member of an elite search and recovery unit in Arkansas.

"RIN TIN TIN is a magnificent symbol for the heroic work of American Humane Association's Red Star™ Animal Emergency Services, which, like RIN TIN TIN, began its life on the battlefields of World War I," says American Humane President and CEO Robin R. Ganzert. "The federal government requested Red Star™ to become a 'Red Cross for animals' when many of the half million American horses shipped to World War I European cavalry units suffered grievous wounds."  

Today, Red Star™ rushes highly trained teams to rescue and shelter animals caught in the path of natural disasters and man-made disasters. Red Star recently mobilized to help with animals caught in Hurricane Irene's path in North Carolina.

In addition to President Ganzert and RIN TIN TIN, VIP supporters of American Humane Association who attended the NYSE closing bell ceremony included: William Abbott, Allison Bennett, Eric Bruner, Lois Pope, Francesca Davies, Malcolm P. Davies, Karen Fleming, Tamara Gerber, Suzi Goldsmith, Annie Howell, Robert Lorsch, Liz Lyman, Dr. Patricia Olson, Mark Stubis, Michael Steinig, Catherine Sweeney, Talitha Davies Wegner, William Wegner, Joyce Winslow, and Lorraine Zdeb. Special thanks go also to photographer Dana Barker, and Beth Ertz, Joseph and Rhonda Meath, who worked with RIN TIN TIN during the event.

Since 1877 American Humane Association has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in protecting children, pets and farm animals from cruelty, abuse and neglect. Today we're also leading the way in understanding the human-animal bond and its role in therapy, medicine and society. American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. You can help make a difference, too. Visit American Humane Association at www.americanhumane.org today.

SOURCE American Humane Association