Free Advance Screenings of the Film "Dolphin Tale" Express a Wave of Appreciation for U.S. Military Families

Opening nationwide on Sept. 23, inspiring film based on real-life story of a dolphin with a prosthetic tail earns American Humane Association's "No Animals Were Harmed"® certification

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Dolphin Tale," a fact-based feature film about a dolphin who loses her tail, but receives a prosthetic one that enables her to swim and survive, is making a splash for kids and families who deserve a treat. Through a partnership that includes American Humane Association, Warner Bros. Pictures and Alcon Entertainment, military families in 14 cities across the nation are receiving free tickets to an advance screening of the movie, which received American Humane Association's "No Animals Were Harmed"® certification.

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The tickets are being distributed to families involved with the National Military Family Association's Operation Purple® program and to residents of Fisher Houses. Operation Purple camps empower military children to develop and maintain healthy and connected relationships, in spite of the current military environment. Located on the grounds of military and Veterans Affairs medical centers nationwide, Fisher Houses provide free accommodations that enable family members to stay close by their loved ones in the military who are hospitalized.

"We appreciate this special opportunity to show American Humane Association's continuing support for the families of our brave men and women in military service," said Robin R. Ganzert, Ph.D., president and CEO. "Dolphin Tale is an inspiring family movie that provides a strong message of compassion, caring and hope, while demonstrating the remarkable power of the human-animal bond. We thank Warner Bros. Pictures and Alcon Entertainment for hosting these events for families in more than a dozen cities where Fisher Houses and National Military Family Association members are located — as well as for the care they took in ensuring the safety and humane treatment of animals during production."

American Humane Association monitored the animal action during the filming of "Dolphin Tale" and awarded it the organization's highest rating, Monitored: Outstanding – "No Animals Were Harmed." Among the animals under the watchful eye of an American Humane Association Certified Animal Safety Representative™ was Winter the dolphin, who plays herself in the film.

In addition to monitoring the safety of animals in film and television, American Humane Association's programs to protect children and animals and enhance the human-animal bond include Animal-Assisted Therapy. The organization partnered with the National Military Family Association to provide therapy dogs at Operation Purple summer camps for military kids nationwide. American Humane Association provides animal-assisted therapy services at the Fisher House in Denver and partnered with Fisher House Foundation to coordinate these special screenings of "Dolphin Tale."

The advance screenings for military families will be held as follows, with the first ones occurring on the eve of Patriot Day and the final screening taking place Sept. 21:  San Diego (Sept. 10), Washington, D.C. (Sept. 10), Boston (Sept. 13), Minneapolis/St. Paul (Sept. 14), Seattle (Sept. 14), St. Louis (Sept. 17), Miami/Fort Lauderdale (Sept. 18), Los Angeles (Sept. 18), West Palm Beach, Fla. (Sept. 18), Houston (Sept. 19), Dallas (Sept. 19), Honolulu (Sept. 19), San Antonio (Sept. 19) and Cincinnati (Sept. 21). The film opens in theaters nationwide on Sept. 23.

About American Humane Association
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.

About "Dolphin Tale"
"Dolphin Tale" is a heartwarming, fun adventure about the healing bonds of family, both human and animal. The real Winter, who plays herself in "Dolphin Tale," today serves as a symbol of courage and hope to millions of people who have been touched by her remarkable story of recovery and rehabilitation.  

The film stars Harry Connick, Jr., Ashley Judd, Nathan Gamble, Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Kris Kristofferson, and Oscar® winner Morgan Freeman. Charles Martin Smith directed "Dolphin Tale" from a screenplay by Karen Janszen and Noam Dromi. The film is produced by Alcon Entertainment's Andrew A. Kosove and Broderick Johnson and Richard Ingber. Robert Engelman and Steven P. Wegner served as executive producers.

SOURCE American Humane Association