Helping Memphis Recover After the Floods: Disney TV Star and American Humane Association Hosting Hope Tour to Honor Memphis First Responders, Keep Children and Animals Safe & Bring Cheer, Financial Support and Supplies to Local Shelters

AHA continues relief work with 10 tips to keep children & animals safe after flood

MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being released today by American Humane Association:

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

WHAT: After working on the ground in Memphis for several weeks rescuing animals affected by the floods and reuniting pets with their families, American Humane Association and Disney TV star and AHA National Ambassador Orlando Brown are launching a Hope Tour May 19-20 to honor Memphis’ valiant First Responders, and bring some sorely needed cheer, financial support, and supplies to area shelters, as well as expert tips to keep children and animals safe.

MEDIA EVENT: On Thursday, May 19 from 9-11 a.m., AHA is hosting a country ham and biscuits “Community Heroes Appreciation Breakfast” for Memphis’ valiant First Responders. This will be followed by afternoon visits to local shelters and distribution of expert tips to help children and animals stay safe and cope after the floods.

WHO: Disney TV Star, musician, and American Humane Association National Ambassador Orlando Brown. Mr. Brown, who has starred in “That’s So Raven” and many other TV shows and films, will favor local heroes with a song or two, and deliver some cheer, coloring books, and other supplies to displaced children and families.

President & CEO Dr. Robin Ganzert, Vice President of Emergency Services Debrah Schnackenberg, and other team members of the 134-year-old charity American Humane Association, whose legendary Red Star Animal Emergency Services™ team traveled 1,000 miles with a convoy of rescue trucks to help Memphis’ animals. They and Mr. Brown will deliver a grant to a local shelter, visit with families and children, and provide expert tips on keeping children and animals safe.

Memphis’ Finest–The city’s police, firefighters, and other first responders who saved so many lives, both human and animal, through the dark days of the great flood of 2011.

WHERE: Outside the 82-foot Red Star Rescue Rig at 1716 Shelby Oaks Drive North, Memphis, TN

WHEN: Thursday, May 19 from 9:00-11:00 a.m.

"Even superheroes need relief and recognition," said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane Association. "We've been working side by side with Memphis' valiant first responders to save the lives of hundreds of people and animals. Now it's time to refresh, regroup, and refocus on the task of rebuilding the community physically and emotionally. We're proud to be a part of a 134-year effort to build safe, healthy, and humane communities for the voiceless and the vulnerable, and especially proud to work with the magnificent men and women who have done so much for the city of Memphis."

"Memphis was sorely tested by the flood and though she emerged a little muddy, she also emerged victorious," said Disney TV star and musician Orlando Brown. "As a new national ambassador for American Humane Association, I wanted to do my part to help good Memphis get back up on her feet, and through a song or two, put a spring back in her step. It's an honor to be here among true heroes and I hope that better days will soon be here."

RESOURCES & INTERVIEWS:  Disney TV star and AHA National Ambassador Orlando Brown, American Humane Association President and CEO Robin Ganzert, Ph.D., and other members of the volunteer team are available for on-site breakfast interviews Thursday from 9:00-11:00 a.m., and in studio other times Thursday and part of Friday to provide helpful tips on keeping kids and animals safe, and talk about the challenges in rebuilding a sense of normalcy following this disaster.  

"10 Tips to Keep Children and Animals Safe and Help Them Cope After a Disaster"

The floodwaters in Memphis may be subsiding and the immediate danger apparently past, but hazards remain. President & CEO Dr. Robin Ganzert, Chief Veterinary Advisor Dr. Patty Olson,  and other experts at American Humane Association have put together a series of 10 simple tips to help parents and other caregivers keep Memphis' children and animals safe and help them cope with the physical and emotional aftermath of the disaster:

For Children

• Even though the worst seems to be over, supervise children closely and inspect those areas in which they are playing. Gullies, downed electric wires, and sharp debris are just a few of the hazards children may encounter following a flood of this magnitude.
• Keep an eye on children's emotional reaction to the crisis. Talk to children – and just as important – listen to them. Encourage kids to express how they feel and ask if anything is worrying them.
• Regardless of age, reassure them frequently that you, local officials, and their communities are all working to keep them safe and return life back to normal. Older children may seem more capable but may also be affected by the displacement in their lives.
• Watch for symptoms of stress, including clinginess, stomachaches, headaches, nightmares, trouble eating or sleeping, or changes in behavior.
• If you are concerned about the way your children are responding long after the crisis is over, consult your doctor, school counselor or local mental health professional.

For Pets

Uncertainty and change in the environment affect animals, too, presenting new stresses and dangers.

• Your pet's behavior may change after a crisis, becoming more aggressive or self-protective. Be sensitive to these changes and keep more room between them, other animals, children or strangers.  
• Animals need comforting, too. Comfort your pet with kind words and lots of pats or hugs. If possible, provide a safe and quiet environment, even if it is not their own home.
• Following a disaster, keep your pets on a leash.  Changes in the landscape may confuse them and fences and other landmarks may have changed, making it more likely for them to become lost.
• Be careful when allowing pets outside where they may encounter sharp or toxic debris.
• Animals may be at more risk to various diseases that accompany floods.  Consult your veterinarian if your pet displays any unusual physical symptoms, and determine if any precautionary measures should be considered.

Displacement, Loss, and Reunification

If pets had to be temporarily housed away from their families, be sure and explain the reasons to children, letting them know that their animals will reunited with the family as soon as possible.  If a pet is lost and cannot be found, it is important to seek help for all family members who are grieving the loss of a best friend.  And once pets are reunified with their families, whether at home, a friend's house, or a shelter, remember that animals, just like people, often do best with structure in their lives.  As the family reunites and rebuilds – structure will again emerge.  The best part is when everyone – pets and people – can once again find stability and normalcy in their lives.

** MEMPHIS RESCUE PHOTOS, VIDEOS, STATISTICS, STORIES AND 10 TIPS to keep your children and animals safe and help them cope with the aftermath of the flood are available: www.americanhumane.org/memphis.

Background

American Humane Association received a request to deploy in partnership with the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), which received an official request from the Shelby County, Tenn. Office of Preparedness HLS/EMA and the Mayor of Memphis to address the massive flood.  The Red Star team in Memphis consisted of 15 staff and volunteers. Their 82-foot-long "Rescue Rig" emergency response vehicle is equipped with a mobile veterinary clinic, crisis supplies, and water rescue craft. A convoy of support vehicles including a 4-wheel-drive pickup and horse trailer accompanied the Rescue Rig to assist in land and water rescues. For more news about the Red Star team's emergency work during disasters or to support their efforts to help communities and animals in crisis, please go to www.americanhumane.org.

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. 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.

NEWS, PHOTO & INTERVIEW OPS
Expert tips to keep kids and animals safe available
[email protected] via interview and at www.americanhumane.org/memphis

SOURCE American Humane Association