M I A M I - D A D E  C O U N T Y   P U B L I C  S C H O O L S
Information Services   •   School Board Administration Building   •   1450 N.E. 2 Avenue, Miami, Florida  33132

CONTACT: Dr. Henry C. Fraind
305-995-1206

May 10,1999


One of the recipients of a "Humana"tarian award at this year's Senior Mentor Recognition Luncheon is a canine columnist with an angel on his chest.

Dr. Zeus, a member of the visiting pet partners of the Humane Society of Greater Miami, will be the first canine recipient of the award, one of those to be presented starting at 11 a.m. tomorrow, May 11, at the Radisson Mart Plaza Hotel, 711 N.W. 72 Avenue.

Named after the program's co-sponsor, Humana Health Insurance of Florida, the awards are given to teenagers and adults who volunteer in the Senior Mentor program of Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

Dr. Zeus, whose silky black hair includes a white patch on his chest that looks like an angel with arms outstretched, is the companion of Kelly Grimm, director of education for the Humane Society of Greater Miami. They regularly call on 35 nursing homes, and together have trained the pets of 20 high school volunteers to become Certified Pet Therapists like Dr. Zeus.

They also visit schools to teach the importance of being responsible pet owners, how to be safe around pets, and the problems of pet overpopulation. In addition, Dr. Zeus pens a column on pet care on the Humane Society's web site, [www.humanesocietymiami.org].

Other award recipients this year include Willis Murray, senior liaison for Congresswoman Carrie Meek and the immediate past president of the board of directors of the Alliance for Aging. Murray, a retired educator, is a popular speaker in high school government classes.

For more information, contact Dr. Ramona Frischman, Supervisor, Intergenerational Programs, at 305-995-1215.

99-J0150/BD

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