Flannery Animal Hospital donates K9 rescue harnesses to the State Police Aviation Detachment
New Windsor The Flannery Animal Hospital, located at 789 Little Britain Road in New Windsor is hosting its “Kitty Karnival” this Sunday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. New York State Trooper Ray Giganti will be on hand with one of state police helicopters. Children can view the helicopter up close and will be allowed to sit inside the cockpit. This fun and informative event will have activities for the whole family including food, educational booths, a doggie costume contest as well as crafts and games for the kids. The connection between Flannery Animal Hospital and the State Police is longstanding. According to a press release from the animal hospital, after New Orleans’ Hurricane Katrina left more than 600,000 pets killed or homeless, there has been a shift in evacuation and rescue efforts to include pets. Here in Hudson Valley, the State Police Aviation Detachment is joining those efforts. During Hurricane Irene this detachment out of Newburgh’s Stewart Airport saved five dogs that were rescued alongside their owners. Members of the detachment, however, faced with some tough decisions. Because they lacked the proper harnessing equipment for animals, the crew had to weigh their ability to rescue pets with the very real need to help people instead. When the folks who run Flannery Animal Hospital heard about the need for proper equipment, they agreed to donate harnessing so no such choices would have to be made in the future. “We have provided care for the K-9 officers for more than 20 years and have developed strong ties with the law enforcement community,” Dr. Frank Puccio, owner of Flannery Animal Hospital, said in his press release. “We appreciate their efforts and are pleased to have an opportunity to assist in their protection of our community.” The donation of the harnesses will allow the detachment to conduct rescues year round and greatly expand their abilities as a unit. “By having the harnesses, it will enable the helicopters to broaden their ability to conduct rescues” Trooper Giganti said. “This is a big thing for us.”