News Releases

(KNOXVILLE, Tenn.) - A meeting for those interested in becoming volunteers with Human Animal Bond in Tennessee (HABIT), an animal-assisted therapy program, will be held Thursday, June 7, 2007, from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Public Library.

HABIT is a non-profit, community-based organization in which animals and volunteers make therapeutic visits to nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, mental health facilities, area schools, hospitals and other facilities. HABIT is a program of the UT College of Veterinary Medicine.

The volunteer orientation/information meeting will take place in the auditorium of the Oak Ridge Public Library located at 1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Please do not bring any pets to this meeting. This meeting is open to anyone with a general interest in animal-assisted therapy. For liability purposes, attendance is required before a person can become a HABIT volunteer.

There is no fee or advanced registration required for this meeting. However, please call the HABIT office (865-974-5633) if you plan to attend to ensure enough handouts are available. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. For further information and directions, contact program administrator Karen Armsey at HABIT@utk.edu or at (865) 974-5633. The program's website is www.vet.utk.edu/habit.

###

Contact:

Karen Armsey, (865) 974-5633 or HABIT@utk.edu