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Rescued Dogs Stinger,
Wonder New Ambassadors
for Morgan’s Wonderland,
San Antonio Scorpions
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San
Antonio, TX – November 2013 / Newsmaker Alert / Two rescued female
dogs – an 18-week-old terrier mix with special needs named Stinger and
a two-and-a-half-year-old rat terrier without physical challenges named
Wonder – have been introduced as goodwill animal ambassadors for unique
Morgan’s
Wonderland theme park and for the San
Antonio Scorpions pro soccer team.
“Our
tail-wagging ambassadors will help us further emphasize the fundamental
focus of Morgan’s Wonderland – inclusion,” said philanthropist Gordon Hartman,
chairman of The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation. “Morgan’s Wonderland
enables those with and without special needs to come together in a safe,
colorful, affordable environment for fun and understanding.”
Hartman
introduced the dogs at a morning news conference and indicated their first
official appearances will take place during “A Wonderland Christmas,” special
holiday entertainment for the entire family from 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays and
Saturdays through Dec. 21, plus Sunday and Monday, Dec. 22 and 23, at Morgan’s
Wonderland.
Stinger
and Wonder will greet guests and pose for photos from 6 to 7 each evening
of A Wonderland Christmas, Hartman noted. He also recognized the dogs’
adoptive “parents” – his brother Gene Hartman and sister-in-law Sherral
– and the dogs’ veterinarians, Drs. Pete and Maria Hey of Deerfield Veterinary
Hospital.
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Stinger
and Wonder introduced as goodwill animal ambassadors
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“Big-hearted
Gene and Sherral decided to adopt Stinger after learning of her plight
in a TV news story,” Hartman said. “Stinger was born with deformed front
legs and was thrown into a dumpster along with other pups in the litter.
However, a conscientious young man, Raymond Martinez, rescued Stinger and
company and involved Debi Silva, director of A Vision of Hope Canine Community,
which seeks to find homes for dogs with special needs. Subsequently, Carrie
Brister of the San Antonio Guardian Angels Rescue and Haven facilitated
the adoption of Wonder to underscore inclusion – enabling those with and
without special needs to live, play and share life together.”
Hartman
said Stinger and Wonder will make appearances at Morgan’s Wonderland and
at Scorpions matches. “As our animal ambassadors, they’ll be performing
a very valuable service,” Hartman said, “so we consider them to be service
dogs. We already admit service animals trained to assist individuals with
special needs, however we’re simply not equipped to accommodate guests’
pets.”
Morgan’s
Wonderland will begin its second year of hosting A Wonderland Christmas
on Friday, Nov. 29. In addition to the park’s regular rides and attractions,
A Wonderland Christmas will feature a new twinkling lights-and-music show
at Sanctuary Garden, plus Santa Claus visits, musical entertainment, a
petting zoo and Christmas decorations galore. Pictures with Santa will
be taken from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for a nominal charge.
Regular
Morgan’s Wonderland admission prices will be applicable throughout A Wonderland
Christmas – Nov. 29 and 30, Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22 and 23. Those
with special needs are always admitted free of charge.
The
park also will be open during the day on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29 and
30, as well as other days in December including Sunday, Dec. 29, last day
of the 2013 season. The 2014 season will begin Feb. 28. Morgan’s Wonderland
is located at 5223 David Edwards Drive in Northeast San Antonio just west
of IH 35 at the intersection of Wurzbach Parkway and Thousand Oaks Drive.
For the latest park information and hours of operation, visit www.MorgansWonderland.com,
or call 210-495-5888.
“Our
inaugural A Wonderland Christmas a year ago began a new holiday tradition
for families and individuals wanting to become immersed in the Christmas
spirit,” Hartman said. “Our guests took countless pictures of the beautiful
holiday decorations, activities and musical performances.”
Morgan’s
Wonderland has become the anchor for a family-fun destination known as
Wonderland, Texas. The former Longhorn Quarry also is home to Toyota
Field, home of the Scorpions; the STAR (South Texas Area Regional)
Soccer Complex, with 13 first-class fields for tournament and league play;
and Monarch Academy, a school
for students with special needs next to Morgan’s Wonderland. Net
profits from the Scorpions, Toyota Field and STAR Soccer help non-profit
Morgan’s Wonderland meet its financial obligations as well as expand services
and programs for the special-needs community.
A Vision
of Hope Canine Community began six years ago when Silva fostered a blind
puppy named Maverick. “At first I thought it would be difficult to raise
a blind dog,” Silva said, “but Maverick soon proved me wrong. He did everything
my dogs with vision did and more. So many times I see blind or blind/deaf
dogs go unadopted because they’re perceived as hard to work with. This
is where A Vision of Hope Canine Community comes in. We want to be a resource
for those that are considering giving these amazing canines a chance.”
Silva can be reached at 210-528-0933 or at avisionofhopecanine@gmail.com.
Brister
said San Antonio Guardian Angels Rescue and Haven gives shelter to expectant
canine moms, moms with puppies and puppies without moms. More information
about the rescue effort begun in 2011 is available at 210-379-9034 or at
www.SanAntonioGuardianAngels.com.
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View
Park Attractions
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Contacts:
Preston
Petri
The
San Antonio Scorpions FC
210-637-3421
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Bob
McCullough, APR
Public
Relations Director
Morgan’s
Wonderland
210-637-3418
 
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