Art plays a vital role in increasing public awareness of a wide range of concerns – from harassment to global crises. One Connecticut teenager has made a significant contribution by combining her love of painting with her love for her dog.
A Teen Behind Wags 4 Hope
Annie Blumenfeld, a teen, 17 years old, is behind Wags 4 Hope, an organization that uses art to raise awareness about heartworm prevention in pets. Blumenfeld sells custom pet photos and donates all revenues to animal shelters in need. She has raised $40,000 thus far through her artwork, supplies, and donations.
Blumenfeld stated that she supports the treatment of heartworm-infected animals so that they can recover and find permanent homes. An infected female mosquito laying a heartworm larva on the skin of a dog causes this condition. These worms infiltrate the bloodstream and cause damage to the lungs, heart, and several other organs. If left untreated, it is potentially fatal.
Blumenfeld is passionate about this advocacy because her family’s dog Teddy once tested positive for the condition and had to endure arduous treatment. Blumenfeld took a particular interest in emphasizing the need for heartworm prevention, a relatively low-cost and uncomplicated combination of annual blood tests and monthly preventative medication.
Wags 4 Hope does more than advocating for and assisting with the treatment of heartworm-positive canines. Wags 4 Hope’s other mission is to educate the general public, particularly pet owners.
So, she began by designing, producing, and distributing flyers to raise awareness of the disease’s severity and the ease of its prevention.
To date, these flyers have been distributed throughout all 50 states, including some parts of West Africa and Australia. Blumenfeld has utilized her art, voice, and passion to spark change, and she has no plans to stop anytime soon. This determined teenager advocates for healthier dogs one state at a time.
Credit: This Dog’s Life