The PR Coordinator would need to be

• Media-savvy
• Social, outgoing, talkative
• Reliable
• Able to pitch intriguing stories to news outlets

The PR Coordinator would get to

• Contact local media sources about our services and events
• Find and connect with other local and state groups that have similar missions and interests
• Handle interviews
• Issue press releases
• Spread the word about our events and services through social media like Craigslist, Holly’s Hot Happenings, Do512, Austin360, News8’s Community Events Calendar, and any other possible free posting

There’s a potential for additional responsibilities as our organization grows and our services expand.

This volunteer opportunity would look great on anyone’s resume, and you would be part of an essential, highly-valued team of core volunteers.

If you are interested in joining our team as the PR Coordinator, please send an email to info@love-a-bull.org and explain why you are a match for the position.

Happy First Birthday to Love-A-Bull, as we proudly celebrate a full year of significant accomplishments and activities:

• Launch of the Free Training Program to members (to date, over 80 dogs have participated in the program, with over 10 dogs achieving the Canine Good Citizen distinction)
• Four Love-A-Bull members and their dogs actively working as therapy teams
• Pittie Pride Memorial Walk, on the opening day of NFL season (Sept. 13), to protest Michael Vick’s signing by the Philadelphia Eagles and to remember the many victims of dog fighting.  Over 40 dogs participated in the walk from City Hall to Jo’s Coffee, along South Congress Avenue.
• National Pit Bull Awareness Weekend (Oct. 24-25), featuring special guest John Garcia, handler and rehabilitator of the Vicktory Dogs from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, and Official Proclamation from Mayor and Austin City Council as “Love-A-Bull Weekend” 
• Receiving the Achievement and Project Support Awards from the Animal Farm Foundation in recognition of the accomplishments of Mocha, a breed ambassador, and grant funding to recognize the Canine Good Citizen distinction
• Successful events at Pints for Pits at Shangri-La, and Art for Animals at Maranda Pleasant Gallery, to raise funds and awareness
• Assisting with repeal of breed-specific legislation in Madisonville, Texas
• Outreach and participation in the Violet Crown Festival, City of Austin vaccination clinic, Pet Fest in San Marcos, Barktoberfest, Barkitecture, South Congress First Thursdays, Ice Cream Festival, movie night at the Alamo Drafthouse, Poochinis and Peticures at Lofty Dog, the Thunderbird Subs Turkey Trot, Holiday Photos throughout the year, and other community events

Please join us, support us, and get involved, as we embark on the next year of exciting programs and activities.  We cannot achieve our goals without your help and participation!

We also have Unexpected Pit Bull calendars — $15 for non-members, $12 for members. They’re great gifts for co-workers, Secret Santas, or anyone with a spot in their heart for pitties.

You may pay online via PayPal (http://love-a-bull.org/about/support/ ) or in person. Contact us (info@love-a-bull.org ) if you have any questions or want to schedule an order pickup.

Thanks and happy howl-idays from Love-A-Bull!

DATE: November 17, 2009

MEDIA CONTACT: Lydia Zaidman (718) 791-5493

http://www.love-a-bull.org
info@love-a-bull.org

AUSTIN, Texas — Love-A-Bull, a local nonprofit education and advocacy organization, is proud to announce that it has recently been awarded two grants from the Animal Farm Foundation. Love-A-Bull has received the Project Support Grant to fund a program recognizing pit bulls attaining the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) distinction, and the Achievement Award Grant for outstanding achievement by one group member dog.

The Animal Farm Foundation was founded in the 1980s to improve the lives of dogs labeled as “pit bulls” and to protect all dogs from discrimination and cruelty. The Foundation awarded Love-A-Bull the Achievement Award in recognition of Mocha, a Staffordshire Terrier, and her achievement as a Canine Good Citizen and Certified Therapy Dog, and her appearances at public events and in the media. The grant specifically notes that Mocha “is opening hearts and changing minds about all dogs who appear to be pit bulls through her achievements, especially in the community of Austin, Texas.” Mocha’s guardian, Lydia Zaidman, is a co-founder of Love-A-Bull.

The Foundation also recognized Love-A-Bull’s training program, awarding funding for each canine member of the group who achieves the Canine Good Citizen status, a rigorous ten-step temperament and behavioral test administered by trained professionals through the American Kennel Club. The grant is intended to promote responsible pit bull stewardship, the primary focus of Love-A-Bull’s mission.

To underscore the importance of training, which is central to responsible dog ownership of any breed, Love-A-Bull offers its members a free, four-week training program, with sessions filling continually throughout the year. The training sessions are held at Southpaws Playschool and are led by experienced, professional trainer, Jessica Wilson. To date, more than 90 dogs have participated in the training, with more than 10 Love-A-Bull members’ dogs attaining the CGC distinction, and 4 working as Certified Therapy Dogs in hospitals and schools. More information on the free training program can be found on Love-A-Bull’s website at http://love-a-bull.org/programs/training/

Mocha, Canine Good Citizen and Certified Therapy Dog, Animal Farm Foundation Grant Award Recipient

About Love-A-Bull: Love-A-Bull is a 501(c)(3) organization, composed of over 450 local owners committed to responsible ownership of pit bulls and working to share information with the public on issues such as spay/neuter, rescue and training, active advocacy against breed-specific legislation, and promoting a more positive public image of these dogs. www.love-a-bull.org

Promoting Positive Perception of Pits by Meghan Turner
http://network.bestfriends.org/golocal/texas/13597/news.aspx