Pinellas Animal Foundation Announces Winners of the 2007 Col. Edward T. Imparato Awards ST. PETERSBURG - The Pinellas Animal Foundation is proud to honor the 2007 Col. Edward T. Imparato Hero Award winners at the 9th Annual Bowser Ball at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club on Sept. 29. The awards celebrate the importance of the human/animal bond in either a heroic act or life long efforts. The winners are: Individual Community Hero - Linda Granger Using her expertise as the Marketing Director of Bay New 9, Linda diligently supports the SPCA of Tampa Bay's marketing department while serving as a board member. She also supports Bay News 9's involvement with the Pinellas Animal Foundation through both the BOWser Ball and BOWser Games. In 2007 she adopted a Greyhound and began fostering for the Greyhound Rescue. She is tirelessly dedicated to making a difference for animals both professionally and personally. Animal Hero - "Ricky" Kirkman Ricky and his people, Elizabeth and James Kirkman, volunteered to brighten everyone's lives in their path long before The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast: Pet Therapy Volunteers Program became a reality. Ricky's work has not gone unnoticed and has appeared in the New York Times in 2005 and other local publications. Today, Ricky and nearly 40 other animals specialize in making people in difficult situations feel better. Ricky and his people lead the way as great ambassadors, which helped to formalize this uplifting program Veterinarian Hero - Dr. T.J. Tallon, Jr., The Gulfport Veterinarian Several clients of the Gulfport Veterinarian have come forward with rave reviews for Dr. T.J. Tallon, Jr., saying that he goes above and beyond the call of duty with their pet's care and that both he and the staff are generous, respectful and show obvious concern not only for the pet, but for the owners as well. Tickets for the Bowser Ball are still available for: $100 per ticket ($125 at the door) $950 table of 10 $1150 table of 12 Leigh Moody from Bay News 9 will lead the evening as Master of Ceremonies, featuring the Canine Couture Fashion Show, cocktail hour with jazz guitarist Paul Skye, dinner, dancing, Vegas style games, silent auction and prizes. The Bowser Ball is the foundation's annual black-tie fundraiser to support its educational and service programs that enrich the lives of pets and people through out Pinellas County. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Pinellas Animal Foundation at 727-381-2287, visit www.pinellasanimalfoundation.org or e-mail: admin@pinellasanimalfoundation.org. The Col. Edward T. Imparato Hero Awards began in 2001 to honor Col. Imparato's love of animals and for his work with the Morton Plant Hospital, Pinellas Animal Foundation and other non-profit organizations in Pinellas County. The Pinellas Animal Foundation is a veterinary and community partnership providing humane educational and service programs that increase awareness of the value of humane treatment, encouraging respect, kindness, tolerance, compassion and personal responsibility.

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