Virtual Pet Parade – 2021
2021 Beads of Courage 1st Annual Virtual Pet Parade – May 8, 2021
Thank you to all who participated!
Although the Pet Parade is over, your pet can still carry a bead!
Pets are nature’s perfect companions, and we want to share your pet’s adventures with kids we support through Beads of Courage.
Participants received:
- Custom Beads of Courage Carry a Bead kit
- Beads of Courage Pet Parade Bandana for you or your pet – you can share we know you both will look cute wearing it!
Participants received a Beads of Courage Carry a Bead: Pet Edition kit as part of their participation in the parade. Their pet wore the matching beads during a walk, hike, swim, or whatever fun adventure they both enjoyed. Pictures and videos of pets proudly wearing their shiny new beads were returned to Beads of Courage to be included in our Pet Parade video that premiered live on Facebook on May 8, 2021.
Pet Carry a Bead participants also mailed one of the two beads back to Beads of Courage. The bead returned is packaged with a story card “written by the pet” and will be given to encourage a child or teen who receives Beads of Courage on a tough treatment day.
Although the Pet Parade is over, your pet can still carry a bead!
Background:
Beads of Courage released our Pet Carry a Bead and 1st Virtual Pet Parade to celebrate National Pet Week® May 2-8, 2021.
National Pet Week® celebrates the pets that enrich our lives and encourages responsible pet care every day of the year. Created by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Auxiliary to the AVMA in 1981, it is observed during the first full week of May each year.
Whether companion, comedian, confidant, or protector, our pets are always there for us. National Pet Week® celebrates this bond and encourages pet owners to be certain to provide their best friends with everything needed for a happy, healthy life. Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, school groups, and communities host a variety of fun and informative events throughout the week.
Learn more about National Pet Week at: https://www.avma.org/events/national-pet-week
“My name is Linda and I’m a proud supporter of the Beads of Courage program. Every child and his or her family going through a major health crisis can be overwhelmed with so many difficult emotions! I hope the beads I carry will offer some support and compassion and become a part of their healing process. The beads help the children or their families tell their story, and telling their story offers healing! I always do my “carry beads” with one of my best friends… Elsie. Elsie and I love to spend time outdoors and we go on lots of walks together. Elsie always seems happy which makes her a great companion for sharing in my role with Beads of Courage. She is full of love, is always willing to go on an adventure, is happy having her photo taken (for a treat of course), and wags her tail a lot when she meets other people! Yes, Elsie is my beloved pooch. Time spent with her while also supporting the Beads of Courage program is a win-win in my book (and in Elsie’s too… it usually means a fun time and a treat)!”
LC and Elsie