Exhibit Spotlight
Pets in America |
September 13, 2008-February 1, 2009
Members' Preview Reception
Friday, September 12 at 6 p.m.
RSVP to RSVP@stamfordmuseum.org or 203.322.1646 ext.6521
Pets in America explores the bond between people and animals and the history of pet-keeping.
"Having a pet is deeply satisfying and emotionally enriching, but it can also be time-consuming, limiting, and financially burdensome," explains Curator of Collections Rosa Portell. "Yet, for over 200 years Americans have treasured their pets and gone to great lengths in order to keep them. The human-pet bond is enduring, profound, and enormously complex."
Pets in America was developed by McKissick Museum of South Carolina, and is based on research by Professor Katherine C. Grier. The exhibition contains more than 300 objects, including pet attire; feeding and housing implements; pet remedies of all kinds; the very first bag of Kitty Litter; a mouse theatre; and a coat and collar made for President Roosevelt's famous dog, Fala, on loan from F.D.R.'s Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, New York. The exhibition is supported by media sponsors Stamford Plus magazine and 96.7 The Coast/95.9 The Fox radio stations.
In the "My Pet and I" section, visitors are invited to contribute images and stories of their own, which will be posted for everyone's enjoyment, and may appear on the Museum's Web site as well as in Stamford Plus magazine and the magazine's Web site.
Pets in America is a nationally traveling exhibition, organized by McKissick Museum, The University of South Carolina. |
RELATED PROGRAMS
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Have a problem with your dog?
The Stamford Museum & Nature Center partners with Stamford Animal Care and Control to offer a monthly seminar series. All programs will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center.
The program topics are as follows:
Sept. 16: "Dog Behavior 101: Why does my dog...?"
Oct. 21: "Successfully Adopting a Shelter Dog"
Nov.18: "Introduction to Canine Nutrition"
Dec. 16: "Dogs & Kids: Building Blocks for a Solid Friendship"
Jan. 20: "Is Your Christmas Puppy Leaving You Presents?"
Exotic Pets Lecture Series
In another two-part lecture series, naturalist Chris Evers from Animal Embassy will explore whether exotic animals make good pets. These programs, which will feature live animals, will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center.
Lecture Series topics:
Oct. 10: "When Good Pets Go Bad: The Trials of Exotic Pet Ownership":
Nov. 7 : "Take a Walk on the Practical Side: Responsible Exotic Pet Ownership"
These programs are appropriate for children ages 5+. Pre-registration is required. Please call 203.322.1646 x6521 to register. Maximum attendance: 75.
Members: $5 | |Non-Members: $8
Sing-Along with Lizzie Swan
Friday, November 14, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Great Hall, Bendel Mansion (main building)
Lizzie Swan, who delighted the Museum's young audiences with her music during SM&NC's Goodnight Moon exhibition, returns! Ms. Swan is the founder of the family band The Swingset Mamas, winner of the 2008 Parents Choice Award for Outstanding DVD and the iParenting Media Award. Children are invited to don their pajamas and bring along their pets to the Museum (stuffed toys only!) for a sing-along of animal-themed songs.
Pre-registration required. Please call 203.322.1646 x6521. Maximum attendance: 75. This program is appropriate for ages 3 + .
Members: $5 | |Non-Members: $8
Pet-themed Overnight camp-in
January 17, 2009 | |
Stamford Museum & Nature Center Goes to the Dogs  Sunday, September 21
11 am - 3 pm
The interaction between people and animals will be further explored through this related event. SM&NC Goes to the Dogs, a day-long festival celebrating dogs and the people and organizations that rescue them and train them for service. The event's main feature will be dog agility demonstrations led by Mary-Elizabeth Simpson. Ms. Simpson is a dog trainer whose athletic and well-behaved canine crew consists mostly of Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Australian Shepherds and Border Collies. The Yankee Flyers canine Frisbee team will also perform. Dog service groups, such as FIDELCO, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, The Marshall Legacy Institute, Puppies Behind Bars, Stamford Animal Care and Control, and Greyhound Rescue & Rehabilitation will share their goals and trained dogs with visitors. SM&NC Goes to the Dogs is free with regular gate admission. Please note that visitors may not bring their pet dogs. The only dogs allowed on the SM&NC property are those participating in the demonstrations.
Dog agility trainer
Mary-Elizabeth Simpson
Our main feature at SM&NC Goes to the Dogs will be Mary-Elizabeth Simpson, owner of Joyful Canine Training in Stamford. Ms. Simpson will be holding a series of dog agility demonstrations at our event. She will be bringing along some highly trained dogs for impressive demonstrations, including Grant, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Feisty, a border collie and Copelia, a poodle.
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FIDELCO
This foundation trains German Shepherd guide dogs for the visually impaired. Based in Bloomfield, CT, the foundation trains approximately 100 dogs a year and has placed over 1,000 dogs, helping to "change lives by Sharing the Vision."
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Greyhound Rescue & Rehabilitation
Greyhound Rescue & Rehabilitation (GRR) is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit adoption/placement organization comprised of volunteers, dedicated to raising public awareness about the ex-racing Greyhound; their gentle & loving nature, wonderful disposition and suitability as pets and companions.
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The Wilton Chapter of Guiding Eyes for the Blind
This internationally accredited, non-profit organization trains dogs for service to the blind and the visually impaired.
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The Marshall Legacy Institute
This Virginia-based, non-profit organization was founded in the 50th Anniversary Year of the Marshall Plan to extend the vision of Nobel Peace Laureate George C. Marshall to address 21st Century problems. The current focus of MLI is assisting nations in establishing affordable and sustainable programs to rid their land of the scourge of landmines. MLI works to restore hope, alleviate suffering and nurture stability in war-torn countries. MLIs two major programs are the K9 Demining Corps Campaign (K9DC) and the Children Against Mines Program (CHAMPS).
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Yankee Flyers
Canine Frisbee team
Yankee Flyers Canine Frisbee team members Tena Parker and her dog Shayne and Jamie Yates-Yee and her dogs Sophia and Hadjoo will be showing off their high-flying tricks. Come watch as the dogs run, jump, and soar through the air in an effort to catch the discs!
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NEADS
NEADS is a group based in Princeton, MA, with chapters in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, that places puppies with volunteers to prepare them for service to deaf and disabled Americans, including returning Iraq veterans. A short film of this program will be shown in the Museum's Bendel Mansion Museum Building as a complement to the exhibition "Pets in America."
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Stamford Care & Animal Control (201 Magee Avenue, Stamford)
This no-kill facility provides free dog training, phone advice, low cost spay and neutering services and a great outreach to find good homes for their charges. Shelter volunteers will bring dogs available for adoption to the Museum. In conjunction with SM&NC's "Pets in America" exhibit, Stamford Animal Care & Control will be holding a monthly lecture series covering dog behavior topics such as "Dog Behavior 101: Why does my dog...?" "Successfully Adopting a Shelter Dog," and "Canine Myth Busting," among others. Please check the Museum's Web site for more information on the lecture series.
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Puppies Behind Bars: Puppies Behind Bars is an organization founded in 1997 that signs up prison inmates to train puppies for service. This highly successful program has been found to benefit both the dog handlers and the disabled who eventually get the carefully trained dogs.
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