Tournament raises funds for nonprofit that saves pets

Published in the Aug. 5-18, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Staff Report

bow-wow-luau-logo-webAir For Paws founder Terry Moriyama and her team of volunteers invite South Valley residents who love animal friends to join them for a day of fun and sun at the annual Bow Wow Luau golf tournament Friday Aug. 28 at the Gilroy Municipal Golf Course.

The shot-gun start is at noon, and there will be plenty of food and drink for the afternoon and evening, Moriyama said.

“It’s a fun day with lots of games and food and good camaraderie. There is even a little golf as well,” she said with a laugh. “And mostly it’s to raise money for Air For Paws, a really good cause.”

Air For Paws is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization established in 2009, which equips first responders with animal resuscitation kits and training for the resuscitation of pets. Each kit contains specially designed oxygen masks constructed to properly fit animals ranging in size from pocket-pets to large dogs, with instruction cards and any necessary adaptive/supporting equipment.

More than 600 kits have been placed throughout 17 states and in worldwide military bases, at no cost to the first responders. Originating with the fire and rescue agencies in Morgan Hill, Air For Paws is now recognized from coast to coast. This year, in cooperation with Old Dawgs & Pups, Air For Paws lifesaving first response equipment has been deployed to U.S. military working dogs in locations in Southwest Asia and Europe.

“What we do is we are an all volunteer nonprofit that provides animal resuscitation kits to first responders at no cost to them so everything is done through donation and fundraising,” Moriyama said.

The Bow Wow Luau is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Air For Paws. A boxed lunch and dinner for all golfers is provided.

The cost is $100 per player for 18 holes. Dinner is $35 for guests who don’t want to play golf. Games at each golf hole include hole-in-one prizes such as a Pebble Beach golf vacation, a $500 Visa gift card, and various golf club and golf accessory items.

For details, visit www.AirForPaws.com or call 408-710-1832.