Helen Woodward Animal Center
Encyclopedia
Helen Woodward Animal Center (‘HWAC’ or ‘the Center’) is located on 12 acres in Rancho Santa Fe, California
. The Center was established in 1972 as the San Dieguito Animal Care and Education Center with its primary focus on pet adoption
and on-site humane education
. It was renamed in honor of its founder, Helen Woodward, in 1987. Since its inception, services have grown to include an equine hospital, boarding facility, Animal-assisted therapy
outreach, therapeutic horseback riding
for the disabled and AniMeals food for pets of the homebound. Education services have expanded to off-site presentations and outreaches, including the Center’s mobile classroom, The AniMobile, which travels to Title I (low-income) schools throughout San Diego County.
The Center also provides three-day seminars every other month through its Animal Center Education Services (‘ACES’). The ACES seminar provides tips and techniques on managing pet adoptions, public relations, fundraising, humane education, accounting, marketing, human resources and volunteers. Participants have attended from 33 states and 17 locations outside the United States including Argentina, Canada, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Ireland, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Mexico and Romania.
Over 2,600 dogs and cats were adopted out from the Center in 2009. Michael (‘Mike’) Arms has been the President of Helen Woodward Animal Center since 1999.
In 1999 Helen Woodward Animal Center created the ‘Home 4 the Holidays’ pet adoption campaign including 14 animal shelters in San Diego County, California. The goal of the drive is to reduce euthanasia by encouraging families to adopt a pet rather than purchase a pet from a puppy mill or backyard breeder. During the first campaign the participating shelters adopted 2,563 orphaned pets. In 2000 the campaign expanded to 5 states, and then expanded both nationally and internationally over the next 9 years. Some Iams
Home 4 the Holidays spokespersons include Hilary Swank
, Diane Keaton
and the canine movie star, Benji
. The 11th annual Iams
Home 4 the Holidays campaign of 2009 included participants from more than 3,900 animal organizations in 17 countries, and was featured on the television series The Doctors on October 23, 2009. Since 1999, the Iams
Home 4 the Holidays adoption campaign has adopted over 3 million animals.
Helen Woodward Animal Center holds an annual fundraising event for surfing dogs and surfing people called the Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon at Dog Beach, in Del Mar, California
. This event helps raise awareness and money for animals while promoting responsible pet ownership.
Helen Woodward Animal Center had to evacuate over 400 animals from their property in the Witch Creek Fire in October, 2007.
Other celebrities that support the Center are: Kristen Bell
, Tippi Hedren
, Ryan Newman
and his wife, Krissie.
The Center publishes a quarterly newsletter called "The Companion."
Rancho Santa Fe, California
Rancho Santa Fe known locally as ″The Ranch″, is one of the most exclusive and affluent communities in Southern California. It is also a census-designated place in San Diego County, California and an unincorporated bedroom community of San Diego County...
. The Center was established in 1972 as the San Dieguito Animal Care and Education Center with its primary focus on pet adoption
Pet adoption
Pet adoption usually refers to the process of taking guardianship of and responsibility for a pet that a previous owner has abandoned or released to a shelter or rescue organization...
and on-site humane education
Humane education
Humane education is defined as the teaching of compassion and respect related to animal welfare, environmental, and social justice issues. It works to makes the acquisition of relevant knowledge, skills, and commitment to live ethically, sustainably, and peaceably the very purpose of education...
. It was renamed in honor of its founder, Helen Woodward, in 1987. Since its inception, services have grown to include an equine hospital, boarding facility, Animal-assisted therapy
Animal-Assisted Therapy
Animal-assisted therapy is a relatively new field of study, although the human-animal bond has existed for thousands of years. AAT is a type of therapy that involves animals as a form of treatment. The goal of AAT is to improve a patient’s social, emotional, or cognitive functioning...
outreach, therapeutic horseback riding
Therapeutic horseback riding
Therapeutic horseback riding is used to teach riding skills to people with disabilities...
for the disabled and AniMeals food for pets of the homebound. Education services have expanded to off-site presentations and outreaches, including the Center’s mobile classroom, The AniMobile, which travels to Title I (low-income) schools throughout San Diego County.
The Center also provides three-day seminars every other month through its Animal Center Education Services (‘ACES’). The ACES seminar provides tips and techniques on managing pet adoptions, public relations, fundraising, humane education, accounting, marketing, human resources and volunteers. Participants have attended from 33 states and 17 locations outside the United States including Argentina, Canada, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Ireland, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Mexico and Romania.
Over 2,600 dogs and cats were adopted out from the Center in 2009. Michael (‘Mike’) Arms has been the President of Helen Woodward Animal Center since 1999.
In 1999 Helen Woodward Animal Center created the ‘Home 4 the Holidays’ pet adoption campaign including 14 animal shelters in San Diego County, California. The goal of the drive is to reduce euthanasia by encouraging families to adopt a pet rather than purchase a pet from a puppy mill or backyard breeder. During the first campaign the participating shelters adopted 2,563 orphaned pets. In 2000 the campaign expanded to 5 states, and then expanded both nationally and internationally over the next 9 years. Some Iams
Iams
Iams is a brand name for dog food and cat food manufactured by Procter & Gamble . The company sells pet food for cats and dogs formulated for puppy/kitten, adult and mature. Its products are developed by nutritionists and veterinarians and can be found in three main formulas: ProActive Health,...
Home 4 the Holidays spokespersons include Hilary Swank
Hilary Swank
Hilary Ann Swank is an American actress. Swank's film career began with a small part in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and then a major part in The Next Karate Kid , as Julie Pierce, the first female protégé of sensei Mr. Miyagi...
, Diane Keaton
Diane Keaton
Diane Keaton is an American film actress, director, producer, and screenwriter. Keaton began her career on stage, and made her screen debut in 1970...
and the canine movie star, Benji
Benji
Benji is the name of a fictional dog who has been the focus of several movies from 1974 through the 2000s. It is also the title of the first film in the Benji series....
. The 11th annual Iams
Iams
Iams is a brand name for dog food and cat food manufactured by Procter & Gamble . The company sells pet food for cats and dogs formulated for puppy/kitten, adult and mature. Its products are developed by nutritionists and veterinarians and can be found in three main formulas: ProActive Health,...
Home 4 the Holidays campaign of 2009 included participants from more than 3,900 animal organizations in 17 countries, and was featured on the television series The Doctors on October 23, 2009. Since 1999, the Iams
Iams
Iams is a brand name for dog food and cat food manufactured by Procter & Gamble . The company sells pet food for cats and dogs formulated for puppy/kitten, adult and mature. Its products are developed by nutritionists and veterinarians and can be found in three main formulas: ProActive Health,...
Home 4 the Holidays adoption campaign has adopted over 3 million animals.
Helen Woodward Animal Center holds an annual fundraising event for surfing dogs and surfing people called the Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon at Dog Beach, in Del Mar, California
Del Mar, California
Del Mar is an upscale beach town in San Diego County, California. The population was 4,161 at the 2010 census, down from 4,389 at the 2000 census. The San Diego County Fair is hosted on the Del Mar Fairgrounds every summer. Del Mar is Spanish for "of the sea" or "by the sea", because it is located...
. This event helps raise awareness and money for animals while promoting responsible pet ownership.
Helen Woodward Animal Center had to evacuate over 400 animals from their property in the Witch Creek Fire in October, 2007.
Other celebrities that support the Center are: Kristen Bell
Kristen Bell
Kristen Anne Bell is an American actress. Although her first film role was an uncredited appearance in Polish Wedding, Bell previously acted in stage and musical productions. In 2001, she made her Broadway debut as Becky Thatcher in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer...
, Tippi Hedren
Tippi Hedren
Nathalie Kay "Tippi" Hedren is an American actress and former fashion model with a career spanning six decades. She is primarily known for her roles in two Alfred Hitchcock films, The Birds and Marnie, and her extensive efforts in animal rescue at Shambala Preserve, an wildlife habitat which she...
, Ryan Newman
Ryan Newman
Ryan Joseph Newman is a driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He drives the #39 United States Army/Tornados/Haas Automation Chevrolet Impala for Stewart Haas Racing under crew chief Tony Gibson. Newman graduated from Purdue University in 2001 with a B.S. in vehicle structure engineering...
and his wife, Krissie.
The Center publishes a quarterly newsletter called "The Companion."