Tag: TASP

Meet Erin O’Brien, TASP’s Berkshire Treasure

Those of you who have been participating in our Fantasy Pet Photo Clinics at Benson’s in Pittsfield already know Erin O’Brien as the ever-smiling, ever-joking ever-competent photog and computer operator who turns even the most incorrigible pet model into an absolute work of art. One Sunday each  month, Erin meets us at Benson’s ready to set up and shoot our fund-raising photos that draw folks from all over Berkshire County.

From our first meeting, Erin understood immediately what it was TASP was trying to accomplish with our mission to keep pets out of the local shelters through pet crisis intervention and mitigation. And by the time we handed her Zippy’s very first Fantasy photo, we were signing Erin up to be a TASP volunteer. Since then, TASP is stronger and so much better off for having Erin on our team.

Erin helps all the pets relax and have fun at photo clinics.

But don’t take our word for it, take it from Erin: “

“I stumbled across a TASP photo clinic at the Pittsfield Benson’s a few years ago and was so impressed with how patient Steve was with my dogs and how friendly the gang working the clinic was, that I volunteered to help out at future events. 

Before you know it I had learned a ton about PhotoShop, how to photograph wiggly dogs, and how to set up and tear down the photo clinic equipment.  But more importantly, I had met some of the best people I’ve ever encountered in the TASP family of volunteers.  You are all so dedicated, talented, and hardworking.  I’m impressed at every event with how much everyone does for animals in their spare time and not-so-spare time…….And of course, I’ve gotten to know some of the cutest, nuttiest, and sweetest animals and their loving pet parents.  The regulars at our events are the best for how supportive they are of TASP and it is obvious how much they love their fur babies.”

The family who dresses together stays together!

Not only is Erin a one-woman photo clinic, able to expertly handle every aspect of our process including setup, animal-handler, photographer, computer operator and admin; she is also an accomplished graphic artist with an absolutely joyful personalty that engages volunteers, pet owners and critters alike! Erin has been a volunteer with the outstanding Berkshire Humane Society for years and is a valuable resource to TASP and local residents who may need help navigating the animal welfare world on her side of the mountain.

Erin’s COVID drive-by birthday celebration for Zippy

A devoted pet mom and animal lover, Erin gives her whole self to her dogs: Gentleman Bud and Zippy the Wonderpup. And it’s clear they want nothing more than to be with their Mama, even when she’s not dressed up like one of them. Both dogs are so well trained by Erin they are even welcome at her workplace at Habitat for Humanity. Friends always look forward to seeing the latest facebook post from her about her dogs’ accomplishments and antics.

Berkshire Habitat for Humanity welcomes well-behaved pets belonging to their employees.

TASP’s appreciation for Erin just keeps on growing. Now that the COVID nightmare is under control in the Northeast, she’ll be managing our Fantasy Photo Events at local weddings, parties and other shindigs around her area. Stay tuned to our website and facebook page for more news about this expansion of our supporters’ favorite fund raiser that will earn more revenue for local pets in need.

Meantime, keep an eye out for Erin and her incredible smile in the Lenox-Pittsfield area. She’s the person every pet and every human wishes to be around……. and once you meet her, it’s a sure thing you’ll agree.

August 8, 2020 By Melinda Plasse In Newsletter 6, Uncategorized, Volunteers Comments Off on Meet Erin O’Brien, TASP’s Berkshire Treasure

TASP Tag Sale Update

WHEN’S THE NEXT TASP TAG SALE COMING?

Good question! 2019’s weather was so unpredictable, we only managed to get one extra-short tag sale produced.

This year, COVID is presenting us with a different kind of storm.

So we’ve opted to keep saving up donated goodies until the weather is clear and the virus situation is behind us. If all goes well, we’ll see y’all on the grassy knoll next to Sterup Square for a glorious Memorial Day weekend tag sale. 

In the meantime, if you know of an animal-loving local business or real estate agent who would donate an INDOOR space where we could run our tag sale, please click on CONTACT/FORMS on this home page to email us details. ASP gets so many wonderful items donated, we hate to have Mother Nature destroy them in this unpredictable Upstate New York weather. After all, that’s not helping animals, is it? An indoor venue in a high-traffic, conveniently located spot would be the ideal place for local folks to shop the TASP stash of fine donated items and help local pets when they need us most. Thanks for keeping your eyes and ears open about this for us!

July 19, 2020 By Melinda Plasse In Fundraisers Comments Off on TASP Tag Sale Update

Szula – Updated!

Szula’s recovered SO WELL after her elbow was rebuilt at Veterinary Specialties! Thanks to everyone who donated to Szula’s cause and also to all of you who prayed for Szula’s recovery.  Just take a look at her during her 2-week review with Dr. Fitzpatrick……….

Szula’s Back-story: This little 3.5 month old English Bulldog pup is Szula. She was playing a couple days ago in her fenced yard in Amsterdam with the other two dogs who live with her, when some miserable loser decided to try stealing her. While the perpetrator was trying to get her out the gate, the other two dogs rushed him and he slammed the gate on Szula’s left front leg, BREAKING HER ELBOW COMPLETELY! Szula’s owner, Eric, rushed her to the vet where for $300, they gave her a couple of laser treatments and told him that Szula only had a pinched nerve. A day later, when she was still in pain and not using the leg, Eric took her to the emergency hospital for $600 worth of diagnostics, including X-Rays. That’s when he found out that Szula’s leg was broken. A trip to Dr. Glennon followed, where an estimate of ~$3,000 for surgery to rebuild Szula’s shoulder was provided. Eric’s not working; in fact, he’s preparing for his own upcoming surgery. He’s already in hock for the $900 he’s spent in trying to diagnose his puppy’s injury. The perp got away and the authorities are still trying to find him. Dr. Glennon says if Szula can’t receive her surgery by Tuesday, then he’s recommending euthanasia.

SZULA UPDATE AS OF 7PM, JULY 8: Eric got discouraged over the weekend when he was only able to scare up around $300 in pledges through Onyx and Breezy Foundation and Guilderhaven. So he did not make his appointment with Dr. Glennon until I talked with him this afternoon. To date, Dr. Glennon’s office only provided a verbal estimate based on the phone call Eric had made to them back on July 3. But now Szula actually has a consult scheduled with Veterinary Specialties Referral Center for tomorrow, July 9. Either Dr. Glennon or Dr. Fitzgerald will review the tests and x-rays Eric’s already done and from there, they will make their recommendation. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s update, likely in the late afternoon. Meantime, please pray and send your best energy to Szula and her Dad and to the doctors who will be reviewing her case tomorrow.

SZULA UPDATE AS OF JULY 9: Eric just got back from Veterinary Specialties Referral Center. Dr. Fitzgerald says if Szula can’t get her surgery by Friday, then she should be put down. Please network like crazy so that we can get Szula the surgery she needs. This poor girl should not have to euthanized.

Anyone wishing to donate to this surgery can submit a PayPal donation via Veterinary Specialties Referral Center in Pattersonville, NY’s website. On the right hand side of the home page, click on ‘For Pet Owners’. When that page loads, on the left hand side, click on ‘Financial Assistance’. Fill out the form, including the required fields; the pet owner’s name is Andres Robles, the client id is 16295, your email address, the pet’s name is Szula and the amount of your donation. Then hit submit. On the next page click ‘Pay with PayPal’ to complete your PayPal transaction. If you have questions, Dr. Glennon’s office can be reached at 518-887-2260.

Thank you so very much for your donation. Together we can get this little girl the lifesaving surgery that she needs. No donation is too small. Every little bit helps.

July 19, 2020 By Melinda Plasse In Fundraisers, Rescue, TASP Blog Comments Off on Szula – Updated!

Rosie’s Story

Hi, my name is Rosie.

TASP was honored to have cared for this wonderful little senior beagle, making the last chapter in her life as good as it could possibly be for her. After being struck by lightning in July of 2013 while tied to a steel cable in her former home’s yard, Rosie’s external injuries eventually healed. But the damage her kidneys suffered from the trauma could not be reversed and eventually claimed her on May 15, 2014.

Throughout those ten months, Rosie lived in TASP foster/hospice care with other animals and people who adored her. She never let her past inhibit her sense of joy for living or her gentle disposition toward everyone she met.  Every day, she enjoyed the best in veterinary care, wholesome food, and exercise. She had her own thermal beds around the house to keep her warm through the winter and in spring, she enjoyed hunting for bunnies under the shrubs in the yard with the other dogs.

Rosie’s last days were spent quietly enjoying the beautiful yard and the cozy trailer at George Kautz’s place, where she, Patches, and Buttons could peacefully take in all God and TASP could offer. We can only imagine the wonderful time she is having in the afterlife with all the wonderful people and animals already passed over the bridge, who surely greeted her upon her arrival.

Rosie in her foster home.

In memory of Rosie.

July 19, 2020 By Melinda Plasse In TASP Blog Comments Off on Rosie’s Story

ASPCA Generosity Helps TASP Do Right By Hurricane Sandy Animal Victims

While TASP volunteers were volunteering at ASPCA’s Hurricane Sandy Emergency Pet Shelter in Brooklyn from October to January, we came across Brooke and Pluto, two wonderful pit bulls who were picked up as strays after the hurricane. As the shelter was winding down, we worked with ASPCA to develop a plan for these two dogs to move upstate with us and undergo boarding, foster care, medical care, obedience and agility training and general guidance on how to be a good member of the family. ASPCA graciously stepped forward with a generous grant enabling us to bring Brooke and Pluto to their full potential as pets, so they can achieve forever homes through our adoption program. The effort is now blossoming and we are happy to report that Pluto has moved in with his new family in Scotia. Brooke also landed a fantastic home with a retired soldier, and she goes everywhere with him as his support dog. Both dogs entered their new homes with a full year’s free ASPCA Pet Insurance coverage, to further insure their future. THANK YOU, ASPCA, for partnering with TASP to make this work possible.

Read full press release…

ASPCA Grant Logo
July 19, 2020 By Melinda Plasse In Rescue, TASP Blog Comments Off on ASPCA Generosity Helps TASP Do Right By Hurricane Sandy Animal Victims

TASP Fantasy Photos: The Fun Continues ONLINE!

Life just keeps getting stranger and stranger, but one thing can still be counted on: TASP continues to keep the Fantasy Photo Fun flowing indefinitely!  Until we can all get together in person, The Animal Support Project’s Fantasy Photo clinics are being updated monthly ONLINE!  Now you can order your TASP Fantasy Photos ONLINE each month, at your convenience, in the comfort of your own foxhole……and know you’re continuing to help our community’s pets stay safe and healthy while you stay safe and healthy, too!

It’s easy to get a TASP Fantasy Photo emailed directly to your inbox and/or a print mailed to your home.  Just send us an email at taspinfo@yahoo.com that includes the following:

Choose your background(s). CLICK HERE TO SEE THE BACKGROUNDS.

Attach your own photo of your subject(s) taken against a plain background.  If you have multiple subjects and want them to appear in the same photo, just send us a photo of each subject separately and we’ll combine them digitally.  Already been to a TASP photo clinic in the past? We can look up previous photos of your subject(s) from our archives and use them to create this month’s photo.

Let us know how you’d like to receive your photo:

Emailed .jpg photo @ $10 donation

Mailed hard copy print @ $10 donation (Be sure to supply your mailing address).

Or get both for $15 donation!

Lucite® frame for mailed photos optional @ additional $5 (covers cost of frame and mailing)

*Please be sure your email includes a phone number where you can be reached in case we need to contact you.

TASP volunteers will create your special photo and email you an invoice when it’s ready.  Payment can be made through Paypal, or you can just mail TASP a check.  Finished photos will be sent out within 24 hours of payment received.

With so many challenges brought about by COVID-19 and local losses from rioting, more companion animals than ever need TASP’s help to stay safe and healthy.  Bringing our friends and supporters this popular activity ONLINE at this time is our way of continuing to finance our mission, while hopefully creating some much-needed smiles.  As always, all proceeds are spent on supporting our community’s most vulnerable companion animals. Thanks for caring!

May 3, 2020 By Melinda Plasse In Fantasy Photo Clinics, Fundraisers Comments Off on TASP Fantasy Photos: The Fun Continues ONLINE!

RPI Acacia Brothers assist TASP with Scrap Metal Drive

April 12, 2020 By Melinda Plasse In Fundraisers, TASP Blog, Volunteers Comments Off on RPI Acacia Brothers assist TASP with Scrap Metal Drive