Patty Sheehan to be Honored

pattyIn 2014,  Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando established the Animal Hero Award to honor the people who go above and beyond to improve the lives of pets in our community. Each year, the recipient is honored at our annual Furball gala. The 2016 recipient is City of Orlando Commissioner, Patty Sheehan.

The proud pet parent of her two rescues, cat Nina Simone and Yorkie/Schnauzer mix Siena, Sheehan has had pets as long as she can remember. She knows the personal joy and companionship pets give to their human friends, and the ability they have to bring people together in the community. On her daily dog walks, she often stops to talk with her neighbors and values the connections she makes with people through their shared love of dogs.

Commissioner Sheehan continuously advocates to make positive changes for pet owners in the community. In 2006, she helped lead the charge for the passing of the Dixie Cup Clary Local Control Act, a “doggie dining” law which permits local cities and counties to enact ordinances to open their outdoor dining areas to dogs in Florida. She partnered with state representatives and went to Tallahassee to support the legislation.

In addition to doggie dining, Commissioner Sheehan is also proud of the City’s decision to create the first official dog park in downtown Orlando. Constitution Green park, near Lake Eola, will be a wonderful space for families that will include a secure dog park. This green space in the heart of the city will give residents in the condos and apartments a walkable destination for their dogs to play.

For the past two years, she has served as the community’s “Pack Leader” for Paws in the Park. With the help of her faithful dog Siena, she leads the 1,000 plus participants in Orlando’s largest dog walk around Lake Eola.

She also understands that creating space for pets is just one reason Orlando was voted friendliest pet city in the US in 2016. She is a strong voice for spaying and neutering pets as a way to reduce dog and cat overpopulation. Her passion for low-cost and free spay/neuter opportunities for pets led her to hold a fundraiser selling her “Bad Kitty” artwork that raised $5,000 to benefit Pet Alliance’s program. The art was inspired by her black cat Louie who loved to run up the curtains and earned the affectionate nickname – Bad Kitty.

Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando is proud to honor Commissioner Patty Sheehan with the 2016 Animal Hero Award.  She is an outstanding representative for all of our dogs and cats.

All Pet Alliance locations are closed Saturday, February 10. Come see us at Paws in the Park