Shriners Hospital Patient Volunteers To Help Animals (NAPSA)—Her dedicated ser- vice and compassion to animals recently earned one young Shriners Hospital for Children patient an award for her selflessness. The past couple of years has been tough for Brooke Parks, a 9year-old Shriners Hospital patient from Catlin, Ill. After two spine surgeries including halo traction, many would say she could probably be excused for taking some timefor herself. But Brooke recently won an award for selflessness presented by the county animal shelter where she volunteers two days a week. Since Christmas, Brooke has gone to the shelter to groom andplay with the dogs and cats. “T have always loved animals and always wanted to help with them,” said Brooke, who recently broke her arm while helping to train her support dog, Abbey. “When I grow up, I want to be either a veterinarian or a vet technician.” Brooke says she was asked to say a few words at the shelter’s annual dinner, but was taken totally by surprise when she was given a plaque byshelter staff members. The plaque reads that Brooke was recognized “for her dedicated service and compassion to the animals and the Vermillion County AnimalShelter.” Brooke’s mother, Dawn Parks, says the treatment her daughter has received at the St. Louis Shriners Hospital has made a tremendous difference in the quality of her daughter’s life. The surgeries, bracing and therapy Brooke has received at the hospital allowed her to pursue the dream of helping animals. “T’m just so proud of her,” Dawnsays. “There are daysthat I The treatment that Brooke Parks receives at a Shriners Hospital has made it possible for her to help others. don’t want to go to the shelter, but Brookeis very dedicated to it.” For more information on Shriners’ network of 22 hospitals that provide medical care and services totally free of charge to children with orthopaedic problems, burns and spinal cord injuries, write to: Shriners International Headquarters, Public Relations Dept., 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607, or visit the Web site at www.shrinershq.org. Treatmentis provided to children under age 18 without regard to race, religion or relationship to a Shriner. If you know a child Shriners can help, call 1-800-237-5055 in the United States, or 1-800-361- 7256 in Canada.
