PSI's 2011 Take Your Dog To Work Day® photo contest winner has small dog, big heart

Aug. 8, 2011 - PRLog -- KING, N.C.—For Melissa Wyatt, owner of Be Bold Advertising of Dayton, OH, having her dogs in the office is commonplace. But on Friday, June 24, her 1-1/2-year-old Yorkshire terrier, Spartacus, accompanied her for a special day—the 13th annual celebration of Pet Sitters International’s Take Your Dog To Work Day® (TYDTWDay®). A photo she snapped of Spartacus snoozing at her desk that day has now earned her a $500 cash prize and $500 for a shelter of her choice as she is named winner of PSI’s 2011 TYDTWDay photo contest.

Wyatt’s photo of Spartacus was one of more than 400 photos submitted for the 2011 TYDTWDay photo contest, which asked pet owners to submit photos of their dogs participating in the event to the TYDTWDay Web site, http://www.takeyourdog.com. Site visitors were able to vote for their favorite photo—and the photo with the most votes would win.

At the close of the photo contest on July 31, Wyatt’s photo of Spartacus had received 12,936 votes and garnered the first-place win.

Instead of lavishing Spartacus with new toys and treats—or even using the money for herself—Wyatt is giving the money to a friend whose family dog, 8-year-old Angel, has a torn ligament that requires an expensive surgery the family is unable to afford.

“I decided when I first entered Spartacus’ photo that if I won, I would give the $500 cash prize to help cover the costs of Angel’s surgery,” Wyatt said. “I was in tears when I realized my photo had won and I would be able to help!”

Wyatt selected the Humane Society of Greater Dayton to receive the $500 animal shelter donation.

Created by PSI in 1999, TYDTWDay is celebrated annually the Friday following Father’s Day to celebrate the great companions dogs make and to promote adoptions from local animal shelters, humane societies and pet-rescue groups. The 2012 event will be celebrated on Friday, June 22.

To learn more about the event, visit http://www.takeyourdog.com. Sponsorship opportunities are available for the 14th annual TYDTWDay. Contact bethstultz@petsit.com for additional information.

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About Pet Sitters International (http://www.petsit.com): Established in 1994, Pet Sitters International (PSI) is the world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters, representing nearly 7,500 independent professional pet-sitting businesses in the United States, Canada and abroad. PSI provides members with access to affordable bonding and liability insurance as well as educational resources that include a comprehensive Certification Program, Pet Sitter’s WORLD magazine, The Scoop e-news and PSI’s annual Quest convention. For more information, visit http://www.petsit.com, home of the Official Pet Sitter Locator™ or sign up to receive The Scoop on Pet Care. Visit the PSIStoreOnline, the largest specialty retailer of products for pet sitters and pet-sitting business owners.