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[Gifts that Give Back] PT Runs Free Book Donates Proceeds to Foster and Adoption-based Animal Rescues
Help animals in need this year by gifting a new children’s book featuring rescue dog PT (who also has 3 legs) that gives back to animal causes! More than 6 million companion animals end up in shelters each year. A meaningful way to celebrate the holidays is to help animals in need by gifting this new children’s book PT Runs Free that gives back to animals in need. All proceeds from the book with always be donated to foster and adoption-based animal rescues.
PT Runs Free written by Jason Kraus and illustrated by Connor DeHaan is an inspirational story featuring rescue dog PT and his journey from a neglectful family and as a shelter dog, to losing his leg and to never give up. Not only is this book written with an inspirational message, but the power of hope is being spread as all proceeds are being donated to Southwest Florida rescue groups and humane societies to help with Hurricane Ian displaced pets and needs.
PT’s owner Angie McGilvrey says there are two reasons she and husband Joe, owners of APEX Physical Therapy, wanted to share their dog’s story. “First, each of us, adults and children alike, have obstacles we are faced with throughout life, and we hope that PT will inspire others through positivity and determination to never give up and they too can conquer their obstacles,” she explains. “Secondly, we wanted to teach the next generation of pet owners humane education and why it is so important to be kind to animals. We feel that we can make the greatest impact in animal rescue by educating our youth.”
Author Jason Kraus was inspired to tell PT’s story because there are so many life lessons children AND adults can learn from his bravery and perseverance. “His life’s story exemplifies the resilience many rescue dogs exude as they often go through,” he continues.
ABOUT PT Runs Free:
This picture book, based on a true story, shares the uplifting tale of PT the rescue dog. PT faces many challenges in life, but never gives up! With the powers of positivity and determination, he overcomes a neglectful family, life as a shelter dog and even the loss of his leg! Find out how the incredible three-legged rescue regains his ability to run free, all while educating and inspiring children in schools and community centers along the way.
The real PT who was found injured on the side of a road in Miami, FL is now living the good life with his forever family in Fort Myers, FL. As a therapy dog, PT goes to work every day with his parents, Joe and Angie, the owners of Apex Physical Therapy. PT serves as the clinic’s mascot, spreading kindness, and inspiring those in pain or recovering from challenges of their own. On his days off, PT teaches children about empathy and the importance of adopting rescue dogs still waiting to find their forever homes.
Jason said his favorite part of the book is the ending! “When PT overcomes all of the obstacles and finally gets to play fetch with all the kids,” he says. “After reading PT Runs Free, I would like parents and kids to have an understanding of how amazing rescue dogs truly are. I would also like people to understand that no one is ever broken, if you never give up you can overcome anything in life. My hope for PT runs free is also that it inspires children who have undergone amputations and gives them someone to look up to. I also hope that other children reading it gain a greater sense of love and appreciation for other children who have lost a limb or may look different than them.”
Currently, PT is recovering from another obstacle – he recently underwent ACL surgery. “Once he is ready, he will be on tour doing ‘Never Give Up’ workshops at local churches, YMCA, kids camps and more. We will take his book and read it to kids and PT will go around and pass out high fives and spread the message to Never Give Up,” Angie adds.
The creation of PT’s book also inspired Angie & Joe McGilvrey to start their own 501 c3, Bella’s Heart of SWFL.
The book can be purchased at:
Amazon: PT Runs Free: Kraus, Jason, DeHaan, Connor: 9798218046088: Amazon.com: Books
Barnes & Noble: PT Runs Free by Jason Kraus, Connor DeHaan, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)
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Education Is An Important Part of Childhood, So Take Playtime Seriously
Engage children in learning while they play! KC Cubs rugs are carefully designed to stimulate your child’s curiosity, giving them opportunities to learn while playing with all of their favorite toys. More than just educational rugs, KC Cubs learning rugs are designed to look attractive, making it easy for you to incorporate into the decor of your home, bedrooms, and play rooms. And, because they’re made from quality polypropylene with a non-skid rubber backing, you can be confident that they’ll withstand regular playtime – year after year.
KC CUBS Playtime Collection Outer Space Safari Map Educational and Activity Area Rug
Teach children about outer space by introducing the planets with engaging illustrations. Your child will love playing on this rug. It promotes make believe play, interactive play and cognitive play. Includes all the planets, the moon, rocket ship, hubble telescope, black hole, comet, asteroids, astronaut and an UFO for the most complete space experience possible.
Kids ABC Rug Educational Animal Alphabet – KC CUBS
Let KC Cubs fun and colorful animal friends help your child learn the alphabet! From letter recognition and sounds, to colors and animals, this rug provides plenty of learning opportunities for you and your child to enjoy side-by-side. This colorful educational alphabet children’s rug is perfect to teach your baby and/or toddler the ABCs in the most fun and interactive way.
Kids ABC Numbers Shapes Classroom Area Rug – KC CUBS
An all-around excellent educational tool for young children, this bright rug provides opportunities to explore the alphabet, numbers, counting, shapes, colors, sounds and more. Make play-time learning-time without taking away from any of the fun! This colorful educational alphabet children’s rug is perfect to teach your baby and/or toddler the ABCs in the most fun and interactive way along with the most common words, shapes and numbers.
Kids Dinosaur Road Map Educational Area Rug – KC CUBS
Let your child go on an adventure filled with dinosaurs at every turn – whether they’re dangerous or playful is for them to find out! Whether racing cars on the road or just relaxing with their favorite book, this rug will become the place to be! With over 10 dinosaurs, a volcano, waterfall, raptor eggs, electrical fence, regular and dirt road map your child’s imagination will run wild. Have your child bring their favorite toys to the rug and let the fun begin! Watch your son guide expeditions past a T-Rex.
Thanks to its non skid latex rubber backing KC Cubs Playtime Collection rugs create a very safe and fun ambiance to teach your children the basics of English language.
Each of KC Cubs products is designed to keep children engaged in play. At KC Cubs, they think outside of the box, offering them opportunities to learn in an environment where imagination is boundless.
Bright colors and cute illustrations make KC Cubs rugs unique, a fun pop of magic for any room your child loves playing in. Great for all ages, there’s something to learn for everyone. Parents love how excited their children are to explore the information on the rugs – and children are excited to spend more time playing and learning!
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VTech Highlights Expanded Award-Winning LinesVTech Highlights Expanded Award-Winning Lines
New Expert-Supported Introductions and Innovative Products
Help Children Reach Developmental Milestones
NEW YORK, April 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ VTech highlights its newest collection of products at the TTPM Spring Showcase, further expanding its award-winning lines and bolstering its range of educational, innovative toys. The engaging new products are part of VTech’s celebrated Baby, Infant and Preschool lines, the award-winning Go! Go! Smart lines and the unique Baby Amaze line.
“We’re excited to display our latest collection at the TTPM Spring Showcase,” said William To, President, VTech Electronics North America. “These new products are a reflection of VTech’s continued commitment to developing innovative, educational products that enrich children’s development and make learning fun.”
Details on the new products on display can be found at www.VTechKids.com. Highlights include:
- Adora-Birdie Activity Rattle™: Shake, sing and learn with the Adora-Birdie Activity Rattle. Children can press the light-up buttons to play fun phrases, sing-along songs and music or shake the lovable bird to hear fun bird sounds. This adorable rattle has an easy-to-grasp handle, crinkly patterned wings and ribbon tags to build motor skills and develop tactile awareness. It also has removable electronics so the plush birdie is machine washable. (Ages 3-36 months, MSRP $9.99)
- Crinkle & Roar Lion™: Shake, explore and sing with the Crinkle & Roar Lion. Press the colorful shape buttons on the lion’s side to learn shapes, colors and letters. Shake the adorable lion to activate the motion sensor and hear him roar and play other cheerful sounds. Little ones will love the crinkly feet, ribbon tags and textured ring. The lion also includes a baby-safe mirror to build self-awareness. It’s the perfect take-along toy and can be attached to carriers, strollers and more. (Ages birth +, MSRP $14.99)
- Go! Go! Smart Friends® Character Assortment: Perfectly sized for little hands, each item includes both a character and MagicPoint accessory! Children can press a light-up button on these chunky, colorful figures to hear the characters come to life with an introduction, things they like to do and sing-along songs. The figures can also be placed on their included MagicPoint accessory or on other MagicPoint locations on Go! Go! Smart Friends playsets (each sold separately) to experience the characters’ unique personalities, fun phrases, motion, lights and more. New Go! Go! Smart Friends include Farmer Joe & his Farming Set, Police Officer Wayne & his Patrol Set, Firefighter Aiden & his Fire Rescue Set, Doctor Brian & his Medical Rescue Set and Nurse Amy & her Patient Care Set. (Ages 1-5 years, MSRP $9.99 each)
- Baby Amaze™ 3-in-1 Care & Learn Stroller™: When little ones place their baby doll in the 3-in-1 stroller, its smart sensor recognizes movement and plays fun sounds and melodies. Transform the stroller into a high chair where children can hear baby care reminders that introduce nurturing concepts and healthy habits, while they pretend to feed their doll. Turn the high chair into a bassinet and the doll falls asleep listening to more than 20 classic nursery rhymes and lullabies. The 3-in-1 Care & Learn Stroller also has keys that introduce numbers, counting, letters, colors, places and animals, as well as plays piano sounds in music mode. With three different ways to play, this stroller is packed with fun! (Ages 2-5 years, MSRP $44.99)
- Count & Learn Turtle™: Encourage early math skills with the Count & Learn Turtle. Press the light-up number buttons to hear the friendly turtle count and say each number. Choose the addition activity, and the turtle will help children add two numbers and light up the correct number of buttons. The turtle also features two rollers that introduce shapes, colors and instruments and will add fun sounds into the melodies and sing-along songs in the music activity. For even more learning fun, switch to Spanish mode and the turtle will teach numbers, counting, colors, shapes and instruments in Spanish. Exercise a child’s memory and hand-eye coordination skills by having them watch the buttons light up one by one and then repeating the sequence. (Ages 2-5 years, MSRP $14.99)
About VTech®
VTech® is a world leader in age-appropriate and developmental stage-based electronic learning products for children. As a pioneer in the learning toy category, VTech develops high-quality, innovative educational products that enrich children’s development and make learning fun. With a rich, more than 35 year history, VTech has not only established itself as a learning authority but also consistently remains at the forefront of innovation with multiple award-winning products. The company also has a broad range of award-winning infant and preschool products available in 24 different languages worldwide, with more than 100 new products introduced every year. VTech was awarded a prestigious 2015 Toy of The Year (TOTY) Award for its Go! Go! Smart Animals® Zoo Explorers Playset™. In order to further strengthen VTech’s position as a learning authority, the company’s Expert Panel, with esteemed experts in reading, language arts, science, math, and child development, consult on new product introductions.
For more information on VTech’s additional product lines, visit www.VTechKids.com, www.facebook.com/VTechtoys on Facebook or follow @VTechToys on Twitter.
