The initiative will promote Operation Hero-Animal Bond, a program developed by HSUS and the Veterans Health Administration that connects veterans with qualified shelter pets to accomplish the dual goals of bringing purpose, structure, and unconditional love into veterans’ lives and giving adoptable shelter pets loving homes. A Dog’s Way Home will be released in theaters nationwide on January 11, 2019.

Operation Hero-Animal Bond builds model programs and networks with local shelters and rescues to establish connections with local VA medical facilities. These connections make it easier to link veterans with pets ready for adoption and fostering, support veteran volunteerism, and increase veteran social interaction in their local communities. The partnership also aims to improve the health and well-being of veterans through the human-animal bond, the care of their pet and built-in social interaction and developing regular exercise routines.

Gavin Polone, producer of A Dog’s Way Home, said, “We are grateful for the opportunity to team up with the Humane Society of the United States in helping real-life service women and men to form the bonds with animals that will help them overcome the challenges they face. In our film, the character played by Ashley Judd is an army veteran who suffers from PTSD, and we are able to see how the human-animal bond can be invaluable to improving the lives of people like her.”

A Dog’s Way Home chronicles the heartwarming adventure of Bella, a dog who embarks on an epic 400-mile journey home after she is separated from her beloved human, Lucas, an aspiring medical student and VA hospital volunteer. Bella touches the lives of many during her unwavering quest; from an orphaned mountain lion cub to a homeless veteran down on his luck, Bella brings joy and comfort to everyone she meets with her unique spirit and faith. A Dog’s Way Home is an emotionally charged and uplifting spiritual odyssey that follows one dog’s journey home that highlights the power of unconditional love between a dog and her owner. Starring Ashley Judd, Jonah Hauer-King, Edward James Olmos, Alexandra Shipp, with Wes Studi and Bryce Dallas Howard, the film is directed by Charles Martin Smith from a screenplay by W. Bruce Cameron & Cathryn Michon, based on the book by W. Bruce Cameron, and produced by Gavin Polone.

This article originally appeared on Look To The Stars.

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Areva D. Martin, Esq. founded the Special Needs Network in 2005 after her son Marty was diagnosed with autism at age 2. Ten years later, the organization has become one of the leading groups for raising awareness and providing resources to children, adults, and families throughout California. On October 3, the Special Needs Network is hosting their 10^th annual Evening Under The Stars: The Future is Bright celebrity gala and award show at the Sony Pictures Lot at 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City.

The event begins at 6 p.m. with the red carpet event, followed by a reception, Wolfgang Puck hosted dinner, silent auction, award ceremony, and live performance by Grammy-nominated artist B. Slade and Angie Fisher.

KNBC reporter Beverly White will emcee the event, which will honor Google and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas for their contributions to the special needs community. Google has given $20 million in grants through their What If program to aid in the development of technology to assist disabled people. Supervisor Ridley-Thomas who was instrumental in helping open the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital in South Los Angeles, the same facility that is also the location of SNN’s clinic for autistic children, which is in the process of being established. Other honorary chairs that will receive recognition that evening are Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson, Representative Karen Bass, and Senator Isadore Hall.

Plans for the evening also include Special Needs Network revealing a mini-documentary produced by CBS’ local Los Angeles affiliate. Celebrities in attendance will include Tommy Davidson, Ernie Hudson, Carla Ortiz, Taylor Armstrong, Peter Fonda, and more. Sponsors for the event include Sony, CBS, and Toyota. For more information visit snnla.org.

The post Special Needs Network Celebrates 10 Years With Celebrity Fundraiser appeared first on Positive Celebrity News, Good Celebrity Gossip, Positive Entertainment News | Good Celebrity.