UHY remembers the doggies during the holidays

Shelter dogs in the New Haven, Connecticut area will have plenty to woof about this New Year. They will be the happy recipients of doggie goodie bags donated by the New Haven office of UHY LLP and UHY Advisors, Inc. The doggie gift program, developed by Valerie Schmidt, director of Human Resources, grew out of an e-mail blast she sends each week with pictures of a "dog of the week." Each of the dogs that appeared in the blast is now featured in a "Dogs of UHY Collage Holiday Card" that will be delivered to local shelters along with the goodie bags. Marketing Director Bruce Ditman says they are hoping the shelters will display the cards and local radio will cover the program.

In recent weeks, UHY people, who are involved in community service programs all year, have been very busy participating in the Connecticut Society of CPAs' (CSCPA) coat drive and making donations to the local food banks. An enthusiastic supporter of these efforts, Schmidt started thinking about their poor dogs. "We called the local shelters," she said, "and found out that shelter dogs are only allowed to have a medium to large red or black 'Kong' toy and a soft blanket or throw that measures approximately 25 by 40 inches."

"This is easy, I thought," she said. "This is a really a program that delivers a lot of bang for the buck. You can cut up a new or gently used king or queen-sized blanket or fleece and get six warm blankets for the dogs, which they love. Nothing stuffed like a quilt or a comforter. The Kongs, which are $10, are the only toys allowed in the shelters. They are made of hard rubber, they can be thrown, and shelter personnel can put a treat or peanut butter inside of them."

UHY people have been happy to support the program. "They give until it hurts, in good times and even when things are bleak," says Ditman. "An accounting manager was the point person for our participation in the CSCPA coat drive, and a tax accountant coordinates our contributions to the food bank. We give to the United Way and take part in local charity events and community outreach programs throughout the year."

With all the product that a human resources department has to complete at this time of year, Schmidt says she won't get to distribute the goodie bags until after the New Year. "But the dogs won't care what day it is."

Established in 1986 and based in London, UK, UHY is an association of independent accounting and consulting firms with offices in over 200 cities in 72 countries. UHY has offices in New Haven and Hartford, Connecticut and Boston, Massachusetts.