Shamrock Animal Fund Announces Honorees for Shamrock's Celebration 2011

(Syracuse, NY)  - The Shamrock Animal Fund is proud to announce its honorees for Shamrock’s Celebration 2011 on March 19th in Syracuse, New York. Three veterinarians are being singled out among many who have helped make the Shamrock Animal Fund a success in its inaugural year. They are Dr. Kathryn McGonigle of the
Cornell Veterinary Hospital in Ithaca, New York and Dr. Eileen Fatcheric-Burns and Dr. Susan Behrens Losito, Co-owners of the Fairmount Animal Hospital in Camillus, New York.

WSTM-TV News Anchor Matt Mulcahy and his wife Jamie Pomilio-Mulcahy founded the Shamrock Animal Fund in January of 2010 in memory of their nearly 19 year old poodle, Shamrock.  The fund helps pays for the veterinary care of animals in need who have owners with financial limitations.  100 people have contacted the Shamrock Animal Fund for assistance from across Central New York in its first nine months of operation.

Dr. McGonigle is a resident at Cornell University’s Hospital for animals. She cared for the namesake of the fund, Shamrock, in the later stages of his life.  Since the founding of the Shamrock Animal Fund Dr. McGonigle has been a valuable resource and point of contact for beneficiaries of the Shamrock Animal Fund.  She has cared for a number of sick animals of owners with demonstrated financial need.

The Fairmount Animal Hospital has been one of the key partners with the Shamrock Animal Fund since the fund’s inception. Owners Dr. Fatcheric-Burns and Dr. Behrens Losito have supported the work of the fund and provided affordable care for animals with owners in financial need.  The staff of
Fairmount Animal Hospital, including business manager Diane Smith, has worked hand in hand with the Shamrock Animal Fund in a collaborative effort to help numerous animals over the past year.

Dr. Kathryn McGonigle is a third year resident at Cornell University Hospital for Animals where she is working toward her board certification in Internal Medicine for canine and feline patients.  She is a graduate of the Tufts University Cummings Veterinary School of Medicine. She previously worked in New Jersey as a small animal and exotics veterinarian.

Dr. Eileen Fatcheric-Burns is a 1988 graduate of Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.  She has been at the Fairmount Animal Hospital since 1992.   She grew up in
Syracuse’s Tipperary Hill neighborhood. She was recently featured on a Pet 411 call-in segment on NBC3 – TV in Syracuse.

Dr. Susan Behrens Losito is a 1988 graduate of Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine She specializes in veterinary internal medicine, endocrinology and geriatrics.  She lives in Marcellus on property filled with animals she calls Nature’s Half Acre.

Shamrock’s Celebration 2011 is the primary fundraising event to benefit the Shamrock Animal Fund which helps pay the costs of veterinary care for animals in need that have owners with financial limitations.   The event is March 19^th at PJ’s Pub and Grill in Armory Square, Syracuse.  Tickets are $50 per person.

The event includes wine, beer, carving stations and a mashed potato bar. Silent and live auctions include items from donors such as Stickley, M. Lemp Jewelers, Metro Mattress, Cazenovia Jewelry, Turning Stone Resort, Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation and some of the best restaurants in Central New York.

Reservations and payment can be made in advance online at Shamrockanimalfund.com.