Local Realtor Terry Moriyama completed the Leadership Morgan Hill program in 2004, a program that encourages its graduates to get involved in the community. Around that same time, Terry’s two beloved Shih Tzus, Nikki and Sammi, suddenly passed away.
As a lifelong animal lover, Terry knew she wanted to give back by helping animals. It was during this period that she came across an article while traveling in Florida about oxygen masks being placed on fire trucks to resuscitate animals who had suffered from smoke inhalation.
She had her mission—but she needed a path to implement it. A few years later, she read an article in the Morgan Hill Times about a fire in San Martin that had led to the death of several family pets from smoke inhalation.
Battalion Chief Derek Witmer was asking for help to purchase masks for his team’s fire trucks.
“She just walked in one day and told me she saw the article in the paper and had an idea—something she’d always wanted to do,” says Witmer.
Moriyama partnered with Witmer and her veterinarian to develop kits and a training program for firefighters.
Moriyama purchased 10 kits to distribute to the Morgan Hill Battalion.
Once other organizations—including the Morgan Hill Police Department and Animal Control—saw the kits, they requested their own, and Air for Paws, Inc. was born.
Now, more than 2,000 kits have been placed in 47 states across the country. Through a partnership with Old Dawgs & Pups, more than 420 kits have been sent to Military Working Dog detachments.
Every kit contains specially designed masks sized for a variety of animals, along with instructions.
Despite the availability of these kits, an estimated 40,000 pets die from smoke inhalation each year—a stark reminder that the need for animal resuscitation kits is very real.
Air for Paws, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) that raises funds through generous donations and three annual fundraisers.
The Parade for Paws, held at the end of April in conjunction with the Downtown Wine & Art Stroll, kicks things off. Volunteers can also help out at the Mushroom Festival, selling and scanning tickets and checking IDs.
And rounding out the year is the annual Fangtastic Howl-O-Ween Bash at the local Pirate House, Morgan’s Cove. This year’s event is Oct. 25 and will include a wandering cocktail party, a costume contest and the chance to see Morgan’s Cove in person.
For more information, visit airforpaws.com—the Events page has details on volunteering at the Mushroom Festival (if spots are still available) and a link to purchase tickets to the Howl-O-Ween Bash.
Terry can also be reached directly at te***@********ws.com.
Cheri Brown serves as a volunteer on the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She is a local insurance agent and can be reached at Me***********@***il.com.
