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From a Firefighter

1/9/2015

Hello,

I am writing to you today with good news, to thank you for your generous donation of pet oxygen mask to my EMS organization back in February of 2014, today there was a fire in our local and we were able to provide oxygen to a cat, who seems to be doing well since the fire I have attached some pictures.

Sincerely
William Rieger III
Gloucester Township EMS
Gloucester Township NJ

2 Comments

The Soul of Individuals

8/21/2014

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YOU have what it takes!

Meet DJ. She works at Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort & Cabins in Spearfish South Dakota. She knows all about the Emma Zen Foundation but never put two and two together until she started thinking about it. "I realized my pets couldn't be saved by our local fire department and then I started thinking about all those RVers who travel with their pets. What if, something happened at work?"

So in August 2014 she set out to make a difference. She raised funds by putting up signs at work. She had a bake sale at the local Farmers Market and she called her local newspaper too. It's a lot work getting all those all those baked goods ready, including the shape appropriate piggies!

We had a goal of $1,200 for 16 Pet Oxygen Masks 8 for the Fire Department and 8 for the EMS, in both Spearfish and Whitewood. "You overshot your goal!," said our president when the final total came to $1,715.77!!! Or 23 Pet Oxygen Masks kits! (Kits are $75.00 a piece.) As soon as all the kits are established you will be able to return to this page and view their destinations. But for now we would just like to thank "Denise DJ Bahmuller for being part of the solution and always pets in their community to have a better chance of survival and for making sure that all those individuals that travel with their pets are safer too! YOU too can make it difference, like DJ you have what it takes!

Distributed to;
* COMING SOON

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The heart of our Vice-President

7/31/2014

3 Comments

We vacation in South Dakota. Sturgis Rally Week to be exact, yep the President and Vice-President both ride motorcycle in fact so does Emma Zen our name sake! You can click here to find out more about that story.

On July 27th 2014 our Vice President Jim Chiapuzio rode to Black Hills Harley Davidson to get a new tire for his bike. Now picture this, it's a week before the rally starts but there are still hundreds of bikes and cars in the parking lot. Many large tents where vendors will soon be vending. When he heard an announcement over the loud speakers, "We have become aware of a dog locked in a car with the windows up. Please return to your vehicle and remove your dog!"

Jim is everything a man to me is. The announcement was more of an alarm to him. He got on the phone and called the police department to ask if it was illegal in this state the officer answered with a voice of authority, "no it is not yet illegal in our state, however we take this action very seriously and will come out and break the window." Jim then went to the parts counter where the announcement came from and said, "where is the car with the dog in it?"

The man at the counter didn't know where the car was at and the lot was huge. He looked at Jim funny and said "why is it your dog?" "If it were my dog it wound't be locked in the car!" reply our vice president who was trying to find the vehicle so he could check on the pet. He then told them all how dangerous it is to leave a life in a car even if the windows were down. He told them how fast heat stroke kicks in and that the animal could die within minutes. Soon a gentlemen told him which lot it was in and off Jim went to go find the dog.

This lot had only 10 cars left in it by the time he got there. There had been a raffle going on and now that it was over the lot was mainly emptied. Jim check on the seats and on the floors and in the back of each of the vehicles. "What were you going to do?" one man asked. "I was going to take my jackets, that he had in hand, and put them over the windows to block the sun and call the police department back to tell them exactly where the car was." He was also carrying a fresh bottle of water he had purchased so the dog could be hydrated.

The car was gone and the police didn't have anything to find. Seems after the announcement some not so bright embarrassed person got in their car and left. I wish they would have meet Jim. He would have not assumed the person was an idiot first and would have probably given them such great advise on how to better protect their pet.

I love that he "got involved". That he took the time away from whatever the thought was important at that time to take care of something that truly was. It is not everyone who becomes active in a situation, though of course you would find that person as part of the Emma Zen Foundation!

Thank you for being awesome!!!

3 Comments

Name one of the Top Women in the Pet Industry

7/28/2014

1 Comment

Being nominated for Women of the Year in the Pet Industry was quite an honor. But then that is how I feel about nominations in general as it is a source of credit or distinction. Makes you feel proud to have an other believe in you. The organization that nominated us has such a great standing standing that it felt as two nominations in one!

But when I found out that I, Debra Jo Chiapuzio President of the Emma Zen Foundation, was nominated for this title I also found out who nominated us! The who was as impressive; Denise Fleck of Sunny-Dog Ink and our Treasurer and head of Safety Council and two of out TEAM programs. See I have no idea how this foundation ended up with a board such as we have. It has three absolute incredible women of business on it. Women I admire. Women I look up to and Women I am awed by. I have always surround myself with those a step ahead of myself, gives you something to stride forward to. But that is also how I have always seen it as they are on a level above myself. So when one of them reached out to the Women in the Pet Industry Network to say I was as impressive as they were, well I don't how to put into words my emotions.

I am so incredibly fortunate to be a women running a successful non profit, surround by women of creditably and means. Women who have made a difference. Women who are passionate and women who are still giving me means to stride too!

Making to the finalists I became one of the Top Women of the Year in 2014 and still I believe the reason that looks so good is because of the women that surround me!

Thank you for your confidence, your believe, your respect in where I what I have done to take this organization where it is at and thank you for the nomination!

Debra Jo Chiapuzio

Important Note: Denise Fleck was then nominated and made it to be named one of the Top Women in the Pet Industry by one of her peers! The Emma Zen Foundation is the first nonprofit to have two women on their board who are both finalist!! Now how is that for powerful presentation! Go EZF!!!

1 Comment

Liabilities and Assets of Pet Insurance

7/10/2014

5 Comments

Dog bites are the number one claim by some of our nations leading home insurances companies! Yes "home" insurance companies. Did you know your pet could be covered by your renters or homeowners policies? This article is to inform you of some of the experiences we are aware of and to spark your interest enough to find out about your personal situations. Knowing what is covered can give you relief and if it turns out your not covered, then will have added some options for you below.

Most homeowners/renters policies cover your pet. However there can be breed restrictions. Call your carrier to see if you are covered.
If your pet is on the restriction list, you still have a few options. You can ask them to write "exclusion clause" this in general means your homeowner policy covers everything "except" said pet.
It would then be up to you to find a policy of liability for you pet.
If your company doesn't write exclusion clauses then you may need to seek a new insurance company.

If your homeowners/renters policy covers your pet, then in general;
You are covered up to your limits of liability. (Typically $100,000.00)
If you carry an umbrella policy then your coverage follows those maximum allowances.
Your homeowners/renters covers "your" pet biting someone, weather on your property on another.
If a friend comes to your house with their pet and you get bitten it is up to there liability policy to cover, though we may suggest you still contact your carrier.
They typically do not cover your pet biting your own children. That would be covered by medical insurance.
They typically hold the right to investigate the cause of the injury.
With many companies these days this includes, exotics. Please ask your insurance agent for their rules and regulations.

If your insurance company has a breed restriction that effects you and you can not get an exclusion clause written. Or you are just happy with the insurance company you have and don't want to change. You can search for canine liability policies or Pet liability polices to assist you with your needs.

If you have a "therapy dog" your therapy dog organization should also carry liability insurance for you. These insurance policies are good for "organized visitation" visits. This means if you are a part of program that your therapy dog program started and is aware of, you are covered. But if your there on a Thursday to say hi before Sunday's meeting or if you just "doing it on your own." You would not be covered!

Be upfront about your risks and discuss your options with the companies concerned. In the long run "if" the unexpected happened you will be much better suited then if you do nothing at all.

For more information please contact your homeowners or renters liability policy handlers.

Emma Zen Foundation
www.facebook.com/emmazenfoundation
www.emmazenfoundation.com

5 Comments

Small Changes roll into Big Developments!!!

2/27/2014

3 Comments

DENVER -A bill already approved by the Colorado Senate aims to encourage fire departments and other paramedics to establish policies for providing emergency care to animals in the field.

Some Colorado fire districts have taken it upon themselves to provide training and equipment to save the lives of pets in emergency situations, which can run afoul of the state's laws governing veterinary care.

SB 39, which is scheduled to be heard for the first time in a House committee Tuesday, would allow EMS organizations to decide whether to participate.

Organizations that do choose to participate would need to provide training and spell out the circumstances in which employees could administer so-called "pre-veterinary emergency care" in a written policy.

The bill has been amended to explicitly state that EMS workers are not required to provide care to dogs or cats or to provide care for those animals before attending to a person.

(KUSA-TV © 2014 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)

The legislative Ball is Rolling!
Colorado is first but who will follow?!!!

"This is the article I read this morning and in tears I sit here trying to add it to our site so I can share it with everyone who supports us. All I, President of the Emma Zen Foundation, wanted to do was make a difference. To leave behind on this earth something that would matter to me. Supplying Orange County California, was a monumental accomplishment, turning our goal to the next county just as amazing. Expanding to all of Southern California enriching. When it came to making a difference in other states, well I find it hard to even tell you how much it has personally meant to me. But what's next? What's bigger? I have always known and it's legislation. Many times I have thought, I wonder how you approach a bill? But it's bigger than me.. Then again that is what I thought about our organization too. It is amazing to be one of a few and make such an impact. If you don't think you can make a difference you can!"

Today I read this. Today I busted into tears as some form accomplishment ran through me. You should be proud to be a piece of salt, or part of the journey. And together with like minded people, I get to live through the time where this is happening for our pets! I am so ... ... ... lost for words.

We are at the forefront of watching change take place!

Note: I am proud that they are trying to give legislation to our "PETS" and this is not an attempt to have us be legal guardians. That is a complete and different issue.

This button is a link to the prepossessed bill please read:

Bill for an act

TAKE THE NEXT STEP TO CONTACT YOUR STATE SENATE AND SUBMIT REQUEST FORM!!!

The Emma Zen Foundation was able to establish over 300 Pet Oxygen Masks kits to the State of Colorado with the help of Ricochet the Surf-ice Dog! Please find out more information on our page on Grants and Support!

3 Comments

Measurement of Success

12/19/2013

1 Comment

My name is Debra Jo and I am the President of the Emma Zen Foundation. I live in Anaheim California. In September of 2010 I was at a Pet First Aid & CPR conference I saw a pet life saving mask and like many of you all I wanted to do was get them in my own city.

By April 2011 I had established what had become a DBA and then turned it into a non-profit. It was all part of the process, or hoops, I had to jump through in order to answer to the guidelines set by Anaheim Fire Department.

I am most proud of a few things. One of which, is that I never posted our trails or our tribulations. I only spoke of our success's and prosperity. Another proud point is that the word "I" which has been used a number of times already in this post was never a consideration to our foundation, it was a 'we' mentality for us right from the start. However I was the one that did all the ground work, more than than the public knows.

In the beginning "establishment" wasn't easy. There were those that apposed this program and for reason that were valid. When establishing any new program or idea you have to expect, accept and welcome the rebuttals to change. How else are you going to be able to have a multiple party debate? I always welcomed concerns; of which at that time there were many.

And through our non controversial, non judgmental ways we learned, came to agreements and together with our local fire fighters and other first responders, answered to the concerns of the departments and learned how to establish, train and provide protocol to all those who would use our equipment. It was a long road, with the best of success.

By 2012 and through 2013 we have seen many examples of what the resuscitation of a dying pet does for not only the dog or cat, but all the humans involved. Both the pet owners and the first responders who with loving hearts cared for our pets. Many people have approached us in person, via email and through social media sharing their stories of success. It is a grand thank you that will forever keep me focused!

But a true measurement of success isn't the size, or your name in prints but the smallest of unknown gestures. I had nothing to do with this calendar shoot. Our name is never mentioned and it is, above all something I am most proud of! You could read my story at this link on why I believe in what I do.

November / December's issue of the California Fire Service Magazine C.S.F.A puts out a monthly calendar of what, in California, where the 12 "Hot Shot" photos of the year! Included on the month of June (my birthday month) was a photograph of first responder James Ramirez of the Anaheim Fire Department saving the live of a child's cat with a their donated Pet Oxygen Mask! The emotion in her eyes tell the whole story!

We have gone from "you want us to do what?" to "this is how the hot shots do it!" in just over two years! Now that is a measurement of success!

We have come a long way from where I started, in Anaheim CA. Now over 2,500 kits have been established in the Southern California, over 300 in Colorado. We have TEAM O2 members in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Oregon who have established up to 200 kits in their areas! We have kits in almost every state and have even shown up in Germany, Japan and Canada.

I am so proud of what we do. Though today I am so proud of myself for starting all this. I found my cause greater than myself and it makes my life worth lived. I started my life with animals around me and I'll go out that way too. Have you ever heard that phrase, "some day you'll have to give back to the animals?" Well, I'd say were doing just that!

For more information please visit us at the Emma Zen Foundation

1 Comment

Pet Oxygen Mask Story

12/10/2013

1 Comment

Would you like to know what our organization does with all the $5.00 and $10.00 donations that add up? We sent this volunteering angel and her department all five kits they would need to put one pet oxygen mask kit on each of their apparatus’s.

How much is a set of your pet oxygen masks? I'm a volunteer firefighter\EMT for small department. The other night at a structure fire, three 8-week old puppies were pulled from the structure. I and two bystanders who started CPR on them. I tried using a human O2 mask on them and I was able to save one pup. But the others did not make it. They may have had a better chance if I'd had the proper equipment.

The two that didn't make it were found in the back part of the structure where the smoke was the heaviest. The one that survived was found in the front part of the home where the smoke wasn't quite as bad. But she was still in bad shape, no breathing or pulse! The entire time we were doing compressions on the pups, the momma dog was licking each one of them as if she knew we were trying to help them!

I think I aggravated a senior fighter at first because I spent over 30 minutes trying to revive those babies. Well, I'm sorry, but a life is a life! But then I asked him if your house was on fire and your pets were inside, would you want me to do everything in my power to revive them? He then understood my determination.

One would be better than none even thought our department runs five front line vehicles. How much is a set of your pet oxygen masks?

Merry Johnson
Firefighter\EMT
Sulphur Rock Volunteer Fire Department
Batesville, AR

Their reply, “Thank you so much! I have to go dry my eyes now! Your foundation is amazing! And what you're doing is inspirational!"

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Ventura County, CA

12/10/2013

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February 28th, 2013 98 Pet Oxygen Masks were donated to Ventura, CA. Matt Brock, battalion chief for the city of Ventura Fire Department said, "It gives us a sense of anxiety relief to know that we have these tools to help save pets.”
Read more: http://www.vcstar.com/news/2013/feb/28/fire-agencies-across-ventura-county-get-pet/#ixzz2MG24kuzH
- vcstar.com

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Words Spoken in Despair

12/10/2013

0 Comments

My name is Debra Jo and I am a female and the president of the Emma Zen Foundation. One day I answered the phone to hear a 45-ish sounding man on the phone crying. I could barely make out his words. "Are you the lady *sniff sniff* who donates Pet Oxygen Masks *sniffle*? Yes.. "Well, today I lost (the tears started coming) a Basset Hound...... and the emotion of the lost poured out of him. He went on to tell us how deviating this was after 25 years in the department. I can't imagine all you'd see if you have been in the fire department that long. But I can understand how you would have to get adapted to lose and tragedy. However the emotions that stick with us about our pets run so much deeper than we sometimes expect. This fire fighter grew up with a Bassett Hound (as did I) and it brought him to a state of despair. Their department now carries Pet Oxygen Masks!

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From a Firefighter

The Soul of Individuals

YOU have what it takes!

Distributed to;
* COMING SOON

The heart of our Vice-President

Name one of the Top Women in the Pet Industry

Liabilities and Assets of Pet Insurance

Small Changes roll into Big Developments!!!

Measurement of Success

Pet Oxygen Mask Story

Ventura County, CA

Words Spoken in Despair

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YOU have what it takes!

Distributed to; * COMING SOON

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Archives

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Distributed to;
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