Pet lovers having their pet's digital photos taken with Santa at Santa Paws to benefit Angel Paws Animal AssIsited Activities & Therapy at Wilson's Garden Center will have a brand new way to honor their pets this year -- living or departed!

LIGHT UP A PAW on ANGEL PAWS' PAW PRINTS IN HEAVEN MEMORIAL HOLIDAY TREE will debut at Angel Paws 8th Annual Santa Paws Pet Portraits with Santa at Wilson's Garden Center Nov. 27th & 28th AND Dec. 4th & 5th from 11 to 4pm. "Paw Prints in Heaven Memorial Tree" will remain at Wilson's through out the holiday season.

Angel Paws' Paw Prints in Heaven Memorial Tree is dedicated to Samantha, Angel Paws Founding Therapy Dog, and her co-worker Yankee - two very special Angel Paws Therapy/R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) canine volunteers who passed on early in 2010.

Pet lovers unable to attend the event are invited to find Angel Paws' Cause page on facebook to provide the name of the pet they would like to honor (living or departed) and Angel Paws will hang a special personalized Paw Print (with halo for departed pets), turn it's own individual light on, and post a photo to share with friends and family. A small donation is requested.

"Our Health Care visitation partners at Hospice of Central Ohio have provided such a lovely opportunity to honor loved ones who've passed on that we decided to offer that same opportunity for pet lovers." says Angel Paws Founder Director Patti Shanaberg. "I've always found it a very moving experience to remember my brothers in that way and I look forward to honoring Samantha in that way this year. It's a wonderful way to honor Samantha and Yankee who served our community with Health Care visitation and also by helping many local children practice their reading skills at Newark Public Library and Kairos Academy as Reading Education Assistance Dogs. I got tears in my eyes picturing all the personalized paw prints with their little halos up there on the tree with Sami and Yankee."

The 8th Annual Santa Paws Pet Portraits to benefit Angel Paws takes place at a new location this year. Customized, digital pet portraits with Santa to benefit Angel Paws will be offered December 5th & 6th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wilson's Garden Center in Newark.

Pets and pet lovers are invited to ring in the holiday season with music, treats, and gift items. Digital photo prints packages start at $10. All guests will receive a FREE gift bag including A Taste Of Wild pet food sample and other goodies with $10. purchase! Bring your flash drive and take ALL shots home for only $8. with any print or $10. without a print! Free door prizes and hot chocolate will be offered both weekends and free grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup offered December 4th & 5th.

On Facebook too!

Angel Paws' therapeutic health care visitation and literacy mentoring programs include: Hospice of Central Ohio; The Center for New Beginnings Women's Shelter, a program of The Woodlands; Flint Ridge Nursing & Rehabilitation; Shepherd Hill Behavioral Health, a department of Licking Memorial Hospital; Newark Public Library; and Indian Mound Mall.

Angel Paws is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, Delta Society Pet Partners and Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) affiliate organization.