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Company Press Release SOURCE: Health Strategy Group Notice to Media - Special American Dog Brings Hope to a Canadian Man with Parkinsons Disease TORONTO, April 12, 1999 /CNW-PRN/ - What: There will be a news conference on Tuesday, April 13 in Toronto to introduce the first Canadian to receive a specially-trained dog to manage Parkinsons symptoms of ``freezing'' and balance problems. The news conference will explore the benefits service dogs can bring to people with Parkinsons and it will describe the newly-developed training program these dogs undergo at the Independence Dog institute in Pennsylvania, the first such program in the world. It will also report on a Canadian study designed to better understand the role of service dog interventions. Who: Ian Pearson Mr. Pearson, a Parkinsonian from the Toronto area, was diagnosed with the disease 10 years ago, at age 37. He will be the first Canadian to receive an Independence Dog. Dr. Janis Miyasaki, neurologist and movement disorders specialist, The Movement Disorders Clinic of the Toronto Western Hospital Dr. Miyasaki will conduct a study on the physical therapeutic value of service dogs to people with Parkinsons. Dr. Peter Morabito, a Parkinsonian, and Victor the Great Dane, an Independence Dog Prior to receiving Victor, Dr. Morabito, a retired dentist from Washington, D.C., had balance problems that caused him to fall several times a day. Eddie Gray, President, SmithKline Beecham PharmaSmithKline Beecham Pharma is sponsoring the Canadian Independence Dog pilot. Julie Van Vliet, Independence Dog Master Trainer, and Jax, an Independence Dog in training Jax, a black Lab, will become Mr. Pearson's service dog after completing training with Ms. Van Vliet. Blair McRobie, President and CEO, Parkinson Foundation of Canada Mr. McRobie will address raising awareness of Parkinsons. Where: The Toronto Western Hospital, 399 Bathurst Street (at Dundas), Fell Wing (Main entrance), 4th Floor, Room 103. A demonstration of Victor's abilities as a Parkinsons dog will take place in the adjacent atrium. Date: Tuesday, April 13 Time: 10:30 a.m. ET Copyright © 1999 PRNewswire. -- Judith Richards, London, Ontario, Canada <[log in to unmask]>