Sydnee Stottlemyre
Miss Missouri’s Outstanding Teen 2008

Dear Friends,
As Miss Missouri’s Outstanding Teen 2008, I have dedicated myself to promoting my platform, “The Healing Power of Pets.”   I have been lucky enough to have been selected to serve as an official Spokesperson for the Research Center for Human Animal Interaction (ReCHAI).  During my year of service to both my platform and to ReCHAI, I hope to raise awareness, share my passion for all that pets can do and help provide the data to support the true healing power of pets.   

For as long as I can remember, I have had a bond with animals.  Growing up, I had many pets who I loved and who have changed my life.  The first dog my family and I ever had was a Sheltie.  He was an amazing, loyal dog that we quickly adopted as a family member.  Unfortunately, he died at the age of seven from a rare disease that is mostly found in humans.  Losing Lassie was extremely hard. However, because of Lassie, it opened up lots of doors for my family and me to adopt more pets.  Over the years, I’ve had two birds, two rabbits, and three dogs.  Currently, I have one rabbit named Bugs.  I also have an adorable Shiba Inu-Sheltie mix named Foxy, and a miniature Sheltie named Stoney.  Stoney was five when we adopted him.  He had a rough start, being raised in a puppy mill for far too many years.  Stoney grew up as a cash crop, which means he was used solely to breed more dogs.  It was hard for him to adapt to his new surroundings when he came home with us, mainly because he had never been socialized, and his trust in humans was slim to none.  We had to take Stoney to shy dog classes and gain his trust day by day.  It changed my family into one that understands every need of an animal in great detail, even more so than before.  I thank God every day for bringing Stoney into our lives.  When I won my local pageant, Miss Gateway St. Louis Outstanding Teen, I began working with St. Louis Stray Rescue.  I attended one of their adoption events, and realized just how important the adoption of dogs really is.  After that, I spent my days raising awareness of dog adoption and promoting the healing power of pets. 

In June 2008, I was named Miss Missouri’s Outstanding Teen 2008.  It was the most remarkable week of my life.  That experience has shaped me into the person I am today.  My platform was something I was so passionate about, and still am today.  I wanted to be able to take it to state level, but furthermore, take it to a national level.   I had no idea that during the next two months in my preparations for Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, I would accomplish more than I ever thought possible.  The day after I won, I sat talking with Kelley Marchbanks, who works for the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine.  She introduced me to ReCHAI, and all of the incredible programs they offer through the College.  I was immediately intrigued, and wanted to learn more.  I knew from the way Kelley talked about ReCHAI, it was the perfect way for me to reach people across the nation and share my love of pets.

Kelley talked with Dr. Rebecca Johnson, director of ReCHAI.  They decided that the best way for me to reach my goals and to assist ReCHAI would be to name me as a spokesperson for the program.  I was honored and humbled by this invitation, and I am so happy that I have been given this opportunity.   Since the announcement, I have been involved with many of their programs including: Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound: for Seniors; Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound: Community Walk; Reading to Rover; and PALS.  Through PALS, I was able to accompany a therapy dog to the MU Children’s Hospital, a Children’s Miracle Network hospital.  Through the numerous studies that ReCHAI is conducting, data is collected to support the many different ways pets can offer therapeutic benefits.  The process of data collection still amazes me! I never realized how important this piece is in the success of a program.

Each of these programs amazes me—it is an extraordinary thing to see animals and humans come together and help each other in such a fashion that seniors stop using their walkers, children develop reading skills, and kids forget they’re sick.  One of fondest memories was at Reading to Rover.  I was sitting in a chair listening to a little girl read to China, a beautiful Siberian Husky, when she stopped to look down at China, who was resting her head on the girl’s lap.  She smiled from ear to ear and laughed a very hardy laugh.  In that moment of seeing a child’s face light up, reminded me of why I am so dedicated to this program.  I know that with the work I have done with ReCHAI, people’s lives have been changed.  Those moments are what give me the motivation to work hard keep up my involvement with ReCHAI, and to make it a priority in my busy life.

I would like to say thank you to ReCHAI for allowing me to be a part of their work and research.  Dr. Johnson, I am so grateful that you have taught me the many valuable lessons that you have.  There are things I have experienced from working with ReCHAI that I would have never thought possible, had it not been for you.   I am so happy to have been given these opportunities and experiences.  Because of my involvement, I have been able to share my passion through the many programs, participants, and volunteers of ReCHAI.  I encourage anyone and everyone to get involved as well.  It doesn’t matter where you are, how old you are or what you do; you can benefit from the healing power of pets. 

Sincerely,
Sydnee Stottlemyre
Miss Missouri’s Outstanding Teen 2008
Spokesperson for the Research Center for Human Animal Interaction (ReCHAI)