Benefit auto show receives support from Earnhardt Auto Centers

Earnhardt Auto Centers gives generously to several organizations. This year, Earnhardt’s beneficiaries included an organization called Pawsitive Friendships and their annual car and bike show, Rev’d Up for Autism. Earnhardt sponsored the Best in Show category, recognizing the top car and truck.

The show happened Saturday, December 5 at Hamilton High School in Chandler. Participants displayed 220 cars, trucks and bikes, and 1,200 spectators attended. A 1956 Chevy 3100 captured the Best in Show Truck, and a 1961 Chevy Corvette received the Best in Show Car award.  

In addition to rows upon rows of cars, trucks and bikes on display, the event also featured local business vendors, food, raffles and a kids zone with a bounce house and a guest appearance from Santa. 

This was the fifth annual Rev’d Up for Autism Show to benefit Pawsitive Friendships, an animal-assisted therapy organization. Staff and specially trained service animals visit schools and therapy clinics to offer support and encouragement to children with special needs. 

Animal-assisted therapy can improve motor skills, focus, attention, motivation, social skills, self-control and trust while decreasing anxiety, depression and isolation, according to the Pawsitive Friendships website. 

Queen Creek resident Tosha Tharp-Gaitanis founded Pawsitive Friendships after recognizing her son’s connection with their family dog. Her son is diagnosed with high-functioning autism, and his relationship with the dog showed positive effects on his behavior and therapy. The family welcomed a second dog to their family specifically for their son, and this dog became a vital part of his day-to-day activities.  

From this experience, the idea for Pawsitive Friendships was born. Today the organization brings teams of trainers and therapy animals to schools and clinics to work with special needs children. Therapy animals include several therapy dogs, a Nigerian goat, mini horses, Adele the alpaca and Penelope the therapy pig. Visit the Pawsitive Friendships website for more information about this organization.

Thank you, Earnhardt Auto Centers for your generous support of this and many other worthy organizations!