The fourth annual Miki and Friends 5K Walk/Run for AIR (Attitudes in Reverse) held at Mercer County Park, West Windsor, on May 16 received a surprise visit from Hollywood. Actors Gil McKinney and Jen Jacob showed their support for Attitudes In Reverse.
Honorary walk chair Jen Jacob, an actress from the Philadelphia area, is a graduate of the Hun school of Princeton and NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Jacob has appeared in major blockbuster films such as “Begin Again” (2014) and “Top Five” (2014) along with independent films that have debuted at festivals across the country. More recently Jacob has played Larraby Delayne on the HBO series “Girls.”
During the event the gorgeous Jen Jacob shared her own story of struggling with an eating disorder. At the age of 12 Jacob’s sister was diagnosed with cancer and lost her battle when Jacob was 18. The loss of her sister triggered her eating disorder and made life a struggle for the young girl. However, she has learned “one of the most important things … is the power in my own contribution.”
During her moving speech Jacob shared her concern for young men and women growing up today and the important work that AIR is doing by helping youth identify early signs and symptoms of mental health disorders and her wish that she had been exposed to a program like AIR during her own childhood.
Jacob also shared: “everything you do — every decision you make — makes a difference, why not make it a positive one? AIR is an incredible organization that inspires kids, teens, and young adults to recognize the strength in their own significance.” She added that she is “proud to be a supporter of AIR’s mission.” Jacob hopes that one day AIR will help people no longer be ashamed of their mental health disorders and erase the stigma that surrounds mental illness by starting conversations.
Honorary walk chair Gil McKinney showed his support for the AIR Dogs: Paws for Minds program whose mission is to improve the mental well-being of humans by bringing dogs into their lives. McKinney, who is best known for his role as Henry Winchester on “Supernatural,” Prince Eric on “Once Upon a Time” and Dr. Paul Grady on “ER,” is a graduate of USC with a degree in vocal performance and a minor in musical theater. During the event McKinney mentioned the help he receives from his own dogs, Sammy and Willie, two Chihuahua terrier mixes he and his wife, Kristin, rescued. After a long day, the best thing he can do is lie down and allow them to jump all over him.
McKinney also showed his support for the program by partaking in Sherlock’s service dog graduation ceremony. McKinney stood in for Samantha Joedicke, who works with All For the Love of Animals rescue in South Carolina. Sharon Grant, professional dog trainer and graduate of Bergin University of Canine Studies, and Elizabeth Ostrowski, Sherlock’s new owner, each talked about a different step in Sherlock’s journey from shy little puppy to working service dog.
McKinney shared Joedicke’s statement that described her first finding Sherlock and his siblings as puppies and the excitement Joedicke felt when she learned Sherlock would be graduating from a service dog in training to a full service dog.
Sharon Grant, Sherlock’s service dog trainer, mentioned the amazing skills and tricks she had taught him. From riding a skateboard, just for fun, to throwing items away and even putting ornaments on a Christmas tree, Sherlock was able to learn many different tricks that will help him in his new career.
Finally Elizabeth Ostrowski showed her overwhelming appreciation for AIR, Grant, and all those involved in bringing her and Sherlock together. During her speech, which brought tears to the eyes of both Ostrowski and Tricia Baker, co-founder of AIR, Ostrowski highlighted the freedom and the “new lease on life” Sherlock would give her as a service dog. To finish off the emotional ceremony Baker, Grant, and Ostrowski exchanged Sherlock’s service dog in training vest for his full service dog vest before allowing him to show off some of his newest tricks.
The support from people like Gil McKinney and Jen Jacob allow those who are struggling to know they are not alone and can get help. The fun day at Mercer County Park, celebrating how dogs are good for our mental health, certainly wouldn’t have been the same without our celebrity guests.
Attitudes In Reverse is a Plainsboro run organization started by the Baker family with the mission of raising awareness for mental health and suicide prevention among America’s youth and can be reached through their website AttitudesInReverse.org
