Gut Sonnenhof, 11. December 2010

For the 8th time, the animal conservationist, Renate Thyssen-Henne and her daughter, the Begum Aga Khan, celebrated the festive Advents weekend at the Sonnenhof. It was both a party for children with their families and dogs, as well as the occasion to say thank you to all supporters of SOS Projects throughout the year.

Over 2,000 visitors attended the advent festival and enjoyed Christmas carols played by a brass band. Renate Thyssen-Henne and the Begum Aga Khan, once again thanked their neighbours in Rottenbucher and numerous supporters of their charity “SOS Projects für Mensch und Tier e.V.” Renate Thyssen-Henne said: “What began nine years ago with very specific charitable donations has developed into a professional and organised charity. In the past years we have managed to save over 2,000 dogs, have them medically cared for and then been able to place them into loving families. Additionally, to date we have welcomed 1,000 traumatized or chronically ill children to the Sonnenhof, where, they have blossomed through their contact with our animals.”

In the future many more children in need will be able to benefit from direct contact with various animals thanks to the alliance between SOS Projects and the Foundation Gut Aiderbichl. Foundation Gut Aiderbichl operates 21 similar facilities in Germany, Austria and France. Michael Aufhauser, founder of Aiderbichl, said “There can be no humanity if humans exclude any creature which carries a life force within”.