Artist Laura Barbosa's 'Bright and Beautiful' Honors Therapy Dogs, Benefits Hospital

    TOMS RIVER, N.J., May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Twelve special therapy dogs
have a permanent home at the Community Medical Center, thanks to artist
Laura Barbosa. Barbosa's "Bright and Beautiful" collection
(http://onlyoriginals-gifts.com/Public%20Collections.html) -- three
life-sized acrylic paintings on canvas depicting a dozen therapy dogs
currently working in Ocean County, N.J. community hospitals, nursing homes,
psychiatric facilities and schools -- has been purchased by the Community
Medical Center and is now on permanent display there.

    In creating the paintings, Barbosa hoped to raise awareness of the role
therapy dogs play in health and healing for patients of all ages. She also
wanted to support The Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc.
(http://www.golden-dogs.org/). With the sale of the paintings, the artist
was able to meet both objectives, with unexpected results for Community
Medical Center patients.

    "I hope to help the patients heal through my artwork," Barbosa
explained. "The dogs in these paintings are well-known in our local
facilities and visit the very patients who are now viewing the collection.
They love the dogs dearly and count on them to boost their morale, help
them heal and lower their blood pressure. 'Bright and Beautiful' will allow
those patients to enjoy these wonderful dogs even in their absence."

    Barbosa believes the Community Medical Center's support of therapy dogs
in its hospice, oncology, pediatric and outpatient programs makes it a good
match for "Bright and Beautiful." She is pleased to see the paintings
become part of the hospital's permanent collection, in part because of
their potential to dispel myths and stereotypes about certain dogs. The
twelve therapy dogs featured in her paintings include some misunderstood
and feared breeds, yet all twelve are valued members of the healthcare
community in Toms River.

    Barbosa's connection with dogs is evident in her work. The self-taught
artist's realistic style captures each dog's personality, resulting in
lifelike, compelling portraits. But even with "Bright and Beautiful,"
Barbosa couldn't help adding a touch of whimsy: The dogs are set against
boldly colored backgrounds and surrounded by cheerful flowers.

    "If we take the time to see what is right in front of us, we begin to
notice our beloved dogs are more than just primitive canines and capable
guards," she explained. "Dogs have a remarkable capacity to love and
empathize and, ultimately, to help patients of all ages, backgrounds and
conditions to experience healing. That's what I hope people take away from
this collection."

    About the Artist

    A native New Jerseyan, Laura Barbosa is a self-representing artist with
20 years' experience painting animals and subjects of fantasy. She is best
known for her animal portraits, surreal representations, new wave digital
art and colorful abstracts. Barbosa's paintings have been exhibited in
group shows in galleries including the Splash Contemporary Gallery in
Asbury Park, N.J. and The Stover Mill Gallery and Tinicum Arts Festivals in
Erwinna, Penn. To learn more, visit http://www.onlyoriginals-gifts.com.



    Contact:
    Laura Barbosa
    wardogmastiff@netzero.nethttp://www.onlyoriginals-gifts.com

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