DAILY NEWS PEOPLE : SAM MARTELLO.Byline: - Rita Brinkhus Sam Martello, the pet guru guru (g  `r, g r` of the San Fernando Valley San Fernando ValleyValley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. , has found his niche. He combined his love of animals with his business sense to run Joie de Vie, a popular pet salon in Studio City. For as long as he can remember, he has always wanted to do something for his community. He organized PAWS PAWS Progressive Animal Welfare Society PAWS Pets Are Wonderful Support PAWS Performing Animal Welfare Society PAWS Pet Animal Welfare Statute PAWS Pets Are Worth Saving PAWS Philippine Animal Welfare Society PAWS Phased Array Warning System L.A., a program that helps people with AIDS The People With AIDS (PWA) Self-Empowerment Movement was a movement of those diagnosed with AIDS and grew out of San Francisco. The PWA Self-Empowerment Movement believes that those diagnosed as having AIDS should "take charge of their own life, illness, and care, and to minimize take care of their pets. AGE: 39 RESIDENCE: Studio City. BORN AND RAISED IN: Sam spent his childhood in Oroville, Calif., and moved to the San Fernando Valley in his early 20s. OCCUPATION: Owner of a pet grooming Combining, consolidating and segregating network traffic using devices such as digital cross-connects, add/drop multiplexers and SONET switches. Grooming is a telephone term that typically refers to managing high-capacity lines between central offices, carriers, ISPs and very large salon. MARITAL STATUS marital status, n the legal standing of a person in regard to his or her marriage state. : Single. CHILDREN: None, but he has two golden retrievers golden retriever, breed of large sporting dog developed primarily in Scotland in the mid-19th cent. It stands about 23 in. (58.4 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 60 to 75 lb (27.2–34.1 kg). . VOLUNTEERISM: He has organized a program called PAWS L.A., co-sponsored by Iams Dog Food, that places animals in new homes and helps AIDS and HIV-positive patients by providing food, medical care, grooming and daily walks for their pets. To raise money for the project, he holds pet-oriented promotional events in the community. HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED?: ``I have always been an animal lover. I used to work in investments, but it did not work well for me. Years back, I was in an accident, and walking was a part of my therapy. One day I walked passed Joie de Vie, overheard the owner saying he wanted to sell ... and decided to buy it.'' WHY DO YOU VOLUNTEER?: ``I think it is important to help and be there for one another. I was raised in a family that strongly believes in this. Volunteering has given me a good feeling inside. The more I do it, the more fulfillment I achieve.'' BIGGEST DILEMMA: ``Finding ways to distribute my time and affection to all the animals fairly.'' MOST DIFFICULT DAILY TASK: ``Being in business in L.A. and having to deal with all the red tape.'' FAVORITE DAILY TASK: ``Coming to work and greeting all the animals.'' BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: ``My biggest disappointment is that animals do not live as long as humans.'' GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: ``That I have managed to stay honest, fair and decent throughout my life.'' GOALS FOR THE FUTURE: ``Two that come to mind are opening a volunteer-run animal shelter "Dog Pound" redirects here. For the rap group, see Tha Dogg Pound. An animal shelter is a facility that houses homeless, lost or abandoned animals; primarily a large variety of dogs and cats. and getting a cabin at Lake Tahoe.'' WHO RELIES ON YOU THE MOST AND WHO YOU RELY ON: ``My customers rely on me, and I rely on myself, God and the love of my family.'' ROLE MODELS: ``My mom is my biggest role model.'' HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?: ``Success is measured by how many happy moments you have in one day.'' FAVORITE VALLEY HANGOUTS: ``Joie de Vie in Studio City and Dodger Stadium • • [ .'' FAVORITE ACTIVITIES: ``I am a huge sports fan. I like to play tennis, sing, and spend time with my golden retrievers.'' HOBBIES: ``Singing, writing. But my favorite My Favorite is an independent synthpop band from Long Island, New York. They released two CDs: Love at Absolute Zero and Happiest Days of Our Lives. My Favorite broke up on September 14, 2005, when singer Andrea Vaughn left the band. thing to do is spend time with my 11-year-old nephew.'' WHAT WOULD BE A PERFECT DAY FOR YOU?: ``To get up in the morning and enjoy hot coffee by the fireplace, knowing everyone in my family is happy and healthy.'' CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: ``I think it is important to help and be there for one another,'' says Sam Martello, owner of Joie de Vie pet salon in Studio City. He also organized PAWS L.A. to help AIDS patients care for their pets. David Sprague/Daily News |
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