Marshall the Miracle Dog to Visit Elmhurst

Submitted by Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205.

Dogs really can be humans greatest teachers and the release of the Family Film, Marshall’s Miracle, in theaters Aug. 28 is proof.

The inspiration behind the movie, Marshall the Miracle Dog, will be making a special appearance at 6 p.m. at the York Theatre in Elmhurst before the 7 p.m. premiere of his film, “Marshall’s Miracle.”

Marshall will be sharing his life changing messages with two local Elmhurst elementary schools before the premiere of his movie.

Marshall the Miracle Dog Elmhurst School Visit Info:

• Aug. 28, 1-1:45 p.m., Jefferson Elementary, 360 E Crescent Ave, Elmhurst
• Aug 28 2:15-3 p.m., Fischer Elementary 888 Wilson St., Elmhurst

Jefferson and Fischer Elementary are two schools committed to character education. Their students will be meeting Marshall and hearing his important back to school messages.

The producers of “Marshall’s Miracle” are especially thrilled to premiere the movie in the Chicago area considering so much the film’s talent was found there.

Comedian and WGN Radio host, Patti Vasquez as well as numerous youth stars of the film will be at the premiere for pictures and signing autographs. But to ensure Marshall’s Miracle’s important messages of kindness toward humans and animals are sustained, reps from Elmhurst Commission on Youth and the Anti-Cruelty Society will be there to meet and greet and share their messages with the audience.

Marshall, a three-legged, scar-faced rescue dog, found near death in a deplorable hoarding situation in Marshall, MO, proves after dying three times on the Humane Society’s operating table, that he has a purpose to serve. Marshall, now a certified therapy dog, carries his messages of empathy, perseverance and forgiveness and has visited over 370 schools (120,000 students) since the launch of his award winning children’s book (2012). Now his life’s journey inspired a major motion film. His messages are sustained through the Marshall Mentor Program, an Anti-Bullying school program based on Marshall’s cornerstone messages.

Owner Cynthia Willenbrock comments, “I was told Marshall had a reason he fought so hard to survive when I adopted him in 2011. It did not take long to see the connections children (and adults) made with Marshall. It was clear what we had to do. Shortly after writing his children’s book, I quit my pharmaceutical sales job in order to ‘share’ Marshall with others. I witness Marshall “minor miracles” in the lives of others everyday—the stories are countless!”

Movie Synopsis: Inspired by Marshall’s true story, “Marshall’s Miracle” shares the adventure of Finn, a 13-year-old boy who has become the target of bullies at his new school. Finn is feeling hopeless until he finds Marshall caged by a dog hoarder. The bond of friendship is immediate. Finn knows he must rescue Marshall, but Marshall has been abused by the other dogs and needs to see the vet right away. The race against the bullies, against the dog hoarder, and against time is on. In the end, Marshall leads everyone to a place of change, forgiveness and friendship.

“Marshall’s Miracle” received the Audience Choice Award for Best Film at the St. Louis International Film Festival. During pre-release, the film was also awarded “Best Family Film” at the Wild Rose Film Festival, and the St. Louis Post Dispatch hailed it as the “Best Family Film” in 2014. The Dove Foundation awarded the film “4 out of 5 Doves” and approved the film for “all ages.” The film stars Shannon Elizabeth (American Pie), Lauren Holly (NCIS, Dumb and Dumber), Matthew Settle (Gossip Girl, Band of Brothers) and award-winning comedian Bill Chott, as well as Lucas Carroll (The Informant).