Matt Wieters Shows His Soft Side

WBAL's John Patti interviewing Matt and Maria Wieters about their involvement in the Show Your Soft Side campaign (Photo by WBAL's Lori Smyth)

WBAL's John Patti sits in on the photo shoot for Matt Wieters in the Show Your Soft Side campaign Download This File

Orioles All-Star Catcher Matt Wieters has joined other athletes and celebrities to "Show Your Soft Side" when dealing with animals. The campaign was launched earlier this year by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. Orioles outfielder Adam Jones, MMA fighter John Rallo, Motley Crew founding member Tommy Lee and Baltimore Ravens players have also donated their time to be photographed with their pets to promote anti-animal abuse.

Matt Wieters was recently photographed at Oriole Park at Camden Yards with his dog Millie and cat Omaha.

The campaign was developed to reduce the incidents of animal abuse in Baltimore, and features acknowledged ôhardö men of Baltimore with their pets.

The campaign was organized by local businesswoman, Sande Riesett who conceived the campaign and brought other local businesses on board to provide in-kind donations. Riesett says "a lot of this abuse is happening at the hands of kids as young as ten. We thought that if we could get role models who could send a different message that it's not tough, and it's not cool to hurt an animal." Riesett adds that the campaign suggests that "it is much more macho to have a soft side when it comes to cats and dogs."

The idea for the campaign came two years ago when Phoenix, the pit bull, was set on fire in Baltimore. Phoenix eventually died of his injuries.

The MayorÆs Anti-Animal Abuse Advisory Commission hopes to change the mindset of young people in Baltimore who view the maiming and torturing of defenseless dogs and cats as a sign of toughness. The campaign puts forth a very different messageùthat ôbeing a manö has many facets, including a soft side when it comes to animals.

The campaign has close to 7,000 friends on its Facebook page which averages about 20,000 visits a week. Riesett says "although the campaign was directed to youth, it really has sort of galvanized the rest of the community who wants to come together and do something."

The campaign cites research that shows people who abuse pets also commit violent crimes against humans.

At a recent photo shoot in the auxiliary clubhouse of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Wieters and his wife, Maria, arrived with their three year old German Sheppard "Millie" and the family cat "Omaha."

The campaign provides a Dog Whisperer whose job it is to gain the trust of the animals being photographed. Lisa Feathers says Millie "is just a little sweetheart, very smart. I was able to very easily show her the pattern of 'we need you to just sit right here.' We were able to get her to stay long enough to get some pretty good shots in."

Matt and Maria Wieters say being a part of this campaign makes sense. Matt says " the three animals that we have, especially Millie, just bring a lot of joy to our life and we just wanted to pass that along to the kids so that they can really appreciate how special these animals are."

Maria Wieters says "Millie" is a "daddy's girl." Matt adds animals are loving creatures who have their own personality.

You can see the pictures of Millie, Omaha and Matt Weiters' soft side on billboards, light rail panels, in print, and on tv.

If you're a sucker for Softies, join them, and BARCS on Thursday, June 14 at Camden Yards. Tickets are $15 (lower deck) and available by emailing: lsmyth@hearst.com.