By Ann Cantrell
Staff Writer

    Citizens of the county have the chance to provide a home for rescued dogs and also meet Amy Bruckner, star of the Disney Channel show “Phil of the Future.”
    Companion Animal Rescue, Inc. (C.A.R.I.) is hosting a fund-raiser at the Madison ChopHouse Grill on Saturday, February 2. The fund-raiser will include a continental breakfast from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and a chance to meet and take a picture with Bruckner.
    “It’s a great opportunity to meet a lovely young lady who is a true animal lover,” said Carol Harris of C.A.R.I.
    The dog rescue organization takes abandoned or stray dogs in from Animal Control and shelters them in a foster home until a permanent owner is found. These fosters are trained by C.A.R.I. to take care of the animals and many of the fosters have previous experience.
    Bruckner became involved after she found out about the organization through a neighbor. She said that she has always had a love for animals and was impressed by the standards for care of dogs that C.A.R.I. upholds. Not only does the organization take in badly abused dogs, but they also provide affordable clinics for spaying and neutering, Bruckner said.
    Another aspect she admired in C.A.R.I. was their stance against euthanasia of dogs. If a permanent home cannot be found in Morgan County or somewhere locally, then the dogs are sent to another shelter in Massachusetts where the laws for spaying and neutering dogs are stricter. Thus, there are fewer dogs and the dogs there are more likely to be adopted. 
    While this fund-raiser is the first event that Bruckner participated in with C.A.R.I., she said she plans to stay involved in the future and is happy to provide any support or publicity to the organization. 
    Bruckner recently moved back to the Morgan County after living in Los Angeles in pursuit of her acting career. She started acting when she was 10–years–old with a small role on “Ally McBeal.”
    “I don’t think I had any lines,” said Bruckner. 
    From there, she received a role on “ER,” which she said garnered her a good reputation.  When she was 12–years–old, she was cast for the role of Pim, the sister of the main character, on the Disney show “Phil of the Future.” 
    For now, Bruckner is living in the area and enjoying being a normal teenager. She has turned down two roles in movies in order to focus on school and enjoy her junior year. As far as acting is concerned, although she plans to pursue some form in the future, right now the only acting she is doing is in school plays.