PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW
STORY BY KAYLA BERTUCCI
L
ove is a four-legged word and an action shown by one truly inspiring woman in the Northshore community, Denise Gutnisky. Known best for her selfless nature and constant desire to give to those in need, Gutnisky is one of society’s sweethearts. Her paw-pularity certainly sprung onto the scene in 1994 with the Mardi Paws parade, which was brought to life as a parade for our furry friends in the community as a way to dress up and celebrate the season in true carnival style.
“For 27 years, Louisiana’s famed “Mardi Paws” Parade has come at the tail end of Carnival season, always rolling on the Sunday after Fat Tuesday,” explains Denise. “The Super Krewe for K9s features hundreds of canines and their companions in costumes and is truly a paw-rade with a purpose.” Listed by PARADE Magazine as one of the “Coolest Mardi Gras Celebrations Around the US,” this parade has been seen in many publications including PEOPLE Magazine, Southern Living and US Weekly, to name a few. Originally from the east coast of Florida, a small beach town called Indialantic, Denise moved to Louisiana after college. Celebrating almost 40 years of marriage, Denise and her husband, Gus, have worked in healthcare for many years. “On top of being an animal and outdoor lover, I’ve also loved being a hands-on volunteer director of Scott’s Wish. I’ve always loved helping people navigate treatment and insurance issues when they have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. It’s an overwhelming time for them,” shares Denise. For those of you not familiar with Scott’s Wish, it’s a nonprofit organization that helps patients and families who are going through any type of medical treatment to help close the financial gap needed not only with transportation, lodging, and meals, but also with requests such as car repairs, wheelchair ramps, and more. This organization also provides financial aid to animal welfare including dogs for veterans and therapy dogs. Denise continues her tireless efforts in the community, partnering with longtime friend Patrick Theriot, on their Mutts to Models Gala, benefiting causes close to both, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and St.Tammany Parish’s open admission animal shelter.
People You ShouldDENISE Know GUTNISKY 64
SOCIAL NORTHSHORE
