New York veterinarian rappels down 18-story building for charity

A Staten Island veterinarian recently rappelled down an 18-story building in Albany, N.Y., to raise money for the New York Special Olympics.

John Sangiorgio, DVM, of Complete Care Veterinary Center in Staten Island, N.Y., rappelled down the Crowne Plaza hotel as part of a fundraiser called Over the Edge, a campaign that raises money for nonprofit groups in various states by inviting participants to rappel down office buildings. Sangiorgio raised $333 and his team raised $4,299, according to the Over the Edge website.

"They said it would take five minutes or five seconds," Sangiorgio says. "Luckily it took closer to five minutes for me."

Sangiorgio says he got involved when his brother-in-law asked if he was interested in participating. Sangiorgio regularly volunteers his time to an equine therapy program for autistic and disabled children in Staten Island, so his brother thought Over the Edge would be right up his alley.

"It was incredible," Sangiorgio says. "They took us to a garage to practice and show us how to go down with the rope. Once they put the harnesses on--you couldn't chicken out."

Sangiorgio says the event was fun and exciting and he hopes to participate again next year.