Thursday, Animal Health Institute proudly presents “Celebrity Pet Night” on Capitol Hill. Yes, the Capitol Hill. Lawmakers will greet the likes of French bulldog, Bodie, star of the movie Due Date. In the movie, Zach Galifianakis and Robert Downey, Jr., are bawdy buddies and Bodie plays Sonny the Pooch. Lawmakers will have the opportunity to have their photo take with Bodie in the Cannon Caucus Room on Thursday evening.

Members of Congress have been known to stop in the annual event with their own four-legged family members. The Animal Health Institute, which reps animal-drug makers, usually draws the hottest animal actors du jour. Last year, highly coveted canine George, better known as Great Dane Marmaduke of movie fame, graced the AHI star-studded event.

In addition to French bulldog Bodie, felines will be in attendance. Cheeto the cat, better known as Azrael in the movie The Smurfs, will be present. Fans will recognize Azrael as the kitty sidekick to evil wizard Gargamel in the Smurf series.

Alex Mathews, the institute’s president, acknowledges that Bodie was an edgy choice due to a lowbrow running gag in the movie Due Date.  “For us, that’s pushing it,” he says. “We’re right on the edge.” But he says Hill folks and administration types love mingling with four-legged stars. “It’s like touching a part of the movies,” he reported.

In addition to being an annual favorite among Hill staff and animal lovers alike, the event continues to bring awareness to the connection between animal health and human health.

Learn more about Animal Health Institute and the event by visiting www.ahi.org/about/celebrity-pet-night