Jeff Ondash of Canfield holds certificates he was given for having broken two Guinness world hugging records. Ondash, who runs a longtime advertising agency, set the records to raise funds for several animal-rescue organizations, including Animal Charity of Ohio in Boardman. His efforts also have benefited the American Cancer Society....Correspondent photo / Sean Barron

CANFIELD — Jeff Ondash fully embraces doing his part to protect and provide for animals in need — even to the point of breaking a world record or two.

“You can tell an awful lot about someone who loves animals. People who like animals like people,” said Ondash, 63, a 1976 Chaney High School graduate who grew up on Youngstown’s West Side.

Ondash, who uses the moniker “Teddy McHuggin’,” was in the Guinness Book of World Records for having broken four hugging records — including one for the American Heart Association for which about $30,000 was raised — and he’s considered by many to be the world’s best and fastest hugger.

He also followed suit on behalf of the Boardman Relay for Life.

More recently, during last month’s Ohio State University-Michigan State University football game, Ondash attempted to break a high-five record of 14,609 to raise money and greater awareness for the Stop the Suffering Animal Rescue in Columbus, as well as Animal Charity of Ohio Inc. in Boardman.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ondash switched from hugs to high-fives. He broke the previous record with 15,033 high-fives during the game.

In 1982, he started Ondash Advertising after having attended Youngstown State University to major in advertising and marketing. Soon, he was handling accounts from well-known area businesses such as Weather Tite Windows and Stadium GM SuperStore Inc.

Beforehand, during the early 1980s, he was the marketing director for Phoenix Publications, which owned several smaller area newspapers.

The former General Home Improvement business was the first to hire Ondash’s ad agency, and the relationship began with a common love between Ondash and the company’s chief executive officer.

Within a minute or two, the CEO noticed a photograph on Ondash’s desk of a dog, which spurred a 10- to 15-minute conversation about each other’s pets. After discovering Ondash had a deep and avid passion for animals, the deal was sealed.

“He said, ‘All I need to know about you is that you’re an animal lover. You don’t have to show me anything else,'” Ondash recalled. “He hired me on the spot.”

Stop the Suffering, a nonprofit that rescues cats and dogs from high-kill shelters and has an adoption program to match dogs to their forever homes, is dear to Ondash’s heart largely because it’s where he adopted Stella, a golden retriever. So he was happy to assist the facility via breaking the high-five record, said Ondash, who has four dogs and one cat.

Animal Charity in Mahoning County houses animals that have been removed for humane reasons until forever homes can be found for them, and has an agent who investigates calls and complaints regarding abuse and neglect.

“Jeff is kind of like our knight in shining armor. He’s always there to lift us up and keep us going,” Jane MacMurchy, Animal Charity of Ohio’s coordinator, said. “He has such a drive to help.”

The facility has received about 400 blankets, 250 of which were donated by Ondash, who also bought a new washing machine for the agency, MacMurchy added. In addition to monetary donations, Animal Charity’s primary needs are local veterinarians willing to be paid to work there at least one day per month, along with stainless steel water buckets, cleaning supplies and peanut butter, she noted.

Ondash was quick to contextualize the hugging and high-five records he’s set, saying that his top priority is doing his part to assist animal-rescue organizations. Another piece of that goal is ensuring that those who intentionally abuse dogs, cats and other animals will suffer stiff penalties such as jail time.

“It’s a means to get somebody’s attention,” he said about setting the records. “In the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t really mean anything.”

To make a donation, go to www.fiveforfido.com, or Animal Charity of Ohio’s website, www.animalcharityofohio.org.

Ondash has two daughters, Carly and Loren, as well as two granddaughters.

To suggest a Saturday profile, contact features editor Burton Cole at bcole@tribtoday.com or metro editor Marly Reichert at mreichert@tribtoday.com.

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