About A Touch Above White Dove Releases

A Touch Above is owned by Frank and Mary Jean Fanni.  They have lived in Lakeland, Florida for more than 25 years.  Frank relocated from New York in 1973 and Mary Jean moved from the Pittsburgh area in 1980.

Frank first became interested in pigeons when he was 13 years old living in the city.  He learned how to breed them and care for them from a friend.  It was a hobby that Frank Fanni enjoyed tremendously.  In1997, Frank decided to take his childhood hobby of raising pigeons more seriously than ever before.

He joined the Polk Racing Pigeon Club and spent most of his free time training and caring for the birds.  Pigeons can compete in races up to 600 miles long and which take 12 to 13 hours to complete.

In addition to the pigeons that Frank raises for racing, he also breeds the white pigeons for the dove release ceremonies performed by A Touch Above.  He raises the pigeons in lofts that he himself created.

These gentle birds are no different from the pigeons used for racing, except for their beautiful pure white color.  Frank has about 50 white pigeons for dove releases and about 50 pigeons for racing.

The Ethics of Bird Care and the Dove Release Business

At A Touch Above, we take extreme care of our homing pigeons.  We release only white birds that have been property cared for and trained for your event.  Our pigeons are maintained in a loft on our own property.  They are fed high quality food and are given an enviable amount of attention.  Because we work with them so consistently and lovingly, their behaviors are predictable and reliable.  (They seem to want to return the favor.)

Because of our devotion to these beloved birds, there are a few stipulations we require when it comes to dove releases:

• We will not release our birds in heavy rain, fog, high wind, or any other times of inclement weather.  The safety of our birds comes first.  Cancellations by A Touch Above due to acts of nature will be refunded at 100%.
• All of our birds are banded so they can be identified.
• Birds will not be released at night or at indoor events.  We also do not ship birds for self-release.  This is for the safety of our birds. 
• For all other reasons that our birds are not released such as customer cancellations, weddings not performed at given time periods, and others circumstances, A Touch Above may be able to provide a partial refund, at our discretion.

About Our Doves

Although bird releases at various celebrations are billed as “dove” releases, no ethical company would release a true dove.  An actual dove is smaller, not a strong flyer, and has no homing instinct.  It would be potentially cruel to perform a dove release with members of the species Streptopelia risoria.

Related to doves, white homing pigeons are a variety of the species Columba livia domestica.  They are slightly larger, have the homing ability, and are stronger flyers.  We always use white homing pigeons, as they return home.  Even so, their performance is possible only after prolonged and precise training.

Unless you are an ornithologist, it is unlikely you will be able to tell the difference between a dove and a white homing pigeon.  But no matter your profession, our enthusiastic little performers will capture your heart.

Our “doves” are also very clean, white, and healthy birds, and love to fly, showing off their skills.

Service Area

In Florida, A Touch Above serves customers in a 50 mile radius of central Florida near Lakeland.  We are proud to offer our celebrated dove release services to the cities of Tampa, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Dade City, Winter Haven, Kissimmee, and Wauchula, and Zephyrhills, Highland City, Lakeland, Plant City, and Clearwater.  Dove releases are available in the following Florida Counties: Polk, Osceola, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando, and Sumter. 

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