CLASS ACTS
Monday, July 28th, 2008There’s an abundance of training workshops, classes and new ways for pet owners to care for their dogs to ensure they live a long, healthy and happy life
Chillybuddy Cooling Jacket – Keeping hot dogs cool! This new, breathable, lightweight cooling jacket is catching the attention of dog-lovers everywhere. It was designed with an engineering approach to the thermal challenges of dogs, and made with the finest materials, each selected to fulfill a function in the system design of the jacket: the reflective outer layer provides shade, and a cotton mesh inner layer, when dampened, provides evaporative cooling. The combination has been shown to reduce a dog’s coat temperature by 40%, an indicator of the “environment” in which the dog works and is the choice of Search and Rescue handlers around the country. Two styles, one for casual use, one for sporting and active dogs, comes in nine sizes to fit Yorkies to Great Danes. Custom jackets also available for hard-to-fit breeds. www.chillybuddy.com, (888) 762-8149.
Handicappedpets.com – The folks at Handicappedpets.com understand the needs of handicapped pets and provide products, services and support systems for thousands of pet owners who care for elderly or disabled pets with special needs. They are also safety conscious and promote seat belts for dogs to protect not only the animal but the drivers and passengers in a vehicle as well. Unrestrained pets can cause serious harm to your beloved four-legged family member or to other passengers if the pets are launched during a crash. www.handicappedpets.com, (603) 577-8854.
Le Paws – Make your dog a Star! Addison K. Witt is head of Branding and Celebrité at LePaws and CEO of Witt Entertainment Management, Inc. (W.E.M.). He is a dealmaker, pitchman, entrepreneur, actor, and teacher. W.E.M., Inc. became known for developing novice actors and guiding them into TV and film stars, emphasizing human rights and diversity of every kind. Now he uses his experience with human actors to develop four-legged stars for Le Paws, a professional Pet Talent Agency, offers the general public an opportunity to put their dogs working in commercials, feature films, TV shows or print ad campaigns. www.lepawsagency.com, (310) 397-3143; www.addisonwitt.com, (213) 628.9093.
American Humane Association – Advocating for children and animals for 130 years. The overarching concern of the American Humane Association is to build a more humane society by identifying the links that contribute to all forms of family violence including animal abuse. As a recognized leader in professional education, training and advocacy, research and evaluation, the mission of the American Humane Association – a network of individuals and organizations – is to prevent cruelty, abuse, neglect and exploitation of children and animals and to assure that their interests and well-being are fully, effectively and humanely guaranteed by an aware and caring society. American Humane national programs include the Emergency Rescue Disaster Relief, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Certified Farm Program (to ensure humane conditions), Be Kind to Animals Week (since 1915) and our Film & TV Unit, famous for protecting animals in entertainment and awarding the “No Animals Were Harmed” end-credit. www.americanhumane.org, (818) 501-0123 (Film and TV Unit) or (800)227-4645.
The Honest Kitchen – The Honest Kitchen provides natural & organic pet food products that promote nutritional awareness, environmental responsibility, and a sustainable community. Force is a delicious offering for adult dogs with dog food allergy concerns or adult dogs that are intolerant of grains. Force is formulated with moderate protein, higher fat and total calories, with a moderate level of carbohydrates and made from 100% human food-grade chicken, organic flaxseed, a variety of vegetables and fruits, vitamins and minerals. Force and other products are the perfect solution for dogs on the go, especially during the summer travel season. Easy for you, nutritious for your dog, good for the environment. www.thehonestkitchen.com, (866) 437-9-RAW.
Buddha Dog – Pam Holt is a registered veterinary technician (RVT) and certified animal massage therapist in the Los Angeles area who offers small animal massage therapy, TTouch and Reiki. She not only provides pet massage sessions but loves to teach her human clients how to massage their animals in between professional massage appointments. To further support them, she has a free online booklet, Massaging Your Animal. Along with her demo dog, Shug, she gives demonstrations and classes to groups and organizations and recently worked with Big Paws 4 a Cause and the Pasadena Humane Society. www.buddhadog.com, (818) 300-4478.
Sunny-dog Ink Pet First-Aid Kits & Classes – Sunny-dog Ink’s Pet First-Aid Kit is a must-have for all pet owners. It contains more than 60 items for first-aid preparedness including instructions and pet care tips. Denise Fleck, author and Pet First-Aid Instructor, teaches Pet First Aid & CPR classes, as well as workshops in Senior Pet Care. She is also available for interviews and demonstrations that will show your viewers or readers how to save their four-legged best friend’s life. www.sunnydogink.com, (818) 951-7962.
I Trained My Dog & He Still Won’t Listen! What Do I Do Now? – Veteran dog trainer Duane Overturf’s new book is for people who have done basic obedience training with their dog and want to continue. Readers will learn how to get their dogs to respond no matter what is happening around them and to behave responsibly when not on command. Training is according to a dog’s needs and based on the techniques Overturf has developed through years of working with various breeds. The book is available through Amazon.com and his website, www.yourbestcompanion.com. He is available in person and for phone consultations. duane@yourbestcompanion, 818-999-3999.
J9sK9s – Learn while you Play! Janine Pierce and her team of instructors teach students how to use positive motivation as the primary tool to train their dogs by incorporating games and play as part of the training process. As one of the top professional dog trainers in Los Angeles, and a winner of the San Fernando Valley News poll as best Dog Trainer in the San Fernando Valley, Pierce emphasizes that the well behaved adult dog is a direct result of the amount of time and effort a person puts into training during the first two to three years. J9sK9s offers Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced classes, and an array of upper-level training classes and workshops such as Introduction to Agility, Freestyle Dancing, Canine Good Citizen/Therapy Dog Preparation and Camp Waggin’ Tails at Big Bear Lake. The wonderful secret to the whole process is: Dog training is fun! www.j9sk9s.com, 818-832-9906.
Dogs Can Dance – The sport of Canine Freestyle is a totally unique and fun way for senior dogs, overweight dogs, and retired competition dogs to get in shape and stay that way. Dancing using the Dogs Can Dance program is a wonderful way to burn calories, build strength, increase muscle tone and enhance mental agility. Your dog (and you) will appear and feel years younger with this well structured Canine Freestyle dance program. The Paws 4 Fitness program includes a workbook, audio CD with instruction voice over the music, and a video DVD. www.dogscandance.com, judy@dogscandance.com.
ARC – Animal Rehab & Wellness Center has opened its doors in Pasadena at Rose City Veterinary Hospital. Whether your dog is among the 40% of America’s pet population that is overweight today or you just want to find ways to keep your beloved pet healthy for years to come, there are many products and services that can help. “It is so easy for a dog to put on weight or to allow a pet to get out of shape,” says Margaret Rudoy, head rehabilitation therapist at ARC. “Even a couple of pounds on a small dog can cause serious health problems and add significant strain to their weight-bearing joints. Being out of shape can take years off the life of a beloved dog. ARC offers Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Hydrotherapy, Nutritional Counseling, Massage, or Reiki. 2695 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107, (626) 796-8387.