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 We did it!! We paid rent on time every month for a year!!!!! As you can imagine, balancing all our community service activities (events, pet therapy, rescue, enrichment activities for the deaf community, scholarships for summer camp and outreach activities) with the need to also pay rent, insurance, phone, etc..., is a bit of a challenge at times.
Many new businesses fail in the first year. Being a non-profit with very little start up capital made it even more difficult to make it thru the year successfully. However, we didn't just make rent, we had an amazing first year at our Training and Adoption Center. We placed over 250 dogs into forever homes. We provided classes for over 450 students and hosted approximately 90 children for K9 Kids summer camp. We hosted a Reading Dog event, a Grand Opening Party, Paws in the Park, Fetching Art and numerous smaller meet and greets, seminars and Bow Wow reading dog storytimes. We participated in the Texas Book Festival, the Cedar Park Library Festival, Dogtoberfest, Howloween at Dogadillo, and more. We increased our active pet therapy teams from 30 to over 75.
I can't say we still don't fret over every expense, but being a non-profit with more ideas for community service that funding, I suppose fretting over expenses is to be expected.
Thank you to all of you who adopted dogs, fostered dogs, volunteered, attended events, donated funds and supplies and attended classes. Thank you to my wonderful board members, team leaders and trainers who give so much everyday. Thank you to our volunteers who treat their volunteer position as a paid job. Thank you to those who go above and beyond every day.
I'm honored to be a part of such a passionate, dynamic, creative and talented organization.
Please join us at our Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, February 13 from 1 - 4. We will have refreshments, dog themed crafts, valentine cookie decorating, foster dogs to meet, a veterinarian from Anderson Mill Animal Clinic and our trainers on hand for questions, storytime with the Bow Wow reading dogs, demonstrations of Bow Wow Workouts and more. (This is a human only event.) See you there.
Sincerely,  Debi Krakar, CPDT
Executive Director, Austin Dog Alliance
Note: Keep up to date with all the latest happenings on our Facebook page. We post pictures and updates almost daily. To see current pictures on our Facebook page follow the link. |
| "Bow Wow Workout" Photo Contest -
Voting and Submissions End February 10
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Our mission is to Make Dogs a Part of Our Community: to help families train their dog so that the dog is considered part of the family. As part of this philosophy, Austin Dog Alliance has launched a unique exercise program called "Bow Wow Workout." Bring your dog to your workout session. Instead of leaving the dog home while you go to the gym, bring him or her with you. You and your dog both get exercise and the dog becomes a part of your life.
To promote healthy activities with your dog, we are hosting a photo contest. First prize is a $100 gift certificate for an Austin Dog Alliance training class and all the supplies to help you get started: Lupine leash and collar, training treat bag, treats and a clicker. Second and third prizes include an ADA t-shirt and a personal training session with our fitness instructor, Jen Andrew of Green Feet Fitness.
Enter a photo or vote for your favorite by February 10. You will be asked for your e-mail address. Don't worry, the only list you will be added to is the ADA newsletter distribution list. Prizes will be awarded at our Anniversary Celebration on February 13.
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See some photos, watch a quick video and read about the great fun and fitness benefits of the Bow Wow Workout at this link to the article in the Austin-American Statesman.
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| Training Tip of the Month
by Debi Krakar, CPDT |
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Do you wish your dog could talk? Well in a way he does. Every day your dog uses body language to convey his feelings; his tail wags when he is happy, it tucks under his belly when he is frightened. He licks his lips when he is a bit apprehensive or confused. He approaches you or another dog in a curve to avoid conflict. His eyes, mouth, tail, ears, body position, all tell a story into his feelings. If you can learn to read him, it's alot easier to train and you will have a better relationship.
If you are interested in learning more, read On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas. This simple, easy to read book has lots of color photographs to help you learn. |
| Sneak Peek at Summer Camp Schedules |
 Early enrollment of K9 Kids Summer Camp starts today. If you look in the group classes tab, under class type = summer camp, you will get a sneak peek at our summer camp schedule.
Class sizes are limited. This year we are offering an Advanced Skills, Tricks and More camp for our older campers who have already attended a camp session or a training class. We have also added an afternoon session for our younger campers aged 6 - 8.
The website will be ready for enrollments from the general public on February 13. We anticipate most sessions will sell out. We are already receiving calls and e-mails regarding dates. So, if your child really wants to go to K9 Kids Dog Camp this summer, don't wait until May to sign up. It may be too late.
Austin Dog Alliance classes are taught by Certified Professional Dog Trainers in a climate controlled indoor facility. Proof of vaccinations is required to enroll. To register online, click here. Please call the training center at 335-7100 if you have any questions. |
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Keep me Smiling! February Is National Pet Dental Health Month
Submitted by Anderson Mill Animal Clinic
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Fido's or Fluffy's bad breath could be more than a smelly annoyance; it might signify a serious health risk with the potential to damage not only the animal's teeth and gums, but its internal organs as well.
Dental disease is an extremely common problem of dogs and cats. In fact, by the age of three years old approximately 70% of dogs and cats will have developed periodontal disease to some degree. Many people are unaware that dental disease can lead to very serious medical problems. Besides the obvious bad breath, many pets suffer from severe dental pain, receding gums and eventual tooth loss. Additionally, bacteria from the infected gums can easily enter the bloodstream and result in life threatening diseases of the lungs, liver, kidneys and heart. On a very serious note, a recent study concluded that pets without proper dental care will die three to five years sooner than those with healthy teeth and gums.
Some signs of dental distress that your pet may display can include a change in eating or chewing habits and/or pawing at the face and mouth area. Even if you don't see those signs, please take a few moments to visually inspect your pet's mouth, teeth and gums by gently folding back their lips. The gums should be pink and free of swelling. If your pet has tartar, or plaque build-up, you will notice it as a tan, or brownish, debris accumulated on the teeth where they meet the gumline. It is most noticeable on the "cheek teeth", the larger teeth along the sides of the jaw. Dogs with tartar build-up commonly have a foul odor to the breath. The odor indicates bacteria feeding on the plaque. This infection can spread to the gums causing irritation (gingivitis).
To address the significance of oral health care for pets, several veterinary groups are sponsoring National Pet Dental Health Month in February. Sponsors include the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), Academy of Veterinary Dentistry, American Veterinary Dental College, Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians, Veterinary Oral Health Council and Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc.
Reports indicate that although daily tooth brushing is advised for dogs and cats, only 2 % of dog owners follow through. In addition, it is estimated that 65 % of dogs with stage one periodontal disease often go untreated. As a result, oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets.
Twice-a-year checkups-including an oral health checkup-are important precautions to ensure your pet is not in pain and is not suffering from serious oral health problems. As noted above, bacteria from the mouth could infect the bloodstream, potentially causing life-threatening damage to the heart, liver and kidneys of your pet.
(Editor's Note: This means poor dental health is nothing to smile at!)
The doctors and team at Anderson Mill Animal Clinic are genuinely interested in maximizing the companionship you have with your pet by sensibly avoiding preventable health problems. In support National Pet Dental Health Month, Anderson Mill Animal Clinic is offering a $25.00 savings off the cost of a complete dental procedure during the month of February.
(see coupon --- ADA25 --- at bottom of this month's newsletter)
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Austin Dog Alliance is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, with the mission of making dogs an integral part of our community through the use of science-based training methods and the human-canine bond. This special bond improves the lives of families and benefits the community through hospital and nursing home visits, reading dog programs, and educational programs that enhance the self-esteem of our children.
Austin Dog Alliance is funded by the revenue generated from our training classes and donations by individuals and corporations. All donations are tax deductible. Please donate today! |
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| Contact Us |
| Board of Directors
Executive Director
Romp N Run Ranch
Leadership Team
Adoption Application Manager
Adoption Support and Newsletter
Office Manager
Mary Pomeroy
Intake Team Leader
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Red-Hot opportunities of the month:
Puppy Chihuahuas-
choose either
"Cool Casey"
...or...
"Cute Cricket"
Just like our buddy "Happy Buster" from last issue...we are at the bottom of the 'Available Dogs' page!
And, because we are special, when you adopt either me or my sister, you'll get a
Special
Bonus...
The super-cool
Puppy
HEAD START Program | |
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