Greetings:
We have lots of new happenings at Austin Dog Alliance. Here are a few highlights:
New Website - The first phase of our new website is live. We have a new event registration system that will give us more control over class registrations. The dog adoption phase of the site SHOULD go live on Feb. 6. Our new website is more secure and gives us more flexibility on content management.
Special Dogs for Special Needs Program - The rescue/adoption community in Austin is changing and so is Austin Dog Alliance. Austin Pets Alive has done an amazing job of taking dogs from Town Lake Animal Shelter and finding them homes. Over the last nine months, we have seen a substantial reduction in the number of dogs at Town Lake that meet our behavior requirements. Thus we have started to form partnerships with outlying shelters and Humane Societies to help us locate the type of dog we are looking for. As our Autism programs have expanded, we have also seen a dramatic increase in the number of adoption applications from homes with special need children. In response to these two factors, we are phasing in a new adoption program titled 'Special Dogs for Special Needs'. As part of this program, dogs will be selected on temperament, trained to have a specific set of skills and then matched with families with special requirements. The families will be given both pre and post adoption training and support. Our target family has a child with autism or other special learning needs. Our first 'Special Dogs' will join our program this week to begin their training. We are looking for foster families interested in joining our team. Please contact Judy McCarthy at Judy@AustinDogAlliance.org for more information.
Summer Camp Registration is Open - Summer camp registration opened this morning (2/1). This year, in addition to walking to Mud Puppies and Highway 620 Animal Hospital, we will also be taking some fun field trips. In partnership with the Humane Society of Williamson County, we will be taking the campers to the shelter to create 'adopt me' videos and to teach the dogs some basic skills. At the end of the summer, we will host a joint adoption day so that the campers can help find "their" shelter dog partner a home. Some of our camp sessions will also be visiting Candlelight Ranch for zip lining, swimming with the dogs and search and rescue training in the fields with the Travis County K9 Search and Rescue team. Summer Camp will sell out. We have fewer camp sessions this summer and parents have already started to call the Center. To avoid disappointing your child - please do not wait to enroll.
Our pet therapy teams will be busy this month with community events. They will be at Mock Surgery at Brackenridge Hospital on 2/5 and the Cedar Park Library Pet Parade on 2/19. Our therapy teams will also be delivering Valentine's to patients at Brackenridge Hospital on Valentine's Day. This is our way of thanking Seton Cares foundation for the generous employee pledge of over $19,000 to support our pet therapy program this year. We will accept a 'big check' on Valentine's Day at a reception. (It's our first 'big check' ceremony - so it should be fun.)
Thank you for being a part of Austin Dog Alliance. We are making a difference in our community!
Sincerely,
 Debi Krakar, CPDT Executive Director, Austin Dog Alliance
Note: Hey Facebook Fans - we are in a contest called Rock A Charity. The organization that increases it's FANS the most in three days (Feb 1, 2, and 3) will win the chance to compete for prize money. So please visit our Facebook page , add us as a favorite and promote us to your friends. |
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Save a Life, Make a Difference - One Dog at a Time
Join our ADA Foster Team |
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Lollipop recently moved from our foster program into her forever home. |
Austin Dog Alliance needs more fosters!
Are you looking for a volunteer experience where the satisfaction and rewards are greater than you could have imagined? Then join our dedicated volunteers who help rescued dogs find their forever homes. ADA's foster program is structured to ensure a foster home receives support in all aspects of fostering; it's led by experienced trainers, dog owners and rescue veterans who carefully select dogs with a friendly temperament that are likely to be successful in a family environment. Because of our selection criteria and the care our adoptable dogs receive, the majority of ADA foster dogs are adopted into their forever homes in less than a month!
In our program, a foster can concentrate on a dog's well-being, care, and development. For new fosters, ADA offers foster training to position the foster for success. ADA team volunteers also support the foster by posting photos and online adoption listings to the ADA website and other sources (e.g., Petfinder), reviewing adoption applications, interviewing adoption applicants, and performing reference/background checks of prospective applicants. ADA covers veterinary expenses and monthly medications (heartworm & flea/tick preventative).
Fostering is tremendously rewarding. Most of our foster parents continue to foster animals again and again. It's heart-warming to see the joy on the faces of a dog's forever family when they take their dog home (and to know you've made a difference in their lives!).
We understand that some volunteers prefer, or are equipped to foster, a certain type of dog. For this reason, on our foster application, you can indicate your preference in size/age/type of dog you'd like to foster.
Join our foster team today -- help us give more deserving dogs a second chance at a happy life with a loving forever family. Get started with the ADA Foster Program here. (Editors Note: The foster application will be ready on 2/6. For more information, please contact Judy@AustinDogAlliance.org. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
Note: If you're interested but a bit unsure about making the commitment to fostering, sign up to be one of our temporary fosters. Temporary fosters step in when a foster family has to be out of town for a vacation, for a weekend, or other short-term circumstances. |
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Join us at "Mock Surgery & More"! | 
Have you ever wanted to know more about what REALLY happens in an operating room? Here's your chance -- the Clinical Education Center (CEC) at Brackenridge is hosting their 20th Annual Mock Surgery & More event on Saturday, February 5th. This free event gives visitors the opportunity to tour operating rooms, see hands-on demonstrations and explanations of medical procedures, and speak with Seton associates, physicians, and surgeons. Austin Dog Alliance will have a booth at this event, and our Therapy Dogs (and therapy CAT Zoey) will be in attendance. Stop by and say hello! Date: Saturday, February 5, 2011 Time: 9am-2pm (open 8am for school groups) Where: Clinical Education Center (CEC) at Brackenridge 1400 N. IH-35, Austin, TX 78701 Cost: Free (children and adults welcome) Park: Free in the CEC parking garage For more details, see the Seton website or view the flyer |
Cedar Park Reads Pet Fair & Pet Parade
February 19, 2011 | |
Everyone is invited!
The Cedar Park Public Library presents the "Cedar Park Reads" Pet Fair & Pet Parade on Saturday, February 19th. The event takes place from Noon - 2:00pm.
Austin Dog Alliance Bow Wow Reading Dogs will make an appearance and will be participating in Bow Wow Reading sessions with kids as part of this event. We'll also be participating in the Pet Parade!
All leashed dogs are welcome to attend this event. So bring your dog, and join in the fun!
Parade registration begins at Noon, with the Pet Parade beginning at 12:30pm.
More information and the day's event schedule are here.
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Group Training Classes
New sessions begin next week |
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Viz & Baxter demonstrate "sit"
in Dog Manners 1 class
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Training for you and your "Canine Valentine".
OK, so we probably don't take our beloved canines out for a candlelight dinner, but wouldn't it be nice to have a well-mannered pup that walks calmly on a leash, or a dog that behaves nicely at some of the many dog-friendly venues in the Austin area?
We offer classes on weekdays, weekends, mornings, and evenings. Enjoy some "dedicated bonding time" and improve your communication with your best friend at the same time. Multiple sessions of classes begin throughout February & March:
- Dog Manners 1 - Dog Manners 2 - Pet Therapy - Barking & Growling - Puppy Manners - Dog Manners - K9 Kids
Class size is limited. Instructors are Certified Proffesional Dog Trainers and Delta Society Instructors. For detailed course descriptions and online enrollment, visit Austin Dog Alliance Classes
Is your schedule unpredictable, making it difficult to attend a weekly class? Would you prefer 1-on-1 sessions with one of our certified trainers? No problem. Call our Training Center at 512-335-7100 to find out more about private lessons.
Revenues from our training classes help fund our outreach programs in the community. Thank you for training with Austin Dog Alliance!
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Pet Therapy Update |
 Austin Dog Alliance conducted Delta Society Pet Partner evaluations on January 29th. Congratulations to all newly qualified and renewing Pet Partner teams! Austin Dog Alliance Pet Therapy teams volunteer in schools, libraries, nursing homes, hospitals, retirement communities, rehabilitation centers, hospice sites, and represent the Austin Dog Alliance Pet Therapy program at special events throughout the community. We continue to receive requests throughout the Austin area for our pet therapy teams. If you and your dog are interested in volunteering in pet therapy, learn more about the world of pet therapy on our pet therapy section of our website. We are offering a Pet Therapy seminar on Saturday, February 5 at 1:30. Registration is still open.
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Time to "brush up" on your pet's dental care
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February is National Pet Dental Health Month!
The American Veterinary Medical Association(AVMA) reports that periodontal disease is the most commonly diagnosed problem in dogs and cats. Check your pet's breath -- bad breath is often the first sign of a problem. Dental disease can lead to painful infections of the mouth; in severe cases, bacteria from infected gums can spread to the bloodstream and result in life-threatening conditions. A Purdue University study of over 100,000 dogs showed a statistical link between dogs with gum disease and dogs with heart disease.
Hom e care and regular visits to the veterinarian are key for prevention of periodontal disease. Most veterinarians recommend that pet owners brush their pet's teeth regularly. The reality, however, is that the vast majority of us aren't successful at this daunting task.
Fortunately, there are products available to assist us in keeping our pet's teeth and gums in healthy condition. These include dental rinses/sprays, dental wipes, and chews/treats designed for canine dental care, in addition to pet toothpastes and toothbrushes.
 The AVMA has produced a short video for pet owners on the basics of pet dental care.
Additionally, in recognition of Pet Dental Health Month, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has created some tips to keep our pet's pearly whites in good shape with the 10 Steps To Your Dog's Dental Health.
 The American Veterinary Medical Association reminds us that National Pet Dental Health Month is February, but dental health should be a regular ritual for all pet owners.
For specific recommendations for your pet, and for regular check-ups, visit your veterinarian. Your pet's health depends on it!
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Looking ahead ....March, 2011
|  Bow Wow Reading Dogs from Austin Dog Alliance will be in attendance at the Lakeline Mall Book Blast on Saturday, March 5, 2011, from Noon - 2:00pm.
Book Blast is sponsored by the Simon Mall Kidgits Club. Stay tuned for more details, or visit the Simon Mall Kidgits website.
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Austin Dog Alliance is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, with the mission of improving the health and well being of individuals and families through programs incorporating the powerful connection between dogs and humans.
To achieve our mission we
- Provide professional and positive dog training classes
- Find dogs for families
- Provide programs for children and their families who are affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Promote the valuable role of pet therapy in our community
- Implement animal assisted programs in nursing homes, hospitals and rehabilitation centers
- Enhance student reading skills by utilizing Bow Wow Reading Dog pet therapy teams at schools and libraries
- Provide a variety of fun and educational programs designed to build self esteem and teach children to love and respect dogs
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 .
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| Contact Us | Board of Directors
Executive Director
Romp N Run Ranch
Leadership Team
Adoption Program Managers
Pet Therapy Volunteer Coordinator
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