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February 2013        
Letter From the Executive Director 
Greetings from the desk of your General Contractor, I mean Executive Director,

We are about 21 days from our projected completion day.  Can I guarantee you 100% that we will get our Certificate of Occupancy on that day?  No way.  I've learned that in construction, the only guarantee is that each day will bring new challenges and that no matter how many times you review the schedule and the budget, it will change within the next 24 hours.     

Before we started building, we tried to hire a general contractor.  The bids we received were between 10 and 20 thousand dollars a month and the companies were really not to keen on our model of using primarily donated services.  I don't blame them, it is/was a rather risky profile.  We faced a decision, give up the land and the dream of building our special-needs friendly facility or build it ourselves.  Since giving up has never been an option for me, a team was created to help me serve as general contractor.  The team consists of Jan Byrum, Jason Andrus, Javier Ponce, Kurt Cleveland, Tom Byrum and Kory Lyons.  My gratitude towards these folks is beyond words.  
 
I suspect many of you are thinking, " she's crazy".  Crazy, stubborn, delusional. Believe me, I've had the same thoughts the last few months. 
blade
 
It's been quite the journey.  I've discovered that I really, really like big machines.  I love watching them change the landscape in a matter of minutes.  Watching three story high trees come down is amazing.  Watching a trencher with a 6 foot diameter blade make a three foot trench is cool.  Watching the blades grade to within a fraction of an inch accuracy over large areas of land is fascinating.
 
I've learned that in construction, you can plan and draw and get approvals and when you are actually in the field, things just don't go quite as planned.  We spent months and months getting our site plan approved. When we actually built the driveway and addition, we ended up with the corner of our building overhanging the curb and a 12 inch discrepancy between the driveway and the base of the foundation.  Not exactly what was drawn on paper.  We suspect that an elevation measurement for the existing house was done incorrectly, and thus every other aspect is incorrect.  Oops.  
 
framed roof We spent three months remodeling the existing house.  It's done.  Walls are painted, flooring installed, done.  It's ready for the kiddos.   This week we invited the Fire Marshall for a preliminary walk through (a big courtesy on their part, since I gather that it's not normally done).  Good thing we had a preliminary walk though.  Turns out the planning and fire departments thought that our nursery was for puppies, not humans.  Bottom line is that we now need to install another ADA compliant exit door.  An estimated $5K oops that is going to create a huge mess in a area of the house that had already been completed.  (I now understand why the stereotypical construction worker is associated with colorful language. )
 
We have broken the water main 4 times, had our foundation plumbing installed backwards, had a plumber re-route a water line, but forget to connect it back to the main house line, removed wall board and discovered extensive rot, figured out that a window leak was actually due to a large portion of the roof deck being rotted out, on and on it goes.  Everyday there are decisions to make.  My favorite was when I was ordering the mud (concrete) and the dispatch operated asked me what 'slump' I wanted.  The guys had coached me on all the other aspects of ordering the concrete, but no one had ever mentioned slump.  ( I now know that it has to do with how liquid the concrete is when it comes out of the chute.)  That day, I seriously thought "what the heck have I gotten myself into."
 
But there have also been parts of the journey that are almost spiritual in nature.  My construction team has my back.  Sometimes I just don't know how to handle something.  I pick up the phone and one of the team jumps in to help me.  Trades apparently don't often collaborate in their work.  Well, since I don't know everything, they have had to collaborate.  Not sure they always enjoy that, but it's working and no one has gotten into a fight or pulled a knife on anyone yet.  (Although I did have a contractor hint that if something fell off the roof and hit the other trade he couldn't be responsible.)  The other really amazing part has been the generosity of so many.  O'Connell Robertson, Big Red Dog Engineering, Trade Masters Group, A&S Construction, Joe Bland Construction and many others.  They have given so much and have brought in other companies to also donate.  I feel that everyone involved in this project, those that have donated and those we paid, have gone above and beyond in working to make the project complete on-time and with a quality that will serve us well for generations.  
 
So, we are very close to completion.  If we don't run into to many more oops situations, we should be moved on or about March 1. We have used every penny that has been donated and I am doing my best to have faith that more donations will come in so that we can purchase furniture, window blinds, agility equipment and some of the end of project requirements that at this point are not funded.   
 
Come join us at our Grand Opening Gala on March 23.  The event will be at our new home and will include food, drink, live music, a magician, silent auction and a slide show that will show photos of our property from day one through to completion.  It's an adults only, hire a sitter and get dressed up cocktail party.  Tickets available online.  
 
Very sincerely, your little bit crazy executive director who is 30 days or less from having a CO (Certificate of Occupancy) and having her dream come true.  
 
Debi Krakar

ps.  Kuddos to Michele Munson, Carol Nemir, Julie Righeimer, Carlos Ureta and Nancy McIntire for creating our new "look" on the website, brochures and newsletter.   We think it better reflects our new home in a country setting.  Hope you like it.  
Grand Opening Gala - March 23
Get your tickets now!



Buy Tickets Online HERE!

 
Love Story - A Special Team with a Special Bond
Pet Therapy volunteers Cyndi Lessard and Logan


Cyndi and LoganFinding "The One"

 

Cyndi Lessard and her husband, Trey, were intent on adopting a Great Dane puppy when they contacted Paws of Austin Great Dane Rescue in 2009.  But plans can change in a heartbeat:  Meeting four year-old Logan, they felt an immediate connection.  Logan's life had been spent almost entirely outdoors and he'd received no training, but he was "the one".  Cyndi remembers "When we picked him up, he jumped into the back seat of the car, tucked his head behind my back and sighed deeply, like he was home. I felt the same way".  

 

Around the time Logan joined the Lessard family, Trey's grandmother, Maydelle was losing her three-year battle with cancer.  Visiting her in nursing and hospice care,  Cyndi recalls "I was struck by how lonely the people seemed and thought how nice a visit from a dog might be, to break the monotony of eat, sleep, bathe, watch TV, repeat.  I'd always wanted to volunteer in pet therapy, but never had a dog with the temperament for it".   

 

From Rescue to Therapy Dog

 

Enter Logan.  The dog with the soulful eyes who'd never been in training loved people and clearly had a calling for a higher purpose.  Cyndi and Logan progressed through manners class, pet therapy training, and successfully passed the Delta/Pet Partners evaluation just a few days after Maydelle went into hospice care for the last time.  In Maydelle's final days, they were able to visit her as a team.  

 

Therapy dog and kids  

"Becoming a Volunteer Changed My Life"

 

Fast forward to today - Cyndi and Logan share an unbreakable bond and recently celebrated their two-year anniversary as a therapy team.  Cyndi says "Becoming a volunteer changed my life.  It helped me heal from losing a cherished family member, plus I get to witness the change in others' lives as they are touched by pet therapy.  In Austin Dog Alliance I've found a group of friends as passionate as I am about dogs, training, and reaching out to the community".   

 

A Tiny Patient and a Special Request

 

Logan's work is a testament to the healing power of dogs.  While volunteering at a Seton Cares event, one tiny patient became particularly entranced with his gentle spirit.  The little girl was about to undergo surgery that would confine her to a bed and wheelchair for several months.  Just before entering the operating room, she tucked Logan's "business card" into her mother's pocket, asking for a special visit.  Cyndi and Logan visited her at home after surgery, where Logan spent the afternoon on her bed as she happily stroked him and talked about gymnastics. At one point the mother noticed her daughter was hours overdue for pain medication and was amazed when the girl replied "I feel fine Mom, no pain right now at all".  

 

Whether they are visiting schools, hospitals, nursing homes, or rehab centers, the bond that Cyndi and Logan share is unmistakable.  We're so proud to have them on our team!  Thanks Cyndi, for sharing your special "heart dog" with others in our community.

 

 

 

Paw Print Brown on Tan 2013  
Your tax-deductible donations help fund our pet therapy programs in schools, libraries, nursing homes, rehab centers, hospitals, and many more facilities.  Thank you for your support!  Help us continue to serve our community by donating here.
 
New Volunteer Orientation - February

The Alliance volunteer team has  Volunteers over 400 members - we want YOU to join us in 2013!  
 
Attend a short information session to learn about our programs and find a match for your interests and skills.  

Join us this Saturday, February 9, 2:00-3:30pm.

Learn more and sign up to attend on our Volunteer page.
New!  
Bow Wow Workouts 
by Michelle Munson, Training Director

How are those New Year's Resolutions?

 

You know the ones, "This year I'm going to spend more time with my dog" or "This year I'm going to be more active".  We have a great way for you to do BOTH:  Our NEW Bow Wow Workout program!  No need to feel guilty about leaving your dog at home while you go to the gym. Now you can work out together!

 

Fitness clip art Join us for an exciting weekly workout for you and your dog. Burn calories, reinforce training, and enhance the human-canine bond.    

 

The benefits of aerobic exercise and resistance training are well known, for both humans and our canine companions.  According to Dr. Susan Nelson, veterinarian and assistant professor of sciences at Kansas State University, "Dogs, like people, reap many benefits from exercise.... there are physical and mental health advantages for the dog owner and the dog when they exercise together."

 

Bow Wow Workout is a fun, motivating, self-paced interval training program for people and dogs of all fitness (and obedience) levels. Interval training alternates between cardio-respiratory and strength training exercises, to maximize fat burning and increase muscular endurance. We offer modifications so even first-time fitness enthusiasts can participate. We'll warm you up, work you out, then stretch you out, so you leave feeling invigorated, healthier and closer to your dog.     

 

Instructor TJ Janus is a trainer at Trainer TJ Janus and dogsAustin Dog Alliance and a member of the APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers). He's been a fitness instructor for over 15 years and is currently employed at an Austin fitness center where he teaches boot camps, cycling, core and strength classes.

 

Classes begin Monday March 4 with a free orientation and will meet regularly on Monday evenings 5:30-6:30pm.  Pricing:  $60 for four workouts (sold as a coupon book, valid for 90 days).  

 

Read more about Bow Wow Workouts and more on our Classes and Camps page. 

 

 

New!  Spring Break K9 Kids Camps
1/2-day camps for typically developing children

Kid Camper and Dog
NEW for Spring Break - K9 Kids Camps!  Be among the first campers to enjoy the new Austin Dog Alliance Ranch in Cedar Park.  We'll have two types of camps March 11-14.
 
- All About Dogs! (ages 7-9) 1/2 day morning camp.  Kids work with our therapy dogs and learn all about dog behavior and dog training.  
 

- Bring Your Dog to Camp (or work with one of our therapy dogs) (ages 10-14) 1/2 day morning camp.  Learn about dog care, grooming, behavior, and train your own dog or one of our Alliance dogs.

 

Camp fees include T-shirt, snacks, and craft projects.

 

Note:  Our Spring Break camps are for typically developing children.  We are not yet staffed to accommodate children on the autism spectrum in these camps.  

 

Get all the details and complete an online enrollment on our Spring Break Camp page!

"Ask Austin" - Training Tip!
Creating a successful "sit"

Gread Dane Face, Austin Dear Austin:
I'm in Manners 1 class. We covered "sit" the other day, and my dog was nailing it every time. Yesterday we went to the park, and when I told her to sit, she looked at me like I asked her to balance a quadratic equation! What's the deal?!

 

Dear Sitless in Cedar Park: What you're describing is very common. The issue is, we dogs don't generalize very well. When you taught your dog to sit at the training center it was under a specific set of circumstances, in a particular environment. When you told her to "sit" at the park, the only commonality was the word. The park has sights, scents and distractions that weren't there when you practiced before.

 

Don't panic, "Sit" happens! You need to practice the skill in a variety of settings, minimizing distractions at first. Also try practicing while you are seated, standing, and even lying down. When she responds consistently, in a variety of settings, you have "proofed" the skill and she'll be successful at it anywhere. Try a Manners 2 class to proof those skills!

 

Need training answers?  Keep those questions coming to [email protected]

 

Pet Therapy News
Join us in 2013!

Therapy Dog mini-goldendoodle Therapy Dog Aussie
We're growing in 2013!

Animal-assisted therapy has been in the news lately.  If your pet has a gentle and friendly temperament and the ability to develop solid manners skills, you might have the perfect four-legged companion to volunteer in pet therapy and work with the public in a wide variety of settings.
 
Interested?  You'll find all the details here: Pet Therapy.
 


Chili's "Give Back" night for the Alliance
March 4
Chili's Restaurant Logo
Chili's Restaurant is proud to support Austin Dog Alliance!

Mark your calendar for Monday March 4.

Eat at Chili's Lakeline (11012 Pecan Park Blvd., Cedar Park location) between 11am-11pm on March 4, present this FLYER, and Chili's will donate 15% of the sales to Austin Dog Alliance!




In This Issue
Grand Opening Gala March 23 - Tickets Now Available!
Love Story - Volunteer Cyndi Lessard and her therapy dog, Logan
Volunteer Orientation
Bow Wow Workouts Start in February!
New! Spring Break K9 Kids Camps
Training Tip - "Ask Austin"
Pet Therapy
Pet Therapy
Quick Links
 




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Austin Dog Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
 
Our mission:  To improve the health and well-being of individuals and families through programs incorporating the powerful connection between humans and dogs.

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