Phoenix Dog Magazine September 2018

Volume III Issue 3

DEDICATED TO PROMOTING THE HUMAN ANIMAL BOND September / October 2018

Main Story: Humane Animal Rescue and Trapping Team

The NAGI Foundation MCSO Tough Dog Tarzan Mogollon Rim Fall Color Hikes

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The Phoenix Dog

September/October 2018

www.phoenixdog.net

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Publisher and Red Dog Mascot The PDM team looks forward to seeing you soon as the Fall event season ramps up!

normalInlife. our Dogs4Vets program the Our Dogs4Vets Veteran’s ownprogram dog can involves be trained training Veteran's own dog tocases. become to bethe a service dog, in most We advocate dogs does a certified Service using Dog. Ifrescue the Veteran if one needed.the use of not have a dog, we isadvocate rescue dogs.

Lifetime support and service dog We offer LIFETIME support and1000 service training is provided for about dog training for approximately 100 Arizona AZ veterans each year-at no cost Veterans eachtoyear-at no cost to the the Veteran.

Veteran.

Help usus help a Veteran get his/her life back.

Help help a Veteran get his/her life DONATE NOW! back. Donate now! Section 501(c) (3), AZ AZ Tax Credit available.

TaxSections501©3, Credit available.

Make a donation, or let us help you or someone you love

American Service Animal Society www.dogs4vets.org 480.802.9339

Welcome new Advertisers!!!

American Cancer Venture• Dog Food bySociety Earthborn Holistic • Arizona Animal Rescue Mission Arizona Animal Rescue Mission • Contact Zonies Agility Best Friends Animal Sanctuary • Day of the Dog Scottsdale Fieldworks AZ • Dogs Etc Caldera Pet Therapy • Dogtoberfest-Prescott City of• Chandler Parks and Recreation Jules Gissler Artologist • Local AZ Reichstein Realtors Marcie andFirstRob • Nature’s Way Botanicals Phoenix Flower Shops • Shemer Art Center- Furry Friends Art Festival That Crazy Dog Lady Pet Grooming • Woofstock City of Chandler Zona’s Essential Oils Pawsitively Pampered Pet Resort Keep an eye out for Max as you read, you’ll find him in

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Phoenix Dog Magazine is proud member of: The aPhoenix Dog Magazine is a proud member of:

Thousands of Arizona veterans return Thousands of Arizona veterans arefrom duty with disabilities and need help disabled after returning from duty. These back to normalback life. to veteransadjusting need help adjusting

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Beagle, found a large 7” toad on the patio. Being the hunter that his is, he Since thetoValley is generally too hot hike with dogs, youthe might attempted grab it.

I rinsed hisstillmouth out to after wrestling him off toad.try Thank goodness, Chance fine. later heThe caught another an escape to the Rim towas check outTwo the nights Fall colors!

Hiking story huge has a one (maybeofthe same one?) brought it INTO THE HOUSE!! Now I feel selection hikes to suit all and levels. sorry for the toad! The toad was escorted out and hopped off; Chance, again, had his mouth rinsed and showed no ill effects. That is luck, and one PDM is excited to share our new subscription program. You can have tough little dog!

PDM delivered to your home and not miss a single issue! Visit us at www.phoenixdog.net Facebook pagetrips to get started!

Roxie says she’s excitedorforour Fall!

More road and visiting friends, and fewer hot cars. Cars can still get really hot for the next few months though, soRoxie she reminds us tomascot not leave the car. Remember the with, Hot Car is the PDM andour mydogs take in everywhere, do anything dog. bill that justbrother, went into effect!

Her new Beauregard, at two years is a rescue, and in basic training.

That fact and the new Fake Service Dog law You may notice the change of our Phoenix Dog logo on the cover, and the that took in August, sparked the idea sections. to addition of effect our Cool Products and Showcase Please let us know if do like a Social you them!Dog Challenge. The AKC Canine Good Citizen and Urban Good Citizen set Allourofbenchmark, us at PDM value and trainers are and experienced appreciate available toour help advertisers if needed. Inand November, at sponsors, who help make it Challenge the Arizona Fall Festival, dogs in the possible to create this magazine. can be testedisand certified

by AKC Their support support of our pet evaluators.

If you would like your dog to become community, and their ads make us a service theseLetarethem the basic to get there. A alldog, smile! know steps you saw them in the PHOENIX group of skilled serviceDOG! dog trainers are also involved, and with a physician’s prescription Enjoy Fall and wags all,you train your for athe service dog,tail they can to help dog to that standard. Details will be on our Cathy and Roxie website soon!

AMERICAN

VETERANS TO LEAD FULLER LIVES WITH THE AID OF SERVICE DOGS

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Fallwelcome is here, welcome the arms, almostthe cooler Pooltotemps are better, We Fall with to open dogsweather! are excited play outside andas ourcold cover knows.

Taco the German Shepherd, graces our first donation the tapdog water is cool! cover. PDM donated this cover to PAC911 to be auctioned off at their MCACC rejoins usevent. as theThe cover issue, as they wereher originally in 2017 Glimmer highstory bid this winner chose to have foster dog September 2016.AsWhat a difference year makes! We are excited to share on the cover. the magic of the apet community unfolded, we found out some of the major changes MCACC has enacted in the past 12 months. The that foster dog Taco has come through the HARTT system - already set to be playing cover dogs tell much of the story! our cover story! While he was a stray, Taco would go to the drive-through window, put his front paws on itthe counter andand beghonor for food. were Our pet community is wonderful, is such a thrill to see Tacos the stories his favorite, the name. the animals time of printing, Taco was come togetherhence each issue.

DogsAtand are so entwined in available our culture,for and touch our lives in unexpected ways. We get to bring you some amazing adoption through Lucky Dog Rescue. stories that will touch your heart. Did you know the County Attorney’s office employs three full highlights time dogsaand handlers to adventurous help victims volunteer get through theirof Our cover story dedicated and system court experience? groups and individuals who go to “work” after hours, late nights, and crack of dawn mornings. animals willcool encounter theseThe humane The new event seasonStray comes with the weather!

Event trappers, Calendarwho is very likely are influenced by, trained by, or belong to the HARTT volunteer filled with fun, dog-related activities. There is something for everyone, from adoptions to golf Masquerades!

Our Facebook Events calendar has group. They fill to anMutt important niche in the Valley’s pet community. these and even more ways to enjoy the canine community. We’ll be at many ofOur them, to Dog, see you there!and his owner made the news as we prepared K9hope Tough Tarzan, his PDM story. Tarzan was attacked by a dog while he worked and was Sonoran Desert Toads, aka Colorado River Toads, are the topic of our Health rushedthis in issue. to his vet to be sewn up. the Thankfully, recovering article Luckily, I’d read story justTarzan beforeisChance, mywell! turbo

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The Leader of the Pack howls!

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unlikely places! Kids 12 and under can send us a note of Keep you an eye Maxwith as your you read, find phone him in where find out himfor along name,you’ll age and unlikely places!

Kids 12 and under canissue, sendthe us winner’s a note of number.

We will choose one name each wherewill youbefind him in along with yourMax name, age of and name posted the Where’s section thephone next number.Dog! We will name each that issue, thedog winner’s Phoenix The choose winner one will get a prize your will love! name will be posted in the Where’s Max section of the next Phoenix Dog! The winner will get a prize that your dog will Send love! entries to: The Phoenix Dog, Attn: Where’s Max? 515 E. Carefree Hwy, #910, Phoenix, AZ 85085.

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The Phoenix Dog

September/October 2018

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The Phoenix Dog

September/October 2017

Send entries to: The Phoenix Dog, Attn: Where’s Max? 515 E. Carefree Hwy, #910, Phoenix, AZ 85085.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Regular Features:

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The Leader of the Pack Howls Pets and Their Celebrity Owners: Ilana Lowery Dogs Helping People: HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Reponse Dog Adoptions Volunteer Tales: Could I Be a Foster?

Health: Essential Oil Safety and Pets Trainer Tips: Teaching Recall Business Spotlight: Mark Field, Barrett Financial Group Kids & Dogs: The NAGI Foundation Take a Hike!: Mogollon Rim Fall Color Hikes Adoptable Hiking Dogs Kitty Korner: All Souls Day Kittens Cat Adoptions Horsin’ Around: Robinson Ranch Equine Therapy in Urban Phoenix Dogs in Blue: MCSO Tough Dog Tarzan Sports: Dog Agility 101 Rescue News: Luv of Dogs Critter Corner: The Rio Salado Audubon Center Celebration of Life: Ando, My Number One Hauspanther

Special Features:

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MAIN STORY:

Humane Animal Rescue and Trapping Team

Take a Hike!: Mogollon Rim Fall Color Hikes

28 Dogs in Blue: MCSO Tough Dog Tarzan

Family Promise-Help for Homeless Families with Pets

Important Information 6 Calendar of Events 10 Cool Products 25 Dog Park Listings 26 Market Place 35 Pet Emergency Resource Information 36 Animal Rescue & Adoption Groups 37 Pet Directory: Pet Related Services 39 Advertisers Index

On our cover:

Cover dog Taco was a stray, caught by HARTT, and now available for adoption at Lucky Dog Rescue!

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20 Humane Animal Rescue and

Trapping Team

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Main Story

Kids & Dogs: The NAGI Foundation

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www.phoenixdog.net

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CALENDAR The PDM Facebook Events Page has the expanded social calendar!

Ongoing Adoptions

Arizona Small Dog Rescue Every Sat, 10:30am-3:30pm PetCo at Tatum & Bell Rd 602-944-2440 azsmalldog.org AZ Dog Adoptions Every Sat, 12–4pm Choice Pet Market Paradise Valley 10810 N Tatum Blvd Scottsdale 602-652-9000 azdogadoption.com Aussie Lethal White Rescue Every 2nd & 3rd Sat, 9-2pm Momma’s Organic market 9744 W Northern Peoria 602-703-7154 amazingaussies.org Aussie Lethal White Rescue Every 1st Sat, 10-2pm Pet Club Gilbert 2530 S Val Vista Dr Gilbert 480-507-9000 amazingaussies.org Aussie Lethal White Rescue Every Sat (Dogs), 1-5pm Every Sun (Cats), 11-3pm Pet Club W Gilbert 835 W Warner Rd Ste 111 Gilbert 480-507-9000 amazingaussies.org Aussie Lethal White Rescue Every 4th Sat, 10-2pm Pet Club Glendale 17204 N 67 Ave 623-979-8100 amazingaussies.org Aussie Lethal White Rescue Every 2nd & 3rd Sat Pet Club Phoenix 4001 E Thomas Rd Phoenix 602-957-2906 amazingaussies.org 6

AZ Happy Trails Every Sat, 10-2pm Pet Club Dobson 2000 W Ray Rd Chandler 480-426-7590 happytailsaz.org

Paw Town Angels Every Sun, 10-3pm Choice Pet Market Biltmore 4719 N 20th St Phoenix 623-937-4444 pawtownangels.org

AZ Animal Rescue Mission Mutt Masquerade Sat Sep 22, 5pm Mesa Country Club 660 W Fairway Dr Mesa Tickets: azanimalrescue.org

AZ Happy Tails Every Sat, 10-2pm Pet Club Tempe 6350 S McClintock Dr Ste 101 Tempe 480-775-2868 happytailsaz.org

America’s Freedom Paws Every Sat 10am-1pm PetSmart 9960 N 91st Ave Peoria 623-486-8700 americasfreedompaws.com

#LovePup Family Fest Fri Sept 28, 5-9 pm Vertuccio Farms 4011 S Power Rd Mesa

AZK9 Adoptions Every Sun, 12–3pm Choice Pet Market Glendale 20028 N 67th Ave Glendale 623-937-4444 azk9.org

Pathways Home Rescue Every Sun, 11-2pm Pet Club Scottsdale 93rd St & Shea Blvd Scottsdale 480-473-0207

Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary Every 3rd Thurs Pet Club Cave Creek 4725 E Carefree Hwy Cave Creek 480-437-9144 foreverlovedpets.org Greyhound Pets of AZ Every 2nd Sat, 10-12pm Pet Food Depot 17645 N Cave Creek Rd Phoenix 602-493-7639 gpa-az.com Maynm Animal Rescue Every other Sun Pet Club Ahwatukee 4206 E Chandler Blvd Phoenix 480-706-0100 One Dog Arizona Rescue Every other Sun, 11am-4pm Choice Pet Market Chandler 2915 W Ray Rd Chandler 480-821-450 onedogarizona.rescueme.org

The Phoenix Dog

The Pet Knot Every Sat, 10-3pm Pet Club Paradise Valley 13637 N Tatum Blvd thepetknot.com

Adoption Events Arizona Animal Welfare AHS Dog Adoption Event @ AZ Diamondbacks Sun Sept 9

Diamondbacks Dog Days Of Summer at Chase Field Sun Sept 9, 6:30pm 401 E Jefferson St Phoenix https://aawl.org/

Social/Fun Events/Raffles

Furry Friends Fine Arts Festival Sept 15, 8-2pm Shemer Art Center 5005 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix Tickets: shermerartcenter.org

September/October 2018

Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary Brunch, Brews + Bow-wows Sat Sep 29, 9-1pm OHSO Brewery 10810 N Tatum Blvd Ste 126 Phoenix www.foreverlovedpets.org

Sports

Lost Paws Sterilization, Education, and Rescue Organization and AZK9 6th Annual Running for the Bulls Sun, Oct 7, 8-11am Rio Vista Park 8866 W Thunderbird Rd Peoria azk9.org CynoSport World Games-Agility Oct 31-Nov 4 Westworld of Scottsdale cynosport.com

Health/Medical/ Workshops

Barktoberfest!

Oct 13, 8:30-1:30pm Gilbert Town Hall 50 E Civic Center Dr Gilbert

AHS Sunnyslope Campus Puppy Party Every Sun until Jul 1 11-11:45am 1311 W Hatcher Rd Phoenix azhumane.org/foster

Strut Your Mutt Oct 20, 8-12pm Cesar Chavez Park 7858 S 35th Ave Laveen support.bestfriends.org

AHS Bottle Baby Training Workshop Sunnyslope Campus 1311 W Hatcher Rd Phoenix azhumane.org/foster

Whiskers & Wine-Foothill Animal Rescue Weds Oct 24, 6-8:30pm Windgate Ranch Community Center 10095 E Windgate Ranch Rd Scottsdale Tickets: foothillsanimal.org/ whiskers-wine

Low Cost Vet Clinic Scottsdale Pet Food Depot Every Thu, 1-5pm 6989 North Hayden A-1 Scottsdale 480-607-5228

MWU College of Veterinary Medicine Open House Sat Oct 27, 9-2pm 5715 E Utopia Dr Glendale Midwestern.edu/vetopenhouse

Low Cost Vet Clinic Phoenix Pet Food Depot Every Sat, 2-5pm 17645 N Cave Creek Rd Phoenix 602-493-7639 AAWL & SPCA Vaccine Clinics Third Sat of each month 25 N 40th St Phoenix 602-273-6852 aawl.org

THE PHOENIX DOG

515 E. Carefree Hwy #910, Phoenix, AZ 85085

Save the Date

Walk to Save the Animals Sat Nov 3, 8-12pm Tempe Beach Park Tickets: support.aawl.org/event

Wag & Tag Pet Expo Sat, Nov 17 10 -1pm Goodyear Community Park 3151 N Litchfield Rd Goodyear

Arizona Fall Festival Sat Nov 3, 10-4pm Hance Park, Phoenix

PACC911 & PetSmart Sat Nov 17, 10-3pm 10030 N 90th St Scottsdale

PACC911 & All Saints’ Episcopal Church Sat Nov 3, 10–3pm 6300 N Central Ave Phoenix

Dog Days in the Garden-AHS Desert Botanical Garden Sat, Nov 17

Tolleson Community Pet Expo Sat Nov 3, 10-1pm Tolleson Veteran’s Park 8601 W Van Buren St Tolleson tollesonaz.org SNIFF 2018 Nov 8, 6 - 8pm Gainey Ranch Golf Club 7600 Gainey Ranch Dr Scottsdale Tickets: aesaz.co

Day of the Dog Sat/Sun, Nov 17-18 Old Town Scottsdale petapaloozawest.com/scottsdale Woofstock Chandler Sat, Nov 17 Chandler PACC911 & Pet Club (Ahwatukee) Sat, Dec 1, 10-3pm 4206 E Chandler Blvd #100 Phoenix Duffieland Doggie Days Sat, Dec 8, 10-2pm 1460 N Del Webb BlvdSun City 928- 221-6052

Cathy Davila - Publisher/Editor editor@phoenixdog.net Cell (602) 418.8939 Alice Cohen-Ruffell - Editor Norman Ruffell - Color Master

Writers Mare Cznar Kate Benjamin Bridget Grobosky Rocio Hernandez Serena O’Sullivan Steve Pawlowski Brittany Pomales Russell Tennyson Anne Thomas Barbara Wood

Guest Writers Myra Markley Christa Sorenson Beth Poppre Sue Whitehouse

Photography/Artwork Cover: Flash and Hound Photography Diana Gigerich - Leader of the Pack Sean Hoy - Illustrations We want your stories and suggestions!

Send them to editor@phoenixdog.net Phoenix Dog reserves the right to editorial control of all articles, stories and Letters to the Editor. Phoenix Dog assumes no responsibility for errors within its publication. Views herein do not necessarily represent the policies of The Phoenix Dog and should not be construed as endorsements.

Phoenix Dog was established in March 2016 and is a nonpartisan publication that is published bi-monthly by Cathy Davila, Publisher.

Entire contents copyright by Phoenix Dog. Layout, Design, Graphics by EMI Printworks, Prescott, AZ. Social Media Managed by DW 360.

Reach more pet parents! Advertise with us and support the Paws Cause.

Contact advertise@phoenixdog.net Get social with PDM! phoenixdogmagazine @phxdogmag #phxdogmag www.phoenixdog.net

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The Phoenix Dog

September/October 2018

PETS AND THEIR CELEBRITY OWNERS Journalist, Editor, Pet Lover

By Steve Pawlowski Photos Ilana Lowery

Ilana Lowery grew up in a family that would never turn their backs on a homeless animal. She thinks it probably started with her grandfather. At 13, she followed in his footsteps by rescuing her first dog, an adorable mutt she named Chrissy.

The youngest of four children, Ilana graduated from the University of Illinois, Chicago, with bachelor’s degrees in mass communications and English. Before moving to the Valley in 1989, she served as a reporter and editor for Pulitzer Newspapers in Chicago and was a production assistant for the local NBC television affiliate.

She joined the Phoenix Business Journal in 1995 as a reporter, covering banking, tourism and aviation. Ilana moved up the ranks to managing editor in 1999 and Ilana and Harley then editor in 2001. She was named editor-in-chief in 2012. Under her leadership, the Phoenix Business Journal newsroom won numerous local and national awards.

She’s received many individual awards as well, including the Silver Circle Award from the Society of Professional Journalists, a World Award from the Girl Scouts Cactus-Pine Council, and she was a finalist for the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Athena Award.

After more than 23 years with the Phoenix Business Journal, Ilana stepped down as editor-in-chief in June. She is currently Executive Editor of Business Real Estate Weekly Arizona. She also continues to teach as an adjunct professor at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.

“The students bring so much energy, and I really enjoy giving back to a profession that gave me so much,” Ilana told PDM. Her local animal welfare efforts began shortly after moving to the Valley when she found a litter of six kittens abandoned by their mother outside Ilana’s apartment building.

Not being familiar with cats, she did her research and learned how to care for them – including bottle feeding!

She kept one kitten and named her Lexus, after the car her dad always wanted.

Porsche

Not long after, she went to a shelter with a friend who wanted to adopt a dog. Instead, Ilana came home with another cat. This one she named Porsche. The pair of Tuxedos were like Laurel and Hardy - one short and chubby, the other long and lean.

When Ilana got together with her husband, Chris, a handsome Lab named Zeke came along as part of the package. It took the couple time to get over Zeke’s passing, but destiny led Ilana and Chris to a breeder with Red Lab puppies ready for their new homes.

When they met the only boy in the litter, it was love at first sight. In keeping with the automotive theme, he joined their family as Harley. “He’s pure love.”

Ilana’s giving back philosophy is reflected in her passion for Gabriel’s Angels, a nonprofit that Zeke provides pet therapy for at-risk youth in Arizona.

She heard founder and CEO, Pam Gaber speak at an event and instantly wanted to become a pet therapy team with Harley.

Her busy schedule wouldn’t allow her to make that commitment, but Ilana was still able to give back and contribute by joining the board, where she has served for seven years.

Gabriel’s Angels is the only program in Arizona that inspires confidence, compassion Chris with Harley and best behaviors in at-risk children through pet therapy. The organization was formed in 2000, out of a desperate need in the community to intervene in the lives of at-risk children.

Their pet therapy services are designed to instill an emotional sense of wellbeing, safety and happiness in children. The ultimate goal is to help them learn critical core social skills necessary for a brighter, more productive future.

Gabriel’s Angels currently provides no-cost pet therapy services to 122 partner agencies and serves over 14,800 children each year with 185 registered pet therapy teams! Those teams visit crisis nurseries, domestic violence and homeless shelters, group homes, and at-risk children in after school programs and self-contained classrooms.

Harley helping with laundry Ilana spoke from the heart when she told PDM, “When you see what can be accomplished by simply showing up with an animal, you just want to be a part of it!”

Lexus

For more information on Gabriel’s Angels, please visit: www.gabrielsangels.org www.phoenixdog.net

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Cool Products Grinz ball by Rogz

These funny balls were tested by the Rotten Rottie Rescue, and the dogs love them! They bounce well, so are fun to bat around. The PDM test crew had fun too, especially when trying to get treats out of the center! Durability is good, even with Rottie jaws! Available at many local retailers.

This unique dental chew toy has become a favorite. The dogs chew on it, play tug with it, and throw it around, and it still stays intact. They try to chew through it but can’t. In the meantime, their gums look great and teeth are cleaner. Available at dentapup.com and will be in retail stores soon.

The Phoenix Dog

Blue Dog Bakery has a new line of protein packed meat snacks, and our test pack was immediately hooked!

They devoured each piece of the beef sticks and chicken stick treats. No corn, wheat or soy used, the natural treats allow pet owners to feel good about giving them to their precious pups! Available at local retailers and online, Bluedogbakery.com

Hands On Gloves

DentaPup

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Blue Dog Bakery

September/October 2018

These gloves get out the loose undercoat and can cut down on the hair in your home! Our test dogs were a pair of Great Pyrenees, and while the gloves were great on the female, the thick male coat was harder to get through. We also tested a shedding cattle dog, and the gloves got out more loose hair than other tools had.

Definitely a great addition to the grooming bucket for bathing and daily grooming! Available at some retailers and handsongloves.com

Product Showcase

GENERAL AGING & WELLNESS ANXIETY & PHOBIAS JOINT & MOBILITY ISSUES PA I N & I N F L A M M AT I O N SKIN & ALLERGY

BISCUITS • CHEWS • OILS

Bassobotanicals.com or bassobotanicals@gmail.com

www.phoenixdog.net

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The Phoenix Dog

September/October 2018

DOGS HELPING PEOPLE Crisis Response: Animal-Assisted Therapy

By Brittany Pomales

Photos HOPE AACR

It’s no secret that dogs make people happier. Petting a dog releases oxytocin and reduces cortisol, a stress-inducing hormone. This reaction helps people recover faster from stress and to have a milder response to it. The idea of dogs being used in animal-assisted therapy can be traced back to World War II and Smoky, the first therapy dog.

HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response is a national organization. They utilize teams that have advanced animal-assisted training and experience to provide comfort and encouragement to support those affected by crisis or disaster.

Marla, the Arizona coordinator for HOPE AACR, describes them: “Crisis response teams are like the Navy Seals.

They are therapy dogs that work at a higher level.” Crisis therapy sessions are longer and can last from a few hours to several days. Teams assist a higher volume of Prescott Red Cross Shelter - Goodwin Fire people that feel a higher level of emotion. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s rewarding,” says Marla.

Each team consists of one handler and one dog. Teams provide companionship, comfort, socialization, mental stimulation, and appropriate physical touch to people in need. The dogs in the organization range from small to large.

In September 2001, agencies in New York City called on Cindy Ehlers and three other teams to assist for two weeks following the terrorists’ attack on the World Trade Center. They agreed that handlers would benefit from training in crisis intervention, stress management skills, and a greater awareness of their dogs’ stress signs. Their work in New York proved animal-assisted crisis response to be beneficial and it contributed to the founding of HOPE AACR in November of 2001.

HOPE AACR screens teams that Gov Doucy visits with have been working for over HOPE AACR teams a year as an animal assisted therapy team. Each crisis team must perform 12 verified visits in addition to their crisis work. Many HOPE AACR teams collaborate with other local animal-assisted organizations to complete those visits. Teams must demonstrate obedience and control, that they work well as a team, and that the handler has a good relationship with the dog.

Not all therapy teams are a good fit to be crisis teams. The handler must be empathetic, flexible, and do well under pressure; the dog should be calm and collected. After the screening there is a three-day training consisting of a series of classes in which handler and dog gain skills in disaster aid, FEMA Incident Command Protocols, and canine behavior. The teams visit TSA, fire stations and public transportation to desensitize the dogs to common sights, sounds, and smells they may encounter at a crisis scene.

HOPE AACR conducts its three-day training workshops once a year in each of its regions.

Navy Family Day - Davis Monthan AFB 2018

The organization is volunteer operated and has grown to over 300 certified crisis response teams in seven US regions and Canada. Arizona is part of the Pacific Southwest region of HOPE AACR and is home to 13 teams.

They have responded to major hurricanes, wildfires, train derailments, tornadoes, floods, mudslides, and shootings. The Arizona teams recently helped families before an Air Force National Guard deployment, as well as survivors and emergency workers at the Tinder Fire. Working with those suffering from the consequences of traumatic events can cause an emotional strain. Crisis response teams help manage stress levels and avoid compassion fatigue in first responders.

The presence of HOPE AACR teams helps decrease heart rates and encourages people to speak openly. Their services are used at schools, memorial services, fire departments, and law enforcement. When a school has a crisis, they reach out to HOPE AACR and ask for available teams.

They frequently collaborate with counselors in response to a crisis. There is no charge for HOPE AACR teams to respond.

The call for a crisis team comes without much warning. Depending on the grades of the students affected, the teams may enter the classrooms or be in a designated space that allows students to flow in and out throughout the day. They recently assisted at a school that lost a well-loved football team member. For one call, HOPE AACR sent 11 teams to assist students at a school. The teams collectively helped 500 students during the course of the day.

Although the occurrences of disasters are beyond our control, it’s comforting to know that with the assistance of HOPE AACR we can improve the emotional aftermath for victims and the crisis response teams.

For more information on HOPE AACR, becoming certified, or donations visit them on the web at www.hopeaacr.org. If you have a need for a crisis team, call them toll-free at 877-HOPE-K9S. www.phoenixdog.net

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DOGHOUSE ADOPTIONS All the Dogs on this page are available for adoption now.

All dogs can be found at Lucky Dog Rescue.

Each has been spayed/neutered and is current on all vaccinations. www.luckydogrescue.org Barnaby

Ziva

8-year-old purebred Labrador, easy going and very calm, loves everything and everyone. He came to us from a high kill shelter in Texas.

Davy

8-year-old came to us from high kill shelter in Texas. He is a beautiful purebred Chocolate Labrador. Sweet disposition, a big, tall boy; housetrained and well mannered.

1-year-old Rat Terrier mix, female, great with dogs, loves to play with toys. Housetrained.

Valor

Rat Terrier mix, Ziva’s brother, great with dogs and loves to play all day long.

Housetrained. Both dogs love to go for walks and car rides.

Jesse and Jake

9-year-old Labrador mixes, very bonded pair, have been together their whole lives. Owner moved and left them behind. Sweet, easy dogs, no major health concerns. Jesse is blind and relies on her brother but gets around well and knows how to use the doggy door.

Karlie

A very goofy, playful 7-month-old SharPei mix; very funny, loves to play with toys and collect them all in her bed; great with kids and other dogs.

Lilo and Posee

Lilo is a 3-year-old poodle mix (non-shedding) mother of little Posee, a 1.5-year-old poodle mix female. Both are super sweet and well behaved. They are both housetrained, good with other dogs and people.

Moco

5-month-old puppy, Dachshund/ Chihuahua (Chiweenie) loves other dogs, a bit shy at first but warms up quickly and loves to snuggle.

Princess

Kelsy

This extremely sweet 8-year-old Chihuahua is housetrained; loves walks and snuggles with her foster and 2 other same size dogs in her foster home.

2-year-old purebred Labrador, he came to us from Mexico. He is a very fun dog, goofy and sweet.

Loves, loves people and other dogs.

Kody

Kody is 2.5-year-old and came to us from Mexico. He is a beautiful chocolate Labrador, also a purebred. He is housetrained, loves to go for walks. He is fine with other wellbehaved dogs.

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The Phoenix Dog

September/October 2018

Pumpkin

This 4-year-old is very sweet with people but selective with dogs. She does fine with larger well-behaved males.

VOLUNTEER TAILS Could I Be a Foster?

By Cathy Davila

Photos by Christa Sorenson

“I could never Foster. I would fall in love and keep them all,” is one of the most commonly heard phrases in the rescue community, says Christa Sorenson, a 15-year veteran of dog fostering. “Ask anyone who has a rescue dog, they will tell you the dog picked them. That is what makes it easier to let them go.”

Christa describes it well, “Arizona has a pet overpopulation problem.

Being a foster parent helps you be a part of the solution. With education comes understanding. The more people that foster, the more they can educate others. This will have great long-term effects on our pet community.”

Animal fostering comes in multiple flavors to fit different lifestyles.

Taking an animal into your home opens the door for the rescue to save another life. Most shelters and rescues offer foster programs for the homeless pets in their care. Typically, the rescue pays for medical care, you supply your home, food, and routine daily care and love.

Three general types of foster opportunities offer a range of options.

Christa’s 3 fawn Boxers and Dori the foster

General Fostering: You care for the animal while it waits to be adopted. The rescue works to find the dog/cat a home, you help by learning its personality and helping to adopt it to the right home.

The rescue will advise on how to prepare your home for your foster dog. There are important items to prepare ahead of time, including planning vaccinations for existing dogs, foster sleeping arrangements, foster spay/neuter, securing the fenced yard, and an introduction plan for existing pets. Training is an important foster responsibility.

Christa tells PDM, “many have been neglected and abused by others, so we help them heal and learn to be loved.”

Christa continued, “The reality is, not every dog will fit into your household. Oftentimes a foster will upset the balance and cause problems for your existing dogs. Being a good foster parent means you meet the foster dog’s needs and help it become a better dog.

Fostering gives you the opportunity to determine which home would

be the best fit for the dog. It’s like matchmaking. Fosters give the rescue or shelter a better opportunity for the best placement.”

Medical Foster: You care for the animal while it undergoes treatments for a condition, recovers from surgery, or even gives birth. Medical expenses are typically covered by the rescue with their veterinarians.

Many medical fosters are short term, under ten days, others can be more involved.

Animal Doctors to the Rescue specializes in medical fostering, and PDM caught up with Sue Barkley helps teach foster dog Whitehouse, who takes on some Nutella door manners of the most challenging cases.

“Our biggest challenge came when my vet called and asked, “can you foster Winston.” Winston was a Great Dane, paralyzed at birth.

He was surrendered to our rescue, Animal Doctors to the Rescue, and started with a huge medical undertaking. He had to have each of his legs wrapped (like a horse’s legs). Then there was taking him to physical therapy, making him walk and do things which he had problems with.

The physical therapist asked if we had a pool. When we said no, he offered, “well, you can bring him over here.” To my great surprise, within three days my husband had called a contractor and, shortly, Mr. Winston got his own swimming pool at our house! Every morning when he stands and looks at me (we are a foster fail - we ended up adopting him), with those brown eyes, I still just melt.

Forever Fostering: Offered by some rescues, this is a from-theheart program that offers unadoptable pets a loving home to spend their days. The reasons vary: old age, long term medical needs, emotional needs, or other issues all can make a dog unadoptable.

The Arizona Beagle Rescue and senior rescue, Rusty’s Angels, offer an in-home Forever Foster program. The dog’s care and vet expenses are paid by the rescue for the remainder of the dog’s years.

If your heart wants to help these Forever dogs, but your lifestyle won’t allow it, you can still help. Rusty’s Angels and Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary are two senior dog rescues that have programs to sponsor a Forever dog who will live out its days at the shelter. Many shelterbased rescues and sanctuaries have similar programs.

As Sue Whitehouse says, “So please, get off the couch, turn off the TV, and volunteer to be a foster for a rescue. You’ll never regret it and you’ll remember those animals’ eyes for the rest of your life!” www.phoenixdog.net

15

SPECIAL FEATURE Family Promise-Help for Homeless Families with Pets

By Rocio Hernandez

Photos Family Promise

Ted Taylor remembers when a homeless family walked away from the Family Promise emergency shelter because they couldn’t keep their pet.

Mom and Dad had come in looking for a place to stay and began the intake process along with their two kids. After intake, the parents asked shelter staff if they could also bring their dog, who was waiting for them outside the gate. At that time, Family Promise didn’t have any options for the family pet. They could only offer to find a foster to temporarily house the pet.

kitchen and kennel area. Families can visit their pets in the sanctuary any time. Adults spend their days at Family Promise’s Day Center. Children return there after school.

Family Promise provides the families with pet food and treats donated by community partners. Taylor estimates that on average, 20 to 30 percent of the families it serves have a pet.

The shelter had seen the need for families to keep their pets with them during their newfound hardship. After the experience of losing this family, Taylor said they knew they had to do whatever it took to keep the entire family together - with their pets.

Taylor emphasized to PDM that being able to stay with their pets makes a big difference for displaced families, especially the kids. “It’s not uncommon to see kids come back from school and run straight to their pets, before they even say ‘hi’ to their parents.

A pet is a comforter. Kids don’t experience homelessness the same way as adults. For them, the family pet is the stabilizer in many ways,” Taylor said. “That’s Sparkle the pup with her happy family the piece that stays with them when everything else is lost.”

Family Promise of Greater Phoenix opened in 2000. The group works with families experiencing first time homelessness. The goal is to help families find shelter and a warm meal immediately; then to work with them to prepare for job interviews, to find a job; and help them get back on the road to self-sufficiency - even permanent housing, within 60 days keeping the family together in a safe, nurturing atmosphere the entire time.

Family Promise tells PDM that this program is successful over 70 percent of the time.

After losing their home, a mother told her girls that their five-pound dog, Sparkle, would have to be given up. The girls were devasted. When Family Promise told her they would be able take in the entire family, including Sparkle, Mom said her daughters had something to be happy about; when playing with Sparkle, they returned to being the happy little girls they were supposed to be. “It was nothing short of a miracle in my eyes, for all of us to be accepted into Family Promise,” the mother said.

“When a pet stops a family from going into a shelter, it puts that family at risk of losing their kids,” said Taylor, adding that a third of families who become homeless will have their children taken away, or they will give up their children.

This family is just one of the more than 1,000 families that Family Promise has helped since 2000.

Jillian

“That family walked out of the shelter, and their kids were just torn up,” Taylor told PDM.

In 2012, Family Promise secured funding for its Pet Sanctuary through a generous donation from Petsmart. With the help of Fox 10 weatherman Cory McCloskey, Family Promise was able to raise another $6,200 for a shade structure over its dog run, located behind the Pet Sanctuary.

Since it opened its Petsmart Promise Pet Sanctuary, Family Promise has taken in 200+ pets with their families. Family Promise prides itself on being able to take in family cats and dogs of any breed, including Pit Bulls. They’ve even housed Flash, a pet turtle.

Its pet facility comfortably fits eight dogs and eight cats, but Taylor said they can be flexible with the number of pets they keep. Pets live in the Pet Sanctuary, a comfortable suite that includes the dog run, family room, 16

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Now in its 18th year working in the Valley, Family Promise plans to help even more families. They are planning to open up two additional Day Centers in Mesa by October 2018, and Glendale by 2019. It also wants to add more communal housing in South Scottsdale.

As Family Promise grows, Taylor hopes word will spread about how Family Promise can help first time homeless families and their pets stay together as they find their way back to self-sufficiency.

Visit familypromiseaz.org or facebook.com/FamilyPromiseAZ Phone: 480-659-5227

www.phoenixdog.net

17

18

The Phoenix Dog

September/October 2018

HEALTH Essential Oil Safety and Pets

By Serena O’Sullivan

Illustrations Sean Hoy

Essential oils have skyrocketed in popularity in the past few years. They can be put in diffusers to fill a home with lovely scents and can have an assortment of health benefits.

Some can also be toxic to animals.

According to the ASPCA, essential oils in their concentrated form can be a danger to pets, and animals who come into contact with them can develop health concerns.

Even when oils aren’t in their fully concentrated form, they can still be dangerous, whether breathed in the air from a diffuser, or in a bottle, which an animal can topple over, ingest, or get in its coat.

Cautions apply to small pets also, such as hamsters, Guinea Pigs, and rabbits. The Pet Poison Helpline says cats and birds are especially vulnerable to the toxins they breathe in through essential oils.

While breathing in oils can harm a pet’s health, direct application onto their skin can cause severe damage. Robert Trupp, a veterinarian at North Scottsdale Animal Hospital, said, “One of our certified technicians has seen an animal who had burns from an oil that was being used on its hips for pain.” Due to the myriad of potentially dangerous effects, the ASPCA says pet owners should avoid applying essential oils to their pets.

Besides burns, some negative effects of contact with essential oils include drooling, vomiting, tremors, difficulty walking, or breathing problems. If your animal shows signs of sickness from essential oil contact, take it to the vet immediately.

Dr. Trupp says that if an animal comes into the hospital with essential oil poisoning, a veterinarian would contact poison control. “They may need to induce vomiting to protect the animal’s GI tract and to prevent absorption,” he said. “They

would also need to perform bloodwork, to see if any of the oils have been absorbed and are affecting any organs.”

When asked if essential oils can cause permanent damage, Dr. Trupp said ingestion possibly could. He says the duration of negative effects would be dependent on the amount and route of administration the animal came into contact with.

“Always use them with caution,” Dr. Trupp said of oils. “A pet’s sense of smell is so much more sensitive than ours. Make sure they can get to an area away from the oils, to avoid the fragrance, if necessary. Don’t have the scent going for prolonged periods of time.”

Some ventilation may be needed before a pet can come back into the fragrant room. “The smell may deter the pet from entering the room,” Trupp said.

Dr. Tina Wismer, Medical Director, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, said that any essential oil could be harmful to pets, depending on how much they’re exposed to and how. But the especially toxic oils, where pets are concerned, include wintergreen, d-limonene (citrus), pine, cinnamon, pennyroyal, eucalyptus, and tea tree. You can still have a diffuser in your home, but Dr. Wismer suggests, “Keep your pet and your running oil diffuser in separate rooms and avoid using the device for long periods of time.”

There are alternatives for pet owners who want to freshen up the home or use essential oils for pet health reasons. For instance, the ASPCA’s website lists Febreze products as safe for use in households with pets. Owners should follow label instructions for use, and the product should never be applied directly to animals.

Certain essentials oils offer health benefits for pets. It is recommended that you consult a holistic integrative veterinarian or a veterinarian trained in essential oils before using them on your pet. PDM will cover the positive use of oils in our November issue.

Integrative Veterinarian Julie Mayer DVM CVA CVC CCRP

• Holistic Healing and Physiotherapy

2331 E Osborn Road, Phoenix (480) 826-7867 • www.integrativeveterinarian.com

Underwater Treadmill Available

www.phoenixdog.net

19

MAIN STORY Humane Animal Rescue and Trapping Team

By Rocio Hernandez

Photos HARTT

Shari Griffin was expecting to enjoy a fun Mother’s Day weekend with her daughter Breanna, son-in-law Justin, the two dogs, and the rest of their family, when she got a call telling her it would be anything but.

helped rescue about 500 animals, including 250 in the last year.

HARTT’s work is broken down into four parts: lost dog and pet searches; lost pet search consulting for pet owners outside of Maricopa County; humane capture training; and the fourth and biggest component, humane trapping.

Breanna called Shari to say that there’d been a car accident on their way to Prescott. Everyone was pretty okay, but Luna, the couple’s Border Collie-Golden Retriever mix, had bolted out of the car and disappeared as soon as Justin opened the door. Justin followed Luna across three lanes of highway traffic and into the desert for over a mile, but eventually had to give up and return to the car to tend to Breanna, seven months pregnant and injured.

Shari joined the couple at the hospital as soon as she could. She did the only thing possible at the time - she started sharing what happened, and Luna’s disappearance, on her Facebook page and with every group she could think of. “... it’s pretty tough knowing that she’s out there in the desert and there is wildlife and coyote and all that kind of stuff and she’s never been away from her ‘mom’ and ‘dad,’ how is she going to survive?”

Griffin recalled. That’s when Cheryl Naumann and her team of volunteers stepped in.

Six years earlier there had been a dog living alongside a freeway.

Cheryl Naumann learned about the dog from a woman who had been feeding her for two months. Having worked in animal welfare for more than 15 years, Naumann thought she could help. She came out to the site with a humane trap and successfully captured the dog.

That freeway dog, subsequently named Roxy, and adopted by her caregiver, sent Naumann down a rabbit hole.

In 2017, getting more calls for help than she could alone, Trio trapped and safe at Second Home Pet Resort handle Naumann, then 56, founded her nonprofit organization, the Humane Animal Rescue and Trapping Team. She began by hosting training sessions on humane trapping practices and establishing her own team of trappers in Maricopa County.

Today, HARTT has 14 humane trapping specialists and 20 other volunteers who conduct lost dog searches and support trapping efforts. Naumann estimates that she and the HARTT team have

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Lucky the Shepherd enjoys a feeding station just days before being humanely trapped

Naumann told PDM that almost all of her volunteers are people with full-time jobs who contribute their spare time because they are passionate about helping animals.

HARTT’s volunteers learn about animals in need through social media and a vast network of volunteers. Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) also forwards difficult cases to HARTT. Naumann said they focus on animals that are in distress, hard to capture strays, and lost pets.

Naumann also said the dogs they trap aren’t hard to catch because they are aggressive. Rather, they are shy and not confident. She thinks 99 percent of the dogs would never hurt a human. They are just socially awkward around people. “Pets go into complete flight mode when they are lost and scared. They won’t even come to their owners,” Naumann continued.

Another thing that sets HARTT apart from other animal organizations is the hours they operate. Unlike most animal welfare organizations, HARTT does most of its trapping between dusk and dawn, which is when most of the shy, skittish animals they seek are active.

“Most organizations can only be out on the scene for ten or 15 minutes to try to rescue a dog … and then there are so many other calls, they have to go on to the next animal. There was just this unmet need,” Naumann said. “We are filling a void right now that no one else is filling.”

Sydney Zordani got involved with HARTT

Angie Casto reunited with her lost dog

after she learned about them from a volunteer who trapped a dog who had been living at a park near her home. Zordani got her first assignment last October and helped by putting out food and water for a stray dog near her home. She never thought she would work on the trapping aspect of the job.

Other than caring for her own pets, Zordani had little experience working with animals, but she decided to step up and become a trapper.

Cotton enjoys ice blocks provided by HARTT volunteers to keep him cool, prior to his capture

“It’s just so gratifying to be able to get a scared dog off the street and out of the heat,” Zordani shared with PDM. “Some of them turn around so quickly and you can just see them understanding that they are safe.”

A dog that HARTT recently trapped was also one of their most difficult cases because the Pit Bull was extremely skittish, very trap smart and very fast. They estimate that he had been living in a field for at least ten months. That case required Naumann to build a large custom dog trap.

To desensitize the dog to the trap, Naumann assembled it slowly, piece by piece, until the dog grew comfortable with it and she could finally place the door on the trap. Zordani grew close to the dog in the months that it took to rescue him. She named him Cotton because he was living in a cottonfield south of the University of Phoenix Stadium.

“We all not only donate our time, but the gas, miles in our car, dog food. The traps and all the equipment that HARTT uses are expensive,” she said. “As we are growing, we are going to need to buy more equipment and we can’t keep doing that all on our own. We definitely rely on the public and people who feel compelled to donate.”

As for Luna, nine days went by and although plenty of people had reported Lobo the wolfdog safely trapped

by HARTT in July 2018 sightings of Luna, she kept moving. Each time the HARTT volunteers received a call, by the time they got there she was gone. On May 21, she finally walked into the trap set in a desert wash close to where she had been most recently spotted.

Everyone was relieved when Luna was finally back home, but Griffin thinks the reunion was more emotional for Justin because he felt personally responsible for what happened.

“Watching what his wife went through for a whole week, crying every day, I think he was the happiest to see her,” Griffin said. She still tears up when she talks about their ordeal.

“I can finally exhale now that he’s safe, because there’s a ton of construction going on over there,” she said, days after they caught him. “It was very scary because he was possibly running out of time and with how hot it was getting, we definitely wanted him to be out of there as quickly as possible.”

Aside from helping MCACC with difficult cases, Al Aguinaga, manager of shelter and field operations, says that one of HARTT’s most important contributions to the community is its humane dog trapping classes, which are essential for the safety of the trappers and the animals they are working with.

Luna FINALLY finds and enters a humane trap after 8 days loose near Anthem

Naumann said they currently have more calls than they can handle, so they prioritize the cases involving lost pets and animals who are injured, sick or in imminent danger, or those who are in close proximity to volunteers, allowing for speedy trappings.

“There are so many people that were involved - if it weren’t for all those people, we wouldn’t have her back today because there is no way we would have been able to do that,” Griffin said. “The amount of people that put their time and energy into helping our family, it’s just something that you can never repay.”

HARTT aims to increase their volunteer base to 250 within the next three years. If people don’t have the time to volunteer, Zordani encourages them to help HARTT through donations.

Track down more info on HARRT and keep their information handy in case the need comes up in your community: www.azhartt.org or facebook.com/azhartt.org

www.phoenixdog.net

21

TRAINER TIPS Teaching Recall

By Myra Markley

Illustrations Sean Hoy

show my dog that I have a treat in my hand, and walk/run away from my dog a few steps. To get his attention as he comes toward me I call his name and say “come.” When he reaches me, I reward him with treats, praise, and enthusiasm. I make a small party out of it so he remembers the event.

Then I run back a few more steps and do it again. Hopefully the dog will come right to me. If he goes the wrong way, I use the leash to guide him back towards me and again praise and party time when he comes to me. Repeat this exercise at least twice a day for three/ four repetitions.

Teaching a recall is one of the most important things to teach your dog. A good recall can keep your dog out of danger and stop him doing something you don’t want him to do, like chase a stray cat down the street.

A good recall is easy to teach, if you’re consistent, and the dog is having fun. I try to make all training as much fun for my dogs as I can. I want them to enjoy learning and listening to me. There is no magic trick, just some simple rules: 1. Always reward your dog for coming to you, never punish. Even if you are mad at something your dog has been doing, if your dog comes to you when asked, you must be happy and reward him. Otherwise, by the time the dog has gotten to you he has already forgotten what he was doing before, so if punished, will think it’s being punished for coming.

2. Always train the ‘come’ on leash until he is consistently coming.

If your dog decides to go the wrong direction with a leash, stop it and bring the dog back to you to get his reward. Without the leash, he is going to learn it doesn’t always have to come.

I rarely train recall off leash until the dog is around a year old.

3. Always start with short distance recalls with few distractions. This is especially true for young puppies who have an attention span of about three seconds! You really need to be animated, excited, and to keep your puppy focused on you. This can be exhausting, for your dog, so practice for only five minutes or five repetitions before taking a break.

4. Always use extra special treats as the reward if your dog is food motivated. This reward needs to be something your dog loves but only gets for this command.

What I like to do: I put my dog on a six-ft leash and have a treat bag or pocketful of high-value treats. I put the handle end of the leash around my wrist, 22

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Once your dog comes to you from six feet away in your house, repeat the exercise in your yard. Once he has a good recall in your yard try the park or other places with distractions.

If you have a family to help you with this, everyone can take a handful of treats and go to different parts of the house and take turns calling the dog. Make it a fun game of ‘find who’s calling me.’

As your dog matures you can make this game a bit more challenging by adding more distance between you and him. Or, you can recall him while he’s chewing on one of his favorite bones.

What do you do if your dog gets distracted before coming all the way back to you?

I’m so glad you asked!

If I try to say “come” when my dog isn’t really paying attention, the word will lose meaning. While training this command, always try to get your dog’s attention first before saying “come.”

I usually make an odd noise or just call the dog’s name in a very happy tone. If that doesn’t get him to at least glance in my direction, I’ll try running away a few steps; this usually works. Dogs are predators and they do like to chase things. I always tell my students that the dog should chase you, you don’t chase your dog!

Myra Marley is Owner/Trainer at All 4 Paws Dog Training in Tempe, AZ. They specialize in teaching/facilitating the disabled to self-train their own service dog, enabling them to become self-reliant and selfsufficient. www.all4pawstraining.com or (480) 256-9443

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Mark Field

By Cathy Davila

Photos Mark Field

“Being able to help people” is one of the most inspiring aspects of Mark Field’s brokerage business.

He is committed to helping his clients succeed in their home purchases or refinancing, and often that means going outside the mold to make the clients’ dreams reality.

Mark w Governor Ducey

“The Navy taught me everything about being responsible for your work, and real estate clients appreciate knowing they have a person to hold accountable during the purchase process, not a corporation. It is important to me to work for a company where I can help clients reach their financial goals, not just complete a transaction,” Mark shared with PDM. “Honesty and a long-range vision for my clients and the relationship we build, sets me apart in the mortgage industry. Much of my work is repeat business, “Do the right thing for a client and it will lead to many new opportunities.”

A couple referred to Mark by a realtor were having a problem. They wanted to buy a home, but the wife’s pocketbook had been stolen and someone had written a batch of bad checks on their account.

“This issue had been causing them problems for three years. I asked what city this occurred in, contacted the police department and obtained a copy of the police report. We then submitted the report to all three credit bureaus and had all the bad transactions removed.

Then the couple qualified to buy Mark with Senator Smith their home. The little things matter.”

Mark served eight years in the US Navy on submarines. Three of those years were spent underwater, serving in a logistics role. “I sincerely believe my eight years of service helped me develop the deep-seated belief that everything should be done right and with pride. It governs my life,” Mark told PDM in a recent interview.

Mark’s Navy experience instilled a desire and a commitment to be an advocate for U.S. Veterans. Through his creation of the National Veterans Magazine, he has become an outspoken advocate for all veterans. With readership in the millions, the magazine serves as an unbiased, nonpolitical source of information, support and education for veterans, active military, and police and fire professionals.

“We support suicide prevention, diabetes prevention, assisting homeless veterans, opioid reduction, managing depression, and other issues relating to veterans, military personnel, and police and

fire,” Mark explained to PDM. Mark also puts a lot of effort into showcasing the healing power of pets in the magazine.

A recent issue highlighted a partnership between the VA and Humane Society of the United States to encourage veterans to consider pet ownership and/or volunteering with local animal shelters and humane societies. The partnership goal is to pair veterans with adoptable animals to improve the quality of life for both. Both groups will work with community pet organizations to establish relations with the local VA medical facilities, making it easier to link veterans with animals.

Personally, Mark loves dogs and currently has two in his life. Izzy, a Bichon Poodle mix and Moose, a mini Australian Shepherd keep Mark entertained.

In addition to Mark’s dedication to his mortgage clients, and the Mark at Wesley Bolin Plaza Veterans Magazine, he makes time to crusade for causes. One of these was a public service project: restoring the veterans’ memorials at Wesley Bolin Plaza in downtown Phoenix.

He donated his time and resources to restore over 75 memorials at the Arizona State Capitol, and to inspire others to get involved.

Seeing a need, Mark created and presented a “Hands on Banking” financial literacy tutorial for formerly homeless Mark on the air veterans in Phoenix. After the success of this program, he was asked to give a similar presentation to the fifth-grade children at the Phoenix Collegiate Academy on “The Importance of Math.”

Mark is also a published author and does television segments on how to avoid financial fraud, identity theft and such predatory lending practices as bait and switch schemes.

His commitment and dedication to helping people have earned him numerous awards, reflecting his success in multiple arenas.

Mark won the Arizona 2017 Mortgage Loan Originator of the Year, and the magazine won Arizona 2017 Media of the Year.

Among multiple other awards, Mark was inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame on 2017 and he received a Proclamation from the Arizona Legislature for his “exemplary work” for The State of Arizona.

You can reach Mark Field at 602-241-2500. www.phoenixdog.net

23

KIDS AND DOGS Salt River K9 Youth Program

By Barbara Wood

Photos Nagi Foundation

Kids training dogs and dogs training kids. Dynamite idea.

dogs. Presented with lots of examples, diagrams, and even cartoons, it fully engages the students.

From experience, people familiar with both kids and dogs know that there is something special there, and while we can’t exactly explain it, we know it’s real.

It starts with a review of common dog language: “We’ve all heard dogs bark, growl, whine, and even howl. These are verbal signals, but not the main language that dogs use to communicate. A dog uses its body to speak. A few raised hairs can be a conversation.

Nagi: Lakota for spirit/soul The Nagi Foundation (www. nagifoundation.org) through its Sheila Iyengar and founder, Sheila Iyengar, states a happy participant their mission: To restore the sacredness of the Native American community by uniting people and animals. We do this by providing a variety of animal services, educational programs, behavioral health supports, and family resources that coincides with traditional values and core principles of First Nations communities. The newest program, The Salt River K9 Youth Program, will formalize the give and take between the dogs and the kids. The five-week program recently finished its pilot phase.

KIDS: Four teens, 13 -18 years old were offered a chance to be part of a pilot program. It was a big commitment on their part. They agreed to attend classes three days a week for 90 minutes each session, for five weeks. The students were chosen by the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale, Salt River Branch. Besides selecting the students, the club has furnished the location for the lessons.

DOGS: The dogs are rescue dogs from Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC). They were carefully temperament tested in the shelters to see if they had the potential to become super dogs. With the help of volunteer fosters, the dogs have lived a minimum of two weeks in a home situation.

TRAINING/LEARNING: They used a curriculum developed by Karen Schumacher at Pawsitive Works (www. pawsitiveworks.com). It is a socialemotional learning program that allows students to learn and apply that learning to their own lives. Subjects include empathy, self-concept, self-control, communication, stress management, motivation, positive reinforcement, patience and goal setting.

LESSONS: Key elements are introduced in 2 - 4 lessons that teach canine concepts. A mix of direct instruction and interactive activities progress from applying concepts to canine behavior to applying them to human behavior, and, ultimately, to the students’ own behavior.

PDM had the chance to preview one of these lessons. “The Language of Dogs” is about how to read dog behavior and how to interact with 24

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September/October 2018

“A good example would be the wag of the tail. It means the dog is happy, right? Ah, trick question.

Sometimes when a dog is highly aroused, frustrated, or intent on prey, the tail will become rigid and move rapidly back and forth.”

The lesson goes on to compare that behavior to humans. “A good comparison might be how people lean towards one another when they are interested. On the other hand, if you’ve had a really bad day and have had just about enough, you might feel like getting in someone’s face. You might be noticed leaning towards another person – not in a gesture of interest, but in an attempt to take space and make a point.”

The progression from knowledge to application is the key to what makes these lessons work.

COMMUNITY: This program is an example of a village raising a child.

The pilot was funded by a generous donation from the Salt River Community Children’s Foundation.

The program is sponsored in part

by One Love Pitbull Foundation. The group assisted Sheila and her team of dog trainers and behavioral assessors with the selection of dogs, foster homes, and with overall support of the program. They share the understanding that animal welfare is also about people and the community.

The formal Salt River K9 Youth Program began August 27, 2018. There are, however, still needs. More foster homes are needed. Money for food and medical needs, as well as dog equipment, and program supplies for the kids.

To get more information about how your child, age 13-18, can participate in the Salt River K9 Youth Program please contact the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale.

The NAGI Foundation is a 501(c) 3, donations are welcome. They seek strategic partners to help expand service offered to the communityemail getinvolvednagifoundation.org

Area Dog Park LISTINGS

Valley-wide dog park listings are available at www.phoenixdog.net.

Be sure to follow the individual dog park rules posted at each park!

East Valley Dog Parks CHANDLER Nozomi Park

250 S Kyrene Rd Chandler 85226 Paseo Vista Recreation Area

FOUNTAIN HILLS

MESA

TEMPE

Desert Vista Dog Park

Countryside Park

3130 E Southern Ave Mesa 85204 480-644-2352

Creamery Park

11800 Desert Vista Fountain Hills 85268 480-816-5151

3850 S McQueen Rd Chandler 85286

GILBERT

Shawnee Park

2502 E Ray Rd Gilbert 85296

1400 W Mesquite St Chandler 85224 480-782-2727 Snedigar Sportsplex

4500 S Basha Rd Chandler 85248

Cosmo Dog Park

Crossroads Park

2155 E Knox Rd Gilbert 85296 480-503-6200

Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018 Tempe Sports Complex

8th St & Una Tempe 85281 480-350-5200

Quail Run Park

Jaycee Park

QUEEN CREEK

Mitchell Park

4155 E Virginia St Mesa 85215 480-644-3040 The Pocket Park for Pups

22526 S Ellsworth Rd Queen Creek 85142 480-358-3700

Papago Park

817 W 5th St Tempe 85281 480-350-5200

1000 N College Ave Tempe 85281 480-350-5200 Tempe Sports Complex

8401 S Hardy Dr Tempe 85284 480-350-5200 480-503-6200

900 S Mitchell Dr Tempe 85281 480-350-5200

Bark for Life is a noncompetitive walk event for dogs and their owners to raise funds and awareness of the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer.

Soccer Field #7

10am - 1pm

REGISTER & FIND MORE DETAILS ONLINE AT:

relayforlife.org/barkvalleyaz EARLY REGISTRATION:

Registration begins at 9:30am

Owner +1 dog: $10 Owner + 2 dogs: $15 Participant without dog: $5

Thank you to our sponsor:

Sponsors and Vendors Welcome! www.phoenixdog.net

25

The Marketplace 26

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The Phoenix Dog

September/October 2018

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27

TAKE A HIKE! Mogollon Rim Fall Color Hikes Story and Photos Mare Czinar Although dogs perceive color differently than humans and may not care whether a maple leaf is yellow or red, cooler temperatures, lingering water holes and the earthy aroma of damp woods and leaf piles are ample reasons why Autumn hikes on the Mogollon Rim set tails wagging. The classic Cabin Loop Trail System incorporates Forest Service routes plus a section of the Arizona Trail to connect four historic fire guard cabins. The network consists of two loops totaling roughly 25 miles, depending on the approach and selected route. However, you don’t have to trek the entire course to enjoy Fall foliage. Some of the best pockets of color can be found by doing moderate day hikes. These showy out-and-back day trips get you to the good stuff fast.

GETTING THERE: Pinchot Cabin Trailhead. From Payson, travel north on State Route 87 to Forest Road 95 located just before milepost 300. Turn right and go 6.5 miles to a bridge over East Clear Creek and veer right to stay on FR95.

Continue 4.5 miles to Forest Road 139A (a few yards past a sign for Houston Draw), turn left and go 0.2 mile to the trailhead marked by a sign for Fred Haught Trail.

FRED HAUGHT No. 141 -ARIZONA TRAIL PASSAGE 28 Rife with sunny meadows and Pine-fringed gullies, the Fred Haught trail was once a part of a rough-cut travel corridor used to transport cattle and supplies across the Rim. Today, it’s a premier high-county destination that’s also part of the Arizona National Scenic Trail.

The hike is a continually-changing trip through contorted limestone BARBERSHOP TRAIL escarpments, moss-draped forests, yawning draws and spotty glens Blazing pockets of red-orange Bigtooth Maple foliage and canyons of Gambel Oaks with mustard-colored leaves. The hike begins rife with intermittent creeks are the highlights of this backwoods at General Springs Cabin then dips into a canyon where ribbons favorite. The trail’s undulating route through Yeager, Dane, and of water bridged with stepping stones create fun creek crossings.

Barbershop canyons has an abundance of shallow pools for canine There’s plenty of grassy open space to get in a good romp or game belly flopping and frog chasing. As with many Rim trails, this one of fetch. At the 3-mile point, the Arizona Trail veers off to the left. requires a fair amount of route-finding. The trail is marked by tree To get to the Fred Haught Cabin site, continue hiking straight ahead blazes—pairs of short and long gashes in the bark of trees. To stay on Trail No. 141 for another 0.3-mile, turn left at the sign and hike on track, spot the next blaze before proceeding. roughly a half-mile to where an old fieldstone fireplace marks the spot. After exploring, return to the main trail where you can continue LENGTH: 4.5 miles one way north on the more difficult, tricky-to-follow RATING: moderate path to Pinchot Cabin or return the way you ELEVATION: 7,200 – 7,600 feet came for an easy 6-miler.

PEAK COLOR: early October GETTING THERE: LENGTH: 6 miles one-way Buck Spring Cabin Trailhead: From RATING: easy-moderate Payson, go 30 miles east (right) on ELEVATION: 7,045’- 7,390’ State Route 260 to Forest Road 300 GETTING THERE: (Rim Road), located across from the Rim Visitor Center. Go 23 miles General Springs Trailhead: From Payson, go west to Forest Road 137. Turn right and continue 4 miles to the 28 miles north on State Route 87 to Forest Road 300 (Rim Road) trailhead across from Buck Spring Cabin. near milepost 280. Turn right and go 12.2 miles to Forest Road 705 where there’s a Battle of Big Wash Monument on the northeast side of the intersection. Go left (north) onto FR705 and continue 0.5-mile U-BAR TRAIL to the General Springs/AZ Trail trailhead.

This oak-and-aspen drenched outing passes by the rustic log remains of Pinchot, Buck Spring and Dane Cabins. Lots of historic artifacts, WHEN TO SEE FALL COLOR: splashy springs, stock tanks and abundant wildlife provide all-day Fall color varies from year-to-year, but usually peaks in early-to-mid adventure for active canines. Groves of Aspens that shower the trails October on the Cabin Loop area of the Rim. Check the Coconino with jump-tempting mounds of golden leaves, round out the menu National Forest website for weekly “Leaf-O-Meter” reports. of doggie delights. From the trailhead, hike the old road to Pinchot Cabin where a sign points to the start of the U-Bar trail heading up ROAD CONDITIONS: the ridge behind the cabin. The route is marked by tree blazes— Dirt and gravel forest roads are suitable for carefully-driven sedans, follow them and you’ll be fine. although high-clearance is recommended.

LENGTH: 6.5 miles one-way RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 6986 – 7600 feet 28

The Phoenix Dog

INFO & MAPS: Coconino National Forest https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recreation/ recarea/?recid=74999 September/October 2018

ADOPT US! We Are Ready to Hike with You All dogs are available through Lucky Huskies/Lucky Dog Rescue.

All are spayed/neutered and current on shots. http://www.luckydogrescue.org/home or email andrea@ Luckydogrescue.org

JACK FLASH At 3.5 years, Jack Flash is old enough to display manners and young enough for long treks.

You Want Compassionate

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NORTH Long legs and youth are the perfect combination for long hikes and curling up with his human.

Working as a team, Midwestern faculty and students use the latest technology to provide a wide range of primary, specialty, and urgent care services for small animals.

Call now for an appointment: 623.806.7387 (PETS) Midwestern University

LEXI Youthful energy means Lexi will only want to stop on the trail long enough for kisses and treats.

Companion Animal Clinic Your Family’s Home for Pet Care

5715 West Utopia Road Glendale, Arizona 85308 623.806.7387 (PETS) www.mwuanimalhealth.com

BALTO He’s been training for the winter hiking season – Balto is in shape and ready.

SILVER When he’s not getting belly rubs, young Silver loves to hike the Arizona trails.

HUEY Young Huey will walk, run or swim, whatever your preference.

www.phoenixdog.net

29

KITTY KORNER All Souls Day Kittens Story Cathy Davila

Photos by Ann Hoff

One Arizona artist is a passionate cat person. Ann Marie Hoff had been fostering kittens for PACC (Pima Animal Care Center) for five years, when she decided she “wanted a way to educate people on the reality of kittens in shelters, while remembering these souls for the joy and love they bring to the planet.”

Ann decided to create a Day of the Dead style portrait of every foster kitten that has been in her care to celebrate their lives in that moment, whatever their future would hold.

“It is estimated that only one kitten in 12 that goes into a shelter makes it into a forever home! I believe we can change that number, because foster homes make a difference in these kittens’ lives.”

Hoff was searching for ways to raise awareness when she remembered fellow artist Mark Barone, who started “The Museum of the Dog.” He wanted to bring attention to all the shelter dogs euthanized nationwide each day. He took over a year to paint more than 5,400 dogs, the number of healthy dogs that are put to death each day in America. “The only way that number changes is for good people to do what they can to make it change. Mark’s part of that is to raise awareness of the problem,” Ann told PDM. She quotes Mark, “Once you truly learn about the issue, it doesn’t leave you, that’s why this project has become our lives. We’ve laid it all on the line.”

The idea of All Souls Day Kittens developed because many kittens never get a name or feel the love of a human. Facts are hard to find, since national statistics are not required by the government on shelter cat euthanasia rates. “I wanted to remember all of my foster kittens, the ones who did not make it, and the ones who went out into the world to live happily in new homes. I felt the best way to do this was to paint each foster that I have cared for. They will all be remembered, not

forgotten, these brave souls that came to have an incredible life with their new families. I can’t match Mark Barone’s big presence, but my specific project can raise awareness of kittens’ lives,” Hoff explained to PDM. With foster kittens, being in a house with humans is so different from being in a cage. In some shelters, there is nowhere in the shelter that cats don’t hear the dogs barking. This is stressful to the kittens, on top of the fact that they have been separated from their mothers. Kittens have passive immunity, which means that any ability they have to ward off disease comes from their mother, who may or may not have had the time to pass this on by nursing her kittens. The sooner the kittens are removed from their cages and taken into a foster home, the less exposure to illness they have.

People who help kittens sometimes feel like it is a never-ending process; you save one only to have five there the next day. Kitten season in Arizona is long. Because of the warm weather, kittens are born ten months a year instead of during just two seasons. Many people find kittens and, thinking they are being good Samaritans, bring the kittens into the shelter. Often this is separating them from their mother who was off hunting to support her brood. With very few exceptions, the kittens are better off with their mother than in a shelter. ‘‘For me, just saving kittens wasn’t enough.’’

Ann’s All Souls Day Kittens paintings and art launched in 2017. 15% of the profits from these sales goes directly to supporting kitten rescues.

Visit www. shopvida.com/ collections/ann-hoff You can find Mark Barone’s work at: https://anactofdog.org/

Whether you are wanting to resolve a behavior issue, are preparing to bring a new cat into your home, or want to have some fun and teach your cat tricks, Purrfect Behavior by Carrie Pawpins is here to help!

Available for in-home and phone consultations valley wide!

www.purrfectbehaviorsolutions.com • 480-216-7223 30

The Phoenix Dog

September/October 2018

Mention Phoenix Dog Magazine for 10% off

CATS FOR ADOPTION

CHEYANNE

A sweet 9-year-old who is friendly, calm, and very affectionate. Kitty playtime will help her to shed a few pounds.

Take me home for FREE! ** My adoption fee is sponsored!**

All cats are available at AAWL's Sonia Breslow Adoption Center 25 North 40th St, Phoenix, AZ • 602-273-6852 ext. 103.

All cats are spayed/neutered, current on vaccinations, and microchipped!

GIGI

This beautiful 1-year-old female is calm, gentle, and very sweet. Prefers a calm quiet household and to be the only pet in the home.

MADDOX

DENNY & KENNY

This 3-year-old is a friendly, calm, and easygoing guy! Has a super soft coat and loves to be pet! Loves to meet new people.

Take me home for FREE! ** My adoption fee is sponsored!**

Both 2.5-years-young! Bonded - we have lived together for a very long time - can’t stand being apart! They enjoy kitty beds, head rubs, and treats!

CAMIE

This 4-year-old female, initially reserved around people, becomes extremely loving and affectionate. Needs quiet home, no other cats; older, mellow dog may be ok.

Take me home for FREE! ** My adoption fee is sponsored!**

MAVERICK

2.5 year-old guy, reserved at first, can become quite outgoing! Loves scratching sticks! Calm, quiet home is best. Dislikes kids and dogs, may do well with another cat.

www.phoenixdog.net

31

HORSIN’ AROUND Robinson Ranch Offers Equine Therapy in Urban Phoenix

By Bridget Grobowski

Photos Robinson Ranch

It’s an unexpected place to find horses, but nestled in the suburban foothills of South Mountain, Robinson Ranch offers therapeutic and general horsemanship programs targeting special needs individuals and the at-risk populations of urban Phoenix.

Robinson Ranch was founded by John Robinson who, together with his wife, Sheila, and the help of many volunteers, operates the ranch’s programs including Equine Assisted Learning, Therapeutic Riding, and Equine and Animal Assisted Therapy. In addition to the therapeutic programs, the ranch offers Saddle Clubs, riding lessons, and horse boarding. On its main site, the ranch houses 18 horses that are used for its therapeutic and general horsemanship programs, along with other animals including several goats, sheep, ducks, dogs, and cats.

Phoenix resident Helain Day began taking Saddle Club lessons with her 8-year-old daughter Raelynn, in part due to the ranch’s proximity to her home. Soon after she became involved as a volunteer. Today Helain uses some of her professional skills to help run the volunteer and donor programs. The ranch enthusiastically encourages parents to join their children in lessons so the experience can have an impact on everyone.

“One of the key features of the Robinson Ranch programming is they’re looking at really building the child as a whole,” Day said. “A child that’s more empowered; a child that learns quickly and with the right technique and know-how can do absolutely anything.”

Robinson Ranch began working with special needs individuals in 2000, through the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the state of Arizona.

The ranch is devoted to serving the special needs population including students that are on the Autism spectrum, have Tourette’s Syndrome or other physical disabilities, with its instructors, who are required to be certified by international therapeutic training programs.

“It’s a completely underserved population,” Day said. “We can diagnose them medically and prescribe medications and wheelchairs or devices, but what was really lacking in this area was pet therapy and John is absolutely passionate about making this a reality for these individuals.”

Robinson Ranch is also passionate about working with under-privileged and at-risk populations, both special needs and able-bodied. This began around 2010, when, Robinson says, they realized there was a desire from parents and siblings of disabled children to involve the families in the therapy, which has translated into today’s programs.

The ranch provides an outlet for inner-city kiddos to try something brand new that they would probably not have otherwise engaged in. We want to provide a place where each person feels welcome. A great many 32

The Phoenix Dog

September/October 2018

activities are simply unattainable for these youth because of the associated cost; we seek to challenge that with the help of our community.”

As a registered non-profit, Robinson Ranch relies on the help of volunteers to work hands-on with the animals and students in roles such as sidewalkers. Additionally, a strong volunteer base provides other roles like marketing and event planning. Robinson Ranch offers a 25% discount on services for volunteers, many of whom are themselves special needs individuals or a representative of an at-risk community.

Looking to the future, Robinson Ranch is actively expanding its program offerings.

Most recently, they’ve added a mobile unit for their therapy dog program that will travel to nursing homes, hospitals, and care facilities. “We Beta tested it last year and it was a huge hit,” John Robinson said. “Everybody wanted to get involved.”

Robinson Ranch approaches its therapeutic programs with the express intent of developing a community for its riders, students, and volunteers. And, with its able-bodied programs, everyone is welcome.

“Once someone becomes affiliated with the ranch, it really does become a big second family,” Day said. “Everybody that comes through that gate is unconditionally accepted for who they are. Whatever their reasons, whether it’s a veteran attempting to work through PTSD to someone who was recently incarcerated. Here it is really about cultivating community through the horses.”

Generous donors are what allow the Ranch to continue its existing programs and to expand new programs for the community. Robinson Ranch is looking for donors like you. Help fund a site visit from the mobile unit, sponsor a special needs rider, maintain some barn equipment like rakes, fly masks, and grooming supplies, and last, but not least – please join us for our special events.

To learn more about Robinson Ranch’s programs or how to volunteer or donate, visit www.robinsonranch.org.

Pet portraits Studio glam Location sessions Christmas cards 2019 Calendar

www.phoenixdog.net

33

DOGS IN BLUE Tough Dog Tarzan

By Russell Tennyson Photos Salomon Ramirez

K9 Tarzan of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is not big by working dog standards.

That he won the Tough Dog Competition, at the 16th Annual Desert Dog Regional Police K-9 Trials, should come as no surprise to one bad guy! Deputy Charles Gulikers, Tarzan’s handler, recalled: “It was a carjacking in Avondale. We thought the suspect had kidnapped a

The Tough Dog competition is the culmination of an annual multi-day trial. “About 70 K9 teams compete, including some from California and Mexico,” explained Deputy Gulikers. Teams participate in multiple challenges, with awards in each category; the overall winner earns the Top Dog title. The special, and final event of the competition is the stand alone Tough Dog event. The top ten teams participate.

Three human decoys in bite suits rotate through the infield of Sloan Park. One at a time, the dogs make a long run from the outfield toward the decoy, then launch and bite. The audience members are the judges, and vote for the dogs with the greatest impact when chasing and apprehending the “suspect.” The amount of applause and support from the audience for each dog determines the winner.

This year, Tarzan took first place.

Deputy Gulikers and Tarzan

woman. I was in the area about an hour after the report and came across the suspect vehicle. I did a traffic stop on it and the driver, the suspect, decided to run. I sent Tarzan with no lead or leash. He ran about 30 yards and bit the suspect. They rolled down a ravine.

I couldn’t go chasing after them because the car still had suspects who were believed to be armed. I just kept yelling at Tarzan to keep Tarzan on the SWAT truck biting him and to hold him. After about three and a half minutes, Tarzan came off on his own, which was good. It’s uncommon for a dog to be on a bite that long. It’s Tarzan is a Belgian like you doing a full pull-up and holding yourself in that position that Malinois.

There are long. Tarzan held the suspect while the guy was wrestling with him. bigger breeds of working When he came back to me he was still energetic, he was ready to dogs, breeds whose go. By that time, more people had arrived. When we approached bite can break bones. the guy, we could see that he had a big bite on his leg. It had taken Tarzan is quite lean, all the fight out of him.” almost diminutive in appearance. But, as one The 2018 Annual Desert Dog Regional Police K9 Trials were held in carjacker found out, size Mesa on May 5/6, at Sloan Field, the Chicago Cubs spring training does not predict ferocity! facility. It was organized by the Arizona Law Enforcement Canine Association in conjunction with the City of Mesa and the Mesa Police Visit www.alecapolicek9.

Department K9 unit. Per the ALECA web site, “Police, Military, and com/desertdogpolicekGovernment canine teams from around the nation compete in various 9trials to get involved or field exercises during the weekend event.” support the trials.

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The Phoenix Dog

September/October 2018

The biting is ‘play’ for the dogs.

Deputy Gulikers likened it to playing ball in the yard with a dog. “We use a variety of toys and they serve as rewards.

Our training is based on positive reinforcement rather than punishment. When a dog doesn’t do what we want him to, he loses play time. When he figures out what’s expected he gets to play. We don’t want the dogs to be afraid of us, so we don’t hit them or do anything like that. Our negative response is loss of play time.”

Tough Dog 2018, K9 Tarzan with Dep and Mrs. Gulikers photo Pappy’s Perspectives

RESOURCE INFORMATION

KNOW YOUR LOCAL RESCUES in case you need them.

If you lose a pet:

• Search your home and property - your pet could be injured or stuck somewhere.

• Check with your neighbors - speak with as many people as you can. Search the neighborhood • Get online. Post on websites. Some sites let you create your Lost Pet flyer, so have a picture of your pet and phone number ready. Other sites to post on are : Craigslist, Lost Dogs Arizona Facebook page, and/or Straydar Facebook page. Post your flyer on the County mapping website, other sites can then see it and help find your dog. www. maricopa.gov/Pets/lostpet. Post your flyer online and around the neighborhood.

• Contact your local rescues and report your missing dog.

• Visit the two County locations quickly and every 24-48 hours. By law, the shelters are only required to hold a lost or stray animal for 72 hours. After that, the animal becomes the county’s property. You can also call Maricopa County at 602.506.PETS or visit their website and utilize their interactive mapping tool to see if animals were picked up in your area and to post your flyer.

• Visit the Arizona Humane Society Sunnyslope campus. Take a picture of your pet and his medical records. Ask to check the lost pets in the Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital and check their adoption floor. The 72-hour hold for strays applies here too.

If you find a stray with no tags:

• Ask around the neighborhood in case the dog lives nearby.

• Contact your local rescue. They will try to help and can often scan the pet for a microchip and may be able to find a foster to take the dog if you cannot host it. A veterinarian can also scan the dog for a microchip and check for a tattoo.

• Stray dogs that are sick, injured, or abused, and healthy puppies under three months old, can go to the Arizona Humane Society. You can bring them to the Sunnyslope campus or call their EAMT Dispatch Center at 602-997-7585 Ext. 2073 from 8 to 6 PM daily.

• Try to list the dog online, there are many sites who will do this.

• You may also surrender a healthy stray dog to Maricopa County Animal Care and Control.

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control Both shelters for lost/stray animals, adoption services, pet surrender, dog licensing, rabies vaccinations, and microchips.

West Valley Animal Care Center 2500 S 27th Ave (27th Ave, South of Durango) Phoenix 85009 602-506-7387 East Valley Animal Care Center 2630 W Rio Salado Pkwy (Loop 101/Rio Salado Pkwy) Mesa 85201 602-506‑7387

Important Information

Pet Emergency Arizona Humane Society Emergency Ambulance Service 602-997-7585 Ext. 2073 8 – 6pm daily To report animal abuse: 602-997-7585 Ext. 2073 (“0” after hours) or fill out our online form.

Services are free and available daily from 8 – 6pm Arizona Humane Society Sunnyslope Lost/stray puppies, cats, injured strays, spay and neuter services, Microchipping 9226 N 13th Ave Phoenix 85021 Phone: 602-997-7585

24-HOUR EMERGENCY VETERINARIANS PHOENIX/SCOTTSDALE/ CAVE CREEK 1st Pet Veterinary Centers www.1stpetvet.com 520 W Union Hills Dr Ste 105 Phoenix 85027 623-849-0700 Animal Medical & Surgical Center www.animalmedicalandsurgical.com 17477 N 82nd St Scottsdale 85255 480-502-4400 BluePearl Veterinary Partners www.eac-az.com 2260 W Glendale Ave Phoenix 85021 602-995-3757 Phoenix Veterinary Referral & Emergency www.phoenixvrec.com 4015 E Cactus Rd Phoenix 85032 602-765-3700

Vet Med www.vetmedaz.com 20610 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix 85024 602-697-4694 BluePearl Veterinary Partners www.eac-az.com 22595 N Scottsdale Rd Ste 110 Scottsdale 85255 480-949-8001

The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic www.scottsdaleveterinaryclinic.com 7311 E Thomas Rd Scottsdale 85251 480-945-8484 VCA Paradise Valley Emergency Animal Hospital www.vcaspecialtyvets.com/ paradise-valley-emergency 6969 E Shea Blvd Ste 150 Scottsdale 85254 480-991-1845

EAST VALLEY 1st Pet Veterinary Centers www.1stpetvet.com 1233 W Warner Rd Chandler 85224 480-732-0018

Ironwood Animal Hospital www.ironwoodanimalhospital.com 85 W Combs Rd #116 Queen Creek 85142 480-888-2299 WEST VALLEY

BluePearl Veterinary Partners www.eac-az.com 86 W Juniper Ave Gilbert 85233 480-497-0222

BluePearl Veterinary Partners www.eac-az.com 13034 W Rancho Santa Fe Blvd Avondale, 85392 623-385-4555

1st Pet Veterinary Centers www.1stpetvet.com 1423 S Higley Rd #102 Mesa 85206 480-924-1123

BluePearl Veterinary Partners www.eac-az.com 9875 W Peoria Ave Peoria 85345 623-974-1520

VCA Animal Referral and Emergency Center of Arizona www.vcaspecialtyvets.com 1648 N Country Club Dr Mesa 85201 480-898-0001

POISON HELP Pet Poison Helpline www.petpoisonhelpline.com 855-764-7661

www.phoenixdog.net

35

Non-Breed Specific Rescues & Shelters

EastValley 2nd Chance Dog Rescue Queen Creek 2ndchance.rescuegroups.org 2DaRescue-Phoenix 2darescue.org Animal Doctors to the Rescue-Mesa animaldoctorstotherescue.org Animal Loving Friends (ALF) Tempe alf.petfinder.com Arizona Center for Animal Rescue & Education (AZ CARE) Queen Creek azcarerescue.org Benji’s Buddies - Gilbert benjisbuddies.petfinder.com Breeders Release Adoption Service-Chandler breederadoptions.org Desert Paws Rescue San Tan Valley desertpawsrescue.org Friends for Life Animal Sanctuary-Gilbert azfriends.org

Listing rotates Breed-specific and Non-Breed-Specific each issue. See the website for both lists!

Furever Friends Rescue-Gilbert fureverfriendsrescue.org Help A Dog Smile-Chandler helpadogsmile.org

Ohana Animal Rescue-Tempe ohanaanimalrescue.org

One Love Bully Rescue-Mesa onelovebullyrescue.org Panacea Animal Wellness Sanctuary-Higley pawsaz.org Pittie Me Rescue-Gilbert pittiemerescue.org Reservation Rewards Animal Rescue-Queen Creek reservationrewardsanimalrescue.org Standing Proud Pitbull Rescue Mesa standingproudpitbull.org Surrendered Souls-Tempe facebook.com/surrenderedsoulsrescue Valley of the Sun Dog Rescue Mesa valleyofthesundogrescue.com

West Valley “Lost Paws - Sterilization, Education & Rescue”-Peoria thelostpaws.org

Phoenix/ Scottsdale Animals Benefit Club of Arizona(ABC)-Phoenix animalsbenefitclub.com Anthem Pets-North Phoenix anthempets.org Arizona Animal Rescue Mission Scottsdale azanimalrescue.org Arizona Animal Welfare League (AAWL)-Phoenix aawl.org

The Phoenix Dog

Safe Haven for Animals Scottsdale azshfa.org Saving Paws-Phoenix savingpawsrescueaz.com The Dog Safe House-Phoenix Facebook.com/thedogsafehouseinc The Fetch Foundation-Scottsdale thefetchfoundation.com Valley Dogs Rescue-Scottsdale valleydogs.org

Arizona Humane SocietyCampus For Compassion Location-Phoenix azhumane.org

Small Dogs

Arizona Paws & Claws-Phoenix azpawsandclaws.com

R.A.I.N. www.azrain.org

Big Bully Rescue-Phoenix bigbullyrescue.com

Senior Dogs

Caring for Canines-Phoenix caringforcanines.org Foothills Animal Rescue North Scottsdale foothillsanimal.org Four Peaks-Scottsdale fourpeaksanimal.org HALO Animal Rescue-Phoenix halorescue.org Helping Orphaned Hounds Maricopa helpingorphanedhounds.org Home Fur Good-Phoenix homefurgood.org Hope Emergency Animal Rescue (HEAR)-Phoenix hear-az.org Lost Our Home Pet Foundation Phoenix lostourhome.org

Arizona Small Dog Rescue www.azsmalldog.org

Cherished Tails Sanctuary-Marana cherishedtails.weebly.com Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary Scottsdale foreverlovedpets.org Rusty’s Angels Sanctuary Rustysangelssanctuary.org

CATS AJ’s Best Friends Purebred Cat Rescue www.ajsbestfriends.org Cool Cats Rescue coolcatrescue-az.org Fearless Kittie RescueFountain Hills www.fearlesskittyrescue.org Hope for Cats-Chandler hopeforcats.org AZ Maine Coon Cat Rescue www.azmccr.org

Lucky Dog-Scottsdale luckydogrescue.org

Rescue League-Phoenix FB/rescueleaguephoenix

Luv of Dogz Fund-Scottsdale luvofdogz.org

Rabbits

MASH Unit-Phoenix mcso.org/mash

Domestic Rabbits Tranquility Trail Rescue and Sanctuary www.tranquilitytrail.org

Medical Animals In Need (M.A.I.N.)-Phoenix medicalanimalsinneed.com

Brambley Hedge Rabbit Rescue-Phoenix bhrabbitrescue.org

Mini Mighty Mutts-Phoenix minimightymutts.com

Small Pets

Paw Placement-Scottsdale pawplacement.org Ruby Ranch Pet Rescue-Phoenix rubyranchrescue.org

36

Paw Placement-Scottsdale pawplacement.org

September/October 2018

RATS-DOMESTIC Any Rat Rescue - Scottsdale anyratrescue.org

GUINEA PIGS Piggie Poo Rescue www.piggiepoo.org REPTILES AZ Herpetological 480-894-1625 Can’t take Desert Tortoises or Sulcatas (large tortoise) Phoenix Herpetological Society 480-513-4377 Desert Tortoises or Sulcatas ONLY SUGAR GLIDER/HEDGEHOG AZ Sugar Glider Rescue Azsugargliderrescue.com

Wildlife And Livestock Rescues BIRDS East Valley Wildlife Pigeons, doves, song birds, water fowl, rabbits, squirrels - drop off only 480-814-9339 Herons-Liberty Wildlife Based in Scottsdale 480-998-5550 LIVESTOCK AZ Llama Rescue azllamarescue.org 602-339-2485 AZ Dept of Agriculture 602-542-0872 PIGS Pot Belly Pigs Ironwood Pig Sanctuary REPTILES AZ Herpetological 480-894-1625 Can’t take Desert Tortoises or Sulcatas (large tortoise) Phoenix Herpetological Society 480-513-4377 Desert Tortoises or Sulcatas ONLY

WILD ANIMALS/ NATIVE/ PROTECTED Adobe Mountain 623-582-9806 AZ Fish and Game - Coyotes 623-236-7201 Liberty Wildlife 480-998-5550

Listing rotates Breed-specific and Non-Breed-Specific each issue. See the website for both lists!

Pet Supplies/ Food/ Accessories

Dogs Etc. 7142 E 5th St Scottsdale 480-947-2480 The Pet Club All Valley Locations www.thepetclub.net

Veterinarians Arizona Humane Society Campus for Compassion 1521 W Dobbins Road Phoenix 85041 602- 997-7585 Integrative MedicineDr Julie Mayer, DVM 312-405-6444 integrativeveterinarian.com MWU Clinics 5715 W. Utopia Rd, Glendale 623-806-7387 mwuanimalhealth.com

Pet Health/ Medical

Boarding/ Kennel/ DayCare Circle Mountain Pet Sitting New River, Circle Mountain area 623-810-7630 Happy Pets Palace and Playground 1918 East McKellips Road 480-207-1852 happypetspalace.com HeartStrings 480-895-4683 930 E Riggs Rd Chandler 85249 HeartStringsPet Resort.com Thia’s Family Pack 602-303-7738 Pawtree.com/thia

Pet Grooming Lugari Pet Salon, LLC 7901 E Thomas Rd, Suite 105 Scottsdale, Arizona 85251 (480) 636-7087

Molly & Friends Pet Grooming Basso Botanicals 16551 n Dysart Rd ste 100 Basso Botanicals.com Surprise, AZ 85378 bassobotanicals@gmail.com mollyandfriendspet gooming.com Canine Colostrum (623) 388-6921 800-834-7656 livingstreamhealth.com LatchKey Petz LatchKey Petz.com Medmetrics Compounding Pharmacy 4995 S Alma School Rd Ste 4 Chandler, AZ 85248 480-883-3800 Natural Paws PO Box 76765 Scottsdale, Az 85255 Nature’s Way Botanicals NaturesWayBotanicals.com 800-376-1057

Pet Trainer Bark Busters 877-500-BARK www.BarkBusters.com

Service Animals American Service Animal Society 480-802-9339 www.Dogs4Vets.org Canine Companions for Independence www.cci.org Thia’s Family Pack 602-303-7738 Pawtree.com/thia

Shop for Rescues Animals in Disaster Thrift Store 5036 E. Van Buren Phoenix 602-918-7373 Mesa Thrift Store The Arizona Humane Society 1110 W. Southern Avenue 602-997-7585 Ext. 4300 BH Rabbit Rescue Thrift Store 3851 E. Thunderbird Rd, #111, Phoenix 602 482-3990 Cave Creek Thrift Store Arizona Humane Society 13401 N. Cave Creek Rd 602-761-2971 Luv-to-Save Gift Shop 1221 E Northern Ave, Phoenix 85020 (602) 997-1263 Petique Norterra The Arizona Humane Society 2460 W Happy Valley Rd Ste 1149 602-761-2973

Ironspoon Ranch Training Center 7040 W Baseline Rd, Laveen 85339 602-373-9054 or 602-237-4607

Rescued Treasures PACC911 Store 3841 E. Thunderbird Rd #c-103 602-923-1820

Purrfect Behavior Solutions purrfectbehaviorsolutions. com 480-216-7223

Pet Lifestyle/ Events

Thia’s Family Pack 602-303-7738 Pawtree.com/thia

Ann Hoff Animal Communicator and Artist Annhoff.com 520-349-3909 Arizona Animal Rescue Mission-Mutt Masquerade Azanimalrescue.org Contact Zonies Agility Melrose Paradise Recreation Club 11424 N. 30th Street Phoenix Contactzonies.org Day of the Dog Scottsdale Thedayofthedog.com Flash and Hound Pet Photography www.flashandhound.com 602-903-8903 Hoylarious Studios Hoylarious.com 480-227-4662 Local First Arizona-AZ Fall Festival Localfirstaz.com/fall-festival

City of ChandlerWoofstock 2018 Chandleraz.gov/woofstock Shemer Art Center- Furry Friends Art Festival 5005 E Camelback Rd Phoenix Shemerartcenter.org 602-262-4727 Twisted Events 602-292-3200 www.twistedevents.org/ smashn

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Food and Drink Cave Creek Olive Oil 6201 E. Cave Creek Rd, Ste A Cave Creek 480- 595-3157 cavecreekoliveoil.com Tito’s Handmade Vodka www.titosvodka.com/dogs

Real Estate Barret Financial Group-Mark Field 2168 E Williams Field Rd #245 Gilbert, AZ 85295 602-241-2500

Vehicle Service and Sales Sun Devil Auto 19 Valley Locations Sundevilauto.com

American Cancer SocietyBark for Life Relayforlife.org/ barkvalleyaz www.phoenixdog.net

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Pet Directory & Pet Friendly Businesses

D&D Pet Supplies www.ddpetsupplies.com PO Box 1055, Wittman 85361

Zona’s Essential Oils 4705 E Carefree Hwy 112 Cave Creek 85331 480-575-9662 Shopzonas.com

SPORTS Dog Agility 101

By Beth Poppre and Darcy Rohats

There is a reason Dog Agility is at the top of the sport list for many dog owners. This performance sport demonstrates not just the working partnership, but all the fun between the handler and the dog. Very active dogs are great candidates, but almost any dog will enjoy agility.

The same can be said for pet owners! People with varying ability can enjoy the sport and the bond that grows between the owner and dog.

This event requires basic obedience, obstacle training, conditioning, focus, control, teamwork, and humility – and a good sense of humor.

Agility dogs run the gamut from Chihuahuas to Great Danes. Dog and handler race against a clock while negotiating an obstacle course designed by the judge.

agility, breakaway tires are used in agility for added safety.

People often join in the sport just for the fun of it. Earning points is not always necessary!

The weave poles are always a crowd pleaser and a challenge to train. Weave obstacles for Novice dogs are only 6-poles, but Open and Excellent dogs are 12-poles.

Dogs must enter weaves with their left shoulder on the first pole and continue weaving in and out without skipping a pole or popping out before finishing the last pole.

Dog agility started in England at Crufts in 1978, as filler entertainment while spectators waited for Best in Show. It began in the United States over 30 years ago (1986), and the AKC held its first sanctioned agility trial in 1994. The AKC allows kennel clubs the option to open their trials to only AKC registered purebreds (including ILPs and PALs) or to include AKC registered Canine Partners dogs.

There are ten unique obstacles in AKC agility. The contact obstacles include the dog walk, a-frame, and seesaw. Other obstacles include jumps, pause table, tire, tunnels, chute, and weave poles. Each is judged for completion and safety.

Both ends of the contact obstacles have safety zones or contact zones, usually painted yellow. To successfully complete the dog walk and a-frame contacts, the dog must touch the contact zone on the down side of the obstacle with any part of one paw. On the seesaw, the dog must put at least one paw in both ends of the contact zone. The seesaw is also judged for safety. The dog must control the seesaw board until it safely touches the ground.

The jump obstacles include single bar jumps, double- and triple-spread jumps, a panel jump, and a broad jump. The broad jump is set at double the dog’s jump height. The tire is also considered a jump obstacle. In AKC 38

The Phoenix Dog

September/October 2018

On the pause table, dogs must jump on and stay on the table with all four paws while the judge counts backwards from five. Dogs sit, stand, or lie down on the table.

The table has three heights: small dogs - 8” high, medium dogs -16” high, and large dogs - 24” high.

Class levels are Novice, Open, Excellent, and Masters. Dogs must earn three (3) qualifying scores (Qs) in each course to earn a title and move up to the next level.

So, are you ready to try dog agility and have fun with your dog?

There are several training clubs throughout the greater Phoenix area.

Phoenix even has two indoor training facilities: AzDog Sports near Paradise Valley Mall (www.azdogsports.com) and Top Notch Canine in south Phoenix (www.topnotchcanines.com). The first dog agility club in the Valley was Contact Zonies (www.contactzonies.org). Other dog agility organizations in the greater Phoenix area include Jumping Chollas (www.jumpingchollas.com), Good Dog (www.gooddog.org), LeapsNBounds (www.leapsnboundsaz.com), Club Doggie (www. club-doggie.com), MLF Dog Sports (www.mlfdogsports.com), Tail Waggn (tailwaggn.weebly.com), and Arizona Agility Angels (www. phoenixdogagilityclasses.com). Outside of Phoenix there are a few local clubs like Sky High Jumpers in Flagstaff (www.skyhighjumpers. com), Saguaro Scramblers (www.scramblers.org) and Desert Dawg in Tucson (www.desertdawgsports.org), and the Verde Valley Dog Agility Club in Camp Verde (www.verdevalleyagilityclub.com).

There are several different sanctioning bodies for dog agility; all of these host competitions in Arizona: USDAA (www.usdaa.org), AKC (www.akc.org), NADAC (www.nadac.com), ASCA (www.asca. org), RockStar Agility Network (www.rsagility.com), and UKI (www. ukagilityinternational.com). There is even a monthly magazine dedicated solely to dog agility, Clean Run (www.cleanrun.com). To find a local dog agility competition, go online to http://azagilitycal. info. We hope to see you and your 4-legged partner running agility with us soon.

Beth Poppre and Darcy Rohats are active members of Contact Zonies Agility Club, based in Phoenix. Contact them at www.contactzonies.org

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39

RESCUE NEWS Luv of Dogz

By Anne Thomas

Photos Luv of Dogz

Hillary Shluker-Brose’s story is common among many who volunteer in the world of animal care and rescue. Cofounder of Luv of Dogz, Hillary describes herself as the kid that was always bringing home strays and whose allowance was donated to local rescue groups.

While working with a mobile mental health crisis team, one day she came upon a chained-up dog, flies eating at his eyes. Hillary asked its owner if she could take the dog. She went after work and paid $20 and the big dog was hers. The chain around his neck was so thick, she had to take him to the emergency veterinarian to have the chain removed. HiIlary then reached out to Valley rescue groups only to find them full, so this dog joined her crew.

In 2002, Hillary became involved with For the Love of Dogs. Diagnosed with cancer early in the millennium, she was forced to take a break from animal rescue. It was 2011, when she, Trent Gasbarra, Bev Andrews and Fun Chan formed Luv of Dogz Fund. “After I was clear of cancer, I really wanted to get back into running a rescue,” she said. “It’s my passion!”

Hillary and Sunny

As with many rescues in the Valley, Luv of Dogz Fund is completely foster based. “Our focus is basically medical dogs or dogs that get passed over,” said Hillary. She continued, “We take Valley Fever dogs and those with skin issues and other medical dogs considered the underdogs. After the dog is adopted, we cover the preexisting condition, like Valley Fever and follow up with the medical care.

Sunny with Foster Dad Trent

Since the rescued dogs go to foster homes, they get help with house training and socialization and the rescue learns whether they are good with other dogs.

Hillary says the rescue is “very health conscious,” especially with dogs they rescue in Mexico, where there are very few rescues or cruelty laws. “All of our dogs see a vet, where they stay for a week or two to make sure they are healthy enough to be adopted.”

This also protects other dogs in the foster homes.

Luv of Dogz Fund is entirely volunteer run, no one in the rescue takes a salary. Because of this, they are content with being a small foster based group without a shelter or facility.

“We’re actually happy with where we are,” Hillary explained. “We’re a smaller group and we like that no one has to depend on the rescue for income. We don’t want to get in over our heads, so we take in what we can,” she said.

One message Hillary emphasizes with both current pet owners and Elizabeth Taylor is good with kids potential adopters: make sure to set and dogs, ready for her new home up a pet trust. “Most people assume that the family will take care of pets when the owner dies,” she said. That is not always possible. A pet trust can avoid problems.

When asked PDM about the most memorable dog she’s seen come through When asked about the Luv of Dogz, Hillary said current needs of the it was one that came in group, Hillary told PDM with profound scarring that Luv of Dogz always from abuse. It was a bully needs dedicated foster breed that someone was homes and donations for trying to make mean and medical care. “The more poured acid on its back. A money we can raise, and nice family was interested the more foster homes in him and understood that we can find, the more because of the severity medical cases we can Luv of Dogz Volunteers of the scarring, the dog take in,” she emphasized. would forever be marred. “They didn’t care and they love him and still keep in touch,” she said. “Here was this dog, scarred for life, we saw how If you would like to donate or foster or volunteer, go to http://www. awesome he was, and so did the family. luvofdogz.org

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The Phoenix Dog

September/October 2018

CRITTER CORNER The Rio Salado Audubon Center: Oasis in the City

By Serena O’Sullivan

Photos Rio Salado Audubon

Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center Photo Bill Timmerman

A paradise for birds lies in the heart of Phoenix, and you could be passing it every day without knowing it.

“The Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area is just south of downtown,” said Morgan Moore, the Development and Communications Coordinator for Audubon Arizona. “There’s a gorgeous river park that lots of people don’t know about. Many who drive by don’t realize there’s a beautiful river that hosts over 200 species of animals. And it’s here for you!”

From wetland ponds to small forests, the 600-acre restoration area offers various flourishing habitats anyone can access for free. The Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center, is dedicated to saving Arizona’s birds through local conservation efforts, sits on 11 acres within the park.

“The stretch of the Salt River where we are located was once a giant dump, used as a landfill,” Moore said. “The City of Phoenix partnered with the Army Corps of Engineers, a Birds n’ Beer Photo Chantal Duquette federal group, the Flood Control District of Maricopa County, and the Arizona Water Protection Fund. It was a huge effort, and a lot of money was put in to clean the river, but ultimately they were able to restore the river to its natural habitat.”

While the National Audubon Society was founded in 1905, the Arizona facility in Rio Salado is much younger. “We’ve been open for almost 10 years. We opened in 2009,” said Moore. “Our center’s full name comes from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, which was the primary founder for the Audubon Society’s campaign to open up a conservation center in Rio Salado.”

Ever since its opening, the Rio Salado Audubon Center has been making a huge impact on the community. “We created important habitats for birds,” Moore said. “We’ve been crucial in protecting birds and wildlife, which has been recognized by several official entities.”

Besides helping to clean up the Salt River and preserving habitats for birds, one of the Rio Salado Audubon Center’s proudest accomplishments is its variety of education programs. “One program, River Keepers, specifically targets youth from low-income neighborhoods through Boys & Girls Clubs,” Moore said. “We’ll take them to the Rio Salado Habitat to teach them about biology and science.”

River Keepers Bird Bingo Photo Morgan Moore

Grant funding enables the center to offer the River Keepers Afterschool Program for two days a week, over the course of four weeks, completely free of charge.

The center also provides free programs for Title 1 schools. “We like to bring up schools that have historically been underserved,” Moore said.

The Rio Salado Audubon Center’s passion for educating the community extends beyond schools. Crucial to their mission is conservation. “Water in Arizona is an issue,” Moore pointed out. “We’re in a drought. There are some vulnerable bird species whose populations have declined significantly due to a lack of a habitat.”

Besides waterbirds, other types of birds are in danger as well, including burrowing owls. Moore explained that burrowing owls will make their homes in the ground, which leaves them vulnerable to construction and development. Workers from rescue group Wild at Heart will rescue these owls from construction sites and relocate them with help from Audubon and volunteers, to safe habitats throughout Arizona, including the restored habitat near the Rio Salado Audubon Center.

Burrowing Owl at Conservation Workday Photo Jim Winters

“Although our center provides a lot of excellent bird-watching opportunities, we’re not primarily focused on birdwatching, but protecting the environment as a whole, and engaging with the community as a whole,” Moore told PDM. “We’re not an event-based organization, but we do have Enchanted Trail Bat Cave quite a few,” Moore admitted, Photo Morgan Moore with a chuckle. “Enchanted Trail is our biggest event, reaching around two thousand people from around Southern Phoenix. It’s a free, bilingual event in which families can learn more about native nocturnal wildlife.”

Whether you visit the center for one of their events, programs, or simply for some bird-watching, the Rio Salado Audubon Center welcomes all guests.

Next time you feel yourself wanting to escape from city life, consider visiting the Rio Salado Audubon Center.

Visit the website for more information http://riosalado.audubon.org/, or stop by! 3131 S. Central Ave, Phoenix 602-468-6470 www.phoenixdog.net

41

CELEBRATION OF LIFE Ando, My Number One Hauspanther Story and Photos Kate Benjamin

In 2004 I was working at ASU when a co-worker sent out an email about a little black kitten who had been born outside her apartment. She had been keeping him safe but couldn’t add him to her family because her other cat wasn’t interested in having a roommate. If no one wanted him she was going to take him to the

tester and model. He was always eager to try anything new the moment I took it out of the box. He would look right at the camera and pose perfectly with his yellow-green eyes and shiny black coat.

As he grew older and started sprouting white whiskers he settled down and became more stoic but still maintained his sassy nature.

Over the past few years he developed almost every health condition you can think of – diabetes, kidney failure, hyper-thyroidism, and finally, the one that took him, heart failure.

The things I miss the most about Ando are that he always sat on my desk when I was working, usually with his paw or head on my hand, and he slept on my pillow at night. It has been incredibly difficult not to have him around, but the what has been the most comforting has been hearing from friends and fellow cat lovers who know what it’s

Ando

Humane Society. I quickly replied that I would take him, and collected him that night after work.

I remember the first time I met Ando. He marched up to me and I picked him up only to have him protest to be put down, a personality trait that stayed with him his whole life. He was full of sass and he charmed every person he ever met.

INSURANCE. Ando was always a handful, exploring and INSURANCE. Ando help at work destroying everything in his path. I worried about ENOUGH IS ENOUGH… adding other catsIS after I got Ando, thinking he would be dominant, like to love a cat in this way.

ENOUGH ENOUGH… Ando at work modeling UNTIL IT ISN’T. We love them all, but some but every other cat absolutely worshipped him.

He greeted each UNTIL IT ISN’T. new cat with a calming presence and they immediately fell in love are very, very special. with him. We joked that he was the Fonz because every girl cat Ando was my guardian angel in this life, and I know he continues wanted to be with him and every boy cat wanted to be him. to be my guardian angel, now and forever. Ando, you are a piece Ando was the inspiration for my business name, Hauspanther. He of my soul and I will love you for eternity. You are my number one Having the right coverage in place can Hauspanther. was very regal and handsome, and Having the right coverage in place mean everything when you’re facingcan the he became my best product mean everything you’re the unexpected.

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42

The Phoenix Dog

(480) 575-0710

September/October 2018

pg 18

Day of the Dog Scottsdale

pg 44

American Cancer Society

pg 25

Dogs Etc

pg 8

Arizona Animal Rescue Mission

pg 31

Dogtoberfest-Prescott

pg 7

Arizona Animal Welfare League

pg 8

Farm Bureau Financial Services

American Service Animal Society pg 4

Medmetrics Compounding Pharmacy

pg 24

Midwestern University

pg 8, 29

pg 42

Molly & Friends Pet Grooming

pg 27

Flash and Hound Pet Photography

pg 33

Natural Paws

pg 11

Nature’s Way Botanicals

pg 27

PACC911

pg 39

Ann Hoff Animal Communicator

pg 11

Arizona Humane Society

pg 17

Happy Pets Palace and Playground

pg 26

Bark Busters

pg 27

HeartStrings Pet Resort

pg 26

Purrfect Behavior Solutions

pg 30

Barrett Financial Group

pg 12

Hoylarious Studios

pg 26

pg 17

Basso Botanicals

pg 11

Integrative Medicine

pg 19

Shemer Art Center- Furry Friends Art Festival

Boxer Luv Rescue

pg 18

pg 36

Sun Devil Auto

pg 27

Canine Colostrum

pg 11

Ironspoon Ranch Training Center

The Pet Club

pg 3

Cave Creek Olive Oil

pg 26

Jules Gissler Artologist

pg 8

Thia’s Family Pack

pg 26

Contact Zonies Agility

pg 26

LatchKey Petz

pg 43

Tito’s Handmade Vodka

pg 3

Circle Mountain Pet Sitting

pg 26

Local First AZ

pg 2

Woofstock City of Chandler

pg 17

D&D Pet Supplies

pg 27

Lugari Pet Salon, LLC

pg 26

Zona’s Essential Oils

pg 26

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control

pg 3

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