Pawsome
PETS New city shelter seeks to reunite pets and owners, find new homes Pet-friendly businesses in the ’Burg; people and their pets SPCA, PAWS and others work to reduce unwanted pets population
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A publication of the Fredericksburg Standard
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Pawsome PETS
She’s all smiles and enjoys playing outside with toys. This female, Heeler mix is about one and a half to two years old. She knows how to sit and play fetch, is trainable and friendly.
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Index Adoptions available............................................................................ 2-3 City animal shelter............................................................................... 4-6 Vaccination clinic..................................................................................... 9 Hill Country SPCA............................................................................. 10-11 Our subscribers’ favorite fur babies............................................. 12-13 Pedernales Animal Welfare Society.............................................. 14-15
ON THE COVER: Molly, a Great Dane, gives a big welcome visitors at Braunbach Granite each day with owners Kevin and Mary Beth Kendrick.
Pet-friendly businesses.................................................................... 16-17 Fix für Life program........................................................................... 18-19 Local veterinarians.......................................................................... 20-21 Dog Park eyes Phase 1 finish......................................................... 22-23
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post Pawsome PETS
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CITY ANIMAL SHELTER
Wanted: a loving home
This female, Red Heeler-Corgi mix is a Corgi-size. She loves to be loved, and would make a great addition to a family.
This male black cat is one of several that are available for adoption at the City of Fredericksburg Animal Shelter.
An affectionate pup, he is a Heeler mix and about two years old. He is quiet and enjoys new friends.
Listen to Precious “Mad Dog” Maddie
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Pawsome PETS
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Home sweet home City Animal Shelter works to reunite pets with their owners; new families for others “We have been pretty successful in finding owners. But if we can’t, we put them up for adoption after four days,” Gerhardt said. The animal shelter is required to take in all animals from the city and county. “We can’t refuse anybody from the city and county,” she said. To see if the strays are adoptable, Gerhardt puts them through a series of tests. Gerhardt said the adoption contract with the animal shelter is simple and covers the basics, such as following the rules and ordinances, not tying the animal and providing them with regular veterinary care, food, water and shade in the summer or shelter in the winter. “We screen people interested in adopting a pet when they come in,” she said. “People will tell you a lot if you just listen.” At the animal shelter, the staff also tries to match people and animal personalities. Gerhardt said that sometimes people will come in looking for a specific animal, but will leave with a different pet that is more suited to them. “I play with these dogs and cats every day,” Gerhardt said. “I know their personalities.” One of the features at the shelter is a getto-know-you yard where humans and pets can get acquainted. Interested persons can also take home an animal for the weekend to see how they blend in with the family and other pets.
By Yvonne Hartmann Standard-Radio Post Managing Editor
W
hen Micky Moellering and Yvonne Gerhardt reunite a stray pet with its owner, it’s a good
day. Adoption days are also good days for the duo, both of whom are state licensed animal control officers for the City of Fredericksburg. As animal control officers, their days are as varied as the four-legged pets they help care for. On any given day, they are busy rounding up stray dogs and cats from the city streets, removing dead animals, setting traps for possums, raccoons, skunks and fox or responding to a snake call or barking dogs. “We take care of anything in the city that is related to animals,” Gerhardt said. They also do welfare checks on animals where abuse is suspected. Along with their regular duties, Gerhardt said that she and Moellering both also focus their efforts on educating pet owners about the importance of spaying and neutering and microchipping. Animal Shelter Gerhardt manages the new City of Fredericksburg Animal Shelter now located at 319 Hollmig Lane. “We take in dogs and cats from the city and Gillespie County only — no other cities or counties,” Gerhardt said. Animals come to the shelter as strays or from owners who are surrendering them. If the animal is a stray, Gerhardt explained they are held for four full days per the city ordinance. “Every animal that comes in without an owner is a stray,” Gerhardt said. “We don’t know where the owner is or who the owner is.” “Anything running the streets when we pick it up is defined as a stray,” she said. On the other hand, animals given up by their owners can be put up for adoption immediately.
This English bulldog mix found his forever home when Felicia Cantu, right, stopped by the City of Fredericksburg Animal Shelter recently. Helping the two get acquainted is Yvonne Gerhardt, one of two city animal control officers. — Standard-Radio Post/Yvonne Hartmann To get the word out about what animals may have been picked up and/or animals available for adoption, Gerhardt uses a variety of social media sites including Facebook (city of Fredericksburg animal control/shelter) where they post pictures
and rely on “shares” and “likes” to help get the word out. They also check for microchips. While the shelter is a kill facility, Gerhardt said “our main focus for strays is to find their owners.”
Rabies control And while Gerhardt is busy running the animal shelter, Moellering is the local rabies control authority. Any time someone is bitten by a dog or cat, it is reported to the animal control officers. “We check on the person that was bitten, and on the animal to make sure it is current on its rabies shots,” Gerhardt said. The shelter is a state-licensed quarantine facility, and when an animal bites a human, it must be quarantined for 10 days. Animal Shelter — 6
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Pawsome PETS
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
ANIMAL SHELTER Cont. from 4
The cost to quarantine an animal is $10 per day, which is the owner’s responsibility. Experience Both Gerhardt and Moellering have decades of experience. For more than 40 years, Gerhardt has worked with animals. She has bred and shown dogs, trained and groomed them and has worked at veterinarian clinics before starting at the city over 13 years ago. She also continues to lead dog obedience classes, and gives mini-training sessions when people come in to adopt
CITY ANIMAL SHELTER Address: 319 Hollmig Lane Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday Phone: 830-997-1907 (Calls are answered after hours by the law enforcement dispatch center.)
a dog. Moellering has been with the city for 31 years as the animal control officer.
Gerhardt noted that the animal control and animal shelter falls under the jurisdiction of the Fredericksburg Police Department. Volunteers The animal shelter relies on volunteers to help answer the telephone, help clean kennels and the shelter and help socialize the animals by playing with them. They also do some training. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age and undergo a background check. Animal Shelter — 8
Kittens brought to the City of Fredericksburg Animal Shelter waiting for their forever home. — Standard-Radio Post/Yvonne Hartmann
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Pawsome PETS
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
ANIMAL SHELTER Cont. from 6
“We can always use more volunteers,” she said. The facility also accepts donations to offset costs of care for the animals. Reading program A new program that Gerhardt is working to start at the animal shelter is a reading program whereby children can come in and read their favorite books to a dog or cat. “It helps the animal and it helps children gain confidence in reading aloud,” she said. “For the children, there are no critics, and the animals get interaction time,” she said. Gerhardt said children would need to be accompanied by a parent or other adult to also listen to the child read.
An English bulldog mix waits patiently for treats from City of Fredericksburg Animal Control Officer Yvonne Gerhardt, right, while she visits with Felicia Cantu. — StandardRadio Post/Yvonne Hartmann
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post Pawsome PETS
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Keeping pets healthy and safe Clinic offers discounted vaccinations Helping owners keep their pets safe and healthy, the City of Fredericksburg and organizations around the county sponsor rabies vaccination clinics at the beginning of each new year. The City of Fredericksburg’s 2019 vaccination clinics will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26, and again on Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Consolidated Warehouse on Friendship Lane. Veterinarians will be on hand to offer rabies shots for dogs and cats as well as other vaccina-
tions at a discounted price. Owners can also microchip their pets and get the required city tags and licenses for their pets. For more information, call the City of Fredericksburg Animal Shelter at 997-1907. Along with Fredericksburg, annual rabies vaccination clinics will be held in Harper, Willow City, Doss and Stonewall. Information on those additional clinics will be announced in the Fredericksburg StandardRadio Post as they get closer.
Local veterinarians administer rabies shots to dogs and cats in January and February. Shots are offered at a discounted price. — StandardRadio Post file photo
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Compassionate and caring Hill Country SPCA staff, volunteer love of animals drive adoption, outreach efforts By Ken Esten Cooke Standard-Radio Post editor
A recent litter of pups was adopted with their SPCAstaff “chocolate” names. The brown pups were named Godiva, Reese, Kit-Kat and Hershey. Those sweet names are a peek into the care and attention given to the animals by staff and volunteeres at the Hill Country Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (HCSPCA), which helps locals adopt pets while showing abandoned and abused animals the care they crave. But the SPCA does so much more. Education, outreach and compassion for animals drive this staff and volunteers to finding forever homes for their pets. Chartered in 1997, Hill Country SPCA organizers and volunteers worked toward their own facility, when Ed and Trudy Brune stepped forward to underwrite a new shelter facility named in honor of Trudy in recognition of her lifelong love of animals. “We have lots of adoptable animals and lots of vol-
unteer opportunities,” said Elizabeth Loggie, executive director. Currently, the shelter has 103 animals. It is the only no-kill shelter in Fredericksburg — and SPCA regularly works with the city and area shelters that may have adoptable animals that otherwise would be scheduled to be euthanized. Part of SPCA’s outreach is also participation in educational and outreach programs. They host “Canine Citizenship” training classes. These are certified through the American Kennel Club (AKC). These classes will take training up a notch in professionalism. “Not anybody can teach them. They have to be certified through AKC and have previous training experience,” said trainer Tia Schenewerk, assistant shelter manager. “They serve as a precursor to a lot of therapy dog groups or a general all-around program. It’s a solid baseline for training.” Some of the shelter dogs are now going through the program. Owners of pets learn how to handle their dogs in public settings.
Geri and Melanie are Schnauzer-Terrier mix playful puppies that are looking for owners. — Standard-Radio Post photo
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post Pawsome PETS
Lainey, a Chihuahua-Terrier mix, recovered from traumatic leg injuries and is one of many adoptable pups at the SPCA. — Standard-Radio Post photo
“Because we have so many dogs downtown and will have them once we get our dog park up-and-running, it would be great if more people would take their dogs through this training,” Loggie said. Other outreach efforts also include “Barn ’N Wine” events where they visit area vineyards with animals and educate clients about rescue and animal behaviors. “Critter Camps” also are held for children ages 6-12, and another class will be added for middle-school-aged youth. The shelter also has a summer internship program for students ages 14 to 17, to learn the ropes. They also have interactions with different animal operations around town, including veterinarians. “These are perfect for students looking to enter veterinary or science training. They learn how to do vaccinations and microchips,” Loggie said. During last year’s Hurricane Harvey storm, SPCA took in shelter animals from the coast area, so those shelters would have room to take in those lost or abandoned during the storm. Loggie said with all the recent rain, heartworm prevention — and SPCA does testing for the condition — will be important. SPCA also reaches out with rabies clinics. They teamed with Hill Country Veterinary
Center and did 160 rabies vaccinations in three hours. So what is the “ideal adopter”? “We look for somebody who is going to bring that animal into their home and treat them like a family member,” Loggie said. “Some people say we’re a little bit strict, but we’re looking for proper fencing, proper exercise — making sure that animal’s energy and breed is going to fit the lifestyle of the new owner. “So many people go for ‘a look’ and then after three weeks are like ‘it got so big,’” Loggie said. The SPCA also is funded in part by proceeds from the adjacent thrift store, Trudy’s Treasures at 3025 State Highway 16 South. “It lets people clean out their closets to donate and they can help directly support the animals in the shelter,” Loggie said. Also, look for the annual Paddy’s Party fund-raiser each spring, which has brought in new donors. The staff also does regular weekend outreach events in town and in area cities to educate about spay and neuter programs. HCSPCA also has a new volunteer coordinator, who herself is a volunteer. “We don’t make back what the adoption fees are for the veterinary costs,” Loggie said. “So that gift of time and talent is so invaluable to us.”
Hill Country Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals 2981 South Highway 16 Fredericksburg, TX 78624 (830) 990-9085 info@hillcountryspca.com ONLINE www.hillcountryspca.com Contains online photo database to browse dogs, cats and a few other furries. Hours Mon: 1pm-6pm Tue- Fri: 11am-6pm Saturday: 11am-4pm Sunday: Closed Trudy’s Treasures Thrift Store, located just south of the Brune Building, helps fund operations.
Groups like The Whisky Shivers headline the annual Paddy’s Party fund-raiser each year. Look for the event in the spring. — File photo
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Our subscribers’ best friends
Sadie, center, and her parents, Lola, left, and Louie, enjoy a ride in the truck together. — Sharon Ogletree
Nick and his owner, Pris Williams, enjoyed this year’s Fourth of July Parade. — Pris Williams
Something caught Boots’ eyes behind the curtains. — Heather Falting
Roger, an 11-month old (Double Doodle, Golden Doodle and Labradoodle) veteran service dog was able to catch a Houston Astros baseball game over the summer. — Lesley Bonilla
German Shepherd pup “Bear” plays outside. — Madisen Jacoby
Gigi is a regular office helper and takes a stretch after helping to file papers (sort of), as her owner works from home. — Ramona Sublett
Boulder Blue waits patiently to be rewarded for good behavior with tasty treats. — McKenzie Moellering
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post Pawsome PETS
Dobby and Luna are seen relaxing on a lazy day. — Tatyana Porter
Kovu takes a break to catch up on all the latest celebrity news. — Azeneth Aguirre
Five-year-old Elsa lays in her favorite spot to watch her house. Elsa was rescued at five weeks after she was abandoned by her mother. — Beth Tucker
These three look to have the most fun. Savannah Neffendorf, center, is pictured with her pet chicken, LeeLoo Dallas, and two-year old Doberman Pinscher, Delta Dawn. — Blake Ingram
Pumpkin props himself up on the footboard to watch owner Grace get ready for school. — Beth Tucker
Louie loves his toys, going for walks and socializing with other dogs and people. — Kimberly Giles
Remi, a seven-month-old Cane Corso, loves going on walks, smelling the flowers, her toys, bacon and most of all her kitty, Junebug. She might actually like bacon more than Junebug but who could blame her! — Ronda Leigh
Tucker and Teddy Setterbo took a walk on the bright side of Texas bluebonnets. — Elizabeth Setterbo
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Hank the Shih-Tzu models his blue bowtie while out for a short stroll. — Azeneth Aguirre
Olaf, a local Hill Country SPCA adoptee, sports his graduation cap and his smarts. — Dawn Smith
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
PAWS saves animals through low-cost spay, neuter program The Pedernales Animal Welfare Society, or PAWS, has a slogan stating, “The dream of a no-kill community starts with no birth.” PAWS, a home-grown, nonprofit, and all-volunteer organization, offers its low-cost spay and neuter programs to help that become a reality. PAWS is run by a group of dedicated members who run operations from their homes. “We provide spay and neuter, education about ethical treatment and full guidance on trapping, neuter and return,” said Tim Gaikas, president. “We focus
CONTACT Pedernales Animal Welfare Society P.O. Box 2794, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 www.fbgpaws.org (830) 990-1018 fbgpaws@gmail.com
primarily on feral animals because there is no one to
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take care of those animals, obviously, and we want to minimize the transfer of disease from wild animals.” PAWS does spay and neuter, but they also provide rabies shots and address issues that may be debilitating. “Some animals we find are very healthy, but some are flea-ridden or infested with parasites,” Gaikas said. PAWS provides no-cost or low-cost for indigent for those who cannot pay for services. “We’re not a welfare service, but we do have an option for indigent people.”
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post Pawsome PETS The organization also works with the City of Fredericksburg and the SPCA. “We’re not competing with anyone,” Gaikas said. “Our only limitations are volunteers and finances.” The organization typically does spay and neuter for 50 to 60 animals each month. “Much of our business comes from owners of animals who make an extra donation,” he said. Gaikas said the organization can help trap animals, but they don’t “haul off animals for free.” PAWS helps make sure people respect the animals and take care of them post-surgery. They help with recovery and educate owners about the procedures. By law, trapped animals must be returned to where they are captured once they are spayed or neutered. “We depend on community involvement and community donations,” said Sandra Maule, board treasurer, who handles all appointments for spay and neuter procedures. PAWS was started by a group of local women in 2004. They provide spay and neuter assistance to
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local residents. Its mission is to provide spay and neuter assistance to community (feral) dogs and cats and companion animals. “Far too often, these animals are euthanized, due to a lack of adoptive homes,” Maule said. “We have local veterinarians who participate in this program and without them, we could not do this. We so appreciate their participation.” The organization’s website is www.fbgpaws.org and people may request pickups under the “spayneuter” page. A volunteer will then check with local veterinarians, then get back with the request. People who wish to contribute to this 501(c)3 organization may do so by sending a check or donating through its website. The group performs about $4,000 to $5,000 in services each month, so that’s what they seek to cover through donations. “We want to make sure people don’t confuse us with national organizations, nor do we want people to think we’re in competition with other animal services and charities. We serve Gillespie County,” Gaikas said.
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Fur baby friendly local businesses Gillespie County businesses try to maintain a pet friendly atmosphere for visitors. Here are several lists of places that allow pets on the premises.
• Tubbies • West End Pizza Company
Hotels with no pet fee Most hotels have pet fees, and a few have Restaurants size restrictions when it comes to dogs. Here Bringfido.com lists the following restaurants are a few hotels that have no pet fee: as pet friendly: • La Quinta Inn and Suites; • Auslander • Super 8; • Altdorf Biergarten • Wine Country Inn • Burger Burger • Hondo’s on Main These hotels have an additional pet fee: • Kelani Yogurt • Econo Lodge ($15 a night) • Nury’s • Best Western • Silver Creek • Fredericksburg Country Inn & Cottages • Sozial Haus • Windcrest Inn & Suites
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Percy the Corgi guards the stills at Garrison Brothers Distillery in Hye. Gillespie County offers a variety of pet friendly places as well as places were pets roam the facilities. — Submitted photo
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post Pawsome PETS 17 Local wineries with pet friendly attitudes (according to Texas Wine Lovers’ website) • 290 Vinery — fenced area with water bowl • 4.0 Cellars — water bowl • Armadillo’s Leap Winery • Becker Vineyards —outside • Compass Rose Cellars, Hye • Chisholm Trail Winery • Fat Ass Ranch and Winery — outside • Fiesta Winery 290 • Grape Creek Vineyards — outside designated areas for club members • Hye Meadow Winery, Hye • Inwood Estate Vineyards • Kuhlman Cellars, Stonewall • Lost Draw Cellars — outside • Messina Hof Hill Country • Pedernales Cellars • Pontotoc Vineyards
• Texas Wine Cellars • Wedding Oak Winery at Wildseed Farms • William Chris Vineyards, Hye • Woodrose Winery Other pet friendly places • Braunbach Granite • Century 21 Sunset, Realtors • Chämpe Jennings Jewelry • Der Daiwel • Farm House Charm • Fiedler Home & Ranch • Fredericksburg, Texas KOA • Garrison Brothers Distillery (Their Corgi’s name is Percy.) • Hill Country Antler Art • Hudson and Taylor • InSight Gallery • Parts Unknown • Pottery Ranch • Sassy Lassie • Sierra Homes
• Tractor Supply • T-Shirts Et Cetera (Their Daschund is named Polly.) • Wildseed Farms Pet boarding and grooming: • Dogologie • Compassionate Care Veterinary Hospital • Gillespie Veterinary Center • Paws & Claws Pet Resort • The Pet Nannies • Kelli’s Dog Country Resort • Fredericksburg Vet Center
Roxie, an American bulldog (left), and Kovu the cat, people-watch from their win-dow. — Azeneth Aguirre
All adopted pets come Vaccinated, Spayed/Neutered, Microchipped, Dewormed, Current on Preventatives and FIV/FeLv or Heartworm tested.
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
SPCA offers ‘Fix für Life’ Hill Country Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (HCSPCA) has a program called FixFürLife, designed to reduce the number of unwanted dogs and cats throughout the county. FixFürLife offers low-cost, high-quality spay and neuter and vaccination services for owned pets and donation-based services for unowned cats, including ferals, strays, barn cats and porch cats.
“This helps make spay and neuter services affordable for everyone,” said Elizabeth Loggie, HCSPCA executive director. Another goal is to provide at least 1,200 spay and neuter surgeries per year, she said. Spay/neuter is critical to stemming the tide of unwanted and discarded dogs and cats in our area, said Dr. Amy Jo Pilmer with Hill Country Veterinary Clinic. “Even conservative data shows that a single
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post Pawsome PETS being female, and factoring in that 25 percent of kittens will not live beyond a few days, a single cat can produce up to 400 offspring in only seven years.” And spay/neuter provides benefits to families, the pets and the community, Loggie said. Sterilization of a cat or dog increases his or her chance of living a longer and healthier life. Pet sterilization can also save residents money. The capture, impoundment and eventual destruction of unwanted animals costs taxpayers and private humanitarian agencies over $1 billion each year. Residents of Fredericksburg and Gillespie County can request an appointment for their family pets and community cats at the HCSPCA or online at www.fixfurlife.org. “We at HCSPCA are really excited about FixFürLife and are dedicated to its success,” Loggie said. “As
FIXED FACTS • Fixed pets have a very low to no risk of mammary gland, prostate, ovarian or testicular cancer. • Sterilized pets have fewer behavioral problems, like roaming, spraying or aggression (85 percent of dogs hit by cars are unaltered). • Altered dogs tend to live up to three years longer; felines can live up to five more years.
Fredericksburg grows, the need for low-cost spay and neuter services is imperative. With the amount of animal dumping due to unwanted litters in our community, FixFürLife will be the front line to tackle pet overpopulation. “This program’s success will directly impact our sheltering system and the health of our community.”
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Local vets keep animals healthy Local veterinarians provide Fredericksburg and the surrounding area with plenty of options for pet care. Here’s a list of some of the businesses that help people take care of their pets: • Fredericksburg Veterinary Center (1203 N. Llano St.) offers full exams, preventative medicine, X-rays, sonograms, bloodworm treatment, surgeries (large and small animal), dentals and farm/house calls. They are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Mondays through Fridays. More information is available by calling 830-997-4308. • Compassionate Care Veterinary Hospital (2013 U.S. 87 North) provides grooming services, boarding, small animal medicine and surgery, emergency veterinary services and standard medical, surgical and dental veterinary care. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, and 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday. More information is available by
contacting 830-997-7643.
contacting 830-990-9052.
• Equine Veterinary Services (937 Leyendecker Road) is the county’s only horse specific veterinary practice, and offers repurchase examinations, reproduction services, annual immunizations, integrative health consultations, regenerative medicine, dentistry, surgery, sports medicine examinations and sick horse care, in addition to small animal services. Clinic hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. More information is available by
• Friendship Veterinary Center (2087 U.S. 87 South) has numerous services for pet and livestock owners. A diagnostic lab, emergency services, examinations and immunizations, house calls, large animal and ranch calls, laser therapy treatments, microchipping, small animal dentistry, surgery, digital X-ray, ultrasound, hoof trimming, equine dentistry and 4-H and FFA show project consulting are among the center’s offerings. Friendship Veterinary Center also
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post Pawsome PETS herd health programs, radiology and accepts walk-ins. More information is available by call- ultrasonography, equine dentistry, boarding and several reproductive ing 830-997-9946. services. The clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 • Gillespie Veterinary Center (402 S. Creek St.) offers small animal servic- p.m., Mondays through Fridays, and 8 es, grooming and boarding, and large a.m. to noon on Saturdays. animal services. More information is available by conGillespie Veterinary Center does tacting 830-997-4348. annual wellness exams, small animal • Hill Country Veterinary Clinic medicine, small animal surgery, artificial insemination, digital X-ray and (2257 Texas 16 South) offers 24-hour ultrasound, vaccinations, in-house lab- emergency services, medicine and suroratory, dentistry, 24-hour emergency gery, laser surgery and laser therapy, care and laser therapy for small ani- exotic animal services, farm and ranch service, boarding, in-house diagnostics, mals. For large animals, the business has laboratory work and ultrasounds. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays medicine, surgery, artificial insemination, embryo transfer, lameness through Fridays, and 8 a.m. to noon on work, regular and corrective hoof Saturdays. More information is available by contrims, annual vaccinations, cosmetic de-horning for show cattle, complete tacting 830-997-9576.
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Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post
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830-997-2155 fredericksburgstandard.com
The Benefits of
PET THERAPY
Pet Therapy builds on the pre-existing human-animal bond. Interacting with a friendly pet can help many physical and mental issues. It can help reduce blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular health. It can also release endorphins that produce a calming effect. This can help alleviate pain, reduce stress, and improve your overall psychological state. Other benefits of pet therapy can include: • • •
Making you happier, lessening depression, and improving your outlook on life Decreasing loneliness and isolation by giving you a companion Reducing boredom
• • •
Reducing anxiety because of its calming effects Helping children learn empathic and nurturing skills Improving your relationship with your care provider
22 Pawsome PETS
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Dog park close to Phase 1 finish By Erika Vela Standard-Radio Post reporter
D
ogs and their owners will soon have a new park for dogs to play and interact with others. The six-acre, $100,000 Fredericksburg Dog Park’s Phase 1 project is under construction at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park. The Fredericksburg Dog Park Association (FDPA), a 501c3 non-profit, partnered with the City of Fredericksburg, several benefactors and the community to help make the dog park a reality.
Jody Donovan, president of FDPA, shared the latest updates about the park and its mission saying the association wanted to build something for the community that would be heavily used and would, in turn, last. An irrigation system at the park has been completed and grass seeds have been planted. Benches, pet waste stations, a shade structure and fencing are just a few other parts of Phase 1’s projects. “We are basically waiting for a good, solid grass to grow. In addition, we are looking to finish the shade structure with a fence running down the
middle of it,” Donovan said. “We have had some delays with construction, as we have been using local builders and materials. We have worked to get as much of that donated as we could. In that, the contractors have been donating their time, labor and materials to help complete projects at the park and at their pace.” Plans for Phase 2 of the dog park are underway and will include dog-swimming water features. Those features will allow dogs to play and cool off in warmer temperatures. Dog Park — 23
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post Pawsome PETS
DOG PARK After completion of Phase 1 and the dog park’s official opening, fundraising will begin for Phase 2. “We will still sell bricks for fundraising in the next phase, as well. There are a lot of empty spaces that can be filled and it’s also a way for people who donate for the park’s construction to receive permanent recognition,” Donovan said. One of the missions of FDPA upon the opening of the park will be to educate the public about park rules,
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dog safety and etiquette. “We will have rules people will need to obey and the best parks of all the ones I have visited throughout the country are the ones where people helped to police and care for it,” Donovan said. A grand opening date has not been set, but Phase 1 of the park is expected to be completed by November, according to Donovan. For more updates about the dog park or ways to help, visit the FDPA’s website at www.fbgdogpark.org.
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Class teaches dog obedience It’s been said that one of the best things owners can do for their dog or puppy — and themselves — is obedience training. And that’s why the Fredericksburg Independent School District Community Education program regularly offers obedience training classes. Two classes will be offered on Tuesdays in the late winter and early spring. Option one classes begin on Tuesday, Jan. 22, and continue for six weeks through Feb. 26. The second option begins Tuesday, March 26, and continues for six weeks through April 30. Classes are held from 6-7 p.m. on Marktplatz. Yvonne Gerhardt, shelter manager for the City of Fredericksburg and an animal control
officer, is the instructor. The cost is $65. To register, contact the FISD Community Ed office at 997-7182 or email Joanie Kramer, director, at joaniek@fisd.org. “Obedience training doesn’t solve all behavior problems, but it is the foundation for solving just about any problem,” Kramer said. The dogs will be taught basic manners and obedience while the owners will be taught to be pack leaders. Dogs must be at least three months old, on a lead collar and have a six-foot leash. Owners must bring proof to the first class that the animal’s vaccinations are up to date. Also, it was noted that dogs should not be brought to the first class.
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Great Nutrition
SHOUDN’T STOP AT THE BARN
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Lochte Feed cares about your animals. We carry a wide variety of food for dogs, cats, large & small animals. Have an exotic animal? We offer Mazuri Feeds. Our selection of veterinary products will keep your pet in top shape.
509 Longhorn St. (off San Antonio Hwy) 830-997-2256 www.lochtefeed.com