DIRECTORIES

ANIMAL EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS

North: The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium pittsburghzoo.org The National Aviary nationalaviary.org

ANIMAL COMMUNICATION

Greater Pittsburgh Area: Renee Takacs, M.A., | intuitguide.com

ANIMAL-RELATED ART, PHOTOGRAPHY & RETAIL

April Minech Custom Portraits | Pet Inspired Art www.ladybugdelightz.etsy.com Black Cat Art | Pet Portraits/Murals/Fine Art 412-983-5278 | www.blackcatartllc.com North: Kim Lenz, Behind the Lenz Photography 412-983-0981, https://www.facebook.com/ Behind-the-Lenz-127787624032093/ Buzzy Photography 412-371-5212 | anita@buzzyphoto.com South: Kara Jones Photography, kjones.smugmug.com Paws ‘n Claws Eyewear, PawsnClawsEyewear.com

ANIMAL RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS

North: Animal Friends 412-847-7000 | thinkingoutsidethecage.org Beaver County Humane Society 724-775-5801 | www.beavercountyhumanesociety.org Frankie’s Friend Rescue 724-889-7011 | www.frankies-friends.org Pennsylvania Great Dane Rescue, 724-869-9185 Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary 412-366-1187 | hopehavenfarm.org South: Animal Care & Welfare 412-244-1372 | animalcareandwelfare.org Droopy’s Basset Rescue 888-9 GET DROOL | www.droopysbassetrescue.com Washington Area Humane Society 724-222-7387 | washingtonpashelter.org Animals Against the Odds Rescue/Rehab www.aato.rescueme.org South Hills Pet Rescue 724-622-0434 | www.southhillspetrescue.org East: Humane Animal Rescue 412-345-7300 | animalrescue.org HAR Wildlife Center 412-345-7300 | animalrescue.org SW PA Pugs with Special Needs 724-763-2790 | swpapug.org West: CARMAA, 412-780-4983 | carmaa-petadoption.com Greater Pittsburgh Area: SPAAR, www.seniorpetandanimalrescue.org Guardian Angels Pug Rescue, 724-537-3466 www.facebook.com/guardianangelspugrescue Humane Society of Greene County 724-627-9988 | greenepet.org PEARL Parrot Rescue, www.pearlparrots.com

BIRD & SUPPLIES

Natural Inspirations Parrot Cages www.naturalinspirationsparrotcages.com

DOG TRAINING

North: AKIN Family Dog Training (Lilian Akin) 412-732-8091 | akinfdt.net Greater Pittsburgh Area: Happy Pets Training/Christine Flint 412-373-9583 | www.happypetstraining.com Success Just Clicks, successjustclicks.com North Shore: South: Paula’s Professional Dog Services, 412-818-2482

DOG TRAINING CLUBS

South: Dogworks Training Center at The Canine Club 412-220-8100 | www.thecanineclub.com Golden Triangle Obedience Training Club 412-653-6880 | gtotc.com Keystone Canine Training 412-833-2211 | keystonecanine.com Xcel Canine Training Center 412-833-2504 | xcelcaninetraining.com

EQUINE BOARDING, LESSONS & TRAINING FACILITIES

North: Rockin’ Horse Stables 724-601-4706 | rockinhorsestables.com South: Coventry Equestrian Center, 724-206-9902 Manon’s Farm, 724-705-7912 | 724-621-0260 SydMor Equestrian Center 724-969-0510 | www.sydmorstables.com

EQUINE FEED & SUPPLY AGWAY - SOUTHERN STATES

North: Mount Nebo Agway, Sewickley, PA | 412-364-4430 Beaver Agway, Beaver, PA | 724-775-0535 Mars Agway, Mars PA | 724-625-2340 South: Eighty Four Agway, Eighty Four, PA | 724-222-0600 East: Ligonier Agway, Ligonier, PA | 724-238-6207 West: Imperial Agway, Imperial, PA | 724-695-7388

EQUINE TACK STORES

North: Shady Acres Saddlery 412-963-9454 | www.shadyacressaddlery.biz South: Lowry’s Western Store 724-228-1225 | lowryswesternshop.com

EQUINE VETERINARIANS

Dr. Brian Burks, DVM - Fox Run Equine Center 724-727-3481 | foxrunequine.com

HOLISTIC PET PRACTITIONERS

Pet Chiropractor North: Dr. Doug Knueven, DVM, Beaver Animal Clinic 724-774-8047 | beaveranimalclinic.com Greater Pittsburgh: Dr. Michael Savko, DC, CCSP, CVCP 724-261-7915 | drchirovet.com EASE Animal Massage 412-447-8490 | www.easeanimalmassage.com Wholestic Equine & Pet Services 205-492-1000

HOLISTIC PRACTITIONERS FOR GUARDIANS

East End: Judith Levy, Coaching/Energy Modalities 412-726-2659 | www.judithlevycoaching.com South:

HOLISTIC VETERINARIANS

Dr. Doug Knueven, DVM, Beaver Animal Clinic 724-774-8047 | beaveranimalclinic.com Dr. Qiang Li VCA Castle Shannon 412-885-2500

PET BURIAL, MEMORIAL & CREMATION SERVICES

South: Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation 412-220-7800 | ccpc.ws Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home 412-655-4500 | jeffersonmemorial.biz Greater Pittsburgh: Thousand Hills Pet Crematory 724-355-8296 | www.thousandhillspetcrematory.com Sunny Acres 412-292-6701 | sunnyacres.6@gmail.com

PET GROOMING

North: Keeta Mobile Pet Spa 412-545-3328 | Keetapetspa.com All About Dogs 724-925-1577 | allaboutdogsgrooming.info Happy Tailz Pet Spa 412-759-7620 | Happytailzpetspa.com Larry’s Laundromutt 412-534-4052 | Larryslaundromutt.com South: Woody’s Dog Wash & Pet Boutique 412-714-4644 | woodysdogbath.com East: Animal Elegance 412-361-1177 | www.animal-elegance.com Cat Around Town Cat Grooming 412-466-7877 (PURR) | cataroundtown.com Greater Pittsburgh Area: Zoom N Groom (Sonya Patterson), 724-225-4827

PET FRIENDLY BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS

Bactronix, 412-375-7886 | www.bactronix.com

Good Nature Organic Lawn Care 888-LAWNSAFER | whygoodnature.com Simple Sugars Scrub, Simplesugarsscrub.com UBS Financial Services 412-665-1914 | lee.oleinick@ubs.com Village Shoppes Scenery Hill Elves Lair Christmas & Gifts, Jan’s Tea Shoppe - 2nd Street Coffee Roasters, Velvet Envelope, Westerwald Pottery, Two Old Crows, www.sceneryhillpa.com Greater Pittsburgh Area: Fragasso Financial Advisors 412-227-3200 | www.fragassoadvisors.com J & D Waterproofing Home Improvement 724-746-8870 | www.jdwaterproofing.com Matt Arch Foundation, www.connectarian.com One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning 724-225-1644 | www.onehourair.com OxyMagic, 412-781-4110 | www.oxypgh.com Redford Photography www.redfordphotography.com Susan G. Komen Pittsburgh 412-342-0500 | www.komenpittsburgh.org East Pittsburgh East Nissan 412-824-9020 | www.pittsburgheastnissan.com Unique Home Solutions www.uniquehomesolutions.com South: Southpointe Chamber, www.southpointe.net

PET-FRIENDLY LIVING

Greater Pittsburgh Area: Judy Smith Team Realtor – Berkshire Hathaway 412-274- 7618 | www.thepreferredrealty.com/real-estate-agent/2242288/judy-smith-team/details/ Pinch Property Services 412-445-8550 | PinchPropertyServices.com East: The Getaway at Glen Highland Farm www.glenhighlandgetaway.com South: American Destiny Real Estate Services 412-983-2220 | www.adr-usa.com Amore 877-716-6840 | amoreapartments.com

PET GROOMING SCHOOLS

North: Pa Academy of Pet Grooming, 412-759-7620

PET REHABILITATION

Rebound Pet Rehabilitation 4152-508-2285 www.reboundpetrehabilitation.com

PET MINISTRIES

South: Christ United Methodist Church 412-277-1096 | christumc.net

PET RESORTS - BOARDING, DAYCARE, GROOMING & TRAINING

Camp Bow Wow, www.CampBowWow.com Locations: Camp Bow Wow Pittsburgh Southwest 710 Trumbull Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15205 412-276-WAGS (9247) Camp Bow Wow Pittsburgh North 2327 Babcock Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 412-931-WAGS (9247) Camp Bow Wow Highland Park 1325 Washington Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 412-362-PLAY (7529) Camp Bow Wow Pittsburgh East 1610 McClure Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15146 724-733-CAMP (2267) North: Dog stop - North 724-935-DOGS (3647) | www.thedogstop.net The Dog Stop - Sewickley 412-766-DOGS (3647) | www.thedogstop.net Lucky Paws Pet Resort 724-728-1484 | www.luckypawsresort.com South: Fuzzy Paws Pet Villa 724-746-3899 | fuzzy-paws.com Hounds Town USA 412-232-5285 www..houndtownusa.com The Dog Stop - Banksville Rd. 412-343-1171 | www.thedogstop.net Pampered Paw Resort 724-413-3135 | pamperedpawresort.com East: Pittsburgh Pet Concierge 412-856-8505 | petconcierge.org Doggone Awesome Pet Services, 724-212-0427 www.doggoneawesomepetservices.com The Dog Stop - Monroeville 412-373-3355 | www.thedogstop.net The Dog Stop - East End 412-361-0911 | www.thedogstop.net The Dog Stop - East: Strip District 412-315-7050 | www.thedogstop.net Country Lane Pet Hotel 412-824-7991 | www.countrylanepethotel.com Walkers Pet HoTail 724-327-7297 | www.WalkersPetHoTail.com

PET RETAIL/SUPPLY

North: Woody’s Dog Wash & Pet Boutique 412-714-4644 | woodysdogbath.com East: Petagogy, petagogy.com | 412-362-7387 Petland East Side Village 412-363-PETS | www.petlandvillageofeastside.com Greater Pittsburgh Area: Asgard Raw Dog and Cat Food 412-408-3355 | www.asgard-raw.com Baskets of Nature 724-831-9437 | www.basketsofnature.com Dig It Collars, dig-it-store.com Trixie’s Dog Fashions www.trixiesdogfashions.com O2 Derm Pet Topical Gel, www.O2Dermpet.com

PET SITTERS

North Furry Family Pet Sitting 412-999-9524 | www.furryfamilypetsitting.com Western PA No Boarders Pet and Animal Care Home & Farm Sitting 724-219-7801 | Noboarders-petcare.com South: Your Critter Sitters (Raylene Hoover) 724-448-7330 | yourcrittersitters.com East: Pittsburgh Pet Concierge 412-856-8505 | petconcierge.org

VETERINARY HOSPICE & MOBILE SERVICES

Greater Pittsburgh Area: Nancy A. Ruffing, DVM 412-801-1071 | gentlejourneyvet.com

VETERINARY PHARMACIES

Greater Pittsburgh Area: Murray Avenue Apothecary 412-421-4996 | MAApgh.com

VETERINARY HOSPITALS

North: Beaver Animal Clinic 724-774-8047 | beaveranimalclinic.com Cheyenne Veterinary Wellness & Surgical Center 412-884-3162 | www.cheyennevet1.com Frankie Friends Veterinary Services 724-889-7011 | www.frankies-friends.org/low-costveterinary-services 724-889-7011 VCA Northview Animal Hospital 412-364-5353 | vcanorthview.com South: All About Pets Veterinary Hospital 724-745-5503 | aapvet.com All About Pets Veterinary Hospital – Washington location 724-503-4887 | www.aapvet.com All Life Veterinary Clinics, 724-281-3446 Rivers Veterinary Urgent Care 412-998-9030 | riversvet.com East: The Big Easy Animal Hospital 412-908-9301 | tbeah.com Monroeville Pet Hospital 412-372-1100 | www.monroevillepethospital.com

VETERINARY SPECIALTY & EMERGENCY SERVICES

North/South: Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center, Inc. 412-366-3400 | 724-809-2000 pvs-ec.com

EQUINE AFFAIRS

First Dressage Lesson, with Kristin Hermann Part II

A rider’s position is tweaked throughout all lessons. A balanced rider sits, on the sitting bones, not the coccyx, elbows hanging out of the shoulder with an elastic connection to the bit to be able to follow the horse’s longitudinal motion at the walk and canter and the side of the leg on the horse but breathing with its rib cage. The classical masters say the leg should breathe with the horse’s rib cage and not be like a vice grip on its side. Stiff riders have the most challenging time trying to communicate with the horse.

I think the difficult part about riding is obtaining the correct riding position. You have to have a good position, so your aids can better communicate with the horse. The horse won’t understand your signals if you do not have a good position. Riding is like playing an instrument; if the position on the keys is out of place, the instrument will always be out of tune. It is unfortunate when riders blame the horse when it is likely due to their lack of skills. You cannot have a horse if you do not first have a rider. I explain the riding ring of muscles. The ring of what, my students say. Yes, the ring of muscles or aids. Some people call it the circle of energy. The horse steps from your calf muscle (leg), which shortens its abdomen muscle, pulls the hind end forward, stretches under your seat to the bit or tongue, and the reins reverberate this back to the rider’s hand, seat and leg. It is called the circle of aids.

Learning how to ride a decent circle with the horse positioned or bending is a lot. Then practicing straight lines adds another challenge, but to truly ride dressage a horse is to be on the bit, the holy grail of dressage. I learned how to put a horse on the bit from a German trainer in 1978, and I am so glad I had this opportunity because I love the method—asking the horse for flexion at the poll. Our horses flex at the poll and chew the reins out of our hands. The goal is to ride in lightness and not hold the horse together. Most riders are told to go forward to get the

horse on the bit, and yes, a horse has to be forward, but the word forward is not even on the USDF Training Scale.

I believe that riders first need to develop the feel of flexion at the poll or the horse chewing and giving at the poll and jaw, at a whoa, and then it will be easier at the trot and eventually the canter. So developing those skills follows in our lessons. Riding is a feeling, and until you feel it, you will not know what you are trying to accomplish. That is why students keep returning for more lessons until they have felt what they are learning.

Typically at this point in the lesson, we are ready to wrap up, and I never did get to explain why we want our horse straight. I love to ask my students questions when I teach, and if I get the “correct” answer, I know my time was not wasted!

Riding is an art; it is not for the fane of heart. It requires skill and dedication. I remember crying in lessons; I wanted it so bad. I call riding a pilgrimage something that never ends. Our passion for dressage unites us to endlessly perform round twenty, fifteen, and ten-meter circles, feeling our horse softening on the inside and accept the support of the outside rein and go in balance on straight lines. Straight lines and circles, oh my! And as the dressage or training of the horse continues, I keep getting summoned for more lessons.

Wholestic Equine & Pet Services

Clinton, PA

Reiki Master

Animal Communications & Intuitive

Canine Natural Remedies & Alternative Therapies

Canine Behavior Modifi cation & Consultations

Multiple Session Discounts

Seminars, clinics, and remote consultations.

Andrea Ross

Masterson Equine Method | Certifi ed Practitioner (205) 492-1000