Winter Classic NADAC Agility Trials are Jan. 17-18!

Entries are now open for the Paws & Effect Winter Classic NADAC Agility Trials, scheduled Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 17-18, 2015 at the Jester Park Equestrian Center, 11171 N.W. 103rd Court, Granger, Iowa north of Des Moines. The judge will be Matt McCarter of Overland Park, Kansas.

The premium describing the event's rules and other details is downloadable as a PDF here. Entries are open from Dec. 8, 2014 to both days of the event.

The purpose of events sanctioned by the North American Dog Agility Council (NADAC) is "to demonstrate the ability of a dog and its handler to work as a smoothly functioning team." They are also great opportunities to meet up with other dogs and their enthusiasts. For general rules and information on NADAC events, click here.

Established in 2006, Paws & Effect is a Des Moines, Iowa-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that raises, trains, and places service dogs with military veterans and children diagnosed with medical needs. The group also registers therapy animals through Pet Partners, and regularly hosts NADAC-sanctioned dog-agility events for fun and fund raising.

Paws & Effect is also widely known for its dog-agility programs, through which children participate in physical, occupational, and speech therapy while taking a therapy dog through an agility course.