Dog Days of Summer

Fall Festival

Its that time of year when you think everything should be made of pumpkin spice. That maybe true but its also that time of year to get out to Paws & Effects NADAC sactioned Dog Agility competition. Get the premium and send it in today.

Click here for the premium.

If you want something to remember it with check out our merchandise on Paws & Effects Cafe Press.

Introducing Kurth!

In the way that only he would want to be announced.

In Honor of Karla Kurth 1969-2009

It has long been the tradition to carefully consider the name one gives to a service dog, often recognizing a particular trait or meaningful circumstance. To honor somebody whose contributions changed a community for the better is common practice.

In this circumstance, though, there was nothing common about Karla Kurth. Her infectious laughter, her love of life, her unwavering dedication to a cause are just a few of the valuable qualities she shared. Her early passing was also uncommon and unanticipated, leaving many friends stunned and deeply saddened.

In naming a dog to honor Karla, we will be forced to say her name, even when our throats constrict with sadness and tears fill our eyes. We will have to acknowledge her absence, but more importantly, value her presence. We will sort through our memories, painful as they may

be, in the hopes that we will one day think of her and smile. The year of "firsts without Karla" will include the first PetExpo, the first Pet Partner training course, the first R.E.A.D. event at the Civic Center. And through this all will be a dog to walk quietly by our sides, as Karla did so many times. Ultimately, we will celebrate Karla's life by placing a service dog in her memory, sharing the joy that she shared with so many of us.

Please welcome Service Dog Kurth to Paws & Effect.

Melchior Gabor, move over!

There is a new Gabor in town! This Gabor is a quintessential example of both the companion and the lover. He is here to please. He is here to serve.

OK, he is going through a tough teenage period right now and the rebel in him is overriding his handsome, kind, caring, loving side.

Watch the video and see the fantastic work Haley has put into him. He has truly come a long way in his training and obedience.

Tag goes to law school!

Every once in a while, you fight the good fight and you win (or at least you are ignored.)

One would think that a law school would provide access to a service dog in-training, but you'd be wrong. In fact, access was denied to service dogs in-training at the law school at Drake University in Spring 2007. However, the following photograph demonstrates that their "pet" policy is not currently being enforced. Kudos to to the law school at Drake University for, if nothing else, abiding by the laws in Iowa.

A day at the Iowa State Fair!

Paws & Effect was given the opportunity to partner with Iowa State's veterinary school at the Iowa State Fair's Vet Camp. The camp gets kids to participate in clinics at several learning stations throughout the fairgrounds. We teamed up with students from Iowa State University Veterinary School who showed the kids what their vets are looking for when they are doing an overall exam. The whole experience was fun and it promoted animal wellness.

The vet camp kids got to put on the stethoscope and see (hear actually) if they could find the heart beat.

They also searched to find an artery to feel the dogs pulse beating.

Why dogs need to brush their teeth was demonstrated by the good side/bad side demonstration.

Several Paws & Effect dogs got to participate throughout the week. When the students were done with the exam they turned it over to Paws & Effect to talk about therapy and service dogs.

Kids always amaze us with their questions: Why does this dog have different colored toe nails? Why do we put the flea and tick medicine up higher on our cats neck (after demonstrating where we would apply it to a dog)? Why do some dogs have more grey hair than others? Aren't some dogs always skinnier than others? Why do some dogs get tan spots in their eyes? What are these red spots (referring to the cut away of a clean ear and a infected ear, the answer wasn't obvious to us)? Does she (Cadence) feel safer up here on the ledge than down on the ground (Cadence was perched on the edge of the patio peering out to all the activity)?

It was a great Iowa State Fair experience!

Rain, rain, get out of here!

All was going well until the thunder and rain settled in on Raccoon River Park. The "Settled in" was a short lived event. With only one Hoopers course remaining to end the day we waited it out for 45 minutes. That's 315 dog minutes (5.25 dog hours) which seamed like a lifetime for the dogs. Before we got the trial back on track we congratulated Leath McLaughlin and Blast. They got their Versatility NACH. For those that don't know NADAC, that's a big deal. Congratulations Leath and Blast and sorry we made you (Leath) wear the silly little crown.

August Evaluations

Nothing could be any more fickle then the weather this summer in Iowa. We have had a little bit of this and a lot of that tossed our way. Overall it has been incredibly mild summer of course, until this Saturday! Saturday was our August Pet Partner Evaluations in Iowa City. The temperatures reached 95º and the humidity was right up there. What's not to like about heat and humidity, not to mention the dogs were right there with us on that observation.

In fact it was so moist that as soon as we stepped out of the car and our glasses immediately fogged over.

Never the less we had a successful weekend of Pet Partner evaluations. Now we can look forward to the sweltering heat of our next NADAC agility trail next weekend in Raccoon River Park. Please, oh please let it be cooler and dryer.

Congratulations to our new Pet Partner teams.

Flying the Friendly Skies

Nicole and Cadence are flying the friendly skies! Thank you United. They are on their way to Washington DC (Tysons Corner actually) for a Crisis Response workshop being taught by the FBI and hosted by AACR. Cadence's favorite thing to do is read Hemishpheres while waiting for her connection in Chicago.