Mutts and Martinis July 13th

	Join Metrodog for a fun even for the dogs and humans!
	Date: Wednesday, July 13th, 7-9pm at MetroDog at the Domain   Animal Trustees of Austin will be the local dog group sponsor and a portion of the proceeds will go directly to them! IPI Treats will be setting up a BUFFET of treats for the 4 legged crazies! Jade Williams, from downtown Dirty Dog, will offer nail trims and teeth cleaning for a suggested donation of $5 that will go directly to Animals Trustees! Russell's Bistro will be providing snacks and sweets for the humans and Republic Tequila will be supplying drinks!
	Facebook invite here. https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=217153228318749

Fur Festival for the Animal Trustees of Austin - November 14th

2010 FUR FESTIVAL BENEFITS ANIMAL TRUSTEES OF AUSTIN

Donations from the free event will benefit the pet wellness nonprofit

  

  L Style G Style presents the first annual Fur Festival Benefit and fundraiser.   Featured activities will include a holiday pet photo booth, nutritional talks with a pet health expert, medicinal compound information, paw clippings, training tips, raffle items, giveaways, retail items for purchase, car display and massages.  This event is free to the public.  All donations will benefit Animal Trustees of Austin. Pets are welcome but must remain leashed for the duration of the event. Water for pets and a lawn rest area will be provided.  Pet waste services to be provided by Dog Duty.  www.furfestivalbenefit.com

WHERE:        L Style G Style headquarters parking Lot

                        1412 Collier St. Building B

Austin, TX 78704

                       

WHEN:           Sunday, November 14

                        1:00pm-5:00pm

Frost Celebrates Community with Pet Food Drive

Austin, TX – August 26, 2010 – In honor of the Mueller Community and Frost’s first anniversary there,  Frost is generously hosting a celebration on Saturday, September 25, benefiting Animal Trustees of Austin and Austin Humane Society.  The Austin community is invited to join these organizations from 9 am - 1 pm at the Mueller Financial Center, 1200 Barbara Jordon Blvd.

Starting Tuesday, September 7, Frost will run a donation drive collecting wish list items and pet food for both non-profit organizations leading up to the celebration on September 25.  People interested in donating items and pet food can drop them off at the Frost Mueller Financial Center.  Frost will match food donations pound for pound.

Come join in the fun as the Mueller Frost branch celebrates its first anniversary with a donation presentation to the animal welfare community.  The community event will feature a petting zoo, home cooking from Hoover’s restaurant, on-site animal adoptions and other fun surprises.  The event is free and open to the public.

For more information on this event and the donation drive contact:

Ken Gates Sr. Vice President Frost Mueller Financial Center 512-473-4616 ken.gates@frostbank.com

Kevin Farr Communications Manager Animal Trustees of Austin 512-371-1965 kevin@animaltrustees.org

Misty Valenta Community Outreach Coordinator Austin Humane Society (512) 646-PETS MValenta@austinhumanesociety.org

Parvo Awareness Week and Doga!

Here's some upcoming activities and information for keeping your dog healthy mentally and physically. 

Parvo Awareness Week | May 10-16 |$5 Vaccinations

Austin, TX - May  5, 2010 - Emancipet and Animal Trustees of Austin are banding together to help protect your puppy and dog from the deadly Parvo Virus.  During the week of May 10-16, both organizations are offering the Parvo vaccination (DHPP) for just $5. No appointment necessary.

Parvo typically attacks the intestinal tract and can be carried between dogs on clothes, hands, and shoes.  Symptoms can arise quickly and treatment often requires expensive hospitalization.  The best way to prevent the spread of this virus is to vaccinate your puppy or dog today.   

For more information on clinic hours visit www.emancipet.org/wellness or visit www.animaltrustees.org. 

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DO YOU DOGA WITH YOUR DOG?

            AUSTIN (May 5, 2010)— Blue Moon Doga

                      (www.bluemoondoga.com), has hit Austin!

Doga has hit Austin!  For those of you that do not know what Doga is; it is yoga for dogs and their owners.  Blue Moon Doga is the first of its kind in Houston, and is now expanding to Austin!  Blue Moon Doga is different from other doga programs.  It incorporates the principles of basic yoga positions, positive training methods, nutrition, and conditioning for the mind, body, and spirit of your dog.  Blue Moon Doga was created by Marilyn Swick, using the founding principles that she has utilized for over 30 years working and competing with horses and dogs at the highest levels.  She has incorporated basic yoga poses for the dog and the owner, which result in a high quality bonding session for you and your dog.  Any size or age dog and any size or age human can do Doga.

You and your dogi will learn basic yoga poses and can progress individually based upon you and your dog’s abilities.  You can learn privately or in a group setting.  Marilyn likes to teach outside to incorporate nature into the doga sessions.

Nutrition is very important so that your dogi can function at the highest and healthiest levels.  Conditioning your dog will include a tailor-made program that fits your life-style and your dogi’s age and physical abilities.

Zoey, our head dogi is available for fund-raisers, DOGA demonstrations!  Look for her BlueMoonDoga book out this summer for paw-signings.  For more information see www.bluemoondoga.com.  DOGA and become one with your dogi!

Blue Moon Doga will be exclusively offered in Austin at Southpaws Playschool at 2324 B South Lamar Blvd.  Please call Sonya Wilson at 512.440.7529 for more information or visit her website at www.southpawsplayschool.com

Petcasso 2010: Animal Art from the Heart

Austin, TX

WHO:         Animal Trustees of Austin announces Petcasso 2010: Animal Art from the Heart

WHAT:  An annual evening of unleashed talent featuring canine and equine artistry to benefit the programs and services of Animal Trustees of Austin. Petcasso 2010 includes a lavish buffet dinner, silent auction and paintings created and presented by Austin animal artists and their owners for the live auction.

WHEN:  Sunday, February 21, 2010 from 6:00-9:00pm

WHERE: Dell Jewish Community Center, 7300 Hart Lane

BACKGROUND: Petcasso 2010 is Animal Trustees of Austin’s fourth annual animal art event to raise money for its programs providing quality and affordable health care for animals of low income and homeless residents of Austin.  Petcasso 2009 raised more than $170,000 to support ATA’s two clinics, with more than 85% of the proceeds going directly to serve animals in need.

TICKETS: Tickets start at $125. A table of 10 is $1,500. Sponsorships start at $2,500. Call Shir Laves at 512.371.1965 or email shir@animaltrustees.org for sponsor information and ticket sales.

EMCEE:  Jim Spencer

AUCTIONEER: Walt Roberts

ENTERTAINMENT:  Singer and songwriter Michael Clay

GALA CHAIR:  Carol Smith Adams

PUBLIC CONTACT: shir@animaltrustees.org or kevin@animaltrustees.org

MEDIA CONTACT:  Carol Adams, 512.657.1114, carolsadams@sbcglobal.net

WEBSITE: www.PetcassoAustin.org  and  www.AnimalTrustees.org

Kevin Farr
Communications Manager
Animal Trustees of Austin
Kevin@animaltrustees.org
Office: 512-371-1965
Cell: 917-873-5219
http://www.animaltrustees.org/ATA/site/about.asp

Harassment and Destruction continues at Animal Trustees of Austin

Harassment and Destruction continues at Animal Trustees of Austin
Austin, TX – October 28, 2009 – On Tuesday evening Animal Trustees of Austin’s clinics were broken into for the seventh time since September 28, 2009. At the same time this story aired on local news, a perpetrator scaled the fence of Animal Trustees of Austin and destroyed the electric meters to our two clinics. Electricity was disconnected to the facilities shutting down the recently added outdoor security lights.  An alarm was sounded to the security company and the police came for another investigation, however, the offender was not apprehended. City employees had to work through the night to restore power to Animal Trustees of Austin.
This series of devastating events has now cost Animal Trustees of Austin upwards of $8,000 in repairs and added security measures.  Due to these escalated and malicious attacks, management is seriously concerned about staff safety after hours, and are no longer comfortable housing animals in the facilities overnight.  The monies being spent to make these excessive repairs and increase security represent thousands of dollars in veterinary care that would be spent for animals in need in our community.
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact press contact below or Executive Director, Missy McCullough at 512-371-1968 or Cell 512-922-4422.

Press Contact:
Kevin Farr
Communications Manager
Animal Trustees of Austin
Kevin@animaltrustees.org
512-371-1965
http://www.animaltrustees.org/ATA/site/about.asp

How to find a dog trainer.

I’ve been asked many times to recommend a trainer. While I have opinions about training methods, I feel that it is best for people to find a trainer that suits them best. With that in mind, here’s a list of guidelines and criteria I use when looking for a trainer. I also use the word handler and trainer interchangeably. Almost all trainers handle their own dogs in dog sports (except in conformation). The person handling the dog is usually the one that also trains their dog. More often than not, those handlers also have trainers. At a dog sports trial, I look for handlers and dogs that consistently perform well. I ask them where they train, and more often than not, those great handlers have the same trainer. I hang out at training facilities and watch how the trainers interact with their students (both dogs and humans) . If a trainer yells or looses his/her temper with students, I avoid. The first rule of dog training is that if you are angry or upset, stop training and cool off first. Dogs and people will pick up that you are upset. That’s going to send mixed signals to the dogs and confuse them. I also look at the trainer’s personality and interaction with the dogs. Is the trainer a leader (all mental, not physical)? Physical force is not needed to be a leader. Confidence is needed. Do the dogs find the trainer fun and interesting without the use of food? Does the trainer motivate the dog and the owners? I watch the trainer’s body language. You’ll notice that successful trainers walk confidently with their heads up high and their dogs following their lead. Unsuccessful trainers seem slumped, draggy, and seem to be pleading with the dogs to pay attention. Most if not all training methods are available online or in books. Finding the knowledge is easy. Many programs certify trainers as having said knowledge. Finding someone with the personality, temperament, and experience to be a good trainer is an entirely different story. I talk at length with trainers about their methods and their experience. If a trainer cannot fully understand the different concepts of training methods, I avoid. If a trainer doesn’t understand the difference between classical conditioning and operant conditioning, I avoid. Classical conditioning and operant conditioning are the basis of dog training. Both concepts are taught in Introductory Psychology classes. I avoid trainers that only have “one” method. These trainers tend to not be as successful as trainers who have more than one skill in their tool box. These trainers often get stuck in a rut when the only method they advocate does not work with all dogs. Having been trained in research, I’m well aware that there is no such thing as one method or theory that will solve all dog training problems. Sorry, just isn’t true. Different dogs need different methods. I watch trainers and their own dogs in public. If their own dogs are well-behaved in public, that’s a good sign. If their own dogs are NOT well-behaved in public, avoid. Being in public is key. Having a dog that is trained at a facility, but not in other locations shows me that the trainer does not know how to proof their dogs. If I ever hear the words, “But Fido is soooo good at home,” I run away fast. I ask the trainer about the function of each step in training. Each step has a function. Each word, each treat, each command, and every single praise has a function. If a trainer replies with, “That’s just the way I do it,“ I avoid. The trainer might know what to do, but if he/she cannot understand why, he or she cannot understand or offer advice on complicated issues. These types of trainers might be able to offer a quick fix for small problems, but not create a strong foundation for training. I avoid facilities that offer training without the owner. Most dog training is training the owner. Sometimes that is the more difficult part. Most of the time, behavioral problems are owner problems, not dog problems. In my opinion, there is no point in training a dog when the people having to live with the dog cannot implement the training. I look for trainers that are interested in developing a relationship with my dogs and myself. Dog training is a lifetime commitment, not an 8 week commitment. I want a trainer who understands and cares about the well-being of my dogs and doesn’t just treat me like a customer. A good trainer should want to make you a better dog owner for the lifetime of your dog, not just for the duration of the class or consultation. I also look for trainers that keep improving and keep learning. I avoid trainers with that know-it-all attitude. Every dog is different, and new training methods are being developed every day. A good trainer should be open to new ideas and trying new methods if an old method doesn’t work. You wouldn’t buy a cell phone that is 10 years old because there are probably better ones on the market. You wouldn’t only train with methods that were developed in the 1940’s now would you? I may use old methods in my training, but I also use new ones when appropriate. When I train, I look for trainers who also show in canine sports including obedience, rally, agility, or etc…While many people say that they just want their pets to have manners, good manners are built on a strong foundation and a strong relationship between dog and owner. Trainers that show are constantly being tested as they must show off their training skills. They must not only have a dog that behaves in at home, but also in public and with many distractions. The dogs much truly understand the concept of particular commands, and they are also proofed so that they can perform regardless of their environment. They must also perform many of the exercises off –leash on a single command. That type of performance can only be achieved if there is a strong handler/dog bond. Many trainers can teach a dog to sit and down on command in a controlled environment, but not many can train and handle a dog in a canine sport. However, not all trainers need to show in canine sports to necessarily be a good trainer. Not all trainers that show in canine sports are good trainers. Regardless of what you are looking to accomplish with your dog, I urge you to look for someone that has the knowledge, experience, skills, and personality that fits what you and your dog. Happy Training!

Money runs out to save puppies.

Austin, TX – July 17, 2009 – Animal Trustees of Austin has helped save over 100 puppies infected with the deadly Parvovirus. Thanks to collaboration between Town Lake Animal Center, Animal Trustees of Austin and Dr. Farmer at the Animal Medical Center.

Donations to the Town Lake Animal Center Donation Fund have been maximized. All the money dedicated for Parvo treatment has run out but there are still puppies coming to Town Lake Animal Center and the Animal Trustees clinics every day, desperately needing treatment to survive.

Animal Trustees of Austin hopes to continue to fight this painful and devastating disease. One puppy treatment costs $650.00. For more information contact Kevin Farr.

Press Contact:
Kevin Farr
Communications Manager
Animal Trustees of Austin
Kevin@animaltrustees.org
512-371-1965
http://www.animaltrustees.org/ATA/site/about.asp