NEW Dog Park Behavior education and other 2012 highlights!

[Jacquie Holm-Smith]

Greetings Ankeny Dog Park fans!
 
Hard to believe it's May already - hope you've already had lots of fun at the Dog Park!
 
Just to bring you up to speed, we've got a lot of good stuff in the works ... check it out:
 

• May 19: NEW Dog Park Behavior education - This 3-part series kicks off May 19 at Canine Craze in Urbandale; subsequent sessions are June 16 and July 14 at the Ankeny Dog Park. These 2-hour Saturday classes are designed to help you understand canine communication, recognize body language and signals, plus learn appropriate behaviors and responses to ensure a positive Dog Park experience! Cost is $30 per session or $75 for all 3; classes must be taken in sequential order, even if all 3 are not taken (i.e., #1 is a pre-requisite for #2, etc). The first class on May 19 is strongly recommended for new Dog Park users or those with no prior dog training experience - even if the following classes are not taken. Email In...@CanineCraze.com to reserve your spot (please reference Dog Park series in the subject line).  See http://www.ankenydogpark.org/images/2012-Dog-Park-Behavior-seri.gif for more detail.
  

• June 9: Open House - In addition to our usual fun & games, NEW this year guests will be able to meet adoptables from the ARL, Iowa Weimaraner, Hounds Haven Basset Rescue and other area rescue groups. Plus, a limited supply of 2012 Dog Park passes will be available for purchase with proof of rabies vaccinations, city license and cash or check for the exact amount. And ... be ready to SMILE - photographers will be on hand to capture all the wags and excitement for our very own 2013 photo calendar (thanks Steve T & Susan W)! (See http://www.ankenydogpark.org/images/Event-Open-House-2012.gif for more detail.)
  
• Flower Bed - Our lovely flower bed was recently planted thanks to Terri D & Leanne P, with finishing touches and mulching to come this weekend. We WILL need help throughout the summer keeping it watered. Please let me know if you can help, and we'll put you in touch with the right people to coordinate efforts.
  
• $500 donation - In case you missed it, we received a generous $500 donation from John Deere Des Moines Works in April. If you know anyone who works there, please thank them!
  
• Walking Path, landscaping & benches - A gravel walking path will be installed yet this spring, which may bring additional landscaping opportunities - especially around benches. Memorial benches will be added as they are purchased and dedicated through the City's memorial program. Each bench costs $850; find out more here. While the City's standard benches are blue, we are exploring the possibility of having special red dog paw benches if donors request a Dog Park location. Again - just a possibility at this point! However, if you have input or want to be involved in the walking path, additional landscaping or benches, please email me: jdhol...@msn.com. 
  
• Volunteer Ambassadors - A brave and dedicated group of dog park enthusiasts has signed on as volunteer ambassadors to help answer questions, ensure rules are being followed, and yes, check for current tags! Please don't be offended if someone asks to see your tags, reminds you to keep your dog on leash until you enter the park, or points out another "rule" you may not be aware of. They are trying to preserve the peace and safety at the Dog Park!
  
• Save these dates for other Dog Park events: June 23 - Bark & Brew & Oct. 13 - Barktoberfest at Chips!

 
In sum - it's shaping up to be another fabulous year for the Ankeny Dog Park! Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to get involved ...

And please ask your dog friends to LIKE us on Facebook so we can share photos, information and build an online Dog Park community :)

 
Thanks so much!
Jacquie Holm-Smith
Ankeny Dog Park