Dog Club Newsletter, July, 2008

If you're looking for some way to spend more time with your dog while giving back to the community at the same time, therapy dog work may be just the answer. I am now president of Larimer Animal People Partnership, a non-profit organization affiliated with Delta Society. The group promotes Animal Assisted Therapy sessions as well as community outreach events. This past Sunday you would have seen us at the Main Library where kids read to the animals. We are also active with Crossroads Safehouse, Mountain Crest, Larimer Center for Mental Health, Oakbrook and Alterra as well as the Medical Center of the Rockies.

To become a Pet Partner Team you must first participate in a workshop which gives you some basic training on what to expect during your visits, how to interact with the staff at the facilities, requirements for your dog etc. After that you and your pet will need to be evaluated to see if you can handle the situations you may be faced with during a therapy visit. I can give you more details on the evaluation process if you're interested. Check out these links to learn more about LAPP and Delta Society.

One of LAPP's major fund raising events is Doggie Olympics. This year it will be held on September 18^th at City Park. With events like "Hot Dog Toss", "Newspaper Retrieve", "Longest Down", "Monday Morning Agility", etc. you and your dog are bound to have a great time. Medals are awarded as well as door prizes. It's a great time for all. Check out the pictures from last years event. It's a fun event for the family, so get it on the calendar.

A pretty disturbing class action lawsuit is underway targeting some major pet food manufacturers. The Healthwise dog food sold at The Dog Club is not included in the suit.

"A cat and dog owner from Michigan and two cat and dog owners from Florida have filed a nationwide class action against food industry giants Mars, Inc., Proctor and Gamble Co., Colgate Palmolive Company, Del Monte Foods, Co., and Nestle U.S.A. Inc. These manufacturers have a combined approximate 70% of the market share in the $16 billion dollar a year pet food industry. The suit also names as Defendants Nutro Products, Inc., Menu Foods, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Target Corp., Publix Supermarkets, Inc., Winn Dixie Stores, Inc., as manufacturers and marketers of their own brand pet food and retailers PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc., Pet Supermarket, Inc., and Petsmart Inc.

The Plaintiffs maintain that these companies have spent $300 million a year in making false and misleading marketing statements regarding the contents of their pet food to the dog and cat loving American public."

To read the entire article go to: Nationwide Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Pet Food Companies and Retailers.

All retail merchandise is discounted 10% in July for those who receive this newsletter. Print out this page and bring it in to receive the discount.