Progressive Animal Wellness’ Fun Fundraiser for Fidelco raised $500!

Fidelco Guide Dog In-Training “Tonka” and trainer Liz DiPace of Avon thank Dr. Corey Shagensky of West Hartford for supporting Fidelco! PAW raised $500 to #Support the vision!

Living and working in the Farmington Valley, we are fortunate to have a wonderful community of pet lovers and pet related businesses.  To thank the community for the continued support that has helped Progressive Animal Wellness (PAW) in Avon grow over the past three years, we hosted our  3rd Annual Mini Pet Expo on Saturday, April 26, 2014.  The event raised $500 for the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation in Bloomfield.  We wouldn’t be able to help worthy causes such as Fidelco without the support of our fabulous network of local pet businesses.

Peyton Hatinen, 4, of Avon gets a smooch from Vanna, available for adoption from Boot n’ Kit Canine Rescue, at the Puppy Kissing Booth.

Many people pulled together to make this event possible.  Volunteers included Nicole Marzano from Harris in Wonderland in Avon who put on a reptile demonstration, Rob Schedinger of  RJS Photography in Granby, Vanna and Fresca, the puppies from Boot n’ Kit Canine Rescue of Simsbury, who gave such wonderful kisses,  Marissa Squires  and Ben Braunstein of Dogology in Canton  who provided canine massages and  training consultations,  Dan Leahy of Doggy Do’s in Avon who offered nail trims and grooming advice,  and of course Reeses the retired guide dog and his handler Liz DiPace from Fidelco who demonstrated the wonders of a working dog.  The teacup auction included prizes from local businesses such as Home Sweet Home Petcare, Veterinary Emergency Center of Canton, Brownstone Bakery for Dogs, PetKind,  Green Dog Market, Dogology, Tails to Trails Petsitting, River Dog Prints, WAGS,  Cape Cod Collars,  and Idexx.  The Mini Pet Expo attracted dogs, cats, and their humans from all over the Farmington Valley.

“While our annual Pet Expo is something we love to do for pets and their humans in our community, we are truly honored to have the ability and support of everyone around us to raise money for charities that help both people and animals,” said Corey Shagensky, DVM, owner of PAW. “Most people don’t know how much time and money it takes to breed and train just one guide dog. Fidelco does incredible work and we are proud to help in our own small way.”

Each Fidelco Guide Dog takes two years, 15,000 hands-on hours and $45,000 to produce. They are given to clients at no cost. Fidelco provides 24/7 client support for the entire working life of its guide dogs – typically 10 years. Fidelco relies solely on the generosity and financial support of  individuals, foundations, corporations and civic organizations.

Avon Resident Liz DiPace of the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation (right) shows how service dogs guide people who are visually impaired. Blindfolded is West Hartford resident Corey Shagensky, DVM, of Progressive Animal Wellness (PAW) in Avon

“Fidelco is grateful for PAW’s support of our life-changing mission. It enables us to continue providing our elite German Shepherd Guide Dogs to men and women who are blind across North America,” said Fidelco CEO and Executive Director Eliot Russman. “PAW’s donation will cover the costs of two custom-made leather guide dog harnesses. Dr. Corey Shagensky and his wife, Jennifer, are a great example of people bringing their passions to Fidelco to help us Share the Vision®.”

Progressive Animal Wellness is located in the Fairways Plaza on Route 44 in Avon. For more information, visit PAW at www.progressiveanimalwellness.com, connect with PAW on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ProgressiveAnimalWellness), Twitter (@progressivevet), and Instagram (@paw_vet), or call (860) 325-2124.

The Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation is dedicated to promoting increased independence to men and women who are blind by providing them with the highest quality German Shepherd Guide Dogs. Fidelco is the only guide dog organization that breeds, raises, trains and places the German Shepherd breed exclusively. Fidelco has trained and placed over 1,350 German Shepherd Guide Dogs throughout North America – in 41 states and five Canadian provinces. Fidelco pioneered In-Community Placement in the United States – a process that allows all guide dog users to be trained in the communities where they live and work. For more information, visit www.fidelco.org.

Dr. Shagensky couldn’t resist checking out Tonka at Fidelco in Bloomfield. Gorgeous dog!

Reeses was a good boy while Dan Leahy of Doggy Do’s in Avon clipped his nails.

Jesse, a veterinary technician at PAW, manned the Dental Health Education Station

Roxy the rhinoceros iguana was so good for the Reptile Demonstration put on by Harris in Wonderland of Avon.

Katie, a technician at PAW, is our pet weight loss specialist. She passed on her knowledge at the Healthy Pet Weight education station.

Certified canine massage therapist Marissa Squires of Dogology in Canton helps former racer Josh, a greyhound, relax at the Progressive Animal Wellness (PAW) 3rd Annual Mini Pet Expo. The event raised $500 for the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation of Bloomfield.