Green Acres Kennel Shop

We have added a 1PM Basic Manners class starting on Saturday, January 19^th as our 9AM and 10AM classes are now both full. Call us at 945-6841 to sign-up for your spot before this session fills as well. For more information, go to http://bit.ly/zc0pNd

For Immediate Release

Thursday, December 06, 2012

Contact:  Don Hanson
Green Acres Kennel Shop
945-6841

[Bangor]¾ Green Acres Kennel Shop has announced their 2013 schedule of dog training classes. Once again their comprehensive program includes a complete range of classes starting with their Puppy Headstart class up to an Advanced class for those wishing to pursue a higher level of training for their pet or that want to prepare for any of the APDT Canine Life and Social Skills (C.L.A.S.S.) exams or the Therapy Dogs International evaluation. Complete details on Green Acres’ classes can be found on their website at www.greenacreskennel.com or by calling them at 945-6841.

When asked why Green Acres has been voted the Best Dog Trainer in the area by Market Surveys of America, Green Acres’ owner Don Hanson responded: “I believe we have been consistently voted the best dog trainer for five reasons: 1) our knowledgeable and experienced staff – we have four Certified Professional Dog Trainers on our staff – more than any other training facility in the area, with more than 55 years of accumulated experience, 2) our small class size – we have of no more than five students per instructor, and in some classes actually have two instructors for every five students, 3) our emphasis on the relationship between the dog and its family and the advantages of reward-based training, 4) the comprehensive materials we provide each student, such as our book “Best Friends for Life.”, and 5) the continual improvements to our curriculum.” When asked what changes have been made to their curriculum for 2013, Hanson indicated that the Green Acre’s classes have all been updated to help prepare people for the APDT Canine Life and Social Skills (C.L.A.S.S.) exam, if they choose to do so. Hanson explained “APDT C.L.A.S.S. is not competitive obedience or anything like it, but is instead a program designed to help enhance the lives of families and their dogs by teaching real-life skills that will make the dog a welcome guest anywhere.” Hanson indicated that people can learn more about the APDT C.L.A.S.S. program at Green Acres or at the APDT C.L.A.S.S. website http://www.mydoghasclass.com/

In business since 1965, Green Acres Kennel Shop at 1653 Union Street is a Pet Care Services Association (PCSA) accredited facility offering boarding, daycare and grooming for dogs and cats, as well as pet behavior consultations and training classes. Voted Best Kennel every year since 2002, Best Pet Store every year since 2007, and Best Dog Trainer every year since 2012, the Green Acres retail store offers a wide variety of wholesome pet foods, treats and quality supplies. For more information, please call 945-6841 or visit www.greenacreskennel.com.

For Immediate Release

Saturday, December 01, 2012

Contact:  Don Hanson
Green Acres Kennel Shop
945-6841

[Bangor]¾ Our two month fundraising project for the Eastern Area Agency on Aging Furry Friends Food Bank ended at the close of business yesterday with donations from our clients totaling $1845 which we have matched with an additional $1500, bringing our total to $3345. All funds raised will be used to buy pet food, at wholesale prices, for distribution by the Furry Friends Food Bank. Thank you clients and community for supporting this effort. With your help we substantially surpassed our initial goal of $2000.

Green Acres Kennel Shop owner Don Hanson states: “Once again our clients and the community as a whole have really opened their hearts to this important project. By helping seniors feed their pets we are helping to ensure they have funds left over for their own food, medications, and other essentials like fuel oil. But even more importantly, we’re keeping that senior and their furry companion together. These donations will put smiles on lots of faces. However, what we’ve raised is only a small part of what is needed, so Green Acres will continue to serve as a collection point for food donations for the Furry Friends Food Bank throughout the year.” When asked if Green Acres will repeat this project next year Hanson said “You can count on it. And next year we’re going to set a higher goal because we know our community will step up to the challenge.”

Interested parties may follow the activities of other projects for the Furry Friends Food Bank on  the FaceBook page for the Friends of EAAA Furry Friends Food Bank at (https://www.facebook.com/GAKS.FFFFB)

The Eastern Area Agency on Aging is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization serving Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock, and Washington counties dedicated to providing seniors, adults with disabilities and caregivers with a variety of options, opportunities, resources and referrals. (http://www.eaaa.org).

In business since 1965, Green Acres Kennel Shop at 1653 Union Street is a Pet Care Services Association (PCSA) accredited facility offering boarding, daycare and grooming for dogs and cats, as well as pet behavior consultations and training classes. Voted Best Kennel every year since 2002, Best Pet Store every year since 2007, and Best Dog Trainer every year since 2011, the Green Acres retail store offers a wide variety of wholesome pet foods, treats and quality supplies. For more information, please call 945-6841 or visit www.greenacreskennel.com.

I just recorded an interview with Suzan Bell, the Executive Director of the Bangor Humane Society, which will air on tomorrows and Sundays Woof Meow Show. We talked about the shelter and the community’s recent involvement in the ASPCA Rachel Rae $100K Challenge. Suzan and her dedicated staff started on this venture back in January and quickly got the community involved in the first phase last March. When they made the first cut they spent the next few weeks preparing for the challenge which took place from August 1^st through October 31^st.

The specific challenge for BHS was to adopt an additional 100 animals, when compared to last year’s adoptions, in each of those three months. Their official goal for this three month period was 1179 adoptions. Thanks to the hard work of the BHS staff, the local veterinary community which spayed/neutered each adopted pet, local media for promoting the challenge, and the greater Bangor community, BHS adopted 1209 pets during this period – that’s 1209 lives saved. Super job, congratulations and thank you are the words that immediately come to mind!

The BHS staff is a bit bummed out this afternoon, because although they met and surpassed their challenge, BHS did not win a financial grant from the APSCA. While the additional finances would have been very useful, the staff recognizes that with the help of the community they have done a wonderful thing. They have saved 330 more lives than they did in the same period last year and are committed to doing just that every month moving forward. November is not quite over and they have already surpassed last November’s adoptions by 25%.

After additional lives saved, the most important thing to come out of the APSCA Challenge was the increased level of involvement and support for BHS from within our community. The BHS staff is committed to continuing to move forward, but there is no way the BHS staff can do this alone. They need the local media and veterinary community, as well as each and every one of us to continue our enthusiastic support for their good work. How can we do that? When looking for a pet, adopt from BHS. Volunteer to help the BHS staff. Send them a donation. No matter how big or how small, all donations help.

Please join me in committing to helping keep the community enthusiastically supporting BHS. Thank Suzan and the BHS staff for their tremendous dedication and show them that they are not alone, but have an entire community at their back, helping them save the lives of homeless pets.