[date format=”F Y”] – Volume XV: Issue [date format=”m”]
Cafe DownStay 2018
Café DownStay began 15 years ago to create an event to support people in our community and spend quality time together- both people and dogs. Over these years South Side BBQ Company has provided a wonderful atmosphere and a delicious dining experience for everyone to enjoy. Throughout the event all the dogs are asked to Down-Stay by their owners and they remain there for most of the event. This unique location and distraction rich environment puts classroom training to the test.
Café DownStay 2018 was a success in many ways! We got to spend time with veteran James Fair whom we’ve enjoyed getting to know over the years. The auction was fun and exciting with donated items from Bonnie Loya Real Estate, veteran David Hoover, Furrever Friends Gourmet Pet Treats, Sherry and Wayne Alling and Misty Pines Pet Company. The pork bbq lunch created by South Side BBQ Company was certainly delicious and fed us well. Thank you to all of the amazing people and well behaved dogs that attended the Café DownStay. You can see here we had a great time!
Rob please Add About 8-10 good photos here
In total we were able to raise $3,190.00 for PAART (Pittsburgh Aviation Animal Rescue Team). The PAART team is passionate about saving animals. Whether it be by land or by air the team is on constant standby, ready to mobilize at a moment’s notice. Over the last few years the missions have varied in both size and scope. Every mission has unique circumstances and challenges. From large land rescues, to spur of the moment air missions, to humanitarian missions, the team is ready and willing to go to any lengths to leave “No Dog Left Behind”.
We look forward to next year Saturday December 14, 2019 for our 16th Annual CaféDown Stay. We hope you can join us for this fun and unique event!
Treadmill

January 25, 2020 @ 11:15 am till 12:00 pm
What are the reasons your dog would benefit from dog treadmill training?
Dogs need exercise. Some dogs need a lot of exercise and end up in some sort of trouble because of something they’ve done that was bad simply because they have energy that needed to be burned. Chewing on the house and all the things in it, barking, jumping up on people or pulling on the leash so hard while walking or running feels like a really frustrating task are a few of the reasons to think about adding a treadmill to your dog’s life.
Weather conditions is another huge reason for treadmilling your dog. Too hot or too cold, too windy or raining, the treadmill is a great way to get your dog the exercise needed to remain a happy healthy, well behaved dog. Lack of activity during winter months can not only put added pounds on your dog cutting years of their life but add to the misbehaving aspect of daily living as well.
At Misty Pines we say that a well-trained and well-exercised dog is a good dog and by working your dog on a treadmill you are accomplishing both at the same time. Why a treadmill, you ask? You can infinitely exercise your dog indoors, which means that you are no longer governed by the weather.
Learn how to teach your dog the treadmill to help keep them mentally and physically stimulated. Our most fit and athletic dogs can run on the treadmill at 8 -10 mph for twenty to thirty minutes!
Level 2 Agility

June 4, 2022 @ 8:00 am till 8:45 am
Agility is a fun sport that builds a strong relationship between a dog and their handler. This class is open to any breed or mix breed of dog.
Requirements: Dogs must be physically fit and motivated by praise, food, or a toy.
Basic Elements of Retrieve

January 26, 2019 @ 11:15 am
Teaching owners and their dogs the basic elements of retrieve: "hold," "give" and "fetch."
Congratulations December Class Graduates
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MaryBeth F. with River (blab)
Ryan L. with Kingston (bichX)
Laura D. with Maeby (mix)
Gary C. with Gino (sheltie)
Karen S. with Remmy (sm collie)[/ms_column]
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Therapy Dog Visits
Locations To Visit
Once your dog has passed their Therapy Dog International certification, it’s time for the fun to begin. Read below for a list of places that are always looking for registered therapy dogs to brighten the day of the patients and residents:
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Allegheny General Hospital
Jennifer Kopar – 412-359-3067
The Willows – Independent Living Center, Personal Care, Memory Care
Contact: Lisa Connor – 412-875-1606.
Interroom Hospice
Contact: Barbara Hammil – 412-371-3726.
Washington-Greene Alternative Residential Services
Contact: Valerie Loughman – 724-228-7716.
Community Options
Contact: Jessica Kubas – 412-431-7079.
Heritage Hospice
Contact: Erica Kinkade – 724-334-6600.
Adelphoi
Contact: Bethanne Petrylak – 570-579-8700.
Remed
Contact: Tina – 412-477-0901.
Cranberry Township Library
Dog reading program. Looking for 3-4 dogs, the third Thursday of each month from 6:30 – 7:30 pm Contact: Annemarie Lamperski.
Baden Memorial Library
Dog reading program. Need volunteer for 2 Thursdays per month from 5:00pm – 6:30pm and 1 Saturday per month for 1 1/2 hours.
Contact: Kathleen Wagner
Gateway Hospice
Contact: Sr. Linda Larkman OSB, Volunteer Coordinator – 412-737-0969
West Haven Manor
Contact: Karen Zimmerman, Coordinator of Volunteer Services – 724-727-3451
North Hills Health and Rehabilitation Center
Contact: Teri A. Slimick – 724-935-3781
McGuire Memorial
Contact: Susan Matlock – 724-843-3400
Excela Health Home Care and Hospice (Westmoreland County)
Contact: Joan Roth, Volunteer Coordinator – 724-689-1653
Family Hospice Palliative Care
www.familyhospice.com/
Contact: Pam Tomczak – 412-572-8803
Western Pa. Humane Society
coordinates visits to multiple locations in the community with volunteers who have Certified Therapy Dogs.
Contact: Joy Kealey.
Odyssey Health Care
Cliff Mine Rd., Pittsburgh
Contact: Barbara Coulter – 1-800-861-8584
Condordia of Franklin Park
Contact: Carol Kosela – 724-935-1075 ext. 103
VA Hospitals in Pittsburgh
Activities Director – 412-688-6000 ext. 3682
Country Meadows (South Hills)
Activities Director – 412-257-4566
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Volunteer Coordinator – 412-690-6508
Animal Friends
coordinates a Pet Assisted Therapy program that visits multiple locations. To join their therapy group or request visits contact Ann Cadman – 412-847-7031.
Tail Waggin Tutors at Baden Library
Laura Bain – 724-869-3960
Heartland Hospice
Barb Kralik, Volunteer Coordinator – 412-919-5617
Caring Hospice Services
Brittany Bailey, Volunteer Coordinator – 412-563-3300
Concordia of Wexford
Michelle Moon – 724-935-1266
Passavant Memorial Homes and Subsidiaries
Colleen Perry, Social Services Coordinator – 412-820-1015 ext. 521
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Services & Teams
If you would like to have Therapy Dogs visit your facility, please contact one of the following Therapy Dog Teams or contact Misty Pines to have your facility listed in the above section so that our teams may contact you. Click the link below for teams that are interested in visiting those in need of therapeutic visits from their furry friends:
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Pets With Heart, Pet Therapy
Sister Sharon Costello: 724-869-6545
Western Pa. Humane Society coordinates visits to multiple locations in the community with volunteers who have Certified Therapy Dogs.
Contact: Joy Kealey.
Animal Friends coordinates a Pet Assisted Therapy program that visits multiple locations.
To join their therapy group or request visits contact Ann Cadman – (412) 847-7031.
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“The golden gift is this: Intimately connected with his own emotions, the dog cannot lie. What he feels, he expresses. What he shows in his body posture is true, without guile, completely and utterly honest. Distanced from our own feelings, bound by our fears, we treasure and are amazed by this quality of complete truth in our dogs.”
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