By Marnie McGann

Desert dog park goes green

Anthem resident Barbara Windgassen and volunteers for Anthem Pets, a nonprofit started in 2005 to address the lack of local facilities for pets to socialize and exercise, claim to have built the first all-green dog park in the country, ironically located in the desert.

Built on a historic piece of property called Jackass Acres, the park, named Jackass Acres K-9 Korral (the name was kept in order to keep history intact according to Windgassen), celebrated its grand opening on March 1.
“Our goal in building this park,” says Michelle Roig, president-elect of Anthem Pets, “was to be environmentally friendly.”

“We carved it right out of the desert,” says Windgassen. “Everything was done by hand, and everything is solar.” The water features and fixtures are run by solar power, the wooden benches and armadas were made from already fallen timber, carvings were fashioned from recycled car parts in Mexico, and the artificial turf was donated by the NFL. Only weeds were removed from the land. Even the wash that runs through the property is undisturbed, and the trees are hundreds of years old. The park has natural hills and undulations and is divided into small and large dog areas. Solar mist systems at the armadas are aimed at people and at dog levels, and a splash pad ensures that dogs are never in standing water, with the excess running off to the trees in the park. Poop stations have biodegradable bags, and Windgassen proudly reports that the organization is working with waste management to recycle the park’s dog waste.

Access to the dog park requires an annual fee of $35 per household for one dog, and $50 for two, as well as proof of vaccination for all dogs.
“We’ve been through ups and downs, and we really had to fight hard for this park,” says Windgassen, “but it’s all been worth it. I keep saying that if dogs can go green, people can go green. Our goal is to leave the younger generation with a park at no debt to them or the environment.”
Jackass Acres K-9 Korral is located at 46135 N. Black Canyon Highway.

For more information, visit AnthemPets.com or call (623) 551-2234.

Rattlesnake bites pose threat to people

and their pets

Somewhere between the last frost and the beginning of what local weather reporters like to call “the triple digits,” residents with pets need to be aware of the dangers of rattlesnake bites. Not only are pets bitten on hiking trails or in desert wilderness, but also in their backyards, as suburban sprawl encroaches on what used to be desert creatures’ natural habitats.
“I see hundreds of snakebites this time of year,” says Sean Penn, DVM, of Alta Vista Veterinary Hospital and ambassador to the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. Penn wrote his board-certification thesis on rattlesnake bites and the reactions to anti-venom.

“Snakebites are far more common than spider bites,” Penn says, “because of the investigative nature of dogs. They actually smell the snake, and even after the initial strike, several breeds, such as Terriers or Dachshunds, will instinctively go back because that’s what they do—root things out.”
Although there is no immediate first aid recommended, people should seek in-person veterinary services (a vet will not be able to tell if it’s a spider or snake bite unless the animal is seen) as soon as possible.

“The smaller the dog, the worse it is,” says Penn, “and the younger and smaller the snake, the worse it is too, as they cannot often control their venom.” All dogs, however, are likely to experience problems after a bite such as bleeding and clotting; symptoms are not necessarily isolated in the bite area, usually the nose or muzzle. A bite on the limb, for example, can be more lethal than on the muzzle. Most deaths occur, Penn says, because of hypovolemic shock or blood loss. There are a lot of enzymes in venom that digest tissue and allow for bleeding to spread.

However, the mortality rate for bitten dogs is low. If seen by a vet within 12 to 24 hours, chances are the dog will fully recover. Treatment includes vials of anti-venom (the amount given depends on the dog’s size), in combination with fluids, and the animal’s clotting time is closely monitored. “It’s important to note,” says Penn, “that a lot of tissue damage can occur, and typically we will do wound management, and allow it to heal on its own. Sometimes, though, it will be replaced by scar tissue.”

Although there is a vaccine on the market for snake bites, Penn says that it’s in question by the scientific community. “Besides, the animal would need to be treated anyway,” he states. The best prevention, according to some experts, is a combination of rattlesnake avoidance training using a negative reward system. But most of all, says Penn, you should keep your dog on a leash for his own safety.

Spotlight on: Peacock Foundation

The bittersweet beauty of tragedy is that it can often lead survivors to a life of compassion—and ultimately change. It was the death of both her parents at a young age that led Lisa Peacock, a Phoenix native, to form the Peacock Foundation in 2003. Established in both Phoenix and Los Angeles, the nonprofit brings together abused and neglected animals and children to heal and grow together.

“My experience gave me the understanding of what a trauma can be—with its depth of despair—and what might comfort you,” Peacock says. “For me, it was my connection with animals. This became the catalyst for my healing, and still is.”

After her parents died, Peacock found work at the Phoenix Zoo, and then later at the Los Angeles Zoo, where she was involved in educational programs. “Just being around the animals gave me hope and made me feel like I could get through another day,” she says. “With people, it’s always as if something is expected of you. They want to give you answers and fix everything, and some things just can’t be fixed. Animals just want to be there for you, and often that’s all you need. My zoo experience made me see the greater good they could provide for us if we give them the chance.”
Beginning with a parks and recreation program, the Peacock Foundation has grown to encompass multiple foster and inner-city programs. “I knew I wanted to work with kids who had experienced the whole gamut of what trauma brings,” Peacock explains. “I wanted to bring them together to support each other, grow, and survive, and I wanted to use animals to build positive experiences.”

With various animals in tow (dogs, rabbits, reptiles, etc.), her program allows well-behaved children an opportunity to spend time alone with different animals in a relaxed and fun environment that teaches them to respect other people and animals. “Children really respond to this,” Peacock says, “and we’ve become very successful. Many of these kids have left animals and loved ones behind and are out of their comfort zone. Often, the hour they get to spend with [our] animals, [whom] they sometimes see as their only friend, gives them hope to get out of their situation.”

In a renovated animal-care center built on her property to lower costs, Peacock and her foundation care for 15 rescued animals, with an eventual goal of having a full-service facility that will allow instructors to go out to the public and where children can come for therapy.
Working primarily in Los Angeles, Peacock hopes to soon expand more into Phoenix and is currently looking for a therapist and clinical director. The foundation also plans to team up with Gabriel’s Angels, a local pet-therapy nonprofit.
Despite her childhood trauma and working with children in less-than-ideal situations, Peacock maintains a positive attitude. “I have to say that most of the time, despite the circumstances of these kids’ lives, I get smiles, laughter, and happiness.”

For more information, visit PeacockFoundation.org.

“Pat” Pit Bulls up for adoption

Many Valley residents are aware that Mahlon “Pat” Patrick, a well-known breeder of Pit Bulls for the purpose of dogfighting, was arrested in Tucson this February. Approximately 150 dogs, $10,000 in cash, and more than 60 firearms were seized on the property, and five others believed to be associated with dogfighting were also arrested. Although released with no posted bail the day after his arrest, Patrick and the other men are awaiting formal charges to be set by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, now working with the USDA to determine the appropriate felony charges.

“We are in the infant stage of this process, and this could take up to a
year,” says Sgt. Terry Parrish. “This is going to the grand jury, so it’s far too soon to determine the fate of these animals.” Parrish says the animals are now placed at various locations (and may be used as evidence); however, they will ultimately wind up at Tucson Animal Control. They are currently being tested physically and psychologically. Many of the dogs are from different states, but hopefully a healthy home in Arizona will be their final destination.

For more information about the dogs, call Parrish at Pima County Sheriff’s Office at (520) 351-6390.