MISSION STATEMENT:   A club to promote safe, recreational and educational activities for dogs and their owners within the community and the upper Arkansas Valley.

 

The concept of developing a dog park in Salida was conceived in 20006 after several dog loving residents saw the potential benefit based on the success of dog parks in other communities. The Salida Dog Club was created to guarantee longevity to our mission (see above), particularly with our goal of developing and maintaining a dog park.  The inauguration of the Salida Dog Club was on April 26, 2009.  In July  2009, the club became registered with the state as a nonprofit organization and in 2010 gained 501c3 status.  Salida Dog Club participated in many events and organized fundraisers to collect funds to create Loyal Duke's Dog Park.  In spring of 2009, Loyal Duke's Dog Park had its Grand Opening.  The club maintained and funded improvements to the park until early 2015.  In 2015, the dog club handed over maintenance responsibilities of the dog park to the city as it became an official city park.  A Dog Park Advisiory committee was formed that consists of dog club members working in collaboration with the city to discuss issues and improvements of Loyal Duke's Dog Park. 

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Beyond creating Loyal Duke's Dog Park, other accomplishments of the Salida Dog Club include:  

* Members contributed weekly educational articles to the Mountain Mail Loyal Duke's Scoop column for about 13 years

* Members founded Therapy Dogs of Chaffee County which has supported therapy dog teams providing valuable therapy to various organizations and facilities within Chaffee County

* Members renovated Loyal Duke's monument that is a historical landmark on "S" Mountain

* Members organized the first dog friendly race in Salida.  Originally called Canine Companion Run, this race is now called Tails on the Trails and is organized by AVHS

* Members created a Paws to Read bookclub that discusses dog related books and is inclusive to dog pets of the dog club members

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Dog loving members of the community are encouraged to join the Salida Dog Club and participate in current activities or organize additional activities that fall within the (above) mission statement.  To get involved, contact one of the Current Board Members:

Laura Pintane, President.  laurasdogtraining@msn.com

Tom Pahnke, Treasurer.  tompanky@msn.com

Jan Toniazzo, Secretary.  janspandop@gmail.com

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Members at Large (are included in emails sent to other Board Members):  Paula Givan, Cindy Powell, Donna Rhoads, Jenny Kapela

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