Dog training club celebrates 35th year
Fri, May 16, 2008 
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BY D.J. SOBISH
news@grandhaventribune.com
The Muskegon Lakeshore Obedience Training Club is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.
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This canine club serves the Muskegon and Grand Haven area, with an emphasis on public service and donations.
"We do everything from demonstrations at elementary schools to Mayfest (an annual event at Muskegon Community College) to donating to other local groups," said member Marianne Jockwig of Nunica.
The club also offers public demonstrations at the Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven and the Dog Expo in Holland.
The club annually donates up to $2,000 to local animal rescue units and food kitchens, and even provides police dog vests to authorities — according to the club's president, Gail Jelier of Norton Shores.
This year, the group is donating pet oxygen masks to local fire departments. The masks are designed to revive a pet in the event of suffocation during a fire. Former club president Chris Larson of Grand Haven said they expect to donate 20-25 masks to local fire departments.
"These masks cost $60 per set, and it's great because the money we earn from obedience courses goes right back into the community," Larson said.
The club also offers obedience training to dogs of all ages and sizes. Classes for puppies and beginners are available for newer dogs, while conformation classes can prepare a purebred canine for dog shows. Agility, water rescue and draft work classes are also available.
If a dog has been adopted through either the Noah Project or Pound Buddies, two local animal shelters, the services are free.
"We feel that a dog has a better chance of finding a 'forever' home if he is properly trained," Jelier said.
The club is known for treating elementary students to dog demonstrations about safety and awareness.
"We go wherever there is an invitation," Jelier said. "We offer free one-hour demonstrations and all-day agility events for the kids, and they love it."
Four members of the club run the school programs — three are former teachers themselves. The club has visited Ferry Elementary in Grand Haven and claims to have reached more than 700 students in its program.
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On the Net:
http://dog-training-muskegon.com
