<!–[endif]–>Your interest in a dog/owner activity may have been piqued after reading about a Franklin dog owner that participated in a conformation show, agility, therapy, etc.

Everyone was a beginner at some point. Franklin Dog strives to connect owners, building bridges between members of our community and supporting recreational activities and event to help each owner fully enjoy their dog.

Whether it’s dog showing, agility, or even finding the right puppy, learning the ins and outs can be overwhelming.

Often, a breeder from which you obtain your dog naturally falls into the role of a mentor, providing one-on-one training, advice and assistance in everything from grooming, to health care, to showing, and even the eventual breeding of the dog.

However, other responsibilities or distance get in the way.

If your interest is in formal competition, you might have success working through The American Kennel Club’s New Exhibitor Mentoring Program:

http://www.akc.org/public_education/faqs_mentor.cfm

Or quite possibly, our Franklin Dog community can help by matching new exhibitors with local, experienced individuals. And your interests lie in something much less structured. It can’t hurt to ask.

If you have an interest in some personal assistance in some area, send an email to randy@franklindog.com, to find out if we know of someone in our area with experience. Or we will work through our network to find someone willing to show the ropes to a novice.

Everyone started at the beginning!

Mission Statement:

In a manner that’s distinctly Franklin, we provide services, training and supplies with the goal of helping dog owners fully enjoy their dog. We make Franklin dogs famous and serve as the local icon for all that’s good about dogs.

Franklin Dog recognizes and promotes the use of dogs in improving the lives of all members of the community. That includes supporting owners interested in using their dogs to reach out to others.

We are fortunate in Franklin to have a very active therapy dog program. Therapy ARC (Animals Reaching Clients) is affiliated with Delta Society, a leader in fostering the use of animals to improve the lives of individuals.

Chairman Ken Bell, who has been involved in therapy dog training for about 15 years, explains that classes are held in September and February and begin with two Saturdays of seminar work followed by four weeks of one-hour training sessions for owner/dog teams at Middle College High School. Total cost is $120.

Those interested in the next round of classes, beginning September 12, can contact Bell by phone (615-519-0179) or email (Kensk9@comcast.net).

For more information, click on the Therapy ARC link in our Franklin Dog blogroll.

Core Value 1: EVERYONE’S BEST FRIEND

We believe that a properly mastered dog can provide a wholesome and rejuvenating relationship for a family or individual. We recognize the therapeutic impact animals can have on special populations of medically/physically/emotionally challenged children, adults, and seniors. We value the work of reputable breeders towards producing high-quality dogs.

A story and picture to make every Franklin Dog proud is on pg. 5 of the May 20th Franklin Review Appeal section of The Tennessean. Lisa Kirchner and her therapy dog Emily served in Project READ (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) at Franklin’s Moore Elementary School.

And in “The Wag”….oh dog! Sally mentions just about every Franklin dog there is! Check it out on pg. 12.