FURRY FRIEND FEST
Furry Friend Fest
August 23, 2020
12-4 pm
Come celebrate your furry best friend with a day full of outdoor animal fun! All leashed pets welcome, whether a dog, cat, bird, reptile, or another furry friend. Enjoy guided hikes, learn outdoor pet safety tips from local experts, and have fun with dog yoga, a pet costume contest, animal training demo, pet vendors and on-site pet services, food trucks, adoption organizations, a raffle, and more!
Non-Members
$7 per person
Members
$5 per person
Admission
Ages 2 & younger free
Receive $2 off admission!
Bring one pet item donation per person to receive discount (wish list here). Items will be donated to a non-profit animal shelter.
Activities
Click the links below for more information about each activity or just keep scrolling!
View the complete schedule of events here.
Guided Hikes
For pets with a lot of energy, take them on a guided hike or two led by our trail experts! We'll be offering three moderate intensity hikes and one low intensity guided walk. Challenge yourself and Fido by completing a hike-a-thon of all four trails. Plus, enjoy optional creek playtime after each hike!
Fern Ridge Trail
10:40 - 11:25 am
1 mile round trip
Moderate intensity
Spicebush Trail
11:35 am - 12:20 pm
1/2 mile round trip
Moderate intensity
Creekside Trail
1:25 - 2:10 pm
1/5 mile round trip
Low intensity
Oakview Trail
3:15 - 4:00 pm
3/4 mile round trip
Moderate intensity
Nancy Baker-Cazan, Education Director
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Nancy has been a member of the Beech Creek family since its inception in 2001. She became the Education Director at Beech Creek in 2010 after retiring from a 35 year formal education career primarily in the Stark County area. Her background includes degrees in Education, Earth System Science, Environmental Science, and Outdoor Education. Nancy is an animal lover, spending a lot of time outdoors with her four amazing dogs, Marely, Jack, Skyler, and Lucky. Having a love for dogs and wildlife, she works diligently to curb her dogs’ natural tendency to chase and kill – not always successfully – while giving them plenty of outdoor activity.
Dog Yoga
10:40 - 11:25 am
Do you love yoga? Do you love relaxing in nature? Do you love your dog? Just kidding! Of course you love your dog. So why not try outdoor yoga with you dog? "Doga" is the perfect activity for pets with a calm demeanor and owners looking to connect with their furry friend in a unique way. Remember to bring a yoga mat or towel!
What is "doga" or dog yoga?
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Doga combines traditional yoga and dogs to create a unique experience that allows practitioners to achieve a greater harmony and positive connection between the owner and dog. For doga beginners, the participating pup is usually only a presence, acting as a weight, block, or prop. Well-trained dogs may act as a partner, mimicking poses alongside their owners.
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What are the benefits of dog yoga?
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Can be helpful to injured dogs
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Provides good exercise for obese or elderly dogs
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Appeals to a dog’s natural instinct to stretch, which improves flexibility and range of motion
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Can calm hyperactive dogs
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Strengthens bond between owner and pet
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Important note: Doga shouldn’t be forced upon a dog. Instead, owners should be mindful and try to listen to their dog’s body language. If your dog doesn’t really seem interested, or if your pooch is trying to pull away or starts squirming, your dog is telling you they've had enough and it’s time to stop and wait for another day.
Photo credit: sapeople.com
About the Instructor: Kristie Leahy Comsia
Kristie is a full-time yoga professional (since 2011) with a degree in Education and a lifetime of exposure to the path of yoga, thanks to an early introduction at the age of four by her Mom. As Co-Creator of the Yoga Summit of Ohio, Kristie believes yoga is for all ages and stages of life. Her goal is to make yoga accessible to everyone. Her classes are a blend of research-based techniques, intuitive sensing, heartfelt sincerity and creativity-boosting fun. She has trainings in Child + Family practices, Kripalu Yoga, Advanced Yoga Practices, Trauma + Resiliency, Mindfulness + Meditation, Accessible Yoga practices for Special Populations, Non-Violent Communication, Reiki I + II, Aerial Yoga and more.
Educational Presentations
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Outdoor pet safety 11:35 am-12:20 pm
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Interaction Between Pets & Wildlife 2:20-3:05 pm
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Animal training demo 2:20-3:05 pm
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Pet Costume Contest
Registration: 10 am-12:20 pm
Contest: 1:25-2:10 pm
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Theme: Storybook Characters
​Categories
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Most Hilarious
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Best Homemade Costume
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Cutest Overall
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FREE On-Site Services - ongoing throughout event
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Nail trim
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Professional photography
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Open play area
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On-Site Adoption
From the Stark County Humane Society
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Pet Vendors & Raffle Baskets
Receive $2 off admission!
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Bring one pet item donation per person to receive discount (see wish lists below). Items will be donated to the Stark County Humane Society.
Stark County Humane Society
Dry Dog Food
Dry Puppy
Dry Kitten Food
Canned Dog Food
Canned Cat Food
Bleach
Dish Soap
Laundry Soap
Liquid Hand Soap
Hand Sanitizer
Spray Bottles
Metal Cake Pans
Copy Paper
Toilet Paper
File Folders (Letter Size)
Ziploc Freezer Bags
Enrichment Program
Applesauce
Cream Cheese
Ice Cube Trays
Peanut Butter
Alliance Restaurants with Dog-Friendly Patios
Buddies Good To Go
355 E State St, Alliance, OH 44601
(330) 428-3618
Chipotle Mexican Grill
1630 W State St Ste A, Alliance, OH 44601
(330) 821-4311
Dairy Queen Grill & Chill
1635 W State St, Alliance, OH 44601
(330) 821-5096
Don Pancho's Tex-Mex Café
2105 W State St, Alliance, OH 44601
(330) 823-4390
GetGo Café
1896 W State St, Alliance, OH 44601
(330) 821-2216
Grinders Above & Beyond of Alliance
1820 W State St, Alliance, OH 44601
(330) 821-6665
Dog must be in crate
Hot Head Burritos
320 W State St, Alliance, OH 44601
(330) 680-8757
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Jersey Mike's Subs
320 W State St Suite D, Alliance, OH 44601
(330) 913-7080
McDonald’s
2496 W State St, Alliance, OH 44601
(330) 821-4441
Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt & Humble Donut Co.
320 W State St, Alliance, OH 44601
(330) 913-7255
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Panera Bread
1670 W State St, Alliance, OH 44601
(330) 823-8404
Papa Gyros
320 W State St, Alliance, OH 44601
(330) 823-7773
PizzaBOGO
320 W State St, Alliance, OH 44601
(330) 823-2222
Starbucks
2495 W State St, Alliance, OH 44601
(330) 428-0331
Taco Bell
2353 W State St, Alliance, OH 44601
(330) 829-9532
Note: Only service animals are permitted inside these facilities.
Schedule