"Celebrating Paws" Explores Health Benefits of Pet Ownership in Four Day Program at Lake Austin Spa Resort

Pet Fees and Partial Proceeds of Pet Inspired Spa Treatments to Benefit Animal Trustees of Austin

AUSTIN, TX – There are more than 77.5 million dog owners in the United States and those who are lucky enough to live with a four legged friend or two know that pets provide unconditional love and companionship. But few know that owning a pet can also have measurable scientific health benefits for their owners, such as lowered blood pressure, reduced stress and even a decrease in mild symptoms of depression by triggering the release of the hormone oxytocin. Renowned animal authority, Dr. Patricia McConnell, Ph.D.,CAAB, Ethologist and Certified Animal Behaviorist will offer insights based on scientific research into the power of pet ownership during Lake Austin Spa Resort’s “Celebrating Paws” pet program November 7-11, 2012. 

To underscore the company’s commitment to helping pets in need, 100% of the pet fees collected during the “Celebrating Paws” program will be donated to Animal Trustees of Austin, a non-profit organization that is one of only a few of its kind in the country, providing free health care to animals. In addition, two pet-inspired spa treatments, the Four Paws massage and Bow Wow Peticure will be available to guests with partial proceeds benefiting the organization.

"We are excited to be a part of this program at Lake Austin Spa Resort. The long-standing relationship between the Animal Trustees of Austin and the spa is something that we are very proud of. Choosing us to be the beneficiary of their program allows us to help even more animals in our community and we appreciate this generous gift very much,” says Missy McCullough, Executive Director of the organization.

Pets hold a special place in the heart of the co-owner of the award-winning destination spa, Mike McAdams. The proud father of two rescue dogs had a revelation when he brought his first pet home from the Dallas Humane Society.

“I never knew the amount of joy these two girls could bring to my life,” says McAdams of his dogs. “My family had pets growing up, but as an adult I only adopted my first pet a few years ago and I had no idea how it would change my life. Viv and Daisy are part of our family.”

Dr. McConnell will lead informative discussions on the following:

-The Power of Pets: What Science Has to Tell Us About Our Love for Animals.

-Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking? What’s Really Going On in a Dog’s Brain?

-The Other End of the Leash: Understanding How to Communicate with Your Best Friend.

Additional pet experts participating in the program include Andrea Arden, a frequent guest on The Today Show and numerous programs on Animal Planet including Dogs 101, America’s Cutest Dog and Underdog to Wonderdog. She has contributed articles on animal behavior to Dog Fancy and The New York Dog magazine as well as being named the best dog trainer in New York by New York, W, Time Out and Quest magazines and the Daily News.  

Cara Shannon, JD, CPDT-KA, CAP1 and certified dog training expert will lead hands-on classes in manners training and etiquette. Cara will also be available for private sessions.

Susannah Charleson, author of Scent of the Missing: Love and Partnership with a Search and Rescue Dog, and her dog Puzzle are members of the Metro Area K9 Rescue in Dallas, Texas. They will demonstrate how we can use our human senses to understand a dog's gift of scent and to experience search-and-rescue from the dog's point of view and the handler's. 

Other scheduled activities during the four-day pet program include a Yappy Hour (for pets and their parents), mat training, leave it training, canine massage and a custom photography session with your dog. 

Animal activities are complemented with pup-inspired spa treatments for humans. The new Four Paws massage focuses on human paws—the hands and feet. While the hands are massaged with warm lavender lotion, feet are cocooned with a lavender peppermint foot balm and wrapped in warm towels. Pressure points on the feet conclude this 50-minute service. The Bow Wow Peticure is a relaxing pedicure that is sure to soothe aching “paws”. A relaxing “Dog Walk Soak” begins the 50-minute treatment, which also includes a bottle of polish to take home. A portion of the proceeds from both services will benefit Animal Trustees of Austin.

Guests are welcome to bring their house-trained adult dog, as the property has a select number of pet-friendly rooms with private outdoor spaces for their pooch to play.  The pet fee of $300 covers overnight essentials such as a dog bed, bowls, treat and a blanket for your beloved pet to snuggle in and take home with them. Pet fees collected during “Celebrating Paws” will be donated to Animal Trustees of Austin.   

Reservations are available by calling 800-847-5637. For more information on package options, visit www.lakeaustin.com. Details of the program can be found here: www.lakeaustin.com/paws.

ABOUT ANIMAL TRUSTEES OF AUSTIN:

Animal Trustees of Austin serves the animals and the people of our community through compassionate, affordable treatment and respect for all.

For almost 20 years, Animal Trustees of Austin has provided safe, compassionate and affordable treatment for animals in our community regardless of their owner’s income.  The dedication and commitment of its staff, donors and volunteers has made Animal Trustees exactly the sort of place that animals and the people who love them feel fortunate to find. Unlike private veterinary clinics, services are offered close to cost including high quality spay/neuter services, wellness care, treatment for heartworm disease as well as special surgical and dental procedures. But perhaps what’s most unique about Animal Trustees is the trust that gives them their name: The trust of the animals, the trust of their owners and the trust they have earned from the whole community.

Every year, Animal Trustees helps tens of thousands of animals who might otherwise go without, get the care and treatment they need whether that’s spay and neutering, wellness care, routine dental care, heartworm treatment or special surgeries. We could not do the work we do without the unwavering dedication of everyone associated with Animal Trustees. We recruit and keep a staff who is absolutely passionate about the work that they do.  Our loyal and tireless volunteers step in wherever there is a need to be filled whether answering the phones or holding hands with an owner. And for those requests that can only be met financially, our ever-widening pool of compassionate and generous donors are there for the animals.

ABOUT LAKE AUSTIN SPA RESORT

Nestled along the shores of scenic Lake Austin in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, Lake Austin Spa Resort offers guests the sanctuary of a world-class spa and the warmth of a best friend’s lake house. Lake Austin Spa Resort offers all-inclusive vacation packages, which include accommodations in one of 40 charming lakeside guest rooms, three gourmet meals daily, indoor and outdoor fitness activities and classes, and a selection of spa and body treatments.

The resort has received numerous awards from prestigious national travel and spa magazines since its multi-million dollar renovation and expansion in 2004.  Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Allure, the Zagat Survey, Health, Garden Design, SpaFinder Lifestyle, Spa Magazine and American Airlines’ Celebrated Living magazine have recently honored Lake Austin Spa Resort as one of the best in the country and in the world.

For additional information and reservations, call 800-847-5637, or visit www.lakeaustin.com.

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