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By , New Haven Register
POSTED: 11/28/16
SHELTON >> Three Valley businesswomen will be honored next month for launching their entrepreneurial talents in dog training, practicing law and children’s dentistry into successful businesses.
The Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce recently announced this year’s recipients for its 13th annual Women In Networking Entrepreneurial Grant Program. They are Dr. Julia Bonks, ConnectiKidz Dental Care, Derby; attorney Karen A. Fisher, Law Office of Karen A. Fisher, Seymour; and Dawn Lowery of One Smart Dog, Shelton.
The WIN grant is a named fund with the Valley Community Foundation. WIN is a council affiliated with the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Thanks to funds raised through WIN membership dues and fundraisers, Bonks, Fischer and Lowery will share a total of $3,000 in grants and scholarships for their businesses and to continue their education.
“We are delighted to continue the legacy of awarding annual grants to well-qualified entrepreneurial women and are pleased to offer $3,000 in grants and scholarships to encourage economic development in the Valley,” said Mary Jo Romano, a financial planner with her own business and co-chairwoman of WIN.
GVCC President Bill Purcell lauded the three winners.
“The Chamber is proud that our WIN Group continues to support women-owned businesses in our region through this unique partnership with the Valley Community Foundation,” said Purcell. “All three of this year’s recipients are outstanding entrepreneurs and accomplished professionals in their chosen fields.”
Purcell said WIN to date has awarded more than $40,000 to 47 recipients of women-owned businesses in the Valley.
Sharon Massafra, franchise owner of Home Instead Senior Care and independent consultant with Arbonne International, chaired the grant selections committee.
Lowery said she was thrilled to be recognized for her entrepreneurial spirit.
“I will be using the money for continuing education,” Lowery said. “I was excited and honored to be chosen as a recipient.”
According to a GVCC press release, the grant-in-aid program provides financial assistance to women 18 years of age or older in Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton. The WIN grant can be used for expenses to enhance the applicant’s current business or to start a new business.
All three winners will be presented with the grants during the WIN Holiday Luncheon scheduled for 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Dec. 13 at Tea with Tracy in Seymour, one of WIN’s past grant winners.
WIN was founded in 2002 by a group of local, successful businesswomen, who meet monthly to discuss common issues. Meetings are conducted on the second Tuesday of each month, and are held at the GVCC office or off-site at a Chamber member location.
For more information about joining the Chamber or WIN, call the GVCC at 203-925-4981 or visit www.greatervalleychamber.com.
CT Post Article Pilates for Pooches
MILFORD — When it comes to exercising the family canine, the standard choices have been a brisk walk or a good game of fetch.
But Dawn Lowery has a better idea. The trainer will introduce Pilates for Pooches in November, offering the six-week class at Who’s Your Doggie? on Gulf Street.
Pilates is tough for people, especially those of us who are not particularly flexible, but Lowery said people have the easy part, while their canine companions balance on rubber balls or stretch their paws.
“The dog owners don’t have to do Pilates (a form of ballet-based exercise), or even to know how to,” the animal trainer said. “It’s good for the dog — it strengthens the hips of older dogs and it builds their confidence. It’s also another way to bond with your dog.”
Wearing a shirt reading “Don’t Worry, Be Friendly,” the owner of One Smart Dog put an intermediate obedience class through its paces one evening, and in that session, the people needed more training than the pets.
Consistency is the key to obedience training, Lowery said. Dogs need to see it; people need to show it.
“Dogs are like people. They all have their own personalities,” she said. “Every dog can be trained, but there are some breeds that are more stubborn than others.”
Lowery runs One Smart Dog out of her Ansonia home, giving private lessons, canine massage and agility training. She holds larger classes at Who’s Your Doggie?
Nadine Cohen, of Trumbull, and her German shepherd, Charlie, were in the class because Charlie has the temperament — and the sympatico eyes — to make a good therapy dog. And if he can do that, “I can bring him to work every day,” Cohen said happily.
Angel, a Portuguese water dog, brought an assignment home that owner Debra Sansone planned to help her with.
“Dawn always gives us homework,” Sansone said. “We have to work on it before the next class.”
By the end of the six weeks, Lowery said, the dogs will be able to ignore distractions and follow commands. “They should be able to sit perfectly still for two minutes,” the trainer said.
Cindy Alves, of Seymour, looked up from scratching Gigi, a border collie she rescued from a shelter.
“I don’t stay still for two minutes,” Alves said.
Lowery’s website is www.onesmartdogct.com.
Reach Frank Juliano at 203-520-6986 or fjuliano@ctpost.com. Read more: http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Pilates-for-Pooches-helps-train-dogs-and-their-2193960.php#ixzz1ZS45KLBF