Dog Agility Trials Held at The Fieldhouse

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Nearly 200 dogs from across the nation are
gathering in Zanesville this weekend to run through obstacles and
prepare for their next stage of competition. The Fieldhouse is
hosting yet another round of Dog Agility Trials—which help raise
funds for the Fieldhouse Foundation to support area individuals
living with special needs. Mick Amicone, with The Fieldhouse, says
the Agility Trials benefit the foundation greatly.

“The Dog Agility
Trials that we do that are similar to what you see on ESPN—the
national trials—these are precursor events to get your dog to
qualify for those national finals. And as you can see, we’ve got
folks from all over the country right now—New York, South Dakota,
New Mexico. They come here and it is probably one of the greatest
benefactors for our Fieldhouse Foundation and our special needs
children.”

Betsey Lynch, who’s
dogs participate in the Agility Trials, says the animals are highly
trained from the time that they are born.

“You start when
they’re puppies. You just build a relationship with them; you teach
them how to play, you teach them how to learn, and you teach them
most of all to have a lot of fun. And then, after they get to be a
year or fifteen months old you’ll move into more of what you’re
seeing out there–more obstacles and what not. But, above all the
dog has to have a lot of fun and just be told a lot of times that
they’re the best.”

The Fieldhouse
Foundation provides those with special needs ages 3 to 21 with free
services, equipment, and therapy. There are eight Dog Agility Trial
events held each year at The Fieldhouse.