Employee of the Month

Haley is a great team member that always comes to work with a positive, cheerful attitude. She loves to help pets and their people! Haley is able to handle the demands of working two completely different roles – sometimes on the same day! She spends some of her week as a Veterinary Assistant and the... other part of the week as a Client Services Representative. Her ‘can do” attitude is so valuable to a busy practice like ours. Haley is a very artistic and creative person and is the one who keeps our bulletin board up to date – check it out the next time you are in the clinic! She also painted our hospital logo on a wall in our Dog School training area – it looks absolutely awesome!! Haley came to us from Denton, Texas in the spring of 2008. The minute we met her we knew that she was destined to be on staff at RVVS. She has worked as a Veterinary Assistant for creatures great and small since 2002. She is currently pursuing a degree as a Certified Veterinary Technician. Haley has a German Shorthaired Pointer named Paislee and two rats named Micky and Willie – named after her favorite band Micky and the Motorcars! She loves country music, dancing (all that good 2-steppin' Texas stuff!), fishing, and the great outdoors. Thank you to Dr. Laurie Miller for nominating Haley as our Employee of the Month – Haley is very deserving of this award!!!!

PET OF THE MONTH

Oscar is a 12 ½ year old Pudelpointer that shares his life with Michelle DuPont who just happens to be a staff member – she is an Equine Assistant and a Client Service Representative.  Tragically he was injured in an accident when he was young and eventually lost a front leg.  But that did not slow him down!  He has a distinct gait and gets around just fine.  He has even helped raise a puppy or two – showing them the ropes and playing games with them in the yard at RVVS.  J Pudelpointers have beards – and Oscar wears his well!  He is a very loving dog and has brought many wonderful years to Michelle!  We salute him for being our Pet of the Month!!!

As always, exercise is important even in the winter months! If there’s snow on the ground, check your pet’s paws for ice balls or injuries. Rinse feet off if your pet has walked where de-icers have been used. If your pet is having difficulty exercising due to depth of snow, slick icy surfaces, or appears to be winded, we recommend that you shorten the usual exercise times and monitor for any unusual signs. If you suspect that your pet has ingested any harmful toxins from de-icers or anti-freeze, please let us know immediately, so that we may advise you about what to do next.

Do Your Pets Sleep in Your Bed?

Dog School

Do you have a pet peeve when it comes your pet? Many of the things that your pet does that may annoy you, can be corrected! 

At River Valley Veterinary Service we recognize that each dog is an individual. Different breeds require different training methods. The River Valley Veterinary Service Dog School offers friendly, experienced instructors, with classes available for the young and older dog. Our Pups ‘R Us class offers a great experience for the whole family with exceptional information on behavior, socializing and training the new young puppy. It allows your puppy to earn the AKC S.T.A.R. puppy certification. Other adult dog classes are offered to help make a well-mannered and obedient family dog.

DOG SCHOOL CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

PUPS 'R US                                                                                                        
$100 / 7 weeks

Instructors:  Tiana Peterson or Mike Sweeney

A fun and fast paced class for puppies 8 – 20 weeks of age, the entire family is invited to attend! This seven week class will prepare you and your puppy to earn the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Certification. Your puppy will learn basic obedience commands such as sit, down, stay and come when called. Through games, drills and other activities we will help your puppy to become a confident and well socialized member of your family. Health and behavior topics will be discussed by our experienced instructors. On the last night of class puppies will take the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Certification Test.  So, bring your puppy, your family, a 4-6 foot leash, a buckle collar or Gentle Leader collar and your sense of humor! (Please - no flexi leads or training collars.)  For more information on the AKC S.T.A.R program go to:  http://www.akc.org/starpuppy/

View the RVVS Dog School Schedule

Level I : Enhancing your Dog’s Basic Obedience Skills                   
$125 / 7 weeks

Instructors: Tiana Peterson or Mike Sweeney

*Dogs under 6 months by instructor approval only. Enhance your dogs’ knowledge of proper doggie behavior including sit, down, stay, heeling on leash, coming when called, and proper social etiquette.  Level I is for you and up to two family members.  We’ll meet once weekly for one hour.  The first night will be a mandatory lecture and we ask that you leave your dog at home the first night of class.  Handlers must be at least 15 years old.
view schedule   

 

Canine Good Citizen Class                                                                                          
$125 / 7 weeks

Instructor: Dan Lively

* Dogs 9 months & older who have graduated from a Level I class at River Valley Dog School. Dogs under 9 months by instructor approval only. An advanced class that helps your favorite companion become a respected member of the community and to be conditioned to act mannerly in the home, public places and in the presence of other dogs. This class is recommended for dogs 9 months and older who are consistant with their sit stays, down stays and heeling. Handlers must be at least 15 years old.
view schedule

Level II: Advanced training                                                         
$125 / 7 weeks                                            
Instructor: Dan Lively

An advanced class for dogs that have passed the Canine Good Citizen test.  This is the beginning of off leash work. This class is scheduled when there is enough demand, check back with us to find out specific dates.

All classes must have at least 6 dogs registered to run. Classes may be postponed a week or cancelled if there is not enough demand. Please register early to avoid schedule changes.
view schedule

Want To Register For A Class?

Classes fill up fast – so get your registration in early! Download the registration form. Payment is required at the time of registration to hold your place in class.  Fax your form to us at 952.447.4113, email it as an attachment or stop in person to get signed up.  For your convenience e will mail you a confirmation receipt along with a copy of the schedule.
If you have questions, please call us at 952.447.4118.  Stacey McKague is our Obedience Coordinator who can answer all of your questions.  Feel free to email her at Stacey@rivervalleyveterinary.com
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The Nitty Gritty Details!

No refunds will be issued once the class you've registered for has begun. If you withdrew before the class begins, you will receive a refund minus a $10.00 handling fee. Classes are not transferable.
All classes must have at least 6 dogs registered to run. Classes may be postponed a week or cancelled if there is not enough demand. Please register early to avoid schedule changes.
Sometimes inclement weather will force us to cancel a class.  Call if you think this might be a possibility.  In general, if Prior Lake Schools are closed, Obedience classes will be canceled too. We will keep you informed as to when make-up classes will be held.
We recommend the Gentle Leader collar, available at our clinic in the pet supply department.

River Valley Veterinary Service
Clients: Ask how you can receive a discount on obedience classes!!

Did you know that dental care is an extremely important component of your pets overall health? More than 80% of dogs and cats over the age of three suffer from dental disease. Dental disease can lead to secondary conditions affecting your pet’s heart, liver and kidneys. Infected teeth and gums are especially dangerous to your older pets. River Valley Veterinary Services provides comprehensive dental care including regular dental cleanings.