Date: May 8th, 2020

We have your best interests at heart. We understand the importance of establishing and/or maintaining good behaviors with your puppy or dog, even in the most difficult of situations.  To that end, we have expanded our services to offer distance/online training services including private training/coaching sessions and soon- online group classes.

Email info@bestfriendsdogacademy.com for more information.

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In Person Group Classes:

We have heard from many people inquiring about our in-person group classes.  We appreciate your interest and your patience during this time. We miss teaching classes too!

The news is changing almost daily.  Epidemiologists and other medical professionals are emphasizing caution as communities begin to open back up.  Our careful decisions are meant to both meet your needs and to minimize risk to ourselves, our clients, and our community.  We are all in this together. 

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In-person group classes will be added to our website when covid-19 restrictions in our area have been lifted, when local medical professionals advise it is as safe as we can make it, and as our schedule allows.  If you previously signed up for an in-person group class that was cancelled due to covid-19, check your email for updated information. 

We remain grateful for your business and support. Stay healthy and happy training!

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Liz & Sara

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Date: April 28th, 2020

RE: COVID-19 update

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Given the current state of covid-19 in Iowa, Best Friends Dog Academy has expanded our services to offer distance/online dog training. Distance training is practical, effective, and fun! Here are just a few benefits:

• Work on specific behaviors tailored to your needs

• Convenient and flexible scheduling

• Work with a credentialed and experienced professional trainer while in the comfort and safety of your own home.

• Fewer distractions for your dog = more success to build on

• Owner does the training resulting in more engagement from the dog as well as a stronger bond

• Video allows for precise coaching and immediate feedback to enhance your skills and get results

• Great for manners, behavior modification, key skills like attention and recall, teaching/conditioning nail trims and more!

Email info@bestfriendsdogacademy.com for more information

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We are also offering limited private training/coaching with social distancing and additional safety precautions at our Iowa City facility. Please email us for more information. 

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We appreciate your patience as we determine the best course of action regarding restarting group classes.  We know you're anxious to start and we are too.

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We remain grateful for your business and support. Stay healthy and happy training!

Liz & Sara

 

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DATE: March24, 2020

RE: COVID-19 update

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If you were signed up for a March or April class, please email to let us know what future class you'd like your registration switched to.  

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At this time, private training sessions are no longer being scheduled for March or April.  We hope to begin working with you in May, but will decide as the situation evolves.  

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If you are interested in a virtual private training session, send an email to

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Stay safe and healthy.

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Sara & Liz

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DATE: March 16, 2020

RE: COVID-19 update

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Dear clients and friends,

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Science based evidence and best practices are a priority at Best Friends Dog Academy.  In keeping with that concept, and like so many of our professional colleagues across the US, we have made the decision to cancel our group classes for the next two sessions.  These sessions have classes in March, April & May.

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Though our facility is spacious and allows for ample social distancing, we feel it is most important to consider our overall community's health and wellness. 

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If you are signed up for a class, we will apply your class registration towards a future class.  Please check our website for the available classes and let us know your preference via email.  We will be adding July, August and September classes to the website later this week.

At this time, private training/coaching sessions will continue as planned and any changes will be communicated to our clients via email.  

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Our phone consult and online options for virtual private training/coaching are available on many platforms.  Please contact us for more information, if this is an option that interests you. 

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Thank you for your business and support,

Sara & Liz 

 

DATE: March 15, 2020

RE: Updated protocols in response to COVID-19:

 

FACILITY 

• Doorknobs and restroom surfaces will be cleaned and sanitized before and after every group class.

• All classroom chairs will be cleaned and sanitized before and after every group class.

 

SOCIAL DISTANCING

• Your instructor will not handle your leash, shake your hand, or pet your dog, except in an emergency situation (ie someone drops a leash and there is a loose dog in the room).

• Our facility is 2400 square feet and all classes are limited to no more than 6 dog/handler teams, allowing for more than the recommended social distancing.

• Our classes have 30 minutes between the end of one class and the beginning of the next, allowing enough time for people to come and go while adhering to recommended social distancing guidelines.

 

PRIVATE TRAINING SESSIONS

• Sessions scheduled to be held at Best Friends Dog Academy will be held as planned.  See above guidelines regarding the facility.

• Sessions scheduled to be held in private homes will be held as planned, or amended, per discussion with your trainer. 

 

Any questions or concerns can be sent to us via email at info@bestfriendsdogacademy.com

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DATE: March 12, 2020

RE: COVID-19 

 

As COVID-19 is now confirmed in Johnson County, Iowa, we want to make you aware of our plan for dealing with it.

 

Because we work with dogs, sanitation and cleaning protocols are always in place at our facility, as well as in our practices for private training, whether at your home or our training facility.  These remain in place 24/7/365.

 

If you would like more information about COVID-19, in relation to your pet, see this article:  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fellow-creatures/202003/covid-19-and-planning-your-pet

 

As always, consult your pet’s veterinarian with any specific medical questions.

 

Private Training:

 

If you have a scheduled session, but want or need to reschedule, please contact us via email and we will do so.  

 

If you are ill, or anyone in your home is, please contact us via email to reschedule.

 

If we become ill, we will contact you via email to reschedule.

 

 

Group Classes:

 

The next round of group classes is scheduled to begin March 18, 2020.  At this time, we plan to keep to that schedule. If the risk from this virus intensifies, we may revise the plan. 

 

Our group classes are always limited to no more than 4-6 dogs/handlers per class.  In our 2400 square foot facility, that allows for much more than the recommended social distancing.  Your instructor will not shake hands with you, nor handle your dog’s leash.  Doorknobs and restroom surfaces will be cleaned and sanitized before and after each class.  Please come prepared with your own treat bag, plenty of treats, water bowl and water.  Anything we can do to prevent sharing of items will protect all of us.

 

If you would like to transfer your registration from the March session of classes to a future session, you may do so at no charge.  Please review our class schedule on the website and let us know to which class you would like to switch.  Every effort will be made to accommodate your request, although it will be on a first-come, first-served basis.  We will continue to limit our classes to no more than 6 dog/handler teams.

 

If you are ill, or anyone in your home is, please contact us via email to reschedule.

 

If we become ill, we will contact you via email to reschedule.

 

We remain grateful for your business and support.  Sending wishes for a healthy March and April to all of you and your families,

 

Sara & Liz