[nagdu] Top Dog 2013 Update

[Marj Schneider]

Hello All,

We have an exciting piece of news to share about Top Dog 2013, coming 
up on January 11-13 in Savannah, GA.



An optional canine first aid class will be available to attendees and 
we have recently learned from instructor Peggy Rew that all 
participants will receive a dog first aid kit as part of the course 
at no additional charge. This class is a rare opportunity to learn 
about caring for our dogs in urgent situations, and leaving with a 
first aid kit is one more reason to take advantage of this course 
when you sign up for Top Dog.



Below is a description of the course, followed by the general 
announcement about the 2013 Southeast Regional Top Dog Workshop.



******

Friday January 11, 9:30-11:30 AM

Optional Red Cross Canine First Aid Certificate Course

This two-Hour class has a $40 enrollment fee and is limited to 35 participants.

Instructor Peggy Rew of Reno, Nevada says about this course:

"Our dogs need us to be pack leaders, an alpha who can take control 
of any situation, emergency or not.

Knowing basic Dog or Cat First Aid and CPR can save a life or at 
best, calm a situation so the appropriate decisions can be made. Pain 
tolerance is much higher in animals and showing weakness is usually 
not an option for them, so it takes a perceptive pet parent to notice 
and take charge!


  ~ Be the first in your group of friends to learn the basics in 
first aid and CPR.
~ Learn what ordinary household items are toxic or poisonous to dogs and cats.
~ Learn what is an emergency and what can wait until the next 
business day, so you can go to your own veterinarian.
  ~ How to stabilize an injury, stop bleeding & wrap wounds.
~ Muzzling and transportation options.
notice and take charge!

With that in mind, consider the benefits of this class:

Becoming certified in pet First Aid/CPR makes you a more valuable 
guide dog handler or puppy raiser and your animals appreciate it. You 
will leave this course with a life-time certificate that requires no 
annual renewal. Each participant will also receive a dog first aid kit."

******

The Southeast Regional Top dog workshop, January 11-13, 2013 is 
coming to the Hostess City, Savannah, Georgia, and registration is now open.

Georgia Guide Dog Users, DixieLand Guide Dog Users and Guide Dog 
Users of Florida will welcome guide dog handlers, puppy raisers and 
many dogs and puppies from the Southeast and around the country to 
the Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites Gateway Conference Center at 
17 Gateway Blvd. East in Savannah for three days of workshops, 
exhibits, fine Southern food and hospitality, an optional city tour, 
and the chance to visit with old friends and to make new ones.

The complete schedule of events will be circulated in advance; what 
follows are program highlights:
    * A Top Dog tradition, the Blessing of the Guide Dogs
    * A panel discussion on current advocacy issues for guide dog handlers
    * A veterinarian speaking on the basics, ears, teeth and flea prevention
    * An interactive session on peak experiences with our dogs
    * An optional  Red Cross certification course in canine first aid
    * A banquet speaker who will inspire us with her story

Online registration is available at the website, 
<http://topdogworkshop.org/>http://topdogworkshop.org/ or by phone 
and through the mail. The registration phone number for registrar 
Sally Benjamin is (850) 588-9070. The registration cost for Top Dog 
2013 is $25.00 per person.

When you register you will be able to choose two lunch and two dinner 
meals priced very affordably and you may opt for a Friday afternoon 
tour of Savannah's historic district for a cost of $25.00.

Room rates at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites Gateway will 
be $89.00 per night, plus 13% sales tax. These conference rates will 
apply from Thursday, January 10, 2013 through Sunday January 13, 
2013, as well as three nights prior to and following the event. If 
you choose to, you could stay as many as nine nights at the special 
event rate. Up to four people can share these comfortably-sized rooms 
and a hot breakfast is included in the room rate. Located off of exit 
94 from I95, the hotel is just 15 miles from the Savannah 
International Airport and a similar distance from both the Amtrak and 
Greyhound stations. It is located approximately 18 miles from 
Savannah's downtown and historic district.

Make reservations at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites by 
calling the hotel directly at 912-925-2700, making certain to mention 
group code GGD (Good Good Dog). The event is also listed under the 
name of Georgia Guide Dog Users. The deadline for registration and 
hotel reservations is December 11, 2012. Make your plans now to come 
to Savannah in January 2013. See y'all here.

For further event information or for exhibitors or registration 
forms, send emails to, <<mailto:2013topdog at gmail.com>2013topdog at gmail.com>

Marj Schneider, Event Coordinator