Buddies 4 Ever
Saturday 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM

Join two sisters, Danett (illustrator) and JoDenise (author), for an interactive session with Buddy the Chihuahua.  Buddy is the star of 2 books; Buddy’s Rainy Day and What’s Wrong Buddy and an activist to encourage reading in kids. Don’t miss Buddy as he changes costumes and entertains the children during multiple book readings throughout the day.  Location of this session to be announced at the festival.

Marcia Boxenbaum

Head Agility Instructor, Canine Camp Getaway of NY

Sunday 3:00 PM

Presents "Getting Started in Agility"

Agility is the ultimate game for dogs and their human companions—an "obstacle course" for dogs that provides exercise, mental stimulation and a chance to strengthen the bond between human and canine. Equally important, it's fun!

Marcia Boxenbaum is head agility instructor at Canine Camp Getaway of NY, and has been running, teaching and competing in agility for nearly a decade. Her love of agility was inspired by a high-energy cocker spaniel named Oliver who originally took up the sport to deal with anxiety problems. In agility classes, Oliver quickly found his calling, and Marcia and Oliver were soon competing in AKC, NADAC and USDAA, where Oliver earned various titles in both agility and rally.

Marcia was soon studying agility under top trainers from all over the East Coast, and in 2005 became the primary agility instructor for Best Friend’s Dog Training in Farmingdale, NY. Her facility for teaching at all levels, from first time agility students to advanced competition-level handlers, made Marcia a natural choice for head agility instructor at the Lake George, NY-based Canine Camp Getaway of NY, where she teaches beginner through advanced classes for human and canine guests from all over the country and Canada. This seminar will look at what it takes to get started in agility, and how you can learn to have fun bonding with your dog on the agility course.

Janice Costa,

Owner and Founder, Canine Camp Getaway of NY
Sunday 11:30 AM

Presents "Designer Dens: Home Décor for Pet Lovers"

Do you dream of having a home that looks like Better Homes & Gardens yet find that paws, claws and hair keep getting in the way? Sure, you adore your pet, but that doesn’t mean you love hair-covered “fur-niture” and drool-coated floors. This session will look at the best pet-friendly home design choices for everything from furniture and flooring to feeding stations, accessories and even luxury items like pet spas/whirlpools/bathing stations. Suggestions will be given for materials that stand up to four-legged frolicking, as well as vacuums and steam cleaners that simplify clean up.

Janice Costa has been working with dogs for more than a decade, and is currently owner and founder of Canine Camp Getaway of NY, the Lake George, NY-based vacation for dogs and dog lovers, as well as author of the Traveling Tails blog.

Janice is also an AKC Canine Good Citizen test evaluator and a Therapy Dog Evaluator with TDI, and is active in everything from rescue and service dog work to agility.

An author and internationally recognized expert in the interior design field, she has been writing about all things design-related for nearly 20 years, and has been featured on CNN, HGTV.com and hundreds of morning shows across the country to speak about trends in home design. Janice combines her love of dogs and design by writing a "Crate & Garden" column for Fido Friendly magazine.

She has written for numerous magazines and Web sites about everything from pet-friendly design and pet-safe travel to Therapy Dog work, and has been featured on The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, CNN, MSNBC.com, Connecticut's Pet Talk, Talk 97 Radio, Fido Friendly magazine, Every Day With Rachel Ray magazine, Women Making a Difference, AOL's PawNation.com, Fidoseofreality.com, New York's Newsday, DogFriendly.com, The New York Daily News and About.com's Entrepreneurs section, among others.

Carol Erickson, CBS 3 Meteorlogist
Sunday, 1:30 PM, Grand Stage
Emcee for “Gimme Shelter Canine Showcase”

and “Masquerade Costume Contest”

Back for the fourth year (station schedule permitting) is Emmy winner Carol Erickson, CSB Meteorologist . Active in the community, Erickson is a passionate advocate for family pets and other animals. She often includes "pet advisories" in her weather forecasts, hosts a "pet page" on CBS 3's website and reports on animal-related stories. For years, she has also hosted the popular "Ask the Vet" segment with Dr. Jerry Geffen which airs on Eyewitness News Sunday mornings. Erickson even earned a diploma in Companion Animal Behavior Counseling - Canine Behavior from the American Institute for Animal Science, now the American College of Applied Science.

In 2007, she was awarded the Pennsylvania SPCA Media All-Star Award for her stories on animals and for calling attention to the plight of animals. In 2008, she was an Honoree at the PSPCA Good Dogs Gala for her efforts with shelter animals. In 2010, Erickson was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame in recognition of her body of work in the field of broadcasting. Erickson expanded her media career by publishing a children's book, "Not A Used Dog, At All," a book encouraging adoption of shelter dogs. Fido’s Festival USA® is delighted to have Carol join us!

Lawrence Frederick
Saturday 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM

Sunday 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:45 PM

Lawrence is in his 42nd year of playing Disc sports and is recognized as not only one of the best disc dog trainers, competitors & entertainers in the world, but also as a World Class Human Freestlyer and avid disc collector. A native of Penns Grove, NJ, (currently residing in Jacksonville, Florida) Lawrence returns home to perform at Fido’s Festival USA with his nine fabulous world finalist dogs.

Now, not only are Lawrence and his team of incredible dogs the most widely recognized Frisbee Dog Team in the world, (with a world record 39 World Finals appearances) but he made history by being the first human to compete with two dogs at the same time in the World Frisbee Dog Championships in 2003; and then became the first human to compete with three dogs in the same year in the World Frisbee Dog Championships in 2006. In 2008 he blew the top off of competition standards by qualifying four dogs for the World Championship Finals; and then in 2010 took his accomplishments to the moon by qualifying “Five” different dogs. Lawrence and “Harley Davidson” won the 2008 & 2010 AWI Disc Dog World Championships & then he turned around three weeks later and won The 2010 Skyhoundz Disc Dog World Championships with “Flash”.

As a dog lover, and a former human Frisbee World Champion, Lawrence travels around the world sharing his expertise and wowing crowds as part of the Disc-Connected K9’s Frisbee Dog Team. In the past, he served as the President of the International Disc Dog Handler's Association (IDDHA); and was a contributing writer on "throwing skills" and his articles ("Throwing Your Life Away") appeared in each issue of the Disc Dog Quarterly Publication. He is recognized as an International Trainer, (APDT Member) having taught in numerous countries all over South America, Europe and Asia; as well as all over the United States. Currently, he serves as the S.E. Regional Director for Unified Frisbee Dog Operations (UFO).

William Griffin, VMD
Saturday 1:30

Presents "Why Prevention is the Best Medicine"

Co-owner and Medical Director of Regional Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center, Dr. William Griffin graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Griffin was on the Dean's List and was the recipient of the Small Animal Medicine Award for high proficiency in canine and feline medicine. As classmates at the University of Pennsylvania, both Dr. Griffin and Dr. Lindquist were accepted into a Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Internship at the University of Pennsylvania for advanced training in medicine, emergency surgery and critical care. Joining their passion together, they have built The Black Horse Pike Animal Hospital into the region's premier 24 hour emergency and specialty center. Dr. Griffin, a member of AAHA, AVMA and Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS), lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, his daughter, and their cats and dogs

Howling Woods Celebrity Wolfdogs
On-going Saturday and Sunday

Want to meet some four legged movie stars? Here’s your chance! At least two of the four wolves featured in the Disney movie “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” will appear at the festival. Howling Woods wolfdogs Sierra, Bandit, Takoda and Samson appeared briefly in the movie released in July 2010. You will have the opportunity to not only meet the dogs but also have your picture taken with them. There will be a fee for pictures paid directly to Howling Woods to assist in their rescue work.

Christopher Lindquist, VMD
Sunday 12:30 PM

Presents "Fitness for Fido and You!"

Co-owner and Medical Director of Regional Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center, Dr. Christopher Lindquist graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Lindquist graduated Magna cum laude and received the Small Animal Surgery Award for high proficiency in canine and feline surgery. Dr. Lindquist is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, VECCS and the Veterinary Orthopedic Society (VOS). He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, sons, dogs and horses and in his free time enjoys sports and fitness, including Russian Kettlebell and Combat Conditioning, of which he is a certified coach and instructor.

Chris Shaughness
Saturday 12:30 PM
Presents “True Love: Giving Puppy Mill Survivors a New Life”

Chris Shaughness is a pet behavior consultant, dog trainer, and pet massage therapist specializing in the rehabilitation of rescued dogs and survivors from puppy mills. With years of experience working with clients, animal shelters and rescue organizations, Chris has a breadth of knowledge to share about animal behavior and welfare issues. She is the author of the book, Puppy Mills Dogs SPEAK!  Happy Stories and Helpful Advice, and has published articles and stories about pets in various national magazines. She produced the training video, Successful Dog Makeovers, and co-produced the film, Uncaged: Second Chances for Puppy Mill Breeder Dogs. Be sure to visit her website for more information.

Dawn Wolfe

Owner, Pawsitively Famous Animal Actors
Saturday 3:30 PM

 “Certified Dog Behaviorist and Master Trainer” is just one way to identify Dawn Wolfe.  Her company; Pawsitivley Famous Animal Actors is another.  She is proficient in a number of different training methods and equipment.  Dawn’s unique approach allows her to train dogs not only for obedience work, but also for tricks, retrieves and even posing for the camera!  Dawn also conducts workshops and auditions for aspiring animal actors throughout the U.S. 

Dawn will be host and judge for Fido’s Hoot and Howl Talent contest where she will not only be judging the contest but audition each entrant for a possible career in show business.  Dawn will give tips on training your dog and explaining just what it takes to be famous. As an added treat, Dawn will be presenting a Trick Dog Show to delight the audience.

Arthur Young, DVM, CVH
Saturday 11:10 AM
Presents “Why Alternative Medicine - Why Not?”

Dr. Arthur Young is nationally known as a practitioner, lecturer, teacher and author.  He comes to homeopathy with over five decades of experience as a clinician, researcher in contagious diseases of primates, instructor in pathology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, and as an innovator in the application of homeopathic medicines for exotic animals. Recognizing the absolute necessity of educating those dedicated to the preservation of good health and a comfortable quality of life for animals, Dr. Young has contributed his literary skills and teaching energies to homeopathic journals, new age publications, national TV and radio talk shows. Dr. Young is a graduate of the University of Georgia School of Veterinary Medicine and has studied with such eminent veterinary homeopaths as Drs. Richard Pitcairn, Christina Chambreau, and Donald Hamilton. Visit his website for more information: www.homeopathyanimals.com.

On Sunday at 2:15 PM, meet with Dr. Young for an interesting session on homeopathy for your dog.  Dr. Young is anxious to discuss nutrition; obstacles to cure; anxiety; post hospital & post surgical care in geriatric animals; effects of stress, the importance of blood titers and more.  Bring your questions and a note pad.  Location of this session to be announced at the festival.