Annual Doggy Day a hit at Regine facility

WASILLA — Hundreds of conscientious dog owners, aiming to become even more-so took part in the annual Responsible Dog Owner day Saturday at the Regine Dog Training Facility off of Fairview Loop.

A number of vendors, and guest speakers, including one from Mat-Su Search and Rescue, who spoke about their role in protecting pets during the recent Matanuska River flooding threat.

Out in the courtyard, dogs and their owners mingled with one another, with some taking tests to certify as Canine Good Citizens, sanctioned by the American Kennel Club.

Ginger Jaksha’s 120-pound St. Bernard-English Mastiff mix Maximus, wasn’t ready for that kind of distinction, but having done his puppy training at the Regine facility since Jaksha got him in February, Saturday provided him an opportunity to show how far he’s come.

“It’s a workout for me, to be sure,” Jaksha said. “He’s doing super-great; he’s super-excited, which is the only problem — he’s super-excited.”

Jaksha said she and her family were always ‘cat people’ until recently.

“I had a dream, dreamed we needed a dog,” Jaksha said. “So we got a horse, basically — go big or go home, right?”

Not only was Saturday’s event designed to allow fellow dog owners to meet, it was also a chance for area vendors to showcase their services, including Valley Poop Patrol founder Sandi Williams, who after seven-and-a-half years as an animal control officer, turned entrepreneur.

“A lot of people don’t want to do it or don’t have time, so it was a need that needed to be filled,” said Williams, who enticed owners to her table with a cake with green icing, made to look like a clean backyard. “I still have that foundation of customers, and they’ve been there all along.”

Jaralynn Jones, with Regine Dog Training, said Saturday’s turnout may have been the best yet.

“This gives people a lot of exposure to different dog companies. For people who don’t know about boarders and groomers and trainers, this was they can all come and meet without having to call around.”