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Boxerstock ~ A Full Day of Music & Boxers!
October 23, 2011 ~ 12 noon - 6pm
Jim Miller Park
Marietta, GA
Schedule of Speakers and Demos
On the Main Stage
- 12:30 - Dr. Jenine Merritt from Paces Ferry Veterinary Clinic
- 1:15 - ABR Rescue Parade - Meet the Boxers!
- 2:00 - Doggie Costume Contest
- 2:45 - Victoria Stilwell from the Animal Planet's "It's Me or the Dog"
- 3:30 - Amber Burckhalter from K-9 Coach
- 4:45 - Agility with Georgia
At the Paces Ferry Booth with Jenine Merritt, DVM
- 1:30 PM - Cancer
- 2:30 PM - Heart Disease and Obesity
- 3:30 PM - Arthritis
- 4:30 PM - Senior Medicine/Geriatric Care
- 5:30 PM - Dentistry
At the K-9 Coach Booth with Amber Burckhalter
- 1:00 PM - Learn how to choose and properly fit training collars, leashes and
equipment for your dog
- 2:00 PM - K-9 Nosework Demo featuring an ABR Rescue dog
- 3:00 PM - Learn how to manage and remove thunderstorm phobia
- 4:00 PM - Obedience Demo featuring an ABR Rescue dog
- 5:00 PM - Leash Walking 101: How to teach your dog to walk with you!
Our Special Guests
Emcee, Shelly Ryan
We are proud to have Shelly Ryan back this year to emcee Boxerstock 2011!
Once upon a time there was a little girl who loved to make people laugh...
Michele Wendling (Shelly) Ryan was born in the kingdom of Minneapolis. After being enlightened by great literature (okay, storybook tales), she developed a vivid imagination. Being an only child this trait was useful, although her parents never determined how many imaginary siblings Shelly had.
Children eventually have to decide what they want to be when they grow up. Not easy when your role models give conflicting messages. Could a happy medium exist between innocent fairy tale princess and buxom fashion model? Shelly thought this incongruity was funny!
By high school Shelly realized a sense of humor was more than entertaining; it was therapeutic! This marching band nerd (who stayed home cleaning the fireplace waiting for Prince Charming to show up) spent a lot of weekends with Saturday Night Live and Monty Python.
Inspired by great sketch comedy, Shelly began her adventure in 2004 by joining other writers at SketchWorks, where two of her scripts were produced in a showcase. She also co-wrote a piece that appeared as the closing act in one of their main stage performances.
After graduating from Funny Farm University in 2005, Shelly’s appeared at several Atlanta comedy clubs and emceed for a variety of events. Her closest brush with fame was Nickelodeon at Nite’s "Funniest Mom Contest." But don’t let the mild-mannered, middle-aged mom persona fool you!
| Special offer: Purchase Boxerstock's emcee Shelly Ryan's CD “Shelly’s Nursery Rhymes: The REST of the Story” during the month of October and she'll donate 50% of all proceeds to Atlanta Boxer Rescue, Inc. |
Shelly’s comedy has been enjoyed world-wide on live streaming radio. In addition to numerous guest appearances and co-hosting gigs, she produced a virtual comedy cabaret and hosted her own variety talk show. She regularly observes the absurdities of life and is a prolific blogger.
She’s a regular contributor to the e-zine Flip Side to Music with her monthly Humor Highway column and audio commentaries. Shelly’s joined other artists at the Feel Teal Club, promoting awareness for Ovarian cancer by adding her gift of laughter and a very personal tribute to the late Gilda Radner.
Shelly considers herself to be a late bloomer rapidly making up for lost time. Her mission: to make the world a better place by spreading the universal language of laughter. She shares her own fairy tale in her CD “Shelly’s Nursery Rhymes: The REST of the Story...”
...and everyone laughed happily ever after!
Follow Shelly: 
Jenine Merritt, DVM, Paces Ferry Veterinary Clinic
(Health tips for dogs)
Dr. Merritt has been with Paces Ferry since May of 2002. She is a native of Atlanta and received both her Bachelor of Science in Biology and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia. She lives in Smyrna with her husband Richard. Dr. Merritt and her husband have a son named Jack and a daughter named Mia. They also have three dogs a black Labrador named "Bubba", a chocolate Labrador named "Spike", and a Boston Terrier named "Gumbeaux."
Follow Paces Ferry Veterinary Clinic:
Amber Burckhalter, Trainer, K-9 Coach
(Dog obedience/training/nosework demos)
Amber Burckhalter is the owner and founder of K-9 Coach, LLC, an award-winning, Atlanta dog training and behavior modification company. Amber is also the founder of Bed & Bark, the only Atlanta doggie daycare and boarding facility to be owned and operated by a certified canine specialist.
Amber grew up in a family that was very active with dogs and, in fact, rescued her first dog when she was just 7 years old. She spent much of her high school and college years working in the veterinarian field as a kennel technician, a veterinarian assistant and a surgical technician. After graduating with a Bachelors in Science from Georgia State University, she attended Tarheel Canine Training in North Carolina - a worldwide respected canine training facility. While there, she trained and worked with dogs in search and rescue, cadaver recovery, drug and explosive discovery, personal protection and basic and advanced obedience. In 1995, Amber receiving her Certified Master Dog Trainer certification and began training professionally.
Amber is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) and is recognized as a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT), the only worldwide recognized canine trainer certification, by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). She is active in numerous pet rescue organizations and the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) Canine Good Citizen® program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs.
As an expert in canine obedience and behavior modification, she believes that every dog and handler team is unique and their training should be designed to address their diversities. While Amber has spent almost 20 years working with all types of dogs on pack mentality, behavior modification and all levels of obedience, she is considered an expert in the canine aggression field, using positive training methods, and this is now her professional focus.
She has served as an expert witness in court proceedings and has been featured in the Atlanta Journal Constitution and other newspapers, both for her expert opinion and her call to action for other trainers. She has appeared in Women’s Day, Parents Magazine, The APDT Chronicle, CNN.com and numerous other publications. Amber has also appeared on local television programs including Good Day Atlanta, with Victoria Stillwell of It’s Me or the Dog and in a WSB-TV Channel 2 exposé that profiled Norred and Associates and Amber’s work with busting dog fighting rings and rehabilitating abused dogs. In 2008, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) named Amber 'Head Trainer' for the End Dog Fighting Campaign in Atlanta and she went on to co-design the curriculum for the nationwide HSUS program. She has appeared on National Public Radio and several other radio talk shows as a canine expert and is sought after by numerous organizations for her help using positive training methods to successfully train and rehab dogs. She is proud to act as a mentor to other trainers and regularly hosts CEU approved educational conferences with world-renowned trainers. Currently, Amber is working on her first book and training video and lives at home with her husband, her toddler son, three rescued dogs and one cat.
Follow K-9 Coach:
Victoria Stilwell, Trainer, Positively Dog Training
It's Me or the Dog, Positively Dog Training
Born and raised in Wimbledon, England, Victoria Stilwell is one of the world's most recognized and respected dog trainers.
She is best known for her role as the star of Animal Planet's hit TV series It's Me or the Dog, through which she is able to share her insight and passion for positive reinforcement dog training and as a judge on CBS's Greatest American Dog. Having filmed over 100 episodes since 2005, Stilwell is able to reach audiences in over 50 countries while counseling families on their pet problems.
Her two best-selling books, It's Me or the Dog: How to Have the Perfect Pet and Fat Dog Slim: How to Have a Healthy, Happy Pet, have been widely praised, and they detail her core reward-based training philosophy: “There’s a better way to train – Positively.”
Due to her passion for positive reinforcement training methods, Stilwell created www.positively.com – the online home of positive reinforcement – featuring the world’s leading veterinary behaviorists, dog trainers and behavioral scientists on her Positively Expert Blog. She is a vocal opponent of punitive, dominance-based training techniques which often result in 'quick fixes' but ultimately cause more long-term harm than good while damaging the owner-dog relationship.
In 2010, she launched Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training, the world’s first global network of positive reinforcement dog trainers, dedicated to providing the dog-owning public a brand name they can trust in reward-based training.
She also remains committed to helping the cause of animal rescue and rehabilitation and is heavily involved shelters around the world while also working to increase awareness of the horrific practice of puppy mills. She is a National Ambassador for American Humane, serves as the Behavioral Advisor on RedRover’s Advisory Board, and is a proud supporter of Yoursphere. Victoria also serves as the lead trainer for the official Rin Tin Tin.
A regular guest on countless talk shows, news broadcasts and radio programs in the US, Europe and Asia, Stilwell was named 2009’s Dog Trainer of the Year at the Purina ProPlan Dog awards and was the recipient of the prestigious 2011 Excellence in Journalism and Outstanding Contributions to the Pet Industry Award. Since its premiere in 2005, It’s Me or the Dog has been the recipient of multiple honors including a 2011 Genesis Award Nomination and a 2009 People’s Choice Award nomination. Stilwell is a regular columnist for The Bark and Dogs Today magazines, and she has been featured in numerous magazines, journals and newspapers including The New York Times, USA Today, Cosmopolitan, Time.com, Oprah Magazine, Rachael Ray Everyday, MSNBC.com, Self Magazine, Shape Magazine, The Daily Mail, and The Sun.
Victoria currently resides in Atlanta with her husband, daughter and her two rescue dogs Sadie and Jasmine.
Follow Victoria Stilwell: 
Georgia 501st, Vader's First
Since 1997, the costuming organization known as the 501st Legion has spread the magic of the Star Wars genre worldwide through its authentic-looking costumes, and has become the leading force in fan-based charity events. The 501st, also known as “Vader’s Fist,” is truly dedicated to brightening the lives of those less-fortunate.
The Rebel Legion is an international Star Wars costuming organization created by, of and for people interested in creating costumes from the Star Wars mythos. Research, create, build and improve your costumes in a place where costumers with similar passions share skills, tips and ideas. Jedi, Rebel Pilots, Troopers, Princesses and even Wookiees…we’ve got them all…and we’re always looking for more.
We are the good guys!
Besides our ‘Good Guy’ costumes, our worldwide membership often choose to give back to their communities (through costumed volunteer activities and charity events). No one can provide the public with a greater range of Star Wars costumes, nor a more personable, interactive, face to face experience.
Much like the fictional Rebel Alliance, the Rebel Legion was formed as a reaction to The Fighting 501st Legion. For years the 501st had grown and their presence was felt at nearly every science-fiction and fantasy convention in the world. Stormtroopers, Sith Lords, Bounty Hunters, and Imperial Officers were all united in their love of Imperial costuming.
But what about the countless Jedi Knights, Rebel Pilots, Queen Amidala’s, Han Solo’s and Wookiee-wannabes? They had no costuming group to call their own. So a few brave souls banded together, and much like the Rebellion, they formed their own group. The leader of this new movement was a man named Tony Troxell, a Rebel Pilot.
The Rebel Legion first appeared in mid-1999 and in the years since its formation, the group has grown from a few dozen Rebel costumers that talked to each other on the internet, to becoming the premier Rebel costuming group in the Star Wars community. Our membership is constantly increasing, and we have established our own presence in the world.
Follow the GA 501st:
Agility Demo Team - Todd Buchla & Georgia
Georgia is quite accomplished in the agility arena, obtaining the Master Agility Champion or MACH title in August 2011. Georgia is only the 19th Boxer ever to achieve the MACH title. Reaching this milestone at only the age of 3, she is the youngest boxer to achieve this title as well as the first white Boxer, to achieve this feat! She barely missed making the 2011 National Agility Invitational ranking sixth among all Boxers (only the top 5 are invited). Georgia also has her Companion Dog and Rally Advanced obedience titles and is a Canine Good Citizen. She and her brother Gunny were the first Boxers to receive their lure coursing ability title. Georgia received her most treasured award at the 2010 American Boxer Club national championships where she was bestowed with the prestigious “Forever Young” award after a humorous zoom around the obedience ring!
Todd and his wife Sherry are owned by 2 boxers – a 3 1/2 year old white girl named Georgia and a 2 1/2 year old fawn boy named Gunny. They have been training for obedience and agility competition for 3 years.
See her journey from puppy to agility champion on you tube at:
http://youtu.be/ennUp-pWiKA