Cassville Democrat: Local News: Haven Of The Ozarks hosts ribbon cutting (02/08/12)

New training center Democrat Photo/Melonie Roberts Members of the Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Barbara Williams Training Center at Haven of the Ozarks on Monday. Those attending the ceremony are pictured above. In the front row, from left, are: Mindi Artherton, director of the Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce; Lyn Holtmann, Ashley Williams, Richard Reed, Donna Formhals, Karen Foster, Willa Wulz, Mike Steffen and Kelly Mills. Back row: Landon Fletcher, Jerry Marple, Jeremy Marple, Pat Coffman, Cheri Cowherd, Sharra Meadows and Andy Breeden. The Haven of the Ozarks will now offer obedience training for dog owners. Lessons will range from potty training to advanced obedience training. For more information on training or to discuss adoption of a pet, contact The Haven of the Ozarks at 835-3647.

Haven of the Ozarks, a no-kill, non-profit animal shelter in Washburn, hosted ribbon cutting ceremonies for the Barbara Williams Training Center on Monday.

The Barbara Williams Training Center offers basic obedience classes through the instruction of professional dog trainer Tristan Jolivette. Classes are $89 for seven sessions.

Jolivette will offer a demonstration at an open house, scheduled for noon until 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25 at the new center. The first class will follow the celebration and will start at 2 p.m. Future classes will meet six Saturdays thereafter from 2 until 3 p.m.

Barbara Williams

Jolivette uses positive reinforcement techniques to cover all facets of dog training, from potty training to advanced obedience classes.

The new center is named for the late Barbara Williams, former chief executive officer and Haven of the Ozarks' Board of Director's president. Williams died on Oct. 23, 2010, following a year-long battle with leukemia.

"Her love, dedication and loyalty to Haven's animals was shown in her willingness to spend the countless hours to care for them," said Mike Steffen, director at the Haven. "She worked six, and sometimes seven, days a week, through holidays and in all kinds of weather to help these stray, abandoned and abused animals. She took no financial compensation for her position."

The shelter has recently added an outdoor room for the cats in residence and is re-fitting a building that will house an office and cat rooms. Work on the dog pens and shelter continues.

Additional information on obedience classes may be obtained by contacting training coordinators Cheri Cowherd at 417-695-2435 or Karen Foster at 417-858-0033. Discounts will be given to those who adopt pets through Haven of the Ozarks.

The shelter is located west of Cassville on Farm Road 2190 in Washburn. Volunteers and donations are welcome.