#wagtown

[wagtownwoofs]

Have you taken action to better the quality of life for your pooch? #getinvolved #dogfriendly #wagtown #petition #lobbying #fundraising #phonecall #volunteering (at Ohio Statehouse)

[wagtownwoofs]

What does dog-friendly mean in America?

As a fan of Simon Sinek's Why Concept, I've answered: "Why Wagtown?"

Here is the short & grungy version (ADHD bonus: it's only 71 seconds.)

If you agree, please follow our journey on FB at /Wagtown.org or IG & TW at Wagtown. We have some amazing projects in the works for you. Thanks! https://youtu.be/5E5vCvWXp1U

[wagtownwoofs]

Daytonian of the Week: Beth Miller

If you know Beth Miller, you know she has a huge passion for dogs.

If you know Beth Miller, you know she has a huge passion for dogs.

The president and founder of Wagtown -- an organization committed to recognizing and enjoying the many benefits and opportunities of responsible dog-friendliness -- was recently recognized as a finalist for Advocate of the Year by Women in the Pet Industry Network.

Miller’s causes, through Wagtown, include creating a healthier community for dogs with increased physical activity, more dog-friendly polices, eliminating breed profiling and advocating strong animal cruelty legislation.

What do you do?

I am the president and CEO of Wagtown, Inc., a nonprofit initiative to establish the first authentic and research-based measurement of dog friendliness. We work with communities to understand some of the factors impacting their economic vibrancy through infrastructure improvements or reuse, community building, and advocacy for responsible dog-friendly neighborhoods. Wagtown’s work to date and our beta project in Dayton, in collaboration with Nan Whaley’s office and countless community stakeholders, will shine a national spotlight on our town.

What superpower would you love to have?

The ability to snap my fingers and have people realize that we all already have superpowers. The power to make someone smile. The power to make someone cry. The power to make the world worse. The power to make the world better. If I can't have that, I guess I would be willing to accept the ability to laugh like Chewbacca mom at random funny moments, but have no one realize it was me.

What do you love about life in Dayton?

Defying the statement, "there's nothing to do around here."

What’s your favorite spot in Dayton?

Medler Conservation Area, circa 2011.

Why did you decide to settle in Dayton?

I moved here in 1990 from a suburb of Cleveland after graduating from Bowling Green State University. Dayton is so easy to navigate, so economical, so diverse, and has a nice combination of open space, local artists, wonderful restaurant options, a tapestry of dissimilar neighborhoods and a golden thread of genuine goodness in most of the people who live here. It's much smaller than Cleveland, and lacks some of the ethnic pocket wonderlands, but that size allows you to make connections that last a lifetime in a small-town feel.

Wagtown is the Dayton-based advocacy group for dog-friendly communities among other related causes. Contributed

How did you get involved with your line of work?

I have been working in strategic planning, brand development, marketing, event management and change making for nearly 30 years. When you add that resume to my passion for working with a combination of for-profit, governmental, and nonprofit organizations, it was only a matter of time before I linked my love of dogs in my belief in people's ability to affect positive community change for economic impact, that Wagtown evolved. It doesn't hurt that when you start to analyze the industry trends, you see that dogs and their impact on our lives are just starting to take hold in America. It's remarkable, quite frankly. We are at a tipping point. That's always a great place to be.

If you could change or bring one thing to Dayton, what would it be?

The ability to celebrate all of the wonderfulness of Dayton. I think that our self-deprecating attitude has done a lot of harm to our community. Ironically, I think one of the best things to happen to Dayton was to be called a dying city by Forbes in 2008. I truly believe that our community has responded with, "Oh yeah? Hold my craft beer and watch this!"

What do you think Dayton will look like in 10-15 years?

I think Dayton will look amazing in 10 to 15 years. When you start to add up all of the incredible evolutions happening in our region, it takes your breath away. Think about all the great new initiatives, local restaurants, public art installations, community gatherings, etc. Now take that and multiply it times 10 to 15 years of growth and celebration. If we take the time to celebrate and support each other, it may happen much faster than we think. There is a story behind every Golden Nugget in Dayton. And I'm not talking about just pancakes, although they are stellar at that place. It's time for Dayton to unpack its stories, shout them from the rooftops, shake each other's hands, pat each other on the back, and walk together toward a spectacular future for our city.

[wagtownwoofs]

HOW TO DINE OUT WITH YOUR DOG 
 Beth A. Miller, Wagtown® 5 important steps to taking your dog out on the town 1) Know your dog. 
Not every dog is restaurant compatible. Your pooch should be vaccinated, registered, and well behaved around both humans and other dogs in unpredictable settings. 2) Call ahead. 
Don’t assume it’s dog-friendly. Call and ask the manager if they welcome dogs. 3) Pack a “doggy bag.” 
Just like parents pack a diaper bag, take along a tote of supplies that you may need. 4) Be civil. 
Show fellow diners respect by maintaining control of your fuzzbutt and be aware that not everyone loves dogs like you do. If someone is uncomfortable with dogs, ask to sit at another table if possible. 5) Show gratitude. 
Not all places are dog friendly. A simple, “thank you for welcoming my dog,” goes a long way in demonstrating your appreciation for their progressive policies and your loyalty to pup-loving businesses. Remember: A good experience with your dog in a public setting is great socialization for your dog, helps to promote dog-friendliness, and builds a more welcoming community. Take these steps to be a part of creating a responsible, dog-friendly town, one wag at a time. Wagtown has noticed all of the chatter about the proposal by Ohio 4 Pups On Patios, so we thought you’d like to have some tips on “How to Dine Out with Your Dog.” Enjoy, share, post, help spread the word. #wagtown #wherethewaghappens #responsiblepetownership #ilovedogs #Ohio4PupsOnPatios #dogs #pawsonpatios #dogfriendly #DaytonOhio #ColumbusOhio #petfriendlycities #petswelcome ©Wagtown, Inc.

[wagtownwoofs]

Wagtown Ambassador Academy

This certification is a ten-week service learning program designed by Wagtown to educate participants about increasing authentic and responsible dog friendliness in their region and how they can be a part of that transformation. Participants will learn about the many resources available in the area, dog-friendliness challenges, how to get involved with local humane and dog-friendly initiatives, to navigate the dog-friendly world with best practices, and more. As part of the academy, participants will be required to volunteer 25 hours and assist Wagtown and its partners in dog-friendliness outreach activities in the region. Through a variety of activities, this course is designed to provide a thorough background in how to create dog-friendly communities and enjoy the benefits. Limited class size. Tuesdays 6-8:00 PM June 4-August 6, 2019.

[wagtownwoofs]

Today we received our official notification from the IRS of our nonprofit status. We are 100% 501(c)(3). What a perfect day to celebrate & the fireworks did he hurt at all. #Wagtown #WhereTheWagHappens #WeLoveDogs #Fireworks #FourthofJuly Z

[wagtownwoofs]

One gorgeous dog after another at @pawpatroldayton 🐾👏🏻👍🏼 . . . . #wagtown #dogdaysofsummer #chinesespaniel #spaniel #daytonohio #wherethewaghappens (at Eastwood MetroPark)

[wagtownwoofs]

As summer rolls along, take personal space into consideration when you see furry family members about town. Here are some great pointers. #DogManners #Wagtown #GiveMeSomeSpaceMan #ExcuseMeDoIKnowYou (at Levitt Pavilion Dayton)