Center raises funds for rescue groups

June 15, 2015 at 12:05a.m.

HUBBARD

Jaxson, all 105 pounds of him, seemed to enjoy the attention he was getting from his fellow dogs and humans during Sunday’s fundraiser for 15 animal-rescue associations at The Learning Dog Training & Enrichment Center.

The 19-month-old pit bull/cane corso mix was unperturbed and unflappable despite all the activity around him. His only response: a frequent wag of the tail.

Jaxson personifies the reason for the fundraiser. Like so many dogs that owners brought to the center Sunday, Jaxson is a rescue, but he represents something more – something giving. His owner, Lori Hromyak of Boardman, plans to have him trained as a therapy dog for Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley.

“The first day I got him, he saw a child and rolled over to be played with, and that’s when I knew he would be a therapy dog,” Hromyak said. “He’s awesome.”

The need for financial and material support of cash-starved rescue associations is the driving force behind the fifth annual fundraiser. “We were able to give each association between $400 and $500 last year,” said Katie Costello, Learning Dog co-owner, “and we’re hoping to exceed that.”

Costello brought her standard poodle Benjamin, whom she rescued from a shelter in Missouri. She also plans for Benjamin to become a therapy dog.

Supporters lined tables with numerous gift baskets they donated for auction, including everything from dog-related items to more of the human-interest variety such as a waffle maker, back massager, wine and even a basket containing two varieties of a well-known brand of tequila. There did not seem to be any shortage of ticket buyers hoping to win the latter.

All of the dogs appeared to be well-socialized and content to play with one another or their owners. Sam, a huge, 83-pound Weimaraner, a German bird dog, exuded affection by jumping up to kiss his owner, Lori Krumpak of Greenville, Pa., practically equaling her height when he did. Krumpak drove to Louisville, Ky., to rescue Sam, the third Weimaraner she has owned.

“I love supporting rescues,” she said.

Shelters are not the only organizations benefiting from the fundraiser. Never Muzzled, formed in October 2013, offers community-outreach programs including dog interaction with prison inmates.

“We take dogs from the [Trumbull County] dog pound, and they eventually become Animal Welfare League dogs,” said Sarah Harrison of Cortland.

Angels for Animals, long active in rescues, sold T-shirts with the slogan “Neuter Next-Spay On,” while such organizations as Animal Pawtectors and the humane societies of Mercer and Columbiana counties offered information about their work.

“There’s a huge need for support, and they’re overloaded,” said Jenny Falvey, Learning Dog co-owner, who expects to have another fundraiser next year.

“A lot of kenneled animals need help, and if we can do something, we’re going to do it.”