• Jax, Nova and Rome
    Nov 21 2024
    Welcome to Pawtastic Friends-The Paw Talk. In this podcast, host Tom Fox will visit with Michael and Melissa Novelli, co-founders of Pawtastic Friends as well as those who work with them at Pawtastic Friends. Michael and Melissa are dedicated to helping shelter and rescue dogs in the Las Vegas area become more adaptable, through enrichment training and activities such as yoga and aquatics training, as well as obedience and agility. This podcast is sure to tug on your heart strings, just listen to how sweet this one dog is! Tune in now to hear more from Michael and Melissa Novelli as they discuss their passion for helping pups in need. Get ready for an exciting episode of Pawtastic Friends - The Paw Talk! In this episode, we feature Jax, Nova and Rome. Michael and Melissa Novelli are back to discuss the inspiring journeys of three rescue dogs: Jax, Nova, and Rome. Melissa shares heartwarming details about Jax, a lovable three-year-old pit bull, describing his sweet disposition and the joy he brings to everyone he meets. The importance of their Boarding Buddies program, which provides quality time, and essential walks for rescue dogs, is also emphasized. Michael then discusses Nova, a high-energy 13-month-old brown lab who loves swimming and is currently with their partner, Crazy for Paws. As Nova waits for her forever home, the importance of spaying and neutering pets to control the pet population is highlighted. Finally, Melissa shares the happy tale of Rome, a rescue dog who recently found his forever home after receiving confidence-building training, showcasing the impact of their facility and programs. In a heartwarming conclusion, the episode announces a special fundraiser in honor of Melissa's birthday, inviting listeners to contribute to the ongoing support of rescue dogs. Listeners are encouraged to adopt rather than shop for pets, to sponsor dogs, and to share the message to reach a broader audience. Quotes "He is kind of like one of those guys that just happy go, lucky, goes with the flow." - Melissa Novelli "It's not just a simple dog walk. It's just that you're helping this dog on its journey." - Melissa Novelli "When you get those happy stories like that, it makes it all worthwhile." Michael Novelli Resources Pawtastic Friends Donate to Pawtastic Friends Pawtastic Friends on Instagram Pawtastic Friends on Facebook Pawtastic Friends-Hope for the Holiday
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    11 mins
  • Queen, Cheba and Fanta
    Nov 14 2024
    Welcome to Pawtastic Friends-The Paw Talk. In this podcast, host Tom Fox will visit with Michael and Melissa Novelli, co-founders of Pawtastic Friends and those who work with them at Pawtastic Friends. Michael and Melissa are dedicated to helping shelter and rescue dogs in the Las Vegas area become more adaptable through enrichment training, activities such as yoga and aquatics training, obedience, and agility. This podcast is sure to tug on your heartstrings; listen to how sweet this one dog is! Tune in to hear more from Michael and Melissa Novelli as they discuss their passion for helping needy pups. Get ready for an exciting episode of Pawtastic Friends – The Paw Talk! In this episode, we feature Queen, Cheba, and Fanta. The annual fundraiser ‘Hope for the Holidays,’ organized by Pawtastic Friends, is a cherished community event to support rescue dogs and raise awareness for breast cancer. Tom is particularly enthusiastic about the event’s family-engaging features, such as Santa Claus taking pictures with dogs and local vendors, which not only entertain but also foster a strong community spirit. Michael also highlights the family-friendly nature of the fundraiser, emphasizing its role in educating children about dog rescue and celebrating the positive impact of such initiatives. Melissa underscores the importance of matching rescue dogs with the right families, sharing inspiring stories like Hope’s successful adoption to emphasize the joy these connections can bring. Their perspectives reveal a deep commitment to animal welfare and community engagement, making ‘Hope for the Holidays’ a heartwarming and impactful event. Quotes: “She’s got that sweet personality, she’s energetic, but she’s also got that spicy side.” – Melissa Novelli “This facility costs about $250,000 a year to run. And we do it on fundraisers and the generosity of people.” – Michael Novelli Resources: Pawtastic Friends Donate to Pawtastic Friends Pawtastic Friends on Instagram Pawtastic Friends on Facebook Pawtastic Friends-Hope for the Holiday
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    13 mins
  • Chance, Shakira and Hope
    Oct 3 2024
    Welcome to Pawtastic Friends-The Paw Talk. In this podcast, host Tom Fox will visit with Michael and Melissa Novelli, co-founders of Pawtastic Friends as well as those who work with them at Pawtastic Friends. Michael and Melissa are dedicated to helping shelter and rescue dogs in the Las Vegas area become more adaptable, through enrichment training and activities such as yoga and aquatics training, as well as obedience and agility. This podcast is sure to tug on your heart strings, just listen to how sweet this one dog is! Tune in now to hear more from Michael and Melissa Novelli as they discuss their passion for helping pups in need. Get ready for an exciting episode of Pawtastic Friends - The Paw Talk! In this episode, we feature Chance, Shakira and Hope. The annual fundraiser 'Hope for the Holidays,' organized by Pawtastic Friends, is a cherished community event aimed at supporting rescue dogs and raising awareness for breast cancer. Tom is particularly enthusiastic about the event's family-engaging features, such as Santa Claus taking pictures with dogs and local vendors, which not only entertain but also foster a strong community spirit. Michael also highlights the family-friendly nature of the fundraiser, emphasizing its role in educating children about dog rescue and celebrating the positive impact of such initiatives. Melissa underscores the importance of matching rescue dogs with the right families, sharing inspiring stories like Hope's successful adoption to emphasize the joy these connections can bring. Collectively, their perspectives reveal a deep commitment to both animal welfare and community engagement, making 'Hope for the Holidays' a heartwarming and impactful event. Quotes "Unfortunately, you know, some of these dogs get to, like, five, six, seven years old, and people don't want to give them a chance. And you know what? You should. They have a lot of life left and a lot of love to give you." – Melissa Novelli "It can be an important part of the process if the family already has a dog, because I really think it helps both the dog that's already been adopted and then the one you're adopting to, to really help socialize so people not want to think about that and use the facility to do that." Michael Novelli "Well, and that's why we have some educating classes before about explaining rescue to kids families. And everybody thinks it's cool to go buy a dog at a pet store. But the rescues are full of wonderful dogs." – Michael Novelli Resources Pawtastic Friends Donate to Pawtastic Friends Pawtastic Friends on Instagram Pawtastic Friends on Facebook
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    11 mins
  • Otto, Marchy and Alex
    Sep 26 2024
    Welcome to Pawtastic Friends-The Paw Talk. In this podcast, host Tom Fox will visit with Michael and Melissa Novelli, co-founders of Pawtastic Friends as well as those who work with them at Pawtastic Friends. Michael and Melissa are dedicated to helping shelter and rescue dogs in the Las Vegas area become more adaptable, through enrichment training and activities such as yoga and aquatics training, as well as obedience and agility. This podcast is sure to tug on your heart strings, just listen to how sweet this one dog is! Tune in now to hear more from Michael and Melissa Novelli as they discuss their passion for helping pups in need. Get ready for an exciting episode of Pawtastic Friends - The Paw Talk! In this episode, we feature Otto, Marchy and Alex. Otto and Marchy have both captured Melissa's heart with their endearing personality and eagerness to learn during their training at a rescue facility. Tom asks about the dog's potential. Both Michael and Melissa praise Otto and Marchy’s his transformation from reluctance to engagement and emphasizing his need for a caring adult home that can provide him with adventures and companionship. Their experiences at the rescue facility, witnessing Otto and Marchy's progress firsthand, shape their perspective that love, care, and engaging activities can profoundly impact the lives of rescue dogs, highlighting Otto and Marchy as perfect candidates for a fur-ever family. Quotes "At first, he just wanted to go to the door to leave the arena. And then afterwards, he really connected with Jenny and the engagement of watching him be a dog and play with ball and, you know, tug toys and going up and down the ramp and the a-frame and seeing him really absorb all the information she was sharing with him, it was just so awesome." - Melissa Novelli "It's so fun to watch them actually play and, you know, come out of their shell and to really shine their personalities." - Melissa Novelli "We don't charge anybody. We're just looking to raise some money to, you know, fund our enrichment training center." - Michael Novelli Resources Pawtastic Friends Donate to Pawtastic Friends Pawtastic Friends on Instagram Pawtastic Friends on Facebook
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    10 mins
  • Hercules, Angelina and Prince
    Sep 19 2024
    Welcome to Pawtastic Friends-The Paw Talk. In this podcast, host Tom Fox will visit with Michael and Melissa Novelli, co-founders of Pawtastic Friends as well as those who work with them at Pawtastic Friends. Michael and Melissa are dedicated to helping shelter and rescue dogs in the Las Vegas area become more adaptable, through enrichment training and activities such as yoga and aquatics training, as well as obedience and agility. This podcast is sure to tug on your heart strings, just listen to how sweet this one dog is! Tune in now to hear more from Michael and Melissa Novelli as they discuss their passion for helping pups in need. Get ready for an exciting episode of Pawtastic Friends - The Paw Talk! In this episode, we feature Hercules, Angelina and Prince. In this episode we the Fostering Initiative Project is a pioneering effort designed to engage the public in fostering homeless animals by organizing monthly foster fairs and offering diverse fostering opportunities, thereby aiming to save animal lives through temporary and eventually permanent placements with loving families. Tom views fostering as crucial for providing dogs with love, structure, and consistency, which not only benefits the animals but also aids rescues in better understanding them for future adoptions. Michael echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that fostering offers a superior environment compared to boarding, and appreciates the movement's growth through events that encourage public participation. Melissa underscores the project's importance in addressing the crisis of homeless animals, promoting various fostering types, and organizing educational fairs to boost community involvement and support. Together, their perspectives highlight fostering as a transformative solution for both animals and the community. Quotes "Well, we know where the talker in the group is." - Michael Novelli "Fosters are incredible because fosters give the dog love, they give the dog structure, they give the dog consistency as it would be in a forever home." - Melissa Novelli "Is the dog the best fit? Is the family the best fit? And that's with adoption or fostering. You know, we want to set everybody up for success." - Melissa Novelli Resources Pawtastic Friends Donate to Pawtastic Friends Pawtastic Friends on Instagram Pawtastic Friends on Facebook
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    11 mins
  • Dolce, Willis and Nava
    Aug 22 2024
    Welcome to Pawtastic Friends-The Paw Talk. In this podcast, host Tom Fox will visit with Michael and Melissa Novelli, co-founders of Pawtastic Friends as well as those who work with them at Pawtastic Friends. Michael and Melissa are dedicated to helping shelter and rescue dogs in the Las Vegas area become more adaptable, through enrichment training and activities such as yoga and aquatics training, as well as obedience and agility. This podcast is sure to tug on your heart strings, just listen to how sweet this one dog is! Tune in now to hear more from Michael and Melissa Novelli as they discuss their passion for helping pups in need. Get ready for an exciting episode of Pawtastic Friends - The Paw Talk! In this episode, we feature Dolce, Willis and Nava. In this episode of Pawtastic Friends - The Paw Talk, Tom Fox chats with Michael and Melissa Novelli about their work with rescue dogs at Pawtastic Friends. They discuss the journeys of several dogs, including Dolce, Willis, and Nava, highlighting the rehabilitation, and fostering processes. The Novellis also share the success of their Foster Initiative Program and recent recognition from county officials for their contributions to the community. Quotes "Each trainer works with the dogs to help them rebuild confidence and rebuild trust in humans." - Melissa Novelli "It might not be the type of dog that you first meet, like Willis, and you're like, oh, you're so cute. And then you overwhelm him and surprise him, and he's not ready for that. It's too much stimulation. But if you're willing to come and meet him once and let him come up to you and work at his pace and then gradually move on and each session gets better, then he's well, well rounded." - Michael Novelli "We're facing this crisis in the community and somebody's got to do something and that somebody is us and our Pawtastic Friends team." - Michael Novelli" - Michael Novelli Resources Pawtastic Friends Donate to Pawtastic Friends Pawtastic Friends on Instagram Pawtastic Friends on Facebook
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    13 mins
  • Luca, Scooter and Hazel
    Aug 15 2024
    Welcome to Pawtastic Friends-The Paw Talk. In this podcast, host Tom Fox will visit with Michael and Melissa Novelli, co-founders of Pawtastic Friends as well as those who work with them at Pawtastic Friends. Michael and Melissa are dedicated to helping shelter and rescue dogs in the Las Vegas area become more adaptable, through enrichment training and activities such as yoga and aquatics training, as well as obedience and agility. This podcast is sure to tug on your heart strings, just listen to how sweet this one dog is! Tune in now to hear more from Michael and Melissa Novelli as they discuss their passion for helping pups in need. Get ready for an exciting episode of Pawtastic Friends - The Paw Talk! In this episode, we feature Luca, Scooter and Hazel. Special needs dogs, such as Luca, Scooter, and Hazel, have overcome significant challenges to find loving forever homes, thanks to specialized care and dedicated programs. Tom Fox expresses a supportive and appreciative perspective on special needs dogs, highlighting their inspiring stories and the efforts made to help them thrive despite their challenges. Michael Novelli focuses on providing special needs dogs with opportunities for enjoyment and better lives, emphasizing the benefits of activities like swimming and ongoing support. Melissa Novelli passionately advocates for the adoption of special needs dogs, believing they deserve a chance at happiness and showcasing success stories that demonstrate their potential for fulfilling lives. Together, these perspectives underscore the importance of compassion, specialized care, and the belief that every dog, regardless of their challenges, deserves to thrive. Quotes "He is doing phenomenal. He loves the water and he really gets around and he's just a little guy." - Melissa Novelli "All it takes is one special person to give that one special dog a forever home." - Melissa Novelli "And that's one of the things, too. Like, once they get adopted, they're just not done. What we do is we set them up for more success and bring the adopter in so they can have some free lessons." - Michael Novelli Resources Pawtastic Friends Donate to Pawtastic Friends Pawtastic Friends on Instagram Pawtastic Friends on Facebook
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    9 mins
  • Fanta, Valentino and Will
    Jun 20 2024
    Welcome to Pawtastic Friends: The Paw Talk. In this podcast, host Tom Fox will visit with Michael and Melissa Novelli, co-founders of Pawtastic Friends, as well as those who work with them at Pawtastic Friends. Michael and Melissa are dedicated to helping shelter and rescue dogs in the Las Vegas area become more adaptable through enrichment training and activities such as yoga and aquatics training, as well as obedience and agility. This podcast is sure to tug on your heartstrings; just listen to how sweet this one dog is! Tune in now to hear more from Michael and Melissa Novelli as they discuss their passion for helping pups in need. Get ready for an exciting episode of Pawtastic Friends: The Paw Talk! In this episode, we feature Fanta, Valentino, and Will. Rescue dogs often require extensive training to build their confidence and trust, making the search for their forever homes both critical and challenging. Michael and Melissa Novelli, share a deep understanding of the dedication and patience needed by potential owners. They emphasize the importance of homes that allow dogs like Fanta and Eli, who have had no prior training, to grow at their own pace with continuous support, using Will’s transformation from a dog with severe separation anxiety into a happy pet as an inspiring example. Michael highlights the unique challenges faced by rescue dogs, such as Eli’s deafness and partial blindness, stressing the need for a supportive environment and the significance of bonding with dogs like Valentino, who requires time and space to trust humans. Melissa underscores the necessity of ongoing commitment from adopters, particularly for special needs dogs, praising dedicated owners like Danny for their unwavering dedication, which helps rescue dogs thrive. Together, their perspectives illuminate the transformative power of love, patience, and continued training in providing rescue dogs with the stability and happiness they deserve. Quotes: “A very, very patient homeowners, you know, that are going to be dedicated and committed, that aren’t going to let these dogs down again.” – Michael Novelli “It’s not just, hey, I’m going to send my dogs to training. They have to share the videos. They have to do promote the dogs, because at the end of the day, the common goal is to get the dog adopted.” Melissa Novelli “Fanta and Eli have special needs and require basic training to build confidence and trust.” – Mellisa Novelli Resources: Pawtastic Friends Donate to Pawtastic Friends Pawtastic Friends on Instagram Pawtastic Friends on Facebook
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    11 mins