• 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
    Show More Show Less
    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
    Show More Show Less
    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
    Show More Show Less
    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
    Show More Show Less
    11 mins
  • Marchy, Eva and Zeri
    Jun 13 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 Marchy, Eva, and Zeri. Michael and Melissa Novelli discuss how partnerships with shelters play an essential role in the successful adoption of rescue dogs, fostering a collaborative environment where fosters, trainers, shelters, and the community work together to provide the necessary care and training. Melissa values these partnerships, recognizing the importance of working together to achieve a common goal of getting dogs adopted. For Michael, the emphasis is on team effort and collaboration with shelters to effectively promote and network dogs for adoption and he highlights the mutual support and resource sharing that make these partnerships successful. Together, they appreciate the critical role that fosters play in offering a loving environment and participating in training sessions to build confidence, social skills, and trust in dogs, ultimately leading to happy and successful adoption outcomes. Quotes: “It’s just amazing to see the dogs and all they can be, you know, and their journey to becoming their best version of themselves.” – Melissa 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 “If it’s hot and your dog starts panning, that means, you know, they’re stressed, their body stressed. They’re working very hard.” – Michael Novelli Resources: Pawtastic Friends Donate to Pawtastic Friends Pawtastic Friends on Instagram Pawtastic Friends on Facebook
    Show More Show Less
    10 mins
  • Pita, Nora and Lexus
    Jun 6 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 Pita, Nora and Lexus. Michael and Melissa Novelli discuss the training progress of two dogs, Peta and Nora, both from the Nevada SPCA, highlighting their behavior and training improvements at the Pawtastic Friends Training Center. They also share the success story of Lexus, the 673rd dog to find a furever home through the program. The episode covers the unique annual block party fundraiser and an upcoming Foster Initiative Project aimed at educating the community on fostering homeless animals. The hosts emphasize the importance of building trust, confidence, and obedience in dogs to prepare them for adoption. Quotes: “Her profile picture, she has one ear up and one ear down. It’s great. It’s just great. I was like, how can you not adopt this dog?” – Mike Novelli “They’re building skills that are going to prepare them for their forever home.” – Melissa Novelli “What’s great about this program, too, Tom, is a lot of times people will go to a shelter and they might adopt a dog. They don’t really know much about it, and sometimes the shelter staff might not know that much about it, but when they come here, we can give them all that information.” – Melissa Novelli “At the end of the day tomorrow, fostering saves lives and it’s free.” – Melissa Novelli” Resources: Pawtastic Friends Donate to Pawtastic Friends Pawtastic Friends on Instagram Pawtastic Friends on Facebook
    Show More Show Less
    12 mins
  • Honey Lemon, Donnie and Nava
    Apr 4 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 Honey Lemon, Donnie, and Nava. The Annual Block Party Fundraiser is a vibrant event hosted by Pawtastic Friends Enrichment Training Center in Las Vegas, aimed at raising funds and awareness for their rescue dog initiatives. Tom Fox, an ardent supporter of this event, cherishes the community engagement it fosters and appreciates the efforts made to improve the lives of rescue dogs. Coming from a background of advocating for sustainable support programs, Michael sees the value in the block party as a tool to rally support locally and nationally for their rescue center and their initiatives like the foster program. Similarly, Melissa regards the fundraiser as the centerpiece of their yearly activities, emphasizing its vital role in garnering community support. With the proceeds going towards vital initiatives such as the foster program, Melissa and her team aim to provide extensive training and aftercare for rescue dogs and their adoptive families, ensuring successful adoptions and secure futures. Quotes: “I would probably say no small kids, because she is very active, and she might run them over, be like a bowling alley.” – Michael Novelli “We like to hear, too, when the transporters are like, I turned down the street and they knew where they were. They were getting all excited. They knew where they were going to pawtastic friends. So, I mean, this place is, you know, it’s a light for a lot of these dogs.” – Melissa Novelli “I have an idea… our foster initiative project is going to be a new program that we will be implementing with our partners, rescue partners, and shelter partners.” – Michael Novelli “Watch your dogs when they’re playing with toys. Very important.” – Melissa Novelli Resources: Pawtastic Friends Donate to Pawtastic Friends Vote for Pawtastic Friends at Wreaths of Hope Pawtastic Friends on Instagram Pawtastic Friends on Facebook
    Show More Show Less
    15 mins
  • Denver, Goose and Camacho
    Mar 28 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 Denver, Goose, and Camacho. Michael Novelli and Melissa Novelli are dedicated advocates for rescue dogs, taking an active role in their selection and adoption processes. Michael emphasizes the importance of meet and greets in selecting rescue dogs for adoption, believing it sets the dogs up for success in their new homes and encourages a strong bond with their adopters. His experiences working with rescue dogs like Camacho have highlighted the significance of positive interactions and support from the community. Meanwhile, Melissa’s perspective centers on finding the ideal home for each rescue dog, considering their energy level, activity preferences, and compatibility with children or other animals. Her work with dogs like Denver, a family-friendly pit mix, and Goose, an energetic and playful dog, has demonstrated her commitment to improving the well-being of sheltered animals. Together, they champion volunteering at shelters and the boarding buddy program to boost the socialization and enrichment of rescue dogs, increasing their chances of securing a loving forever home. Quotes: “His disposition, even though it sounds like he’s had a lot that he’s went through, his personality. He’s so loving.” – Mellissa Novelli “Getting the dogs out gives them a chance to be a dog.” – Michael Novelli Resources: Pawtastic Friends Donate to Pawtastic Friends Vote for Pawtastic Friends at Wreaths of Hope Pawtastic Friends on Instagram Pawtastic Friends on Facebook
    Show More Show Less
    14 mins