In network with most insurance companiesAetna, Aetna Senior Supplemental, Allegiance, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana and Blue Shield network (except for Blue of California), Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage, Cigna Adirect, EBMS, First Choice Health Network, Healthy Montana Kids, Healthy Montana Kids Plus, Medicare, Montana Medicaid, Mountain Health COOP, PacificSource Health Plans, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, United Healthcare, and United Health AARP.
Voted Gallatin Valley's Best Dermatologist 2022 & 2023 and Best Esthetician 2023. Over 60 years combined clinical experience. Call 406-586-7873 ext 1 to schedule now.
Kids & Pets
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits.
This issue is always one of my favorites. I suppose because of the immense joy that children bring to their families and the significant impact they make on their communities.
Children are not merely the hope for a brighter tomorrow; they are the foundation upon which our society stands. Their innocence, curiosity, and boundless potential have the power to shape the world in ways we can only imagine. Kids represent our hardest work and greatest investment and we are happy to highlight the best for Bozeman's kids in this issue.
Secondarily, who could forget pets? The special kind of companionship can be a transformative experience for children and adults alike. Pets provide us with unconditional love, the opportunity to learn, grow and develop essential life skills in a nurturing environment. And who could ignore the bond between kids and their furry or feathery friends? The bond is often deep and meaningful, fostering qualities like empathy, responsibility, and companionship.
As parts of our families both kids and pets need us. Our care, attention and intention shapes how they are raised and who they become. We hope this issue inspires you to pour a little extra into the children and pets in your life this month.
This Bozeman boutique is a locally owned small business. We carry everything from clothing to accessories & gifts. We pride ourselves on our customer service. We understand the difference between fashion and style. We love to help you style any outfit or wardrobe. Have a piece of clothing that you love, but not sure what to wear with it? Bring it in and we will help you finish off your look. Whether it’s for a branding shoot, family photos or you’re a wedding guest, our stylist’s will help you find the perfect outfit.
business monthly
Pure Barre New Format: Engage
Introducing a new format to Pure Barre Bozeman! If you’re new to Pure Barre, or even barre, this is a great place to start. Pure Barre Engage™ delivers a 30-minute full-body workout showcasing their proprietary barre technique in a small group setting to leave you eager to "engage" even more with the Pure Barre experience. PureBarre.com
Merry Piglets Mexican Grill Now Open
They started in Jackson Hole with their Tex-Mex cuisine, and now a new location is open in Bozeman. Try out their house-fried tortilla chips and homemade salsa, or freshly made guacamole. They will be opened daily for lunch and dinner. Seating is on a first-come first-served basis. MerryPiglets.com
The Montana Pitmaster Classic
Sponsored by Kenyon Noble Lumber & Hardwar, this is a free community event with food and beverage proceeds that benefit the Gallatin Valley YMCA. This will be a two day event from August 23-24 with professional and amateur BBQ contestants competing in the categories of chicken, pork ribs, pork, and brisket. MontanaPitmaster.com
Photography by @merrypigletsbozeman
ARTICLE BY SYDNEY JONES
Heart of the Valley
The Bozeman animal shelter, Heart of the Valley (HOV), is well known throughout the state of Montana. With an open door policy and heavy presence in the community, the non-profit maintains a large volunteer program, including foster and junior options. With opportunities for summer camps, birthday parties, shelter crafts, and more, HOV interacts with local families of all types. Offering life changing experiences for both animals and children, it’s no wonder why this shelter receives such a heavy amount of support in the form of volunteers.
With approximately 500 active volunteers, Heart of the Valley receives donated time of about 20,000 hours, the equivalent to 10 additional staff members. About 110 of those volunteers are juniors. A program built specifically for children aged 6-15, the junior program is great for everyone involved, providing benefits to both the kids and the pets. Heart of the Valley’s junior volunteers have the option of cat cuddling or dog story time. Cat cuddling is just as it sounds, allowing the kids to get in touch with their soft side, holding and cuddling the available cats and learning to care for them. On the other hand, dog storytime is a great way for the juniors
to boost their confidence, reading aloud to dogs who have nothing to give but tail wags of approval. Volunteer and Outreach Manager, Kristin Sherwood recalled one of her favorite moments of a summer camp in a heartwarming way,
“With 24 Campers, every kid was reading soft and quiet, and all the dogs were sleeping so soundly.” A heartwarming image to hold close while looking at the adoptable cats and dogs. HOV’s summer camp runs in 1 week sessions for 7 weeks. With games, crafts, and guest speakers, kids get to enjoy the amazing Montana summer, while learning about animals in a fun and interactive way.
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“In this position, you see all of the reasons why people want to come in and help.”
The junior program and camp serve as more than just a confidence boost, a local parent with a child in the program noted just how much her son loves the animals. It has enriched their lives, allowing him to express himself as a beautifully caring boy. In his first year, he has learned so much about cats, a pet he doesn’t have at home. Although he gets a little sad to say goodbye to the adopted pets, he remembers that means they found a good home and is happy to be a part of that experience.
All the hard work of both staff and volunteers is well worth it. The average length of stay for intakes is only about 10 days. If a companion animal needs to stay longer due to age, recovery, or socialization, HOV relies on the foster volunteers to support the pets during this time. For pets likely to be adopted quickly, they stay in the shelter, where staff and volunteers find themselves
loving and caring for them as they await their new home. Speaking with local volunteer Dana Wilkerson, she reflected on the last 11 years she has spent volunteering with HOV. “For everyone who works and volunteers here, it really is a labor of love. It is so meaningful, even if it is hard and dirty work some days.”
She adopted her two cats, Billy Ray and Penelope from HOV, another rewarding experience in her life. She volunteers one day per work, averaging about 100 hours per year in the program. With her extensive experience, Dana is a Paw Level 4, meaning she can help with the more sensitive intakes, and teach the new volunteers the best ways to provide support. Alongside classes and training programs, volunteering at Heart of the Valley is a big commitment, but the positive experiences and difference it provides in the community makes it easy to come in and help out.
Heart of the Valley, a beautiful animal shelter, sits on 56 acres of land. With indoor and outdoor kennels, dog parks, training areas, and meet and greet spaces, it is the ultimate safe space for companion animals. Here, volunteers, staff members, children and adults, gather with a common goal in mind. Providing the companion animals and pets of the Gallatin and Madison Valleys with love and care. No matter where they come from, HOV recognizes the importance of sheltering intakes, strays, and litters that are in need. With a community rallying behind them, HOV makes a difference in everyone's lives, no matter what size or shape that may be.
Heart of the Valley is currently in need of foster volunteers. If interested, the shelter requires an online application and a training orientation to ensure all applicants are prepared to foster the animals in need. Primarily, they are looking for fosters of kittens and puppies awaiting their spay or neuter. This could be anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks of care, with all needs provided by the shelter, including food and bedding. Alternatively, Heart of the Valley is also seeking sleepover volunteers. With this program, foster parents can opt to take a long term stay dog just for the night. This provides the dog with reduced stress and a loving home to feel safe in for a sleepover. If interested, visit HeartOfTheValleyShelter.org for opportunities to help.
1. TAVO MAEVE PET CAR SEAT
stylish and secure pet carrier for your car and home that includes a vehicle base with stability leg. | TavoPets.com 2. YETI BOOMER DOG BOWL
extra strong and dishwasher safe bowl for your furry best friend. Customize online! Yeti.com
3. AESOP ANIMAL WASH
mild skin and fur wash for loyal companions with a citrus and herbaceous aroma. Aesop.com 4. SQUISHMALLOWS PET BED
with the same materials as your own Squishmallows, this is the perfect pet bed for cuddly cats and dogs! | Amazon.com
5. RUFF WEAR HI & LIGHT HARNESS
low-profile dog harness in a range of sizes that are newly available in gorgeous summer colors. | Ruffwear.com
MONTANA Wilderness SCHOOL
As they carefully climbed over their gear, settled into their seats, and dipped their paddles into the water for the first time, the air was filled with a mix of emotions—apprehension, anticipation, doubt, optimism, awe. It was early June, and 9 Montana Wilderness School students and 3 field instructors had just launched their canoes into the Missouri River at Coal Banks Landing. The plan? To canoe more than 100 miles over 12 days, following the paddle strokes of Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery.
For most of the participants, it was their first time canoeing; for some, their first time on moving water. And while the journey ahead seemed unfathomable for them, the journey they had completed to reach this shore was just as impressive.
Montana is a state of extremes, and wilderness access is a microcosm of those polarities. We have some of the most incredible wildlife and wildlands, and their exploration and enjoyment is often the reason people move here. Yet too many other families, especially those in rural areas or those with fewer means, do not have the same capacity to explore the backcountry. That is where Montana Wilderness School steps in.
SINCE THEIR FIRST COURSE LAUNCH WITH FIVE STUDENTS IN 2015, MONTANA WILDERNESS SCHOOL HAS LED 100 EXPEDITIONS FOR 830 YOUTH, ACCUMULATING MORE THAN 190,000 PROGRAM HOURS. IN NINE SEASONS THEY HAVE PROVIDED MORE THAN $883,000 IN FINANCIAL AID-DIRECTED SCHOLARSHIPS.
MWS courses fully immerse students in vast areas of public lands and wild spaces. They run rivers, climb mountains, ride ranges, and navigate tricky stretches of challenging terrain. Each day students are on the move, staying active and developing the skills to continue these activities long into adulthood.
Learning to paddle a whitewater rapids or scale a formidable rock face or traverse complex terrain on a horse guarantees considerable technical skills, but it also teaches students how to solve problems alone and collaboratively, how to intelligently consider risks, how best to help a struggling peer, how to safely stretch boundaries. And, when around the campfire, they start to think critically about the space and world around them.
MWS’s guiding principle is ensuring that all Montana youth have a chance to explore this wilderness, soak up its history, learn about the Indigenous peoples who first called it home, understand what it means to have and use public lands, and become peers and often forever-friends with youth they might not otherwise have known.
Cohorts are a mix of urban, rural, and Indigenous youth from a diversity of cultures. As their courses progress so does their capacity to trust each other, hear each other, respect each other, and support each other.
As the six canoes slip into the water, there is almost a reverent silence for what’s ahead, but that quickly turns to chatter, laughter, stories, and song. What began as a gathering of 12, will land at James Kipp Campground as a fully cohesive group of explorers who will always be connected by this water.
SUMMER OPEN ENROLLMENT SCHEDULE
Missouri River Canoe Ages: 14-16
Dates: July 22-August 2 (12 Days)
Skill Focus: Great First Backcountry Trip, Canoeing with Day Hikes, and Camping
Difficulty: Introductory to Moderate
Montana Backpacking Ages: 14-16
Dates: August 11-20 (10 Days)
Skill Focus: Great First Backcountry Trip, Backpacking, and Camping
Difficulty: Introductory to Moderate
Backpacking Skills for Aspiring Hunters Ages: 16-18
Dates: July 31-August 10 (10 Days)
Skill Focus: Backpacking and OffTrail Navigation, Wildlife Behavior and Tracking, and Camping
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Alpine Backpacking Ages: 16-18
Dates: August 4-17 (14 Days)
Skill Focus: Backpacking, Off-Trail Navigation and Summiting Peaks, and Camping
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
OUTDOOR CLASSROOM
Don’t think learning has to end just because school is out for the summer. Make some fun, outdoor learning opportunities with your kids
It’s summer break, but you can plan activities for your kids to continue learning while having fun. No matter what age your kids are, they can learn outside the classroom throughout the summer. This can include scavenger hunts, crafts, and teaching outdoor lessons and skills. Kids thrive on routine, and planning summer activities can provide them with an altered routine to fit your summer schedule. You can incorporate math and reading skills if desired, or stick with the theme of nature as your classroom.
Depending on the age of your kids, think about what you want to teach them this summer
and what could be beneficial for them to learn. Have them take part in a discussion about it and get their feedback on activities they would like to do. Whether you have a vacation planned or plan to stay local, take advantage of being able to get out in nature with your kids and turn the outdoors into a classroom.
Plan an outdoor scavenger hunt that can lead to a craft. Think of what is abundant outside where you live. This could be pinecones, sticks, branches, nuts, seeds, leaves, and flowers. Objects like rocks and shells can be included, depending on your location. Give kids a ‘nature box’ to gather their items in. Kids can also write
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ARTICLE BY LAUREN JOHNSON
down other items they find, and include them in the box. Let kids know that they will be making a craft with these items, and have them take part in the idea for it. Make crafts using materials gathered from the scavenger hunt. Depending on the items gathered and how many of each, there are plenty of different crafts that can be done. Rocks and shells are great for painting. Pinecones, sticks and branches are great for gluing together to build something. This can also become a S.T.E.M activity, and you can incorporate food and other household materials.
Practice making a campfire and have s’mores. If your kids don’t know how to start a campfire on their own, summer is the perfect time to teach them or have them take part in helping to start one. If you want to go the more natural route, you can have them gather the supplies outside, and add these items onto the scavenger hunt list. This can be done in a backyard, or on a camping trip. Get all of your supplies ready to roast marshmallows on sticks they find and make s’mores! Incorporate science and make homemade ice cream in a bag. Teach your kids about the role salt plays when making ice cream in a bag, and how it lowers the temperature of the ice and freezes the ice cream mixture. You can explain how the mixture will turn into ice cream, and have kids help shake the bags and watch the liquid turn into ice cream. There are different recipes to follow with variations of cream and/or milk. For flavors, you can make it simple by using vanilla extract or other flavor extracts. Don’t be afraid to get messy and turn this science lesson into an ice cream sundae station!
SCAVENGER HUNT
Here is a possible list to follow for items to put on your list. There are plenty of items kids can look for on a nature walk. Don’t forget to keep in mind a craft idea to make afterwards, or multiple different crafts.
• Pine cones
• Pine needles
• Sticks and twigs
• Branches
• Leaves
• Flowers
• Rocks
• Shells
• Acorns
• Seeds
• Different species of trees
• Different species of birds
• Squirrels
• Bird feathers
• Bugs
Build a bird feeder. This would be a great small project for an older kid, but younger kids could still help play a role in making it. If you are not experienced with making something like this, you can start with a basic design and watch tutorial videos. You can also make a complex design and turn this into a longer summer project for you and your kids. This is also a great opportunity to incorporate the math skills of measurement. You can also have a discussion about the importance of being precise and accurate with measurements, and having patience in order for the project to turn out correctly.
Another great project for older kids would be a research assignment. Let your kids decide on what they want to research by having them pick something that interests them. This could be a species of tree that grows in your area, or a bird or other animal that is seen often. By choosing something found in your area, this can make the idea of a research assignment more intriguing for kids. Maybe your kids want to know more about a big tree in your yard or more about the birds they hear in the morning. If you get them interested, you can incorporate reading into a fun, summer activity. Bring books and a computer outside to add to the experience of an outdoor classroom.
There are so many ways to incorporate learning outdoors. If there’s a thunderstorm, turn the weather into a science lesson. If you go on a road trip, turn the planning for the trip into a life skills lesson on the cost of gas, time management, and making reservations. Take advantage of the on-the-spot opportunities that your kids don’t always get during the school year. Make the summers even more special for you and your kids while providing them with alternative ways to learn outside the classroom.
SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS
There are plenty of science experiments that you can plan this summer for kids of all ages. Find ones that interest your kids and plan to gather the materials needed. You can plan for a combination of quick, simple experiments, and longer, more complex ones.
OUTDOOR CLASSROOM
• Make homemade ice cream
• Build a bird feeder
• Build an anemometer to track wind speed
• Make a barometer in a bottle
• Make your own rock candy
• Make eggshell geode crystals
Whether your pup has the obedience of a dog show finalist, or social behavior that makes you want to play dead around others, you can develop more owner confidence with help from this expert trainer.
“Socializing your dog is beneficial for both dogs and their owners,” says Taryn Tyler, a certified dog trainer. “It creates confidence for both dogs and owners and displaces the anxiety we feel when our dogs aren’t behaving like we want them to.”
Taryn says that boundaries can be learned by dogs of any age.
“There’s a nasty perception along the ‘can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ line of thinking,” she says. “While you can’t take a dog with serious behavioral issues and completely turn them around 180 degrees, you can make improvements in how you understand your dog and how they understand you. Dog training isn’t just for struggling pups either. Creating a relationship between you and your canine based on confidence, reliability and reward can turn a good dog into a great dog.”
ARTICLE
BY LISA MOYER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE
JONES
STYLED BY ANGELA
BROOCKERD
“Creating a relationship between you and your canine based on confidence, reliability and reward can turn a good dog into a great dog.”
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Taryn stresses that teaching a dog to sit or stay is less about tricks and more about the relationship that builds between animal and owner. “That, in turn, fosters an environment where the next time a family hosts Thanksgiving or has friends over, the owner and their dogs fall into the habit of obeying commands because of the confidence built through all the work put in beforehand.”
Even dogs with a troubled history can achieve improvement.
“We all love our dogs, but they can be stressful when they can’t seem to click in our home environments.
DOG SOCIALIZING TIPS:
• Socializing is more than taking your dog in public. A guy can dump a bunch of mulch in your driveway and spread it , but he’s not a landscaper until he’s following a plan. When the doorbell rings or a visitor comes into the house, what’s our expectation for the dog? When we’re in public and the dog’s attention is diverted, what’s our plan to refocus them? Socialization is 99 percent working on small steps as part of a larger plan.
• Socializing isn’t about our dogs being the center of attention in public. Everyone loves seeing a dog, but our best outcome for the dog is to go unnoticed. Sitting by our side, ignoring external stimuli, remaining calm—those are things we strive for when socializing a dog.
• When socializing dogs with other dogs, start small. Take a walk with another dog to get them to just exist in the same vicinity. Once they’re able to not be excited by the other dog, work on limited playing in controlled environments.
• If someone comes into your home, let them know what boundaries you’re working on with your dog. You can even suggest asking them to carry a few treats and work on some of the behaviors your dog is already comfortable with.
HOW TO THROW A BIRTHDAY BASH FOR YOUR FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS:
Once your dog is able to socialize with other pets, playdates are a great way to encourage good play behavior. One way to celebrate your pup’s birthday is to celebrate with their favorite furry friends. Here are a few helpful tips for making your gathering a success.
• Set up play areas for your furry guests to enjoy. This can include a doggy pool or splash pad, chew toys, frisbees, and don’t forget the pet-friendly bubbles.
• Offer party guests birthday attire such as a birthday hat, bandana or party outfit. Set up a photo wall for pet owners to get photos with their furry friends in their birthday outfits. Better yet, make it a costume competition, and invite guests to come dressed up ready to show off their pup’s attire.
• Create a treat display with a pet-friendly birthday cake and various chewy snacks for guests to give their pups.
• Party favors are a must to end your festivities with a bang. Fill party bags with bouncy balls, treats, and pet-friendly bubbles to send your guests off with a smile.
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
AUGUST 1ST
MOR’s
Adult Exploration Series: Birds and Brews
MAP Brewing Co. 510 Manley Rd, Bozeman
Learn the basics of birding or avian dinosaur watching! The event will start at MAP and be followed by a hike around Glen Lake to search for birds. Registration is required and tickets are $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Binoculars will be provided!
AUGUST 2ND-3RD
Wildlands Festival
Big Sky Events Arena 450 Aspen Leaf Dr, Big Sky
Calling all country fans! A two-evening musical festival featuring Dierks Bentley, Maren Morris, Lukas Nelson and Wyatt Flores. Gates open at 5:30 both nights, and music begins at 6:30. Enjoy two nights of great music with Lone Mountain as the backdrop. Both one day tickets and two day tickets are available.
AUGUST 3RD-4TH
Summer SLAM Festival
Bogert Park, Bozeman
Showcasing the amazing talent Montana has to offer, this family friendly event features an artists’ market, artist demonstrations, live music and performances, a culinary delights food court, Montana made libations garden, silent auction, and family activities. Not to be missed!
AUGUST 8TH-10TH
Bozeman Stampede
Gallatin County Fairgrounds 901 N Black Ave, Bozeman
The Bozeman Stampede, a PRCA rodeo now in it’s 14th year includes all of your favorite rodeo action including with all of your favorite events including Bull Riding, Steerwrestling, Calf Roping, Barrell Racing, Team Roping, Bareback and Saddle Bronc Riding, Ladies Breakaway, and Junior Events. Gates open at 6:00, rodeo starts at 7:00. General Admission tickets are $25. All seating is on a first come first serve basis!
AUGUST 8TH-10TH
Rockin’ The Rivers
The Bridge near Three Forks, 1865 Hwy 2, Cardwell
Three days of rock music that includes legends and up and comers starting at 11:30a.m. each day. Car, truck, and van camping is newly offered this year! One day and three day tickets are available. Campsite bundle passes are also available.
AUGUST 10TH
Bridger Ridge Run
Fairy Lake Trailhead, Bozeman
The Ed Anacker Bridger Ridge Run is one of the most technical trail runs in the United States. Even though the lottery to enter the race has ended, you can sign up to volunteer for the race. There are still some high priority tasks that are in need of volunteers. Sign up to help out for those who are brave enough to take on this challenge!
MOST COVETED
West Paw’s new Feast Mat™ is an all-in-one, innovative enrichment feeding mat that brings a slow feeder and lick mat together to provide an engaging variety between feeding and treating. The slow feeder side features an enticing design with deep grooves that allows your dog to forage and explore for food, while the lick mat side is designed for treating and soothing licking. Get extra creative to build a scrumptious meal for your dog. Try with dry food, raw food, or home recipes as well as creamy treats like peanut butter, goats milk goats milk, and yogurts! Available at WestPaw.com or stop by Dee-O-Gee 19th Avenue at 2051 Oak St. in Bozeman
CURATED DESIGN
Curating a design plan is more than just copying a Pinterest or Instagram photo. It involves real people, their lifestyle, their expectations and their point of view. Unique personalities are reflected by lifestyle choices; design can mirror that. Curation accounts for all the nuances of life to provide space for experiencing while expanding the opportunities for growth and change. Design is not static - it flows.
The Nature of Bozeman is also how I feel about its reflection through design and architecture. For whom are we designing? What do our clients want to experience in that space that we help them create?
Curated Design is about giving more that expected, surprising the senses, and exceeding expectations. It is a personal experience.
- Kris Nunn
40 Spanish Peak Drive, #102 Four Corners x Bozeman
