Issuu

AUGUST 2020

CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie

The Kids & Pets Issue

LIFESTYLE LETTER

AUGUST 2020 PUBLISHER

John Lee | john.lee@lifestylepubs.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

David Scheller | david.scheller@lifestylepubs.com

Kids and pets? You bet! HELLO EDEN PRAIRIE LIFESTYLE READERS,

AD DESIGNER

Whitney Lockhart LAYOUT DESIGNER

Dani Moore

Have you ever looked around your home and thought to yourself, “Gee, this place

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

would look amazing if it was a hundred times messier?” Fortunately there are two

Dr. Jim Nelson | PrairieVillagePetHospital@gmail.com

great solutions to that problem: kids and pets, which together make the theme of this extraordinary edition of Eden Prairie Lifestyle. In this issue we are honored to feature an article by Dr. Jim Nelson of Prairie Village Pet Hospital, who casts light on the unique challenges faced by veterinarians in the wake of the pandemic. We are also thrilled to feature Eden Prairie Montessori, whose unique yet time-tested approach to education has given our town such exceptional daycares. In this issue we also feature two of the most big-hearted nonprofit organizations in the state. We Can Ride has given the opportunity to go horseback riding to countless children with disabilities. Rabbit Rescue of Minnesota gives loving homes to poor, neglected buns – and will even let you do yoga in the company of the little

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

critters right here in Eden Prairie! To round things off we interview Marilyn Tokach of

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

Pure Spirit, who is standing by to help any dog behave less like a deranged lunatic.

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

As always, I would like to thank all of Eden Prairie Lifestyle’s sponsors, without

REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams

AD MANAGER Chad Jensen

whose generous support we could not mail our magazine directly to our readers’

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

homes. I always welcome any feedback or interest you may have in appearing on our magazine’s pages! Best regards,

John Lee, Publisher

514 W 26TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO

CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie ON THE COVER PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF RABBIT RESCUE OF MN 4

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | August 2020

Proverbs 3:5-6 Eden Prairie Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Eden Prairie area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Eden Prairie Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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INSIDE THE ISSUE AUGUST 2020

FEATURES 10 Rabbit Rescue of Minnesota Offering Yoga Alongside Impossibly Cute Bunnies in Eden Prairie

16 Eden Prairie Montessori A Daycare With Great Heart That Helps Raise Great Kids

20 Prairie Village Pet Hospital Dr. Jim Nelson Discusses the Unique Challenges of Veterinary Medicine During the Pandemic

28 Pure Spirit Animal Communications & Behavior Solutions

16 28

DEPARTMENTS 4

Lifestyle Letter

Good Times

Giving Back

Our Town

20 Locally Owned 24 Local Limelight 28 Animal Kingdom 32 DIY 34 Parting Thoughts

The Sign of Success.

Lyndon Moquist Managing Broker

EDEN PRAIRIE OFFICE 952-944-7107 | www.edenprairie.edinarealty.com

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Russ & Dawn Henriksen 612-670-2613 • RussHenriksen@edinarealty.com 612-812-2121 • DawnHenriksen@edinarealty.com

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Extraordinary custom designed and built 2 story walkout with a private estate like setting, Where else can you find this much space inside and out that is so close to amenities and the cities. This can be your urban cabin, private retreat and home all wrapped into one! Sitting on 20+ acres yet convenient to everything. Beautiful decor and high-end finishes; spacious open floor plan with magnificent vistas; Luxurious main flr Master suite; top of the line center island Kit; cozy Sunroom, 3 BRS, 3 baths plus bonus rm up; awesome walkout w/ Family rm, lg bar, theater rm, exercise rm and 5th BR. 4 fireplaces, In ground pool and great landscaping; 960 sq ft timber barn; land allows horses+ more. Exceptional value, the cost to build this as new could exceed $3 million.

Denise Kraemer • 612-910-2792 • DeniseKraemer@edinarealty.com

Eden Prairie Woods is a recently finished-out subdivision of 52 houses, developed by a nationally acclaimed luxury home builder. The home shares a short cul-de-sac with 4 other homes and is across the street from the association playground and swimming pool. The rooms are extraordinarily spacious with a welcoming grand foyer featuring a turned staircase, a gourmet kitchen with a Palladian window combined with a 2-story Great Room. The backyard is an entertainment oasis. Heidi & Brian Weissner 952-200-2229 • HeidiandBrianWeissner@edinarealty.com

11345 Wetzel Lane $1,400,000

8002 Island Road $725,000 Lakeshore Eden Prairie home with 4 bedrooms on one floor, private beach and dock situated in an ideal location. Enjoy views of Mitchell Lake from every room in the house. Grand Master Suite with bathroom, walk-in closet and separate deck to view the lake. 3 season porch and large cedar deck make entertaining fun. Large walkout lower level recreation room includes a custom built-in bar, home office and bathroom with shower. The lake is well into a multi-year water quality improvement project and is stocked with fish including walleyes, bass and crappies. Lake recreation is ideal for pontoon boats, canoes, kayaks and paddle boards.

John Sligh • 612-327-3123 • JohnSligh@edinarealty.com

Cristy Willis • 952-356-7585 • CristyWillis@edinarealty.com

Better than new construction, this custom built 2-story in Wyndham Ponds offers a warm and inviting open floor plan with an abundance of natural light, main floor office/flex room, 3 car garage, hardwood floors, beautiful kitchen with granite/stainless, large island and walk-in pantry, spacious back hall with lockers and walk-in closet, 4 bedrooms up all with walk-in closets, plus a professionally landscaped yard with paver patio, in-ground sprinkler system and cozy fire pit. Lower level is unfinished with bath rough-in and ready for your finishing touches.

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op ak Sh Impeccably kept home with recently finished lower level in prime Shakopee location! Updates and upgrades abound in this beautiful home. The main level features wide open spaces with a large kitchen, eat around island as well as formal dining/living rooms and an office. The large deck overlooks a private backyard lined with evergreens and beautifully landscaped!

6848 Lydia Lane $460,000

The Barkley’s • 612-991-0977 • JackBarkley@edinarealty.com

8444 Blazing Star Circle $420,000

The Barkley’s • 612-991-0977 • JackBarkley@edinarealty.com

Main level features 11 ft ceilings with crown molding. A large kitchen with granite counters, KitchenAid stainless steel appliances & large center island. Main floor office. Four bedrooms up. Master bath features double vanity, large tile shower and jetted tub. Two JR bedrooms share a Jack and Jill bath. 4th BR has a private bath. Unfinished walkout LL awaits your finishing touches. Maintenance free deck with stairs to the flat yard. Neighborhood association maintained pool, playground and trails.

Amazing 1+ acre lot with expansive views of the Minnesota River Valley. Additional green space and conservation area across the street make this private setting. Many updates to the home include a complete kitchen remodel with top of the line appliances. A full master bedroom and bathroom remodel with full walk-in tile shower and multiple shower heads. Full master closet organizer added. Walk to city parks and miles of trails. Second full bedroom, full bathroom and office on the main level.

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Custom built rambler with great curb appeal with all brick front in excellent condition with private backyard. Granite counters, new stainless appliances, hardwoods on main level. Great master bath with new rain head shower and fixtures. Extensive electric updates. Invisible fence around the entire outer perimeter of the yard with remote control. Located on street of more expensive homes. Great opportunity!

16314 Kruger Lane $825,000

9900 Frederick Place $700,000

327 Bluff Road $639,900

2917 Cougar Path NW $530,000 • MLS# 5578997

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90 Salem Church Road $1,735,000

Your private English-style Estate awaits. Elegant finishes and sophisticated layout offers ideal spaces for entertaining and everyday family life. Unparalleled main level Owner’s Suite with amazing closet and opulent en Suite. Walkout lower level boasts a sauna, steam shower, three bedroom suites and recreation spaces. New Cedar-shake roof (2017) and new HVAC.

Randy Kellogg • 612-240-2924 • RandyKellogg@edinarealty.com

For career opportunities Call Lyndon at 952-944-7107 or www.LyndonMoquist.com

GOOD TIMES

Brahm Pie Day Sadly the town of Braham couldn’t hold their annual Pie Day celebration this year. Thirty three different types of pie were not baked. The Pie Alluia Chorus did not perform classic songs such as “If I Only Had Some Pie” and “Fruit Filling.” Nobody won the pie eating contest. Let there be pie next year.

Real Estate Advice Pilar Fairchild- Realtor, MEd pilarfairchild@edinarealty.com 612-805-9535 Ken Robinson- Realtor, PSA kenrobinson@edinarealty.com 612-562-9099 8

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | August 2020

Back first to Basics: Make a great impression! Create instant curb appeal by updating your 1. Be sure to work with a professional when generating the price (and value) the home you wish to sell. garage doorofand outside light fixtures. 2. Don’t overprice your home in hopes of getting an offer from a buyer who doesn’t know better.if it’s the first Don’t overlook the mailbox 3. Be wary of automated assessments or online offers that may minimize your home’s value or overlook that could help you sell for more in thingfeatures a buyer sees. Selling? How to Establish a Price for Your Property

the traditional marketplace.

Call Ken Call Kenand and Pilar! Pilar!

The LTD Brewing Co. Oktoberfest Block Party Lace up your dirndls and feather your Tyrolean hats, because Oktoberfest is coming back to downtown Hopkins this year! (Hopefully.) Hosted by LTD Brewing Co., the giant block party celebrates all things Germanic with stein racing competitions, beer, stein holding contests, beer, bratwursts, and beer! Learn about the great local brewery and their upcoming events at ltdbrewing.com.

1 - 3. Credit Andy Kaufer

CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie

GIVING BACK

rabbit rescue of minnesota

OFFERING RABBIT YOGA IN EDEN PRAIRIE!

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | August 2020

RABBIT RESCUE OF MINNESOTA IS

meat and fur farms, or tiny hutches where

DEDICATED TO HELPING BUNS IN

they had to fend for themselves.

NEED. The local nonprofit organization

“Cages and hutches are not allowed

takes in unwanted domesticated rabbits

in our rescue. Our rabbits have their own

whether they have been abused, neglected,

enclosures to retire to when they feel like

abandoned, or released by farms, and gives

it, but they’re also able to roam around

them shelter, medicine, food that is good for

free in a bunny-proofed house. They have

rabbits, and love.

access to an endless supply of timothy hay

“I have always been an animal advocate,”

and orchardgrass, as well as fresh greens

said DJ Mans, CEO and co-owner of Rabbit

and food pellets. They receive yearly health

Rescue of Minnesota. “I discovered just how

checks, have their nails trimmed every three

few resources are available for rabbits in

to four months, and get a certain operation

need when I rescued one eight years ago. I

that puts an end to their multiplying days.

started my own grass roots rescue, and ran

“Every rabbit we take in becomes part

it for several years until Stephanie Verdoorn

of a family. They’re social creatures, so we

came into my life. We decided to become a

give them love. When rabbits get everything

nonprofit so we could accept donations from

they need to be happy, they show it by doing

the public and create legal fundraisers. Our

‘binkies’ and ‘zoomies’ – jumping straight up

organization now comprises 20 to 25 private

into the air and spinning around like a heli-

foster homes that care for about 60 rabbits

copter, and darting around the room in every

all together. We are grateful for the help of

direction at once. This is pure joy.

our volunteer foster homes, as well as our

“Happy rabbits also begin to show their

veterinarian partners, administrative team,

unique personalities. Some are clownish.

and generous financial supporters.

Some are affectionate. Others can be down-

“A lot of rabbits come to us from people

right sassy, and even mischievous at times.

who adopted them before learning how much

Of the 250 rabbits I’ve cared for so far, no

maintenance they need. The month following

two have ever had the same demeanor.

Easter, unfortunately, is one of our busiest

“I have one rabbit named Abilene. If I sit

times of the year. Rabbits are not conducive

down to pet her while I’m holding a cup of

to young children because they are so fragile.

coffee or a bottle of water, she’ll ignore it. But

As a prey animal they associate being lifted

if I’m holding my phone, she’ll yank it out of

up with danger, and even a fall from a child’s

my hand with her teeth and throw it away.

height can break their legs. Our other rabbits

She knows that phone could take attention

have spent much of their lives in cages at

away from her.

CONTINUED >

ARTICLE DAVID SCHELLER | PHOTOGRAPHY BETH RESCH

CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie

GIVING BACK (CONTINUED) “When rabbits sense danger or feel frustration, they do something called ‘thumping’ – beating the ground beneath them with their hind legs. Late one night while my husband and I were sleeping, our rabbits Duke, Daisy and Annabelle started thumping together all at once. We got up in the morning wondering what it was all about, only to discover that our living room ceiling had sprung a leak overnight. Rabbits are very structured creatures who will put up with surprisingly little nonsense, so they were sounding off their disapproval of the dripping! “Some people think all rabbits are sweet, but they’re not always. I have a rabbit named Ginny who is sweet as sugar when you hold her, pet her, or let her sit on your lap. But if you walk into her own room, she’ll dart out to growl and attack your feet. She was horribly abused in her old life, and is unadoptable because of it. Hopefully she’ll realize one day that I’m just the maid, not an intruder.” Rabbit Rescue of Minnesota has recently made a splash in town for the bunny yoga they offer at the Eden Prairie Community Center. Yoga, you see, is a unique physical exertion in that it benefits from the inclusion of many different kinds of animals. Dogs, cats, and even goats have all been added to yoga before, much to the delight of yogis. (But never all at once, because that would be absolute chaos.) The bun takes the calming effect of yoga to greater heights than ever before, and it manages to do so merely by existing. It’s that cute. “Yoga is the ultimate way to interact with a rabbit,” explained DJ, “because where are you? You’re on the floor, where you can gain a rabbit’s trust by letting it come to you on its own terms. Pretty soon they might decide to climb up onto your back for a better look around the room. “A rabbit is such a relaxing creature to look at. When I’m having a bad day, I just go sit in my rabbit room. Soon my heart rate goes down, and my anxiety is lifted. Yoga is an amazing way for buns and people to interact. It’s just fabulous!” You can learn more about Rabbit Rescue of Minnesota’s mission and sign up for upcoming rabbit yoga sessions on rabbitrescueofmn.com. 12

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | August 2020

“A RABBIT IS SUCH A RELAXING CREATURE TO LOOK AT. WHEN I’M HAVING A BAD DAY, I JUST GO SIT IN MY RABBIT ROOM. SOON MY HEART RATE GOES DOWN, AND MY ANXIETY IS LIFTED. YOGA IS AN AMAZING WAY FOR BUNS AND PEOPLE TO INTERACT. IT’S JUST FABULOUS!”

Stephanie Verdoorn & DJ Mans

CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie

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CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie

OUR TOWN

Eden Prairie Montessori THE FIRST FIVE YEARS LAST A LIFETIME

YOU WILL NEVER FEEL GREATER LOVE THAN WHAT YOU FEEL FOR YOUR CHILD. You will serve no higher duty than taking care of them. Helping them to become a happy, healthy adult is the greatest gift you will ever give. Your child is everything. We can all agree on these things – but how do you choose the right daycare for your young one to grow in? You don’t want so many precious moments of their life wasted in an understimulating environment. You want to give them every advantage you can, as early as you can. This is Eden Prairie Montessori’s purpose. The Montessori Method of Education is nothing new. It was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, who graduated from the University of Rome in 1896. Dr. Montessori spent her career working with children, whom she came to view as naturally eager to learn and best able to do so in an encouraging yet carefully prepared environment.

ARTICLE DAVID SCHELLER 16

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | August 2020

Dr. Montessori’s method blends children of different

especially at a young age. That’s why Montessori educa-

ages together, provides them with choices as to how they

tors call ourselves ‘presenters’ instead of teachers. When

may spend their time, and places a higher value on work-

we show a child how to do something new, like opening

ing with materials than instruction from an adult. At its

a jar or cutting a piece of paper, we take special care to

core, the Montessori Method of Education grants a child a

demonstrate all the movements clearly and in a way they

reasonable amount of freedom and lets their curiosity take

can remember. Soon they will have practiced all the steps

care of the rest.

until they have a new skill for life.

American educators have embraced the Montessori

“At their level of understanding, young children learn

Method of Education for over 100 years. Many daycares

better from materials. A real, concrete thing presents a

across the country offer it, but none are closer to you than

new concept to them much more effectively than a spoken

Eden Prairie Montessori. Managing your schedule around

lesson can. A single Montessori material might present

their two locations in the north and south parts of town is

the same information in several different ways, such as

extremely convenient.

length, color, and tactile sensation, so the child can learn

“I grew up with four siblings, three of them younger

one concept several ways at once.

brothers,” said Shonali Harrison, director of Eden Prairie Montessori. “Even at an early age I was very fond of teaching them. They were like sponges, the way that they learned. As a girl I always admired my teachers, my father most of all, so I tried to mimic them. When I grew older I read Dr. Montessori’s theories, all of which resonated with me. I became excited to help children learn how to

“A t t h e i r l e v e l o f understanding, young children learn better f r o m m a t e r i a l s .”

succeed in their everyday lives just by showing them how to do things!

“The Montessori method places great value on chil-

“After all this time, that is still my greatest reward for

dren’s social interactions. We build on the ways their par-

teaching at Eden Prairie Montessori. Seeing a child’s reac-

ents have modeled graciousness and courtesy, present

tion when they pass a major milestone – it always amazes

how to be polite in social interactions, and demonstrate

me. I’m smiling just as much as they are.

how to behave peacefully in general. When two children

“Human beings are not just visual learners. We like to use all of our senses to understand our surroundings,

have a dispute over a toy, we give them the words they need to resolve it civilly.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie

OUR TOWN (CONTINUED)

“A daycare is always going to have a little bit of screaming from time to time. But even when a child is young as two years old, they still want to learn how to get what they want – or live without it, if that’s the case – without whining or crying. It’s astonishing how quickly children can learn to express their feelings with words instead of tantrums. “I believe one of our method’s greatest strengths is how it lets children learn from each other. Older children naturally want to take care of the younger ones, just like I did when I was little. Helping a younger friend read a story or pull a carrot of the ground fosters compassion and leadership. Looking up to an older friend teaches trust and respect. Children become surprisingly invested in one another’s well-being when they’re in a supportive environment. “Our method recognizes that every child has different areas they can improve in. We give them freedom to enjoy their favorite activities, but also structure so they can master skills appropriate for their age. If that is something as simple as buttoning a shirt, they will enjoy the gentle push they’re given to do it on their own. “We like children to take their time getting familiar in their new surroundings. Orientation takes three days, after which the child becomes 18

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | August 2020

comfortable when they’re apart from mom and dad. We encourage children to bring framed photos of their families, so daycare feels more like an extension of their home life rather than time away from it. We also encourage parents to mention our presenters while they’re at home. Hearing their mother say ‘Oh, you’re going to go and see Miss Anne today! Maybe Miss Anne will read you a story today?’ shows a child that she trusts Miss Anne, so it’s safe for them to trust her as well. “Parents learn just like their children do: by seeing and by doing. That’s why we welcome interested families to visit Eden Prairie Montessori while school is in session. Observing our beautiful school, our fun playground, our happy children and their proud presenters – it’s the best way to see what we do!” If your child is ready to start becoming the best person they can be, you are welcome to schedule a tour of Eden Prairie Montessori with Shonali at your side to answer any questions you might have. You can always reach her at (952) 944-8466 or info@epmontessori.net. Eden Prairie Montessori offers two convenient locations at 7455 Market Place Drive and 8098 Glen Lane. You may learn more about them at edenprairiemontessori.com. CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie

LOCALLY OWNED

prairie village pet hospital FROM ROUTINE TO EXTREME, WE’LL BE THERE FOR YOU!

ARTICLE DR. JIM NELSON

2020 HAS BEEN A YEAR OF GREAT UNCERTAINTY, AT LEAST THAT’S WHAT WE’RE ALL HEARING AND FEELING. One certainty that hasn’t changed is the love and support that people’s pets provide, especially during times of unanticipated change. In March, when the pandemic became a real threat in the United States, I received a phone call from a nurse on the frontline. She was actively testing people with signs of COVID-19 and had concerns about exposing her pets to the virus. It became evident as we continued to talk about precautions that the health of her pets seemed more important than her own. It made me wonder what drives the level of compassion we have for companion animals and how it’s changed the way we practice veterinary medicine. For many people, pets are the only living being that will happily greet them and provide love day in and day out. Considering all that they bring to our lives, it’s debatable if the essential nature of pets outranks food, booze or money. One thing I knew is we had work to do and we had to figure out how to continue to serve our clients. 20

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | August 2020

We had to change our business model to minimize staff exposure to the coronavirus and maximize the probability of staying open. Clients were no longer allowed in the building, we offered telemedicine services and provided curbside care. We also protected ourselves by splitting the doctors and support staff into two independent part-time shifts and still provided normal salaries for everyone! There were a few things we weren’t initially prepared for. The first was how often the phone would ring and the second was how many new clients called us because their veterinary provider couldn’t see them for two or three weeks! Problems such as ear infections, broken toe nails and emesis must be addressed the day they present themselves or risk becoming emergencies. I suspect that when the governor permitted veterinary clinics to continue providing routine, non -emergency care, others tried to catch up on the backlog of nonessential appointments without allotting time for urgent visits that we see on a daily basis. Routine care, which includes things like vaccinations, dentistry, spays and neuters, has always been the backbone of our business since we opened in 1984. Thirty years ago veterinarians had to respond to emergencies with their training and experience alone. But just as with human medicine, general practice veterinarians increasingly rely on specialists to help improve patients’ outcomes. With the advent of the internet we can send information to radiologists, cardiologists, dermatologists and neurologists throughout the world. With their guidance we are better prepared to take on more complex medical and surgical cases. One piece of equipment that has really helped elevate the level of our urgent care is the ultrasound. Several years ago I purchased a unique ultrasound machine designed to train the staff to capture all the necessary images required for boarded radiologists to accurately assess, interpret and guide us in making more reliable medical decisions. Most images can be evaluated in less than 24 hours and have become a service we rely on especially when determining if surgery is necessary, or cancer is present, or what’s inside a body when regular X-rays only provide a cloudy picture.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie

LOCALLY OWNED (CONTINUED)

Complex cases take more time. We tailor our appointment times so our clients and their pets can be comprehensively cared for. We reserve time in our schedule to accommodate urgent visits and arrange drop-offs that work with our clients’ schedules as well. Ninety percent of our communication with the clients during the pandemic is over the phone, which means you need more time to provide quality care. Because we are a locally owned, independent practice, we have the ability to adjust our scheduling to continue to provide the highest standard of care, a core value we embrace and uphold. We’re also seeing an uptick in new puppies! People are home and have time to teach proper house-training and socialization. Breeders usually want puppies vet checked and tested for internal parasites within a week of purchase. I consider the first 20 weeks of puppyhood critical in training appropriate behaviors. Come see us for advice on training, nutrition and care of your newfound friend. Although I must limit the amount of time I personally spend on the phone with clients, forming and preserving long-standing bonds with you and your pets is paramount to me. The staff at Prairie Village Pet Hospital are back to their full-time schedules and will do all they can to keep your pets’ lives happy and healthy during and after COVID-19. We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you face to face in the clinic soon! 22

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | August 2020

Coming Late 2021

FLAGSTONE Eden Prairie’s newest senior living community will offer a host of features designed to enrich your life. Enjoy beautiful views from your balcony and campus amenities such as a bistro, salon, top floor Skyview room with deck, lap pool, pickleball court and putting green. For a limited time: Take advantage of the opportunity to personalize your home. Select from two color palette options plus additional finish selections. Call today to learn more! Information Office: 8353 Crystal View Road, Suite 203 Eden Prairie, MN 55344 952-942-2155 All faiths welcome. Equal housing opportunity. © 2020 Presbyterian Homes & Services.

Senior Apartments • Assisted Living • Memory Care • Care Center FlagstonePHS.org | 952-942-2155

CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie

LOCAL LIMELIGHT

Photo credit: Uncommon Collaborative

“JACK IS MY LEGS SO THAT I CAN RUN!”

WE CAN RIDE ARTICLE DAVID SCHELLER

THE HORSE WAS DOMESTICATED ABOUT 6,000

perfectly mimic a natural human walking gait. For those

YEARS AGO IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA.

who have difficulty moving, that experience develops

When proto-Ukranians and Kazakhs first eyed the wild horse

strength in areas they couldn’t have accessed otherwise.

and imagined its uses, they surely envisioned plows tearing

We’ve seen our clients walk up stairs, play with their

apart fields and heroic feats in battle. Little could they have

grandparents, and even climb playground equipment with

imagined the horse’s other great purpose – sports betting.

the new strength they’ve developed on horseback. We

But the horse serves yet another role at We Can Ride. Founded in 1982 and now based in Medina, the nonprofit

never walk take their first steps.

organization serves individuals with disabilities or special

“Children also benefit from the emotional connections

needs through equine assisted activities and therapy.

they foster at We Can Ride. They bond with our volunteers,

Imagine you are a child who must use a wheelchair. Now,

the other clients in the program, and of course their horses

imagine your pure delight at taking the reins of a half-ton

themselves. Horses are intuitive animals, fast to pick up on

animal with breath that smells like peppermint. That is the

body language and appreciative of how to treat a person

goodness which We Can Ride creates.

with any disability.

“Our program started out as a small group of women

“Before we include a horse in our program, we first

who saw a need,” said Mary Mitten, executive director of

put them through a 90 day training period. This lets the

We Can Ride. “We have now grown to 350 volunteers and

horse get used to our facility, and lets us see how they

17 horses, and we assist 275 clients a year.

react to new stimuli. It’s not a good idea to find out how

“When a person rides a horse, that horse’s forward to back, side to side, and up to down movements almost 24

have even watched children who were told they would

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | August 2020

a horse responds to a hydraulic lift while there’s a fiveyear-old on it.

“After so much training and assessment, we’re able to match our client with a horse that best suits their therapeutic needs. If our client has Down syndrome, for example, we can put them on a horse with a brisker gait to help them overcome low muscle tone. If they have cerebral palsy, we might select a horse with a slower gait that won’t cause their rider to tense up. “We once welcomed a nine-year-old girl who had been diagnosed with autism. She was on at least three different medications for anxiety when she started. She loved her horse instantly, but she had to put work into learning how to ride him, and also develop social skills while asking for our volunteers’ help. She gained self-esteem and the ability to communicate her needs more effectively. Within two months she was able to stop taking medication for anxiety altogether. One day, while this girl was leaving our barn, she reached up to take her mother’s hand. It was the first time she had ever done so. “We have one little boy with Down syndrome. He was four years old when he started with us, and although he was physically able to speak, he just hadn’t wanted to up until that point. Soon he started saying his horse’s name: ‘Chip.’ As he grew more and more confident in the saddle, he began speaking phrases like ‘Go Chip’ and ‘Walk on, Chip.’ That quickly evolved into even more complex speech, and today he’s able to tell his mother when he’s hungry, when he needs a nap, and when he wants love. Chip served as the boy’s gateway to communication.

CONTINUED >

Photo credit: Uncommon Collaborative

“CHILDREN ALSO BENEFIT FROM THE EMOTIONAL CONNECTIONS THEY FOSTER AT WE CAN RIDE. THEY BOND WITH OUR VOLUNTEERS, THE OTHER CLIENTS IN THE PROGRAM, AND OF COURSE THEIR HORSES THEMSELVES.”

Photo credit: We Can Ride

CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie

LOCAL LIMELIGHT (CONTINUED) “We have another little girl whose progressive condition had weakened her entire body. When we first met her, she was unable to do any physical activity for longer than ten minutes. Only weeks after starting, she had become strong enough to play with her friends and do all kinds of school activities that she had never done before. Her parents didn’t think they could keep making the four hour round trip from their hometown when she first started, but after seeing how dramatically she had developed? They never thought they could feel so much hope for their daughter. That was certainly worth any car ride.” If you or a child you care for could benefit from time with a horse, then We Can Ride may be able to help you. And if you have no need for equine-assisted activities, you can still support We Can Ride. They are always in need of volunteers to help with their program. We Can Ride also needs monetary gifts to help keep their horses healthy and happy. Please consider making a difference by supporting them with any size donation – it will truly help people ‘make big strides.’ (Editor’s note: Please blame Mary for this pun, not Eden Prairie Lifestyle.) To learn more about We Can ride and how you can get involved, please visit wecanride.org or check out their active Facebook page at facebook.com/wecanride.

Photo credit: We Can Ride

“BEFORE WE INCLUDE A HORSE IN OUR PROGRAM, WE FIRST PUT THEM THROUGH A 90 DAY TRAINING PERIOD. THIS LETS THE HORSE GET USED TO OUR FACILITY, AND LETS US SEE HOW THEY REACT TO NEW STIMULI.” Photo credit: We Can Ride 26

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | August 2020

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ANIMAL KINGDOM PEOPLE THINK DOGS ARE WEIRD, BUT CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT A DOG MIGHT THINK OF US? “I live with this noisy ape,” a dog would tell you. “They like to put their food in a big, cold box so they can eat it later. Why not simply eat it all at once? Sometimes when I take them on a walk we’ll see a squirrel, and they don’t seem even remotely compelled to kill it. Why, the other day I caught them watching a stranger walk past the driveway – totally ignored them. Didn’t scream at them once. Utter ... lunacy.”

Pure Spirit

The dynamic between dogs and humans is one-sided, of course. We’re the ones who buy the Kibbles ‘n Bits, so they have to do what we want. And there’s the problem. Dogs certainly know enough to be dogs, but when it comes to interpreting the actions of noisy apes they can find themselves at a bit of a loss. “What does it mean when they yell at me while I am barking?” the dog ponders, thoughtfully scratching his chin with a dewclaw. “Should I bark harder? It’s worth a try, I guess.”

ANIMAL COMMUNICATIONS & BEHAVIOR SOLUTIONS

ARTICLE DAVID SCHELLER

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | August 2020

“NOW HERE IS THE BEAUTY OF DOGS: WHETHER THEY’RE ACTING OUT OF TERROR OR ELATION, YOU CAN MAKE THEM INSTANTLY SWITCH GEARS BY GIVING THEM A HIGH VALUE TREAT OR OTHER REWARD.”

In essence, Marilyn Tokach of Pure Spirit is a translator. The Eden Prairie dog trainer knows how to present information to a

coming home I would find her surrounded by her stuffed animals like she was holding court.

pooch in terms their little pooch mind can comprehend. “Aha,”

“Gretta was already a perfect lady when I got her at three years old.

the dog who has worked with Marilyn will say to himself in an

I continued to train her for fun, and also for the sport of Schutzhund –

epiphany, “I will not jump on unfamiliar noisy apes who come into

basically a test of obedience, tracking, and protection work. It wasn’t

the house. I will sit on this carpet and let them come to pet me

until I settled in Minnesota and got my Rottweiler, Maggie, that I really

instead. Brilliant!”

began competing in obedience. Rotties didn’t have a great reputation

“I got my first dog back when I used to drive across the country

back then, so I had to make sure Maggie knew how to carry herself.

for work,” said Marilyn. “For companionship, mainly, but also maybe

“From there, dog training became my great passion. I left my cor-

for protection if needed. My German Shepherd Gretta was a great

porate human resources job in 2002 and have worked exclusively

friend. Always there for me, intuitive, and funny! If I was ever late

with animals and their owners ever since.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie

ANIMAL KINGDOM (CONTINUED)

“People often say to me that their dog is stubborn. In reality, almost no dogs are. I can count on two hands the number of genuinely dim or aggressive dogs I have trained with, and I probably train about 750 dogs every year. Dogs simply need help understanding our expectations for them. You see, dogs tend to look at the big picture. They’ll hear you when you tell them to stop jumping on your grandmother, but they also see the way you’re holding your hands, the way your head is tilted, which way your eyebrows are raised. They’ll even smell your breath. With so much to take in at once they don’t know what information they’re meant to gather and what they’re then supposed to do with it. “When your dog is doing something you don’t want them to do, it’s good to understand why they’re doing it. Say he’s barking at people walking down your street. Is he showing outward signs of fear that the mailman is coming to murder your entire family? Is he wagging his tail in hope the strangers will come and throw tennis balls to him? In either case you need to give him an unambiguous signal that it’s time to stop barking, like a hand gesture or a spoken command. “Now here is the beauty of dogs: Whether they’re acting out of terror or elation, you can make them instantly switch gears by giving them a high value treat or other reward. In the case of barking at a stranger, it not only forces them to stop barking, but also to associate not barking with getting something good to eat. “There are some dogs who are able to chew and bark at the same time, unfortunately. We call them Labradors. “A lot of trainers practice animal communication but don’t realize it. Some people call it telepathy, which really only translates to ‘feelings over a distance.’ If you’re intuitive, compassionate, or empathetic, then you really can’t help but experience animal communication on some level. “I learned how attuned I am to dogs’ feelings from my German Shepherd Conan. I would be in the front seat driving, and he would be in the back (because he was a dog and couldn’t drive). Conan wasn’t like the dogs you see happily poking their heads out of the window during a drive. Car rides made poor Conan nauseous. 30

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | August 2020

“By around the fifth or sixth time Conan ruined my upholstery, I realized I was also becoming nauseous at the same time he was. Finally when I felt sick I pulled over so we could both stretch our legs. After a little break, Conan was ready to soldier on. “I’m sure it sounds like I’m blurring the lines between science and the supernatural, but I really do experience what animals are feeling. And in my line of work, the more information I have, whether it comes from behavior science, canine body language, good listening skills, or telepathy, the better I can bridge the understanding between my clients and their pets. “Before I begin training your dog, I start you off with a questionnaire,” Marilyn continued, no doubt having already sensed what I was about to ask next. “That helps you get all of your thoughts in order, and also prioritize the things you want to work on. This helps me as well, because I might learn you need to reprioritize a little. If you’ve ranked house training behind learning how to sit on cue, I can tell you that piddling outside always comes before doing tricks. “I work with dogs in their familiar environments, because that’s where they are experiencing problems and exhibiting undesirable behavior. If they’re learning not to bark at your neighbors, it won’t do any good if your neighbors aren’t present. If they’re learning how to behave themselves around other dogs, we might train outside of a pet store. I do highly recommend obedience classes, but the majority of my clients need help addressing specific issues. “I’m a mediator. I not only help your dog become a better pet. I also help you become a better owner. Once the two of you understand each other better, you’ll both be a whole lot happier!” Marilyn’s

relationship-based

training

approach is primarily focused on dogs. If you would like animal communication for your horse, bird, or kitty cat, she can help you with that, too – you need only visit pure-spirit.com.

CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie

DIY

+HANDCRAFTED+

FUN PAPER CRAFT ACTIVITY FOR YOU + YOUR KIDDO ARTICLE NICOLETTE MARTIN

M AT E R I A L S + Cardboard + White crepe paper + Construction paper + Glue + Scissors + Beads, yarn, pom poms, etc.

DIRECTIONS 1. Take your cardboard and cut two pieces into the shape of a llama (we found a stencil online). Then, cut strips of cardboard the depth you want your llama to be. You’ll connect these to either side of the llama cutouts to enclose your piñata. 2. Glue your strip of cardboard all along the edge of one side of your llama, then glue to the other side. (Be sure to leave a hole you can close up later so you can fill it with your favorite candy!)

PIÑLLAMA

3. Starting at the neck, cover the front, back and sides of your llama with white crepe paper, cutting a slit every half inch or so to create the traditional piñata look. 4. Cover all remaining sides the neck and head with white construction paper, cut to fit your design. 5. Using construction paper, beads, pom poms, tassels, buttons, etc., add some flair to the rest of your llama! Bonus points for incorporating different shapes and textures into your final product.

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | August 2020

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CityLifestyle.com/EdenPrairie 33

PARTING THOUGHTS THE MUSTARD SEED IN CHANHASSEN CARRIES A WIDE VARIETY OF FLOWERS,

ARTICLE DAVID SCHELLER

TREES, SHRUBS, HERBS AND OTHER FINE PLANTS THAT WILL TRANSFORM

WITH THE MUSTARD SEED

ANY EDEN PRAIRIE HOME INTO A LITTLE PIECE OF EDEN ON THE PRAIRIE. We spoke with Kelly Lorenz, general man-

SUMMER GA R D E N I N G TIPS

ager of the locally owned landscaping and garden center, for her tips on gardening in the summertime.

Water new plants individually, treating each one to a sip from your watering can. Their roots are still rather isolated, so your lawn sprinklers may not reliably quench their thirst.

The heat of summer is still fine weather to plant in. Roots can find cooler soil to take hold of so long as you’re diligent about watering regularly.

Look out for insects! They are most active during the dog days of summer. Intruders like the Japanese beetle and potato beetle can be dispatched without guilt, but do try and be gentle with nice bugs.

“Deadheading” isn’t necessarily about rock and roll. Trimming the dying flowers from a plant lets it devote greater energy to producing healthy new ones. Get crafty with the flowers you’ve cut off!

Keep a gardening journal. It’s the best way to remember the things you love most about this year’s garden so you can reimplement them next spring. themustardseedinc.com

Eden Prairie Lifestyle | August 2020

Thank you TO ALL OUR AMAZING GUESTS FOR THE SUPPORT

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