Adult Recreation

Dog/Puppy Essentials

We’re busy people. We’ve got other priorities. Dog training can feel like One. More. Thing. But, you want a dog you can live with, be proud of, and about which others glowingly remark “What a great dog!” This class shows you how to have a happy, confident, well-behaved dog. It consists of 3 important skills: practical straight-up obedience (don’t drag me down the street, come when I call, etc.), life skills (don’t jump on my friends, chill out, etc.), and understanding your dog’s body language.
Instructor: Deb Helfrich, Gold Star Dog Training

18+ | Memorial Hall
Wed. October 28-December 9 | 6:00-7:00 PM
OR
Sat, November 7-December 12 | 10-11 AM
$145 Essex/$152 Non-Essex

This class is a pre-requisite for Therapy Dog Academy class.

Therapy Dog Academy

Prerequisite: Permission from the instructor or prior participation in a Gold Star class.

So, your dog wants to be a therapy dog? Well, we’ve got a course for that! This 6-week course gives dogs and handlers the necessary skills for not only passing the test but also for working successfully as a therapy dog team.

18+ | Memorial Hall
Wed. October 28-December 9 | 7:30-8:30 PM
$150 Essex/$157 Non-Essex

This class is a pre-requisite for Therapy Dog Academy class.

Beyond Basic Dog Obedience

This class takes your training to the next level. What's the next level? Well, that's the beauty of this class- you decide! Like many exercise classes that show you various intensity levels of a given exercise, this class shows you the basic, intermediate, and advanced version of each exercise. The emphasis is on what you want to achieve with your dog within the exercises we teach, and then giving you the instruction and proper exercises to achieve your goals. Instructor: Deb Helfrich, Gold Star Dog Training

18+ | Memorial Hall
Sat, November 7 - December 12 | 11:15AM-12:15PM
$120 Essex/$127 Non-Essex

Reflecting on our Identities & Enhancing a Sense of Belonging

This four-part interactive, virtual workshop series will include large group conceptual teaching with multiple small group breakaway sessions aimed at fostering deeper level exploration of your racial, cultural, and ethnic identity development. Each workshop will build upon the previously discussed content and promote an increased understanding of the intersection of our multiple identities, racial socialization, and systemic racism. Concepts of cultural humility, cultural opportunities (or missed opportunities), and cultural courage are central to this multicultural training.

Sessions will be held online. Access information will be provided after registration. Scholarships are available and the scholarship form can be found at essexrec.org/805/Scholarship-Information

Ages 18 + | Online
Wed, October 28, November 4, 11 and Thursday, November 19 | 6-7 pm
$100

Instructor: Dr. Marissa Coleman