Jennifer McGhee

Julio the Chihuahua and his owner Ellie Rosenstein were fan favorites at University Villages recent dog parade and contest to celebrate the opening of the communitys new Waggin Tails dog park. Julio took home the prize for Best Dressed.

Jennifer McGhee

Jackson, a four-year-old chocolate lab, earned the award for Most Obedient at University Villages recent dog contest. Jackson and his owner, Dave Allen, sported a matching blue hat and bandana for the dog parade.

Residents Celebrate with Contest and ParadeTHOUSAND OAKS, CALIF. - Julio the Chihuahua wore a tiny sombrero and serape, while Jackson the chocolate Labrador sported a snappy blue bandana and Abby, another Lab, wore a Hawaiian lei. All in all, more than 20 canines of all shapes and sizes enjoyed "puttin' on the dog" for the human residents at University Village Thousand Oaks during the retirement community's recent dog contest and parade.

Ranging from Chihuahuas and Yorkshire terriers to Cairn terriers, Lhasa Apsos, Staffordshire terriers, poodles, schnauzers and even a Coton de Tulear, the dogs strutted down Streamside Lane and around University Village's grassy park before an appreciative audience of residents from the community. Charlie, a 3-1/2-year-old cockapoo, took home the gold as the "Top Dog," with six-year-old Julio earning the "Best Dressed" award. Jackson, well-behaved at four years old, was "Most Obedient," while 1-1/2-year old Bradley, the Staffordshire terrier, won "Best Trick" with his ability to sit, come, stay and fetch.

The parade and contest highlighted the official dedication ceremony for the new "Waggin' Tails" dog park at University Village.

According to Warren Spieker, vice president of University Village, the park reflects the community's open-door policy toward pets and an understanding of the role animals play in fostering long-term health and happiness for seniors.

"Many of the residents are pet owners and we have a major need for this type of recreational area," Spieker said. "We chose to build our own dog park so the residents and their dogs could enjoy the benefits of daily exercise and social interaction without having to leave the community."

According to Spieker, studies have shown that dog parks make for happier, better-adjusted dogs from a psychological standpoint.

"Dogs - like people - are highly social and their instinct is to run in a pack," he explained. "Dog parks provide them with the opportunity to interact and exercise with other dogs, ultimately making them better companions for their owners."

Nearly 50 dogs currently live at University Village. The retirement community allows new residents to move in with their dogs, cats, birds and other small pets as long as the animals are compatible with others living in the community.

"I always get a giggle when I tell people that we actually interview the dogs before they move in to make sure they mix well with other residents and pets living in the community," Spieker explained.

He said that University Village based its pet policy on the overwhelming evidence that pet ownership lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, increases daily exercise, and improves people's sense of well-being, among other benefits.

University Village Thousand Oaks is located in Thousand Oaks, Calif., at 3415 Campus Dr. on the northwest corner of Campus Drive and Olsen Road just north of California Lutheran University. For more information on the community, please call University Village at 800-671-8509 or visit the Web site at UVTO.com.

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