Episodes

  • Luca, Artemis and Otto

    Luca, Artemis and Otto
    Jan 16 2025
    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 and 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, activities such as yoga and aquatics training, obedience, and agility. This podcast is sure to tug on your heartstrings; just listen to how sweet this one dog is! Tune in to hear more from Michael and Melissa Novelli as they discuss their passion for helping needy pups. Get ready for an exciting episode of Pawtastic Friends - The Paw Talk! In this episode, we feature Luca, Artemis, and Otto. Michael and Melissa are advocates for animal welfare and the driving forces behind the Jordan's Way fundraiser, a pivotal event that ensures the financial viability of their rescue center. Michael views the fundraiser as an opportunity to rally community support, organizing engaging activities like games and challenges to help reach their ambitious $25,000 goal. Melissa shares this enthusiasm, emphasizing the fundraiser's critical role in covering operational costs and the potential impact of businesses matching donations. Both are committed to the broader mission of animal rescue, with Melissa's Foster Initiative Project highlighting the need for compassionate foster homes to transform the lives of dogs like Luca and Artemis. Quotes "Sometimes different is good." - Melissa Novelli "That's what this center was built for—for those moments when you can help change lives." - Michael Novelli It was such a transformation when I was watching on the camera and I saw this dog become everything he could be. I was like, wow, you know, Michael." - Melissa Novelli Resources: Pawtastic Friends Donate to Pawtastic Friends Pawtastic Friends on Instagram Pawtastic Friends on Facebook Jordan’s Way US Tour Jordan’s Way visit to Pawtastic Friend’s in Las Vegas
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    14 mins
  • Cody, Sweety and Lina

    Cody, Sweety and Lina
    Jan 9 2025
    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, and 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, activities such as yoga and aquatics training, obedience, and agility. This podcast is sure to tug on your heartstrings; just listen to how sweet this one dog is! Tune in to hear more from Michael and Melissa Novelli as they discuss their passion for helping needy pups. Get ready for an exciting episode of Pawtastic Friends – The Paw Talk! In this episode, we feature Cody, Sweety, and Lina. Dog adoption candidates, especially seniors, hold a unique place in the animal rescue world, offering both challenges and profound rewards to their adopters. They emphasize the need for a holistic approach to adoption, focusing on tailored training programs and the importance of matching dogs with compatible families. Michael highlights the significance of understanding each dog’s unique needs, ensuring that potential adopters are loving and patient families who can provide stable environments. Melissa advocates special care and attention for senior dogs, noting that older dogs like Cody and Sweetie thrive in active and warm family settings. Their collective dedication underscores the transformative impact of thoughtful adoption processes for dogs and their new families. Quotes “For seniors, what I love about our curriculum is they come and they work on balance, they work on mobility, they work on stretching, all things to keep them moving that are fun learning games to exercise the mind.” – Melissa Novelli “It’s A group class where they work on mobility, balance and stability. And so it gives them a chance to keep their body young and they’re mine young.” – Melissa Novelli “Very passionate. And what’s great is it’s fun. Everybody has fun.” Melissa Novelli Resources: Pawtastic Friends Donate to Pawtastic Friends Pawtastic Friends on Instagram Pawtastic Friends on Facebook Jordan’s Way US Tour Jordan’s Way visit to Pawtastic Friend’s in Las Vegas
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    10 mins
  • Linus, Katniss and Kanan

    Linus, Katniss and Kanan
    Dec 5 2024
    Welcome to Pawtastic Friends-The Paw Talk. In this podcast, host Tom Fox visits with Michael and Melissa Novelli, co-founders of Pawtastic Friends and 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, activities such as yoga and aquatics training, obedience, and agility. This podcast is sure to tug on your heartstrings; just listen to how sweet this one dog is! Tune in to hear more from Michael and Melissa Novelli as they discuss their passion for helping needy pups. Get ready for an exciting episode of Pawtastic Friends – The Paw Talk! In this episode, we feature Linus, Katniss, and Kanan. Michael and Melissa Novelli return to discuss the inspiring stories of rescue dogs Linus, Katniss, and Kanan. Linus, a senior dog, benefits from aquatic exercises to help with joint pain and muscle strength. Katniss has found a loving foster home where she thrives but needs to be the only dog. Kanan, now happily adopted, had an extended stay in boarding before finding his forever home. The episode concludes with valuable guidelines for dog owners on making the holiday season less stressful for pets, including food safety tips and advice on avoiding anxiety-inducing situations. Additionally, the hosts highlight the importance of donations and available swag on the Pawtastic Friends site to support their life-changing rescue center. Quotes: “If they are afraid, don’t put them in the situation. Don’t set them up to fail.” Michael Novelli “I think it’s important that, you know, there’s lots of ways to celebrate and you can celebrate, you know, with dog toys. I don’t think rawhides. No, rawhides, toys. You should supervise them.” Melissa Novelli “And I’m one with the snacks. But, you know, how about making them their own little holiday dinner, like some boiled chicken and some steamed carrots and some steamed green beans and maybe some pumpkin.” – Melissa Novelli “So like I said, there’s always ways to celebrate. You just have to be smart about.” – Melissa Novelli Resources: Pawtastic Friends Donate to Pawtastic Friends Pawtastic Friends on Instagram Pawtastic Friends on Facebook Pawtastic Friends-Hope for the Holiday
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    13 mins
  • Jax, Nova and Rome

    Jax, Nova and Rome
    Nov 21 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 Jax, Nova and Rome. Michael and Melissa Novelli are back to discuss the inspiring journeys of three rescue dogs: Jax, Nova, and Rome. Melissa shares heartwarming details about Jax, a lovable three-year-old pit bull, describing his sweet disposition and the joy he brings to everyone he meets. The importance of their Boarding Buddies program, which provides quality time, and essential walks for rescue dogs, is also emphasized. Michael then discusses Nova, a high-energy 13-month-old brown lab who loves swimming and is currently with their partner, Crazy for Paws. As Nova waits for her forever home, the importance of spaying and neutering pets to control the pet population is highlighted. Finally, Melissa shares the happy tale of Rome, a rescue dog who recently found his forever home after receiving confidence-building training, showcasing the impact of their facility and programs. In a heartwarming conclusion, the episode announces a special fundraiser in honor of Melissa's birthday, inviting listeners to contribute to the ongoing support of rescue dogs. Listeners are encouraged to adopt rather than shop for pets, to sponsor dogs, and to share the message to reach a broader audience. Quotes "He is kind of like one of those guys that just happy go, lucky, goes with the flow." - Melissa Novelli "It's not just a simple dog walk. It's just that you're helping this dog on its journey." - Melissa Novelli "When you get those happy stories like that, it makes it all worthwhile." Michael Novelli Resources Pawtastic Friends Donate to Pawtastic Friends Pawtastic Friends on Instagram Pawtastic Friends on Facebook Pawtastic Friends-Hope for the Holiday
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    11 mins
  • Queen, Cheba and Fanta

    Queen, Cheba and Fanta
    Nov 14 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 and 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, activities such as yoga and aquatics training, obedience, and agility. This podcast is sure to tug on your heartstrings; listen to how sweet this one dog is! Tune in to hear more from Michael and Melissa Novelli as they discuss their passion for helping needy pups. Get ready for an exciting episode of Pawtastic Friends – The Paw Talk! In this episode, we feature Queen, Cheba, and Fanta. The annual fundraiser ‘Hope for the Holidays,’ organized by Pawtastic Friends, is a cherished community event to support rescue dogs and raise awareness for breast cancer. Tom is particularly enthusiastic about the event’s family-engaging features, such as Santa Claus taking pictures with dogs and local vendors, which not only entertain but also foster a strong community spirit. Michael also highlights the family-friendly nature of the fundraiser, emphasizing its role in educating children about dog rescue and celebrating the positive impact of such initiatives. Melissa underscores the importance of matching rescue dogs with the right families, sharing inspiring stories like Hope’s successful adoption to emphasize the joy these connections can bring. Their perspectives reveal a deep commitment to animal welfare and community engagement, making ‘Hope for the Holidays’ a heartwarming and impactful event. Quotes: “She’s got that sweet personality, she’s energetic, but she’s also got that spicy side.” – Melissa Novelli “This facility costs about $250,000 a year to run. And we do it on fundraisers and the generosity of people.” – Michael Novelli Resources: Pawtastic Friends Donate to Pawtastic Friends Pawtastic Friends on Instagram Pawtastic Friends on Facebook Pawtastic Friends-Hope for the Holiday
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    13 mins
  • Chance, Shakira and Hope

    Chance, Shakira and Hope
    Oct 3 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 Chance, Shakira and Hope. The annual fundraiser 'Hope for the Holidays,' organized by Pawtastic Friends, is a cherished community event aimed at supporting rescue dogs and raising awareness for breast cancer. Tom is particularly enthusiastic about the event's family-engaging features, such as Santa Claus taking pictures with dogs and local vendors, which not only entertain but also foster a strong community spirit. Michael also highlights the family-friendly nature of the fundraiser, emphasizing its role in educating children about dog rescue and celebrating the positive impact of such initiatives. Melissa underscores the importance of matching rescue dogs with the right families, sharing inspiring stories like Hope's successful adoption to emphasize the joy these connections can bring. Collectively, their perspectives reveal a deep commitment to both animal welfare and community engagement, making 'Hope for the Holidays' a heartwarming and impactful event. Quotes "Unfortunately, you know, some of these dogs get to, like, five, six, seven years old, and people don't want to give them a chance. And you know what? You should. They have a lot of life left and a lot of love to give you." – Melissa Novelli "It can be an important part of the process if the family already has a dog, because I really think it helps both the dog that's already been adopted and then the one you're adopting to, to really help socialize so people not want to think about that and use the facility to do that." Michael Novelli "Well, and that's why we have some educating classes before about explaining rescue to kids families. And everybody thinks it's cool to go buy a dog at a pet store. But the rescues are full of wonderful dogs." – Michael Novelli Resources Pawtastic Friends Donate to Pawtastic Friends Pawtastic Friends on Instagram Pawtastic Friends on Facebook
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    11 mins
  • Otto, Marchy and Alex

    Otto, Marchy and Alex
    Sep 26 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 Otto, Marchy and Alex. Otto and Marchy have both captured Melissa's heart with their endearing personality and eagerness to learn during their training at a rescue facility. Tom asks about the dog's potential. Both Michael and Melissa praise Otto and Marchy’s his transformation from reluctance to engagement and emphasizing his need for a caring adult home that can provide him with adventures and companionship. Their experiences at the rescue facility, witnessing Otto and Marchy's progress firsthand, shape their perspective that love, care, and engaging activities can profoundly impact the lives of rescue dogs, highlighting Otto and Marchy as perfect candidates for a fur-ever family. Quotes "At first, he just wanted to go to the door to leave the arena. And then afterwards, he really connected with Jenny and the engagement of watching him be a dog and play with ball and, you know, tug toys and going up and down the ramp and the a-frame and seeing him really absorb all the information she was sharing with him, it was just so awesome." - Melissa Novelli "It's so fun to watch them actually play and, you know, come out of their shell and to really shine their personalities." - Melissa Novelli "We don't charge anybody. We're just looking to raise some money to, you know, fund our enrichment training center." - Michael Novelli Resources Pawtastic Friends Donate to Pawtastic Friends Pawtastic Friends on Instagram Pawtastic Friends on Facebook
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    10 mins
  • Hercules, Angelina and Prince

    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
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    11 mins