www.TheNewBarker.com reality sound bites. 18 THE NEW BARKER ELLIE, A GIFTED YOUNG LADY who happens to be on the autism spectrum, began baking dog treats for her own dog, Brady. Then, she started handing the treats out to families who had dogs in her Tampa neighborhood and a busi- ness blossomed. Brady, who is never far from Ellie’s side, is also her taste tester for every batch of treats she bakes. Brady’s Biscuits come in resealable bags, complete with label and an “Ellie’s Extra” personal note with a fun trivia fact about dogs.As her business grows, Ellie would like to employ indi- viduals, other kids with varying abilities, to work in all facets of the company. To order, call 813.765.8821. BradysBiscuits.org Smart Dogs With Great Taste. WE LOVE THIS NEW PROGRAM at SPCA Florida in Lakeland.First,it starts with a Doggie Day Date, onWednesdays,to make sure everyone is comfort- able. Dogs of all shapes, sizes and ages will be “rented” to those wanting to participate. This allows a dog who has been in the shelter for awhile to interact with spaces and people outside the adoption center. It will also give the dogs more exposure with potential adopters. Furthermore, many families and students cannot foster or adopt an animal.This gives those wanting animal interac- tions to plan a fun, safe adventure for their rented dog.There is no fee to participate. For more information, visit SPCAFlorida.org/RentADog or call 863.646.7722. I LEARNED EVERYTHING I needed to know about collaboration from Mary Poppins. Mainly, that working together can be fun and is usually always a better way to achieve one’s goals. In Manatee County, the rescue community is working together like never before.We are saving lives and having fun doing it. Our collabora- tions come in many forms, with the common goal of reducing the num- ber of homeless pets through spay/neuter, microchipping and adoptions.Whether we are educating the next generation of pet owners, raising funds for individual rescues or offering free services to the under- served, we find the element of fun. One of they key elements to change is education and Animal Network’s collaboration with Just for Girls is a big part of their efforts to stop the flow of pets into our shelters and res- cues. The program’s theme is “too much of a good thing,” and teaches the girls about the exponential effects of unsterilized pets.Although talking about homeless pets and overpopulation is a serious topic, we bring fun in the form of rescue pup- pies who romp with the girls at the end of the presentation.The students and staff all go home with a voucher for free spay, neuter and/or microchips which is made possible by collaboration with the Humane Society of Manatee County. AnimalNetworkInc.com In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun, you find the fun and snap the job’s a game. From Disney’s Mary Poppins 1964 Doggie Play Dates Help Shelter Dogs. For a photo essay by Heather Schulman, visit TheNewBarker.com and click on the image of Puck. Newly pledged Student Animal Advocates in Manatee County. March For Our Lives. #TimesUp. A Community’s Collaboration. –by Debra Starr Photograph by Heather Schulman