Jennifer Winkelman’s passion for pups is seen both in her training work and her philanthropic efforts Story by Samantha Pogue • Photos by Julie Smith In the late ‘90s, Jennifer and her family faced one of the hardest times in their lives. After fighting a more than 20-year battle with cancer, Jennifer’s...
Capital City CASA therapy dog Olive has helped 100-plus children Story by Samantha Pogue Since 2016, a young 16-year-old teenage girl has worked with the Capital City Court-Appointed Special Advocates(CASA), which connects children in the legal system who have been abused, neglected or found in...
Donna and Michael Deetz’s 1860s home receives Historic Landmark status Story by Samantha Pogue • Photos by Julie Smith Donna Deetz has loved history, its preservation and its celebration her whole life. A St. Louis native and well traveled U.S. resident, she and her husband Michael ultimately...
Animals of all kinds find sanctuary at Where Pigs Fly Farm and Pigs Aloft Museum Story and photos by Sally Ince “When pigs fly” is what Cindy Brenneke told her brother years ago when he asked when she would return to the farm life. Yet, her love for animals did exactly that. Cindy grew up on a farm...
JC Animal Shelter volunteers help animals find their forever homes Story by Samantha Pogue • Photos by Julie Smith It was hard to peel 8-year-olds Raylee and Paelynn Stark, and their 4-year-old brother Graham, away from a playful young pup named Ivy. They relished in a game of fetch, running and receiving...
3 sisters ask you to ‘Break the Code’ Story and photos by Samantha Pogue It’s a door. From the outside, it causes anticipation, excitement, and nervousness. Once opened, a completely different realm awaits, as well as a flood of new emotions. Perhaps it is a medieval laboratory, riddled...
By Dr. Mar Doering, All Paws Medical & Behavioral Center I have lived my life surrounded by pets and it has changed me for the better. I have been a veterinarian for 39 years now, but I decided to pursue a career in veterinary medicine when I was only 4 years old. As a veterinarian I have...
Exotic critters make unique companions Story and photos by Josie Musico Tom McDowell loves his snakes. The former Paradise Pets owner and his wife, Racheal, still keep about 20 of the slithery reptiles, plus a handful of other exotic critters. “We care for all of them just like they were our only...
Papa’s Cat Café in Columbia set to open in June Story by Sally Ince Cat cafés have been on the rise in the United States for the past few years, but one has still yet to be established in Mid-Missouri. That is until now. When Ryan Kennedy and his family visited a cat café in Seoul, South...
Lisa Silvey’s classroom pets engage her kindergartners in education Story by Samantha Pogue • Photos by Julie Smith As the more than 25 children in longtime kindergarten teacher Lisa Silvey’s class sang “1, 2, 3, Jesus Loves Me,” faint whistles matched the unified melody. It wasn’t accompanying...
