Day care des moines ia: A parents’ guide to daycares

What Our Customers Are Saying

We have been taking our pooch Pancake to Ankeny Bark Avenue for doggie day care and grooming for the past three years. We are so lucky to have the caring staff at Bark Avenue. Over the past three years they have been so accommodating when needed grooming, and eager to say hello to Pancake when she comes through the door! Pancake loves going to doggie day care so much so that when we take the Ankeny exit she starts jumping back and forth from the front seat to the back howling. I can’t even get the car in park and she is trying to get to the front door. As we anticipated our newest addition to the family Ankeny Bark Avenue offered such great care for our dog as we transitioned out little family. They were always there to take Pancake and run her when she was stir crazy, and needing to get away from the little baby!

• Jenna-Pancake’s Mom

Frequently Asked Questions

What vaccinations are required for daycare?
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To keep our daycare guests safe and healthy, we require all dogs be up to date on vaccinations for rabies, distemper combo, and Bordetella.

Do you require reservations for daycare?
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Your dog’s safety is most important to us. We maintain the best level of staffing every day, keeping our group sizes down and supervision top notch. Therefore, we do require reservations so we can plan accordingly.

How can I make my reservation?
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Please call us at your preferred location to book your pet’s spot in daycare!

My dog doesn’t like to play with other dogs, would they still enjoy daycare?
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We appreciate that some dogs would rather play with people than with the “pack. ” Our personal play program includes one-on-one playtime with a staff member so your pup can have tons of fun doing whatever they like most. They’ll enjoy all the fun of our play yards, pools, playground and toys while soaking up the undivided attention of a caregiver.

Can I come in for a tour?
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Yes, we’d love for you to see our resort. Please visit us during our operating hours to go on a guided tour with a knowledgeable staff member.

Do you require a trial evaluation?
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We keep our daycare program as safe as possible by ensuring our guests are comfortable with a social play environment. Your dog’s first day is a required “meet and greet” ($32.95) where we get to observe your pet’s preferred play styles and determine if they’re a good fit for the group. If your pup seems to prefer playing with the staff, we have a personal play program just for dogs like him/her.

What will my dog be doing at daycare?
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The short answer is—whatever makes them happy! We provide a safe place, fun toys, and room to roam, and the dogs choose what to do next. Whether it’s romp across the yard, explore the playground, splash in the pool or nap in the sun, daycare at Bark Avenue where dogs rule—with total supervision, of course.

When can I drop off and pick up my pet?
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You can drop off or pick any time during our daycare hours. We’re open for daycare Monday through Friday from 7am-6pm and Saturdays from 8am-4pm and Sundays from 2pm-5pm.

Do you offer daycare packages?
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Yes! Daycare is most beneficial to dogs who visit on a regular basis. We offer discounted daycare packages so your dog can make the most out of daycare while you enjoy the savings.

Can I add more activities to my dog’s day?
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Yes, we are happy to put together a custom package to meet your pet’s needs and desires. Just give us a call and we’ll set up your pet’s perfect day.

Stavropol and Des Moines: sister city diplomacy

In 2017 we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of brotherly relations

Alexander PlotnikovGuests from Des Moines presented original gifts to A. Dzhatdoev

The foundation of good contacts between our two cities was laid back in 1992 when the parties signed the Agreement on the establishment of friendly relations between the sister cities of Stavropol and Des Moines. Andrey Dzhatdoev, welcoming the guests, recalled that over the past almost 25 years (next year we will celebrate the quarter-century anniversary of twinning), Russian and American official delegations have visited each other more than once. Each time, the topics of the meetings were different: they got acquainted with the organization of the work of the legislative and executive branches of local government, more than once they had to exchange experience in the field of public utilities, transport, and housing construction.

But cooperation in the field of education developed especially intensively. Representatives of business circles and commercial structures of Stavropol and Des Moines participated in joint seminars, in Des Moines an internship was organized for the heads of educational institutions of the city of Stavropol. They studied the structure of education management, the principles and methods of intra-school control, the system of searching, selecting and training talented youth. Official contacts in the educational field have turned over time into specific programs. For example, our guys from the Poisk center went to Des Moines to study – to schools and private Drake University.

Andrey Dzhatdoev: “When many children are born in the city, it means that the city is confident in the future”

Andrey Dzhatdoev warmly recalled his trip to America in 2013 as part of the visit of the official delegation of the city of Stavropol. Then the Stavropol delegation was received by the governor of the state. The head of the administration of our city and the mayor of Des Moines signed the Plan of cooperation between sister cities for 2013-2015, which involves the exchange of experience in the work of local governments, socio-cultural and informational interaction. The delegation of Stavropol then paid special attention to the improvement of the sister city.

– I remember very well that flower garden from the airport, which one of the Des Moines organizations is engaged in, – said A. Dzhatdoev, and it was obvious how pleasant it was to hear this from our guests. – Our enterprises are also quite actively involved in these processes: they are building avenues, landscaping squares – all together we are trying to make our city even more beautiful.

During the meeting, Andrey Dzhatdoev briefly told the guests about the development of Stavropol:

– Since our last meeting, the city of Stavropol has grown by 30,000 people. A lot of children are born in Stavropol, so all demographic processes look good. In my opinion, when many children are born, this indicates the normal social well-being of people – it means that they are confident in the future. I think we all want to see these processes in this way. But children who are born must go to kindergartens and schools. Last year, thanks to the support of the Governor of the Stavropol Territory, V. Vladimirov, we had three kindergartens that accepted about 600 children, and two modern schools were built.

Alexander Plotnikov A photo in memory of the warm welcome in the administration of Stavropol.

– I can’t help but brag: in 2014 (exactly one year after our last meeting) Stavropol was recognized at the All-Russian competition as the most comfortable city in Russia. By the way, we once again submitted documents for this competition, because the anniversary of the city is approaching – in 2017 we will celebrate 240 years since the founding of Stavropol. We hope that we celebrate with dignity.

I believe, – continued A. Dzhatdoev, – that today the mayor’s office has managed to establish contact with both society and business. Now in Russia, in our city, there is a peak of political activity – in September we will have elections: there will be new deputies in the country, region and city, they will confirm their legitimacy and acting…

The American delegation brought original gifts to the head of the city administration, and Andrey Dzhatdoev presented our guests with his own – related to the history and development of our city.

The meeting with the leadership of the Stavropol city administration ended, and the work of the Des Moines delegation began with a sightseeing tour of Stavropol. In the future, the program is expected to be rich: the guests will visit the universities of Stavropol, visit the Stavropol State Historical, Cultural and Natural Landscape Museum-Reserve named after G. N. Prozritelev and G. K. Prava, visit one of the kindergartens in the city, Lyceum No. will see sports and cultural centers. They will take home, to America, a lot of impressions. And, quite possibly, both sides will begin to determine common events for the anniversary of cooperation between the two cities – Des Moines from America and Stavropol – from Russia. “Sister City Diplomacy” will turn 25 years old, and this is already a serious date!

Dzhatdoev, delegation, administration of Stavropol, twin cities

Interview with Father Ignat – Russian Cultural Center

Hello, Fr. Ignat. Thank you for agreeing to give an interview to the Russian Cultural Center.

Are you a native Texan?

Something like that. I was actually born in Des Moines, Iowa, but grew up between Iowa and San Antonio, Texas. My dad was a meteorologist and my childhood was spent between these two states. I’ve always considered San Antonio my home, so deep down I’m a true Texan!

— How did you get interested in Orthodoxy?

For several years I was an Anglican priest, then I was engaged in administrative work. When I started reading the Acts of the Apostles and early Christian patristic literature, I realized that I wanted to belong to the apostolic church. Anglicanism has moved too far away from it. First, I converted to Western Rite Orthodoxy, and then moved to Eastern Rite — the rest is history!

— Why did you choose the Russian branch of Orthodoxy?

I have thoroughly studied various Orthodox jurisdictions. ROCOR seemed to me the most open to non-Russian priests and their families, but the main thing is that the Russian Church has the most complete liturgical practice, without abbreviations and changes in services. We were also cordially received and loved in the parish of the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos in Pflugerville, where the then rector Fr. Aidan Keller taught me to celebrate the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.

— Your whole family has accepted Orthodoxy together with you. Was this step as organic for mother as it was for you?

Mother’s family goes back to the Volga Germans. Her father speaks excellent Russian and German. We like Russian cuisine. Because mother grew up in the Russian-German ethnic tradition, the transition to Orthodoxy was natural for her. Mother and I were both brought up in the Catholic faith, but the liberal progressive tendencies of the Roman Catholic Church were unacceptable to us, so conversion to Orthodoxy was easy and natural for both of us. After the ordination, I anointed my mother in Orthodoxy with the name of Apollonius and my son with the name of Job. Our daughter Anna (Mo) has already been born into an Orthodox family. She is the first native Orthodox of our parish.

— How did the parish of St. Andrew the First-Called begin its existence?

Our parish has its origins in a portable bag with Chalice and Patekos from India. We still use them, although we will soon acquire new ones, and these will be transferred to another mission. We also had a small icon of the Savior, a stole and a Gospel. We served wherever we were allowed to. At first it was me and my family. When we finally rented our premises (three years ago), our first iconostasis was printouts of the icons of the Savior and the Virgin, placed on folding chairs, and the “altar” was a folding table placed on a dais (I am tall, 196 cm, so I had to make the “altar” higher).

My mother and I began to collect and build the church literally piece by piece, most often on weekends (we both work full time). Gradually, benches for a meal, kliros began to appear. Our church is still under construction. Now I can’t even believe that there was an empty room here, and before that wanderings with a knapsack and a portable altar…

— Who chose the patron saint for your church?

I chose St. Andrew the First-Called because it seemed to me more than appropriate to establish a church in the name of the first disciple of Christ, the first Orthodox parish among Catholics and Baptists. When we moved into our building, the first Liturgy we tracked was in honor of St. Andrew, at the end of November 2017. Several priests from our diocese came to co-serve. In 2019, on our patronal feast, Archbishop Peter, four priests and dozens of faithful visited us.

– How old is your church?

I was ordained by Metropolitan Hilarion at St. Nicholas Monastery in Florida on August 31, 2013. I consider this year the beginning of our temple. As we approach the eighth anniversary of its existence, I never cease to be amazed at how much we have grown spiritually and physically. Now we are part of the city community. Being located in the center of Lockhart, we mark our presence with services and religious processions, drawing attention to Holy Orthodoxy!

– You have double paternity: you are a priest and a parent. What are the similarities and differences in these forms of paternity?

Interestingly, my fatherhood in the priesthood happened long before I became a parent. My interest in starting a mission was a bit selfish: I wanted to start a church where I could serve God and bring my children to Him. Over the past few years, I have had spiritual children. Some are older than me. In the priesthood, as in biological fatherhood, care for spiritual children is manifested, but on a different level. As a parent, I have to discipline my children. The same is true to some extent of spiritual guidance. The main thing is to serve as a positive example for both biological and spiritual children, to make them feel that they are loved and cared for. We all make mistakes and we all learn from them. Through them we grow together in faith and gain life experience.

— What do you like most about being a father?

I love introducing children to something new and watching their reaction, seeing the fascination and surprise in their eyes! In teaching, this is the “aha!” moment when an elusive concept is understood. My children are approaching the age when their vital interests are formed, a life vector is chosen, and the realization comes that knowledge is a gift.

— What is the most difficult thing about fatherhood for you?

The most difficult thing for me is being away from my family for a long time. Since I am a priest by vocation, I am not paid a salary, I have to work two jobs to support my family and the church. I became a priest to serve God, this is not a job, but a calling. I like it. Even if I were paid a salary as a priest, I would give it to the temple. In addition to my professorship (I teach ethics, philosophy and religion), I am a business consultant. I have to go on business trips, sometimes for a week. I miss my mother and children, but coming home is worth it.

– Tell us a little about your children. How old are they?

My son Jake (baptized Job) is in the fourth grade and is 9 years old. He enjoys reading, playing and spending time outdoors practicing archery, skateboarding and cycling. Daughter Mary Opal (we call her Mo, Anna in baptism) is 6 years old, she is a first grader. She loves to sing and play with dolls and soft toys, and she also really wants to keep up with her brother everywhere. Both my son and daughter willingly help me in church, they like to work in the garden, take care of pets, and cook. I love to read to my children in the evenings. I started reading aloud to them when they were babies, and have continued this tradition ever since. We have many books. There are bookshelves in every room. Mother and I are insatiable bookworms and we try to instill a love of reading in children.

— How are your children like you?

Mother, probably, would say that it is stubbornness and self-confidence, but these qualities they have from both of us. Like me, my children are fascinated by God’s world, always eager to learn something new, get new experiences, and share their knowledge and resources with others.

— What is your favorite pastime?

Matushka is a rhetoric teacher, so she often attends competitions and weekend debates. The kids and I are bachelors during her business trips. We shower early, put on pajamas, order pizza and watch a movie. This is our old tradition. And, of course, reading at night – they especially like to listen to Dr. Suess when I follow the rhythm and expressively change voices.

— How were you as a child: quiet and thoughtful or active?

A little bit of everything. I have always liked being alone with a book. It’s hard to believe, but I’m an introvert when I don’t have to be an extrovert in church or during lectures. As a child, I was happy to be alone at home with a good book, especially if it was a book by Robert Howard or Edgar Rice Burroughs. Although I also liked to build some kind of hut in the forest with my father. As a child, I was also involved in various sports: swimming (until graduating from university), fencing, gymnastics, I have several black belts in martial arts.

— What was your most memorable Father’s Day gift?

We do not give gifts on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. We just love spending time together. For example, going to Fredricksburg or Branham, or “home” to San Antonio, seeing the sights, eating at restaurants where I used to go as a child.