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February 23, 2012 <br />Elk River City Council <br />Planning Manager /Jeremy Barnhart, AICP <br />City Offices <br />Elk River, MN 55330 <br />Mr. Barnhart, <br />This letter explains my request for the City of Elk River to grant me a conditional use <br />pernut. I live at 11760 193rd Ave. N. W. Elk River, MN. I have 5 dogs that live with me <br />and I am asking for the conditional use permit to allow me to have them. Three of my <br />dogs are registered therapy dogs through "Therapy Dog International", these dogs are <br />registered Rottweilers. They visit hospitals, nursing homes and other special visits to <br />work with individuals. I have been involved.with Therapy Dog International for 15 <br />years. I myself am a certified evaluator for Therapy Dog International. I have <br />evaluated and tested over 3,000 dogs from Minnesota to Anchorage, Alaska. My other <br />two dogs are registered French Bulldogs. These two dogs are in training to become <br />therapy dogs. I use my dogs as therapy dogs, companions, AKC competition dogs in <br />(obedience, confirmation, sheep herding and carting). All of my dogs are very will <br />socialized. I have 4 grandchildren that interact with my dogs on a regular basis. I have <br />attached several pictures of my dogs in their normal life and therapy activities. <br />Myself, I am a licensed American Kennel Club judge for AKC dog shows, a certified <br />Canine Good Citizen Evaluator through the American Kennel Club and a certified <br />evaluator for Therapy Dog International. My occupation is the Vice President of <br />Operations for OSHA Environmental Compliance Systems, Inc.; we are an industrial <br />safety consulting organization. I have been with OECS, Inc. for 18 years. <br />My goal with dogs is to continue to work with organizations and individuals providing <br />them the service of dog companionship and therapy. Therapy dogs were used during the <br />days and months following the 911 disaster. They are important to the public and very <br />important to me. My French Bulldogs are really my buddies and will be great therapy <br />dogs in the future. <br />I am a responsible dog owner. I do not let my dogs out to run withp-~myself or a <br />member of my family out with them. My dogs are always in my fenced yard when <br />running free. If I take them outside my yard they are always on a leash. All my dogs are <br />current on their vaccinations "Therapy Dog International" requires this. They receive <br />annual health checks by my vet "All Pets" in Zimmerman, Minnesota. I do not take <br />short cuts with my dogs care, health or training. <br />