Dogs enjoy Easter Sniffari Hunt at Lake Park

Ashton & Co. K9 Academy LLC hosted the first ACo Easter Sniffari Hunt at Lake Park. The goal behind it was to encourage dog owners to slow down and let their dogs do what they’re naturally designed to do: sniff.

"Sniffing isn’t just a fun activity for dogs; it’s how they process the world around them," said Ashton Metheny, company owner. "It provides mental enrichment, builds confidence, and helps reduce stress and anxiety. So often on walks, we rush our dogs or discourage them from stopping to sniff, when in reality that’s one of the most beneficial things we can allow them to do."

The event was designed as a guided sniffing course where dogs could search for treat-filled Easter eggs along a mapped path. It gave owners the opportunity to step back, let their dogs problem-solve and enjoy the experience together instead of rushing from point A to point B.

"As a trainer it was also important to me to create a space where both current clients and new faces could come together, connect and learn in a low-pressure, fun environment," Metheny said. "We had an incredible turnout for our first year, with 61 dogs and over 120 people in attendance."