APP FEATURED MEMBER! GINNY MUNGER KAHN

by Nancy E. Hassel, American Pet Professionals, Weekly Featured Member

Welcome to our weekly featured member of American Pet Professionals! This week, September 14, 2015 we feature Ginny Munger Kahn of Long Island Dog Owners Group (LI-DOG).

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to increase access to public parkland for LI dog owners and their dogs. Since our founding in 1998, we’ve built a successful track record of working with elected officials to get 10 new dog parks and 5 new on-leash dog walking trails opened.

Check out our fun Q&A interview with Ginny and her experience so far in the Pet Industry:

How long have you been in the Pet Industry?
LI-DOG was founded in 1998. I’ve been involved since 2002.
What drew you to the Pet Industry?
My love for dogs!
The best thing about your experience so far?
We’ve been able to have a positive effect on the lives of many dog owners and their dogs.
Are you a solo petrepreneur or do you have employees?
We are an all-volunteer organization.
If you could change/add/create ONE thing in the pet industry what would that be?
I would love to see the creation of a national organization that would support, promote and protect access to parks and beaches for dog owners around the country.
What is the most interesting thing about your business or rescue group?
The most interesting thing is how dogs are increasingly viewed as key to the health and well-being of people. This helps increase the status of dogs in our society and hopefully will help protect them better and allow more of them to lead good lives.
Do you set goals for you business? Weekly/Monthly/Quarterly/Yearly?
We set yearly goals.
Do you remember the last time you had a weekend off?
Yes, although a fair number of weekends are taken up with dog-related events, which is fun!
Your biggest complaint about the industry?
This is not the fault of the pet industry, but I wish we could once and for all deal with pet over population.
How many pets did you treat last week? Or pet clients did you cater too?
We believe we serve the interests of many dogs and their owners.
What is your advice to a young person joining the pet industry?
Be prepared to work hard!
Your favorite thing about your customers (i.e. pet parents).
That they love and care about their dogs as much as I love and care about my dogs.
What is the best thing you have done for your business to help you grow?
Three things–our email program, our Facebook Group and our Meetup Group. They’ve all worked to spread the word about who we are and what we do.
When did you realize that this industry was more fun/rewarding/compassionate (add your own!) than a previous industry you may have worked in?
I realized how much I loved what I did when I drove away from a field that had previously gone unused, but was now filled with people and dogs running and playing. That was the opening of the large dog run at West Hills Park on Long Island, NY.
If you weren’t in the pet industry – what other profession would you love to do?
I still love being a journalist. I just have a hard time finding enough time to do it!
What is your favorite cocktail of choice?
Cosmopolitan
Favorite book/movie/TV show?
The Better Angels of Our Nature: The Decline of Violence/Star Wars: A New Hope/House of Cards
Most amazing place you have been to on planet earth?
Yellowstone National Park
Favorite meal?
Pesto with penne pasta
When you were a kid, and someone asked, what did you want to be when you grow up? What was your answer?
Veterinarian
Favorite color?
Blue
Your favorite or most inspirational quote?
We hold these truths to be self-evident…that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights…
What is your: Dog/horse/cat/bird/lizard/bunny Breed of choice?
Golden Retrievers. They are so loving and attentive.
Hobbies you love that don’t involve pets, if any! 🙂
Eating out!
How many pets do you currently own?
2
Ginny is located on Long Island, NY and can be reached by email at lidog_news@yahoo.com or you can check out the LI-Dog website: www.lidog.org.
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