New businesses offer unique services to community

Two new businesses have joined the owner-operated selection of small establishments which make up most of Pahrump’s economy.

Desert Dog Agility, located on the south end of the valley at 1920 Santovito St., provides a great way to get exercise, both for the dog and its owner. Debra Sanson said she has been in the dog and handler-training business for six years and been competing in agility trials for five of them.

“Agility exercises are good for dogs, especially those with high energy,” Sanson said. “It’s good for them to be mentally stimulated and keeps them in good shape.”

She said the owners get a bit of a workout as well. “It’s not just for the dogs. The owners must learn how to get the dogs to work the agility obstacle course, offer encouragement and reward successes.”

The facility offers various jumps and a teeter-totter, A-frame ramps and crawl-through tunnels. There is also a set of short flagpoles, where the dog must navigate the ins and outs in specified order or patterns.

According to Wikipedia, “In competitive agility trials, the handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. Dogs run off leash with no food or toys as incentives, and the handler can touch neither dog nor obstacles. Consequently the handler’s controls are limited to voice, movement and various body signals, requiring exceptional training of the animal and coordination of the handler.”

Sanson has eight Australian shepherds which she not only shows but can use them as a teaching tool for those new to agility exercises.

The facility, which opened June 9, offers all levels of training from puppies through advanced and include basic commands like “sit,” “stay” and “down.”

Sanson’s prices are affordable. She said owners need to be careful with training young dogs because the tissues are still soft. “We use smaller, less complicated versions of the obstacle course for them. They get the exercise and the idea, but it doesn’t cause any damage.”

Right now, Sanson is offering a two-week introductory class for $30. “It gives people a chance to come out and see if they like it and see if their dog likes it.” Morning classes are from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and evening classes are offered from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. Private classes are available as well.

Sanson’s motto, “A happy dog is a tired dog.” Call 702-771-0273 for additional information.

Pay-It-Forward Bargain Bin is another new business set to open July 1 at 1601 E. Basin Ave., Suites 103 and 104.

In an interview, one of the first things owner Debbie Cullen said was, “I don’t need to work. I’m doing this for the community. Giving back is my passion.”

“I’ve done this almost my entire life. I have five boys, and have always clothed them from second-hand stores. With this economy, I just want to help people get what they need at very low prices.

The principle of her store is to gather donations from yard sale leftovers, moving sales, and also from her own contacts developed in California for Levi’s, Dickey and other manufacturing companies.

“I take the donations, sort through them for stains, holes, stitching and other imperfections. I keep the best items for resale and donate the rest to shelters or places that give away clothing and other items.”

Cullen said she has already contacted the NyE Communities Coalition Crises Outreach program and is looking into working with some local churches.

“The remaining goods are sold at literally rock bottom prices. Blouses and shirts will go for .99 cents and pants and jeans for $1.99. Even the new clothing I get from distributors is priced the same way. New Levis go for upwards of $40. They can still be purchased at Pay-It-Forward for $1.99.”

She said children’s clothing will be as low as 50 cents and nothing in the store will be over $4.99, including furniture.

Cullen said she ran one of the second-hand stores in California for three years. With the proceeds, she was able to provide backpacks for over 50 students, school supplies and other items.

In California, Cullen was getting estate donations which included gold jewelry. “I sold it at rock bottom prices, too. Everyone gets a good deal on something they want and can afford.”

She said she may hold antiques and other over-the-top collectibles for a charity auction at a later date with proceeds going to a charity she has yet to decide upon. “It feels wonderful to be able to give back.”

Cullen said she moved here 13 years ago but left for California due to an illness in the family. She is back now, and furnishing her 2,200-foot store for the grand opening with items she had in the California store as well as helping her sister, also in California, set up a Pay-It-Forward.

Cullen is seeking donations of clothing, ladies’ accessories, shoes, kitchen utensils and housewares, bedding and linens and items left from yard sales. She said she will not accept donations of firearms.

“I clean everything useful and immediately turn it back to the community.”

She said there will be military discount days as well as those for senior citizens over 50 and senior students. Call 775-297-6066 for more information.