When Chrissy Joy was a young girl, she struggled with anxiety and depression.
“The only thing that really saved me was working with animals,” Joy said. “And I found a passion in working with dogs.”
She rescued her first dog, Beasley, seven years ago. It gave her a purpose in life. “And then I found out I was pretty good at it (working with dogs),” she said.
That’s an understatement because Beasley is now the 2021 International Trick Dog Champion. The Bone-A-Fied Talent Group’s stunt coach performs at Super Pet Expo 2022 at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison. The weekend exhibition runs until Sunday.
And it’s not just about dogs. There are butterflies, hermit crabs, turtles, cats, exotic birds and the Aisle of Alligators.
Friday, January 21, 2022 – Chrissy Joy, Manager of Bone-A-Fied Talent Group, Champion Stunt Dog Trainer, performs at Super Pet Expo 2022 at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison, now in its 21st year Year.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Joy now has three dogs and they have achieved international recognition, winning awards, holding records and appearing on television, films and in the press.
Beasley even stars in his own 2020 feature film called Agent Toby Barks.
Despite all the high-profile celebrities associated with her work with dogs, Joy is quick to point out, “It’s not just a circus act.
“We work hard to bond with our dogs in exchange for work that fulfills us both.
“We’re also ending with a message that any dog can start doing some of the things we did today… We want to make people feel like you can go and level up if you just have a little time with.” you spend better bonding than what you might already have.”
Friday, January 21, 2022 – Bone-A-Fied Talent Group trainer Chris McCauley, who is partnering with Pug “Petunia” at Super Pet Expo 2022 at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison, is now in his 21st year.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Friday, January 21, 2022 – Paul Fatum, 3, of Monroe, pet of Bone-A-Fied Talent Group’s famous dog “Whidbey” at Super Pet Expo 2022 at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison, is now in his 21st year . Year.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Friday, January 21, 2022 – Instead of running to the finish line, little dogs pause to get acquainted right after the start of a little dog race at Super Pet Expo 2022 at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison, dogs At right is Mary Zahn, right , who runs the Dachshund Races aka Wiener Dog Races at Super Pet Expo. Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Mary Zahn, along with her partner Sean Peyton, is hosting another crowd-pulling event at Super Pet Expo, Dachshund Races (a Vienna dog race), along with Small Mixed Breed Dog Breeds.
When you think of the cutthroat competition of greyhound racing in Florida that was banned over a year ago, think again.
“We joke that it’s like a social hour for the dachshunds,” says Zahn, “because they don’t really get it.
A family member leaves the dog to another, the catcher, 40 feet away.
Although there are some very determined dogs who will just whiz down the track to mom, Zahn admits, “We’ve had races where no dogs crossed the finish line because they were just happy, wagging their tails, just running around and everyone listening.” here and just confused but everyone enjoys it!”
As fun as it is on race day, Zahn takes her work with dachshunds seriously. In 2013, she co-founded an animal welfare organization that provided information and support on animal health issues specifically for dachshunds and other longback dogs.
Friday, January 21, 2022 – A CoolZoo.org macaw dunks a basketball at Super Pet Expo 2022 at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison, now in its 21st year.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Friday, January 21, 2022 — A cat responds to judge Barbara Kissinger (left) at Super Pet Expo 2022 at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison, now in its 21st year.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Friday, January 21, 2022 – Hermit crabs wearing football helmets “compete” on the grate at Super Pet Expo 2022 at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison, now in its 21st year.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Friday, January 21, 2022 – Super Pet Expo 2022 is entering its 21st year at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Friday, January 21, 2022 – Luka Denbin, 6, of Seaford, LI, pets famous dog “Oakley” from the Bone-A-Fied Talent Group at Super Pet Expo 2022 at the New Jersey Convention Center, in Edison is now in his 21st year.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Friday, January 21, 2022 — Jennie Schaeffer, 91, of Colonia, poses for a photo with famous dog “Oakley” from the Bone-A-Fied Talent Group at Super Pet Expo 2022 at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison, Is now in its 21st year.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Super Pet Expo 2022 will be held at the New Jersey Convention Center, 97 Sunfield Avenue, Edison.
Hours: Friday, January 21, 3:00pm-8:00pm; Saturday, January 22, 10am-7pm; Sunday, January 23, 10am-5pm
Tickets: One-Day Adult (12+) $15.00. One Day Child (4-11) $10.00. Weekend Pass (Adult) $20.00. (Child) $10.00. Children under 3 years free (one per adult). Some events require additional fees.
pets welcome; leashed pets are admitted free of charge. [No retractable leashes]
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Michael Mancuso can be reached at mmancuso@njadvancemedia.com