Pedis & Paws

Pampr’d Soul nail salon in Scottsdale is hosting a special fundraiser, Pedis & Paws, on Jan. 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event will support Oakley’s Oath, a local non-profit organization. Dog owners are invited to bring their dogs with them for a special day of pampering at the salon. There will be a dog nail trimming station, pet photo station, dog treat sampling station, a live DJ, food and drinks, great raffle items, and a pet adoption area. All manicure and pedicure services booked on Jan. 27 will also be offered at 10% off. Pampr’d Soul will donate 10% of all nail services from the event and future booked appointments from the event to Oakley’s Oath – a local, non-profit organization that was founded in 2021 by Julie Kessler of Scottsdale after the Kessler family lost one of their beloved dogs, Oakley, to an accidental drowning at their home. The tragedy occurred when repair work was being done on their roof and the roofing contractor had placed a lightweight, clear plastic tarp over the pool. When Oakley went into the backyard, he accidentally fell through the plastic tarp and drowned. “Our mission now with Oakley’s Oath is to educate and inform homeowners and home contractors all across the U.S. about the crucial importance of keeping pets and children safe whenever home repairs or building work is being done on the home,” Julie Kessler, owner of Oakley’s Oath, said in a press release. “We provide contractors and homeowners with common sense guidelines and reminders that help keep everyone safe. Oakley’s Oath is named after the oath that we ask contractors to make to remind themselves and their clients about safety whenever they work on a home.” Tickets are $10 or may also be purchased at the door. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit eventbrite.com.

Oakley’s Oath teams up with Scottsdale’s Pampr’d Soul

By Cyrus Guccione It’s been nearly three years since the Kessler family’s beloved Shih Tzu Oakley died in an accidental drowning in the family pool. Roof construction work was underway and unbeknownst to the Kesslers, a plastic cover was placed over the pool, attracting Oakley’s attention. “It just takes one time where there isn’t any communication.” Julie Kessler said, a self-proclaimed helicopter mom. “It just came to me like, ‘I can’t let this happen to another family,’ so I thought of Oakley’s Oath right away.” Now a 501c(3) nonprofit organization that seeks to create a secure environment for pets by providing contractors and homeowners with common sense safety guidelines, Oakley’s Oath is teaming up for its second charity event with Pampr’d Soul Nail Salon & Spa where the community is invited to enjoy a day of pampering for their furry friends. Fundraising event The event includes raffle prizes, a live DJ, pet nail trimming, a treat sampling station, pet adoption opportunities and more. Attendees can also enjoy 10% off any Pampr’d Soul nail service (for humans) for appointments booked on the day of the event. The ticket price is $10 and goes toward continued marketing efforts, improving advocacy and awareness and partnership support. Since Oakley’s passing, the community has shown an outpouring of support for the family and their endeavor to keep loved ones safe. In April of last year, Mayor David Ortega proclaimed April 14 as Oakley’s Oath Day: a day to “recognize and remember the importance of taking extra precautions in the home to protect the safety of children and pets,” a release read. During ASU’s spring semester last year, Kessler was tapped by the Public Relations Lab at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication to help share Oakley’s story while giving students real-world experience creating strategies and campaigns for clients. Kessler has built partnerships with contractors, installers and other professionals who have taken Oakley’s Oath to keep children and pets safe. She is actively recruiting more partners to take the oath. “It was our goal to make a difference,” Kessler said. “I’m turning my pain into a purpose.” Oakley was just shy of 15 when he passed and his brother Specs was put down two months later. Panda, 11, the last of the Shih Tzu clan, is an ever-present source of happiness for the Kesslers. The family is toying with the idea of getting Panda a new friend when the time is right. “I have total mixed emotions about it,” Kessler said. “But dogs save lives.” The fundraiser is Saturday, Jan. 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pampr’d Soul Nail Salon & Spa, 7337 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 120 in Scottsdale. For more information or to donate or volunteer for Oakley’s Oath, visit oakleysoath.com. We invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Cyrus Guccione can be reached at cguccione@iniusa.org.

‘Pedis & Paws Fundraiser’ at Pampr’d Soul Nail Salon

All dog owners are invited to bring their dogs to Pampr’d Soul Nail Salon in Scottsdale for manicures, pedicures, food, fun and more at a special fundraising event for the non-profit Oakley’s Oath. Dog owners should know about the fun, special event happening on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pampr’d Soul nail salon in Scottsdale. The nail salon will host a “Pedis & Paws” fundraiser. Dog owners are invited to bring their dogs with them for a special day of pampering at the salon. There will be a dog nail trimming station, pet photo station, dog treat sampling station, a live DJ, food and drinks, great raffle items, and a pet adoption area. All manicure and pedicure services booked on Jan. 27 will also be offered at 10% off. Tickets are $10 to attend the fundraising event. Pampr’d Soul will donate 10% of all nail services from the event and future booked appointments from the event to Oakley’s Oath – a local, non-profit organization that was founded in 2021 by Julie Kessler of Scottsdale after the Kessler family lost one of their beloved dogs, Oakley, to an accidental drowning at their home. The tragedy occurred when repair work was being done on their roof and the roofing contractor had placed a lightweight, clear plastic tarp over the pool. When Oakley went into the backyard, he accidentally fell through the plastic tarp and drowned. “Our mission now with Oakley’s Oath is to educate and inform homeowners and home contractors all across the U.S. about the crucial importance of keeping pets and children safe whenever home repairs or building work is being done on the home,” Julie Kessler said. “We provide contractors and homeowners with common sense guidelines and reminders that help keep everyone safe. Oakley’s Oath is named after the oath that we ask contractors to make to remind themselves and their clients about safety whenever they work on a home.” Pampr’d Soul is located at 7337 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 120, Scottsdale. To purchase tickets for the “Pedis & Paws” fundraiser and for more information about Oakley’s Oath, visit www.oakleysoath.com. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

Pampr’d Soul Nail Salon & Spa to host Pedis & Paws fundraiser Jan. 27

On Saturday, Jan. 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Pampr’d Soul Nail Salon & Spa in Scottsdale will host a special Pedis & Paws fundraiser. Local dog owners are invited to bring their dogs with them for a special day of pampering at the salon. There will be a dog nail trimming station, pet photo station, dog treat sampling station, a live DJ, food and drinks, great raffle items and a pet adoption area. All manicure and pedicure services booked on Jan. 27 will also be offered at 10% off. Tickets are $10 to attend the fundraising event. Pampr’d Soul will donate 10% of all nail services future booked appointments from the event to Oakley’s Oath, a local nonprofit organization that was founded in 2021 by Julie Kessler after the Kessler family lost one of their beloved dogs, Oakley, to an accidental drowning at their home. Kessler said the tragedy occurred when repair work was being done on their roof and the roofing contractor had placed a lightweight, clear plastic tarp over the pool. When Oakley went into the backyard, he accidentally fell through the plastic tarp and drowned. “Our mission now with Oakley’s Oath is to educate and inform homeowners and home contractors all across the U.S. about the crucial importance of keeping pets and children safe whenever home repairs or building work is being done on the home,” Kessler said. “We provide contractors and homeowners with common sense guidelines and reminders that help keep everyone safe. Oakley’s Oath is named after the oath that we ask contractors to make to remind themselves and their clients about safety whenever they work on a home.” Pampr’d Soul Nail Salon & Spa is located at 7337 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 120, in Scottsdale. To purchase tickets for the Pedis & Paws fundraiser and for more information about Oakley’s Oath, visit oakleysoath.com. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

The Pet Protector – So Scottsdale! Feature

Pets are important members of the family, and losing one can be tough, but a new nonprofit organization helps homeowners protect pets and small kids from accidents during home renovations. 

 Oakley’s Oath started with that scenario. The Kessler family was having their roof replaced. Julie said she let their two Shih Tzu’s out in the yard, Oakley and Spex to go to the bathroom. The roofing company had placed a plastic tarp over their pool. She figures the reflection caught Oakley’s eye and he walked over the tarp. Kessler jumped in to save him, but it was too late, she said. 

“That day I decided this can’t happen to another family,” she said. “My mission … I’m turning my pain into a purpose.”

Oakley’s Oath watches over kids, pets in home renovations

Pets are important members of the family, and losing one can be tough, but a new nonprofit organization helps homeowners protect pets and small kids from accidents during home renovations. 

 Oakley’s Oath started with that scenario. The Kessler family was having their roof replaced. Julie said she let their two Shih Tzu’s out in the yard, Oakley and Spex to go to the bathroom. The roofing company had placed a plastic tarp over their pool. She figures the reflection caught Oakley’s eye and he walked over the tarp. Kessler jumped in to save him, but it was too late, she said. 

“That day I decided this can’t happen to another family,” she said. “My mission … I’m turning my pain into a purpose.”

FEATURE FRIDAY: Julie Kessler on Turning Tragedy Into a Crusade to Save Pets’ Lives—And What You Need to Know

Julie Kessler is a mission—an important one.

A self-described “crazy dog mama,” the Arizona native and Scottsdale resident didn’t think much about having work done on the roof of her home. But for her beloved dog, Oakley, it had tragic consequences.

Today, Kessler is the founder of Oakley’s Oath.

We spoke with her about her experience and her new crusade for safety, her favorite places around Scottsdale, and one thing people would be surprised to know about her.