It's "Dog Days of Summer" at Mystic Aquarium on Mondays in August where we take you into the world of animal training. See star dogs from My Dogs Place show off their obedience skills and search and rescue behaviors. Find out what it takes to train a police dog with Officer Dan Gagnon from the Ledyard Police Department and his K9 Partner, Ringo. Not only will the dogs be showing their skills the aquarium animals will be joining in the fun. Check out how we train our fish, watch our Steller sea lions demonstrate their trained behaviors and catch a special enrichment swim with our penguins. In keeping with the theme of dogs, kids will be able to decorate dog themed sugar cookies to enjoy from 11am to 2pm- which is included with admission.

Looking to save on aquarium admission while helping out a great cause? Save $4 off adult general admission and $3 off child general admission or $10 off a new family membership when you donate food or toys for dogs to benefit Dog Days Adoption Events, Inc. in Essex, Conn., a nonprofit that helps communities plan adoption events for shelter dogs. Discount on general admission only. Cannot be combined with Lunch on Us promotion or any other offer. Donation must be given at time of admission to obtain discount. Discount good for up to two adults and two children per visit.

May I bring my pet?

For the health and safety of our animals we do not allow pets into the Aquarium building with the exception of service animals.

Items requested:

• Latex free gloves
• Bleach
• Puppy Pads
• Paper Towels
• Harnesses, Collars and Leashes
• Dog treats
• Cans of ID dog food (for dogs with sensitive stomachs)
• Benadryl tablets
• Pepto Bismal
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Gauze
• Kongs (a type of dog toy you can fill with a treat - it helps anxious dogs)
• Nyla Bones (better than rawhides)
• Thundershirts
• Gift cards for gas (to be used for rescue transports)
• Gift cards for fast food places (food for transports)

Items donated that are not on this list will go to Help Willy's Friends, a nonprofit animal welfare charitable organization in Durham, Conn.

Schedule:                 Mondays in August (6, 13, 20, 27), 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

10:30 a.m.                      California sea lion show

10:30 a.m.                      Fish and invertebrate training demonstration (Aug. 6 & 20 only)

11 a.m. – 2 p.m.              Dog-shaped cookie decorating

11:30 a.m.                      My Dog’s Place obedience demonstration followed by My Dog’s Place search & rescue demonstration

12:30 p.m.                      California sea lion show

1 p.m.                      Ledyard Police Department K-9 Unit demonstration

1 p.m.                            Fish and invertebrate training demonstration (Aug. 13 & 27 only)

1:30 p.m.                        Steller sea lion training presentation

1:30 p.m.                        Fish and invertebrate training demonstration (Aug. 6 & 20 only)

2 p.m.                            California sea lion show

2 p.m.                            Fish and invertebrate training demonstration (Aug. 13 & 27 only)

2:30 p.m.                        African penguin training demonstration

4:30 p.m.                        California sea lion show