by Mary-Devon Dupuy

The doghouse isn't a bad place to be for two of New Orleans' foremost local musicians tonight. It’s the fifth night of Love Sessions, Irvin Mayfield’s twelve-night- celebration of music and philanthropy. Each night, the Mayfield and newly minted early bird Kermit Ruffins play their own sets before locking horns in battle. Proceeds from each show go towards a specific nonprofit. Money from tonight’s performance will go to Dag’s House, a rehabilitative center for disabled dogs.

Founder Kim Dudek began the boarding, daycare, and rehabilitation center after her struggle to save her dog Dag, short for Dagnabit. Dudek rescued the pit bull from outside her spa Belladonna, and he ruptured three discs in his back shortly after she began sheltering him.

When traditional veterinary medicine left Dag frail and immobile, Dudek began working with a team of people who were certified in veterinary health care methods such as canine and equine massage, acupuncture, homeopathy, and chiropractic work. Dag is walking now, and his progress with alternative healing inspired Dudek to start Dag’s House in 2008.  

House Manager and Massage Therapist Stacy Chiasson said that Love Sessions has been a tremendous help to Dag’s House. “We met Irvin from taking care of his dogs, and this is our second year working with him for Love Sessions,” Chiasson said.

Chiasson said that last year’s event was packed. “Irvin has been so amazing, talking about the good care and quality in the team at Dag’s House. Him passing the word around has been amazing,” Chiasson said.

Dag’s House has a West Bank and an East Bank facility, both of which are fully loaded with the highest quality rehabilitative services for canines. They have an underwater treadmill, magnetic machines, massages, acupuncture, and an above-ground and in-ground pool.   

The dogs can use water therapy to regain their strength in a low impact exercise. “The dogs twist against the current to regain muscle,” Chiasson explained.

“We have a magnetic machine for dogs that blow discs in their backs. It helps take pain away from the animal and helps stimulate and circulate blood flow,” said Chiasson.  

The nonprofit also trains puppy parents along the way. “We coach the parents to help them do as well with us. 90 perecent of our parents coach their dogs along through their rehabilitation,” Chiasson said.

This year’s shows will run until August 29 and benefit a total of fourteen nonprofits: The New Orleans Public Library, UNITY of Greater New Orleans, the New Orleans Haitian Relief Task Force, Son of a Saint Sports Foundation, Dag’s House, the New Orleans Chapter of the Links, Inc., the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic, Teaching Responsible Earth Education, NO/AIDS Task Force, the New Orleans Jazz Institute, St. Augustine High School’s Marching 100, The Roots of Music, Dash Thirty Dash, and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra.
 

Tonight’s show kicks off at 8:30pm, with each musician playing their own set separately. The battle continues at 11:30, when both opponents come on stage to duke it out for New Orleans’ readers. Tickets for the first week are $22 for general admission. You can purchase tickets here.