Tis the season for fun

You don't need to be high on Halloween candy or tipsy on eggnog to enjoy the end-of-year madness. Try these tips to spread the holiday cheer:

Arnold Animal Hospital's 2005 pet costume contest winner was Dr. Danielle Graham's yellow Labrador, Casey the Pilot.

• Plan fun activities for your team. For example, Arnold Animal Hospital in Arnold, Mo., celebrates with an employee pet costume contest every fall. Team members post pictures of their pets in costume throughout the reception area and provide ballots at the front counter so clients can cast their votes.

• Plan fun activities for clients, too. Last year Noah's Ark Animal Clinic in Kansas City, Mo., planned an end-of-year open house to promote their canine boarding program. To keep it fun, they hired a photographer and took pets' photos with Santa. Dogs enrolled in the day care program also enjoyed a holiday party where they made paw print ornaments for their favorite humans.