Badger adds to good energy at Kuk Sool Won studio

Dogs of the Zone

A popular citizen of the Zone, Badger lives at the Lyric and spends most evenings in Nicki Jones's office at Kuk Sool Won of St. Paul. Nicki's the manager for the martial arts school at 800 Transfer Road. "Our students bond around Badger," she says of her office buddy, who's 3/4 husky and 1/4 American Eskimo dog. His two-tone eyes, one gray and one brown, add to his charisma.

Family-owned and family-oriented, the school focuses on traditional Korean martial arts. They welcome students of all ages, from 6 to 106, but it's their youth-friendly approach that sets this studio apart.

The tone is relaxed and accepting; students build skills on that base, learning respect for self and others in the process. Students come to class from a wide range of abilities, and non-gendered language helps all feel welcome. In some classes, parents and kids attend together. And many decide to aim high, earning black belts soon enough!

For details and class schedules, visit the Kuk Sool Won website.