Therapy Animals: benefits February 26, 2009

Ok – none of my dogs are therapy animals but they’re all adopted and came with baggage. I’m considering going through the Delta Society training with Sandy the oldest or Shermie since he’s great with kids and well anyone. I’m choosing this as my post for tonight b/c I’m handling PR for our emergency animal clinic, DoveLewis, and I placed a story on Gracie the therapy goat in a local paper. I’m researching their therapy program and the stories are truly amazing.

“Research has shown that animals help humans by acting as social bridges, reducing blood pressure, directing thoughts outward, and serving as strong motivators for accomplishing difficult tasks. An animal assisted therapy team might take a walk with an adolescent struggling with difficult issues. Another team might motivate a patient recovering from a stroke to reach farther, or calm a child during a dental procedure. Still others in the Read to the Dogs program might help young readers improve their skills by listening to them read aloud with a non-judgmental ear. By offering friendship and warm touch, animals help alleviate loneliness, lower blood pressure and reduce stress. Their presence brings a sense of normalcy to institutional settings.”

The Read to Dogs program is so simple… and it REALLY helps children gain the confidence they need. How many times have I presented to the dogs while they sit on the bed?!  Obtaining certification is by no means easy. I was talking to someone that just passed the exam so she can evaluate dogs for the program and you must do your homework before taking this on. There are so many health benefits to animals so consider sharing what you already know with those less fortunate.

More on Gracie the goat just for fun:

About Gracie the therapy goat

Gracie is a registered Mini-Nubian. She is a blend of Nubian and Nigerian Dwarf. Her owner was encouraged to see if Gracie would qualify for a therapy animal. Gracie went in for her visit with the DLAATE program organizer many years ago and the rest is history. She was immediately accepted into the therapy animal training for her laid back attitude and love of humans.

Her visits have included nursing homes, libraries, prisons and events at retailers like Barnes & Noble. Her purpose is to bring a smile to people and a furry body to pet. She often brings out stories from the elderly who remember goats that they have had! And there are so many stories… http://dovelewis.org/programs/DLAATE.aspx

A link to a great show that appeared on PBS about dogs and cats that I found really interesting:

Nature on PBS

Next week – I’m planning to interview a small animal massage therapist which I’ll post as well.

Skin care: grateful for healthy, shiny coats February 23, 2009

Hi all -short post as I’m watching the Oscars which I love to do every year. I wanted to make a comment about what I think really helps make all three dog’s coats looks shiny and healthy. From time to time Sandy’s coat looks scaly and like she has dandruff. The doxie – Bruiser also can have dry skin in winter. All three got baths today which is of course a lot of fun for my husband and I to do which inherently helps with both of these issues. The Beagle/Bassett has zero issues which is interesting…

Salmon Oil is the trick – when I leave it out of their diets even for a few days it’s noticeable.

I think their coats are healthy largely due to the omega-3 fatty acids in the Salmon Oil which I include with every meal. Grizzly Salmon Oil is the brand I use – religiously.

“The skin and hair are both gateway and window to the embodiment of an animal’s inner health and well-being.” You can find a GREAT article posted in Whole Dog Journal about canine skin care. The article goes into a great level of detail on skin and coat care from may points of view.

On a side note -I used Calendula (Flower Essence) on a scrape this past weekend and the scrape I had literally disappeared in 2+ hours. It’s good stuff. I used it them on Shermie for a scrape on his belly – and it had the same effect. More this week!

Flower Essences: flowers as a healing method? February 16, 2009

I’ve been using flower essences for years. I started reading a book called “Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats” by Cheryl Schwartz, DVM and since writing all over the book and placing sticky notes throughout it I’ve seen first hand the effects flower essences have on dogs.

She starts the section out on flower essences with… flowers bring joy to the senses. And for my three hounds there is nothing more true than this! I used them to help balance out fear, anxiety, jealousy and depression. Bruiser and Shermie will *argue* over who sits next to me and well Shermie is an anxious dog – period. That’s just how he’s wired.

You simply add them to your dog’s water dish – one drop is all that necessary. Or you can rub them into the ear flaps too.

I’m not joking when I tell you that all three dogs (Shermie and Bruiser especially) are *less* jealous and anxious when I use these… Bach makes many flower essences and I get them at Whole Foods but there is another online dealer called: Green Hope Essences and they have an animal wellness collection.

Of course — I use these in addition to seeing the vet if there is an issue or a problem but they seem to work. For example, it’s advised that you use the flower essence Mimulus and Walnut for acceptance of change. Check them out and please post comments and let me know what you think.

More about Cheryl Schwartz, D.V.M.: Cheryl has been a natural and holistic veterinarian for more than 20 years; extremely well known and respected in her field, she is on the Board of Advisors for Healthy Living magazine and is the regular columnist for holistic pet advice. She is a resident of San Diego, California.

Winter Activities: With Your Four Legged Friend February 12, 2009

Exercise with your dog, despite the weather. Or at least consider taking your dog out for training and activities that help bond you both closer together. Following are a few new activities and things to consider when taking your four legged friends out and new activities.

1. There are a lot of benefits to having the latest dog gear before heading out to explore new forests and beaches. Popular dog gear for the winter months include: boots to protect paw pads, harnesses to ensure dog safety when crossing streams, packs so your dog can help carry the load and make your pack lighter and overcoats in case the temperatures are chilly. Check out Ruff Wear Dog Gear!
2. Along with performance dog gear, there are key essentials to pack for any hike or outdoor winter adventure. And, keep in mind that winter climates present a new set of cautions everyone should be aware of. According to the Washington Trail Association, these essentials include a topographic map, compass, extra food, extra clothing, fire starter, matches, a pocket knife, first-aid kit, and flashlight. Go to their site for more about the ten essentials.
3. Lend a helping hand this winter and volunteer. There are many programs that both you and your four legged friend can do together. The Delta Society has reading programs for kids. You and your canine simply stop at libraries where young children read to your dog which helps them become less fearful of reading out loud in front of others. Go to the Delta Society’s site for more information.

Acupuncture: Has gone to the dogs… February 9, 2009

Hello! Hope this Monday finds you well -below are some thoughts about acupuncture for dogs… and one article worth flagging about a families adventure with their three legged dog named Jerry that recently passed away from cancer. This is a great article which I’ll share first.

www.tripawds.com- the blog about how to care for dogs with cancer

http://www.times-standard.com/lifestyle/ci_11657532 – I was touched by this story about a three legged Sherperd named Jerry. I handle PR for Ruff Wear Dog Gear (www.ruffwear.com) and we’ve been providing the family with the Web Master Harness for years so saw that he passed away last fall and wanted to share this article about this life broadly. It’s very touching… A PBS program caught much of their experience for a documentary on cats and dogs slated for this Sunday called “Nature”.

***

Ok -back to acupuncture.

I found Bruiser at Indigo Recue, a rescue organization in Oregon that works to end animal abandonment by promoting spaying and neutering.

In May 2007, my husband and I noticed that our sweet Bruiser was displaying signs of discomfort when jumping on furniture and curling up into a tiny ball before bedtime. He also stopped eating as well which is a sure-fire sign that something was wrong… after all, feeding time is Bruiser’s favorite time of the day!

(Yes, I know long dogs shouldn’t be allowed to jump on anything but I’m only human after all – life happens and his family sits on the couch. Plus, there are only so many ramps that we can strategically place throughout our house. Like children… dogs will be dogs).

So, we took Bruiser to Dove Lewis (local animal hospital) – and he was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD). IVDD happens when one of the disks between the vertebral bones either bulges or bursts into the area surrounding the spinal cord. Often the only cure to this painful disease is surgery. Before recommending a more invasive course of action (surgery), Dove Lewis recommended we go see a specialist. And Bruiser’s movement had to be restricted so crate rest was the immediate course of action. So we were off to the NW Vet Specialist in Clackamas.

Next, we met Dr. Prouty, the neurologist, and had our sweet Bruiser undergo an MRI. Without going into a lot of detail about the results from the MRI – Bruiser ended up not needing surgery and I was told to continue with crate rest for about two months and then to check back with Dr. Prouty to see how Bruiser was doing. Ultimately, Bruiser recovered completely, and while we watch him carefully and have ramps throughout the house– this was a fairy tale ending. Bruiser was VERY, VERY lucky.

So –you’re probably asking at this point where the acupuncture came into the equation. About a year later we noticed Bruiser was experiencing some discomfort. But first I need to back up a little… My OWN experience and enthusiasm for acupuncture drove my research to identify a credible practitioner for animals because I thought Bruiser would benefit. During my research I discovered that my own vet at Frontier Vet Hospital, Dr. Yung, was in the process of completing her acupuncture certification. Everything happens for a reason, right?

Dr. Yung evaluated his trigger points (points in the muscle that are painful, reactive nodules secondary to chronic tightness and inflammation, similar to when humans experience a “knot” in the neck). She also noted some slow reaction to a “flip foot” exercise which we had seen Dr. Prouty do during Bruiser’s exams a year prior –neurological testing that can indicate spinal cord dysfunction by gauging the amount of time it takes a pet to right their paw after the veterinarian tucks it under. When you watch and it takes more than a few seconds you start to hold your breath… she placed the needles according to where he was suffering and then after a therapeutic length of time, removed them.

We were shocked by his behavior at home – he began jumping up on furniture that he hadn’t since he suffered the herniated disk. He was clearly more comfortable and had a wider range of motion. I see my acupuncturist because I have issues with my fingers during the winter months. I was certain the benefits of acupuncture would help Bruiser and I was right. I really wanted the dog community to know that there are options available and many resources available for anyone that has a dog diagnosed with IVDD or similar back issues.

Acupuncture for dogs

http://www.portlandvma.org/specialists - great resource

NW Vet Specialist, Dr. Prouty -http://www.northwestvetspecialists.com/

Frontier Vet, Dr. Lisa Yung DVM - animal acupuncturist http://www.frontiervet.com/index.php?view=pageView&pageid=43#anc100

Dr. Skinner, Oregon Veterinary Specialist – http://www.oregonvma.org/vetdirectory/detail.asp?Ref=1&ClinicID=554

Dove Lewis – http://dovelewis.org/

Animal chiropractors – Dr. Chattigre’ at Cascade Summit Veterinary Hospital

Animal massage: Heal NW – http://www.healnw.com/

Pet ramps – include some Web sites: Orvis.com or KVVet.com

Becca Seitz –acupuncturist http://ToThePointAcupuncture.org

Lauren McCall, Integrated Animal http://www.integratedanimal.com/index.htm

Dr. Brenda Brown, Animal Acupuncturist, http://well-pettherapies.com/?pg=contact

Senior Dogs: part two -under water physical therapy February 6, 2009

Thanks so much for all your kind words and encouragement – this will be clumsy as I get started so advice is welcome! First – links for the two articles I mentioned are:

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/

http://www.vet.cornell.edu/publicresources/dog.htm

(I accidentally added these to my blog roll – got it, blog roll = blogs )

Sandola has osteoarthritis in her front legs. I have been taking her to Back on Track as my vet recommended we look at water physical therapy. We take her to a local park and noticed this past summer she was barely able to make it back to the car. This is a loop we’ve been taking her on for years so thought she may be showing signs of early arthritis.

So am I a believer in this? I strongly believe physical therapy has helped Sandola with the pain and inflammation she was experiencing. The vet, Dr. Shaw, evaluates her and provides massage in the areas she’s tight (just like us) and after the session she ends in the under water treadmill for two 8 – 10 minute walks. The water’s buoyancy provides a natural way to alleviate pressure on the joints. I had a long chat with the vet tech and it’s also proven that the natural endorphins released during this exercise is an added benefit as well. According to Back on Track:

Therapy used in conjunction with regular veterinary care can increase your pet’s quality of life by increasing mobility and lessening pain, by providing appropriate activity and keeping your pet feeling good about himself and his recovery. Therapy can help in resolving:

Limited Mobility

Pain and Inflammation

Poor nerve responses

Loss of balance and coordination

Loss of strength and muscle mass

Disuse atrophy or reflex inhibition

Soft tissue damage

Post surgical healing

Obesity

Incontinence

Wounds

Check out: http://www.backontrackvetrehab.com/

And I don’t know if you all saw the post/comment from Aggie but in addition to physical therapy for her lab she also found a local source for natural glucosamine meds which is awesome. Ill try and find an online source as well.

I’ve been asked to blog about dog doors and which ones folks really like – so that will be a future topic. And I’ll post some thoughts on acupuncture too. But to give you a taste – attached is a picture of Bruiser at the acupuncturist. Signing off for now.

www.hiphoundpdx.com- Bruiser is highlighted as this month’s hip hound at the Hip Hound Dog Store on NW23rd. Check him out online too!

Keeping my nose to the ground… lesson 1 February 5, 2009

the hounds

My first post on my life with dogs – three hounds to be exact. What I want to address in this first post is the lesson these furry kids are always teaching me when we’re on walks. I watch them keeping their nose to the ground for new smells, nature, garbage (gross!) and just about anything *new* – they’re hounds and therefore bred to do this. This behavior is wired throughout their sweet wiggly bodies. Since I handle public relations for clients I also am bred to keep my nose to the ground hunting for editorial opportunities. So we’re a lot alike – one happy pack. While they’re actual hounds I’m a *news* hound! Corny… So in this blog I plan to share stories about my life with dogs but also tips, tricks, articles, PR advice and anything that I think will add value to the lives of those reading.

My first post is focused on senior dog wellness. Why? Well I’ve been concerned about Sandola’s overall well being lately as she’s closer to 9 now then she was two months ago. Sandola is the hound on the far left of the thumbnail photo posted above. My next post will be about the water therapy she participates in once a week but here’s some thoughts on vitamins for our senior pets – I’m referring to an article I’m reading in Whole Dog Journal and another article I’m reading in the Cornell University Newsletter, Dog Watch.

According to Whole Dog Journal the following vitamins are important as dogs age: Vitamin E, Vitamin C, L-Carnitine, Alpha-lipoic acid, antioxidants like fruits and veggies. Stay tuned on deeper descriptions of some these recommendations as I’m still doing further research.

According to the article in DogWatch dogs of all ages should have Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, B Vitamins, Vitamin C – it’s worth checking to see whether the food you’re buying has all these necessary vitamins although I’m sure most good dog foods do…

If it’s worth anything I’m giving all three dogs the following vitamin/supplements: Nupro Plus for joint support as well as a daily vitamin. In addition – I add Sojos Europa which is a combination of dried/hydrated veggies including sweet potato, carrots, broccoli, celery, apple, whole egg, flax meal, parsley leaf, calcium carbonate and other good healthy stuff. I also add an Omega-3 supplement with Alaskan Salmon Oil.

So I’m recommending anyone with dogs read these two articles and I’m attaching links in the blog roll – more on this topic in a future post. Hope this was worth the quick read!

Hello world! February 5, 2009

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