Meet our Pet Cover Contest winner

Admittedly, it’s one of our favorite editions of the year: encore’s Pet Cover Contest. It brings sheer joy to the staff to do nothing but look at pictures of dogs, cats, parrots, ferrets and whatever other animals people cuddle and love in their households. This year proved no exception. If anything it was more necessary to bring joy and smiles to everyone during these weird times of living in isolation.

Last week we asked readers to comment on our Facebook post announcing the contest with their two favorite pics of their pets. We also requested they donate at least $5 to Canines for Service, which helps train service dogs for veterans, first responders and others need. We had more than 20 participants help us raise over $200 for the local charity.

During ranked-choice voting, our staff crowned Ms. Nova Campagna as Miss Encore 2020. A David Bowie-eyed shepsky, Nova’s birthday also happened to be Saturday, April 4. The newly minted 3-year-old took some time away from her party to answer a few questions about her win in our annual Pet Cover Model Contest.

Nova Campagna (NC): Yes, I’ve had a few small features, like being featured on the digital display at Pet Paradise, but I’ve never been a full-blown cover girl.

e: How does it feel to win? 

NC: I’ve known this day was coming since I was a pup, but I’m honored my first big break was with encore.

e: I understand you just had a birthday. How did you celebrate? 

NC: We usually have a big dog party, but due to quarantine we couldn’t invite anyone over, so Mom baked me a birthday cake, and Suki and I had a great time.

e: Is Suki your sibling? 

NC: I was an only child until February when I got a little sister named Suki. She’s a husky, like me, and it took me some time to get used to her. She had a hard childhood, and I didn’t understand why she was shy at first. I wasn’t so sure about sharing cuddles and couch space, but in quarantine, we’ve grown closer since I have someone to play with.

e: Who are your human parents? What do you love most about them? Is there anything they do that drives you crazy?

NC:  Martha and Mitchell are my mom and dad, and they both work in the beer industry. Dad works at Fermental, and I’ve been a regular there since the day I was adopted. Mom works at Untappd, so, naturally, we were always going to local breweries and seeing our friends. Man, I miss that!

They’re the best parents, except for when they tell me I can’t have any more cookies or get mad when I chase the cats around. (I can’t help it!)

e: Are you social distancing appropriately? How are you handling be cooped up with your parents all day?

NC: Social distancing is hard! Whenever we go on walks, we (begrudgingly) make sure to cross the street if we see other dogs in order to maintain the 6-foot distance. I definitely miss doggie daycare and the dog park, but having Mom working from home means I never have to be alone. I love the extra snuggles and playtime lunch breaks.

e: What does a day in your life look like? 

NC: I like to wake up early and greet the day tail wagging, usually spending a few minutes in the backyard, taking in the fresh morning air and staring off into the distance. My parents call this my “reflection time.” I’m a firm believer in eating a hearty breakfast and tend to spend the rest of my day taking long walks, chasing tennis balls and bumblebees in the backyard, and lounging on the sofa.

e: What are your favorite hobbies? 

NC: My absolute favorite thing to do is swim. I might be half-husky, but I’m a definite beach babe. Sunbathing, sand digging, seagull chasing, wave jumping … I love it all. But if I can’t get to the beach, I love a long hike at Carolina Beach State Park or Abbey Nature Preserve, lounging in the kiddie pool at home, or sitting on the front porch with Mom and Dad while they play a record.

e: Do you have a boyfriend?  

NC: I’m too focused on my career and personal ambitions to be concerned with boys. Maybe one day.

 

e: What are your career goals? 

NC: Modeling! I want to show the world that you don’t have to be purebred to be beautiful, and to be a role model for other dogs like me. It doesn’t matter what your doggie DNA kit says, what matters is how comfortable you feel in your own fur.

e: Wet food or dry food? 

NC: Um, all food.

e: Favorite snacks? 

NC: Chicken. And bacon. Or … any food.

e: Favorite toy? 

NC: My big red jolly ball!

e: Fave TV show? Movie? Book? Game? 

NC: Every time Mom and Dad leave the house, they leave the TV on for me. I’ve watched all of “Golden Girls,” “Sex and the City,” “King of the Hill,” and the entire “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Currently, I’m really into “Love Island UK.”  Now that I’m 3, I think I’m old enough.

e: Do you do tricks? 

NC: Tricks? Pssh. I like to make my parents do tricks. I’ve got them completely trained.

e: On a scale of one to 10 bones, how smart are you? 

NC: Probably a 15. The first day I went to daycare, I opened all the gates and ran through all the play yards like I owned it all. Mom and Dad had no idea what they were getting into.

e: So you must get told a lot you have Bowie eyes; you a fan of his work? Other fave music? 

NC: While I appreciate his artistry, I relate more to Taylor Swift.

e: The biggest misconception about dogs is… 

NC: That we’re man’s best friend. Mom is definitely mine.

 

e: If you could have any wish in the world granted, what would it be? 

NC: That we could hurry up and beat this virus so we can play with our friends again.

e: Anything else we should know? 

NC: This past year I was diagnosed with an immune disorder that has kept me from playing as hard as I used to, but I’ve learned to not let it hold me back or define who I am. I couldn’t have gotten through this year without Dr. Amy White and the entire staff at Porter’s Neck Vet! I know I can live the rest of my life to the fullest with their support.

WOOF THE BILL Edinburgh dog walker awarded £3000

AN EDINBURGH dog walker has been forced to pay a business rival £3,000 in damages after accusing her of leaving pets locked inside a van on a hot day in a viral video.

Alana Mullen, who worked for Pilrig Paws, posted a clip on Facebook about Heather Hiram, who runs the Safe and Sound Hound dog walking service in the capital.

The video appeared to show dogs inside a van panting as temperatures outside reached 20C (68F).

Miss Mullen, 30, also claimed to have “caught and confronted” Miss Hiram, 41, and accused her of “not being able to control her dogs”.

The pair did not know each other but both walked pets in Pilrig Park.

Miss Hiram, a former solicitor, insisted her vehicle had air conditioning and cooling mats, had open windows, and demanded the ‘defamatory’ video be removed – but that request was ignored.

The clips, posted in June 2018, were shared more than 1,500 times, racked up 37,000 views and attracted scores of critical comments against Miss Hiram.

They showed Miss Mullen and a female friend confronting Miss Hiram with allegations that she left several of the dogs in her care in a hot van.

Miss Hiram launched a defamation action for £5,000 against Miss Mullen at Edinburgh Sheriff Court saying that she had been deliberately targeted and that the video led to a deterioration in her business by losing clients.

She told the court that she had spent £4,000 transforming her van and that it was the same system as used by the SSPCA and had also completed training on dog handling.

Miss Mullen argued that the statements in the video were true and could not be classed as defamatory.

But following a civil hearing, Sheriff Adrian Cottam ordered Miss Mullen to hand over £3,000 and also make a public apology to Miss Hiram.

In her apology, Miss Mullen said she had ‘jumped to certain conclusions’ when filming the video and hoped that criticism of Miss Hiram would now be ‘halted’.

She added: “I am writing this post to offer my sincere apologies to Safe and Sound Hound for the Facebook post I circulated about them which was widely shared on 26 June 2018.

“The voiceover suggested that the dogs had been in the van for around 20-30 mins on their own although the recording was less than two minutes long.

“The other videos show Heather giving dogs water and trying to explain what happened, I regret not letting Heather speak and moreover, I accept that I jumped to certain conclusions that day, which turned out to be wrong.

“When I wrote the post, I was unaware of the extent and level of Heather’s training and experience and I understand now she is as passionate about her own dogs as she is about the dogs in her care.

“I believe Heather to be a very professional dog walker and I am truly sorry for suggesting otherwise.

“All these comments were unsubstantiated and my hope is that by issuing this apology and clarifying the events of that day, people’s concerns and misunderstandings will be allayed and criticism will be halted.

“My hope is for everyone to leave the incident behind them and look forward to a positive future with, of course, the dogs’ best interests at heart.”

In a written ruling, Sheriff Cottam said: “Clearly the reputation of a dog walker would be lowered in the opinion of any right minded person reading it.

“In fact the comments posted showed the feeling of repulsion and rage against the pursuer and in effect proved even beyond doubt how the comments affected the view taken of the pursuer.

“The main issue was the risk posed to the dogs by being left in the van.

“Here I preferred the evidence of the pursuer with regard to the modifications made and the fact the adaptations took away the usual risk of dogs in hot cars.

“There was no reason to disbelieve the cost and care that went into the van and this evidence pretty much defeats the main thrust of the post that the dogs could have died.

“To post comments implying the risk of the temperature, and comments and video relating to the harm that could be caused is clearly defamatory if in fact the dogs had not been left in a situation where such risk arose.

“I am therefore satisfied that the pursuer has successfully pled her case and I find in her favour.”

Miss Hiram has been approached for comment.

 

PETS AT RISK OF CATCHING COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic could wreak havoc in a frightening new way, because your house pets could be at risk of coming down with COVID-19.

An expert at the National Institute of Health tells TMZ … while people might be worried about catching the coronavirus from their pets, it’s actually the other way around, and the potential for humans to infect animals is being way overlooked.

It’s pretty alarming … we’re told cats and ferrets are most likely to be infected with COVID-19 from humans. For dog owners, we’re told preliminary studies show canines are less likely to contract the virus. However, as we reported, 2 dogs in Hong Kong did test positive.

While data is limited on the effects of COVID-19 on animals … we’re told scientists are drawing conclusions from past viruses. Data from the 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic shows humans infected a wide range of animals including dogs, cats, tigers and cheetahs.

In all cases of swine flu in animals, scientists say it appeared the critters were infected by direct transmission of the virus from humans in the same household. So, a similar conclusion is being drawn with the coronavirus.

We’re told it’s hard to know whether COVID-19 would be fatal in pets — however, one glimmer of hope … influenza is generally not lethal.

Before you panic, the NIH expert we spoke to is NOT advising you get rid of your pets — but instead said owners showing coronavirus symptoms should avoid their pets.

If you insist on being with your pet, or have a service animal, we’re told owners should wear a mask. Same goes for zoo or lab employees around animals. Remember, a Bronx Zoo tiger just tested positive, and officials believe the virus was passed from a handler.

Important to note the CDC has said there’s no evidence Fido or Fluffly can transmit the virus to humans.

And, there’s this … we’re told if a pet starts showing symptoms or is diagnosed with COVID-19, it could mean the owner is carrying the virus … even if he or she is asymptomatic.

 

Pet care

Nancy Schwickrath and Kelly Green decided to foster a dog in the middle of a pandemic.

Schwickrath, an administrative assistant at the Liberty Theatre, volunteers at the Clatsop County Animal Shelter. The shelter often temporarily places animals that aren’t quite ready to be adopted with volunteers.

Schwickrath and Green had previously done a hospice foster for an older dog several years ago. Now, they wanted to help ease the burden of care at the animal shelter as the organization — like everyone else — figured out how to adjust to a new normal under the coronavirus.

They already have a 15-year-old dog of their own. The new dog is younger, with a lot of energy. He has proved to be a much-needed distraction from the horrible daily news about the virus.

Ultimately, Green said, “It wasn’t a difficult choice.”

While the response to the coronavirus has focused primarily on human concerns, it has also impacted pets. Some domestic animals and captive wild animals appear to have caught the virus from humans — including, on Sunday, a Malayan tiger named “Nadia” living in the Bronx Zoo in New York.

There is no evidence animals can spread the disease to people, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. But the pandemic is impacting what kind of care pets can receive.

Government restrictions

Under an executive order issued by Gov. Kate Brown in March, veterinary clinics are allowed to remain open but are limited in what they can offer. Some routine services may not be available and many clinics have had to shift how they conduct business entirely, turning to curbside service or even looking at digital alternatives for exams.

At the animal shelter, business continues much as usual — with some tweaks.

Dog viewings and adoptions occur outside now. There has been a decrease in cat room volunteers, but a bump in dog walkers, shelter supervisor Stephen Hildreth said.

Panic-buying at local grocery stores means some stores are limiting how much toilet paper and dog food a customer can buy at one time. The policy has had some unintended consequences.

Hildreth shifted to buying animal food online after Costco limited the number of bags the shelter could purchase. Costco purchases were typically supplemented by weekly donations of food. The shelter often received five to six bags of food a week from people. With coronavirus, those donations have fallen away, Hildreth said.

But he would rather people hold on to their pet food if money is tight and they need what they have for their own animals.

Meanwhile, drop-offs of pets at the shelter are neither higher nor lower than usual.

Hildreth believes Brown’s order against residential evictions is helping some people who may have been on the cusp of losing their housing, or forced by costs to shift into housing that does not allow pets, to hold onto their animals instead.

Hildreth hopes the order will buy people time to come up with other plans for pets, whether that means finding the animals a new home entirely or temporary homes with friends or family. The shelter is often where people turn when they don’t have time to come up with a better plan, Hildreth said.

The animal shelter is preparing for a possible shutdown if cases of coronavirus skyrocket. Hildreth has a list of volunteers who will foster shelter animals in a worst-case scenario.

Five cases have been reported in Clatsop County so far. However, limited access to testing means the full scope of the virus’ spread in the county is unknown.

The lack of testing bothers veterinarian Dannell Davis on several levels.

First, there is the difficulty of understanding the spread of the disease in the community. But then, with uncertainty about where the county falls along the expected curve, it is hard for Davis to make some plans for her business.

Davis, who owns Astoria Animal Hospital, doesn’t expect things to return to the way they were before — at least not right away — but without the data that comes with testing everyone, “There’s always going to be that lingering question of who is positive and who is not,” she said.

Davis is a self-described safety nut. Her practice is located off U.S. Highway 101-Business and she makes her staff wear reflective safety vests when they go out to get the mail.

The arrival of coronavirus means she is taking even more precautions — personally and professionally — and she is asking her customers to do the same for their own sakes, as well as for the safety of their pets.

“Right now, veterinary offices aren’t really open,” she said. “Everything is on pause, so protect your animals. … Keep everything closer to you that you care about.”

Until things return to normal, Davis is telling people to take simple preventive measures: come up with a plan for pet care in case you become sick, keep up on flea treatments, walk dogs on leash and bring your cats inside at night. After all, you can’t predict what an off-leash dog is going to do and it’s the time of year when many wild animals are starting to birth young, potentially putting them in conflict with prowling cats, Davis noted.

“Just the basic public health of animal care, if you will,” she said. “That’s what we need to do.”

Conserving supplies

Under Brown’s order, organizations like veterinary clinics must conserve personal protective equipment like face masks and eye protection. Exams, vaccinations and other types of nonsurgical pet care are allowed to continue if they don’t require the use of the equipment. But this exists alongside other orders of physical distancing from clients and, as much as possible, among staff.

Training Service Dogs From Home

Many service and assistance dogs around the country are still being trained from home by professionals.

That includes professional assistance dog trainer Halli James, who’s caring for four dogs in-training, including her two pet dogs. It comes as Canine Companions for Independence launched a new “puppy cam” last week that is currently monitoring a litter newborn puppies.

Today we touch on how service dogs are still being trained, and look at the puppy cam.

Watch the puppy cam here:

Guests

 

Local animal hospital offers drive-up services

While many of us looking to help keep ourselves healthy, we still need to be looking out for our pets.

Humans can take part in telemedicine by telling the physician what problems they’re facing, but our animals need us to speak for them.

This has spawned a new kind of service.

There is a sense of relief for pet owners in a time of uncertainty and fear.

“These people are very good at taking care of the dog and taking very good precautions,” said Soledad Traverso, pet owner.

Animal Kingdom Pet Hospital is one of the local care facilities that has switched to a drive-up service for those coming in with a pet in need.

“Its been different having to come out and get animals for once and doing everything without the owner, but obviously everyone has cell phones now and we are able to communicate that way,” said Heather Stauffer, manager, Animal Kingdom Pet Hospital.

Once the owner arrives and is parked they can then call into to the hospital to let them know they are here, which is then followed by a series of questions.

“They go over health history stuff on the phone, things like that. Then you wait until they call you again and they come get the pet from you,” said Samantha Kennedy, pet owner.

For some pet owners, this way of going to the vet is easier compared to what they’re used to.

“In our case it’s actually better because he does get a little anxious around other people and around other dogs too. It is beneficial to us that he can just chill out until they’re actually ready for him in the car,” said Kennedy.

But as for what services the vets can provide right now;

“We are doing the wellness exams that involve the leptospirosis and rabies vaccinations due to the human contact and potential there. Plus rabies is a law. Laws don’t stop while COVID-19 is going on, so we want to make sure we’re keeping up with that,” said Stauffer.

Non-essential services such as nail clippings are not being done at this time.

The veterinarian went onto explain that there are videos online you can watch to learn how to properly cut your animals nails.

You are encouraged to call your vet for any concerns or questions.

Top Tier K-9, training dogs to smell COVID-19

With the economic uncertainties from the Coronavirus, we here at ABC 27 are shining a light on businesses that are doing their part to help out the community while keeping their business open.

During our newscasts, we’re highlighting local businesses that are still open, despite the coronavirus.

We’re highlighting a local K-9 training business that’s not only training scent-detection dogs to find drugs, but also to sniff out coronavirus.

Top Tier K-9 training facility is training dogs with multiple different skill sets. Their latest development is preparing their K-9’s to sniff the COVID-19 virus.

The dogs are given scent training as a base and then when they are ready for a finalized scent, they are transported to Atlanta for the actual coronavirus scent training, according to Jeff Minder, owner of Top Tier K-9.

“The dogs then go to a secure facility where the dogs and handlers are protected. We keep them clean, we sanitize them, we decontaminate them after we do the searches but we put that odor in their portfolio so they can later detect it,” said Minder.

Tigers can catch the coronavirus

When I heard that a tiger at the Bronx Zoo tested positive for COVID-19, I started to worry about my own little lion, a tabby cat with asthma. I’ve sequestered myself away from friends and family, but could my company be unwittingly putting my cat at risk? While there have been some cases of animals contracting COVID-19, it’s rare — and there are precautions that pet owners can take if they’re worried about their furry family members.

Coronaviruses are zoonotic, which means that they can be passed between animals and humans. In New York City, the virus apparently jumped from an asymptomatic human to three lions and four tigers, including four-year-old tiger Nadia, that tested positive for the virus. The zoo says it expects all of the animals to make full recoveries.

Scientists still don’t know for sure what type of animal first passed the new virus to a person. A wet market, where animals, seafood, and produce are sold, in China was thought to be where the novel coronavirus first made the jump. But a January study found the first person known to get sick from the virus didn’t have contact with the market. Another study found that the genome sequence of the novel coronavirus infecting people was a 99 percent genetic match with one found in pangolins, one of the most trafficked mammals in Asia, according to the World Wildlife Fund. The pangolins might have been an intermediary carrying the virus from bats to humans. Another analysis found that the genome sequence of the novel coronavirus is 96 percent identical to a coronavirus found in bats, which have been identified as the origin of both SARS and MERS.

Even though the virus kicked off a pandemic by being passed from one species to another, it’s not often that coronaviruses make this kind of interspecies jump and continue spreading, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There has been no evidence of a pet anywhere in the world transmitting COVID-19 to a person, according to the World Health Organization. The outbreaks happening now are the result of people passing the virus to one another. Despite that, some animal advocacy groups are worried that misguided fear of COVID-19 patients’ pets could lead to more animals abandoned and mistreated.

There have been a few cases of domestic cats and dogs testing positive for the virus after their owners became sick with COVID-19. A 17-year-old Pomeranian in Hong Kong tested weakly positive” in February and died in March, but the dog might have simply died of old age, according to reporting from the South China Morning Post. A two-year-old German Shepherd in Hong Kong tested positive after its owner came down with the disease, while another dog that lived in the same home didn’t. A cat in Hong Kong and another cat in Belgium have also tested positive. The cat in Belgium “showed clinical signs of digestive and respiratory disease,” according to information from the National Veterinbary Services of Belgium.

Cats might be more susceptible to COVID-19 than dogs, according to one study conducted in China that hasn’t yet been peer-reviewed. Domestic cats that had been infected with the virus by introducing samples of it through their noses were placed in kennels next to cats that were not infected. The researchers later found that one of the previously healthy cats caught the virus after being near the infected felines, most likely through respiratory droplets — the same way humans can spread the virus through coughing and sneezing. Dogs in the study, on the other hand, seemed to be more resistant to the virus and did not pass it to one another. There was no evidence that the cats shed enough of the virus to give it to people.

Those results should be taken with a grain of salt since it was a small study of animals given high doses of the virus. They don’t “represent real-life interactions between people and their pets,” virologist Linda Saif at Ohio State University in Wooster told Nature.

If you develop COVID-19, the CDC recommends avoiding cuddles, kisses, sharing food, and having other close contact with your pet to avoid passing the disease on to them. Ask someone else in your household to take care of your pet if that’s possible, and wash your hands before and after touching your pet if it’s a service animal or if you do have to care for it while you’re sick. The same guidelines apply if you think you might be sick but haven’t been tested or are waiting for results. Wearing a mask around your pet is also appropriate if you’re ill, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Because the novel coronavirus can survive for some time on different surfaces, there is a slight chance that our furry friends could carry the virus even though they’re not infected. But the only study to date of how long the virus can persist on surfaces looked at plastic, metal, and cardboard — not animal fur. It’s usually harder for a virus to survive and spread to another person via a porous surface, like hair or fur, because it’s more likely to get trapped in the pores of the material, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. The CDC points out that any animal can carry germs that might make a person sick, so whether there’s a pandemic or not, it’s a good idea to wash your hands after handling any animal, its food, or waste.

The bottom line is that we’ll probably need to take similar precautions with our pets as we do with our human loved ones. That means keeping a safe distance when necessary so that we can all stay healthy.

Searching for herding dogs

The City of Victoria is searching for a contractor who has experience using trained herding dogs to deter Canada geese from staying in municipal parks.

The city says that the purpose of the job is to discourage geese from returning and creating nesting colonies.

“A trained canine has been the most effective and cost-efficient method to date,” the city says in a request for offers published online.

“The city will look at other control methods available, however as the parks are not an agricultural business, the simplest and most cost-effective method is preferred.”

The work would begin in the spring and last for approximately three years with a possibility of extension once the initial period has passed.

The parks in need of the service include Royal Athletic Park, MacDonald Park, the Holland Point Park area, and Beacon Hill Park, where the bulk of work will be done.

The municipality says that animal handlers must ensure that their herding dogs, or other appropriate animals, are able to deter geese without harming the birds, people or other animals.

The trained dogs must also be able to understand the difference between injured and uninjured geese, so that they are not harassing or harming injured birds.

The city stresses that contractors must be in control of their animals at all times, and that their dogs must be able to work in delicate areas that may have ornamental flowers or displays.

“Contractors will be handling their animals in high-profile public parks and must exhibit professional conduct and be in control of their working animals at all times,” says the city.

Detailed information on the job, including requirements and scope of work, can be found on the City of Victoria’s website.

Curbside Service Picking Up

Harriet Lankford steps out of her car with her dog at Belle Haven Animal Medical Center in Alexandria, Virginia.  Instead of taking her pup into the veterinary clinic, she stands by her vehicle looking a little confused as to what to do next.  Soon, receptionist Rose Gonzales comes out wearing a medical mask and gloves and escorts the pet inside for a routine examination.

Like grocery stores and restaurants, veterinary practices in the United States, including Belle Haven, recently began using a pet “curbside service” for safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We want to be here for the animals but we need to do it in a way the keeps both our staff and clients healthy” by keeping the pet owners out of the building, explained hospital administrator Danielle Gallagher. She said before the curbside services, some clients were hesitant about being in the waiting room.

Lankford called this new normal a “necessary adjustment” as she remained in her car waiting for the veterinarian to call her with the results and to pay over the phone with a credit card, before her dog is returned to her.

Virginia is among the states that have issued a stay-at-home order with exceptions that include people who take care of animals. About 85 million Americans, some 70% of households, have pets.

“I am grateful to the animal hospitals, Lankford said, “because animals still get sick and they’re a big part of our family, and if they were shut down it would be disastrous.”

Pamela Wyville, another customer, is “thrilled Belle Haven is still open while respecting social distancing because we love our animals and want them to get good health care.”

In Arlington, Virginia, Caring Hands Animal Hospital veterinarian and medical director, Michael Robinson, said “as precautions against the coronavirus got ramped up, we asked clients to stay outside the building to minimize human contact, which led to curbside services.

“It’s allowed the staff to feel more secure and minimize their fears they might be at risk,” he clarified.  It’s also helped the clients by letting them know they don’t have to hesitate bringing in their pet.”

And that includes puppies. “We’ve been seeing an increase in the number of puppies,” he said, “and I wonder if during this period of social isolation, people think it’s a good time to get a puppy.”

Curbside check-in at EMMAvet in Alexandria, Virginia, has meant changes in the “entire veterinary experience” said veterinarian-owner Veronica Jarvinen.  “While the urgent care service is the same, I miss talking to people in person and offering them a cup of coffee while they wait,” she said. Now they’re stuck in their cars or sitting on a bench near the front door worrying about their pets.”

Besides phone calls, she is also using telemedicine to communicate with established clients through videoconferencing for things like a minor foot injury to a dog or cat. But she added that without seeing the patient in person, it has limitations.

Robinson said he is often asked if COVID-19 can be transmitted from a human to companion animal and vice versa.  He explains that supporting evidence indicates it is not possible but recommends following medical guidelines that people who think they have the virus should distance themselves from their pets.

But now Robinson and other veterinarians are waiting to see what the next guidelines will be since COVID-19 has infected a tiger and likely other tigers and lions at the Bronx Zoo in New York that probably came from a zoo employee.

Despite the epidemic increasing in Virginia and elsewhere in the U.S., Jarvinen and Robinson said they will do whatever they can to remain open.

“I can’t imagine not being here to help dogs and cats during this pandemic,” said Jarvinen. “I swore an oath just like a human doctor to care for and protect animals” Robinson added. “So even when a pandemic hits, I still uphold the oath.”

Furry friends who Penn State students are quarantining with

While self-isolating during the coronavirus pandemic can have its downsides, one upside is the amount of time Penn State students can spend with their pets.

From dogs to cats to hamsters, meet some Penn State students’ pets and learn a bit about them.

Moe

Owner: Dom Feola (sophomore-advertising)

Fun fact: Moe is obsessed with ice cream.

Josie

Owner: Gracie Pekarcik (senior-community, environment and development)

Fun fact: Josie once ate an entire Sam’s Club tray of pastries without issue.

Cooper

Owner: Emily Marovitz (sophomore-early childhood education)

Fun fact: Cooper is a service dog who visits sick children in the hospital.

Henry and Brooke

Owner: Eden Elma (sophomore-chemical engineering)

Fun facts: Henry likes to be held 24/7, while Brooke always wants to be covered with a blanket.

Cheese

Owner: Nikki Halloran (senior-telecommunications)

Fun fact: Cheese gets one piece of shredded cheese a week as a treat.

Finnegan

Owner: Delaney Kendrick (sophomore-cybersecurity)

Fun fact: Finnegan is extremely quiet and doesn’t like barking on command. He will also sit anywhere.

 

Area dogs barking for national hero awards

Two local four-legged heroes have been nominated for prestigious awards for their work in the community — and with the help of online voters they could be recognized on national television.

Olive and Sobee, two area dogs, have been nominated in the 2020 American Humane Hero Dog Awards, a national competition that recognizes hero dogs in seven categories: law enforcement, service, therapy, military, search and rescue, guide/hearing and shelter dogs.

On the competition’s website, people can vote for the dogs in each category once a day. The top three finalists in each category after voting ends May 7 will go to Hollywood for a taping of the award ceremony, which will later air on the Hallmark Channel.

Olive — a friend to all

Occasionally, a little spotted dog in a red bandana can be seen in the Cole County Courthouse.

Olive, a poodle-mix, volunteers as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate for the Cole County Court, serving as a therapy dog for children going through the ordeals of the legal system.

Olive’s owner, Capital City CASA volunteer Lisa Bax, nominated Olive in the therapy category for her work with children who are appointed a CASA — children who are often victims of violence or neglect.

In 2016, Bax started volunteering with CASA, and saw a need for something to help the children in court. She lobbied the CBS TV show “Lucky Dog” for a trained rescue dog to be donated to CASA.

Now, Olive goes to Judge Jon Beetem’s courtroom twice a month to offer support to the children.

“Imagine having to go to the courthouse for no fault of your own — you just have to be there and you don’t understand. That’s scary,” Bax said. “So these kids, they’re scared, they’re confused, they have anxiety, they don’t understand. Olive is there to greet them when they come, and that automatically gives the sense of a little bit of calm and distraction.”

Having Olive around gives the children a friendly, positive presence during a hearing or while they wait.

“It’s a calming feeling to have something there that’s not going to hurt them,” Bax said.

Olive also attends family support meetings, sits with children during testimonies against abusers and provides any other support the children may need. To date, Bax said they have worked with about 300 children.

“She’s a rescue dog who was literally abandoned in the streets and she’s now living a completely heroic purpose,” Bax said. “She’s a dog that understands what some of these kids are going through.”

When she’s not volunteering, Olive lives life as a regular dog with Bax’s family.

Sobee — from shelter to service

After serving two deployments in the military, Jason Howe returned to civilian life and had trouble adjusting.

“I was struggling to reintegrate in the world,” Howe said. “I was struggling with PTSD, and I started self-medicating. I was pretty much losing everything in my life.”

Hoping it would help, Howe returned home to Maine to be near his family. There, he ran into an old friend who had a service dog.

“After watching him, I asked him, ‘How much has this really helped you?’ and he said, ‘It saved my life,’ and I said, ‘How do I get one?'” Howe said.

The friend connected him with K9s on the Front Line, a nonprofit organization based in Maine that partners trained service dogs with military veterans. Through them he met Sobee, a boxer mix that had been rescued from a shelter in Georgia just two days before she would’ve been put down.

“As soon as they gave her to me, it was like a flip of the switch,” Howe said. “It was an instant bond.”

Sobee is able to help Howe when he starts to exhibit signs of distress.

“If I start shaking or whatever — if I’m getting a panic attack — she jumps up on me, as if to say, ‘Hey, you’re back in the real world. Don’t worry about what’s over there. I’ve got you,'” Howe said. “It kind of brings me back into the now, instead of wherever my mind is taking me.”

She will also sit behind him in public, like at the grocery store, and watch his back when there are people behind him, something that makes him uncomfortable.

Sobee was able to help Howe so much that when he decided to return to Missouri, he wanted to bring K9s on the Front Line with him to help other veterans. Almost two years ago, he founded the Missouri chapter of the organization. They’ve been able to help around 50 veterans.

“I hope both the dogs get to go to Hollywood and walk the red carpet,” Howe said.

Pet care service demand increases since 2007

Pet owners are spending more than ever before on their pets, according to newly released data from the United States Census Bureau.

Half of U.S. households own pets and doubled the amount of money they spend on their four-legged friends’ pet care services since 2007, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

From 2007 to 2017, sales of pet care services doubled, to a total of $5.8 billion, according to the latest Economic Cencus statistics.

The pet care services industry includes services such as grooming, boarding, training and pet sitting. It does not include veterinary services, boarding horses, transporting pets, pet food or other pet supplies.

With over 100,000 pet care service businesses, this industry increased its number of establishments by more than 60% since 2007.

Among the 211,000 pet care service workers, just under half, 47%, are self-employed and about half, 49%, work for companies with fewer than 50 employees.

“On average, each U.S. household spent just over $500 on pets,” according to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statictics.

Pet grooming makes up 42% of the pet care service and 28% provide pet boarding services, according to the 2012 Economic Census.

Not accounting for operating expenses, on average pet care services make $393,000 a year while animal training is roughly $373,000 a year. Annually, each pet sitting and dog walking business averages about $236,000.

Close to 60% of households with incomes of more than $80,000 a year.

At just over 44%, Detroit is in the top 15 metropolitan areas with pets, according to the 2017 American Housing Survey.

Nearly two-thirds of households in rural areas have pets, compared with under half of urban households.

Despite the difficult economic conditions brought on by the recession, families continued to spend consistently on their pets between 2007 and 2011.

With about 218 million pets in the United States, not counting several million fish, pet care services offer the wonderful opportunity to unify behind a common love of animals.

 

Coronavirus case sparks new warnings for pet owners

Social distancing from Fido? You better believe it.

Top veterinary experts are making startling new recommendations after more than half a dozen large cats came down with the COVID-19 at the Bronx Zoo in New York.

A 4-year-old female Malayan Tiger named Nadia, was the first animal in the United States to test positive for the virus, and the first tiger in the world to contract it.

She and six other lions and tigers at the zoo are expected to make a full recovery, after they were infected by a caretaker, who was not symptomatic at the time but began showing symptoms later.

Although Nadia was the first animal to be diagnosed in the U.S., Dr. Douglas Kratt, with the American Veterinary Medical Association, says her case falls in line with others internationally.

“All of the transmissions that we have found thus far, we found with respects to, someone was ill, clinically ill, with direct contact with those pets,” said Dr. Kratt.

When it comes to your own animals, Dr. Kratt suggests the same social distancing and personal hygiene measures that doctors recommend for humans.

Spend time with your own family pets, but stay away from others. Wear a mask in public. Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently.

He says, there is not enough data to show that people can contract the virus from pets, but there is clear evidence that you can give it to them.

Not only can your pets contract coronavirus, but they can also carry it on their bodies, in the same way it lives on surfaces like your countertops.

Dr. Kratt recommends continuing to walk your dog and spending plenty of time with it. Pets are known stress relievers, which can be especially useful during a crisis. However, if you do get sick, keep your distance.

“If it’s an opportunity and someone’s ill in the household and it’s a multi-person household, have someone else take care of the pet. If that’s not an option and at times it’s not an option, or this animal may be a service animal, practice good hygiene, washing your hands, keeping a mask on, don’t hug and kiss the pet,” recommends Dr. Kratt.

Keep an eye on your pet’s overall health and if it begins to show symptoms of coronavirus, such as a dry cough, call your veterinarian immediately.

Many vets are offering telemedicine services through Skype, FaceTime or Zoom or they can facilitate an in-person exam, if necessary.

COVID-19 is a bump in the road for medical research

The coronavirus is impacting every community in our nation and is being met with a fierce fight from leaders across the U.S. On the front lines of this fight are medical professionals. The focus on this virus is leaving some medical issues on the back burner for the time being.

Fred Carlson suffers from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). It is a disease without a cure. The marathon-running Green Beret now lives with a compromised immune system, a dangerous condition as COVID-19 sweeps through communities.

Carlson cannot risk visitors at this time. ALS requires a lot of treatment and care as the disease attacks his body. His wife, MaryJo, is the only one able to care for him during this pandemic, aside from helpful neighbors going on the occasional grocery run. Marley, his service dog, helps, too.

“My world has gotten smaller,” said Carlson.

All of his doctor’s appointments are canceled. New social distancing guidelines and competition for resources have created this new world for ALS patients. Carlson fears a setback in the fight to beat ALS will come as a consequence.

“It’ll definitely diminish the efforts and the funds for ALS,” he said.

While the quest for a cure may hit a speed bump, Neil Thakur from the ALS Association is hopeful they can drive right through it.

“We’re not slowing down. There’s no way we can slow down,” said Thakur.

He says their research relies heavily on fundraisers, many of which are canceled or postponed. According to Thakur, in addition to treatment and equipment costs, their fundraisers help to provide $17 million each year in research grants around the country.

Thakur says their researchers are trying to juggle safety guidelines while not falling behind on their trials during the pandemic. Some of the university labs they use to conduct these projects have rules in place that make it difficult to keep up to speed.

“As it continues that’s when we’ll start to see the potential impact on the research program,” said Thakur.

Research for a number of ailments and diseases is falling into the background, according to Dr. Henry Wang, a professor and executive vice chair of research at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston’s Department of Emergency Medicine. He says this is taking place as the world’s brightest minds rise to meet this new deadly challenge.

“When you have a disaster of this magnitude, it’s expected that we would see some impacts on research not related to COVID-19,” said Wang.

Wang says there could be setbacks in research relating to heart attacks, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure and other areas unrelated to the coronavirus. He says the biggest hindrance during this period is the difficulty in seeing how studies play out beyond the lab.

“Labs are still open. They’re developing vaccines and new cures. The next challenge we have is how do we test and evaluate these options in the clinical environment which is very much a battlefield right now,” he said.

But he thinks new research and science coming as a result of this pandemic will prove beneficial in the future.

“In a disaster, research is usually an afterthought and takes a second seat next to operational considerations and recovery. But in a pandemic, this is a very different situation. It’s science that is going to come up with the vaccines and cures that we need,” said Wang.

Wang says his researchers are in this fight just like those working in emergency rooms or operating rooms.

“To study these therapies our research teams are potentially at risk, being exposed to the conditions that we see on the front lines in our emergency departments. So, we have to work very hard to protect them,” said Wang.

That means trying to get personal protective equipment for researchers, precious cargo as medical workers fight for masks, gloves, and gowns across the country.

“This knowledge will enable us to develop new cures and vaccines to prevent the condition and so they’re very much very important weapons in this battle in this international war,” said Wang.

Wang says before the pandemic there were several studies underway relevant to the current fight with this coronavirus. He mentions research on acute lung injury, damage in the lungs that can also come from COVID-19.

“These studies have been ongoing and are now perfectly situated for application in this disaster,” said Wang.

He is optimistic that a vaccine for COVID-19 is coming soon, though the widespread distribution of the vaccine is several months away. More immediately, he believes treatment for COVID-19 is just weeks away.

Effects of Coronavirus on the Pet Food Industry

The pet food industry is experiencing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, not unlike the food industry. Pet food manufacturers qualify as essential operations, according to government agencies, and many facilities have had to hire additional staff, ramp up production, and make other operational changes to respond to demand surges.

Here’s an overview of how the pet food industry is dealing with challenges associated with the coronavirus situation.

More adoptions lead to greater demand

Many consumers are now working from home and self-isolating, and this change in lifestyle has inspired households to welcome new pets to the family. Since there’s no evidence yet that pets contribute to the spread of COVID-19, families and individuals feel safe turning to companion animals for mental and emotional support during this time.

With the help of coronavirus-related appeals in March, animal shelters around the country have seen a significant uptick in dog and cat foster situations and adoptions. For example, the ASPCA saw a 70% increase in fosters out of their New York City and Los Angeles programs. And some shelters have been able to completely empty their kennels of adoptable pets.

Some of these animals may return to the shelters when conditions normalize. But, at least for now, this trend has caused an increase in pet food demand that should help the industry weather this storm.

David Spinkle, the research director of Packaged Facts, says increased ownership rates for dogs, a pattern also seen during the Great Recession, may “help soften the blow of pet industry losses.” The research market firm now expects U.S. pet food sales to grow by only 4% in 2020, compared to its 6% prediction before the pandemic.

Consumers are stocking up and ordering online

As pet owners try to plan ahead, many are stocking up on pet food, causing a short-term boom in sales. Nearly 65% of consumers say they have enough food to last for three to four weeks.

Compared to the same date last year, overall pet store sales were up by 92% on March 20 as pet owners rushed to stock up. In some of the hardest-hit areas, sales were significantly higher. For example, on the same March 20 date, New York City saw a 260% increase in sales. Blue Buffalo specifically noted a spike in its sales in mid-March, and the company expects pet food demand to remain strong.

In addition to emptying store shelves, the coronavirus situation has prompted 17% of pet owners to purchase pet food online more than they usually would. Online pet retailer Chewy is experiencing a flood of orders and expects to hire 6,000 to 10,000 employees at its fulfillment centers to keep up with demands.

Manufacturers are increasing production, navigating supply chain disruptions

It’s hard to say how long the heightened demand for pet food will continue. But, in response, some pet food companies and suppliers are boosting production.

After seeing record sales and a 400% increase in e-commerce orders, JustFoodForDogs decided to up its production by adding overnight shifts. The company also recently opened a 21,000-square-foot kitchen in Delaware, which will employ 50 workers and produce as much as 30,000 lbs. of fresh pet food a day.

J.M. Smucker is also ramping up production, with priority given to its high-demand products. However, there are some setbacks. “The company said because of supply chain complexities and other issues, it will not be able to offer additional inventory above normal monthly demand for select Natural Balance dry dog food, all wet dog and cat food in the Natural Balance, Nature’s Recipe and Rachael Ray Nutrish brands, and Milk-Bone brushing chews.”

Several other manufacturers of pet food and treats are operating at maximum capacity to satisfy heightened demands.

Facilities are implementing stronger safety and sanitation protocols

Pet food manufacturers already operate within strict sanitation guidelines, but many are taking additional precautions to minimize person-to-person contact and exposure risks for employees who cannot work from home. Some of these safety measures include strengthening and communicating proper hygiene practices, limiting direct contact with truck drivers and visitors, and conducting complete sanitations and eliminating personnel contact during shift changes.

The FDA urges pet food facilities to follow current good manufacturing practices and use sanitizing products registered with the Environmental Protection Agency to protect against COVID-19 exposure.

Pet food brands are giving back

Through financial contributions and pet food donations, many pet food companies are helping out animal rescue organizations, homeless shelters, food pantries, and struggling communities during these challenging times.

Nestlé Purina is primarily supporting three charitites: the Petfinder Foundation, which has a COVID-19 fund for animal rescues and shelters; GreaterGood.org’s Rescue Bank, which is supplying animal rescue organizations with pet food and supplies; and RedRover, which is offering emergency grants to pet owners who are survivors of domestic violence and those who have contracted COVID-19. Purina also recently donated 17 palettes of dog and cat food to the Clinton Humane Society to serve the Clinton, IA, community, where one of its manufacturing sites is located.

Vital Essentials kicked off its “Vital Relief Challenge” with a $100,000 donation to food pantries, shelters, and other nonprofits in the Green Bay area. Through the challenge, Vital Essentials hopes to encourage other pet food companies to give as they can. “We encourage any and all businesses that provide essential pet products to dig deep and help locally,” Owner and CEO Lanny Viegut said. “We’re asking our distributors, their suppliers, and other brands in the industry to do what they can, whether it’s a financial donation, volunteering or other kinds of support.”

Event cancelations

Organizers are canceling and postponing conferences, expos, and other events across industries. Within the pet food community, some notable event changes include Interzoo (pushed to next year), Petfood Forum (rescheduled for August), and Coalition by Kinship (moved to September). Several other pet food events have been canceled and postponed, and more will likely follow.

Therapy dog handler launches ‘pawtrait’ campaign

 

Last weekend, Ms Uglow and dog Leo released a video to support the #StayHomeSaveLives campaign, featuring Leo as CMO — Canine Medical Officer.

Earlier this month, the pair were crowned winners of the Friends for Life (children’s champion) award at Crufts, a category which recognises a dog that has supported and had a positive impact on children.

Emotional support dog returned

For most of the summer, the Hildembrand family felt there was something missing.

“It felt like there was a void,” said Sandrine Hildembrand.

“We had almost lost hope, even though we were still tirelessly looking for him,” said Hildembrand.

For two and a half months, Macks’ disappearance remained a mystery.

Now thanks to help from the community and police, the puzzle has been solved.

“The person who gave him back to us, claimed that her friend had bought him from a man who picked him up off of Falls Road, not too far from of us, and she claimed that her friend decided to keep him for her son,” said Hildembrand.

Now that Macks is back, the family feels complete again.

“Having him back into our life was really special and I feel like everything is back to normal now,” said Hildembrand . “One of the best days of our lives really.”

Keep them at home

Service dog training helps Veterans

While serving in the U.S. Army, service members are joined by a “battle buddy” – a friend to watch out for them. For some local veterans, that friend is four-legged and furry. While serving in the U.S. Army, service members are joined by a “battle buddy” – a friend to watch out for them. For some local veterans, that friend is four-legged and furry.
For more than 10 years, West Virginia University and Hearts of Gold have partnered to raise and train service dogs to be placed with people with disabilities, primarily veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
WVU students have successfully trained 140 dogs since 2007, including placing 11 service and nine emotional support dogs with local or regional veterans.
With the help of a grant from the Department of Defense, 10 more dogs can be trained to support area veterans.
“This grant allows us to build our relationship with our local veteran population and provide service animals to individuals who need them,” said Matt Wilson, associate dean for research in the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design. “With this funding, we can develop a more formal application process which includes preparing veterans to understand and care for their new service dog.”
To be matched with a service dog, veterans must apply, enroll in a non-credit, online canine basics course and be able to travel to Morgantown for on-site training.
According to two local veterans, their service dogs are essential to living fulfilling lives.
West Virginia native George Davis retired from the Army in 1987 after serving his country for 20 years. During part of his military career, he flew reconnaissance planes in Vietnam and Korea.
Because of his experiences in the Vietnam War, Davis developed post-traumatic stress disorder.
“I’ve been in and out of therapy since 1979, and it wasn’t until 2000 they diagnosed me with it,” he said. “I knew I was screwed up. I just didn’t know how bad.“
The disorder affected Davis’s confidence and, in 1982, he lost the ability to fly.
“I just couldn’t do it anymore, so I went back to being an intelligence officer,” he said.
After spending his post-Army career working in Washington, D.C., doing intelligence work, Davis retired and relocated to Fairmont where he became involved with a variety of veteran organizations.
His connections in the veteran community helped him discover Hearts of Gold and the service dog training program.
In early 2019, he applied to be matched with a service dog and was accepted into the program.
Making his way through the three-week online course required dedication and perseverance.
“It took me about five or six hours a night because I have no short-term memory left,” he said. “I’ve been on chemotherapy and had 13 surgeries in the past 16 years, so all of that anesthesia kills your short-term memory. The staff here was just so patient with me and worked with me so well.”
Before the class began, Davis went to scope out the service dog training facilities on the WVU Animal Science Farm where he met Zoey, his current service dog.
“She came right over to me and laid at my feet. I have never had a connection with a dog like her in my life,” he said. “Every few minutes or so when I’m sitting at the computer or watching television she comes over and lays her head on my lap, and those brown eyes just melt ya.”
Davis was prescribed medication for anxiety and panic attacks, but said he’s had to use it very little since Zoey came into his life.
“She likes to rough house and play like the rest of them, but when she’s around me, she has a very calming effect on me, so that’s been the biggest benefit,” he said.
Davis said a side-effect of his PTSD is having difficulties making friends, but Zoey has become more than just his service dog – she’s his best friend.
“She’s always there, and she’s always happy and concerned about me, so it’s like having a best friend, and I don’t have many,” he said.
Not all service dogs are used for mental health reasons.
For Anastasia Hilvers, her mobility and balance are dependent on a large mastiff named HooDoo Moon.
Enlisted during Operation Desert Storm, she was injured during training exercises and did not see action.
At one point after being discharged, Hilvers, who has a rare form of arthritis and an autoimmune disorder, found herself lying on the ground outside her home unable to get up because her leg stopped working.
“It occurred to me that I knew how to crawl because the Army taught you that. I just pulled myself with my arms all the way to my car and drove left legged with a clutch,” Hilvers said. “It was all I could do to get down the road to the next house, and I just thought that would have been such a stupid way to die.“
The fall landed her in the emergency room where she told the medical team she felt the situation could have been avoided if she had a large dog that was trained to come help her, and they urged her look into service animals.
After the accident, she underwent multiple reconstructive surgeries and relearned how to walk utilizing rehabilitation services
”I’m mostly made of metal,” she said. “Some people show off tats; I show off scars.“
HooDoo Moon, Hilvers’ second service dog, enables her to enjoy activities she wouldn’t be able to otherwise.
“Until you can’t walk, you have no clue how many places are dangerous,” she said. “Nature is not ADA compliant, and I love nature. Because of service dogs, I’ve been to the Grand Canyon. If I have a dog and a cane, I can pretty much do everything except climb trees. But, I don’t really want to do that.“
Hilvers stressed that while having a service dog is vital to her existence, it’s not a panacea.
Having a service dog requires a lot of training and hard work, but both Davis and Hilvers encourage veterans to seek out opportunities like the ones they were given.
“They teach you Esprit De Corps in the military and to have a battle buddy, but then vets lose that along with their entire structure,” Hilvers said. “They’ve seen some very bad things and a dog can help get them through that.“
For Lindsay Parenti, visiting instructor in the Davis College and director of program development for Hearts of Gold, seeing the success Davis and Hilvers have with their service dogs reinforces the importance of the program.
“It’s hugely rewarding for me to see people like them that just truly appreciate the help of service animals and are using the dogs in the way we intend for them to be used,” she said.