German Shepherd Rescued

A local organization called “Medical Mutts” rescues animals with potential and trains them to become service dogs for people with medical conditions like diabetes.

That includes Sly, the German Shepherd.

Sly was rescued after being left in the cold, starving, and frostbit with another dog who passed away in those conditions.

Jennifer Cattet, the executive director of Medical Mutts, found Sly at Indianapolis Animal Care and Control and tested him.

“He was still very resilient. And super loving and playful and still loves people even after what humans did to him,” Clint Adams, a service dog trainer, said.

“Despite all of that, he’s just a really really good, sweet boy, really friendly, loves to learn, great in training, and we are so happy today that we are finally going to be able to place him as a service dog,” Cattet said of Sly.

Sly has become a service dog with a young woman named Paige, who suffers from a medical condition. She drove from Maine to Indiana this week to work with Medical Mutts before taking him home.

A Pet Is Good For Emotional Health

During this current period of quarantine and social distancing, you may have found yourself worrying not only about your child’s physical health but their emotional health as well. You may have shied away from getting a family pet in the past because you weren’t sure if you were ready for a pet and you weren’t sure if your kids were prepared to help you care for one too. If you’ve been on the fence about whether or not your family is ready to welcome a new animal into your home here are a number of reasons why a pet isn’t just a wonderful addition to the family but why they’re also really beneficial to the mental and physical health of your children. Anyone who has ever had a pet knows that the unconditional love they give their owners is one of the best feelings in the world. Having a pet like a cat or a dog that needs to be walked or played with regularly can be beneficial to one’s health too. Not only is being active with your pet beneficial to your physical health, but the CDC notes that pet ownership can also help alleviate and manage symptoms of loneliness and depression. With children out of school and having to practice social distancing and self-isolation, having a pet that can keep them company is priceless. Many families avoid getting a furry friend out of fear of asthma and/or allergies, but Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta writes that getting a family pet when your children are little might actually be beneficial. “Recent research has indicated that newborns who live with dogs or cats are less likely to develop pet allergies and asthma when they get older,” they write. “Being around pets may also lower an infant’s risk of coughs and sniffles during the first year of life.” It’s hard not to love a pet, and when children grow up with pets it allows them to learn and practice their social skills. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry has found that having a pet can help kids form bonds with others and can also help develop non-verbal communication, compassion, and empathy, which are all traits we want our kids to have. They also found that in addition to giving kids love, loyalty, and affection, pets really can become your child’s best friend. Having and caring for a pet also teaches children about responsibility, especially as they’re tasked with things like feeding the pet, taking the pet for a walk, or making sure their cage is clean. Therapy dogs have been used in many different situations, including the classroom to provide comfort, support, and even alleviate stress. News In Health reports that therapy dogs have been used to help children with ADHD be more focused while helping with their social skills and alleviating behavioral problems. They also cited a study that found that children who are on the Autism spectrum benefitted from playing with guinea pigs in their classroom by exhibiting lower levels of anxiety. “Animals can become a way of building a bridge for those social interactions,” explained Dr. James Griffin, a child development expert at NIH. Jackie King, Executive Director of the Pet Care Trust stated that “teachers have shared with us story after story about how their classroom pets have helped shy kids open up, struggling readers build confidence, aggressive children develop nurturing tendencies, and apathetic students gain a new desire for learning.” Pets aren’t only great for a child’s mental health, but for their physical health as well. If your child has a dog that needs to be walked regularly or a horse they can ride the physical benefits are many. The CDC notes that owning a pet can help decrease blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels while encouraging physical activity and exercise outdoors. Pets are amazing additions to a household, but you have to make sure you pick the right one. Not only can pets provide emotional support to your child but they can also encourage physical activity if you have a pet that needs to be walked or played with regularly. You need to factor in which sort of pet is best suited for your house, whether you choose a dog or cat, a fish, bird, reptile, or any variety of animals your child has shown interest in. You need to consider their life expectancy because animals are a commitment that shouldn’t be taken lightly and once you choose to welcome a pet into your home you need to be prepared for it. You also need to consider if the animal needs to be walked often and how big it will grow and whether you can afford the food and supplies it needs regularly. Once you factor in the financial and time expense of a pet you can decide if it’s the right fit for your family.

Pets aren’t for everyone but if you’ve been debating getting one for a while, now might be a perfect time. Take the time to speak openly and honestly with your child and set the expectations you have for them with regards to care and agree on what type of pet works best for your family. Their companionship and unconditional love truly adds to the family dynamic and teach children so many valuable lessons about responsibility and compassion that will make you happy you decided to add an animal to your family.

If you’re still on the fence about whether or not your family is ready for a new pet, contact your local humane society or animal shelter and inquire about their foster care programs. Fostering an animal is a great way to see if you’re ready to care for a pet full time without the long term commitment.

Maryland’s First Detection Dog

Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler on Thursday announced the addition of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office’s (HCSO) newest law enforcement canine, K-9 Sata.

K-9 Sata is certified as an electronic storage detection (ESD) canine and derives his name from the Serial AT Attachment, a computer bus interface that connects mass storage devices and a commonly used connector in digital forensic examinations. ESD K-9s are dogs who are specially trained to detect the presence of electronic media storage or other digital evidence, such as hard drives, USB drives, and cell phones.

ESD K-9s came to prominence with the investigation of Subway pitchman, Jared Fogle, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison for having sex with minors. An ESD K-9 named Bear detected key evidence in Fogle’s home, aiding in his conviction. K-9 Bear was trained by Jordan Detection K-9, who also trained K-9 Sata. K-9 Sata is the 35th out of 37 ESD K-9s trained by Jordan Detection K-9 and deployed around the country. K-9 Sata is the first ESD K-9 in Maryland.

The cost of procuring K-9 Sata and the initial two-week handler training was generously donated by Neighborhood Electronic Detection K-9 Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed by a group of community minded individuals from the Indianapolis, Indiana area to fund and provide fully-trained ESD K-9s to law enforcement in order to remove child predators from our streets.

K-9 Sata and his new partner, Detective Carey Gerres, are assigned to the Harford County Child Advocacy Center’s (CAC) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit, whose focus is rescuing victims and arresting perpetrators of child sexual abuse material (CSAM – what is legally defined as child pornography) via the Internet and other related technology facilitated crimes against children.

ESD K-9s can also be cross trained for other missions and K-9 Sata will also be utilized as a therapy or comfort dog to support child victims and their families in the field or who visit the CAC to receive services. K-9 Sata will continue the work of Kilo, the HCSO’s first therapy dog, who sadly passed away in October of 2019.

“K9 Sata will allow the Harford County Sheriff’s Office to expand our investigative capabilities to address the growing number of cases involving digital media,” said Sheriff Gahler. “Access to this cutting edge opportunity greatly enhances our abilities to protect the most vulnerable among us – our children.”

Golden Retrievers Help Deliver

A brewery on Long Island is delivering more than just beer during the coronavirus pandemic. It’s delivering joy brought by two golden retrievers carrying beer cans.

Buddy and Barley are the resident dogs of the Six Harbors Brewing Company in Huntington. Like everyone else, COVID-19 forced the company to do only pickup and delivery. So the owners decided to bring their best buds on all the delivery stops and brighten the day of those who are in quarantine.

The delivery dogs have beer cans wrapped around them (don’t worry, they’re empty), and they have been bringing craft beer and huge smiles to people’s homes for the last two months.

“People were saying, ‘gee, I miss your dogs.’ So we started bringing the dogs on some of the deliveries and we said, ‘hey, why don’t we make this a permanent thing. Why don’t we get the dogs out there in the car with us?'” said brewery owner Karen Ravn-Heuwetter.

Ravn-Heuwetter says she’s getting a lot of requests for surprise gifts and special occasions. “People are having us send our dogs to their friend’s house, or their son’s 21st birthday this past week, and as anniversary gifts,” she said.

The furry helpers have the time of their lives riding in the delivery truck, bringing the empty cans to the front door, before the real beer follows.

“This is the first time I’ve ever had beer delivered by a couple of dogs. It makes the beer extra special,” customer Ken Knowles said.

Another customer couldn’t control her laughter and was nearly brought to tears when she was surprised by Buddy and Barley on her birthday. “This is the funniest thing I’ve ever seen. They’re so sweet,” she said.

It’s an easy job for the dogs and they weren’t hard to train because they love and miss people just as much as customers miss them, Ravn-Heuwetter said.

Buddy and Barley became unofficial therapy dogs, delivering the kind of mid-pandemic cheer you can’t put a price on.

“With what we’re dealing with right now, it’s 5 minutes of happiness which I think a lot of people need,” Ravn-Heuwetter said.

Leveling Up Animal Care

A new contract between the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society (WCGHS) in Washougal and the Humane Society for Southwest Washington (SWHS) in Vancouver is helping give the local animal shelter more stability while providing a higher level of care for stray animals coming into the Washougal shelter from the cities of Washougal and Camas.

Under the new, three-year contract, which went into effect on March 1, the Washougal shelter will be able to operate as more of a full-service provider when it accepts stray and lost dogs.

Prior to the contract, when a stray dog came into the Washougal shelter, WCGHS staff needed city of Washougal approval to access basic and even emergency veterinary care.

“Everything we did for stray animals had to go through the city,” WCGHS Executive Director Megan Dennis recently told the Post-Record. “(The city) would choose whether or not we could or should provide those services.”

The shelter staff could not provide stray animals with vaccines or transport them to an emergency veterinary clinic without city approval.

The new contract with HSSW changes that arrangement by utilizing the larger Vancouver organization’s veterinary care and financial expertise. WGCHS will continue to shelter stray, lost and abandoned dogs, while HSSW acts as a back-up facility and as the stray sheltering program administrator.

“We have basically become a full-service provider,” Dennis explained. “Instead of the city having control over what care we can provide, we as the experts are able to determine whether an animal needs care.”

Stray dogs coming into the Washougal or Vancouver shelters from Camas-Washougal will now be able to receive needed medical care, such as deworming treatments and vaccines, and can be transported to a veterinarian if necessary.

“It’s upleveling the care of animals in Southwest Washington,” Dennis said, “and will benefit the community.”

“Our animal sheltering services contract will not only provide food, shelter and basic care for lost, abandoned and hurt animals, but also enhanced veterinary care; lost and found redemption services; licensing, and administrative and fee collection services to (Camas-Washougal),” WCGHS and HSSW leaders explained in a recent opinion column about the benefits of the new contract.

Micki Simeone, president of the WCGHS Board of Directors, said people who come to reclaim a lost animal at the Washougal shelter also will reap the benefits of the new contract.

“When citizens came to reclaim their animal, they had to go to the city to make a payment and then come back to us,” Simeone said. “It wasn’t convenient.”

The new agreement with HSSW will cut out that middle step and allow citizens to make a payment at the Washougal shelter when picking up their lost pet.

Simeone said WCGHS leaders have been reevaluating the shelter’s arrangement with the city of Washougal for the past few years.

“With more recent board members, starting in 2013 and more recently in 2015, there has been a whole new mindset of, ‘Hey, you know, this is a great service we’re providing to the community, but the protocols in place are limiting us from providing the best practices.”

WCGHS leaders worked with city of Washougal officials to come up with a solution.

One piece of that solution involved the transfer of the Washougal dog shelter building, which was in need of nearly $80,000 in repairs and upgrades, from the city to the WCGHS.

“Having the building gives us more control to make it the way it needs to be for our animals,” Dennis said. “It also gives us more security. When it was owned by the city, the city could have taken it away from us. Now it’s our building.”

A new long-term lease — five years versus year-to-year — with the Port of Camas-Washougal for the land under the shelter building also gives WCGHS leaders more security about the local humane society’s future.

“Before … we felt we were at risk. Now, we’ve really been able to secure a better future for ourselves,” Dennis said.

The local animal sheltering services cost WCGHS an average of $350 per animal — one of the lowest costs per animal in the Portland-Vancouver metro region, according to Stacey Graham, president of the HSSW.

“It’s important to know that $350 cost per animal is an incredibly low cost,” Graham told the Post-Record. “Both of our shelters try to keep our costs as low as we can … and we’re cognizant of wanting to keep our costs as low as we can to municipalities because we know they’re struggling, especially in this (COVID-19 crisis) environment.”

In the past, Camas and Washougal have paid WCGHS $120 per animal for sheltering services. That meant that donors were footing much of the bill for caring for people’s lost and stray animals.

To help lessen the cost for donors and help pay for the enhanced sheltering services, the contract between WCGHS and HSSW will increase the flat fees charged to the cities of Camas and Washougal.

The three-year contract increases the flat fee each year, increasing from the former $120 to $150 per dog in 2020, $170 in 2021 and $190 in 2022. WCGHS leaders estimate that the total annual fees for Camas and Washougal combined will be $28,875 in 2020, $34,000 in 2021 and $38,000 in 2022. The estimates are based on the number of dogs impounded from each city. In 2018, 54 dogs from Camas required stray-sheltering services. In 2019, there were 41 dogs impounded from Camas.

Cities recoup impound fees paid when animal owners pick up their lost pet.

Even with the increased fees, however, the cost to the cities doesn’t cover the full cost of sheltering and caring for a lost animal, Graham said.

“We’re not recovering (the total costs of stray animal sheltering) from any municipality,” Graham said. “We do have to subsidize with donor funds.”

The shelter leaders say they hope to work with city leaders in Washougal and Camas to help educate them on ways they might help fund the increased sheltering fees.

“Even though we know the price increase is significant, we’re working with the cities to help them get back some of the funds,” Graham said. “We feel that there is a really good way for them to increase their revenue by passing (the costs) along to the pet owners who have to utilize this stray shelter. The people who need it should have to help cover the cost.”

The shelter leaders have encouraged city officials to reconsider lifetime pet licensing fees that are not in line with the annual or bi-annual pet licenses implemented by most other Southwest Washington municipalities.

“It’s very rare to see a lifetime license,” Graham said. “Licensing a dog or pet is intended to help raise money to fund the animal control program. A (lifetime license) does not really cover the costs for animal control.”

Pet owners in Camas-Washougal will likely be relieved to know that, under the new sheltering agreement, if their dog does run away and is found by local animal control officers and taken to the WCGHS, local residents will be able to pick their pet up in Washougal and know their animal is receiving best-practices care from trained staff.

“It is a good thing that we were able to keep WCGHS as the primary shelter,” Lisa Feder, HSSW’s vice president and director of shelter operations, said. “We heard a very clear message from citizens (that they wanted to retain a Washougal animal shelter). “The (new contract) has more to do with efficiencies and quality of care. Reclaiming a dog (in Washougal) will be far easier and much more in line with the way normal shelter contracts work.”

Connecting With Canines

After serving in America’s armed forces, Stanford’s student-veterans shifted their focus to academia and research. But since arriving on the Farm, some have continued to heed the call to serve with help from some animal companions.

In partnership with the non-profit organization Warrior Canine Connection (WCC), student veterans volunteer to train dogs to be service companions for other veterans living with mobility or cognitive challenges. Although a stark contrast from their military service, the students say the volunteer work is incredibly fulfilling. They also hope to expand the program to include non-veterans at Stanford once the campus reopens.

Before COVID-19 forced the Stanford community to disperse, the student-veterans gathered about once a week at the Office for Military-Affiliated Communities (OMAC) to meet dogs – brought to campus by a local WCC trainer – and guide them through training activities.

“We help them practice things like staying still and calm or how to focus on one person at a time,” said Nestor Walters, a Stanford junior majoring in mathematics and a 10-year Navy veteran.

Since shelter in place orders, the veterans have kept up with training through videos and live cams shared by the WCC. In addition to teaching the dogs commands and practical skills, such as how to retrieve objects, the students also show them how to recognize signs of distress and be supportive companions to veterans with emotional or psychological trauma. The students say that training the animals is a rewarding process that’s helped them find community and purpose as they’ve transitioned from military life to academia.

Walters first met Frankie, a golden retriever, when he was just a pup, small enough to hold in his hand. At the time, Walters was recovering from knee surgery and was on crutches and painkillers, but still managed to teach Frankie simple tasks.

“We started by rewarding him every time he looked at me,” Walters said. “Since then, I’ve watched Frank – named in memory of Army Air Corps 1st Lt. Francis Misciagna – grow into a slobbering, playful, beast of a hairball.”

Walters has been training Frankie to open doors and pick up objects. He’s even taught him how to identify and disrupt body language that indicates anxiety and depression – feelings common to veterans who have experienced trauma.

“As much fun as it is to basically play with a dog and have it count as public service, it’s also a sobering reminder [that] Frankie is preparing to join a final veteran who is mobility impaired, possibly battling combat trauma or mental illness,” Walters said.

Mechanical engineering PhD candidate and Navy reservist John Alsterda met Arthur – a Labrador – at an OMAC barbeque and immediately felt a connection. Alsterda participated in weekly WCC training sessions at Stanford. He said training and working with WCC canines has been a rewarding experience that also provides some respite from the demands of being a Stanford student.

“It feels like I’m making a contribution to help train a service animal that could make a real difference in someone’s life,” Alsterda said. “As an added bonus, I get to learn about animal training and experience a joyful connection that provides a balance to schoolwork.”

Sophomore Joel Johnson is a five-year Marine Corps veteran studying symbolic systems. He said that as a student, it can be difficult to connect to the outside world and to the broader veteran community. The transition from active duty to student life presented a struggle to find purpose and impact.

“WCC gives me the opportunity to address both of those issues; I’m working for a good cause, which is hugely beneficial to my overall well-being, and volunteering with the dogs really scratches the ‘service to community and country’ itch that I often feel isn’t adequately stimulated as a student,” Johnson said. “Also, working with dogs is shown to release oxytocin in humans, and that just feels good.”

The students’ volunteer-training lasts until the dogs are ready to be paired with a veteran, with whom they live permanently.

Through OMAC, Stanford student-veterans have been collaborating with WCC for several years. Although the program currently consists of students who have served in the military, Walters said that they hope to open the program up to other Stanford community members once restrictions on gatherings are lifted.

“We’d like to get non-veterans involved in some way,” he said. “Possibly through workshops or meet-and-greets so people can engage with the animals, which is good for mental health.”

Paws Of Honor

Some eastern panhandle residents have found a charitable way to match their love for dogs and ties to law enforcement and service veterans groups.

These special canines have served with handlers in the military and law enforcement on dangerous explosives — or narcotics — detection assignments. But the day comes when we all have to retire. And for black lab, Duffy, and Yellow Lab, Buddy, and Shepherd-mix, Remi, that day has come. Their tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan are behind them. But they are in the loving care handlers who raise funds for these retirement years when vet bills can become expensive. Paws of Honor (www.pawsofhonor.org), founded right after 9-11, has delivered more than a million dollars in veterinary care to these dogs.

Group organizer Elaina Maze said, “most people don’t realize that when these dogs retire from service they’re decommissioned with no benefits, unlike their human counterparts.

Paws of Honor has more than 200 dogs in its care right now.

Protecting Houston Pets

As more Americans stay home during enforced quarantines — such as the stay-home extension ordered by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo — a dark trend has emerged. Reports across the country reflect an increase in domestic violence, which experts blame on isolation, stress, and anxiety.

One reason why individuals stay in abusive households is to protect children or pets, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Here in Houston, a local organization has launched a new program to create a safe space for pets in dangerous environments.

Houston PetSet, a local nonprofit, has launched a free pet boarding initiative for survivors of domestic violence, dubbed Pet Protect. The program is meant to aid individuals flee dangerous environments safely with their beloved companion animals.

While there are Houston-area programs offering boarding for animals during traditional work hours, Pet Protect aims to bridge the gap by offering a survivor the ability to board their animal at a safe location at any time of the day, according to a release.

Houston PetSet has partnered with Westbury Animal Hospital to offer boarding for pets when survivors of domestic violence are looking to leave their current situation Monday – Friday after 5 pm and before 8 am, and on weekends and holidays.

Houston Dog Ranch has also joined Pet Protect to offer boarding for animals that will come into the program Monday – Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Pets at the Houston Dog Ranch also receive behavioral assessments, training, and play group experiences, when appropriate.

Pet Protect will serve as a pilot program to survivors of domestic violence and their pets at no charge for upwards of 30 days.

“Since the stay-home, work-safe order was enacted, we’ve seen an increase in reports of domestic violence,” said Tama Lundquist, co-president of Houston PetSet, in a statement. “Unfortunately, we know that oftentimes an abuser will use a pet as leverage to keep their victim in the home. We hope that by launching the Pet Protect program, survivors will have peace of mind knowing that they can safely escape with their pet, and their companion will be cared for until the survivor can make their next transition in life.”

Houston PetSet is currently working with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the Houston Police Department, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office,  and the Houston Area Women’s Center to provide this program to survivors with animals. Those who need assistance should visit houstonpetset.org/pet-protect for more information.

Animals On Campus

Scarlet is precocious. At just 12 years old, she’s four months into her first year at the University. She has curly, sandy-colored hair, loves her roommate, K Stiefel ’20, and lives in the Pink House at 99 Alexander Street.

Scarlet also has four legs, loves to play catch, and serves as Stiefel’s emotional support animal (ESA).

Scarlet provides Stiefel with unconditional love and helps to structure their day. The responsibility of caring for an animal means Stiefel has to care for themself, whether that means going for a midday walk or taking a break from work to give Scarlet some attention.

Scarlet and Stiefel aren’t the only interspecies roommates on campus. The Office of Disability Services approves ESAs for select students in order to “mitigate the impact of the disability which can help the student to better navigate their academic and social settings,” Director Liz Erickson wrote in an email. The number of campus ESAs is unclear; approved students sometimes opt to leave their animals at home.

“I literally cannot express enough how helpful it’s been to have him,” said Ann Webb ’22, who lives with Scout, her seven-month-old feline ESA. “It’s so nice to have that source of joy and love and comfort that you just know is going to be there anytime.”

Most students with ESAs have either a dog or a cat, and students are free to live in any dormitory building on campus, provided that any roommates also agree to having an ESA. To qualify for an ESA, a student must provide documentation of a disability and an addendum document from a treating therapist or other medical professional that establishes why the animal is a necessary part of the student’s treatment protocol and how they would benefit from the opportunity.

If the Office of Disability Services approves the request, the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students requires proof of the animal’s vaccinations and sets out the requirements and responsibilities of having an animal on campus. For instance, ESAs are not allowed in public University buildings or spaces. Students must return to their rooms throughout the day to provide their animals with adequate care and attention.

For both Stiefel and Webb, the application process proved simple and straightforward. The task of caring for an animal on campus can prove less so.

Students with dogs, like Stiefel, visit their rooms as many as five times a day to walk their animals.

“It can be difficult to make sure they’re getting all the love and attention they need,” Webb said. “It’s just something that each student has to work through and figure out, like divvying up their time and making sure they’re making time for the animal in the same way the animal is making time for them.”

For Webb, caring for Scout has been simplified by having three other roommates. When Webb is busy with extracurriculars, knowing that Scout has companionship puts her mind at ease.

Scout has full roam of the two bedrooms and common room of Webb’s quad. Friendly and affectionate, he often jumps up into beds — any beds — at night to cuddle, and he is well-known among Webb’s friends.

“I remember at the beginning of the year, sometimes I would just forget that we had a cat living in the room, and I just woke up with a warm body next to me,” said Rayyan Sarker ’22, Webb’s roommate. “Every day I wake up, and I get re-surprised that, in a college dorm, I have the opportunity to spend time with another animal.”

Scout’s presence has had a tangible impact not just on Webb, but also on her roommates. He provides a homey atmosphere — the residents of the quad enjoy relaxing with him in the evenings and taking him for walks when the weather is warm — and a sense of excitement.

“It’s funny because people will, like, knock on our door and be, like, ‘Oh, I just came to hang out with the cat,’” Webb said. “He’s famous. He definitely gets tons of love and affection.”

“Sometimes it’s so easy to forget … [that] we’re always so busy running around, doing things on campus, and a lot of the time coming back to our room just meant going to bed,” she explained. “It’s nice to have someone else or something else that we all can sit with [and] play with, and it makes our room more lively in general when he’s running around.”

Having an ESA on campus is a new experience for both Stiefel and Webb this year. Both of them have noticed positive changes in their lives.

For Webb, the support Scout brings helps her navigate anxiety and any other mental health concerns, making it easier for her to function.

“I think it’s something that creates more equity for students who have disabilities or any kind of mental illness — to have this support system is incredibly, incredibly helpful,” she said.

The responsibility of caring for Scarlet means Stiefel commits to being back in their room at 10:30 p.m. and taking more breaks — a healthy necessity for both of them. But as much as Stiefel takes care of Scarlet, they insist that Scarlet takes care of them.

“When I’m really stressed out or I’m having a bad day emotionally,” said Stiefel, “I can just hang out with her for a little bit, especially given that sometimes I have trouble interacting with people. Having a dog where there’s no expectation of having to be social but I can still get that nice contact. That oxytocin flowing has been amazing.”

National Rescue Dog Day

On May 20th, National Rescue Dog Day recognizes all the benefits of allowing a four-legged canine to adopt you into their immeasurably lovable life.

According to the ASPCA, approximately 3.3 million dogs enter shelters every year. When these abandoned and abused animals find their way to a shelter, each one needs a forever home and their potential is limitless. They’re rescue dogs.

Rescue dogs provide a variety of therapeutic benefits. Children, teens, and adults with autism may benefit from services provided by trained rescue dogs.

As emotional support companions, rescue dogs help to relieve anxiety, depression, and PTSD among the military or those who suffer from mental illness.

They make excellent teachers, too. Rescue dogs show children about caring and kindness.

Rescue dogs can even be trained to rescue us from dangerous situations or help to investigate the cause of a fire.

There are more homeless animals than people.  In fact, according to volunteer website DoSomething .org, there are five homeless animals on the street for every one homeless human.

Most dogs entering shelters are still young. Research published in the Macedonian Veterinary Review found that, in 2013, the average age of a shelter dog was under two years old, proving that there are dogs of all ages available for adoption.

Of the 6.5 million animals that enter animal shelters nationwide every year, 3.3 million of those are dogs.

one study conducted by researchers at the University of Florida found that having a pet dog around allows children better cope with stress, setting them up for success in the future.

According to the pet adoption website PetFinder, approximately 60 percent of shelter dogs nationwide are put to sleep every year because they can’t find a home.

Because so many dogs are brought to the shelter having already lived in a home environment, it’s more than likely that you’ll find that your new pet already knows some of the basic commands.

According to one study of 3.4 million individuals published in Scientific Reports, single dog owners were 33 percent less likely to die compared to their pet-free pals.

It costs taxpayers roughly 2 BILLION bones a year to round up, shelter and euthanize homeless animals.

Did you know adopting a pup can help you lose weight? Dog owners are more active than their pet-less counterparts. (Sneaking in exercise through walks and fetch doesn’t hurt, either!)

1 out of every 10 dogs born will find a permanent home.

According to Slate, one survey found that “82 percent of people [felt] more confident approaching an attractive person if they had their dog with them.”

Another study cited by Slate found that in the modern world of dating apps, people with dogs look more approachable and happy than those who are dogless.

There have been several studies on the best ways to calm dogs in kennels. Classical music seems to work well, but a 2016 study found that compared to other “auditory conditions,” kenneled dogs were more relaxed while audiobooks were playing. Cesar Milan then did his own tests and found that 76 percentof his volunteer dogs were more relaxed at home while listening to audiobooks—and teamed up with Audible to create a specialized audiobook service.

I’s not just adults who experience health benefits from having a dog; another study found that child dog walkers played outside more and were more likely to walk in the neighborhood.

The Newfoundland breed has a water resistant coat and webbed feet. This dog was originally bred to help haul nets for fishermen and rescuing people at risk of drowning.

It’s rumored that, at the end of the Beatles song, “A Day in the Life,” Paul McCartney recorded an ultrasonic whistle, audible only to dogs, just for his Shetland sheepdog.

Dogs chase their tails for a variety of reasons: curiosity, exercise, anxiety, predatory instinct or, they might have fleas! If your dog is chasing his tail excessively, talk with your vet.

Dalmatian puppiesppies are pure white when they are born and develop their spots as they grow older.

Dogs’ eyes contain a special membrane, called the tapetum lucidum, which allows them to see in the dark.

Service Dogs Save Lives

Once a service animal picks its human, the two lose their individual identities and become a team.

Dog Weight Pulling

The benefits of a dog pulling weight is similar to that of a child learning a music instrument or sport. It’s a physical and psychological challenge that will leave both of you feeling Proud. 99% of Dogs LOVE to Pull, it’s not torture, your dog will Love it.

I have modified tires and equipment specifically for this sport. Donation Based or pay nothing but the barter is that I need videos for my website that I’m working on.

The weight is actually low, it’s the resistance that makes it a physical and psychological challenge.

How many of you have working breeds without a job? Dogs have confidence when they have a job, pride and purpose.

I AM FLEXIBLE AND IS BEING OFFERED ON MULTIPLE DATES IN ADDITION THE DATE POSTED ON THIS EVENT PAGE. Feel free to call me anytime.

I have pulling harnesses but you may need to buy your own depending on your dog’s size. I don’t make a penny from that (not my site) & all other equipment is on the house.

Social Distancing will be easy because I can stand back while you motivate your dog.

Service Dog Gets Photo In Yearbook

A Louisville family received quite the surprise when they recently picked up their daughter’s yearbook. An unexpected photo printed next to Hadley Jo’s had everyone smiling during such a ‘ruff’ time.

Pandemic aside, Hadley Jo has been on her own roller coaster ride over the last 5 years. With a smile, she’ll tell you she has epilepsy, a neurological disorder where brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures.

“Hadley Jo had her first seizure on my lap at 17 months old,” said her mother, Heather Lange. “It was a very scary time in our life.”

Lange says they’re in a better place now, thanks to one companion who’s been at her side every minute of the day since she was two. Ariel is Hadley Jo’s service dog.

“She has the ability to know when something’s wrong. She’s able to alert us before a seizure happens and we’re able to administer rescue medication in less than 2 minutes in order to stop the seizure, so that’s pretty life-changing for us,” Lange said.

Ariel goes where Hadley Jo goes, and that includes school.

“Most of our seizures are happening at school right now. Fine motor skills trigger seizures. Critical thinking, deep concentration, things like that. So, we’re really lucky to have Ariel because she can go to school with us,” Lange said.

Ariel even rides the bus to St. Patrick Catholic School, unleashing some puppy love on her favorite teachers. This month, she took part in the school’s kindergarten graduation celebrations.

“She’s always watching. She’s always got her eyes on her. She’s always there,” Lange said.

Ariel’s the only service dog in the Archdiocese of Louisville, so it was quite the surprise when the Labradoodle was recognized as a classmate alongside Hadley Jo in the yearbook.

“That was pretty unique and pretty special to pick up our yearbook and see our service dog featured with our daughter. It’s very heartwarming and touching, that you see this inclusiveness where not everybody looks the same,” Lange said.

If it weren’t for Ariel, life could have looked very different for the Lange family.

“I think we’d be in a very scary place,” Lange said. “Because there’s a sense of security when I go to sleep at night. I know there’s eyes and ears on my daughter when I’m not there. There is nothing else I can think of that can do what she’s doing for our family. She truly saves my daughter’s life and I don’t think I could ever thank her enough for that.”

The family fundraised throughout the community in order to get Ariel when Hadley Jo was first diagnosed. Service dogs can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $60,000. It’s a cost they hope to lessen for other families in similar situations.

They created the Hope of Hadley Jo Project and teamed up with the Epilepsy Foundation of Kentuckiana to raise funds for families needing service dogs.

Importance Of Pets

Dogs Program

Comfort Dog Helps Military Vet

Initially, Will Rollins declined an offer for an emotional support dog. The 37-year-old former U.S. Marine sergeant who fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom’s early years and in Afghanistan, thought he had finally curbed the depression he had endured since leaving the service 10 years ago.

After reconsidering, Rollins took in a puppy gifted to him by the nonprofit Easter Seals of Greater Houston. The lives of Rollins, his wife and his 9-year-old daughter shine brighter ever since he was paired up with a rambunctious red Australian Labradoodle named Andy. The dog’s “been a blessing not only just for me but for my family also,” said Rollins, who is a Montgomery County Sheriff’s detective. Andy “loves to make me and my family happy.” Despite hiccups in training due to stay-at-home orders brought on by the coronavirus, Andy earned his service dog vest after he and Rollins completed the certification test with a perfect score earlier this month.

Settling into civilian life was not easy for Rollins. He divorced his first wife and ended up living alone in an apartment as his post-traumatic stress disorder began taking over.

“I let my post-traumatic stress not ruin me, but control me,” he said. “Not living as the man I should have been living.”

After help from friends and counseling, Rollins was able to overcome many of his struggles. He simply did not see a big need for an emotional support dog.

“I thought I had everything handled. I thought everything was fine,” Rollins said.

When Rollins comes home, The ever ebullient Andy approaches him to be petted. Andy does the same with friends who come visit too, picking up on their stress and helping them forget their worries.

“He automatically puts everybody in a good mood,” Rollins sad. “That’s just his personality.”

Rollins and his wife, Emily, in January 2019 made the drive from their Montgomery County home to Tennessee to pick up Andy as a 9-week-old pup.

Man and canine were paired up by the Houston nonprofit My Service Dog, Inc., an Easter Seals partner organization, which trains dogs to serve people with PTSD, autism, seizures or who are quadriplegic.

Allie Keaton, founder of My Service Dog, matched the two based on Rollins’ personality, lifestyle and needs. But intuition, she insists, played the biggest hand in her picking Andy from a litter for Rollins.

As far as training, Will Rollins was “a very quick study,” Keaton said. “That helped to make Andy easier to train because Andy had the ability and the brains and the willingness, but Will had the follow through.”

Once a week during the start of training, Rollins and Andy would go somewhere public so the dog’s natural excitement would temper down some. Then for four months they would train on multiple tasks at a store parking lot.

As Andy progressed, sessions shifted to every other week. Andy’s big day to test for certification was postponed from February after the COVID-19 outbreak.

Finally on May 3, Andy completed the half-hour test consisting of 25 tasks including following command, staying under a table at a restaurant and accepting strangers approaching him. Andy was graded on three levels: passing, need work, or fail. He excelled on each task.

For more than 70 years, Easter Seals of Greater Houston has been helping people with disabilities and their families in the area. It officially affiliated with the national organization in 2011.

They have provided about 25 service and therapy dogs to military veterans, paying $25,000 for the cost of the canine, veterinarian bills and training, according to Easter Seals Development Director Kelly Klein.

The organization aims to be of service to not only veterans in need, but also to their families. Klein said the Easter Seals of Greater Houston helped 1,700 veterans and their families last year alone.

A coping and comfort dog like Andy, Klein said, helps Rollins be of greater service to Montgomery County as an officer of the law.

The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the economic well-being of many veterans makes helping them the more urgent, Klein said.

“Times like this, it is really of upmost importance that we have donors out there who want to support these programs for these veterans,” she said. “They served our country and they deserve to be well taken care of.”

When he is not running around the Rollins’ house and playing fetch, Andy regularly rides with Will Rollins in his red 1987 Chevy Blazer. As Rollins drives through Montgomery County, the 50-pound pooch comfortably sits as a seat-belted passenger with the wind blowing on his face like any other happy dog.

Having earned his service vest, by federal law this dog can now accompany his human dad wherever he goes. And for Rollins, a Cleveland native who grew up with a variety of dogs, that makes him all the happier.

“He is the most caring, sweetest, wonderful dog that I’ve ever had,” he said of Andy.

Police Foundation

The Abbotsford Police Foundation (APF) is celebrating its 15th anniversary by launching a Thanks to You! campaign to showcase and thank donors and sponsors.

The campaign also includes thanks from recipients of APF grant funding, highlighting in their own words the positive impact of community generosity.

Ads will be placed on billboards, the APF website, social media and in print from now until the end of the year. Since 2005, the APF has raised almost $300,000 and has received immeasurable value through in-kind in contributions.

All funds raised help support Abbotsford Police Department (APD) community policing programs and the purchase of specialized equipment not covered by the APD’s operating budget.

Past purchases have included Kevlar vests for police service dogs, a drone, a vintage police cruiser, a John Deere “Gator” ATV and a training simulator.

The APF was founded by Dave Kandal, Jack Robertson and Spud Murphy.

The current president is Kevin Boonstra, who says none of the funding would have been possible without the generosity of the public.

“In these challenging times, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude to our community,” he said.

Pups 4 Patriots

Coleman Natural Foods welcomed the next class of veteran and service dog teams to the Pups4Patriots program, which rescues qualified dogs in need of forever homes and trains them to be service pets for veterans with post-traumatic stress (PTS) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The six new pairs were matched and are making headway on training through a commitment the company made in 2019. Last fall Coleman Natural honored the first six graduates of the program.

“The resilience of these veterans and their dogs is something unparalleled,” said Mel Coleman, Jr., chief executive officer of Coleman Natural. “Despite additional challenges brought on by COVID-19, we are confident this group will excel in any environment.”

The veteran and service dog pairs include:

Mike & Mark Jacob: Mike is a veteran of numerous United States military branches, including the Navy, Air Force, National Guard, and Army. Mike is paired with a Labrador/German Shepherd mix named Mark Jacob.

Dean & Bama: Dean is a US Army veteran. His dog is Bama, a male Goldendoodle.

Joey & Bugg: Joey is a US Army veteran. He currently lives in Tennessee and is paired with Bugg, a female German Shepherd.

Michael & Scout: Michael is a US Air Force veteran. He lives in Tennessee and is paired with Scout, a male Labrador/Retriever mix.

Jeremy & Ali: Jeremy is an US Army veteran from Tennessee. Jeremy is paired with Ali, a female German Shepherd mix.

Joseph & Bellarosa: Joe is a US Army veteran. He lives in Oklahoma and is paired with Bellarosa, a female German Shepherd.

Animal Rescue Centre

With a relatively small team of dedicated staff, Many Tears Animal Rescue has become one of the leading – and certainly one of the most unusual – dog rescue organisations in the UK.

At the time of writing, the centre in Cefneithin has taken on 113 dogs in the past 48 hours; all collected from breeders who no longer have a need for them.

While this amount may seem immense, it is not unusual for the organisation which takes in and rehomes over 3,000 mostly ex-breeding dogs each year.

As the vans arrive at the centre with the dogs, the priority is to make them comfortable. Sadly, a lot will need veterinary care. Many will never have experienced human affection before.

They are firstly placed in warm kennels where they can snuggle into clean bedding, meet their new kennel friends and enjoy a good meal.

To Syliva Van Atta, founder of Many Tears Animal Rescue, for the dogs she saves, this is the first day of the rest of their lives.

As a child Sylvia always felt an immense empathy towards animals. As she got older she knew her vocation was to make a difference and help reduce their pain and suffering where she could.

She founded two animal rescue centres in the UK, helped build another in Israel and then moved to the USA with her husband Bill, again to work with rescue centres.

It was here where her experience with working with dogs that were too often euthanised – many of which she describes as being done in an inhumane way – that set her and Bill on a path that eventually led to the creation of Many Tears.

Despite dogs often arriving at Many Tears with ailments, sometimes considerable, including heart conditions or requiring general surgery, Sylvia says every dog will be given an equal chance of living a good life with the love and comfort they deserve.

With so much going on daily at the centre and admitting that she is possibly a bit of a control freak, she and Bill have gone without holidays for the past 17 years.

It was a huge shock to the staff therefore, when she announced just a few weeks ago that the couple were going to take a one-week break in Antigua.

It was less of a shock when she called the office from Antigua to say that they were talking to a local vet there about helping the thousands of homeless dogs that roamed the island.

Before three days of her holiday had passed, Sylvia had immersed herself among the four small teams of locals who help the many starving and injured dogs and cats.

It was clear that ’these angels’, as she calls them, needed funds if they were going to continue to make a difference.

As she watched the huge cruise ships pull into the docks to let holiday-makers off, she watched as they avoided two dead street dogs that lay nearby in the road.

Her team back in the UK is already on standby as Sylvia informs them that she’s taken on ‘Project Antigua’, as well as adopted two dogs who will eventually join her back in Cefneithin.

As staff at Many Tears run frantically around to take the 113 dogs to their new temporary homes, the vet prepares for the many hours ahead checking the health of the new arrivals.

In addition to putting locally knitted jumpers on some of the more fragile dogs, Sylvia is arranging a collection of much-needed supplies for her new friends in Antigua.

After contacting many shipping companies, Geest Line, a cargo service based in Fareham, kindly offered to both provide and transport a container of much-needed supplies, at no cost, back to the island from the UK.

“Her need to help dogs is her purpose for living,” one volunteer said.

In addition to her daily duties at the rescue centre, Sylvia is urging anyone who can help her fill the container with supplies before it leaves in the middle of February to get in touch.

“All the Caribbean islands appear to have a problem with strays,” she said, “but these amazing small teams of people in Antigua are working hard to spay and neuter the street dogs and cats there and educate people.”

She said she hopes the island will set a precedent to the others.

For anyone looking to help the cause, a list of supplies is available on the Dogs Looking for Homes page on the Many Tears website. There, you can also donate to the cause.

The list is divided into three groups and includes items that can be used as part of an education programme in schools. Other supplies include veterinary swabs, slip leads and dog collars

There is also a link if you would like to make a financial donation.

“We appreciate every donation no matter how small,” she said.

Paws For Life

Crazy Dog donated training treats to support Paws For Life K9 Rescue (PFL)’s COVID-19 Operation Pandemic initiative and its Prison Program.

The St. Louis-based pet product manufacturer sent 12,960 bags of its popular Crazy Dog Train-Me! treats to the rescue group. The Crazy Dog Train-Me! treats will be sent to people who are fostering dogs through Operation Pandemic to help them meet the costs of caring for a pet. The treats are being shared with two food banks that assist low-income pet parents in the Los Angeles area.

When Paws For Life K9 Rescue (PFL) started COVID-19 Operation Pandemic and reached out to “everyone able to open their home to a shelter dog,” the Santa Monica, Calif.-based rescue was amazed to see that, within a short time, more than 50 dogs had been removed from Los Angeles-area shelters and placed in new foster homes. PFL continues to support these dogs so they can remain in foster care until they find permanent homes.

PFL will also use the training treats in its Paws for Life Prison program. PFL works with inmates in the California State Prison system to care for and train shelter dogs. The program prepares rescue dogs to become service dogs for military veterans with PTSD.

“Crazy Dog is very pleased to make this donation to an organization that does such great work,” said Stacey Luna, a spokesperson for Crazy Dog. “Paws for Life has quickly and effectively responded to the current crisis and we are happy to be able to support their causes. We know that well-behaved dogs are more likely to be successfully adopted, and training is important to get dogs out of shelters and into caring homes…”