Veteran’s Service Dog

The 2006 rocket attack in Afghanistan that severely injured Gretchen Evans represented something of an ending for the U.S. Army command sergeant major, who awoke to be informed by a medic’s message on a dry erase board that she’d permanently lost her hearing.

But the tragedy also marked a new beginning for Evans, a woman packed with a strength and resolve that belies her 5-foot, 3-inch, 100-pound stature. She saw a challenge to be overcome, and with the help of Aura, a trained hearing service dog, Evans said she “went from being a blown-up deaf person to a person who now feels safe and secure in the world.”

Evans, who moved to Brunswick this year with her husband and Bowdoin College alumnus, Robert, has gotten a well-deserved amount of limelight over the years, appearing on “Megyn Kelly Today” and “Courage in Sports,” a TV documentary that profiled badly-injured veterans, and penning “Leading from the Front,” which covers her time in the Army. But now it’s Aura’s turn, Evans said. She entered the 7-year-old black Labrador/golden retriever mix into the national 2020 American Humane Hero Dog Awards, and of a pool of 408 canine candidates, Aura emerged as one of 21 semifinalists, including “Dolly Pawton” of Naples. Aura is one of only three in the guide/hearing category – one of seven total categories – and the top dog is to be featured in the Hero Dog Awards Broadcast, to be broadcast sometime this fall on the Hallmark Channel. “The American Humane Hero Dog Awards are our way of honoring the best of our best friends,” noted Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane president and CEO. “This unique effort brings attention to the life-changing, life-saving power of the human-animal bond.”

The awards, sponsored by the Lois Pope LIFE Foundation, “celebrate America’s often unsung heroes,” Pope said. “From those who defend our country to those who help us heal, guide us, protect us, and help find the lost, every single contender exemplifies the courage and heroism we seek to spotlight in this campaign. Our goal is not only to honor these magnificent dogs but to inspire America to reflect on the outsized contributions that animals make in our lives each and every day.”

“It’s really all about (Aura),” the 59-year-old said. “I’m just arm-candy to her.”

Thanks to therapy she had in the year after becoming deaf, Evans speaks clearly and read lips well. Accents can be problematic, because words are formed differently, and beards can make lip-reading difficult, too.

“It’s like learning a foreign language, almost, because you’re really translating,” said Evans, who is due to be a guest speaker at Brunswick’s Veterans Day dedication of its Veterans Plaza.

Refusing to think of herself as disabled after her injury – which ended her 27-year Army career and left her struggling to find work – Evans navigated an all-silent world without a guide dog for nearly 10 years. Veterans Affairs set her up with devices to compensate for her lack of hearing, like a light that flashed when the doorbell rang, and a vibration in her mattress that would wake her up when the alarm went off. But “once I left the house, I was a deaf person again,” she said.

Two scares made Evans realize she needed more help. At a hotel for her husband’s conference, she was in the shower when housekeeping knocked repeatedly on her door, and both parties were mutually shocked when they met in the bathroom.

Another time, Evans was jogging down the street, and didn’t hear the bicyclist on the sidewalk behind her say he’d be passing on her left. The collision threw her into the street, and the Mercedes that slammed on its brakes stopped inches from her head.

“I still remember smelling that burned rubber smell,” Evans said.

The doctor at the hospital told her she’d have to stop doing the things she used to do. Evans felt an empty pit in her stomach, the latest dose of bad news in a struggle since the missile attack that had brought her a brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder.

“I felt like if I didn’t stick my foot in that closing door, I was going to lose myself,” Evans said. “I was beginning to think I was running out of options.”

She emailed her story to America’s VetDogs, which to her great relief informed her that while it had never before trained a hearing dog, the organization would find a way to do so for her, and provide the canine free of cost.

Evans was paired with Aura, who she calls “a fur guardian angel,” five years ago.

Curious, and packed with energy and intelligence, Aura will nudge Evans if she hears a sound she’s been trained to tell her handler about, like a doorbell. Evans asks Aura, “where’s the sound?,” and her companion will take her to the door, the microwave, the washer and dryer, her cell phone if a text message has arrived – wherever the sound has occurred. If an emergency vehicle blares a warning while Evans is driving, Aura lets her know.

Aura stands to her rear, so nothing coming up from behind Evans will startle her. They go on hikes together.

“She’s given me back my independence,” Evans said. “I don’t consider myself a deaf person anymore; I have ears. Aura is my ears.”

Adorable New Recruits

A pair of Golden Retriever Puppies took oath on Monday to serve as therapy dogs for the Hanford Fire Department.

They dressed the part, donning tiny firefighter outfits and hats at Hanford City Hall.

California Service Dog Academy, based in Visalia, provided the dogs to Station Number One.

The non-profit raises, trains, and assigns service dogs to veterans and other agencies.

Last week the puppies visited the fire department to help them get used to the environment.

Future Service Dogs

Canine For Independence is a nonprofit that provides people with disabilities with highly trained assistance dogs.

Just last week, the organization took to Instagram to highlight some of its awesome work: volunteer pilots flew 29 puppies across the country to their volunteer puppy raisers. The furry animals will become assistance dogs for folks with disabilities.

Although we certainly didn’t need to be reminded of the power of animals in making our lives better, it surely seems like, during this global period of quarantine, companies have tried to spread the love by offering the aid of furry friends in a myriad of activities. Goats and llamas have been making Zoom appearances, adorable furry ones are lifting senior citizens’ spirits via virtual play dates, an English bulldog became our lockdown hero and we can even adopt a pet via Zoom these days!

Of course, Canine Companions for Independence’s work has been praiseworthy since way before we’ve all been trapped at home. But there’s something about this act of cute kindness that resonates even more these days.

Past Pets

Veteran’s Bond

The 2006 rocket attack in Afghanistan that severely injured Gretchen Evans represented something of an ending for the U.S. Army command sergeant major, who awoke to be informed by a medic’s message on a dry erase board that she’d permanently lost her hearing.

But the tragedy also marked a new beginning for Evans, a woman packed with a strength and resolve that belies her 5-foot, 3-inch, 100-pound stature. She saw a challenge to be overcome, and with the help of Aura, a trained hearing service dog, Evans said she “went from being a blown-up deaf person to a person who now feels safe and secure in the world.”

Evans, who moved to Brunswick this year with her husband and Bowdoin College alumnus, Robert, has gotten a well-deserved amount of limelight over the years, appearing on “Megyn Kelly Today” and “Courage in Sports,” a TV documentary that profiled badly-injured veterans, and penning “Leading from the Front,” which covers her time in the Army. But now it’s Aura’s turn, Evans said. She entered the 7-year-old black Labrador/golden retriever mix into the national 2020 American Humane Hero Dog Awards, and of a pool of 408 canine candidates, Aura emerged as one of 21 semifinalists, including “Dolly Pawton” of Naples. Aura is one of only three in the guide/hearing category – one of seven total categories – and the top dog is to be featured in the Hero Dog Awards Broadcast, to be broadcast sometime this fall on the Hallmark Channel. “The American Humane Hero Dog Awards are our way of honoring the best of our best friends,” noted Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane president and CEO. “This unique effort brings attention to the life-changing, life-saving power of the human-animal bond.”

The awards, sponsored by the Lois Pope LIFE Foundation, “celebrate America’s often unsung heroes,” Pope said. “From those who defend our country to those who help us heal, guide us, protect us, and help find the lost, every single contender exemplifies the courage and heroism we seek to spotlight in this campaign. Our goal is not only to honor these magnificent dogs but to inspire America to reflect on the outsized contributions that animals make in our lives each and every day.”

“It’s really all about (Aura),” the 59-year-old said. “I’m just arm-candy to her.”

Thanks to therapy she had in the year after becoming deaf, Evans speaks clearly and read lips well. Accents can be problematic, because words are formed differently, and beards can make lip-reading difficult, too.

“It’s like learning a foreign language, almost, because you’re really translating,” said Evans, who is due to be a guest speaker at Brunswick’s Veterans Day dedication of its Veterans Plaza.

Refusing to think of herself as disabled after her injury – which ended her 27-year Army career and left her struggling to find work – Evans navigated an all-silent world without a guide dog for nearly 10 years. Veterans Affairs set her up with devices to compensate for her lack of hearing, like a light that flashed when the doorbell rang, and a vibration in her mattress that would wake her up when the alarm went off. But “once I left the house, I was a deaf person again,” she said.

Two scares made Evans realize she needed more help. At a hotel for her husband’s conference, she was in the shower when housekeeping knocked repeatedly on her door, and both parties were mutually shocked when they met in the bathroom.

Another time, Evans was jogging down the street, and didn’t hear the bicyclist on the sidewalk behind her say he’d be passing on her left. The collision threw her into the street, and the Mercedes that slammed on its brakes stopped inches from her head.

“I still remember smelling that burned rubber smell,” Evans said.

The doctor at the hospital told her she’d have to stop doing the things she used to do. Evans felt an empty pit in her stomach, the latest dose of bad news in a struggle since the missile attack that had brought her a brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder.

“I felt like if I didn’t stick my foot in that closing door, I was going to lose myself,” Evans said. “I was beginning to think I was running out of options.”

She emailed her story to America’s VetDogs, which to her great relief informed her that while it had never before trained a hearing dog, the organization would find a way to do so for her, and provide the canine free of cost.

Evans was paired with Aura, who she calls “a fur guardian angel,” five years ago.

Curious, and packed with energy and intelligence, Aura will nudge Evans if she hears a sound she’s been trained to tell her handler about, like a doorbell. Evans asks Aura, “where’s the sound?,” and her companion will take her to the door, the microwave, the washer and dryer, her cell phone if a text message has arrived – wherever the sound has occurred. If an emergency vehicle blares a warning while Evans is driving, Aura lets her know.

Aura stands to her rear, so nothing coming up from behind Evans will startle her. They go on hikes together.

“She’s given me back my independence,” Evans said. “I don’t consider myself a deaf person anymore; I have ears. Aura is my ears.”

Good Boy Movie

From the sinister minds that brought you The Purge, Happy Death Day and Paranormal Activity, comes the Hulu original horror series Into the Dark, which turns every holiday into a complete nightmare. The horror anthology series features different actors in each episode, with a new episode being released each month focusing on a holiday from that month.

The latest episode of Into the Dark is titled “Good Boy,” and it is the first installment to focus on Pet Appreciation Week. Sure, it’s an odd “holiday” go with, but it works. “Good Boy” follows Maggie, a single middle-aged woman who gets and emotional support dog to help with her anxiety. However, the dog she gets does a whole lot more than help with her anxiety. He eliminates it at the source.

Into the Dark has found a bit of a niche lately, with fun, almost campy types of horror films that are more ridiculous than they are scary. It varies month to month, but more often than not, recent installments have fit that description and “Good Boy” follows suit.

The episode doesn’t take long to introduce the adorable dog as Maggie (Judy Greer) attempts to pull her crumbling life together by adopting a pet. From there, things get progressively weirder as the dog turns out to not be so innocent and adorable. Still, even at its most intense moments, “Good Boy” never really crosses the line of being a true horror. Actually, the early going of “Good Boy” hardly seems like a horror at all. The energy, the characters and even the music are all fun and playful. It seems more like the beginning of a romantic comedy than anything else. And when things do eventually start ramping up, it plays more like an adult version of Goosebumps than anything you would typically see from Blumhouse.

That may seem like I’m being tough on this installment of Into the Dark but I actually see all of that as a positive. No, “Good Boy” isn’t necessarily scary, but it’s clearly not trying to be. Instead, it’s more of a horror-comedy with likeable characters and a very enjoyable energy. It may be cheesy, but it’s delightfully cheesy.

Judy Greer is fantastic and one of the best leads Into the Dark has had. Her performance will keep you guessing about her character right up until the end and her relationship with Reuben, the dog, feels absolutely genuine. The rest of the cast does a great job as well, with McKinley Freeman and Ellen Wong standing out.

There is an element of mystery surrounding Greer’s character as well. One issue Into the Dark has run into in many previous installments has been predictability. A lot of times you can either see the twist coming or there simply isn’t one at all. “Good Boy” might have you thinking you know what’s going on, but it might just surprise you in the end. Overall, “Good Boy” is another fun, wacky and a little bizarre installment of Into the Dark. If you’re looking for something truly scary to enjoy on the next dark and stormy night, this may not get the job done. But if you’re looking for a lighthearted horror-comedy with a fun energy and just the right amount of corniness, “Good Boy” fits the bill.

Dog Babysitting Service

A video of a golden retriever dog named Kevin babysitting a toddler named Hank has left the internet in awe. Shared on the dog’s official TikTok handle, the clip depicts the care and love that the dog bestows on the kid as he dons a yellow “caretaker” duck cap while cradling the baby and helping the owner in changing his diapers. The clip has amassed over 31.8k likes and is captioned as “Kevin babysat a baby”.

As per the dog’s Instagram account, the retriever lives in Orlando, Florida with his owner and has several videos of him distracting his owner while she works from home. However, in the babysitting video where the furry canine wears a duck hat, he can be seen as a responsible pet as he assists in looking after the kid in the household. In one other video, the doggo can be seen wearing a zebra hat as he smiles for the camera. He has even been a participant at the “White Paw Challenge” with other famous dogs of Instagram. The videos have garnered millions of views as Kevin takes the internet by storm with each adorable move.

Pet Companionship

Canine Companions

Carol Lea Benjamin, one of my favorite canine training authors, wrote an article many years ago titled, “Do something, dog trainer!” She was not referring to professionally involved individuals, but to all of us who share our homes with clever and cunning canines, encouraging all of us to “get busy” with them.

At an obedience trial a few months ago, I was captivated by a couple of competitive teams in particular. Both of these were senior-senior citizens (one with cane in hand), who proudly and delightfully put their two “forever best friends” through their advanced exercises. Many hours of training and preparation had preceded these performances. Though both teams had some missteps, their connection and delight with each other, the excitement with the process, and their elation with the accomplishment (qualification notwithstanding) left more than a couple of us with a moist eye. I was touched by their relationship and moved by the love, communication, and trust that existed between the two. I saw those dogs and handlers later that day, each individual at their own vehicle having lunch alone, with their beautiful canine companions resting after their arduous tasks — but, wait, did I say “alone?” That’s the point — neither person was alone. They may have attended the competition without a human companion, but they each shared the event with a friend, family member, devoted companion — their dogs!

Emotional Support Pets

Animals have the ability to transmit peace love and joy into our everyday lives. So, that can be tremendously helpful to those who battle with mental and emotional distress.

According to peer reviewed journal, BMC Psychiatry, emotional support animals help with alleviating worry, they provide comfort and they mitigate against feeling of isolation and loneliness, which can truly improve symptoms of mental health conditions.

We reached out to the program manager of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare – Behavioral Health Division, Scott Rasmussen, to learn more about emotional support animals or also known as companion animals.

“An emotional support animal is just how it sounds. They provide support to individuals who typically struggle with elevated anxiety. Maybe they’ve got a mood disorder, like depression… and an animal can provide them comfort and provide that additional support. To have an emotional support animal, they receive a diagnosis. Their treatment provider provides them a letter suggesting that animal would provide some benefit to their condition that they’ve been diagnosed with.”

With this letter, a person in-need of an emotional support animal is protected by the federal government to live with and fly with their animal, free of charge. That’s because their mental and/or emotional state is considered a disability.

“We do see people attempt to abuse that, that don’t gain the benefit but still try to claim emotional support animals for secondary gain, such as access to housing,” said Rasmussen.

The law isn’t the only thing that can be abused, if not done correctly, these animals can be misused. Therefore, that’s exactly where animal experts and professionals play a huge role.

“If they care to share it, I think we could do a much better job picking an animal, a pet that would be best fit their scenario,” said the Twin Falls Animal Shelter’s director, Debbie Blackwood. “An animal that tends towards high anxiety themselves, probably doesn’t work really well in calming. I’d match their physical environment, their activity level and their experience.”

Unlike service animals, there is no specific animal or training needed to qualify a pet to become an emotional support animal. The only necessary documentation is the emotional support letter, or the ESA letter. However, these animals must first be healthy, capable and well-tempered to qualify meet the standards of approval. A veterinarian, is the one who determines the animal’s state.

“Our role is to make sure that pet is healthy and that it’s able to handle that role,” explained Dr. Dr. Zsigmond Szanto, who is the owner and medical director of the Twin Falls Veterinary Clinic and Hospital. “It’s also important that these pets are safe to others. We hear stories about an emotional support Pitbull that nipped at a five-year-old child in an airport, or a cat trying to scratch somebody trying to pet the kitty. So, it is stressful for them to be surrounded by unknown people and sometimes it’s overwhelming. “
All in all, there a multitude of layers that factor-in to getting the right emotional support animal, for both the owner and their companion. These animals become a vital part of a person’s journey in improving their mental and emotional state.

“It’s that consistency. They don’t judge you. They accept you and that’s really powerful. Their definitely great, emotional support for all of us,” expressed Blackwood.

Labradoodle Service Dog

I spoke this week with Hadley Jo Lange’s mother, Heather, about the special bond her daughter has with her faithful labradoodle, Ariel, who has assisted Hadley, who has epilepsy, for the past four years.

Ariel is always on guard to alert Heather and the Lange family when Hadley experiences a seizure.

Heather says she is “beyond grateful” for the presence of Ariel in their family. “She really does save my daughter’s life,” aptly describing her as “my daughter’s lifeline.”

Stress is often a trigger for Hadley’s seizures. That’s when Ariel responds and “alerts,” Heather explained, which exhibits itself in behaviors such as Ariel moving around, showing anxiety and barking. This is how Ariel conveys a message of “Help me” in order to help Hadley, who sometimes has several seizures a day; other times, her seizures may be spaced out by weeks at a time.

Ariel is always happily by Hadley’s side, including amid medical ordeals.

“How do I ever thank this dog?” Heather told me. “Ariel has a unique bond with Hadley Jo that she doesn’t have with anyone else.”

Ariel, who is the only service dog at a Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Louisville, provides ample support for Hadley by watching over her, giving her parents peace of mind.

Heather worked with a service-dog training organization, Ultimate Canine, to make sure that the dog was well trained to be in the classroom to assist Hadley, with the blessing of the school principal and assistance of school staff.

“This dog is so highly trained, with special areas in the classroom. No one knows she’s there,” Heather said, adding that it means so much that people will listen and accommodate a need like this. “The more people understand, the more willing they are to help you.”

Heather is committed to educating others, especially families, about the vital need specially trained service dogs provide and showing them that if it has worked well for their family, it can work for others, too.

The need for a service dog for Hadley became apparent when a stranger’s service dog alerted the Lange family to a seizure when Hadley was just 2 years old.

Afterward, Heather, a nurse practitioner, looked into the possibility of a service dog for Hadley. “I was a desperate mother desperate for answers,” she explained of her quest that involved much research. Labradoodles like Ariel are known to gravitate toward children; they are also known for being friendly and approachable. In addition, they are non-shedding and hypoallergenic.

Heather attributes her family’s story to the workings of the Holy Spirit and feels blessed to share their story.

“I really do believe this was God’s plan: that he gave us this disease to do something good with it.”

Now, Hadley Jo and Ariel are ambassadors of goodness, so to speak, highlighting a message of inclusiveness.

“I love the message of inclusiveness. Not everyone looks the same, learns the same,” Heather explained. “Our school has chosen to allow my daughter to bring her dog to school — to be part of the class, the school — made efforts to include her in St. Patrick’s family.”

Inclusiveness is a “big, powerful word. My message is: Look at this school — the inclusion, kindness and compassion — other schools can do this, too.”

“As a person of faith, the Catholic faith and values are important to my husband and me; we were raised in the faith and Catholic schools, and we want that for our children.”

She continued, “Faith has given me a sense of security and hope — when you do experience a crisis, you’re not alone. You may feel alone, but you’re not alone. God is there.”

Heather said the world has a need for good messages right now and recognizes that this story has been “so comforting to so many people,” adding that it’s a “time for good news.” She is grateful it is striking a chord globally on so many levels, “not just ‘How cute?’— it’s a message that needs to be shared.”

She emphasized, “The yearbook photo is a sign of God’s love, compassion and inclusion: a simple act of kindness — how beautiful is that?”

For Hadley Jo, her “youthful heart” is apparent, too, according to her mom. Once, when seeing their story featured on TV, Hadley looked at Ariel and said, “Look at this: You’re famous.”

Ever a constant companion, Ariel continues to be by Hadley’s side. Since home schooling amid the pandemic, Ariel has been “right there with her,” Heather related. Like always. Most of all, despite her medical concerns, Hadley Jo is “the happiest kid,” her mom says, “who brings so much joy to us.”

Law Enforcement Dog

Cody, a bomb-sniffing dog from Newport News, could win Law Enforcement Dog of the Year.

The 8-year-old pup is competing against two other dogs in the same category: Denny, from Lindenhurst, New York and Axel from Scranton, Pennsylvania.

The annual event has seven categories for the award show this year: Therapy Dogs, Service Dogs, Military Dogs; Law Enforcement Dogs, Shelter Dogs; Search and Rescue Dogs and Guide/Hearing Dogs, according to the news release.

In addition, the 21 dogs remaining were selected out of 408 initial candidates and the winner of each category appears on the Hero Dog Awards in the fall. Voting ends July 16. You can vote Cody here.

Cody’s handler, James Overton, of American K-9 Interdiction, said in a prepared statement that Cody started in explosives detection in Iraq before continuing her career at the Mall of America and was transferred to Newport News working at Busch Gardens, LPGA tours and other events.

Cody also helps local agencies with bomb threats, visits schools and loves ear scratches.

Overton wrote one time while Cody was working at an amusement park when a girl around 8 years old waiting in line for a ride was bit in the leg by a service dog.

“When Cody saw the little girl, she immediately walked over, licked the girl’s hand and then laid at her feet,” Overton wrote. “Almost immediately, the little girl stopped crying, and was soon smiling, thanks to Cody.”

Keeping Pets Under Control

With many more people at home as a result of lockdown restrictions, there has been a sharp increase in people walking their dogs.

While this is good exercise for both dog and owner, there has been an increase in complaints about dogs not being kept under adequate control in public areas.

Complaints about dog fouling have also increased to Pembrokeshire County Council and local Town and Community Councils.

To continue to support each other and our communities, the Dog Control Service is asking all dog owners to act responsibly.

While in public places – particularly those that are well used by the public – dogs should be kept under close control.

That may mean well trained dogs are kept to heel and other more boisterous pets are kept on a lead.

This will help reduce the number of complaints of dogs being attacked by others.

It will also reduce the fear and concern some members of the public have about loose dogs as well as actual incidents of people being injured.

The Service would also request that dogs are not permitted to stray unaccompanied as this is adding additional pressure with the Dog Wardens having to return dogs that have been in the kennels to their owners.

Please also keep a close eye on your dogs at home and ensure that they don’t have the opportunity to escape.

Additionally the Service would again request that all dog owners continue to pick up after their pets.

When walking your pet please be mindful of the Welsh Government rules and stay local – defined as within five miles of your home – wherever possible.

Guide Dog Teams

In this time when so many of our social rituals have changed to accommodate the new rules of a global pandemic, one thing remains a constant: the need to remember to always use your powers of observation and offer a comfortable “physical distance” around a guide dog and his human handler when they are out in a public setting. Guide dogs are the eyes of their handler–they are trained to lead the way safely and securely. But we can’t expect guide dogs to understand the current physical distancing practice of maintaining 6-foot clearances.

Guide dogs are trained to be decision makers. Even under stressful situations the intent of the dogs’ presence is to protect their handlers from harmful situations involving clearances around obstacles and navigating over dangerous under footings. When another party is in too close proximity, it can distract the dog from its tasks. Just as we humans like our space, guide dogs need space as well to perform their duties.

Our wonderful guide dogs are specifically trained to make safe choices in public settings. This includes on stairways, elevators, and escalators; in supermarket aisles; around restaurant tables and along sidewalks. The long-standing message of being a careful observer applies when you are in the same vicinity as the guide dog team—especially when locating, entering, or exiting doorways. Remember that the dog knows to lead his handler with safe clearance, but he does not know how to create a 6-foot gap.

I believe the guide dog’s presence should tell the story and that we humans must observe and react with care. The responsibility for recommended physical spacing in the presence of a working team should fall to the sighted party. Please decide when it is necessary to make the adjustment for 6-feet of distance between you, and do it in a casual manner. When you see a guide dog team approaching, be observant and add a small amount of space between you as needed. There is no reason for exaggeration, but it’s easy to add a little physical separation to comply with safety practices. A slight movement one way or another will help a lot. We each do it every day in our people-to-people encounters.

And please do this with subtlety and tact. The blind person approaching you does not want to feel awkward or to be put on the spot. Nor do they want to be given preferential treatment. Blindness in and of itself can be the cause of social isolation and often results in loneliness and distancing from life and human interaction. We are in no way suggesting that you avoid engaging with a visually impaired person–just not when that can interfere with their safety and health.

We are all having to make adjustments to adhere to the new protocols and safety measures designed to flatten the curve of Covid-19 in our daily lives. Thank you for being sensitive about giving our life-changing guide dogs a little more space in theirs.

Leaving Pets In Hot Weather

Here are some timely reminders of what we should be doing to keep our pets safe when it’s hot.

Dogs in cars – we received several calls last week from members of the public who were concerned about dogs being left in vehicles.

Even with a vehicle parked in shade, with its windows open and a blanket over the windscreen, the temperature inside is likely to cause a dog discomfort, or worse – it could cause heatstroke and death.

Please leave your dogs at home when the weather is as hot as it has been.

When exercising your dog try to avoid the hottest part of the day and don’t play with them outside when the temperatures are high.

Many dogs just don’t know when to stop and will continue to play with a ball despite over-heating.

A paddling pool may help your dog to cool down, and they should have access to water at all times. Heatstroke can kill, and overweight dogs are particularly at risk.

Cats are generally less energetic in warm weather and they are adept at finding shady places to rest.

However, those with white noses and ears are at risk of getting those areas sunburnt, and so they should have a high-factor, pet-safe sunscreen applied.

If you are a rabbit owner please be extra vigilant at the moment and check your pet’s fur at least twice a day, particularly at its rear end (under the tail, which can be hidden from view).

Flystrike is a huge problem in the summer months. Flies are attracted to moist and dirty areas to lay their eggs which rapidly hatch into maggots.

There are licensed products that can be applied to a rabbit’s fur to prevent fly attraction, but good husbandry and hygiene will minimise the problem.

And what about wildlife?

We have had some sick hedgehogs brought to us over the last few days with a variety of problems, including tick infestations.

Ticks know no boundaries and will happily attach themselves to any mammal or bird, and so check your pets regularly.

A couple of the hedgehogs that we saw last week were dehydrated and so please remember to place shallow bowls of fresh water in your garden for the them to drink from.

And water for birds should be left in an elevated position to avoid predation by cats

Back to dogs, we have our very own sun-worshipper in Jeff, the five-year-old lurcher cross.

He is a bundle of fun who simply loves people, although he can be wary of strangers.

It is such a shame that large dogs, like Jeff, are consistently overlooked by potential adopters because of their size.

Jeff has excellent manners and is responsive to commands, and he would be best suited to an active family and an environment where he can run around and get plenty of exercise.

This is exactly what we are offering with our new day care service for dogs, due to open mid-June to coincide with dogs owners returning to work after lockdown.

We will be using our large barn here at Ard Jerkyll, two ’quiet rooms’, two garden areas and a large paddock. We will be able to cater for all dogs – large or small, boisterous or timid – and our qualified staff will be able to address any behavioural issues the day care dogs may have.

Hero Dog Awards

Meet Rek, a nine-year-old German Shepherd and former military working dog who is now living the retired life in Sarasota.

Rek is one of 21 semifinalists in the Hero Dog Awards, a competition hosted by the American Humane organization, where military, therapy and rescue dogs are honored for their service. Out of thousands of entries and votes received, Rek has now advanced and has a chance to win the title of “American Hero Dog.”

Founded in 1877, American Humane is the first humane organization in the country, protecting the rights and well-being of animals. This is the 10th annual Hero Dog Awards, where the public has cast votes for dogs in seven different categories, including Military, Therapy, Law Enforcement and more. Nearly half a million votes have been cast so far this year.

Beyond his adorable looks, Rek’s story of heroism and loyalty that have touched the hearts of voters. Rek was deployed as an explosive detection dog in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2011 to 2016, where he lived consecutively for five years. His current owner, Laura Cole, met Rek while deployed at a NATO base, and they formed a strong bond.

“I would feed him and bring him toys whenever I could,” says Cole. “I loved watching him work.”

Rek would sniff vehicles for drugs and explosive weapons before soldiers performed in-depth searches. His “rest days” were few and far between, yet he still enjoyed his toys as rewards and the love from his handlers, when he could.

“He still doesn’t know how to play like a normal dog,” says Cole. “But he has fun trying to play fetch, and enjoying the sunshine.”

Cole and Rek were separated from April to June of 2016, when Rek had retired and Cole was still deployed overseas. A generous U.S. nonprofit called K9 Hero Haven cared for Rek until the pair could reunite. Once Cole retired, she adopted Rek and they moved to Florida.

In 2018, Cole heard about the Hero Dog Awards through Facebook. “I know he’s my hero, so I thought why not enter him?” she recalls. Rek advanced to the semifinals last year, but never made it this far.

Cole and Rek plan to attend the Hero Dog Awards Gala in California if he advances again. The ceremony is broadcast nationwide on the Hallmark Channel.

“I just want to share his story,” says Cole. “It is not easy for these dogs when they return to the United States. It takes time to recover, and time to understand play and love.”

American Humane president and CEO Dr. Robin Ganzert says the awards are “the best way to bring attention to the life-changing, life-saving power of the human animal bond.”

In other words, they’re a way to honor our best friends.

News About ESAs

ESAs have been in the news quite a bit in recent years. Before we discuss what it’s all been about, let’s start with a definition. We’re talking about Emotional Support Animals. They are designed to help people struggling with a wide range of mental problems. It could be a man who has insomnia or an older person struggling with confidence issues. It could be a lady struggling with phobias and depression or an ex-soldier battling with PTSD.

When people have a designated ESA they no longer feel alone and not comforted at home, and are likely to sleep better as a result. Alternatively, they feel more confident when going outdoors and being around other people. The animals are usually domestic, such as cats and dogs, but can include other species too. They could be gerbils and hamsters, rodents, turtles, fish and rabbits.

In order to obtain formal documentation to show your entitlement to have an ESA, you need to consult an authorized mental health practitioner. There are many to be found online, according to the experts from Therapetic that some confidential screening tests are free. Many can be done by phone. People talk to a licensed professional and find out if they qualify for an ESA letter. If they do, it can be shipped out very quickly. You are not guaranteed one, of course, as it depends on your emotional state and whether you can build up a sufficiently good case. If you gain an ESA letter, it will be valid in all 50 states of America.

When someone has obtained legal permission to own an ESA and keeps the animal with them, there are two main times they will need to prove it: in matters related to housing and to travel. Other circumstances include visiting restaurants and hotels.

As regards housing there has been a lot of adverse publicity in the papers. Individuals with ESAs have complained they have been denied occupancy by potential landlords. The Fair Housing Act says you mustn’t be refused a tenancy on the basis of disability.

Landlords in turn have been angry. They want to look after their properties as they are their main asset. Many of them draft a no-pets policy as a result. When someone produces an ESA letter, however, they are unable to enforce that policy. The whole process related to ESAs and housing applications have been vague, so landlords have been rightly confused and frustrated.

In January 2020 The US Department Of Housing And Urban Development published new guidance advice for individuals and landlords. The latter has been banned from saying which breed of animal can or can’t be accepted or how much it must weigh.
Landlords have also been stopped from charging additional fees.

Sometimes, landlords dragged their heels on ESA tenancy applications, but now they have ten days to respond — and it has to be an active communication with the individual. Landlords were also accepting one type of letter, but not another, which caused a lot of distress for people. They now have to accept the ESA letter, no matter what format it appears in.

People with ESAs had also vocalized how they felt, being asked personal questions by potential landlords. Surely the ESA document was sufficient? Following the recent ruling, landlords are no longer allowed to probe further. These are just a few of the issues that have been in the newspapers and steered this new legislation. Another sticking point has been with transport. More and more ESAs have been traveling with passengers on airplanes and not being supervised. This has caused friction, both with other passengers and the cabin crew. Even other disabled people were complaining. The Department Of Transportation wanted to ban such animals under the health and safety umbrella. Yet again, the whole process of ESAs and transport has been vague. Travel authorities want a streamlined process for all airlines and locations. They are tired of passengers with more than two pets, or having animals that are bigger than the allocated foot space. The discussion will no doubt be ongoing, but a standard policy on pets and travel across the board will benefit everyone as it has been long overdue. It’s not just ESAs that we’re talking about here.

It is very easy to see how landlords could be frustrated with the previous procedures, and in turn, wants to accept a different tenant who does not own a pet or pets. It’s also easy to see how ESA owners felt discriminated against, and alone. The same thing goes with plane travel: It can’t be good for anyone when there’s lots of pets running around uncontrolled and uncontained. From the viewpoint of the person with emotional issues, the last thing you want are challenges when it comes to travel — you may feel anxious enough as it is being on a plane, without struggling to get a ticket or coping with your fellow passengers complaining. No doubt more legislation will be forthcoming, and both sides of the fence will have something to say. Ultimately, we want a world where people – whether fit and well or battling with mental illness — can live and travel in peace together.

Canine Moms

Shelby Mason beat out over 100 other contenders in the nationwide competition. She is an animal welfare advocate and pet parent to both a pomchi and a senior mastiff.

When Shelby Mason found herself chasing a runaway dog through the streets of Hilliard last summer, she had an epiphany.

“That’s when I realized I’m a crazy dog lady,” said Mason, 27, of Westerville, who was visiting her parents when she saw the dog bolt down the street.

She learned that the Great Dane belonged to a 12-year-old in the neighborhood and took it upon herself to help reunite them.

“I’d never done that in my life,” she said.

The boy’s family eventually located the dog.

Because of her commitment to dogs in the community, as well as her own two pooches, Timmy and Dinky, Mason was crowned “Dog Mom of the Year” by DOGTV in May.

The television network provides relaxation, stimulation and other types of programming for dogs. For two years, it has hosted the nationwide competition, which requires that participants submit a video about their passion for dogs.

“I was so surprised because there were a lot of other people who entered,” Mason said. “I felt so honored.” DOGTV narrowed more than 100 submissions down to 10, which were then judged by a panel of industry professionals. As the winner, Mason receives a free, one-year subscription to the network and a variety of gifts from pet-based companies.

“She is an ambassador for the year,” DOGTV General Manager Beke Lubeach said. “We like to tap into her wherever possible and get her views on things and give her the opportunity to talk to our audience about some of her initiatives.”

Mason is a wellness coordinator at Bark, which provides dog products and services via offices in New York and Columbus. She also advocates for animal welfare organizations.

Earlier this year, she organized a pup kissing booth, which benefited Grateful Acres Pet Sanctuary and Adoptions, and Speak for the Unspoken, a pet rescue for animals with special needs.

“The more experiences humans have with their pets bonding, the less likely they are to surrender them,” she said. “So I’ve been really passionate about creating these really fun ways for our employees and people in the community to bond with their dogs.”

“My mom would just bring dogs in the house and tell my dad, ‘Hey, we have a new dog today,’” Mason said.

One of those rescues was Timmy, the now-senior mastiff who joined the family when Mason was 18. But it was a bumpy transition; Timmy would run away and cry at night, Mason said.

“I didn’t like him (at first),” she admitted. “And then we spent the summer together. … We became best friends.”

After college, Mason adopted her now-4-year-old pomchi, Dinky, who is an emotional support animal.

“I got him registered right before the pandemic started,” Mason said. “It’s just been so good for my mental health.”

Mason has helped people cope with the death of their pets by starting a pup loss program at Bark. She is also pursuing a master’s degree in social work, which will help with her advocacy.

“I hope to do my internship in veterinary social work so I can keep being there for parents when they need it the most,” she said.

Mason also wants to be an example for others; she spent much of her DOGTV video encouraging other pet parents to volunteer, look for missing dogs or simply advocate for them to sit on patios in public places.

“As a dog mom, we really have a lot of power,” she said.

Retired Military Dog

He’s not your typical war veteran, but Loki’s family says he is a hero.

Loki is a dog. The 12-year-old boxer and rottweiler mix was a military police dog who served two tours in Afghanistan and now is retired, but he continues to give back.

“We didn’t want him to retire and get depressed,” Tina Rockenbach, Loki’s new owner said.

Loki came to live with the Rockenbach’s in February. His previous owner, who was also his partner in the military needed a new service dog and was hoping Loki could retire, spending the rest of his days sunbathing and playing with Rockenbach’s kids.

But Loki had other ideas.

“The first time we took him to the cemetery, we were going to visit my mom’s grave,” Rockenbach said.”The first time we took him to the cemetery, we were going to visit my mom’s grave.. he was just attracted to the veteran’s section… so I took him over there and he just seems to understand.”

This isn’t the only time. Once, when Loki was at the vet, he wouldn’t leave until he greeted a man in the waiting room. Loki placed his head on the man’s lap.

Later, Rockenbach learned that man was a veteran.

“He just has this connection to them that I can’t understand but I can see,” she said.

So Loki is now in training to get his therapy dog certificate. He’s already trained well in commands and has no behavioral concerns, which make him the perfect candidate.

Once that’s done, he’ll visit veterans weekly at care facilities in the area.

“It’s just a gift we can give back to them,” Rockenbach said.

Because Loki knows all too well what it’s like to serve. He’s even earned a Purple Heart.

“”He had alerted to a landmine and went to check it out and someone remote detonated it, he jumped and pushed James out of the way and took the bulk of the blast,” Rockenbach said.

James, who is Loki’s former partner and owner survived the blast and so did Loki. Though he still has scars on his chest.

Tina believes, Loki has some PTSD because of incidents like this.

“He’s seen a lot of things, done a lot of things,” she said.

She says during thunderstorms and fireworks, sometimes Loki is who needs the comforting. But she said it’s all worth it.

“Ironically I think he’s done more for us than anything,” Rockenbach said.

Medical Service Dog

A dog is helping Second Chance Animal Shelter in Selma live up to its name.

One of its strays has gone from shelter dog, to service dog.

“He kept getting out, he kept getting out of the house until one day, he ended up in the shelter,” says Aranda Guerra, an animal advocate who was familiar with the Anatolian Shepherd, then known as Max.

The owners eventually surrendered the dog — and Guerra made it a mission to find him a new home.

She had owned a dog of that same breed, and knew it had great potential.

But, “he looked really sad. Super sad,” says Guerra.

“He was a little shy,” says Rebecca Hernandez, an Animal Control Officer at Second Chance Animal Shelter. “We were being very careful with him.”

Hernandez says the staff, too, was determined to help the blue-eyed pup shine.

“We did spent a lot of time working with him, taking him out, spending some personal time with him to get his confidence up with people and our staff in general,” Hernandez says.

Meantime, Guerra reached out to animal rescue groups and foster homes.

She eventually connected with trainer John Anthony with Redemption Road K9, a working dog company and training center near Lancaster.

“You can just see there’s a light in his eyes,” says Anthony, who was also familiar with the breed of dog.

And, he already had a family in Orange County in mind.

The bond, almost instant, for RJ Estrella and her daughter, Taylor.

The new family, had a new name for the dog: Samson.

“You can see the soul in his eyes and the intelligence in him,” says RJ Estrella, whose daughter has Gastrointestinal Disease and Polycystic Kidney Disease. “He’s proving that every day at this point.”

Anthony will train Samson to be Taylor’s Medical Service Dog.

“Sometimes she has a sudden onset of pain where she can barely walk,” Estrella says. “He can alert us.”

Anthony will also teach Samson to retrieve Taylor’s medication.

“Watching Taylor and Samson bond on the ranch, I got emotional afterwards because that’s the whole reason we started Redemption Road K9,” Anthony says.

“He listens to her at this point better than he does me. He’s a smart guy,” Estrella says.

It will take over a year to train Samson.

But first, the pup will receive some much-needed TLC and medical care.

Estrella is keeping Hernandez and Guerra posted on Samson’s progress.

“The fact he can help out a little girl makes me so happy,” Hernandez says. “In this case, Max did very well get a second chance at life.”