Newsletter

"People who don't respond to anything else often respond to the animals. Animal Assisted Therapy visits uncover avenues of communication that didn't exist before...As a result, (patients) feel more relaxed in their environment and, ultimately, are more likely to be open to rehabilitation and therapy," says Vicki Olivas, coordinator of Activities, Therapy, and Volunteer Services, California Pacific Medical Center.

WHAT IS ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY?

Animal Assisted Therapy is a program that brings the healing presence of animals to people in health care facilities and nursing homes. Volunteers often bring shelter animals or their own pets on visits to hospital wards, nursing homes, psychiatric clinics, senior centers, and special schools.

Animals Provide Therapeutic Benefits

The loving, nonjudgmental presence of animals creates a cozy, homelike setting in the institutional environment. And where humans sometimes fail, animals are often successful in cutting through the barriers that isolate people with physical and emotional difficulties.

Medical studies and field reports show animals have a comforting, reassuring effect on people. The therapeutic benefits of animal assisted therapy include:

• Decreased anxiety and depression in patients.
• Increased self-esteem.
• Stronger desire to communicate.
• Lowered blood pressure.
• Increased motivation to get well.
• Decreased need for painkilling medication in some post-operative patients.
• Increased willingness to interact with other patients and/or hospital staff.

Most local animal assisted therapy programs visit the following (but not limited to) locations:

• Children in pediatric wards.
• AIDS patients.
• Adults in acute care and physical rehabilitation facilities.
• Children with behavioral and physical disabilities.
• Hospices.
• Mental health patients.
• Frail and well elders in retirement communities and convalescent homes.

Animals Provide Emotional Support

THE ANIMALS

Dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, snakes, even turtles, make the rounds of participating AAT facilities. Each animal chosen for the program receives extensive medical and socialization testing before going out on visits.

About half of the animals used in programs are the pets of AAT volunteers. Dogs owned by volunteers are usually given a rigorous temperament test to make sure they get along well with people and respond favorably when placed in unfamiliar environments and situations. These animals also undergo comprehensive medical screening to ensure their good health.

If you are interested in participating in your local Animal Assisted Therapy Program, or if you have a pet that that meets their qualifications, please call your local animal shelter. Your local animal shelter most likely has the name and phone number of the person that heads the AAT program in your area.

Dental care is vital to your pet's health! If you've already established a dental care program for your pet, you're off to a great start. But if your pet hasn't received a dental exam from your veterinarian, it's time to get started. February is National Pet Dental Health Month, the perfect time to schedule a dental exam for your pet and develop a home care regimen for your best friend.

Why is dental care so important for your pet? Periodontal disease is the number one diagnosed problem in pets - by the age of two, more than 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have periodontal disease in one form or another. The buildup of plaque and tartar on your pet's teeth leads to bacterial infections that can enter the bloodstream and infect other parts of your pet's body. Periodontal disease has been linked to heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, osteoporosis and other problems.

The good news is that periodontal disease is easily prevented. Routine dental cleanings and a home dental care regimen can eliminate the plaque and tartar that lead to gum disease and oral infections. During a dental cleaning, your veterinarian also performs a complete oral examination of your pet. This includes screening for oral cancer, broken teeth and cavities. Spotting these problems early on makes them easier to treat and improves your pet's overall oral health.

Your pet's dental cleaning is more involved than the same process you go through at the dentist's office. Anesthesia is required to keep your pet still and comfortable during the procedure. Because of this, your pet undergoes a thorough physical examination before each dental cleaning. Laboratory blood tests, as well as other diagnostic procedures are also used to screen for potential problems and risks before anesthesia is administered. Using these results, we develop a safe anesthetic protocol specifically for your pet.

During a dental cleaning, tartar is removed from your pet's teeth with a hand scaler. Next, a periodontal probe is used to check for pockets under the gumline - where periodontal disease and bad breath start. An ultrasonic scaler is used to clean above the gumline and a curette is used to clean and smooth the teeth under the gumline and in the crevices. Finally, the teeth are polished and an anti-bacterial solution is used to help delay future tartar build-up.

Dental care doesn't end in your veterinarian's office. Brushing your pet's teeth at home is an added level of protection against gum disease. In order to be most effective, brushing must be done at least three times a week; however, daily brushing is ideal. Brushing your pet's teeth can be supplemented with antiseptic rinses. Some pet foods and treats are also effective in preventing plaque and tartar buildup. However, there is no substitute for regular brushing and professional dental cleanings.

Schedule a dental examination and cleaning for your pet today. Your best friend will thank you!

Most people can believe that global warming affects sea levels and cause weird variations in weather patterns, but how many would believe that the warmer weather is contributing to a deadly disease of our pets? The rising temperatures across the globe may be helping mosquitoes to survive, which, in turn, are transmitting heartworms to our dogs. Despite this dire news, protection for our friends can be found in a simple monthly tablet. Watch this video to learn more.

Congratulations on your new family member! If you are new to pet ownership or a seasoned veteran, it is important to stay up to date on proper care for your new puppy or kitten.

The Importance of Nutrition

Proper nutrition is extremely important for the health of your growing puppy or kitten. For this reason, we recommend a quality food that is specially balanced for your pet's needs. Because nutrition is such an important part of good pet health, we cannot emphasize the need to feed a puppy or kitten enough quality food. When you bring your new pet in for its first examination, be sure to ask us about the diet you are feeding to make sure it is appropriate for your pet's nutritional needs.

Canned Food vs. Dry Food

This question has been steadily debated for years, "Should I feed my pet canned or dry food?" The truth is that feeding canned or dry food is a matter of personal choice and pet preference. It is important to understand that dry and canned foods are nutritionally equal. However, there are some facts that may help you in your decision making. Dry food tends to be more economical, it doesn't spoil as easily, and it is better for tartar control and tooth strength. Canned food tends to be more flavorful and provides higher moisture content. Your decision to feed canned or dry food is going to be dependent upon what you and your pet wants. Keep in mind that you can also mix canned and dry food to successfully combine economy and taste!

When to Feed Your New Pet

It is very important that your new puppy or kitten be fed at regular intervals to help prevent episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Small breed puppies and all kittens should be fed three or four times daily after being weaned from their mothers. This should continue until around three or four months of age. At this point, you can reduce their feedings to twice daily. Larger breed puppies tend to do well on a twice daily feeding schedule. Before you commit to a feeding schedule for your puppy or kitten, be sure to ask your veterinarian which schedule is right for your pet. Feeding schedules become very important when housebreaking becomes an issue. Because young animals associate feeding with their need to eliminate, planning a good feeding schedule proves very helpful in housebreaking.

Vaccination Schedule

Vaccinations (Immunizations) are essential to the health of your pet. The most important vaccines for a pup or kitten are the series of vaccines that he or she receives post-weaning. It is critical to establish and maintain a firm vaccination schedule in order to maximize immunity against a host of debilitating and possibly deadly viruses and bacteria. When you bring your new pet in for its initial examination, a vaccination schedule is planned. For your pet's protection, it is necessary to follow this schedule rigorously. In general, puppies and kittens should be seen several times for examinations and vaccinations, completing the series at about four months of age. During this time, your pet should be provided with de-worming medication and have several fecal examinations in order to ensure that it is free from intestinal parasites. While your puppy or kitten is undergoing its initial series of vaccines, you should try to avoid exposing him or her to other dogs or cats. You should also avoid high traffic areas (streets, parks, and levees) until the vaccination series is complete. Even though your pet may have begun its series of vaccinations, he or she is still susceptible to diseases until all the vaccinations are completed.

Heartworm Preventative

Heartworm Infection is a very serious problem in both dogs and cats. Heartworms are blood parasites that are transmitted by mosquito bites. Once an animal is infected with heartworm, serious damage to the lungs, heart, liver and kidneys can result. The damage caused by heartworm can easily be fatal. If diagnosed early, heartworm disease can be treated. Though there is a treatment for heartworm, the treatment itself can be very difficult for some pets to handle.

Fortunately, there are very reliable medications that prevent heartworm infection. Dogs and cats should be kept on a monthly heartworm preventative medication. These medications are not only safe and effective, but several are combined with medications to prevent intestinal parasites and fleas.

Socialization

Proper socialization helps establish a loving and lasting relationship between you and your pet. Early in your pet's life, it is very important to deal with unfavorable habits and correct them in a productive and timely manner.

One of the best ways to train your pet is to introduce it at a young age to common social situations. Some of these may include trimming nails, bathing, brushing and medicating. By introducing these situations at a very young age, they are far more likely to be accepted by the pet later in life.

For puppies, obedience training is pretty much essential. Most trainers like to start the training process between four to six months of age, after vaccinations are complete. Many capable trainers are available to help you socialize and train your pet properly. Do your homework in order to take advantage of the training courses offered in your area. Similar to children, pets' habits, both good and bad, are learned at an early age!

Grooming Your Pet

The grooming protocol you develop for your pet depends heavily on the type of pet you have. Certain canine and feline breeds demand much more grooming attention than others. In general, it is good to bathe your pets only when necessary, as over bathing can lead to abnormally dry skin. In other words, don't feel obligated to bathe your puppy once a week when he may only need it once a month.

As for puppies and kittens, bathing can be performed as needed after they are weaned from their mother. It is best to avoid human shampoos, as most are too harsh for young animals. There are several good shampoos available through your veterinarian, but regardless of which type you choose, be sure to read the label carefully and address your veterinarian if you have any questions. When bathing your pet, you should also use eye protection in case shampoo gets into their eyes (either sterile ophthalmic ointment or mineral oil).

Your pet should be bathed in a warm room and tepid water should be used. When finished, it is best to towel dry and perhaps finish the job with a blow dryer. If you chose to blow dry, be sure to keep the hot air far enough away from the skin to avoid burning. Running your fingers through the fur while blow-drying is a good way to gauge the temperature.

Identification

A permanent microchip is the most effective way to ensure proper identification of your pet. It is also extremely helpful in the recovery of lost pets. Ask your veterinarian about microchipping your pet.

Pet Insurance

Pet insurance is a rapidly growing industry and is currently available through several companies. The insurance policies are very helpful to pet owners, especially when unexpected illnesses and injuries occur. Ask your veterinarian for information as policies vary.

Spaying or Neutering

Unless your pet is going to be used for responsible breeding, having it spayed or neutered by six months of age is highly recommended. This helps to avoid the inconvenience of heat cycles in females and provides health and social benefits to both males and females.

Cold weather, holiday food, toxins and injuries can cause our pets serious problems this time of year. Thankfully, animal emergency rooms are now common. Staffed by highly trained team members and loaded with high-tech equipment, it might be difficult to distinguish the animal ER from your local human hospital. Watch this video to learn more.

New drugs and medical equipment are making our pets more comfortable before, during, and after surgeries. The use of laparoscopes in veterinary medicine is just one more example of how advancing technology is helping our pets. Also known as minimally invasive surgery, laparoscopy is reducing the pain of surgery and even helping to save lives! Watch this video to see actual footage of laparoscopic surgery.

 

A puppy likes biting and chewing on almost anything that enters its world. Just as with jumping, biting between litter mates is their style of play. Biting also teaches them how to use their main hunting tool, their teeth. Unfortunately, this behavior often carries over into their interactions with the members of their new home.

Puppies have very sharp teeth and a bite or nip can hurt. Along with inflicting pain, a dog bite can be terrifying to small children.

There are several methods that are used to eliminate this unwanted behavior.

Holding the Mouth Shut
The simplest method for handling this behavior is to very, very quickly grab the puppy's mouth and hold it shut. While holding the mouth shut, say a single, stern "No" in a low tone. Holding the mouth closed is usually done by placing the thumb over the top of the puppy's nose and the fingers below the bottom of the jaw.

Holding the mouth closed for four to five seconds is sufficient and the puppy usually whines. Don't try to cause them pain; there is no need to firmly squeeze the mouth. After releasing the puppy's mouth, don't make any further fuss, but go on with whatever you were doing.

It will take a few sessions for the puppy to catch on, but the animal will soon put together the facts that the bite instantly causes his mouth to be held shut.

It's not recommended to bring children into this form of discipline. Children can get hurt or they can hurt the puppy.

Startle Response and Redirection
As soon as the puppy bites down, make a sudden, abrupt, high-pitched, loud "yelp" sound. This imitates the sound that a littermate would make if bitten by the puppy. This sound should be so sudden and sharp that the puppy is immediately startled and stops the behavior. If done correctly, the puppy immediately removes his mouth and looks bewildered. At that point, quickly substitute a toy (such as a ball) for the puppy to chew on.

This method redirects the puppy's biting behavior to the ball. The puppy learns that it is no fun to bite; however, chewing the toy is ok. It may be necessary to repeat this process several times during the puppy's play period. If the "yelps" make the puppy more excited, it's best to try another approach.

Stop the action immediately and dramatically leave the room when the puppy bites. This is certainly a method children can use. After multiple times the puppy will learn that every time she bites, she loses her playmate, and that's no fun at all.

Important! No matter what method you use, do not entice the puppy to bite you. Games like tug-of-war and waving your hands in front of the puppy may encourage him (or her) to bite.

Facts About Cat Fables

They're playful and loving, aloof and mysterious, frisky and mischievous. They're cats! And The Humane Society of the United States invites you to celebrate our feline friends in all their glory and to see these graceful creatures with new appreciation.

Cats have fascinated humans ever since the day, probably about four thousand years ago, the first domestic cat made himself at home on the hearth by the fire. From ancient times to our modern age, myths and superstitions have surrounded cats. The ancient Egyptians worshiped them as gods, but people in later centuries feared them as harbingers of witchcraft and evil.

In today's high-tech world, we may think we've outgrown such fables. Yet a surprising number of modern-day myths about cats persist. Did you know that the following are feline fables, not facts?

Feline Fables

1. CATS ARE "NO-MAINTENANCE" PETS. Because cats are litter-trained, some people think that simply giving their cat food and water is enough. Not so. Cats also need regular veterinary care and, just as important, lots of love and attention.
2. CATS ALWAYS LAND ON THEIR FEET. While cats can often land on their feet after a short fall, falling from heights is another story. Upper-level windows and porches, unless securely screened, should be off-limits to cats, particularly in high-rise buildings.
3. CATS CAN'T BE TRAINED. Cats will, of course, do things their way if left to their own devices. But most cats can be taught to obey simple rules like not scratching the couch, eating plants, or jumping up on the kitchen counter. Repeated, gentle, and consistent training gets good results.
4. CATS AREN'T HAPPY UNLESS THEY CAN GO OUTSIDE TO ROAM AND HUNT. Cats like to play, prowl, and pounce, and they can do all those activities indoors with you and a few toys - without being exposed to predators, disease, traps, poison, and traffic. Indoor cats are healthier, happier - and safer!







5. CATS BECOME FAT AND LAZY AFTER THEY ARE SPAYED OR NEUTERED. Cats, just like people, generally become fat because they eat too much and don't get enough exercise. The fact is, cats who are spayed or neutered live longer lives and make better companions. And they don't contribute to the pet-overpopulation problem in this country, where millions of unwanted cats and dogs are destroyed every year. There's no need to wait until a female cat has had a litter to have her spayed; it can be done before her first heat cycle.
6. CATS CAN SEE IN THE DARK. Cats cannot see in total darkness any better than a person can. They can see better than other animals in semidarkness, however, because of their eyes' anatomy.
7. CATS DON'T NEED TO WEAR A COLLAR AND TAGS. An identification tag is a lost cat's ticket home. Every cat, even an indoor cat, should wear a collar with an ID tag to help him come home if he is lost. Many cat owners believe a collar can injure a cat. But a breakaway collar lets a cat escape if the collar becomes snagged.
8. CATS WHO DISAPPEAR FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS ARE JUST OUT HUNTING; THERE'S NO NEED TO WORRY. The prolonged disappearance of any pet is cause for alarm. Cats are no exception, and as domestic animals, they cannot cope with the dangers posed by the outdoors. For their own safety and well-being, cats should always be kept indoors, but if your cat does somehow become lost, he needs to be looked for immediately - before it's too late.







9. CATS WILL SUCK THE BREATH FROM SLEEPING INFANTS. Curious by nature, a cat may want to climb into the crib to see what new manner of squalling creature her family has brought home. But she won't suck the baby's breath. She may feel a little jealous, however, so introductions should be gradual. Lots of lavish attention will also help reassure her that she's still an important member of the family. Cats can suffer from sibling rivalry, too!
10. CATS ARE ALOOF, INDEPENDENT ANIMALS AND DON'T REALLY WANT A LOT OF ATTENTION FROM HUMANS. Cats are domestic animals because they live in the home. They crave human companionship and establish loving bonds with their human families. They may not always show it, but that's just the feline way. If you toss the cat outdoors, or spend little time with him, you'll never know the rewarding - and very special - relationship that comes from making a cat a true member of the family.