Adaptive physical education teacher Andrea Bazer says that as soon as this young student met Sunny, she was eager to take Sunny for a walk — first with the help of her walker, then with Bazer helping, and finally without any assistance. This transformation took several months, but once the student knew she could walk Sunny without the walker, she realized she didn’t need a walker at all.

“She walks all over school now,” says Bazer, who has worked as an adaptive physical education teacher for the district for six years. “It’s amazing to see. Sunny gets the kids to do many things that they won’t do for me. When they’re working with Sunny, they forget they can’t do things.”

Therapy animals like Sunny are highly trained and play very active roles in the educational or therapy program they’re involved in. Sunny helps by playing fetch and other interactive games with the students. Children in therapy with horses benefit through interacting with the animals and riding them. A client must be confident to lead and/or train a therapy animal, and this provides an opportunity for growth.

Today, animals help out in educational and health care settings so often that the wide array of roles they play can be a bit confusing. For example, within the ranks of assistance animals, there are therapy dogs like Sunny and also visiting animals, which visit the sick in hospitals or nursing homes, providing a warm, soft head to pat.

Bazer works with about 45 preschool to sixth grade children with disabilities at five schools, and she said that Sunny is an asset in her class. Sunny recently helped Bazer achieve a breakthrough with a preschool-aged child who was refusing to open up when faced with a stranger – Bazer. “The child’s first word during the assessment was ‘dog,’ as soon as he saw Sunny,” Bazer explains.

Sunny is a hard worker as well; she works 40 hours a week at schools, and then Bazer regularly takes her to the Naval Medical Center in San Diego to give a psychological boost to wounded soldiers receiving treatment.

Dr. Hayden Sears, vice chairman of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) Committee on Human-Animal Bond says the impact animals can have on hospital and nursing home patients, people with disabilities, children and the elderly in therapy situations is remarkable to witness. Dr. Sears worked with therapy animals prior to becoming a veterinarian.

“I have also done a lot with horses and people,” Dr. Sears explains. “People with multiple sclerosis, people with broken backs, all the way down to children with cerebral palsy, really benefit from working with a therapy horse.”

Dr. Sears says that while most people associate therapy animals with a psychological boost for patients, the impact can also be very physical. For example, horseback riding is known to stimulate the nervous system and offer strengthening and mobility therapy for the disabled. Research consistently shows that therapy animals are helpful with multiple conditions, including heart disease, substance abuse, schizophrenia and dementia.

The active ingredient in animal therapy is a little-understood concept called the human-animal bond. The AVMA has officially recognized the existence of the human-animal bond since 1982. And the AVMA states that this bond has existed for thousands of years. “Interactions with animals can provide emotional and physical health benefits for diverse human populations, including the elderly, children, physically disabled, deaf, blind, emotionally or physically ill, and the incarcerated,” AVMA policy states.

Therapy animals have a long history, as well. Florence Nightingale recommended the use of a small pet to provide companionship to the sick, and ancient Greeks believed dogs had healing powers.

While most therapy animals are dogs and cats, therapists have found success using chickens and even small ruminants like goats.

“There have been therapy programs that have worked with cattle,” says Carol Davis, executive director of Paws’itive Teams, a California organization that trains both therapy and service animals. Paws’itive Teams is the organization that trained Sunny.

Davis says that over the past decade she’s seen the demand for her animals increase and more diversity in the work these animals are asked to do. Today, therapy animals trained by Paws’itive Teams work with foster children during evaluation sessions and with children who have been victimized.

“We have one dog that works at a county courthouse with children who have been abused and will have to testify against their abuser,” Davis says. “In some cases, the judge will allow the children to take the dog with them onto the stand for support.”

The AVMA policy on therapy animals suggests that the relationship between therapy animals and their human clients must be mutually beneficial, explains Dr. Emily Patterson-Kane of the AVMA Animal Welfare Division.

“People experience great benefits from living or working with therapy animals, and we must make sure that the animals benefit from working with us,” Patterson-Kane says. “The real power of the human-animal bond is that people and animals can make each others’ lives richer and more meaningful.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Jack Frost is nipping at your pet’s nose. Winter is here again, and cold weather can be uncomfortable and dangerous to your pet.

“In colder regions of the country, pet owners should already know that they need to make accommodations for their pets, but winter can be hard on a pet even in warmer states, like Georgia, where I work,” says Dr. Larry R. Corry, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). “While we don’t get a lot of snow, it does get cold in the winter, and when it gets below freezing, our recommendation is that pet owners get their pets inside.”

Here are the AVMA’s top 10 winter tips for pet owners:

* Even if you own a sled dog, living outside during the depths of winter is very difficult. If you must keep your dog outside year round, remember that dogs must be allowed time to get acclimated to the cold with the change of the seasons. This builds up a winter coat they will need to survive. Corry recommends that dog owners with outside dogs double check to make sure their dog’s housing is well insulated, including straw or padding to sleep on.

“If you want to heat a doghouse, be careful to ensure that the heat source is installed properly so that the animal cannot be hurt,” he says. “If you can’t or won’t bring the animal into your home, consider bringing it inside a garage on bitter cold days.”

* Corry also advises pet owners to refrain from taking their pets near frozen ponds. Many dogs and cats fall through or sometimes are cast adrift on an ice float.

* Keep your pet away from antifreeze with ethylene glycol. It’s sweet and extremely lethal, even in small doses. The AVMA provides a brochure and video on this and other household hazards and poisons.

* Honk your horn or pound on the hood before starting your car on cold days. To a cat, a warm engine block can seem like a nice escape from cold winter winds.

* Carbon monoxide is just as lethal to pets as it is for people. Make sure your home has a carbon monoxide detector, and, if you bring your pet from the outdoors into a garage during the winter, make sure exhaust fumes from your car aren’t allowed to build up inside.

* Cold air is dry air, so your pet can become dehydrated easily in the winter. Give him plenty of fresh water. If the bowl of water you put outside for your dog or cat freezes, it’s of no use to the animal.

* Road salt and ice melting products are not only irritating to the pads on your pet’s feet, but when your pet cleans itself by licking off these chemicals and ingesting them, they can cause gastrointestinal problems. Wash your pet’s feet after she’s been outdoors.

* Consider booties for your dog’s feet. Booties help prevent ice balls between the toes that can be both painful and do damage to the toe pads.

* Be careful about candles, space heaters and fireplaces – pets can get burned and even set the house on fire.

* Pay close attention to your older pet in winter, especially if he suffers from arthritis. Arthritic pain is even worse in icy winds and cold temperatures. Seek the advice of your veterinarian to help your pet cope with arthritis.

For more information about animal health, visit www.avma.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Julie Drendel, of Drendel Dairy in Hamshire, Ill., holds a litter of newborn farm kittens

(ARA) – It’s a big problem whenever people are out and about with their dogs. Some dog walkers don’t want to scoop their pooch’s poop. But a number of diseases caused by parasites like roundworms can be transferred from pets to people via droppings. Roundworm infections in young children can be very serious.

“That’s why it’s so important that people pick up after their pets,” says Dr. Kevin R. Kazacos, a professor at Purdue University veterinary school and one of the nation’s top experts on internal parasites. “The No. 1 thing that people can do to stop the spread of disease from their pets to their families is to regularly take the animal into a veterinarian. That’s the first line of defense. Secondly, people need to clean up their pet’s poop.”

Parasite control is one of the most common tasks that veterinarians must deal with during day-to-day practice. They have the expertise and many tools, including medications, to protect your pets and your families from parasites.

Irene McGuinness, a mother of three, says her son, Tommy, was the victim of a roundworm infection, which started at age 3. Unfortunately, Tommy died in 2004 at the age of 17 from the chronic disease, after more than a dozen years of severe illness. A roundworm infection can spread throughout the body of an infected child, and in Tommy’s case it spread to the lungs and brain.

It’s suspected Tommy caught the disease from raccoon droppings, perhaps in their backyard, but the type of roundworm that killed Tommy can be shed in dog feces as well.

“We think he picked up the parasite when he was 3, probably from putting a toy from the backyard into his mouth. You only need a small, small amount — about the size of the tip of a fingernail — to pick up an infection. Between the ages of 3 and 4 is when we started to notice that he was becoming sick and by the time he was 5 he was spending about one week a month in the intensive care unit at the hospital,” McGuinness says. “Our lives revolved around Tommy during the years he was infected, because it truly was life or death for him.”

To protect children from parasitic worms common to cats and dogs, don’t allow a child to play in areas that are soiled with pet or wild animal feces. Dr. Kazacos says that children can be infected with these parasites by eating dirt as well.

Dr. Kazacos says that it’s believed that roundworm infections are very much underdiagnosed. A recent study found that approximately 14 percent of Americans carry antibodies for dog and cat roundworms, meaning they’ve been exposed to the parasite. McGuinness agrees. Tommy’s primary doctors never suspected roundworms. Tommy was diagnosed during an eye exam, due to scarring inside the eyes from the infection. But not long after diagnosing Tommy, doctors who worked on his case diagnosed another child with the disease, McGuinness says.

Top 5 tips for parasite control

*Take your pet to the veterinarian
*Pick up your pet’s poop
*Cover sandboxes to prevent wildlife and pets from visiting
*Do not leave food outdoors to attract wildlife
*Wash your hands and your children’s hands often

“There are really a number of parasites that can affect your pets, including heartworm disease, roundworms and hookworms, and all of these can be, to varying degrees, very serious health problems. What’s worse, these can be zoonotic conditions which can spread to the rest of the family,” says Dr. James O. Cook, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). “If your pet shows any signs of infection, take them to your veterinarian as soon as possible. And when you obtain a new puppy or kitten, have your veterinarian treat them early in their life because they commonly have parasites without any symptoms.”

Common symptoms of infections by internal parasites in your cat or dog include a change in appetite or coat, diarrhea, coughing and also reduced activity, but many infected animals will not show any symptoms. Your veterinarian can detect a worm infection with a simple fecal test. If an infection is found, your veterinarian may recommend a de-worming program.

Kazacos also advises people to be careful about wildlife, particularly raccoons. Researchers like Kazacos have increasingly found that people, like Tommy McGuinness, are being infected by roundworm parasites common in raccoons.

“Roundworms in raccoons may not at first seem like a big health concern, but dogs can be carriers of these roundworms. We have seen many cases of dogs shedding these parasites and, also, many people are now keeping raccoons as pets, which increases the chances of exposure,” Kazacos says. “Raccoons have begun thriving in urban areas, and we’re becoming more exposed to these parasites as a result.”

For more information, or a helpful brochure on how to deal with common internal parasites, visit www.avma.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Dr. Heather Case of the American Veterinary Medical Association applies a simple first-aid wrap for a patient at the home of one of her clients.

(ARA) – Planting a garden, spring cleaning, fertilizing the lawn — we all have lots of work to do with the coming of spring. But pets also have health and safety needs this time of year that their owners should know about.

“I see it all the time in my clinic in the springtime. Animals get into fertilizers and pesticides, those used on a home or on a farm, and it makes the animals sick,” says Dr. James Cook, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. “People need to be aware of these potential hazards. Along with better weather, the spring brings with it the use of a number of common lawn chemicals and the blooming of plants that can be hazardous to pets.”

Here are the AVMA’s top 10 spring hints for pet owners:

*Fleas and ticks
They can be tiny, little more than a pinhead in some instances, but they grow and spread quickly once they find a host. The preventative treatments that you may have discontinued in the winter should start early in the spring to keep your pet’s coat, and your home, free of pests.

*Lawn fertilizers
Lawn fertilizers are very toxic to pets. Store fertilizers in a place far from where your dog or cat — and children– can get at it. After applying it to your lawn, follow manufacturer instructions on how long you should wait before allowing your pet into the area. If you see a sign posted on a lawn that tells you to keep your pets off, abide by it.

*Pesticides and herbicides
It’s probably not surprising that these chemicals can be toxic to your pets, but, even when they’re not lethal, there are some long-term health concerns. Studies indicate the use of pesticides and herbicides may be tied to increased rates of specific forms of cancer in dogs. If your pet is exposed, wash them with soap and water immediately and call your veterinarian.

*Cocoa bean mulch
It’s becoming common to mulch a garden with the fragrant spent shells of cocoa beans. But just like chocolate, dogs like to eat them and they are toxic.

*Lilies
Lilies are a flower common in the spring, and they are very, very toxic to cats. Cats will often chew them, and even small amounts can lead to kidney failure and death.

*Rhubarb leaves
Rhubarb makes a fine pie and it’s a staple in many vegetable gardens, but the leaves are poisonous and can cause kidney failure. For a complete list of plants and plantings that can be dangerous to pets, visit www.avma.org.

*Rat and mouse poisons
Controlling vermin becomes an issue again in the spring. Be aware that the same properties of common rat and mouse poisons that make them irresistible to pests will also attract your pet. If consumed, these can be fatal to your animal.

*Cleaning products
Spring cleaning is an annual tradition in many households, but make sure the cleaning products don’t hurt your animals. If the label states “keep pets and children away from area until dry” follow those instructions carefully, and store all chemicals out of reach of children and pets.

*Paint and paint thinners
If you’re putting a fresh coat of paint on the house, keep the pets away. Paint thinners, mineral spirits and other solvents can cause severe irritation or chemical burns if swallowed or even if they come in contact with your pet’s skin. Latex house paints typically produce a minor stomach upset, but some specialty paints may contain heavy metals or volatile substances that could be harmful if ingested.

*Preventative medications
Consult with your veterinarian about seasonal medications to keep your pet healthy. For example, in many parts of the country, heartworm medications for dogs are often discontinued in the winter. Springtime is the season to restart this medication to keep your dog free of this parasite. But keep in mind that manufacturer’s instructions warn that heartworm medications should not be given without first visiting your veterinarian to ensure that your pet has not developed the heartworm parasite. A simple blood test will give you that peace of mind.

For more information, visit www.avma.org. For a full-length video on common household poisons and hazards, visit www.avmatv.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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(ARA) – Dogs love our company and knowing they’re part of the pack. But the fact is humans have to leave the house some time, whether it’s for work, to run errands or to go to a place where dogs aren’t welcome. So when you can’t be home to entertain your dog, how do you keep him busy and happy when he’s alone?

Most dogs are social animals and are happiest when they are surrounded by their humans. Some dogs suffer from separation anxiety and cry, bark and whine when left alone, while others just use their alone time to sleep. No matter what your dog’s personality, making sure he has something to keep him occupied during his time alone helps ensure your dog won’t destroy something in the house and your neighbors won’t be bothered by barking.

* Crate training is a valuable tool for when you’re away or even when you have people over and your dog just needs a quiet place to himself. A crate that is large enough for your dog to stand up and turn around in with a soft pad to sleep on is a great substitute for the dens wild dogs take refuge in. A favorite blanket or shirt that you’ve worn can be comforting for your dog.

* Whether he’s in the crate or roaming free, “busy” toys are a great way to keep a dog occupied. Fill safe toys with peanut butter and freeze them or add in small treats that will fall out as the toy is rolled around. Rotate toys (give a toy one day and a different toy the next) to help prevent boredom. Hide low fat treats around the house for your dog to find randomly throughout the day.

* If you’re going to be gone for several hours, make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise before you leave because a tired dog is a happy dog. Leave a radio on so your dog has friendly voices to keep him company.

* Feed your dog his biggest meal of the day before you leave so he’ll have a full stomach and want to take a nap.

* Make sure you have a place for your dog to relieve himself to avoid any accidents during the time you’re away. Most people don’t have large, fenced in yards and dog doors so an indoor dog potty like the UGODOG is an easy way to keep messes contained.

“I saw a stack of pee pads at the grocery store and realized how expensive and harmful to the environment they could be,” says Kami Havluciyan, inventor of the UGODOG. “If you use pee pads, the UGODOG saves about $400 a year and is an environmentally conscious alternative. It’s convenient, clean and easy to use for any size breed whether you’ve used pee pads or not.”

Your dog will appreciate not having to hold it all day and you’ll appreciate not having to clean up messes when you get home. So be a pal and give your dog somewhere to do his business when you’re not around to bring him outside.

* Keep your arrivals and departures low key. Don’t squeal and go overboard greeting your dog when you walk in the door and don’t linger and feel bad for the dog when you leave. The less of a commotion you make, the less your dog will panic when you walk out the door.

For more information on the UGODOG, training tips and ideas to keep your dog busy, visit www.UGODOG.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Photo by Adriana Herbut

The Woytek family’s Lab mix, Amber, a survivor of Hurricane Ike, was diagnosed with distemper in the months after her adoption from the Houston SPCA in September 2008. Amber survived distemper and lived with the Woytek family and canine “sis” Scout, a one-year-old Rhodesian ridgeback mix.

But things changed when Amber ate parts of a sago palm plant, which has dark green leaves and hairy trunk and is a popular houseplant. Unfortunately, it’s also highly toxic to cats and dogs. Sadly, Amber didn’t make it.

The ASPCA says that since 2003, they have seen an increase by more than 200 percent of sago palm and cycad poisonings, and 50 to 75 percent of those ingestions resulted in fatalities.

All parts of the plant are toxic, and common signs of ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, depression, seizures and liver failure.

What’s more, in 2008 the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center handled more than 140,000 cases of pets exposed to toxins, many of which were everyday household items.

Watch this video of ASPCA top toxicologist, Dr. Steven Hansen, Senior Vice President, ASPCA Animal Health Services, discussing the dangers of 17 common plants that you may have in your homes right now, including lilies, chrysanthemum and sago palm. Dr. Hansen shows you examples of each plant, so you’ll know exactly what to look out for.

Click here for poison prevention tips online. If you suspect your pet has ingested something poisonous, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Next week, Greta is getting her teeth cleaned at the vet. Coincidentally, February is Pet Dental Health Month, when several veterinary groups, including the The American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA) and the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS)  join together to educate pet owners to the importance of regular care of their pets dental needs.

According to the AVDS, 85% of all adult pets have periodontal disease. Left untreated, harmful bacteria from the oral cavity can spread throughout the bloodstream to infect the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.

According to the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC), the most common disease in dogs is periodontal disease (gum disease). Just as with people, it is an infection created by a buildup of soft dental plaque around the gums and on teeth surfaces. If the plaque (which comes from food particles, bacteria and debris) accumulates, it can lead to infection in the bone surrounding the teeth. Bad breath is the most common sign of gum disease. Additionally, a dog can be in pain from irritated gums, which can lead to appetite loss. The key to beating gum disease is prevention.

As bacteria grow inside the mouth, the plaque turns to tartar. If not treated, plaque and tartar buildup can result in gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums. An even worse situation would result in periodontal disease. Other severe infections can affect a dog’s heart, liver or kidneys.

The VOHC offers these tips for doggie dental success:

Visit your veterinarian
In addition to a physical examination and medical history, the doctor will examine your pet’s teeth and gums. Recommendations may be made for cleaning, polishing, and other dental care in the hospital, or your veterinarian may suggest a program of home dental care. Some veterinarians will give a ‘dental discount’ during the month of February. So if you have been putting off your pets teeth cleaned, now may be a good time to call your vet. You just might save a few bucks, and add a few years to your pet’s life!

Professional dental care
If your pet already has evidence of periodontal disease, a professional cleaning is in order. Depending on your pet’s age and physical condition, the doctor may request that blood analyses, radiography, or other diagnostic tests be performed to evaluate the heart, liver, and kidneys for coexisting disease before proceeding with general anesthesia.

Once your pet is under anesthesia, accumulated tartar and calculus is removed by ultrasonic and hand scaling. Teeth needing fillings or root canals can be repaired and teeth that are beyond repair can be extracted. Finally the teeth are polished to slow down formation of new plaque, tartar, and calculus. If there is evidence of major bone loss or another serious oral condition, your veterinarian may refer you to a veterinary dental specialist.

Dental care at home
Regular brushing is an important part of any preventive dental program. A special toothbrush and toothpaste for pets are recommended. Your veterinarian can show you the proper way to brush your pet’s teeth. In addition, feeding your pet coarse-textured food may help prevent accumulation of plaque, tartar, and calculus. Ask your veterinarian to advise you as to the best diet for your pet.

Lastly, return to your veterinarian for regular dental checkups every 6 to 18 months, or as recommended.

Photo courtesy of PETA.

Michael Vick is going to be released from prison soon, and according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), recently released government evidence indicates he “enjoyed putting his own family pet dogs into the ring with fighting pit bulls.”

As such, PETA is urging the NFL to make Vick take a test for anti-social personality disorder (ASPD), or psychopathy.

The profile for ASPD includes lying (Vick lied both to the NFL and again during his lie-detector test), manipulating others, enjoying others’ suffering, and being aggressive and charming. In addition, people who have ASPD cannot be truly remorseful and are likely to repeat the anti-social behavior that pleases them.

PETA is asking the NFL to require that Vick pass a brain scan for ASPD and the accompanying psychological evaluation before they consider the possibility of allowing Vick back into the league, where he will be in a position to influence many fans, including countless children.

To ask the NFL to test Vick for ASPD, click here.