ANOTHER WAY THAT THERAPY DOGS ARE BEING USED

There are so many ways that therapy dogs are being used. They are in nursing homes, psychiatrists’ offices, hospitals and now they are in funeral homes. See the story here:

http://www.today.com/health/therapy-dogs-funeral-homes-help-mourners-process-grief-t112992 

JULY 4TH PET SAFETY TIPS

Here are some helpful recommendations to keep your pets safe and more at ease on July 4^th. You can read about them here: https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/July-4-Safety.aspx

TEACHER'S PET SLEEPS IN A DOG BED

The increase in innovative roles for dogs continues. The New York City school system has some novel practices with dogs. My mother is a retired NYC school teacher and there was no way that she could have done it. She was terrified of dogs (and I became a vet, go figure). Read about it here:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/31/nyregion/school-comfort-dog-program.html?_r=1 

ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE HUMAN ANIMAL BOND

The unconditional love between people and pets is magical. Just take a look at this photograph, read the story and tell me what you think:

http://www.robynarouty.com/blog/love-stories-the-humananimal-bond

CAUTION: DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS IN YOUR CARS ON HOT DAYS!

I am ecstatic about the fact that our furry friends have become so important to us that we take them with us everywhere. As we approach the summer, please heed the advice in my video about leaving your pets in your cars on hot days:

ORPHANED BABY KANGAROO HOPS INTO POLICE OFFICER’S SHIRT

Okay, this week I am giving marsupials a chance to be mentioned in my blog! This is a great story about a police officer who cares for an orphaned kangaroo. Read about it here: 

http://www.today.com/pets/orphaned-baby-kangaroo-hops-police-officer-s-shirt-perfect-pouch-t79746

A MAN HELPS DOGS THAT NEED WHEELCHAIRS

Things that have a big impact on our lives result in huge calls to action. Here is one example that shows what a man did after his dog was hit by a truck: http://www.today.com/pets/gunnar-s-wheels-aims-help-injured-dogs-get-wheelchairs-t110282

DOG WITH VITILIGO INFLUENCES THE LIFE OF A CHILD WITH THE SAME CONDITION

Man’s best friend comes to the rescue again. In this case a Black Labrador Retriever has a condition that some people get – vitiligo, which affects the skin. Read about how this dog, Rowdy, changed the life of a young boy with vitiligo:

http://www.today.com/parents/dog-vitiligo-meets-kids-condition-t109989

Do you know of a dog/human pair that have the same disease/condition?

USING HORSES IN THERAPY SESSIONS

There are a number of therapeutic ways that pets help humans. A 95 year old resident of a nearby nursing home excitedly described seeing a horse walk down the hallway recently. Horses are also increasingly used in therapy sessions. Read about one story here: 

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865676188/Why-your-next-therapy-session-might-include-a-horse.html

INCLUDING PETS IN HOME BUYING DECISIONS

Pets have become more integral parts of our lives and we are shown more examples of this every day. When people are looking for homes, they factor their pets into their decisions whether to live there or not. Read about it here: http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/life/home-garden/2017/03/10/pets-big-part-homeowners-buying-decisions/98919574/

YOUR DOG HAS YOUR BACK

Our furry companions (I am referring to dogs) have our backs. If someone is not nice to you, your furry friend will not be too happy with him/her either. Read about it here: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/12/your-enemys-enemy-is-your-dog-scientists-find

Do you have your dog's back and do you have examples of this?

A DOG AND GUINEA PIG ARE BFFs

I was inspired to include something about guinea pigs in my blog after a friend posted pictures of her daughter’s guinea pigs on my Facebook page. Please enjoy this story about the special bond that a dog in a wheelchair developed with a guinea pig.

http://www.today.com/pets/dog-wheelchair-sombrero-wearing-guinea-pig-are-best-friends-t102358 

A DOG’S FORGIVENESS

Here is a great story of how a dog forgave the man who abused him:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/guideposts/blessed-by-bull-dogs-lovi_b_3498817.html

Who can YOU forgive today?

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS CHECK IN

So January 1^st came and went. Did you make any New Year’s resolutions? How are you coming along with those? If you are tackling them without a problem, bravo! For those of you who are having trouble achieving them please consider this:

• ·         don’t be so hard on yourself
• ·         pick, small attainable targets that move you closer to your goals
• ·         give yourself rewards for small achievements

Remember, do not get upset that you are not where you want to be. Maybe what you wanted to achieve was too big. Instead focus on the progress that you are making.

ARE GOATS BECOMING THE NEW DOGS?

Dogs have been man’s best friends for ages. According to this article things may be changing. The researchers who wrote this story want to shift how we view livestock. Read about it here:http://www.treehugger.com/animals/goats-could-be-new-dogs.html

What do you think? 

ORANGUTAN KISSES A PREGNANT WOMAN’S ABDOMEN

In my blogs I want to also include domesticated and undomesticated animal species that provide wonderful experiences for (and have great impacts on) people. In this example an atypical species (monkey) allows a pregnant woman to have a special, unique experience. Read about it and see it here:

orangutan kisses a pregnant woman's abdomen