novadog Fall 2019
T H E U LT I M AT E G U I D E T O C A N I N E - I N S P I R E D L I V I N G I N T H E D C M E T R O A R E A
magazine
Dog Gone Hard Work
Understanding Psychiatric SDs and ESAs
Also Inside: Expert Advice: Pup-Friendly Offices Hot Spots 101 Destination: Dog-Friendly Stops on Your Way to Shenandoah Hit the Trail: Our Favorite Fall Hikes for Leaf Peeping
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novadog T H E U LT I M AT E G U I D E T O C A N I N E - I N S P I R E D L I V I N G I N T H E D C M E T R O A R E A
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We’re Environmentally Friendly. The pages of NOVADog are printed on recycled paper with vegetable-based inks. Please help us make a difference by recycling your copy or pass this issue along to a fellow dog lover. NOVADog Magazine is committed to creating and fostering an active and supportive community for local dogs and their owners to share, learn, interact, and engage. Our mission is three-fold: • Educate—Provide training and canine health-care tips to help dogs live long and fulfilling lives. • Inspire—Publish insightful stories about local heroes and organizations that are doing good in our community. • Collaborate—Help local animal welfare organizations to save and enrich the lives of homeless and abused animals. Northern Virginia Dog Magazine © 2019 is published quarterly by 343 Media, LLC. Limited complimentary copies are distributed throughout the DC Metro area and are available in select locations. One- and two-year subscriptions are available. Visit www.novadogmagazine.com/subscribe for more information. Send change of address information to P.O. Box 239, Mount Vernon, VA 22121, ahazuda@yahoo.com. NOVADog Magazine neither endorses or opposes any charity, welfare organization, product, or service, dog-related or otherwise. As an independent publisher and media organization, we report on news and events happening in our local area. Events are used as an outlet to reach new readers interested in all aspects of dog ownership. We encourage all readers to make their own decisions as to which products and services to use, organizations to support, and events to attend.
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contents Fall 2019
N O R T H E R N V I R G I N I A D O G : T H E U LT I M AT E G U I D E T O C A N I N E - I N S P I R E D L I V I N G I N T H E D C M E T R O A R E A
COVER STORY
12 D og Gone Hard Work
These dogs don’t get to catch allot of ZZZZs during their working days. Understanding Psychiatric SDs and ESAs. By Sophia Rutti
16 IIs n-Home Pet Care it the right choice for my pets? By Cindi Lin
12 D E PA RT M E N T S
4 PUBLISHER’S NOTE
19 GET SOCIAL
5 THE SOURCE
22 CANINE CALENDAR
News, information, and products
6 HEALTH WISE
Advise and information on canine health issues
8 DESTINATIONS
Shenandoah Side Trips
On the cover:
Leo, a 1 year-old Lab, is moving towards advanced mobility/ retrieval task work.
9 EXPERT ADVICE
25 HIT THE TRAIL
9
Hiking with your dog
27 THE SCENE
A glimpse into the lives of Northern Virginia dogs
28 WAGS TO RICHES
Adoption success stories
Pet-Friendly Offices
Read Bagel’s adoption success story on page 28.
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE
A
hhhh, Fall. It might be debatable, but I think there is a strong chance that Fall provides the greatest sensory experience for our pups, from smells, to leaves crunching under paws, to the vibrant colors of the landscape, the sensory experience that is fall is outstanding. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am a complete lover of all seasons: give me that intense summer heat paired with a beach, give me the gorgeous awakening of spring along with its rainy days and even give me a beautiful snow covering to awaken to – I’ll take them all. But fall does hold a special place in my heart. I hope you are able to get out and enjoy the many amazing treats that fall provides. Within the following pages you will find some great articles. Our feature that outlines a day in the life of a service dog, is really a great read. It shows some of the read day-to-day assistance that service dogs provide and reminds us of how hard they work all day, every day, and how much assistance they give to their owners. They are amazing dogs. There is a fantastic guide from our attorney and an animal behaviorist that gives more insight into how
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and why our dogs do the things they do. There are some great articles on how to enjoy this fall weather and embrace the season. Nature delivers a glorious gift each year and I hope these ideas will give you some fun and interesting ways to enjoy it. It’s your call, but maybe make a pack with a family member or friend to explore a few of these listed trails, I’m sure your dog will be up for the challenge or plan a little weekend getaway to enjoy some wide open spaces or make it your mission to get the more spectacular display of fall leaves in DC proper. We give you the tools to make it a reality! There are a number of outstanding fall festivals that all welcome our dogs with open arms. Enjoy the Petoberfest in Woodbridge, the Caboose Brewing Oktoberfest or one of the Tuesday Yappy Hours at the Hotel Monaco. You can get a full list of fun options in the Events Calendar. And don’t forget to try out one of the fun workshops for something like K9 Nosework or socialization. Enjoy a great fall, post some of your adventures on Facebook and Instgram and we will do the same. We hope to see you
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around so be sure to stop in and say Hello at our booth at the local events. We always love to see you and snap a picture of your pup for the social scene! Everyone needs some adorable pet pics in their life, so share them with us – it makes our day! Have a Pawtastic Fall! ND Angela
THE SOURCE
N ew s , i nfo rm ati on , a n d p ro d u c ts
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H E A L T H W I S E
A d v i ce an d i n fo rm ati on o n c a n i n e h e a l th i s s u e s
Hot Spots 101
W
hen an individual hears that their dog has been diagnosed with a “hot spot” two thoughts likely come to mind first: “Oh no, does this mean they need to wear the cone of shame?” and “what exactly is a hot spot?” Well, the answer to the former question is yes and the second will hopefully be answered by the end of this article.
Hot Spot Basics So what exactly are these “hot spots” and what causes them? A “hot spot” is a commonly used term to describe the condition of acute moist dermatitis, or pyotraumatic dermatitis, which is a very common skin condition affecting dogs. In general, the condition is caused by some underlying process that is then secondarily aggravated by self-trauma from the patient excessively licking or scratching at the area. What results is a combination of inflammation, discomfort, and secondary bacterial infection leading to an incredibly itchy and messy lesion. There are numerous potential causes for acute moist dermatitis in dogs. Here is a list of some of the most common causes: • Fleabite hypersensitivity
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• Ear infections • Allergic skin disease • Insect bites • Contact dermatitis • Psychoses • Orthopedic problems • Skin tumors • Anal sac infection/impaction
What does a Hot Spot look like As anyone who has had a dog with a “hot spot” has observed, the clinical presentation can be quite messy. The typical presentation is large area of raw, inflamed, bleeding skin located somewhere on the body. The lesions typically arise fairly acutely and if not treated quickly can begin to spread throughout the area due to continued licking, scratching, and chewing. Most pet owners describe their dog excessively licking at a specific area of the body and eventually notice bleeding coming from the region. A strong foul odor is also usually associated with the lesion. The full extent of the lesion is often masked by the overlying hair, which tends to mat and cover
the affected area. Another important thing to know is that a dog can get a “hot spot” at any age, and not only necessarily when younger or older.
Hot Spot Treatment
So what is the prognosis for this condition? The good news is that this is a very readily treatable condition with an excellent prognosis with effective treatment. Now this may depend some on how effectively the underlying condition responds to treatment. If only the wound is treated and the underlying condition not treated, then you can expect for a recurrence in the same or another area in the near future. If continued “hot spots” occur, then one should consider testing for underlying endocrine or allergic skin disease and having this treated accordingly. These lesions are most common in the summer, but they can occur during any time of the year. Now you have an arsenal of information regarding the pathophysiology and treatment of this condition that should allow for successful treatment by your local veterinarian. ND Dr. Ganjei is a board-certified veterinary surgeon currently working with Veterinary Surgical Centers at the Hope Center for Advanced Veterinary Medicine located in Vienna, VA. He received both his bachelors degree in biology and doctorate of veterinary medicine at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. He performs a wide variety of orthopedic and soft tissue surgery with a special interest in minimally invasive surgery and interventional medicine.
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Treatment for acute moist dermatitis depends on the severity of the lesion and the underlying cause. Seeking veterinary treatment as soon as possible is of vital importance to ensure complete and proper treatment of the condition. Most commonly treatment includes clipping the hair of the affected region to allow for cleaning of the wound and increasing oxygenation to the area. After the wound is thoroughly cleaned, topical antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory therapy is initiated to treat the wound. Oral antimicrobial and antiinflammatory therapy may also be initiated depending on the severity of the wound. And of course, the most dreaded part of therapy, the Elizabethan collar of E-collar. Although this is often frustrating for the dog and for the owner, it is an incredibly important part of therapy to prevent the patient from further irritating the area and introducing further infection from the oral cavity. In addition to treating the wound, it is also vital that the underlying condition be treated, as this was the culprit in the first place. This could consist of initiation of flea and tick preventative, diet change, treating underlying endocrine disease (Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism, Diabetes Mellitus, etc.).
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DESTINATIONS
D o g f r ie n d ly s p a c e s in N or t her n Vi r gi ni a and beyond
Dog-Friendly Stops on Your Way to Hike in Shenandoah
M
ake a day of it, or even a weekend. There are so many wonderful diversions on the route to the great hikes in the Shenandoah. Use this list to plan accordingly so you can ensure a fun stop at a few locations. When you head out for you hike, consider one of these fun stops along the way. You can stock up with special treats for your hike, stock up on farm goods, wet your whistle after you hike or refuel at one of these fun, adorable and dog-friendly stops.
Grill 309 Lovely menu and outdoor dining. 309 S Main St, Culpeper, VA 22701 Open: Mon – Sat: 11am – 11pm; Sun: 10am – 8pm
Beer Hound Brewery Nice selection of beer, well-earned after exploring one of our accompanying hikes! 201 Waters Pl #102, Culpeper, VA 22701 Open: Thursday 3-9PM, Friday 3-10PM, Saturday 12-10PM, Sunday 1-8PM
Thyme Market Perfect country market. A great place to stop to pick up goodies for the trail 134 E Davis St, Culpeper, VA 22701 Open: Monday-Thursday: 8am-8pm and Friday and Saturday: 8am-9pm. CLOSED Sundays.
Grey Ghost One of the areas oldest wineries, they are celebrating 25 years this year. They have many award-winning wines and the grounds are dog-friendly. 14706 Lee Highway, Amissville, VA 20106 Open: March through December, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Federal Monday Holidays 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Narmada Winery A lovely winery, with a nice selection of food available. The grounds are dog-friendly. 43 Narmada Lane, Amissville, VA 20106 Open: Thu: 11-5, Fri: 11-6, Sat: 11-7, Sun: 11-6, Mon: 11-5*
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Thornton River Orchard Stock up on Fall Favorites, from Apples to pumpkins, as well as honey, farm fresh eggs, baked goods and more! 11587 Lee Hwy, Sperryville, VA 22740 Open: 9am-6pm, 7 days a week, August-Early December
Whiffletree Farm Market It doesn’t get any fresher than farm fresh. On your way home gather up Meats, Kombucha, coffee, tea, and canned delights! 8717 Springs Road, Warrenton, VA 20186 The Farm Store is open: Monday - Saturday 11am - 5pm
Central Coffee Roasters If you are a coffee lover, you will love this stop. The aroma in here is fresh roasting coffee can’t be beat! At the retail store you can grab a few pounds of beans to bring home. Open Fri, Sat & Sun 10AM-5PM
Skyward Cafe If you are an early riser, do your thing and head on out for breakfast at this special spot. Their menu has standard fare with a flare. You can also pop in at the market for a bring along treat for the trail. 650 Zachary Taylor Highway, Flint Hill, VA 22627 Tuesday - Sunday 8am-4pm ND
E X P E R T A D V I C E
An s w e rs to y ou r be h a v i o r a n d tra i n i n g q u e s ti o n s
10 Tips for Dog-Friendly Offices Best Practices for Bringing Your Pup to the Office By Tina Leone
I
n today’s work environment, the lines between your office and home life are blurred more than ever. The concept of office hours- where you do your work and how you get it done - is evolving, and it’s no coincidence that the game has changed for how we mix personal with professional. One of the biggest trends we see is more dogfriendly offices. According to a Rover survey of more than 1,200 U.S. dog owners, 75% of pet parents who are able to bring their pets to work are more likely to stay with their current employer. It is a competitive, inexpensive benefit that CEOs can pass along to their employees if they have the right roadmap. As the CEO of Ballston Business Improvement District (BID), I run a high-energy office which includes our resident company canine, Bear. The advantages of having him as a team member are clear. He contributes to higher productivity and morale for our human team members and Bear, a rescue dog with issues, has gained invaluable social skills that helped him with his rehabilitation. The entire DC Metro area, including Ballston, is becoming more dog-friendly and the result is a more playful, joyful, peaceful and purposeful environment for businesses and residents alike. With Amazon’s H2Q coming to the area and bringing 6,000 dogs into their headquarters, the trend is more timely than ever and works to attract and retain a talented workforce.
10 Tips for Bringing Fido To The Office 1. E valuate the dog. Each parent must determine if their dog is truly a good fit for an office environment. An office can be designed with dog beds and treat dispensers, but if a dog is aggressive, fearful or has a medical problem, then she might need to remain home. 2. E stablish office-wide rules with input. Just like with any employee interaction, there should be ground rules to follow. While the rules are up to you and your team, giving every employee a voice by sending an anonymous poll with questions gauging their dog-comfort level is good policy. Make it a yearly practice as opinions may change over time. 3. P et-proof the space. Secure loose wires and make sure chewable supplies or equipment are out of reach. Buy trash cans with a lid to avoid messes and potential danwww.novadogmagazine.com
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ger-- you don’t want the dog eating discarded chocolate or chicken wings! 4. C ommunicate to visitors in advance. Not everyone likes dogs and some people are allergic. As a standard best practice, inform visitors about your dog-friendly office before their arrival. If there’s a concern, make arrangements in advance so you can crate the dog in the office, leave the dog home for the day or meet in a different location. 5. M ake time for midday motion. Perhaps the most fun practice you can institute is daily walks. A midday lap to stretch the legs can cultivate balance, team building, creativity and cut down burnout. 6. F eed your dog at home. Make the office a no-food zone for the dog and feed him or her all meals in the comfort of your home. Sometimes bringing food into the environment creates stress or territorialism for dogs. 7. C lean up. Make clean-up a regular, daily practice. Extra effort is needed like lint rolling those pesky dog hairs and washing any cushions the dog lounges on to ensure the office stays fresh and tidy.
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8. D esignate a ‘place’ for the dog. Employees have their own workspace, so create a home base for the dog to relax when he needs some alone time. A small, darker area in a corner or under the parent’s desk can provide the comforts of a den and feel like a safe retreat. 9. E nsure you’re insured. Even the most trained and gentle dogs can act out. See if your insurance includes pet-related damage and depending on the coverage, consider having employees sign a memo committing them to handle any damage caused by their pet. 10. B e ready to adapt. The vibe and culture of an office space ebbs and flows, which requires employees and management to adapt on a regular basis. It’s important to be willing to change office policies and follow new protocol to provide a productive environment to both your two and four-legged employees. ND Tina Leone is the CEO of Ballston Business Improvement District, a 25-block neighborhood of commercial and residential properties in Arlington, Virginia. A longtime canine crusader, Tina has volunteered with American Brittany Rescue for 13 years and initiated their international program. She now runs Sporting Dog Rescue International and over the last few years has saved hundreds of dogs, including more than 200 in Spain and Greece.
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Leo, a 1 year-old Lab, is moving towards advanced mobility/ retrieval task work!
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Dog Gone Hard Work
These dogs don’t get to catch allot of ZZZZs during their working days. Understanding Psychiatric SDs and ESAs
D
ogs have, for thousands of years, been an integral part of human life. We have trained and developed the modern breeds to retrieve, guard, herd, hunt, and generally help to care for us through our symbiotic relationships with them. Now, the roles of working dogs are changing and being refined—there are still herding dogs, guard dogs, and hunting dogs, among others, but now, and for the last several decades, there has been a movement of dogs being used not only for our safety, but to improve people-in-need’s quality of life in a number of different ways. Nowadays there are therapy dogs, of varying breeds, that enter hospitals to provide comfort to the elderly or ill and therapy dogs that go into schools to help developmentally disabled children learn to read and build confidence. There are service dogs that help people who are blind, deaf, or medically disabled with a variety of conditions regain independence and confidence through their support.
B y S o p h ia R u tti
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Training Day: Sven, a nearly 1 year-old German Shepherd male, Sven is working towards introductory light-mobility task work.
There are dozens of ways that dogs help people through their work, but there are two different types of working dogs that, while similar, are often confused for one another: Psychiatric Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals. It is important to be specific because Emotional Support Animals do not have to be dogs at all! To an uninformed listener, the two might sound interchangeable, but in terms of training, skills, and legal status they are completely different. Psychiatric Service Dogs are considered Service Dogs under the Americans with Disabilities Act. As a Service Dog they are “individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability”. What this means is that a Psychiatric Service Dog is not only specially trained to behave appropriately in public environments such as schools, hospitals, airports, and work spaces, but also that a Psychiatric Service Dog performs “work” or “tasks” that directly mitigate an individual’s Psychiatric disability. Not all disabilities are immediately obvious and for many people with Psychiatric Disabilities, it is not readily apparent what ‘tasks’ their Service Dog might do—but that doesn’t mean that their Service Dog isn’t performing an essential task! For example, Psychiatric Service Dogs might be assisting an individual (civilian or veteran) with PTSD flashbacks. A Psychiatric Service Dog might be trained to recognize an individual’s “triggers” or “cues” that set off PTSD flashbacks that might be associated with disassociation, panic attacks, and anxiety, and interrupt the flashback before the individual enters a full episode. The Service Dog can ‘interrupt’ by redirecting the individual’s attention onto the dog by offering to play, performing grounding through licking or pressing weight on an individual’s chest or legs through Deep Pressure
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Therapy, or even by guiding their person to a “safe place” where they can regroup. Another example might be a Psychiatric Service Dog assisting an individual with autism. Depending on the individual, there might be sensory triggers involved with crowds and social situations. In that case a Service Dog can be trained to do crowd control, in which the dog circles the individual to give them more space, assist by guiding them to a less crowded environment, guide them to friend or family for help, or even by guide them to the exit of the building. There are dozens of other ways a Psychiatric Service Dog can be specially trained to assist individuals with psychiatric needs—they might go get help during a medical episode, retrieve medications when asked, remind the individual to take their medication at the same time each day, perform Deep Pressure Therapy, interrupt selfharm (when safe for the dog) and disrupt repetitive movements or behaviors, as a few examples. Service Dogs are only for people who are considered ‘disabled’ under the ADA. What does that mean for Psychiatric Service Dogs? It does not mean that a person has to look or seem disabled. What it does mean is that the Psychiatric condition must be one that is ‘disabling’—meaning, it prevents the individual from engaging and functioning in everyday life. That might mean for some people that it prevents them from feeling safe enough to go to the grocery store and for others that they cannot maintain a school or work relationship without support. Most important to know is that Psychiatric Service Dogs are NOT dogs who solely provide emotional comfort or support. Under the ADA, “dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals”. Dogs who provide comfort or emotional support are very beneficial in a different way and while they do not qualify under ADA guidelines, they have essential tasks. These types of assistance dogs are Emotional Support Animals! Emotional Support Animals are not Service Dogs. They do not have access to all public spaces under the Americans with Disabilities Act and only receive limited accommodations under the Fair Housing Act and, depending from airline to airline, during air travel. Emotional Support Animals provide comfort and support solely through being themselves—they do not have to be carefully trained to perform tasks. These dogs might “work” by naturally snuggling with their owner when they are upset and by providing emotional support by staying close. Emotional Support Animals can be dogs, cats, rabbits or any other domesticated animal that can safely live in the home and provide emotional support by helping their “person” to feel secure and supported. They might provide this support through play like fetch and tugging, cuddling, or even providing tactile stimulation by allowing their person to touch their fur, gently play with their ears, or stroke their back. Emotional Support Animals and Psychiatric Service Dogs both have their own roles, but they are very different and have different legal status. Psychiatric Service Dogs are considered Service Animals under
Service Dogs work hard to learn their jobs. Daisy, right, is working on Public Access training, Advanced Obedience, Emergency Response and Medical Alert task work!
the Americans with Disabilities Act and receive full rights to public spaces in order to assist their individual through specially trained tasks that mitigate their disabilities. Emotional Support Dogs are not offered any rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and do not receive full rights to public spaces. To show the differences between PSDs and ESAs, it is best to look at the differences in their training history and their typical day. • PSD: 2+ years of specialized training for both access to Public Spaces and “Tasks” • ESA: No required training
A Day in the Life of a Psychiatric Service Dog Wake up and eat breakfast with owner, then get dressed for the day! They go with their owner everywhere and perform tasks as needed. For example, a PSD might remind their owner to take their morning meds before walking out the door. Then, on the walk to work, when the crowd on the sidewalk is getting too tight—they might perform crowd control to help keep their owner feeling comfortable. Then, when they stop in at a corner store, the PSD might notice their handler getting nervous/ anxious. The PSD might lick their hands, paw at their legs, or whine a little to get the handler’s attention to redirect the handler from their anxiety onto the dog. If their handler has a panic attack, the PSD might perform DPT to help ground their handler and if needed, the PSD might go and get help (from a human, this time!). Then, when everything is back to normal, they’ll go off to work together! The PSD will be completely non-invasive in the work environment. If needed, the PSD will leave its resting place and perform work for their handler—maybe retrieving medicine, or water, or encouraging its handler to go for a walk to relieve anxiety.
Throughout the day, the PSD will get breaks and snuggles and lots of rewards from its handler and at the end of the day it will get to go play ball or chew on a bone and just ‘be a dog,’ but for most of the day it has an important job to do.
A Day in the Life of an Emotional Support Dog Wake up and eat breakfast with owner. Owner gets ready for work and the ESA might provide emotional support by offering to play, snuggling, or staying close. The owner goes to work and the ESA stays home and might spend some time snoozing, chewing a bone, or going to a day-care facility to play! Then when the owner is back from work, it’ll snuggle, play, and otherwise offer stimulation for its owner and provide emotional support. ESAs can be a huge emotional benefit for people, but only in the home and through their own kindness and support! When you see an Emotional Support Dog or Psychiatric Service Dog be polite! Don’t ask why the dog is needed and don’t give unnecessary attention to the dog—they are there for their person, not for everyone else. It is important not only to understand the varying roles and rights of Psychiatric Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals, but also to help people be aware of treatment and management options for their Psychiatric needs that might help to improve their quality of life! ND Sophia Rutti is one of the primary Service Dog trainers at Dog’s Downtown. Her background is in animal behavioral theory, with a focus on mitigating communication between humans and canines and her specialty is evaluating, selecting and training Service Dogs. She lives with a 3-year old German shepherd of her own who has an affinity for dog-friendly veggies www.novadogmagazine.com
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Is In-Home Pet Care the Right Choice for My Pets? B y C in d i L in , B e c k y ’s P e t C a r e
T
here are many reasons to consider in-home care for your pets. In-home pet care is a professional service offered by many pet care providers as a care option for when pet owners can not be there to care for their pets. Pet owners may seek assistance for support while they are at work, in case of life changes, help with socialization, busy with kids’ games and practices and travel as well as for additional exercise and TLC for their pets. Deciding if in-home care is the best for your family can depend on the environment, the pet’s temperament, and the family’s needs. Let’s discuss the process of in-home care for pets in its entirety. www.novadogmagazine.com
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The main proponents for having in-home care include: safety and comfort, keeping a routine schedule with personalized care, peace of mind, security, and happiness of the pet. Safety and Comfort—When travel is involved, someone needs to care for the pets at home including food, water, cleanliness, and if applying medications if the pet takes routine medication. Instead of being relocated to a strange and unfamiliar place, pets get the reassurance of being at home while the pet parent is away. This goes for regular household pets like cats and dogs as well as small animals and other types of pets. Another factor in safety and comfort is stress. Some pets are sensitive to loud environments, with many other pets, where they may be lots of barking. Shy pets often enjoy their own homes where they are both comfortable and do not have to interact with pets they do not know. Another factor if, when staying at home, a pet has less chance for contracting an illness, bite or bad habits from interactions with other pets. Some signs of stress include vomiting, diarrhea, a reduction of appetite, and even behavioral changes like fear and timidity. Staying at home can cause stress as well, but there is generally a reduction of it. Pets are comfortable at home and less stressed due to their familiar surroundings and smells of their owner. Routine Schedule and Personalized Care—Animals like routine schedules. It’s a common joke among cat and dog owners that pets do not understand daylight savings time or vacation time for that matter. Animals have an internal clock and they like having things when they are used to it. Why is that? Dogs tend to be creatures of habit and enjoy having a routine. In general, following a consistent schedule promotes their overall health and happiness. When a dog has an established routine, they feel know what to expect in their lives which leads them to be less stressed, anxious, or depressed. How does in-home pet care help maintain routines? Clients direct the scheduling of pet care services and can give detailed instruction on their pet’s daily routines. For some cat owners, it may be simply to feed the cat a can of food, refresh the water, and scoop the litter and it doesn’t matter what time of the day it is. For other owners, the timeframe of when services occur matter a lot and they can request when the pet sitter arrives and the order of how things are done. The ability to create a specialized program of care that includes daily walks, TLC, Leaving the radio or TV on, grooming or brushing all in a one-on – one setting can provide extra comfort while the pet parents are away. Because pet owners control the scheduling of in-home pet sitting, they set the mood and tone of the overall pet care service. Peace of Mind—Using a professional pet care provider means the person providing the care is focused on the pet, knowledgeable about how to provide care and look for signs of stress, can administer necessary medications and can be scheduled as many times or as long as needed, as pet care is their profession. Professional pet care providers have a reputation to uphold and are licensed, bonded, and insured. When pets get in-home pet care, pet owners can rest assured that they are comfortable and safe. In-home pet care providers can also help with tasks like taking out the garbage, bringing in the mail, alternating lights and watering plants. Many pet care professionals also provide immediate, electronic records of each visit with your pet. These records provide pet parents, with a reassurance that their pet is in good care and also gives imme-
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Some pets are sensitive to loud environments, with many other pets, where they may be lots of barking. Shy pets often enjoy their own homes where they are both comfortable and do not have to interact with pets they do not know. diate peace of mind to know each time someone visits, so they know the care is consistent. Security—It is always a good idea to have someone check-in the home while away. Having a presence at home reduces the chances of a robbery. Burglars are deterred if they are watching a home and they see someone regularly attending to the household or a car in the driveway. During the holidays, pet sitters help reduce theft by bringing in any packages that are delivered to the door. Another part of security is that a pet sitter can also contact the homeowner if they notice a strange occurrence regarding the house itself, such as storm damage, temperature, lights, leaks and other issues. There is also increased security in knowing if a pet care company hires employees who receive training or contractors who function independently. Employee based companies can provide a higher standard of care in many situations as they can train staff members in how to perform care, they can hold team members accountable for their work, issue performance reviews and also have back-up and emergency plans in place. Happiness of the Pet—Most pets are happiest at home. After all, it’s where they live with their human family, so even when their family is away, typically the pet feels safe and secure when surrounded by familiar sights, smells, items and in their special hiding places. When a pet is happy while the owner is away, it maintains its overall health and behavior patterns. Is in-home pet care the solution for every pet owner while on travel? Let’s revisit the main concerns of pet owners when planning their travel which include safety, security, and happiness of the pet. Every pet is different and although many professional pet sitters have training and qualifications for handling multiple scenarios and situations,
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it’s not a fit for all. The following situations should be taken into consideration when making a choice: Adverse Health—If a pet has serious health issues, is on a number of substantially technical or extensive/time consuming to deliver medication or is undergoing any type of end of life care, options that include more around the clock type of supervision may be good to consider. A lot of pet sitters who provide in-home care are capable of basic medication application such as pilling, giving injections, and even sub-q fluids. Behavioral Issues—Sometimes, a pet is not copacetic with someone coming into their home. Cats and dogs can both be territorial. If your pet is aggressive or territorial, you may want to consider other options for care that do not put your pet on the defensive at their own home. Separation Anxiety: When a pet has a condition such as separation anxiety, various scenarios may ensue. Sometimes, the separation anxiety can worsen if they are left alone in the home, but it can also worsen if they are moved out of the home for care. In this situation, the owner should try a short period of various types of different care options to decide which option is the best suited for their pet(s). In addition to trying various care options, various trial leave periods
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should also we tested. If a pet parent has more than one pet, there may be differing options that work better for each pet. Energy Levels: Extremely energetic pets may require more exercise and attention than can be delivered in a few visits per day. It may be beneficial to explore additional options for care or add additional visits to a schedule for extra playtime and exercise for pets that need it to stay happy. If pets get bored at home, they could cause destruction to household items or injure themselves while they are alone, sometimes by eating objects or chewing excessively. Access to Home—Families who hire in-home pet care providers need a way to allow access into their home for the care to be provided. Access to the home can be through a security code, lockbox, key or other system. IN order for in home care to work, the pet parent must be comfortable sharing home access details with the company providing the care. If a person coming into your home is not a comfortable situation for you, finding a care situation outside of your home would be a better option. In-Home care can be beneficial in many scenarios that may not be traditional: Surgery or accident recovery: A lot of people who are at home but cannot care for their pets due to an injury such as a broken limb,
have utilized in-home pet sitters to help clean the litter box, walk and feed the dog, and even cleaning cages for their small animals. Long-Term Illness: When a person has a long-term illness, pets can be of great comfort, but providing basic care may be a struggle. Pet parents with a long-term illness or going through chemo therapy or radiation for cancer or other treatments can utilize in-home care providers to help with their beloved pets. Pregnancy: Pregnant parents often require assistance with pet waste disposal, especially cat litter boxes. Additionally the demands of preparing for a newborn and in the months after a newborn enters a family can be very time-consuming and stressful on both the parents and the pets. An extra set of hands go a long way so that parents get to spend more time with their newborn and the pet gets the needed TLC and exercise, which helps them as they are adjusting to the new family dynamic. Assisted Living Facility: Many seniors rely on in-home pet care for their companion animals. When residing in an assisted living facility, staff is available for human care, but not for pet care. However, pets provide much needed companionship to seniors living alone. In home pet care providers deliver the care needed so seniors have great companionship, without the stress and commitment of feeding, walking and pet waste disposal. In home care comes in many shapes and sizes. When you are selecting a care provider, here is a list of questions to ask: • Do you service my address? • What are your rates for one visit? What if I schedule more than 1
visit a day, is there a discount? How about if I schedule regular care every week? • Do you charge for each pet? • Do you charge early AM or Late PM fees? • Can you administer medication? Is there a fee? • Do you charge extra for weekends? Holidays? • Are there any other fees? • Can you come with last minute notice? • Do you provide a record of time with my pet? • How do you access my home? • Are you licensed, bonded and insured? • Do your staff members have training and experience? • Are your staff members employees? • What are your pack-up and emergency plans? • What happens if the person scheduled to provide care can’t make it? Hopefully this list and these details gives you a structure for asking good questions and making good decisions about the care that will be best for your pet. It is important to find a solution that is the best choice for your family and the needs of your pets to create the best situation from when you can’t be there to provide your pet’s care yourself. ND Cindi Lin has worked for Becky’s Pet Care for over 5 years and is currently Marketing Assistant. She has extensive knowledge in the pet care industry. She loves all animals and has been a care provider for many types of pets, including dogs, cats and chickens.
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CANINE CALENDAR
Special thanks to our calendar sponsor Fur-Get Me Not. www.furgetmenot.com
OCTOBER October 19 32nd Annual Bark Ball, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM at the Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009. HRA’s most barked about event of the year. This annual blacktie gala evening honoring the programs and services of the Humane Rescue Alliance with a reception, extensive silent/online, and live auctions, seated vegan dinner, and program. More at www.barkball.org
a Lure Course. It will be held at Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center in Woodbridge, VA, US. Admission is free. More at www. sptcpetoberfest.com
October 26 NOVA Dog Fest, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Frying Pan Park, 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon, VA 20171. Come meet local businesses, organizations that provide services for dogs and dog owners. https://www. eventbrite.com/e/nova-dog-festtickets-61890754914
October 26
October 19 PetOberfest! 11AM-4PM. This dog friendly event is a fall favorite. Dress up in costumes if you wish, humans and pets alike. This year the event features
PugsTakeD, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM at Wunder Garten1101 First Street Northeast, Washington, DC 20002. Sip some drinks, have some snacks, and mingle with
Happy Hours: June until Oct 30 - Yappy Hour in Leesburg sponsored by The Humane Society of Loudoun every Wednesday at Spanky’s Shenanigans 538 E Market St, Leesburg, Virginia 20176. More details at https:// www.facebook.com/events/852671841791982/
July 10 - October 20 July 10 -Trivia Night at Solly’s at 1942 11th St. NW, Washginton, DC 20001. Join in for trivia night at Solly’s with 10% of proceeds benefiting the Humane Rescue Alliance. Bring your friends (the really smart ones!) and enjoy a night of fun while supporting a good cause.
your favorite pugs. Please make sure to shop our raffle with lots of fun items for pugs and people. 100% of the proceeds from the raffle will benefit Mid-Atlantic Pug Rescue!
October 27 Howl’ O Ween Tails & Trails Walk, 11:00am - 2:00pm at Bluemont Park in Arlington, VA. Walk starts at 12:30pm. Please contact Shanova Perry at 703-535-3100 or
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October 27 3rd annual PAWS VEGAS at Solace Brewing Company from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Join Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation for a fun-filled day of barks, brews, and boos! Bring your dog, bring your kids, and tell your friends! https://www.eventbrite. com/e/paws-vegas-2019-tickets-72456151299
October 27 Annual Dogma Trick or Treat in the Village at Shirlington, held from 2 PM to 4 PM at Dogma Bakery in Arlington, VA, US. Admission is free. https://www.facebook.com/ events/1296467867187771/ October 27 – Join Lucky Dog Animal Rescue Trick or Treat in Ar-
lington from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at 2772 S Arlington Mill Dr, Arlington, VA 22206.
NOVEMBER November 3 Prevent Cancer Health Fair and 5k Walk/Run! This dog friendly event will be held from 8 AM to 11:30 AM at Nationals Park in Washington, DC.
November 15: Cooking to Crush Cancer: Foodies and wine lovers, you’re in for a rare treat, and all for a great cause! (6:00-10:00PM)come enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime evening featuring an innovative French inspired five-course dinner prepared by celebrity chef Patrice Olivon, former White House Chef
under three presidents, Executive Chef and the French Embassy, and creator of Cooking Live. The event will take place Stone Tower Winery in Leesburg. Each course will be complemented by hand-selected wines from Stone Tower’s collection. 6-10PM. Info: https://caninesnkids.org/ events/cooking-to-crush-cancer. html
November 23 Lucky Dog Animal Rescue Santa Photos from12:00pm to 3:00pm at Bethesda Row, Bethesda Avenue, Bethesda, MD20814 Oct 11 - Dec 26 - Barks, Brews, & Bites, held every Thursday from 4 PM to 7 PM on the Alexandrian Old Town Alexandria, Autograph Collection in Alexandria, VA, US. Admission is free.
DECEMBER Annual Holiday Photos with Your Pet is back! Bring your whole family, fourlegged ones and all, to get your holiday photos with Santa! A $20 donation includes a printed photo in a magnet frame and a digital file after the event. Holiday Photos with Your Pet: HRA December dates: Sunday, December 1, Big Bad Woof, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM Thursday, December 5, Dacha Holiday Market, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM Saturday, December 7, Washington Hilton, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM Dulles Towne Centre: Dates TBA. ND
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HIT THE TRAIL L o c a l wa l k s t o e n j o y
ColorFALL Trails to Hit By Angela Hazuda Meyers
I
n honor of the spectacular colors of the season, we are highlighting a series of hikes that showcase nature’s beauty. Enjoy one of these hikes close to home, or opt for one within a few hours drive.
About Your Guide Angela Meyers is the owner of both NOVADog Magazine and a lovely pup named Maggie.
Splendor in the Shenandoah: In Northern VA we are blessed with being in one of those locations that is close to it all: mountains, beach, plains, lakes, country, city. You can get to a wide variety of options within 1-5 hours. And in the Fall we are really showered with some of the best of nature’s treasures, including the gorgeous Shenandoah National Park. Skyline drive is renowned for its fabulous foliage. Here are 3 hikes that deliver great views and are dog friendly as well.
Hawksbill Mountain: This hike really delivers at the end with outstanding 360 degree views. You are walking through trees on the steep ascent most of the time, but when you hit the summit, you are rewarded. This is the highest summit in Shenandoah. It is dog friendly, but dog and owner alike need to be in shape for this hike. It’s a short trip to the summit, only .8 miles, but it’s steep. You can do this hike 2 ways: a 1.5 mile out and back OR continue on past the summit and complete the 3 mile loop (you’ll connect with Salamander Trail, then take a right onto the Appalachian Trail (AT) for 1 www.novadogmagazine.com
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HIT THE TRAIL L o c a l wa l k s t o e n j o y
US Arboretum (Spring 2010): One of the top-rated Fall walks in DC. The 446 pristine acres over rolling hills, are definitely a fall favorite for locals, but the best part, is you won’t encounter crowds. The DC Arboretum remains one of the areas hidden gems. Rock Creek Park (Fall 2012): A year-round walking and jogging hot spot, this areas inner trails shine in the fall. They are often less traveled and run along reflective streams. Roosevelt Island (Fall 2009): Although well-traveled, it’s for good reason. This “island destination” still feels remote. Though the parking lot often can’t fit another car, arrive by foot or bike and you will find plenty of space to stretch your legs on the varied trail systems TRI offers. mile back to the parking lot). All trails are well marked. Park at milepost (MP) 45.6 on Skyline Drive for trail access. Rose River Trail Loop: This trail is so beautiful anytime of year, but really lovely in the fall. Hit it after a rain if you want to experience the full effect of the waterfalls. It does tend to be drier in the fall, but when you hit it just right, the trees, reflections and waterfalls are incredibly gorgeous. Hike this loop clockwise to get the best views and to use the fire road for the ascent. The trail is a 3.5 mile loop, very dog-friendly, though rather rocks, so pups and people both need to be ware. In general this is an easy to moderate loop. The trail begins across from Fishers Gap Overlook, which is worth a stop, just north of MP 50 on Skyline Drive. Park at Fishers Gap Overlook, and cross Skyline Drive to access the trail. Little Stony Man Loop: A moderate trail with lots of interesting areas, this trail also offers at least 3 substantial vistas. The best path is to start out counterclockwise on Little Stony Man/AT, then head up the
Summit loop trail, which is a short.2 miles out and a return loop of .3 miles. When you return from the summit, turn left back onto the AT. After .8 miles the AT splits off and you’ll pick us Passamaquoddy Trail which will take you back to the parking lot. There are great views along Passamaquoddy. The total loop is 3.4 miles. Park in the Little Stony Man parking area located at MP 39.1. Just past the parking area, you will find facilities including restrooms, a restaurant and picnic area. Here are some throwbacks to great hikes we have done over the past 11 years. They all offer outstanding fall colors, and are great hikes very close to the DC metro area.
Color Close to your Condo There are so many great hikes to explore in the DMV. The fall leaves provide an extra colorful walk in the woods. These great hikes have been featured in previous issues of NOVADog. The hike details are all available online under Previous Issues. Each of these hikes provides spectacular fall leaves all, fairly close to home.
Did you hike it? Please send us pictures of you with your dogs! photos@novadogmagazine.com. (Include your name, your dog’s name, and your dog’s breed/age.) Or share with us on Facebook, Twitter (@ NOVADogMag), or Instagram (novadogmagazine). 26 Northern Virginia Dog
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Dumbarton Oaks Park (Winter 2017): A true gem in the city. This park is incredibly dog-friendly and your pup won’t be able to help making a new friend. Trails through the main part of the park are more like a dog park, trails out to the pack of the park offer a more secluded retreat.
Great hikes close to the Beltway Scott’s Run Nature Preserve (Winter 2009): This colorful hike runs along the streamside for a substantial length, as well it offers great vistas and views. Difficult Run (Fall 2011): This scenic loop is one of the best close to the beltway. It’s an easy hike, low elevation change and the stream offers lovely views and you’ll receive a few waterfall treats. Riverbend Park (Winter 2012): Running along the Potomac, you’ll get amazing views of the fall foliage across the river. The reflections off the water are spectacular. Potomac Heritage Trail (Fall 2014): Another local hike that meanders along the Potomac River and provides amazing views of the trees across the river. The color show is an intense treat. This trail, which runs parallel to the Mount Vernon Trail, hugs the water much closer and since it’s unpaved, it also much less traveled. ND
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Cage-free daycare, boarding, grooming and more. Five great locations in Northern Virginia. Visit www.adogsdayout.com. The Prize Pack Winner (#1) receives a NOVADog Magazine limited-edition T-shirt and a gift certificate from A Dog’s Day Out.
1. STITCH loved by Matthew in Herndon, VA
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4. DEANO loved by Lisa in Fairfax, VA
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WAGS TO RICHES Adoption success stories
Rescued Dogs Are Waiting for Their Forever Homes Looking to add a family member? A Forever Home Rescue has big dogs, little dogs, gentle dogs and playful dogs ready to be adopted!
Bagel the Beagle
Can't adopt? Save a life by fostering, volunteering or donating.
Adopted from: A Forever Home, Chantilly, VA
Loved by Debbie Ewald
Adopted: Jan. 3, 2017 How did he get his name? Bagel’s had his name before he came
into my life but it suits him.
www.AForeverHome.org
Background info: Bagel came into my life unexpectedly. I was
fostering two dogs for AFH, and had to take them to the vet—that’s where I first met Bagel. He had been tied to a barrel in someone’s front yard along with his kitty friend for 7 long years! Once he came home and came out of his shell I learned what a goofy dog he really is. I also learned how much be hates rain and is extremely afraid of thunderstorms. I don’t know how he survived being tied outside. He was very thin and sickly but with help from AFH, Bagel thrived in my care. After 6 months a family came forward and fell in love with Bagel and I was extremely happy for them both. But when Bagel left I realized there was a hole in my heart. The family reached out to me when they needed a sitter and I relished the time we had together. When a tragedy hit Bagel’s family I took care of him with food, vet bills and lots of love to help out. In February 2017 the family returned Bagel to the Rescue because they had a lot on their plate. When AFH asked me if I wanted to adopt Bagel I did not hesitate.
Favorite activity together: Bagel is a complete snuggle dog, where
it never fails that he manages to roll over so I can give him belly rubs. He also loves walking at the beach with all the smells (Oh that Beagle nose!)
Favorite treat or snack: He loves salmon skins, duck jerky and the homemade snacks I make for him.
Favorite toy: His heart bear, It has lavender in the bear to help him during thunderstorms. I love him because: He is the sweetest, smartest, and most goofy HUMANERESCUEALLIANCE.ORG
caring dog I know. Bagel loves giving me kisses and taking walks with me and I am most thankful that AFH allowed me to foster and adopt this sweet boy and to let him know that humans can be better than he knew for 7 years. ND
A Forever-Home Rescue Foundation is a non-profit dog rescue group that operates in the Northern Virginia / Washington Metropolitan area. www.aforeverhome.org, @aforeverhome.
28 Northern Virginia Dog
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