All About Pets_05.11.12

MAY 11, 2012

THE PRESS

Photo by Richard Wisdom

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ALL ABOUT PETS

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Therapy helps pets get, stay healthy AMY CLAIRE

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ules spent three months in physical therapy recovering from arthritis and a ruptured ligament in her leg – unremarkable except for the fact that

Jules isn’t human. The 9-year-old Rottweiler received her physical therapy at Animal Rehabilitation and Wellness, Inc., a new center that brings the emerging field of animal physical therapy to Brentwood.

Dr. Cory Sims, clinical director for Animal Rehabilitation and Wellness, took a class on the subject last July and saw instant results when she began using it with her patients.

After discovering she needed more space, she opened Animal Rehabilitation and Wellness with partner Troy Mendia in March of this year. Animals are dropped off in the morning on therapy days and treated to fun exercise sessions interspersed by breaks.

Boarding is available for pets with medical conditions that require special attention while their owners are out of town.

Physical therapy can be used to help animals recover from surgery or injury. It can also slow the progress of degenerative diseases, promote weight loss in obese pets and provide conditioning for sport or work dogs, and it serves as a helpful counterpart to a pet’s traditional veterinary visits. The center also provides cold laser therapy for joint pain and surgical see Therapy page 7B

ON THE COVER: Manager Troy Mendia puts Grogg, a great Dane, through his paces during a workout at Animal Rehabilitation and Wellness center in Antioch.

Photo by Richard Wisdom

Marley, a golden retriever, thinks he’s playing, but he’s actually getting a workout from Animal Rehabilitation and Wellness Clinic Director Dr. Cory Sims, left, and center manager Troy Medina.

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ALL ABOUT PETS

MAY 11, 2012

Pet Hug Pack brings smiles to seniors AMY CLAIRE

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et owners know that a little affection from a loving animal can brighten the gloomiest

day. The Pet Hug Pack, a program of Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF), has been arranging for volunteers to bring their pets on therapy visits to senior communities and other facilities since 2002. Now, a collaboration with The Commons at Dallas Ranch retirement home is expanding the Pet Hug Pack into East County, bringing friendly animals to visit seniors at The Commons and other facilities in the area.

“To me, animal therapy is getting to the heart of what people are,” said Dina Osakue, community relations director for The Commons. After the community’s former pet therapy dog, Moose, could no longer make his weekly visits, Osakue discovered ARF and arranged to meet with Pet Hug Pack representatives. “We talked and decided it was time for people in East County to have the same opportunities as

people over the hill.”

Osakue has seen firsthand the benefits of Moose’s animal therapy visits. She recalled a resident who claimed to dislike dogs but attended, reluctantly, one of the animal visits. It didn’t take long before he was beguiled by the friendly pooch.

Eventually he began looking forward to seeing his furry friend. “He would sit by the door waiting for Moose,” said Osakue, who added that the animal visits not only cheer up lonely residents but can break through to patients suffering from physical and mental conditions. “People who don’t normally talk – they’re talking and smiling,” she said. “You can see the change. It’s an immediate response.”

In order to launch animal therapy visits to East County senior communities, hospitals and other locations, the Pet Hug Pack is holding a volunteer drive this weekend. Interested pet owners can learn more about the program and its requirements. Outgoing and wellmannered dogs, cats and small animals can apply.

Pat Mills, People Connect coordinator for the Pet Hug Pack, began volunteering to make visits with her golden retriever, Spiff, six years ago. “I thought I’d like to take all the joy she brought me and share it with other people,” she said. “Smiles come to people’s faces … It’s all this unconditional love they offer.”

Spiff, an animal therapy dog, enjoys a comforting moment with a resident at The Commons at Dallas Ranch.

Photo by Amy Claire

Osakue knows expanding the Pet Hug Pack program throughout the area might take time, but she’s proud to be a part of the process. “It’s a long row to hoe, but we’re up for the challenge.” She hopes the drive will attract many volunteers so that seniors at numerous facilities can reap the benefits of animal therapy. “Just share what you have,” she said. “Bring joy to somebody.”

The Pet Hug Pack volunteer drive will be held Saturday, May 12 from 10

to 11:30 a.m. at The Commons at Dallas Ranch, 4751 Dallas Ranch Road in Antioch.

Participants should not bring their pets.

Owners must be at least 21 and have owned their pet for at least six months.

Dogs and cats must be at least 1 year old.

Call Dina Osakue at 925-754-7772 or e-mail dosakue@commonsatdallasranch. com. For general information about the Pet Hug Pack, e-mail Pat Mills at pmills@arf.net or visit www.arf.net.

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MAY 11, 2012

ALL ABOUT PETS

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goody bag. All dogs must remain on a leash during the event and be up-to-date with all their shots.

While Bark For Life supports the American Cancer Society, the pup party is also a chance to celebrate the dogs who have offered support to cancer patients in their time of need. Zimmerman, a cancer survivor, believes her dogs played a vital role in her fight against cancer.

“I adopted my first dog from a shelter after I was diagnosed the first time in 2003,” Zimmerman wrote in an e-mail.

“Sammy helped me stay active and he kept my spirits up. Then fast forward to 2010 and Deano entered my life. I was walking the track at our Relay event and one of our planning committee members had pictures

Golden retriever Gwen, owned

by Bark For Life Co-chair Sharon Joseph, proudly wears her Bark For Life gear, which she’ll sport at the American Cancer Society fundraiser in July.

Photo courtesy of Sharon Joseph

Take a bite out of cancer SAMIE HARTLEY

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ast County residents stand up to cancer every year at the American Cancer Society’s

Relay For Life fundraisers by walking around a track in teams non-stop for 24 hours to demonstrate that cancer – and the fight against it – never rest.

This year, residents can take part in a similar quest with their four-legged friends.

Bark For Life is an extension of Relay For Life. Participants and their dogs walk around a course to raise cancer awareness.

Teams host fundraisers and seek donations, and all proceeds go the American Cancer Society to support cancer research and care programs.

“Cancer doesn’t discriminate,” said Bark For Life Co-chair Sharon Joseph.

“Dogs get cancer too and receive treatment just like humans. In fact, some of the cancer drugs used to treat humans can also be used to treat dogs. Money raised during Relay and Bark For Life helps all walks of life.”

Joseph, a board member for the Brentwood Relay For Life, has lost two dogs to cancer and decided to organize Bark For Life to raise awareness. Joseph teamed with fellow Relay organizer Wanda Zimmerman to host Brentwood’s inaugural Bark For Life in collaboration with the Oakley Relay For Life. The BrentwoodOakley Bark For Life is schedule for Saturday, July 21 at O’Hara Park School, 1100 O’Hara Ave. in Oakley. Registration is $25. Unlike Relay, Bark For Life runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. so that the furry participants don’t get uncomfortable in the summer heat.

The event features vendors, games, food (for dogs and humans) and an assortment of activities for everyone to enjoy. Since the canine participants are the stars of the event, they’ll receive a special

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of dogs available for ‘free’ adoption that weekend. I instantly fell in love with his photo and adopted him from HALO. He’s younger than Sammy but has brought so much laughter into the house. It was four months later that I was diagnosed with a recurrence of my cancer from 2003. I just finished treatments in January, and having both dogs really helped me.”

Joseph agreed: “Our dogs are always there to give us unconditional love no matter what we are going through. Bark For Life is a chance to say thank you.”

To register in advance online, visit www.relayforlife.org/barkbrentwoodca. For more information, call Joseph at 925-5137762 or Zimmerman at 925-550-1381.

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ALL ABOUT PETS

MAY 11, 2012

Adoptathon puts furry friends in Safe Havens CHARLOTTE CUSACK

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ick and Barbara Stirrat, founders of Delta Animals Safe Haven (DASH), are on a

mission: Pull dogs from the overcrowded and underfunded Antioch Animal Shelter and successfully adopt them out, and raise enough funds to create and maintain a no-kill animal shelter.

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“It’s my dream to build a facility that lasts generations, has sustainable funding and is tied to an organization that has depth and longevity,” said Stirrat. “It’s doable if we can recruit the right people.”

After moving from Oregon to California, and following a positive experience adopting a golden retriever through NORCAL Golden Retriever Rescue, the Stirrats were eager to get involved in animal rescue volunteer efforts.

“I’ve always loved animals. We’ve always had pets; mostly dogs,” said Stirrat. “There are so many wonderful people doing so many wonderful things, and I wanted to be a part of that. We just caught that bug.”

Five years ago, Stirrat began volunteering at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) in Walnut Creek. After he and Barbara moved from Martinez to Antioch three years ago, he began scouting volunteer opportunities closer to home. “I came down to the Antioch Animal Shelter around the time they were having big budget difficulties,” he said.

The Stirrats teamed up with other nonprofit East County rescue organizations – Homeless Animals’ Lifeline Organization (HALO), Homeless Animals Response Program (HARP) and Friends of Animal Services – and frequently brainstormed fundraising ideas. see Adoptathon page 7B

Photo by Charlotte Cusack

DASH founder Rick Stirrat, left, speaks with a pet owner about the pit bull named Baby.

Therapy from page 3B recovery, plus electrical stimulation for pain relief.

Using no needles or medications, the center is designed to make pets feel comfortable. “It looks like a gym,” said Sims.

The tools used in physical therapy are more like toys than medical equipment. Yoga balls, padded hurdles and orange cones make for a fun and engaging environment. “It’s play time,” said Sims, “as far as the dog knows.”

One tool of the trade, the underwater treadmill, allows dogs suffering from pain or weight problems to exercise in a low-impact environment. The water pressure soothes aching joints and provides resistance to movement, prompting muscle conditioning.

Sims advocates the treadmill as safer than swimming for doggie exercise, as the environment is controlled and the movements are more natural.

Physical therapy isn’t just for dogs. Cats can benefit from the center’s programs and boarding, and even enjoy a special, quiet room in the facility designed with kitty comfort in

Adoptathon from page 6B They eventually all agreed that creating a no-kill shelter in East Contra Costa County would be their long-term goal. DASH was formed last June to help ease overpopulation at the Antioch shelter.

When he’s not preoccupied with his day job in the financial services industry, Alexander Rodriguez an enthusiastic DASH volunteer. “I think that animal rescue brings up the morale of the community because people feel like they’re able to help out, that they’re doing a good thing.”

Maddie’s Matchmaker Adoptathon kicks off June 9 and 10. According to its website, 65 rescue events will be hosted in 80 locations throughout the Bay Area. Pets will be free to qualified adopters. PetSmart, 5879 Lone Tree Way in Antioch, is one of the many businesses hosting the event. DASH, which holds adoption events at that location every Friday night, will be on site for the Adoptathon.

“Our goal is to adopt out as many animals as possible that particular weekend so we can turn around and save more,” said Stirrat. “In order to do that, we need to recruit more foster homes, even if they can be only temporary fosters to help us ramp up for Maddie’s Matchmaker Adoptathon.”

ALL ABOUT PETS

mind. Wide windows, a tunnel, a cat tree and a diffuser that emits calming pheromones ensure feline happiness. Cats enjoy napping in their “studios with a bath,” as Sims put it – multi-level kennels with a separate litter box area.

When Jules the Rottweiler began seriously suffering from her arthritis, her owners thought they might need to euthanize her. But they first brought her to Animal Rehabilitation and Wellness, and after a few months of physical therapy, Jules was off her medications and running three miles a day with her owner. Her remarkable success isn’t unusual; Sims has seen improvement in every case she has treated. “It works,” she said with a smile. “It’s hugely rewarding for me, and it’s a huge gift for the family, who get their pet back.”

Animal Rehabilitation and Wellness, Inc., located at 4505 O’Hara Ave. in Brentwood, is open Mondays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 925-234-2364 or visit www. animalrehabilitationandwellness.com.

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Poppy the Chihuahua gets an ultrasound treatment on a paw injured when she was hit by a car.

Photo by Richard Wisdom

Currently, DASH has six foster homes and 11 dogs available for adoption.

Maddie’s Fund offers stipends to participating organizations, and all monies earned by DASH via Maddie’s Fund go toward creating an Antioch-based no-kill facility. “I got my feet wet at ARF – it’s such a good model to follow,” said Stirrat. “When we achieve that goal of the adoption center, we want it to be a center that supports the various animal rescue groups in East County.”

The Stirrats envision a facility successful enough to retain an in-house veterinarian and large enough to provide a variety of programs, including outreach services for low-income families and their pets, spay/neuter clinics and day camps for kids. But they can’t do it alone.

“We need more volunteers, including board members,” said Stirrat. “I’m an IT guy for the University of California, San Francisco, not a business manager. I know where my limitations lie. We do need help.”

For more information about Delta Animals Safe Haven, call Stirrat at 925-3353169 or visit www.deltaanimalssafehaven. org. For more information about Maddie’s Matchmaker Adoptathon, visit www. maddiesadoptathon.org.

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MAY 11, 2012