Petconnections march 2014 vol 2 issue 6 final

Pittsburgh

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PetConnections Magazine March 2014 • Vol. 2, Issue 6

Judith Levy - is one of Pittsburgh’s best holistic health practitioners for both people and pets.

See her article

page 28.

Is Your Cat’s Food

Killing Her?

Page 30.

House Training 101

20 13 March 2014 • Vol. 2, Issue 6

er

ate of E xc tific

ence ell

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Page 24.

To better serve our North Hills customers

! g n i v o M e r ’ e W

We are excited to offer new and expanded product lines, a small animal and bird section plus a lot more things to meow and bark about!

Visit us at our new location just down the road at 9805 Pine Creek Plaza, between Target and Giant Eagle.

Visit our South Hills store in Crossgates Plaza, 1742 Washington Rd. Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 (Next to Model Cleaners)

www.healthypetproducts.net

North Hills 412.366.0700 South Hills 412.831.3700

Find us on

Lucky Dog 2 Bingo

Sunday, April 6th

Mt. Pleasant (Hickory) VFD Hall, Hickory, PA Doors Open at 11:30am - Early Birds 12:30pm Regular Bingo at 1:30pm $20 at the door, $18 in advance Includes 12 Bingo Cards, beverage and doggie gift bag Additional Cards Available for Purchase Chinese Auction • Raffles • Basket of Cheer • 50/50 From decks, Food available for sale fencing to

bathroom Meet & greet some of Angel Ridge’s Angels

remodeling, Cover All Pays 700 pt Jackpot haspts Winnings on Regular BingoJ&D 50-100 Special Bingos pay 100 pts or more! done it all!

Several Specials pay half of the “take”

Purchase tickets at Angel Ridge, Woody’s Dog Wash, or mail the form below. Benefits Angel Ridge Animal Rescue Emergency Medical Fund 724.229.7053 | Old Hickory Ridge Road | Washington, PA 15301 www.angelridgeanimalrescue.org | Hours: Tues-Sun 12-5pm

Lucky Dog 2 Bingo

Advance Ticket Order Form - $18 + postage/handling ($20 at the door)

Each ticket gets you 12 playing cards, beverage, and doggie gift bag. Additional cards available for purchase at the door.

Save money and order your ticket(s) in advance!

Name ____________________________________________________

Number of tickets desired:

____________________

Address __________________________________________________

x $18 per ticket =

$ ___________________

_________________________________________________________

+ $1.00 postage/handling

+

Phone ___________________________________________________

TOTAL ENCLOSED:

$ ___________________

(only $1 for any number of tickets)

$ 1.00

Make check payable to “Angel Ridge Animal Rescue” and mail to: Angel Ridge Animal Rescue • P. O. Box 94 • Meadowlands, PA 15347

Angel Ridge ad generously sponsored by J&D Home Improvements From decks and fencing to bathroom remodeling, J&D has done it all!

Offer expires 3/31/14

J & D Home Improvements www.jdwaterproofing.com

ALL of my Friends are Going!!!

✂

Save $ 10

NOW YOU CAN TOO PUP! New Clients... and New Pets!

Try us out and save $10 on our Deluxe Grooming Service (or Save $7 on our Basic Grooming Service) This Offer is Available for New Clients Only.

Must present this coupon at the time of service. This offer is not good in conjunction with other offers and is subject to change without notice. Expires March 17, 2014

Located in Scott Towne Center 2101 Greentree Road

Like Family!

412-279-5331

In This Issue: The Human-Animal Bond...........................10 Stand

Animal Behavior......................................24-25 House Training 101

Event Calendar.............................................11 Holistic Care...........................................26-29 Upcoming Pet Events Back to Basics; Tapping into Healing

Featured Non-Profit.....................................12 Kitty Korner............................................30-34 WearWoof Featured Business....................................14-15 Paw Prints Pet Retreat

Featured Rescue...........................................16 Fluffyjean Fund for Felines

Animal Health & Wellness...........................18

Is Your Cat’s Food Killing Her?; Take The Clinic to the Cats; Cat Rescue Resource Guide

Equine Affairs..........................................36-41 A Full Recovery!; Barn Fires: Preventable Tragedies; Riding the Wave

In Remembrance..........................................44 Healing Hearts for Pet Lovers, In Memory of Callie

Labor of Love

Advertiser Locator Map................................22

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©Pittsburgh PetConnections

March 2014

F ROM THE PUBLISHER Welcome to our March Volume 2 Issue 6! This Issue:

PPC Magazine is ever evolving with our readers’ and advertisers’ feedback.

Our print directories are a big hit! We will be expanding the PetConnections Directory every month.

Please also see our more extensive online directories on the home page of www.pghpetconnections.com.

We welcome new advertisers this issue: Paw Prints Pet Retreat, VCA Castle Shannon & Northview Animal Hospitals, Allegheny South & Hickory Veterinary Services, Seven Fields & Avalon Veterinary Hospitals, Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, Pets at Home Dog Grooming, Seraphina Pet Sitters, Grand Slam Grooming and Dog Watch Pet Fencing.

The Pittsburgh Home Show on February 7 was a lot of fun and a good venue for PPC Magazine. I met Anthony Carrino from HGTV “Kitchen Cousins”, and he autographed the ad from the last issue!

Cover photo courtesy Judith Levy

Pittsburgh PetConnections Magazine Disclaimer: ”The views expressed in PPC Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policies of Pittsburgh PetConnections Magazine. All viewpoints are welcome...”

Pittsburgh PetConnections Monthly

Published By: Pittsburgh PetConnections, LLC.

The Cover: Judith Levy is Pittsburgh’s best holistic health practitioner for both people and pets. See her article on p 28 Read about our featured rescue, Fluffyjean Fund for Felines. Also, featured business, Paw Prints Pet Retreat.

Great articles such as Stephanie Forebeck in “Labor of Love”, about life as an emergency veterinary technician. Also, “House Training 101”

by Tena Parker, Dr. Doug’s article about feline thiamine deficiency, “Barn Fires” by Dr. Burks and much more, of course!

Thank you for picking up PPC Magazine. Take care of yourself, as well as your animals and be well!

Warmly, Carla Mader CEO & Publisher Pittsburgh PetConnections, LLC.

Please submit any correspondence to: info@pghpetconnections.com Please check us out on the web & subscribe at: www.pghpetconnections.com.

Follow PghPetMag on Twitter and “Like” us on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/PghPetconnectionsMagazine

www.pghpetconnections.com Subscribe, Submit, Upload!

Submit your business or rescue organization’s info for a FREE listing on our directory.

Pittsburgh PetConnections, LLC. was formed in 2012.

Our mission is to publish a high quality, informative and Human-Animal Bond focused publication.

We support local businesses and also assist local non-profit businesses for pets and people, to give back to our great Pittsburgh communities.

No website for your small home-based pet or wellness business?

Add a Featured Listing on the PPC online Directory for a small yearly fee and upload photos and detailed info about your business!

Magazine Publication Staff Managing Editor.........................................................Carla Mader Chief Editor...........................................Bernadette E. Kazmarski Sales.................................................................................Carla Mader Distribution...............................................................Martin Mader Graphic Designer.......................................Flatboy Productions Photographer......................................Kara Jones Photography Contributing Writers: Our contributing writers have many years of combined experience and expertise in the fields of veterinary medicine and the Human-Animal Bond.

ADVERTISING: info@pghpetconnections.com 724-503-8695 Contact: info@pghpetconnections.com All Rights Reserved Copyright 2014 March 2014

Become a Media Partner with PPC Magazine!

A Media Partnership with PPC includes: • Ad in print or online (free design) • A Free Featured directory page on our website with your business info, photos and link to your website • Your logo in our monthly newsletter • PPC promotes your business at our events

www.pghpetconnections.com

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PET CONNECTIONS DIRECTORY Animal Educational Exhibits North:

The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium 412-665-3640 | www.pittsburghzoo.org The National Aviary 412-323-7235 | www.nationalaviary.org

Animal Behavior

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

See our on d www irector line fea tu y .pgh petc listings red onne a ction t s.com !

Judith Levy, M,Ed., CEHP, RMT - Holistic Approach to Behavior 412-521-5133 | www.judithlevywellness.com

Animal Communication Greater Pittsburgh Area:

Renee Takacs, M.A. 724-625-6693 | www.intuitguide.com

Animal Reiki East:

Janet Jackson 724-547-7101 | www.animalangellady.com

East End:

Judith Levy, M,Ed., CEHP, RMT – Certified Energy Health Practitioner 412-521-5133 | www.judithlevywellness.com

Animal-Related Art, Photography & Retail North:

Nicole Begley Photography www.nicolebegleyphotography.com Vibrant Images 724-774-1731 | www.vibrant-images.com WearWoof Shop – Fashion Meets Mission! 412-956-1788 | www.wearwoof.org

South:

Kara Jones Photography kjones.smugmug.com Paws ‘n Claws Eyewear www.PawsnClawsEyewear.com

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

Portraits of Animals www.portraitsofanimals.net Pet and Home Portraits 302-530-6908 | www.petandhomeportraits.blogspot.com

Animal Rescue & Shelter Organizations North:

Animal Friends 412-847-7000 | www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org Beaver County Humane Society 724-775-5801 | www.beavercountyhumanesociety.org Pennsylvania Great Dane Rescue 724-869-9185 | www.pennsylvania-dane-rescue.org Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary 412-366-1187 | www.hopehavenfarm.org Western Pa Humane Society 412-321-4265 | www.wpahumane.org

South:

Angel Ridge Animal Rescue 724-229-7053 | www.angelridgeanimalrescue.org Animal Care & Welfare 412-244-1372 | www.animalcareandwelfare.org Washington Area Humane Society 724-222-7387 | www.washingtonpashelter.org

East:

Animal Rescue League 412-345-7300 | www.animalrescue.org ARL Wildlife Center 412-345-7300 x500 | www.animalrescue.org/wildlife_center SW PA Pugs with Special Needs 724-763-2790 | www.swpapug.org

West:

CARMAA 412-780-4983 | www.carmaa-petadoption.com

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©Pittsburgh PetConnections

March 2014

Dog Training

PET CONNECTIONS DIRECTORY

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

Molly’s Canine Academy 724-914-3214 | www.mollyscanineacademy.com Success Just Clicks www.successjustclicks.com

North Shore:

Western PA Humane Society 412-321-4265 | www.wpahumane.org

Dog Training Clubs South:

Golden Triangle Obedience Training Club 412-653-6880 | www.gtotc.com Keystone Canine Training 412-833-2211 | www.keystonecanine.com Xcel Canine Training Center 412-833-2504 | www.xcelcaninetraining.com

Dog Boarding, Daycare, Training & Grooming Facilities North:

5th Avenue Fido 724-772-5511 | www.5thavenuefido.com Camp Bow Wow Ross Township | www.campbowwowpgh.com K-9 Kingdom 724-935-3647 | www.k9kingdom.com

South:

Camp Bow Wow Castle Shannon | www.campbowwowpgh.com Grandma’s Dog Daycare 412-586-7094 | www.grandmasdogdaycare.com

East:

Camp Bow Wow Highland Park | www.campbowwowpgh.com

West:

Camp Bow Wow Greentree | www.campbowwowpgh.com Paws Here Awhile Pet Resort 724-573-4665 | www.pawshereawhile.com

Equine Boarding, Lessons & Training Facilities North:

Rockin’ Horse Stables 724-601-4706 | www.rockinhorsestables.com

South:

Angel Ridge Farm (Lessons only – Elizabeth Goldberg ) 412-860-1136 Coventry Equestrian Center 724-206-9902 | blythdale.tripod.com/coventryequestriancenter

Equine Holistic Care

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

Dr. Michael Savko, DC, CCSP, CVCP 724-261-7915 | www.drchirovet.com

Equine Hoof Care

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

All Natural Hoof Care Nancy Frishkorn, CHCP – Field Instructor 724-255-6465 | www.hooflady.org

Equine Tack Stores South:

The English Horn 724-941-8088 | www.theenglishhorn.com Lowry’s Western Store 724-228-1225 | www.lowryswesternshop.com The Working Paper Horse http://stores.ebay.com/THE-WORKING-PAPER-HORSE

Equine Veterinarians East:

Dr. Brian Burks, DVM Fox Run Equine Center | 724-727-3481 | www.foxrunequine.com

March 2014

www.pghpetconnections.com

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PET CONNECTIONS DIRECTORY Holistic Practitioners Pet Chiropractor North:

Dr. Doug Knueven, DVM Beaver Animal Clinic | 724-774-8047 | www.beaveranimalclinic.com

East:

Dr. Dina Livolsi, Doctor of Chiropractic AVCA certified animal chiropractor 412-824-6276 | www.drdinalivolsi.com

Greater Pittsburgh:

Dr. Michael Savko, DC, CCSP, CVCP 724-261-7915 | www.drchirovet.com

Holistic Veterinarians

Dr. Doug Knueven, DVM Beaver Animal Clinic | 724-774-8047 | www.beaveranimalclinic.com

Pet Burial, Memorial & Cremation Services: South:

Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation 412-220-7800 | www.ccpc.ws Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home & Cemetery - Pet Services 412-655-4500 | www.jeffersonmemorial.biz

Pet Fencing

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

Contain-A-Pet of Pittsburgh 724-914-3214 DogWatch Hidden Fences of Greater Pittsburgh Jack Goetz 724-586-6555 | www.DogWatchPGH.com J & D Home Improvements, Inc. 800-837-9379 | www.jdwaterproofing.com Pet Stop Pet Fencing System of Western PA www.petstop.com

Pet Friendly Restaurants North:

Double Wide Grille Mars | 724-553-5212

South:

Double Wide Grille Southside | 412-390-1111

Pet Grooming North:

5th Avenue Fido 724-772-5511 | www.5thavenuefido.com All About Dogs 724-925-1577 | www.allaboutdogsgrooming.info K-9 Kingdom 724-935-3647 | www.k9kingdom.com Paw Prints Pet Retreat 724-903-0063 | www.pawprintspetretreat.com

South:

Brush Run Styling 724-942-6352 | www.brushrunpetstyling.com Grand Slam Grooming 412-221-5081 | www.grandslamgrooming.com Grooming With Care 412-977-5961 Petsburgh Dog & Cat Grooming 412-885-4027 Pets At Home 412-655-7297 The Pet Salon 412-279-5331 | www.petsalonusa.com Woody’s Dog Wash & Pet Boutique 412-714-4644 | www.woodysdogbath.com Creative Canine Cuts 724-223-9020

West:

Paws Here Awhile Pet Resort 724-573-4665 | www.pawshereawhile.com

Pet Grooming Schools

Golden Paws Pet Styling Academy 412-297-9383 | www.goldenpawspittsburghpa.com

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©Pittsburgh PetConnections

March 2014

Pet Massage

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

PET CONNECTIONS DIRECTORY

Your Critter Sitters – Raylene Hoover 724-448-7330 | www.yourcrittersitters.com

Pet Resorts North:

Paw Prints Pet Retreat 724-903-0063 | www.pawprintspetretreat.com

Pet Retail/Supply North:

Healthy Pet Products 412-366-0700 | www.healthypetproducts.net

South:

Healthy Pet Products 412-831-3700 | www.healthypetproducts.net Oddball Pets & Aquariums 412-884-2333 | www.oddballpets.com Woody’s Dog Wash & Pet Boutique 412-714-4644 | www.woodysdogbath.com

Pet Sitters North:

Little Piggies Pet Sitting www.littlepiggiespetsitting.com

South:

Chris’s Canine Club 724-746-3864 | www.chrisscanineclub.com Your Critter Sitters– Raylene Hoover 724-448-7330 | www.yourcrittersitters.com

West:

Seraphina Pet Sitters 412-389-9735 | www.seraphinasitters.vpweb.com

Veterinary Hospice

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

Nancy A. Ruffing, DVM 412-801-1071 | www.gentlejourneyvet.com

Veterinary Hospitals North:

Beaver Animal Clinic 724-774-8047 | www.beaveranimalclinic.com BelaCoop Animal Hospital 724-939-7062 | belacoopanimalhospital.com Seven Fields Veterinary Clinic 724-742-4433 | www.sevenfieldsvet.com VCA Northview Animal Hospital Specialty Referral Center 412-364-5353 | www.vcanorthview.com

South:

Allegheny South Veterinary Services 412-257-0909 | www.alleghenysouthvetsvcs.com Companions First Veterinary Clinic 412-831-9500 | www.companionsfirst.com Hickory Veterinary Service 724-356-1000 | www.hickoryvetsvcs.com VCA Castle Shannon 412-885-2500 | www.vcahospitals.com/castle-shannon

East:

Pittsburgh East Animal Hospital Monroeville 724-325-2500 | Greensburg 724-205-6960 | peah.vetsuite.com The Big Easy 412-908-9301 | www.tbeah.com

West:

Avalon Veterinary Hospital 412-761-9149 | www.avalonvh.com VCA MetVet West Animal Hospital 412-788-6400 | www.vcahospitals.com/met-vet-west

Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Services Greater Pittsburgh Area:

Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center, Inc. 412-366-3400 | www.pvs-ec.com VCA Northview Animal Hospital Specialty Referral Center 412-364-5353 | www.vcanorthview.com

East

Allegheny Veterinary Emergency Trauma & Specialty 412-373-4200 | www.avets.us

March 2014

www.pghpetconnections.com

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Oddball Pets and Aquariums The Best Aquarium Store in Pittsburgh

˚Freshwater ˚Saltwater ˚Reefs

˚Planted www.oddballpets.com

, ance n e t n ai ing M D esign r e f f Now O ation and ll Insta es! c Servi

412-884-2333

262 Joseph Street Pittsburgh PA 15227

Animal Rescue League Wildlife Center

14th Annual Baby Shower Fundraiser

Pet Supplies

April 5, 2014

12 pm - 4 pm

• Help to raise funds and supplies for the coming animal babies.

• Meet one of our Live Education Animals!

• Donate and receive a voucher with info on how to schedule a complementary tour.

Drop off locations:

Freeze Dried Meal Worms Freeze Dried Blood Worms KMR Powder (kitten formula) Cat/Kitten Food (dry or canned) Kitty Litter Reptile Bedding 18” Reptile Lights Whole Dried Corn

Household Items

Neck or Boppy Pillows Paper Towels Toilet Paper Rubber or Latex Gloves Garbage Bags (30 & 55 gallon) Liquid Laundry Detergent Bleach Original Dawn Liquid Dish Soap

Receiving Blankets Towels Crocheted or Knitted Blankets Hand Soap Hand Sanitizer White Copy Paper Shade Cloth

Kenny ross Chevrolet Buick GMC - 11250 Rt. 30, Irwin Ford South - 3200 Library Rd., Castle Shannon Nissan - 22030 Perry Hwy., Zelienople Toyota - 8900 University Blvd., Moon Township Bakery square - Free People Galleria of Mt. lebanon - 1500 Washington Rd. shadyside - Journeys of Life, 810 Bellefonte St. strip District - Pittsburgh Public Market

Food

Canned Carrots Canned Peaches Canned Pears Canned Peas Canned Mixed Fruit Applesauce Baby Food Sweet Potatoes Baby Food Carrots Baby Food Mixed Veggies Baby Food Garden Veggies

Baby Food Broccoli Baby Food Green Beans Baby Food Squash Baby Food Peas Baby Food Chicken and Gravy Knox Blox Exact Frozen Meat

Unsalted nuts with or without shells (no peanuts): Walnuts Hazelnuts Almonds

Gift Cards

Chestnuts Pecans Acorns

Grocery Stores Home Depot Pet Stores Target Walmart

THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND Stand

by Susan Wagner

I

’m watching my backyard garden with perplexing amazement. This has been one of the most intense winters I can remember—temps hitting -15 without wind chill, ice, and snow. LOTS of snow.

It’s trapped my Saint Francis statue—pretty soon I’ll just see his tonsured head peaking through the white fluff.

the feelings, ask for the wisdom they bring, then choose to move on. We may need a helping hand to get through it, but just as our wildlife have endured this winter, we ultimately have to stand in the storm. And we must remind ourselves that we can persevere.

Michael Stipe of REM wrote, “Stand in the place where you live, think about direction, wonder why you haven’t before”.

Yet nature continues on. I suppose I’m helping a bit by feeding the birds, but the thought of these tiny creatures surviving the freezing temps amazes me. And, boy, they’ve been singing their hearts out this week. Perhaps Punxsutawney Phil wasn’t right—maybe after all of this, spring will come early this year.

I know we feathered, fourlegged and human could all use some springtime. Let’s face it, humanity has been enduring much more than difficult weather. 2013 was a year for completion. Many of us had friends and family unexpectedly leave at an early age, relationships ended, businesses folded. Initially these appear to be devastating losses, but can we look at them as new beginnings? It is the universal time of completion.

If familiar situations, patterns of behavior, or illnesses are coming back into your life, don’t resist them—complete them! Walk into the pain, feel

10

Where are you currently “living” and where is your destination?

It’s time to make room for what’s coming next. If the birds and icicle-laden critters can do it—we can also look forward with expectation.

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

March 2014

March 2014 Pittsburgh Pet Event Calendar

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

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Saturday

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8 Pittsburgh Police Biscuits Bingo www.animalrescue.org

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Healthy Pet Products Meet the Breeds

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15

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18

19

20

21

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www.animalrescue.org

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March 23 HCMT Free for Ferals Clinic see page 31

30 March 2014

AC&W Spay and Neuter Clinic see page 27

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25

26

27

28

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March 30 - WPA Humane Society Low Cost Vaccine Clinic see page 42

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www.pghpetconnections.com

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WearWoof FEATURED NON-PROFIT Making Pittsburg h the City of Champions for Pets By: Bernadette Kazmarski

A

resale shop to raise funds to support animal welfare is familiar, but Nancy Lee of WearWoof takes the concept to a new level to not only raise funds but to also build community among individuals, shelters and rescues and Pittsburgh’s corporate community, and it’s all based on the natural friendliness of the Pittsburgh area.

Benefitting from those efforts is a list of currently thirty shelter and rescue partners. And for people in the general public who want to do their part in helping the effort but who can’t currently adopt or foster, or even volunteer in a shelter, donating to or shopping at WearWoof provides a means for them to help animals by doing something they do every day.

“I’ve traveled a lot, and the ‘Black and Gold’ model really did inspire me, that you can go to any city in the US and there will be people from Pittsburgh there and they are instantly your friends,” said Nancy Lee, founder and owner of WearWoof. “Pittsburgh is such a friendly city, getting people to work together to make Pittsburgh more pet-friendly and work toward being a no-kill city—we could be the City of Champions for pets!”

While shopping ‘til you drop may seem trivial, visiting WearWoof connects interested people with the animal welfare system so that through volunteering, learning about events and programs that benefit animals around the city, or offering their own expertise, they can choose to do more in a manner that’s comfortable to them. “Some people want to help shelters but are overwhelmed by the volume of animals and their needs,” says Nancy. “A shop like WearWoof is neutral ground. Some people find shelter work too emotional.

If you shop at WearWoof you are still helping, and you can step up your involvement at any point.”

Volunteering at various shelters, Nancy wanted to formalize her involvement in animal welfare in such a way that she could use her skills and experience to help a number of organizations all at once. She wanted to fundraise and educate, but she wanted to create something new that would touch the community and become a vehicle for her vision and mission.

With a background in education, non-profit human resources management, and fashion design, Nancy began with the idea of a resale shop and built a much more supportive and sustainable model around it.

WearWoof accepts gently used and new better and upscale women’s clothing and accessories and pet accessories. Those who donate fashion can also designate the shelter or rescue they’d like to benefit through a “Pretty Plus” program and a portion of the sales price will go to that shelter.

Events and special sales also raise funds for the WearWoof grant program and to provide emergency funds to pet owners. Supporting those efforts is a framework of corporate partners from the Pittsburgh business community who sponsor public events, volunteer or offer in-kind professional services.

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Nancy mentions the success of the pet industry in marketing to pet owners as a way to approach people who want to help or adopt animals. “In animal welfare, we need to do what the pet industry is doing: Portray the homeless pet as a potential member of the family, and provide a positive, consumer-driven experience around that idea,” she said.

Shelters and rescues become partners through an application process, and “our vision is that we will be able to give them tools as well as funding—especially the smaller rescues—to achieve their goals, like advice on incorporation or applying for a 501(c)3 designation,” Nancy said. She’ll often do things for them that they don’t have time to do, like designing brochures, and flyers for events so they can establish their identity. “We want to elevate the entire animal rescue community, and helping the smaller rescues catch up is a big part of that,” she said.

Since opening last spring, WearWoof has donated about $15,000 to local animal shelters and rescues.

“If you love fashion, if you love resale shops, if you love animals—you’ve got to come out and visit the WearWoof Shop!” Nancy says, emphasizing that new fashion and accessories arrive at the boutique every day. You can find information on their web site at www.wearwoof.org regarding store hours, sales, events, clothing donations, shelter and rescue partners and more!

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

March 2014

Fashion Meets Mission!

Pittsburgh’s newest resale boutique merges better women’s fashion with a mission to end pet homelessness in Western Pennsylvania. Every purchase of favorite brand and label career, casual and cocktail attire at the WearWoof Shop, conveniently located in the North Hills off 279N, benefits local animal shelters and rescues.

SPRING ACCESSORY DRIVE GOING ON NOW! Chunky bracelets, blingy handbags, silky Pashminas… you’ve got ‘em and we want ‘em! Donate your pre-loved costume jewelry, fashion scarves, purses and gently worn heels and sandals and other accessories to WearWoof now through April and help us turn your unwanted items into cash for local shelters and rescues.

Every accessory donor will be entered for a FREE chance to win a new Coach handbag!

See our web site for details, donation guidelines and contest rules.

Visit our web site for directions, store hours, information about our mission, Partners and acceptable brands and styles of clothing.

www.wearwoof.org

How do we do it?

When you donate clothing to the WearWoof Shop, we sell it and give the proceeds to our Shelter & Rescue Partners!

WearWoof offers grants, emergency funds, contests and prizes and in-kind support to help our Partner shelters, care for and place homeless animals in loving homes.

SHOP!

We offer better and designer women’s fashion and accessory labels at thrift shop prices.

DONATE!

Turn your overstuffed closet into funding and support for your favorite shelter or rescue.

BOGO

Buy one item and get the second of same or lesser value FREE.

Valid through April 30, 2014 No cash value. Cannot be combined with other discount, coupon or offer. One coupon per customer, per day.

Follow us for special Facebook only coupons! @wearwoofshop||We’re on PoshMark! Check out our PoshMark Closet @wearwoof

WearWoof Shop | 1105 Rochester Road | Pittsburgh, PA 15237 | North Hills | Minutes from 279 We’re located in the Fischer’s Landscape Building, diagonal from Sir Pizza www.wearwoof.org | 412.956.1788 | info@wearwoof.org

FEATURED BUSINESS P

aw Prints Pet Retreat located on Route 8 in Valencia, PA just minutes north of Gibsonia and East of Cranberry, is a privately owned and operated daycare, boarding, grooming and Healing Touch for Animals boutique.

Owner, Robin ElAttrache, began Paw Prints in 2008 although her experience in animal care and training began in San Francisco in 1987.

After the death of their first yellow lab, Deke, in 1987 Robin and her husband at the time, an Army Medical Officer, founded DekesDen Retrievers. They moved to Nashville, TN in 1989 with the goal of producing genetically clean, physically sound and “blocky” Labrador Retrievers of all colors for field trials and hunt tests. They trained with the country’s top field trial professionals from Missouri to Montana, and Florida to California and apprenticed with premier field trial breeders researching genetics and discovering dominant features of sires and dams to minimize risk factors and maximize positive outcomes in their bloodlines. The DekesDan breeding and training program became known in the continental United States and in Alaska. Robin and her husband made national headlines and international radio on the way they moved across the country for the love of their dogs.

In 2008, Robin began the practice of Healing Touch for Animals. Learning about bio-magnetic energy and the spiritual aspects of health and healing, her awareness increased as to what animals perceive and how sensitive they are to the unseen world. Her training in HTA taught her that animals are truly without filters and are thus extremely vulnerable to their surroundings, not just the physical environment but the emotional one as well. Animals pick up cues of all types and can’t help but process them and it is through that processing that animals are brought into or taken out of a state of wellbeing.

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Robin’s goal with Paw Prints Pet Retreat has been to create a home-like environment that promotes a sense of wellbeing. Upon entering her retreat guests are greeted by a living world: a fresh waterfall feature, plants, wafting oils and music developed specifically for a dog’s ear, fills the lobby with sensory appropriate sights, sounds and smells. These natural elements make the transition to the retreat less stressful and even exciting.

Everything is at the dog’s eye and comfort level. No place is off limits.

Paw Prints is NOT a kennel in the conventional sense. It is a retreat. Paw Prints is licensed by the state and fully insured as a kennel, but there are no cages or fenced runs. The only chain link enclosure is the outdoor play yard.

Guests at Paw Prints are free to roam from room to room. They can lay on blankets, pillows or beds; lounge on couches, drape over chairs or climb up into a lap.

Large dogs have a “bunk” room and small dogs have “nursery” which they can retreat to for naps or quiet time. Open crates are available for pets that prefer to den. Paw Prints services are customized to each pet’s comfort level and requirements.

There is no incessant barking because no one is left alone. Companionship is a constant. There is no fighting because there is no unmet need.

Playtime, naptime, meal time, potty time... ANY time is normal time at Paw Prints!

There is a grooming salon at one end of the indoor playroom and guests enjoy watching that service from one of several couches. The Healing Touch for Animals suite is located off the lobby.

What distinguishes Paw Prints Pet Retreat is the personal attention and the customized services offered to each client. Special accommodations and hours can be arranged easily and pets that are turned away from other facilities because of certain vaccine requirements or because they are intact, are welcomed at the Retreat.

It is truly affordable luxury.

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

March 2014

The Retreat boasts: “Space is limited. Fun is not.”

Guests at the Retreat act like a homeroom class. They know each other and actually look for their friends to show up. The lobby is so relaxing it’s worth a visit.

There is always a pot of coffee on. Just like home.

Boarding • Grooming Day care • “Healing Touch” Therapy 1191 Pittsburgh Road Valencia, PA 16059 www.PawPrintsPetRetreat.com 724-903-0063

Have a Pet Emergency?

open SUNDAYS

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Mon, Tue, Thurs 9-9 Wed 12-9 • Fri 9-6 • Sat 9-5 • Sun 1-6

203 Highpointe Blvd • Seven Fields March 2014

724.742.4433

www.pghpetconnections.com

15

FEATURED RESCUE

Fluffyjean Fund for Felines

by Faith Bjalobok, Ph.D Founder, Fellow Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics

lovers in the area we were he Fluffyjean Fund for Felines (FJF) is a able to not only help the Washington County based not-for-profit gentleman with his colony organization dedicated to reducing the suffering of on a monthly basis, but homeless cats through its various feline assistance also set up an account at programs. The FJF motto is “barn cats are cool”.

84 Agway for those wishing

to donate to the purchase of food to assist other Founded four years ago the FJF is dedicated to colony caretakers in need. the memory of Fluffyjean, a The FJF is committed to the beloved barn view that a cat’s life like all life cat. The FJF has intrinsic value and that it is specializes in large never morally justifiable to kill the scale trapping of innocent victims. In response to colonies living on the social problem of homeless farms, in trailer cats the FJF helped create the parks or other areas ICC Five Step Model in which TNR of Washington plays a significant role along with County. Through adoption, education, removal of our partnership sick cats to a hospice sanctuary with Animal and removal of cats from hostile Friends and the environments. In order to Caretaker loading his food. assistance of Brush Run promote the educational aspect of the model, Veterinary Clinic the FJF is able the FJF sponsors the Invisible Cat Seminars. to assist with trapping, spay/neuter, vaccinating and providing food to colony cats residing in Washington County.

T

In 2013 FJF facilitated the spaying/neutering and vaccinating of 717 cats. In November the FJF was awarded a 2,000-pound food grant from Del Monte Foods through an ASPCA Nine Lives program.

After picking up the food in Bloomsburg, the FJF distributed it among various Washington County colony caretakers.

In February of this year after receiving a request to assist an elderly gentleman in spaying/neutering and supplying food to his colony of twenty cats, the FJF created the Cat Wagon program. The purpose of the Cat Wagon is to assist colony caretakers with food. Thanks to the support of Angel Ridge Animal Rescue and the many animal

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Morgan distributing donated food.

You can find more information on FJF at http://fluffyjeanfund.weebly.com.

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

Photos courtesy Fluffyjean Fund for Felines.

March 2014

“Where Every Dog Feels at Home”

Dog Boarding – Day Care – Training – Grooming

Cranberry’s Most Luxurious Upscale Pet Resort!

Why Stay Here?

•Lots of hugs and cuddles • Large warm bedroom like cottages • Play all day in the indoor playground • Look your best with a bath or groom Make your Holiday vacation reservations early!!

724-772-5511

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REGULAR HOURS: Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM Sat: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM EMERGENCY HOURS: Mon-FRI: 8:00 PM - 8:00 AM Sat & Sun: 4:00 PM (Sat.) - 8:00 AM (Mon.)

Routine and Critical Care Doctors on premises 24 hours a day

VCA CASTLE SHANNON ANIMAL HOSPITAL

3610 Library Road • Pittsburgh, PA 15234

412-885-2500

VCAcastleshannon.com

March 2014

The American Veterinary Charitable Fund is a not-for-profit organization created to support veterinary practices in their charitable work.

For more information visit: www.avcfund.org

www.pghpetconnections.com

17

ANIMAL HEALTH&WELLNESS

Labor of Love

hospital. It can be difficult spending a night or even a week away from your pet. My job is to help put them at ease.

I

Most pets that stay in the ICU can be there for several days or weeks. Sometimes I get to know the pets and their owners very well: Spending time with the owners discussing their concerns, tempting their sick pet to eat, or trying to calm an anxious pet after they leave.

There are many nights when my patients only need to feel comforted just like their people counterparts.

It is not uncommon for me to spend a night lying in a cage with a pet while I write up my charts. Sometimes spending this extra time can help calm both of us.

Often it can be difficult or stressful in the ICU, but it is also very rewarding when I know I can help them.

We as technicians also form a bond with our patients, especially those that have been hospitalized for a few days. We get to know their personalities, what they like or dislike, and we get to know their humans too. One of the most rewarding things about my job is to watch an animal progress and know I was a part of the healing process. A harder part of my job is when the animal is sick and the owner makes the hard decision to end their companion’s suffering. They allow me to be a part of that moment in their relationship which is very humbling. This is one of the more important parts of my job. This part of the human and animal bond is not only beautiful, but helps me become a more compassionate person to others.

By: Stephanie Forbeck B.S., CVT

have been an emergency and critical care technician for seven years. When asked what I do for a living I typically get either of these two responses: “Wow, you get to play with puppies and kittens all day.

You must love your job!” or “I don’t know how you do it, seeing all those helpless animals in pain.” I do love my job but it is not always puppies and kittens.

Ever since I can remember, I have wanted to work with animals in some way. I not only get to work with animals, but get to help ease their suffering and pain while forming a special connection. I am reminded daily that my job not only helps animals but it also helps their owners. It has given me a special connection to their people more than I could have ever imagined.

My job is far from boring. Every day is different. I start my twelve hour shift not really knowing what to expect. Any kind of emergency can come through the door at any time. We always have to be prepared.

Staying calm and working under high stress situations is a constant part of the job. There are various parts I can play in a typical shift. The triage nurse is the first line of defense and basically assesses each animal as it comes through the door. This part of the job requires a lot of communication in stressful situations.

Part of my job in this area is to try to put the clients at ease and keep them calm. Most owners are scared, nervous or confused when they first arrive.

Another part of my job is to assist the doctor with the initial treatments of a patient. Some pets require immediate care. I help by following any orders the doctor gives to help stabilize the patient. This could be giving pain medications, taking radiographs, or giving intravenous fluids to a patient in shock. Fast thinking and acting is very important in this role.

I typically spend my most of my shifts in the intensive care unit (ICU) caring for the sickest patients. It is my job to monitor them and keep the doctor updated on their status. I check vitals, make sure they are clean and dry, place intravenous catheters, urinary catheters, central venous lines, run blood work, monitor transfusions, initiate physical therapy and other various nursing procedures.

I also communicate frequently with their owners. Many owners call in or visit during their pet’s stay at the

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There have been times when an owner has asked me to sit with them after a beloved pet has been euthanized. I sit and listen to them tell stories about the life they spent together. Helping others during their time of grief helps me have a connection with other people that can often be hard to express.

As an animal lover and pet owner, I can completely understand how upsetting it is when your animal is hurt or sick. Every time I interact with my patients and their owners I become more aware of the human animal bond, compassion, communication and patience. It reminds me daily of why I do my job and why I love it.

Stephanie Forbeck B.S., CVT 807 Camp Horne Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 412.366.3400 www.pvs-ec.com

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

March 2014

OPEN HOUSE! Come check out our new digs in person on Sunday - April 6th - 11 to 2 Camp Bow Wow - Greentree 710 Trumbull Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15205 412-276-WAGS (9247) www.CampBowWowPgh.com

Join us for snacks, prizes, and a dog gone great time!

The Rogan Rexford Animal Blood Bank

“Pets Giving Pets the Gift of Life”

Please volunteer your dog to be a “Blood Donor Hero” Dog Donor Eligibility • Between 1 and 7 years of age • Weight: 50 lbs. or more • Healthy with a gentle temperment • Current with vaccinations • Never had a blood transfusion

• Tested negative for blood-borne diseases (free testing by blood bank) • Must be on heartworm, flea and tick preventative • Not pregnant or currently nursing

Read more about The Rogan Rexford Blood Bank at: www.animalcarefund.org For questions, or to make an appointment call: 412-348-2588 or e-mail: AnimalBloodBank@pvs-ec.com March 2014

www.pghpetconnections.com

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Indoor

Outdoor

Home Show www.pitthomeshow.com

February 7-9, 2014

Monroeville Convention Center, Monroeville, PA

Lots of great organizations had a booth set up to share their knowledge and meet visitors. Some even offered adoptions!

Some of our readers and their furry friends! They were able to have a blast together at the Pittsburgh Indoor Outdoor Home Show

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ŠPittsburgh PetConnections

March 2014

SUNDAY, APRIL 6, 2014

Grand Slam Grooming 412-221-5081 www.grandslamgrooming.com

1:00 to 4:00 PM

OPEN HOUSE & FREE WORKSHOP

• Free door prizes: Free Class Vouchers, Pirates tickets for Pup Night at PNC Park, Mini Photo Shoot, “Mixed with Love” Cookies & Cupcakes and much more.

• Free Demos for Agility at 1:00pm, Nose Work at 1:30pm, Trick Classes at 2:30pm, Rally at 3:00pm & Obedience at 3:30pm.

• Special debut performance by The K9er’s at 2:00pm • Free Samples of Dog Food, Dog Treats and Supplements • Free Workshops every half hour • Special Vendor booths: Pet Paintings by Joe Lerna, Met Life Pet Insurance w/ Benjamin D. Bogats, photos with Snoopy, Seeing Spotz Photography w/ Cindy Sumner & Wear Woof.

• If you bring your furry friend, please bring a copy of your current vaccination records.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE 1:00 to 1:20pm

Pay Attention!

Getting your dog’s attention

1:30 to 1:50pm

Enjoy Your Walk!

Loose leash heeling

2:00 to 2:20pm

Fido Come!

Coming when called

2:30 to 2:50pm

Wait a Minute!

Teaching the STAY command

3:00 to 3:20pm

Get Off the Sofa!

Teaching the OFF command

KEYSTONE CANINE TRAINING CLUB • 5167 Brownsville Road Pittsburgh, PA 15236 • 412-833-2211

www.keystonecanine.com

“Ahhh, he’s just getting old....”

Why is “just getting old” a normal thought in today’s society? If you want to be alive tomorrow, do you want to feel better or worse than today?

DC, CCSP, CVCP

Sampson, 12, bilateral hip dysplasia. He is tense Dr. Savko works with the following veterinary clinics: and rounded in the lower back and “is really slowing Meadowlands Veterinary Hospital, Washington, PA down.” He doesn’t want to play. Snow is difficult, Washington Animal Hospital, Washington, Pa and he is taking medication daily. Even with meds, Suburban Animal Clinic, Butler, PA, he groans and looks uncomfortable.

Delmont Veterinary Hospital, Delmont, PA, Fox Run Equine Center, Apollo, PA

After one visit, Sampson is “moving better, attitude is happier, and he is getting less meds.” After two visits he is, “off all the medications, and moving pretty darn good!”

Sampson’s mom wanted you to know: “Sampson is wonderful since beginning working with Dr. Mike at Meadowlands Vet. He slowed down tremendously and was sleeping a whole lot. Now he’s out playing in the snow and with the puppy. His gait has improved and he doesn’t hunch his back and look like he’s in pain when trying to potty. I don’t hear any groaning nor do I see signs of discomfort.

Sam is off RIMADYL for 2 weeks and showing no signs of distress.”

If you want your companion animal to be better tomorrow, call DrChiroVet TODAY!

March 2014

ears Over 1r3ieYnce Expe

www.pghpetconnections.com

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20 10 19

Advertiser Locator

1 Healthy Pet Products (see ad inside front cover) 2 Woody’s Do-It-Yourself Dogwash (see pg 23) 3 WearWoof (see ad pg 13) 4 Animal Rescue League (see ad pg 9) 5 Oddball Pets & Aquariums (see ad pg 8) 6 Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation (see ad pg 44) 7 Beaver Animal Clinic (see ad inside back cover) 8 The Pet Salon (see ad pg 2) 9 Western PA Humane Society (see ads pg 35, 43) 10 Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center (see ad back cover) 11 Dr. Dina LiVolsi (see ad pg 27) 12 Rockin’ Horse Stables (see ad pg 42) 13 Grooming With Care (see pg 23) 14 The English Horn Ltd (see ad pg 42) 15 5th Ave. Fido (see ad pg 17) 16 Jefferson Memorial (see ad pg 44) 17 VCA Castle Shannon (see ad pg 17) 18 VCA Northview (see ad pg 27) 19 Seraphina Sitters (see ad pg 23) 20 Avalon Veterinary Hospital (see ad pg 15) 21 Seven Fields Veterinary Hospital (see ad pg 15) 22 Grand Slam Grooming (see ad pg 21) 23 Keystone Canine Training Club (see ad pg 21)

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Advertisers All Natural Hoof Care (see ad pg 41) Angel Ridge Animal Rescue (see ad pg 1, 42) Animal Care & Welfare (see ad pg 27) Answers Pet Food (see ad pg 11) 14 Camp Bow Wow (see ad pg 19) Chris’s Canine Club (see pg 23) Coventry Equestrian Center (see ad pg 41) Creative Canine Cuts (see ad pg 17) 1 Dog Watch (see ad pg 19) Gentle Journey (see ad pg 44) HAAWC (see ad pg 23) Holistic Care for Animals (see ad pg 21) Judith Levy (see ad pg 29)

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

J & D Home Improvements (see ad pg 1) KS Jones Photography (see ad pg 42) Nicole Begley (see ad pg 23) Paws Here Awhile (see ad pg 27) 24 Pet Retreat (see ad pg 15) Paw Prints Pets at Home (see ad pg 23) Petsburgh (see ad pg 17) 26 Pet and Home Portraits (see ad pg 17) Portraits of Animals (see ad pg 31) The Rogan Rexford Blood Bank (see ad pg 19) Success just Clicks (see pg 25) The Working Paper Horse (see ad pg 41) Your Critter Sitters (see ad pg 23) March 2014

Do-It-Yourself Dog Bathing No mess to clean!

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Near South Bark! 5843 Brownsville Road

412-714-4644 www.woodysdogbath.com

Keeping your pet happy and your home safe while you are away.

Specializing in in-your-home overnight pet sitting and canine massage, with us your pets will be “happy campers”.

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$ off

either one canine massage, or one night of overnight pet sitting, for new or existing clients.

Restrictions apply.

724-448-7330 | www.yourcrittersitters.com HAAWC is a 501(c)(3) organization that honors

the Human Animal Bond as a source of wellness for individuals, families and communities.

Guided by the belief that animals are a gateway to human healing, HAAWC intends to develop both urban programs and rural sanctuaries designed to impact community health, safety and wellness.

HAAWC is raising funds for upcoming animal-related programming.

Looking for an alternative to a kennel setting for your dog while you are away?

SERAPHINA SITTERS PROFESSIONAL PET SITTING IN OUR HOME CONVENIENTLY LOCATED NEAR THE AIRPORT PROVIDING PEACE OF MIND - CERTIFIED IN PET CPR AND FIRST AID

412-389-9735

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MARCY & TOM, OWNERS

SERAPHINASITTERS.VPWEB.COM

March 2014

www.pghpetconnections.com

23

ANIMAL BEHAVIOR

Correct Equipment

House 101 Training

By: Tena Parker Success Just Clicks Dog Training

P

otty talk, it’s not pretty but it’s important! The number one reason dogs are surrendered to shelters is because of inappropriate peeing and/or pooping in the house. Many owners don’t realize that it takes time and effort to house train a dog and that very young puppies have to develop the ability to “hold it.”

Contrary to some old wives’ tales, all dogs, regardless of size, breed, or sex can learn to reliably eliminate in an appropriate place. I prefer to teach dogs to eliminate outside. However, a faux-grass potty patch may be appropriate in some apartment situations that have limited outdoor access. Dogs or puppies that are from puppy mills (typically sold through a third-party pet store) sometimes have a harder time learning to potty in appropriate places because the conditions they lived in for the first few weeks (or years) of life prevented them from learning to potty away from where they eat and sleep.

House training is all about teaching a preference for peeing and pooping outside (or in your designated spot) and building a pattern of behavior. To do that, the most important piece is to prevent accidents inside the house at all costs—if they never have a chance to potty in the house, they will not develop a preference for staying inside to eliminate. By preventing accidents and heavily praising and rewarding eliminating outside, the dog learns to prefer to go outside to potty because that, for some reason unknown to them, makes their person really excited!

There are four main aspects to easily and successfully house training your new puppy or new adult dog: correct equipment, rules, proper management, and training process.

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• Enzymatic Cleaner—You want to make sure that you are using an enzymatic cleaner on any accident spots to break down the proteins left behind so Fido can’t smell them and go back to the same spot.

• Containment Unit—Using an appropriately sized crate (just large enough for the dog to stand, lay, turn around, and sit) and/or an exercise pen makes house training so much easier by providing a space where your puppy can be unattended where he/she will not potty.

Alternatively, using a leash clipped onto the dog and tied to a person’s waist/belt can be helpful so the puppy can’t wander off to potty.

Rules

For house training purposes, this crate is just about perfect for Bandit. There isn’t enough space for him to potty in one spot and lay in another.

1. Under absolutely no circumstances should your dog be unsupervised when they are not in their x-pen, crate, or tethered to a person. If you are not actively watching your dog, they should not have access to the house. They can have freedom when you are playing with them, training them, cuddling them, or after they have eliminated outside.

2. Do not scold your dog if you find evidence of an accident after the fact—your dog will have no idea why you are yelling and will just be scared of you.

3. Do not scold your dog if you catch them in the act—they can easily learn that peeing in front of you is bad (but that’s not the same as “peeing inside is bad”).

Management:

• Get your puppy or dog on a feeding schedule.

Feed at two to three specific times each day.

When they are fed on a schedule, they will need to potty on a more predictable schedule.

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

March 2014

• Get your pup on a potty schedule. Provide predictable times when your pup will have a chance to potty outside. For young puppies, this may be an hourly trip outside to potty or for older dogs, it might be every two hours. As they are successful, you can lengthen the time between outdoor opportunities.

• Only allow your dog “freedom” (in a room with you) immediately after he/she has eliminated outside. If she/he hasn’t eliminated outside, he/ she hasn’t earned freedom so should remain tethered or in the crate/exercise pen.

The Potty Training Process: • Take your puppy outside while on the leash and go to the same area where you’d like them to potty. Walk around in a small area for approximately 5 to 10 minutes.

o If your dog pees or poops: throw them a party—“What an amazing dog! You are so good! YAYYYY!!!” Your dog has then earned either a walk around your neighborhood, some out of the crate time with you, or some play time.

o If your dog does not potty: take him/her back inside and send them back into their containment equipment. If you know the dog needs to potty, wait about 5 to 15 minutes and then try again. If you aren’t sure the dog NEEDS to go, you can wait longer (30 to 60 minutes) and then try again.

• Repeat that process frequently and be patient. If your dog has not eliminated outside, do not give them freedom inside because they will find a place to eliminate inside.

ANIMAL BEHAVIOR

If your dog has done one, but not the other outside, don’t give him freedom yet (scheduled feeding can help you know what to expect from your dog), give him another opportunity outside.

My dog is running off to potty in the house where I can’t see them…

Go back to rule #1. If your dog can run off and pee where you can’t see them, you aren’t supervising well enough and they have too much freedom.

Ending thoughts: A few weeks of restricted freedom can help set your dog up for potty training success. After all, a few weeks of limited freedom are well worth it when the result is a house trained dog who can have a lifetime of freedom. Always remember that if you are having troubles, the guidance of a skilled and experienced trainer can help you get on the right track!

As Bandit becomes reliable with only eliminating outside, I can slowly give him more space to play while unattended by attaching an exercise pen to his crate.

Trouble Shooting: My dog is peeing outside and either peeing or pooping almost immediately upon coming inside…

If your dog is frequently urinating, go to a vet to check for a urinary tract infection.

March 2014

www.pghpetconnections.com

25

HOLISTIC CARE

resistance and lack of performance. Subluxations can be caused by stress and trauma, strenuous play, confinement, athletic injuries, aging, and everyday slips and falls. Many owners seek care for their dog or cat because they’ve slipped on a hardwood floor or on the ice.

Back To Basics By: Dina LiVolsi, D.C., Doctor of Chiropractic, Certified by American Veterinary Chiropractic Association

A

re you the kind of person who likes to know how and why things “work”? The kind of person who questions methods, procedures and outcomes? Or are you the person who doesn’t really care about specifics and just wants the product, outcome or service? Most people lean towards one side or other.

When meeting people, the question of how and why does chiropractic work often comes up. After receiving benefits from chiropractic, the question then usually evolves into how can something so gentle make such changes? Then, the comment of wishing they knew about chiropractic a long time ago is usually stated.

SIMPLY STATED While the specific science and philosophy behind chiropractic are very complex, the “big picture” is really quite easily explained. Chiropractic care is a holistic, non-invasive approach to many health problems. It is a health care system based on movement and balance, and with animals, is used in conjunction with traditional veterinary care. When used concurrently, many of your animal’s musculoskeletal situations can respond quickly and dramatically.

The spinal column in mammals is intricately designed and beautifully functional. Bones (vertebrae), ligaments, tendons and nerves all attach to the skeletal system. These all work together as a unit to provide protection to the spinal cord, protect internal organs and act as a framework that supports the body. Nerves exiting the spinal cord pass between the vertebrae on their way to their target location (muscles and organs).

These moveable joints allow health to be expressed in the body and help to make a flexible and healthy animal. If these joints do not move properly, an animal can become stiff and painful. This term is called a “subluxation”.

Chiropractors use this term to describe the very specific condition when the spinal column is not moving properly and that in turn is causing nerve issues in the form of pain, immobility, spasms,

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Lack of coordination, paws turning over while walking, lameness, muscle weakening/shrinking, shortened stride, loss of ability to jump, weakened hindquarters, pain, refusing walks and sometimes owners simply stating that “something is just not right” are all reasons to seek care from an American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) certified animal chiropractor. Our job is to detect and remove these subluxations from the spinal column and restore proper movement to the joints. Remember, a non-moving joint is a diseased joint. We call this treatment an “adjustment”.

An adjustment is very specific and takes years of proper training to master. A short controlled movement is made into a subluxated motor unit in a very specific direction. When using correct angles, the adjustment is made with ease, using very low force. Most animals do not feel pain or discomfort during the adjustment.

RESULTS Over the years, millions of chiropractic patients have had remarkable results. Remember, a doctor does not “cure” anything. She simply restores normal motion to the subluxated joints and your animal’s body does the rest. In most cases, with time and patience, proper home care, weight management issues and restoration of the spinal column to realign the spine will have your beloved animal friend show improvement in a relatively short time.

Please call Dr. Dina today for a complementary telephone consultation to determine if she can help your pet! Many animals have benefitted from her treatments. With over fifteen years of AVCA training, education and training, Dr. Dina is the best choice for your pet’s animal chiropractic treatment. Visit www.drdinalivolsi.com for further information and call to speak directly with Dr. Dina today at 412-824-6276.

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

March 2014

Do you have difficulty getting your pets to the veterinarian?

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Call us today to find out more!

VCA NorthView ANimAl hospitAl speCiAlty referrAl CeNter 223 Siebert Road Pittsburgh, PA 15237

412-536-7750

ADVANCED CARE FOR PETS

VCAnorthview.com

We financially help low-income families with low-cost spays, neuters and medical emergencies.

Help us help others by sending donations to:

PAWS HERE AWHILE

State-of-the-art facility • Themed vacation dog & cat rooms TV • Stereo • Patios • Air/Heated We offer your dog the most comprehensive enrichment program while boarding with us. Our knowledgeable staff will provide activities and exercise that matches your dog’s drive.

PROFESSIONAL PET GROOMING Day and Evening Appointments

724-573-4665

www.pawshereawhile.com March 2014

AC&W, Inc., P.O. Box 8257, Pittsburgh, PA 15218.

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit and have been in existence since 1970.

Look for our adoption animals at: www.animalcareandwelfare.org Come to our Kitten /Cat and Dog Adoption Events At Our New Clinic Location!!

Spay and Neuter Clinic to be held on March 22, 2014 2806 Banksville Ave. Pittsburgh PA 15216

www.pghpetconnections.com

27

HOLISTIC CARE Tapping Into Healing Meridian Tapping Techniques address the energetic imbalances caused by any emotional, mental or physical problem By: Judith Levy, M. Ed., CEHP, RMT

P

eople, dogs and all other living beings on the planet are animated by a flow of energy through their bodies. It allows their hearts to beat and is central to living and healing. Different cultures have different names for this life energy. The Japanese refer to it as Ki; in China, it’s called Chi; in ancient India it was called Prana; and in Hawaii, it’s referred to as Mana.

stuck or frozen in the past. Because the brain impacts the body, these energetic disruptions become embedded in particular meridians.

When an event reminds the animal of the original traumatizing event, he will re-experience the original reaction to the trauma (fear and anxiety). For example, a dog who was physically abused as a young dog or pup will cower and feel afraid when you raise your hand over his head, even though no harm is intended.

A disruption in life energy flow causing disturbance in the meridians can also originate from lesser emotional and mental upsets, such as poor socialization resulting in anxiety around people or other animals, or when exposed to noise. Physical illness also causes an imbalance in the energy flow through the meridians.

When an energetic disturbance originates from physical illness, that disturbance can ultimately cause an imbalanced emotional or mental state. This is often seen in older animals that are arthritic or losing their hearing or sight.

Energy pathways Meridians are energy pathways in the body along which this Ki or life energy flows. They are the same energy pathways used in acupuncture. There are many major meridian pathways and they are all connected, so life force energy influences all activities within the body. In other words, by utilizing the meridians, we can impact internal organs as well as the emotions, mind and spirit.

When there’s an interruption in the flow of life energy resulting from a negative experience, repetitive habit, physical illness or negative emotional state, disturbances develop in the meridians. Think of this disruption as a rock that interferes with the flow of water in a stream. When the rock is removed, the stream can once more flow smoothly.

Any perturbation in the meridian pathways can impede good health, cause an animal to appear frightened, sick or unhappy, and even interfere with his ability to respond appropriately to traditional training methods.

This is particularly true in the case of a traumatized animal that has been abused or neglected. When an animal experiences trauma, the brain will not process information correctly. This change in information processing is often described as being

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Judith practices hands-on MTT for an elderly dog.

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

March 2014

Introducing MTT

How many sessions are needed?

Meridian Tapping Techniques (MTT) is a term used for a variety of interventions that influence the meridian pathways. MTT works to release or calm that freezing effect in the brain by reducing or eliminating the disturbances lodged in the meridians from the original trauma.

The number of MTT sessions required depends on the severity and complexity of the problem. Although it is impossible to guarantee a particular outcome, a single session may be enough. I may advise more sessions and often recommend scheduling four. When using any alternative modality, it is often advisable to do additional sessions for a short while to help the animal’s body “hold” the new level of adjustment and support a balanced state.

During an MTT session, blocks are removed by tapping on certain points along the meridians. In acupuncture, these are referred to as acupoints. But instead of applying needles, the points are tapped.

Each case is different and is addressed by using a particular tapping algorithm that is determined during my initial assessment/history-taking process.

For animals, the tapping can be done directly on the body, or a hands-off approach can be used. Where fear or aggression is an issue, hands-off is preferred; in these cases, myself or the animal guardian can act as a surrogate for the patient. MTT is non invasive and not painful.

MTT may sound simple, but it’s a profoundly effective modality that can have an amazing impact on your animal companion’s physical and emotional well being.

Previously published in Animal Wellness Magazine.

Photo courtesy Judith Levy.

When is MTT a good choice?

This modality can be used to help with a wide range of issues: • Aids in correcting behaviorial problems, including separation anxiety and phobias, or issues stemming from poor socialization; • Decreases effects of trauma from abuse or severe neglect that cannot be corrected with standard training methods; • Changes ritualistic behaviors such as spinning and licking paws; • Restores optimism in an animal that has lost interest in life; • Reduces physical discomfort or depression caused by illness or old age; • Decreases embedded behavioral patterns that lead to aggression; • Alleviates energetic blocks that contribute to eating disorders in animals.

March 2014

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KITTY KORNER A

Is Your Cat’s Food

Killing Her?

study1 published in the January 15 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association evaluated the thiamine (Vitamin B1) content of 45 brands of canned cat food. In all 90 canned cat foods were evaluated – one fish and one non-fish flavor from each of the 45 brands.

Disturbingly the study found that, “Thiamine concentrations in a substantial percentage of commercially available canned foods was below the amount recommended for adult cats.”

The fact that thiamine is a vitamin means it is essential for life and must be obtained from the diet. Thiamine is involved in many cellular processes including the breakdown of sugars and amino acids. It is also used by the body to produce certain neurotransmitters (molecules that facilitate nervous system communication).

By: Dr. Doug Knueven, DVM, CVA, CVC, CVCH Low thiamine levels were more common for pate foods than for non-pate diets. The researchers speculate this discrepancy is due to the different consistencies of these food types and how that affects the heat distribution. Also, low thiamine levels were more common in foods made by small pet food manufacturers than for larger companies. Presumably the larger pet food companies have more money to enact stricter quality control.

This study was prompted by the fact that in the past five years there have been five voluntary pet food recalls in the US involving nine brands of cat food due to low thiamine content.

The foods tested were still on the market and were certified as being 100% complete and balanced according to Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards.

Signs of thiamine deficiency range from loss of appetite and vomiting to seizures, blindness, and if left untreated, the ultimate symptom—death. As a veterinarian I can tell you that loss of appetite and vomiting are very common reasons for my feline patients to visit me. Unfortunately, discovering that a cat is sick from thiamine deficiency is very difficult.

Dozens of other diseases can cause gastrointestinal upset and there is no way to detect thiamine deficiency with standard blood tests.

Here are a couple of takeaways from this study. First of all, heat processing of food destroys many essential nutrients—one of which is thiamine. While pet food companies attempt to correct deficiencies, they sometimes fall short. Not only are known nutrients sometimes deficient but the thousands of phytochemicals found in whole foods are lost and never replaced. The second lesson is that a significant number of foods that are deemed complete and balanced are not.

Thiamine is found in many foods including most meats, liver, fish, certain vegetables, whole grains, and brewer’s yeast. According to this study, 50%-90% of a raw ingredient’s thiamine content can be lost due to the high-heat processing that pet foods are subject to.

Furthermore, the “alkalinizing gelling agents” used in pet foods can further decrease the bioavailability of this nutrient. Because of these issues, pet food manufacturers add back synthetic thiamine after processing—but apparently not enough in some cases.

In my opinion, this research highlights just one example of why the best foods for cats and dogs are diets that mimic what they evolved eating. The ancestors of our pets did not consume processed foods. In my experience, most dogs and cats truly thrive on balanced raw diets.

1. Markovich JE, Freeman LM, Heinze CR. Analysis of the thiamine concentrations in commercial canned foods formulated for cats.

J A Vet Med Assn. 2014;244(2):175-179.

Photo by Bernadette E. Kazmarski

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©Pittsburgh PetConnections

March 2014

Upcoming TNR and Low-cost Spay/neuter Clinics in the Pittsburgh Area HOMELESS CAT MANAGEMENT TEAM CLINICS

www.homelesscat.org

KITTY KORNER Find a TNR Organization on the Internet Humane Society of the United States Feral Cat Organizations listing:

Free Clinics For Feral Cats: • March 23 – sponsored by Diane Bandy • May 4 – in memory of Milton Lendl

Fast Track Clinics for Strays, Ferals, Rescues and Pets ($30 PER FERAL): • April 13 • May 15 • June 15 Father’s Day – free neuters – get those daddy cats too!

www.humanesociety.org/issues/feral_cats/tips/feral_cat_organizations

Alley Cat Allies Make Connections: www.alleycat.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=379

ASPCA TNR and Colony Management: www.aspcapro.org/feral-cats/

What is TNR??

- TNR stands for Trap - Neuter - Release and is a program that limits feral cat populations and greatly improves both their health and quality of life.

ANIMAL CARE AND WELFARE CLINICS www.animalcareandwelfare.org

• March 22 FLUFFYJEAN FUND FOR FELINES CLINICS www.fluffyjean.weebly.com

• March 17 • March 21 • March 24 • May 14 • May 21 • May 28 • June 4 • June 11 • June 18

Portraits of animals pets and wildlife

2014 CaLendars A yEAr Of CATs in fOur diffErEnT ThEmEs: 12 Sketches of Cats fine Art Wall Calendar Compositions in Black and Green features black cats In the Kitchen With Cookie photos and recipes Great Rescues Day Book features portraits and stories

Also feline-inspired artwork, photography, apparel, table linens, greeting cards and gift items.

Bernadette e. KazmarsKi, artist Etsy/PortraitsOfAnimals • www.TheCreativeCat.net www.bernadette-k.com

March 2014

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31

KITTY KORNER Take The Clinic To The Cats

By: Bernadette Kazmarski

A

call came in to the Homeless Cat Management Team (HCMT) hotline from the manager of a trailer park in Ford City that they had…quite a few cats. The place is in a very rural area surrounded by farmland, some cats were pets, but others were dropped off or just showed up, and few were spayed or neutered. It was mid-summer 2013, kitten season was in full swing, and it was already out of hand.

Unlike other calls where the manager or residents want the cats “gone”, however that might be accomplished, these people wanted to keep the cats.

They liked them all and considered them pets and didn’t want to see them come to any harm. But they had limited options for spay and neuter for that many and if left to reproduce there could easily be hundreds of cats by the next summer.

The manager and residents had heard of the free-for-feral and low-cost clinics at the HCMT clinic in Tarentum by both HCMT and Frankie’s Friends, but without the ability to transport that many cats— spaying and neutering a few at a time would barely help the issue—not much could be done.

But Dr. Becky Morrow considers spay and neuter to be basic health care for pets as well as the best way to reduce populations of homeless cats and is innovative about ways to meet their needs. Sometimes that means taking the clinic to the cats instead of taking the cats to the clinic.

Dr. Morrow is a veterinarian and assistant professor at Duquesne University where she teaches physiology and biology. She is also president of the board of HCMT and founder of Frankie’s Friends Cat Rescue in Arnold, PA. Though Frankie’s Friends was founded to provide sanctuary for the cats left behind after the Tiger Ranch

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raid and HCMT had always been more focused on spay and neuter for only cats living on the streets, Dr. Morrow says that providing low-cost spay and neuter as well as veterinary care for cats regardless of their owned status is an important part of the mission of both organizations. “We target any cat in the community that is not spayed,” she said. And no matter the status of the cat, whether a pet or unowned or living in a managed colony outdoors, “We do whatever it takes to make life better for the kitty.”

Often people managing large colonies of cats will trap two or three cats at a time because that’s what they can manage to transport to the clinic, but Dr. Morrow has found that keeping populations down in managed colonies of cats is far more successful by spaying and neutering the entire colony at once, or as many as possible. Volunteers will help caretakers who have more cats than they can trap and transport themselves by collecting traps and helping to trap and transport cats to clinics. In this case, however, there were too many even for that.

Dr. Morrow had invested in a mobile spay/neuter van for Frankie’s Friends and has provided low-cost spay and neuter and veterinary care at animal events around Pittsburgh. In this case she proposed a clinic on site at the trailer park using the van.

Unfortunately, HCMT and FF regularly receive calls about large colonies of cats where none are spayed and neutered, often in rural areas where cats have been dumped on a regular basis but also in suburban and city neighborhoods where unowned cats find food and shelter. The van had already showed up for two smaller on-site clinics with two or three dozen cats.

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

Photos courtesy of Bernadette E. Kazmarski

March 2014

But mobile doesn’t mean free. A clinic that serves about 80 cats costs about $1,500 in medications, vaccines and materials, and money for over 100 cats had to come from somewhere. Jenn Durrant, a volunteer with Pittsburgh Feral Cat Movement (PFCM), the online rescue group that networks behind the scenes to organize rescue and transportation for cats in need as well as trapping for HCMT clinics, set up a Facebook page in October to auction donated gift items and raised $1,200 to pay the costs of the clinic, which was scheduled for late January; the page will continue to hold auctions quarterly to help with costs for clinics and caretakers.

By that time the cat population of adults and older kittens was estimated at around 100 but turned out to be a little higher than that. While many cats lived indoors others lived strictly outdoors and needed shelter during the “polar vortex” and residents were finding it difficult to feed that many cats. PFCM volunteers collected donated food and money for food and delivered the food and homemade shelters prior to the clinic day. “I figured I wasn’t too far and could go and help by getting shelters, straw and food, bought with donations from the group, to the cats,” said Lynn Choltko Cullieton, who also volunteers and fosters for all the organizations involved.

Without help in trapping for spay and neuter the residents would never catch all the cats even though most were friendly, so the PFCM volunteers networked to get all the traps they could possibly find to the site.

Lynn was also one of the volunteers to arrive early on January 19 in 10 degree cold and a foot of snow along with Debbie Christy Nicola and Cynthia Buncher Savitt.

They set over 50 traps and began trapping cats and March 2014

KITTY KORNER

placing them in an abandoned caretaker house at the entrance to the park. It had no utilities but was a shelter nonetheless for the cats to both wait and recover. By evening 58 cats had been trapped and were waiting.

January 20 was technically surgery day, but Dr. Morrow decided to get an early start the night before with Michelle Miller assisting in shaving and preparing the cats for their surgeries.

And not a moment too soon—of the first 18 cats spayed and neutered, three females were already pregnant, pretty unusual for this region in January, but not impossible. All the cats were clean and well-kept aside from some dirty ears and such, coats were clean and very few injuries were found, and in surgery Dr. Morrow found a good layer of fat on them showing they’d been fed well. As cats recovered from surgery the traps were cleaned and used to trap more cats. In all 103 cats were spayed and neutered those two days, some of them pets, some indoor-outdoor cats and some who would remain outdoors. Just a few slipped through the trapping that weekend, but were trapped and taken to the next HCMT clinic in Tarentum.

The goal of this effort is to stop the population of cats from growing, stabilize it and reduce it through natural attrition and adoptions. A few of the kittens and even adults were friendly enough to go to foster and will be looking for a forever home. Volunteers are still checking in with the residents and the cats as the cold winter has continued, and no doubt new cats will show up as they had in previous years but with just a cat or two now and then showing up unannounced residents will be able to manage.

HCMT and Frankie’s Friends have low-cost or free clinics scheduled monthly, and whether you have one cat or 100 call either of the hotlines and leave a message; they are staffed by volunteers who will return your call.

• HCMT, 412-321-4060, clinic schedule and details of services www.homelesscat.org • Frankie’s Friends, 724-889-7011, www.Frankie’sFriendsCatRescue.org, (also serves dogs).

The low-cost clinics charge $50 for a spay and $35 for a neuter, and stray or feral cats can be spayed or neutered for free at special clinics underwritten by generous donors. The goal is to reduce the number of unowned cats by making sure they can’t reproduce, and make life better for all cats.

www.pghpetconnections.com

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KITTY KORNER

Cat Rescue Resource Guide Low-cost Spay and Neuter Organizations and Programs

This is an ever-changing list of resources for cat owners in Pittsburgh and beyond though many of the listings, like the shelters, apply to dogs and other pets as well. It includes low-cost spay and neuter programs as well as TNR for community cats, pet-friendly rentals in Pittsburgh and across the US and links to shelters for adoption and other services. In the future we will also list clinic dates with the organizations below when they are available.

TNR And Low-Cost Spay/Neuter For The Pittsburgh Area Homeless Cat Management Team: www.homelesscat.org City of Pittsburgh Free Spay and Neuter for City Residents City of Pittsburgh free spay/neuter: www.pittsburghpa.gov/animalcontrol/spay_neuter.htm City of Pittsburgh residents can apply for free spay or neuter vouchers for up to five pets, including stray/feral cats.

Low-cost Spay/Neuter and TNR Programs at Allegheny and Surrounding County Shelters Animal Friends: www.thingkingoutsidethecage.org Animal Rescue League: www.animalrescue.org Beaver County Humane Society: www.beavercountyhumanesociety.org Washington Area Humane Society: www.washingtonpashelter.org Western Pennsylvania Humane Society: www.wpahumane.org Low-cost Spay/Neuter Organizations in Allegheny and surrounding counties Frankie’s Friends Cat Rescue, Allegheny & Westmoreland Counties: www.sites.google.com/site/frankiesfriendsnatronaheights Fluffyjean Fund for Felines, Allegheny and Washington Counties: www.fluffyjeanfund.weebly.com Fix Ur Cat, Washington County: www.fixurcat.org Catnip Acres, Greene County: www.catnip-acres.org Snip-it.org, Westmoreland/Indiana Counties, Alle-Kiski Valley (Leechburg): www.snip-it.org Low-cost Spay/Neuter and Veterinary Clinic Spay Neuter Clinic, Penn Hills, 412-244-1202: www.spayaz.com/pittsburgh-pa Find Local Low-cost Spay, Neuter and Veterinary Care on the Internet Low-cost Neuter and Spay (search by zip): http://neuterspay.org Love That Cat (online search): http://neuterspay.org Spay USA: http://neuterspay.org Pet-friendly Rentals In the Pittsburgh area, visit this list on the FosterCat website: www.fostercat.org/friendly.html Nationwide (United States only): www.rent.com/pet-friendly-apartments Shelters and Shelter Services ALLEGHENY COUNTY Animal Friends (AFI): www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org Animal Rescue League (ARL): www.animalrescue.org Western Pennsylvania Humane Society (WPHS): www.wpahumane.org SURROUNDING COUNTIES Beaver County Humane Society: www.beavercountyhumanesociety.org Butler County Humane Society: www.butlercountyhs.org Humane Society of Westmoreland County: http://members.petfinder.com/~PA83/about.html Washington Area Humane Society: www.washingtonpashelter.org Non-shelter Feline Adoption FosterCat: www.fostercat.org Kopy Kat Sanctuary, Westmoreland County (Delmont): www.kopykatsanctuary.org

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ŠPittsburgh PetConnections

March 2014

RUN FOR A REASON! NEED A REASON TO RUN?

We have over 11,000! That’s how many homeless animals the Western PA Humane Society takes in every year. We count on runners like YOU so that we can continue to help these deserving pets. By running for WPHS in the 2014 Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, you can help us to help Pittsburgh’s homeless pets!

IT IS SIMPLE TO DO - JUST 3 EASY STEPS!

1

Register through www.run4wphs.org

2

Work on meeting your fundraising goal (we’ll help you come up with ideas!)

3

Reap the benefits of free registration, WPHS swag bag, WPHS jersey, inspiration, running groups and other resources – all while helping wonderful shelter animals.

Runners can participate in the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, Marathon Relay, 5K or Children’s Marathon Fun Run. Generously sponsored by:

EQUINE AFFAIRS

A Full Recovery!

T

his picture was taken after a 15-mile ride around the Panhandle Trail and through the Bible Walk near the C.E. Commissary and former support facility on Nike Site Road in Oakdale, returning to Settlers Cabin Park.

Sonny, a 14-year-old Arabian, had foundered six years prior, and spent over a year in a small dry lot under the care of Cannon Hill Veterinary Services and his owner, Gale. When I met Gale, she provided Sonny’s films which had six and seven degree rotation on his front hooves; Sonny also had a large toe crack in his right front hoof. Gale had refused to shoe Sonny, and was told by her two previous farriers that he was “dangerous to work on” because he was flighty and would often spook or refuse to give his hind hooves for trims. Gale so loved her horse, and had always dreamed of someday riding him in an endurance race, but after getting the news all she could do was spend hours each day hosing his legs to keep the hooves cool and try to make him comfortable. He did improve, and she was able to ride short distances on trails, but she feared he would never fully recover. Gale asked me if I thought I could help, and so our journey began…

Gale knew a wonderful older couple who had a small two-stall barn and a few fenced-in acres near her home who offered to let us bring our horses in. The area was perfect with a tree line on one side and several horses that belonged to the neighbor. We fenced off the back field and spent some time clearing paths through the wooded area so the horses could follow a track system similar to a paddock paradise. I introduced my mare, Wendy, to Sonny and it was love at first sight! He really needed a companion and a place where he could move and trot when he wanted. In truth, it only took one hoof cycle (about eight months) to fix his hoof crack with a natural trim, and the benefit of solar concavity and reduction in rotation soon took care of itself. We began riding several days a week through the park and each ride Sonny wanted to go farther, and faster! Soon we were able to ride a good ten miles in under two hours, and a lot of that was on the road surfaces.

Foundered and barefoot, Sonny parades the streets through Collier Township…

By: Nancy Frishkorn BA, CHCP

horse and boy did he have a competitive streak! We would ride through the Wave Pool parking lot, give free pony rides at the playground, and people would stop and take pictures of us crossing the bridge down by the quarry. One day a wonderful Arab couple drove by with their small boy and politely asked if they could get a photo since they had never seen a horse in real life! People would come out of their houses whenever we rode through the new housing plan and we always stopped and let their children pet the horses or feed them a treat. When you think of Pittsburgh, do you think of horses riding the streets? We always wanted the chance to ride with the Mounted Patrol in South Park because the officers were always so friendly and kind when we would see them on the streets. Even the local guys who patrol in the cars would stop beside us, ask how our day was going, and sometimes even make sure we made it home safe after our road rides. My husband is an officer, and we know the commissioner very well, so it is my hope that the Pittsburgh Mounted Patrol will find this article and reconsider the proposal to remove the horses from their force. If this foundered horse can travel the roads barefoot every day, then there should be no reason that the Mounted Unit shouldn’t give their horses a chance and adopt a natural hoof care program. Some people say that the hoof cannot tolerate road work without shoes, so I’m providing some images of Sonny’s hooves for all of you to see.

This is Sonny’s left front hoof, the one that had the bad toe crack. As you can see, this hoof hasn’t been trimmed by anything but natural wear…for over six months! This picture was taken in early November of 2013 after an entire summer of growth, and let’s not forget this hoof had seven degree rotation at one time.

Gale has always owned a horse and grew up in the area, so she knew trails that cannot be found on any map.

It wasn’t long before Sonny could outrun my quarter

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©Pittsburgh PetConnections

March 2014

Below is a picture of the same hoof from a solar view. I merely picked it out and did nothing else to this hoof.

This is natural wear and perfectly sound…

These two shots are of Sonny’s right front after a touch up mustang roll and quick clean up that took all of two minutes.

Many officers have learned to trim their own horses’ hooves and combined with a natural boarding program and sponsorship, they have saved Mounted Units across the US.

If you happen to see Gale riding through Collier, be sure to wave and give Sonny a kiss on the nose! He is living proof that every horse has the capacity to do great things if only given the chance. Should any of you know someone who would be interested in learning more about Mounted Patrol going barefoot or how to start a sponsorship program in the Pittsburgh area, please give them a copy of this magazine so they can read the article linked below. Dr. Bruce Nock and senior officer Scott Berry have put together a wonderful free publication explaining how the Texas Mounted Patrol saved their Mounted Unit and the valuable service they provide to the community.

EQUINE AFFAIRS

This last photo is a before trim picture of Sonny’s hind hooves and the terrain he rides on daily.

Remember, Sonny hasn’t been trimmed for over six months—this is all done with natural wear and conditioning!

Sonny and Gale thank you for your interest in barefoot trimming and we hope you enjoyed their story! If you or your organization/business would be interested in sponsoring a police horse for the Pittsburgh Mounted Patrol, please help us make the effort to let them know that we as a community want them to stay. Their service is invaluable and perhaps they may change their minds if we can show them that they will have our support. After all, who doesn’t love riding through South Park and seeing the police horses perform their services for the betterment of the entire community as a whole?

To read Dr. Nock’s article please visit the link below!

http://liberatedhorsemanship.com

March 2014

www.pghpetconnections.com

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EQUINE AFFAIRS

Barn Fires: Preventable Tragedies

By: Brian S. Burks, DVM, Dipl. ABVP, Board Certified Equine Expert arn fires are the number one emergency inhaled. Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide block that affects horses, owners, and gas exchange; blood still pumps, but it cannot pick up veterinarians. On average, there are 11,500 oxygen. Pneumonia and other lung damage can occur. agricultural storage fires every year, and 88% of them involve barns with animals. Hundreds of animals die each year in largely preventable fires.

B

Horse behavior in barn fires

Stables are often constructed of wood, are well-ventilated, and are full of combustible materials.

Most barns burn rapidly, leaving less than five minutes to get all animals and humans out to safety. A burned horse is something you never want to experience. They look like a plasticized carousel horse, and the smell will imprint onto your nostrils for a long time.

Barn fires can occur at any time, but are more common in the winter. This is due to the increased use of heating equipment—bucket heaters, space heaters, etc. Most barn fires occur due to human error or electrical malfunction. Arson is less common, accounting for about 15% of fires.

Fires require three ingredients to burn: • Ignition source (spark, flame, intense heat) • Fuel source (wood, hay) • Oxygen Sometimes a fuel source can smolder (hay stack, manure pile) for many hours. Smoldering fires are easier to control, but more difficult to detect. They may not be detected by humans or commercial smoke/fire detectors.

Straw can reach a burning temperature (3000F) in less than 5 minutes, and burn a 12X12 area in that time.

Mammals can tolerate short exposures to 1510F and survive. Higher temperatures will destroy the lining of the respiratory tract, and can occur in less than one minute. This damage will impair gas exchange in the lungs, causing suffocation. Death can occur in about three minutes of exposure. The effects of smoke inhalation may be noted nearly immediately, or take several days to become evident. Toxins in burning materials damage the respiratory tract lining when

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Obviously, every animal will react differently, and their reaction may be opposite to what you might think. As prey animals, they seek the herd for safety; loose horses may run back INTO the building. It is best to open the stall door nearest the exit, working you way deeper into the barn. Someone else should halter them and lead them away, if possible. Because their instinct is to find the herd, close barn/stall doors after they are let loose, so they cannot get back inside. If you are able to halter the horse, remember to not wrap the lead line around your hand—an upset horse may bolt and take your hand off.

Horses may also panic and run amok. They may run loose down the road, injuring themselves and others during their flight. If possible, contain them in an outdoor ring or arena. If this is not available, bright colored caution tape or even vehicles can be used as a makeshift containment area.

During a fire, horses will be visibly upset. Try to control your own emotions and approach calmly and slowly, without flailing arms or loud voice, and never slap them to make them go outside; invariably this will result in heightened fear. Do not stand directly in front or behind a horse, as these are danger zones.

Smoke induces panic in horses and humans. Prey animals will not stop to investigate; they will attempt flight because stopping might result in getting eaten.

Mix that with lights, sirens, and firefighters (that may have little experience with horses) in full gear (they do not look or smell human) and it becomes chaos rapidly.

Ask the incident commander to have the flashing lights turned off. Horses may try to climb the walls, seek clean air at a window or by putting their heads down, or they may simply stand still and not attempt to escape.

Escape attempts may result in trauma to limbs, eyes, or body and can even be fatal.

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

March 2014

EQUINE AFFAIRS

Fire Prevention

Treating horses after the fire

1. Ban smoking and other open flames.

Horses that have been in a barn fire require immediate veterinary attention. As mentioned above, smoke inhalation can cause pneumonia. The nasal passages and larynx/pharynx may swell, causing occlusion and necessitating a tracheostomy to provide access for a tracheal tube, allowing air into the lungs. It is possible to get pulmonary edema several days post exposure. They may even develop intestinal issues and laminitis.

2. Keep electric sources up to code—replace old wiring and outlets, eliminate extension cords, and unplug unused equipment.

3. Clean the barn. Remove cobwebs and dust (yes, dust will burn), and clear out clutter and trash. Also consider the outside of the barn by clearing debris and brush, trees, leaves and tall grass.

4. Store combustibles away from horses whenever possible. This includes hay and bedding, as well as vehicles, gasoline, and machinery.

5. Install fire alarms—use a professional service linked to a central station.

6. Install fire extinguishers. Use all-purpose ABC extinguishers. Be sure that they are easily accessible in an emergency.

7. Install lightning protection. Lightning strikes buildings since they conduct electricity.

8. Install a sprinkler system. This can be costly, but can save your barn and horses.

9. Have a water source, especially if you are not on municipal water. Consult your local fire department.

10. Ensure access so that the fire department can find you and reach your barn. Fire trucks are larger than horse trailers.

11. Ensure a way out. Stall doors should open easily and ensure that latches do not stick. Exterior doors from the stalls will give another way out when you cannot get into the barn. Keep aisles clear of tools, buckets, and wheelbarrows.

Burns are the other major problem from barn fires. Some will be superficial first degree burns, but second and third degree burns may also occur.

This is often from falling debris, and so most burns are on the back and torso. Since the skin normally keeps bacteria from entering the body and blood stream, deep burns will allow bacteria access, which can result in septicemia and death. Horses will need to be treated for pain and swelling, as well as infection; they may even need to be treated for shock.

When you see fire in your barn: • Call 9-1-1 immediately.

• Attempt to extinguish small fires.

• Evacuate horses, if you can do so safely. You only have a few minutes, but do not endanger yourself.

• Open all gates to the property and remove vehicles to allow firefighter access.

• Wet down structures nearby that are not already burning; this may slow or stop the spread of fire.

• Cut power to the barn at the main source.

12. Hold fire drills. Have an evacuation plan and practice it regularly. New staff members will need to be trained. Your fire department will also do a walk through to point out other fire prevention strategies.

March 2014

www.pghpetconnections.com

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EQUINE AFFAIRS

Riding the Wave T

By: Kristin Hermann

he horse has three gaits: walk, trot and canter. Most beginning training is done at the walk and trot and when those are mastered the rider begins to train the canter. The masters of classical riding call the trot the foundation gait, meaning most of the horse’s training is done at the trot. After the horse and rider have a balanced and rhythmic trot, then the canter is approached. What makes the canter different is the upward thrusting wave-like motion of the horse when cantering. The horse’s body swells up, arcs in the canter stride and then comes back down. This is repeated again and again; it is like surfing on a wave!

A rider learning how to maneuver a horse at a walk and trot is one thing, but learning to ride the canter brings out a whole other set of riding skills. It is not that the canter is necessarily fast, but the whole movement of the horse is different. In the canter, the horse’s body lifts off the ground, arcs, then comes back down to repeat the pattern. What makes riding the canter challenging is that the rider needs to be able to go with this upward wave motion and not lose balance and fall forward, back, or sideways! First a rider has to learn how to move with the motion of a horse’s canter and then learn how to maneuver it by steering. Having control at the canter is much more challenging than at the walk or trot.

Each gait of the horse has a different rhythm. The rider needs to learn how to communicate the aids to the horse in rhythm with the different gaits. The trot is an up and down rhythm; the walk and canter are forward and back. Only, the canter has that wave-like lift added. A common equestrian belief is that the bouncier a horse’s canter, the better the canter. Not a happy thought for the beginner rider!

The best way for the rider to learn to ride the canter is on the lunge line where the handler can control the horse. Once the rider learns to balance, and if you have a reliable school horse, cantering off of the lunge safely can be attempted. Certainly, learning to canter and steer is best done on a horse that has a steady rhythm and will not speed up. Horses with this training are valuable in any riding school.

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Sitting the canter and balancing on the seat without gripping with the legs allows the rider to freely use the aids for harmonious communication with the horse.

This rider sits nicely without falling behind the action of the canter or loosing her ‘position.’

All students at Coventry learn to canter in jumping position or a light seat. Being able to canter in jumping position teaches the rider to use the leg joints as shock absorbers to go with the horse and not grip (which puts the rider’s body and joints into lock down). The joints of the rider must move with the varying motions of the horse and not squeeze to hold on. This incorrect way of riding prevents the rider from going with the horse’s motion and using the aids. An unbalanced rider will cling and brace to hold onto the horse with the legs. A common thought is that the rider is to hold on but all good riders eventually learn to balance on the seat and not clench which enables the aids to work fluently to signal the horse.

At the canter, once a rider can go with that upward lift and wave motion allowing the legs to work as shock absorbers then the rider must learn to follow the longitudinal or forward and back motion with the arms.

This is what makes the canter unique compared to the trot or walk. At the canter, the horse’s body lifts off the ground and arcs throughout the top line, and at the same time it gets longer and shorter with every stride.

Like an accordion that gets longer and shorter to play the notes, the horse’s body too gets longer and shorter with each stride as it canters. At the canter, the rider has

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March 2014

to learn to go in two different directions at the same time: up and down with the legs and forward and back with the seat and arms. When the rider is accustomed to riding the wave of the canter and can direct the horse, she is gradually weaned from the lunge line and jumping position or a light seat. A complete rider, as I call them at Coventry, can ride the canter in both seats, jumping position and sitting.

EQUINE AFFAIRS

Learning to ride is a process. The rider that accepts the learning process instead of being focused on the goal makes the journey way more enjoyable. Riding horses is unique. For one, the horse is unpredictable. And two, there are no other sports where you straddle a live animal. Most sports involve an inanimate object to master like a tennis racket or golf club, not a four legged animal with a mind of its own! There is no doubt that learning to “ride the wave� of the canter is likely one of the pinnacles of learning to ride a horse.

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IN REMEMBRANCE ie l l a C

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