WELCOMETOOURSPECIALPITTSBURGHPETEXPOISSUE OCTOBER,VOLUME2ISSUE2!!
PPCMagazine OctoberNews:WeareproudtobetheofficialprintmediasponsorofthePittsburghPetExpo!Thisis Pittsburgh’sbiggestpeteventoftheyear!WearelookingforwardtoseeingeveryonethereNovember1through3atthe DavidL.LawrenceConventionCenterdowntown!
Thisyear’sExpofeaturesFridaynightfreeadmissionsponsoredbyHealthyPetProducts.OthersponsorsincludePittsburgh’s FirstGroomingChampionship,ThreeRiversDockDogs,ClassicK9ShowandAdoptionopportunities!Seetheofficial showprogramonpages17–20ofthisissuefordetailedinformationforthescheduleofevents,vendorsandsponsors.Visit ourbooth,aswellasouradvertisers’andjoininonthefun!VisitboothsforHealthyPetProducts,VCA,Zelda’sSong, NagrobekMemorials,FancyCreations,andmoreandtellthemyousawthemin PPCMagazine!ThankyoutoHampton Inn,Eat’nParkandVCAforsponsoringthiswonderfulevent!
ThisIssue: HappyHalloween!Don’tmissoutontheseason’seventsincluding,Dogtoberfest, Pugtoberfest,BarktoberfestandthePetrifyingPetWalk!WestminsterPresbyterianChurchispresenting severalevents,including UntilTuesday (seepage12).MeetVictoriaStilwellattheCARMAAevent (seepage21).Oureventcalendaronpage5hasevenmoreeventsthismonth!Ourwebsite www.pghpetconnection.com/calendar alsohasaneventcalendarandadditionaleventlistings.We welcomeyoutouploadaneventforyourorganizationatnocostandsubmityourdirectorylisting. PPCMagazine isproudtopresentDr.DinaLiVolsi–seeherarticleonpage15,theGatewayat Summersetonpage11andalsoCampBowWowonpage11!
Cyndie&AngieMader;Photo:KaraJonesPhotography
Mybackgroundofover25yearsasaveterinarytechnician,veterinaryhospitaladministratorand non-profitfounderhasledmetocreate PittsburghPetConnectionsMagazine.Mygoalistolead,shareandhealthroughtheHuman-AnimalBond(HAB).Iwould liketopersonallythankallofyouforpickingup PPCMagazine. Takecareofyourself,aswellasyouranimalsandbewell! Warmly,
CarlaMader CEO&Publisher
PittsburghPetConnections,LLC.
PittsburghPetConnectionsMagazine
Disclaimer:“Theviewsexpressedin PPCMagazine arethoseoftheauthorsanddonot necessarilyreflectthepositionorpoliciesof PittsburghPetConnectionsMagazine.Allviewpointsarewelcome.” Pleasesubmitanycorrespondenceto: info@pghpetconnections.com Pleasecheckusoutontheweb&subscribeat: www.pghpetconnections.com Follow@PghPetMagonTwitterand“Like”usonFacebook! http://www.facebook.com/PghPetconnectionsMagazine
PittsburghPetConnectionsMonthly
PublishedBy: PittsburghPetConnections,LLC. PittsburghPetConnections,LLC.wasformedin2012. Ourmissionistopublishahighquality,informativeand Human-AnimalBondfocusedpublication.
Wesupportlocalbusinessesandalsoassistlocalnon-profit businessesforpetsandpeople,togivebacktoourgreat Pittsburghcommunities.
MAGAZINEPUBLICATIONSTAFF
ManagingEditor ..........................CarlaMader
ChiefEditor ....................BernadetteE.Kazmarski
Sales ....................CarlaMader,SavannahFleming
Distribution ............................MartinMader
GraphicDesigner .....................PatriciaSutkowski
Photographer ...................KaraJonesPhotography
ContributingWriters: Ourcontributingwritershavemanyyearsof combinedexperienceandexpertiseinthefieldsofveterinarymedicine andtheHuman-AnimalBond.
ADVERTISING: info@pghpetconnections.com724-503-8695
CONTESTRULES:
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SubmissiondetailsintheNovemberissueof PittsburghPetConnections! ContestRunsNov.1-15.
THEHUMAN-ANIMALBOND
Researchingandco-writing ThroughADog’sEar:UsingSoundto ImprovetheHealth&BehaviorofYourCanineCompanion wasa truegift.Inowunderstandthebenefitofahealthysonicenvironment formypatientsandpets.Themostexcitingpieceofthiswork, however,wastherevelationthatpsychoacousticallyarrangedmusic isatoolthathelpsbothhumansandanimals.ThestoryofGeorge andGracieillustrateshowmusiccanhelpcaninesandtheirguardians throughdifficulttimes.
Ithenrememberedthat MusictoCalmYourCanineCompanion had beensohelpfulinmypreviousworkwithGracie.Perhapsitcouldnow helpbothofthem.Hisrestandhealingwouldplayaroleinreducing herstress,andherreturntoahappynaturewouldhelphimonhis roadtorecovery.Howwonderfulitwastohaveatoolthatreally supportedthehuman-animalbond.Tome,thiswaswhatthemusic studywasreallyallabout—animalandpersonhealingtogether.
Themostimportantpointtothisstory,however,isthattherestoration ofGeorgeandGracie’srelationshipwasessentialforeachoftheir recoveries.Gracieneededtoknowherhumancompanionwassafe, andGeorgeneededhisbelovedcaninecompanion watchingoverhim.
TheHealingofUnconditionalLove
byDr.SusanWagner
GracieisabeautifulAkitawithahugeheart.Herfirstyearoflife, however,wasfilledwithabuse.Shewasrescuedbyawonderful, caringfamilythathadgivenherafabuloushome.Unfortunately,the previousabusetookitstoll,andGraciewasleftwithfearaggression. Herfamilydideverythingtheycouldfromaconventionalveterinary andbehavioralperspective,butshestillretainedsomeaggressive tendencies.SinceIhadtakencareofothercaninemembersofthis familyforyears,IaskedifIcouldtryenergytherapywithGracie. Theywereopenmindedandopenheartedenoughtotryit.The energysessionsdidwondersforGracie—sheactedlikeapuppyagain.
Manymonthslater,George(Gracie’sguardian)underwentsurgery, andhesufferedcomplications.Hewasintremendouspainandwas veryill.GraciehadneverseenGeorgelikethis,andthestressbrought backherpreviousfearaggression.Georgecouldn’tunderstandwhy Graciedidn’twanttolaybyhisside,andhewascrushedwhenshe growledathim.Tomakemattersworse,hispost-surgicalpainwas preventinghimfromsleeping.Itwasaverystressfultimeforthe household.
Dr.SusanWagner isaboardcertified veterinaryneurologistwhosepioneeringwork acknowledgesthebioenergeticinteraction betweenpeopleandanimals.Sheisanadvocate forchangeintheareaofinterpersonalviolence andanimalcruelty,andworkstowarda greaterunderstandingsurroundingthehealth implicationsofthehuman-animalbond.
Dr.WagnerisanAdjunctAssistantProfessorat TheOhioStateUniversityVeterinaryCollege,a LevelIVHealingTouchforAnimalspractitioner andco-authorof ThroughADog’sEar.
George’swife,Tina,becamethehealingangelforbothof them.Shedidn’tbanishGraciefromthehome—sheunderstoodhow importantitwasforGeorgeandGracietostaytogether.Hercaring andcalmnaturekeptitallfromfallingapart.Throughsomeintensive workbyallinvolved,GeorgeandGraciesoonwerehelpingeachother heal.Theentirefamilygotthroughthedifficulttimetogether.
Whetheritgoesfrompersontoanimal,oranimaltoperson, nothing healslikeunconditionallove.
SaygoodnightGracie.Woof
Adaptedfrom ThroughADog’sEar:UsingSoundtoImprovetheHealth&BehaviorofYourCanine Companion,byJoshuaLeedsandSusanWagner,SoundsTruePublishing
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& ANIMALHEALTHWELLNESS
eEnigmaticRoleoftheVeterinaryInternist
Relativetootherveterinaryspecialties,considerableconfusion exists–sometimesevenwithintheveterinarycommunityitself–regardingtheroleofaspecialistinveterinaryinternalmedicine,a.k.a., aveterinaryinternist.Dr.Bagleyeloquentlyintroducedustotherole ofaveterinaryophthalmologistintheJanuary,2013,issue.(Spoiler alert:theypreserveandrestoreanimals’vision,butdonotfitthemfor eyeglasses.)However,theroleofaveterinaryinternistoftenseemsmore poorly-defined.Afterall,veterinarygeneralpractitioners(GPs)practice medicine,too.Addingtotheconfusion,manyhumaninternistswork asGPsinfamilypractice–ascenariothatisfarlesscommonin veterinarymedicine.
Sowhatisaspecialistinveterinaryinternalmedicine,andwhatdo theydo?Itistemptingtosimplydifferentiateveterinaryinternistsfrom GPsbydefiningtheireducation…orbythediseasestheytreat…or bythediagnostictechnologytheyutilize.Veterinaryinternistsdiagnose andtreatawidevarietyofdiseasesinvolvingtheinternalorgans(hence thenameinternist),includingdisordersoftheurinary,gastrointestinal, hepatic,endocrine,pulmonary,andothersystems.Butthisdoeslittle todifferentiateinternistsfromGPs,whoalsoseeawiderangeof medicaldiseases-albeitonalessfrequentbasis.However,thereal benefitaveterinaryinternistprovidesistheknowledgeandexperience thatcomesfromseeingnothingbutthemostdifficult,uncommon,or unresponsiveillnessesonaneverydaybasis.
Aboard-certifiedspecialistinveterinaryinternalmedicinehasspentat leastthreeadditionalyearsoftraininginastandardized,ACVIMapproved(AmericanCollegeofVeterinaryInternalMedicine) residencytrainingprogram,diagnosingandtreatingthemostdifficult casesunderthementorshipofboard-certifiedspecialists,andhaspassed rigorousspecialtyboardexams.Thisstandardizedtrainingandtesting guaranteesacertainlevelofproficiencyindiagnosingandtreatingsuch patients.Bycontrast,aGP’scomfortwithsuchcasesmayvarywith theirclinicalexperience.Asthefirstlineofdefenseforveterinary concernsofalltypes,GPsneedamorefundamentalknowledgeofa verybroadspectrumofveterinarycare…which,arguably,canbemore challengingthanbeingaspecialistwithextensiveexperienceinjust onefield!
Perhapswhatveterinaryinternistsdo not doisjustasillustrating.Most specialistsinveterinaryinternalmedicinedon’tpracticepreventative medicine,suchasvaccinations,deworming,fleaandtickcontrol,or routinesurgerysuchasneutering.Infact,veterinarysurgeonsliketo jokethatveterinaryinternistsshouldnotbeallowedtohandlesharp objectsatall!Thissimplyisnotwhattheyweretrainedtodo.Infact, asaveterinaryspecialist,evenItakemypetstoaGPforroutine preventativecare!Inaddition,mostveterinaryinternistsprefernotto belocatedinthesamefacilityasageneralpractice.Thereasonforthis issimple:veterinaryspecialistswanttoberegardedcorrectlyasa complimentaryextensionofreferringgeneralpractices,ratherthan viewedastheircompetition.
Finally,aveterinaryinternistisnotthesameasaveterinaryintern. PVSEChasboth,sowefrequentlyhavetoclarifythispoint.The formerisaboard-certifiedspecialistinveterinaryinternalmedicine.
ByA.SherwoodJohnson,DVM,DACVIM(InternalMedicine) PittsburghVeterinarySpecialty&EmergencyCenter(PVSEC)
Thelatterisgenerallyanewgraduatefromveterinaryschoolthatis interestedinpursuinganadditionalyearofmentoredclinicalexperience priortopursuingemploymentasaGPoradditionaltrainingina residencyprogramtobecomeaboard-certifiedspecialist,themselves.
Mostveterinaryspecialistsrequirethatpatientsbereferredtothemby aGP.Thereasonsforthisaresimple:
•First,theGPoftenisinthebestpositiontoassesswhetherapatient shouldbereferred,aswellasthemostappropriatespecialtytowhich itshouldbereferred.(Inamulti-specialtypracticesuchasPVSEC, thelatterislessofaconcern,sincenumerousotherspecialistsare availableinonelocationforconsultationregardingdiseasesthatcross thelinebetweenvariousspecialties.)
•Secondly,alongwiththeownerandtheveterinaryspecialist,the GPisa critical memberofapet’sveterinarycareteam.Specialists relyheavilyonknowingeverydetailofapatient’spriordiagnosticand treatmenthistory,whichisvitaltoobtaininganaccuratediagnosis andeffectivetreatmentinasrapidandcost-effectiveamanner aspossible.
•Lastly,becausetheGPcontinuestoprovideroutineveterinarycare forthepatient,itiscrucialthatbi-directionalcommunicationexist betweentheGPandspecialistsothateveryoneismovinginthesame directionwiththesingulargoalofimprovingapet’scare.
Whenseeingaspecialistinveterinaryinternalmedicine,petowners oftennotethattherecommendeddiagnosticsandtreatmentcanbe expensive.Giventhecomplexityofthesecases,theneedfor24-hour intensivecare,andtheadvancedtechnologyinvolved–suchas ultrasound,endoscopy,MRI,andCT–thisoftencanbethecase. However,itisimportanttorecognizethatveterinaryinternistsare trainedtoidentifytheidealcomprehensivediagnosticandtreatment planforyourpetinanattempttoobtainanoptimaloutcome.You wouldnotacceptanythinglessfromyourphysician,norshouldyou fromyourveterinarian.Aslongastreatmentisinthepatient’sbest interest,itshouldbethepetowners’choice–nottheveterinarian’s–whethertheirpet’scareneedstobelimitedbyfinancial,philosophical, orotherpracticalconsiderations.
Ofcourse,wealsorecognizethatnotallownerscanaffordsuchcare fortheirpets.Veterinaryspecialistsarehappytodiscusslesscostly options,theirprosandcons,andotherfinancialoptionsthroughthird partiessuchasCareCredit.Inaddition,mostspecialistsacceptpet insuranceandencouragepetownerstoinvestigatethisoption before theirpetsbecomeill,sincepreexistingconditionsgenerallyarenot covered.Itisprofessionallygratifyingtobeabletoofferthesetoolsto provideoptimalcareforpatientswhoseownerscouldnototherwise affordit–asituationthatveterinariansofalltypesstrugglewithona dailybasis.(Afterall,wewenttoveterinaryschoolbecausewewantto
helpanimals,nottodealwithfinancialissues.)Inshort,werecommend optimalmedicalcare,asifourpatientswereourownpets,andthen tailortheserecommendationstobalancethemedical,financial,and philosophicalneedsofeachindividualpatientanditsowners.
Manypetownersalsonotethat,inretrospect,earlierreferralcould haveresultedinamorerapiddiagnosisandtreatment,savingboth moneyandprecioustime.Wheneverpossible,veterinaryinternists focusonobtainingadiagnosisfirst,andsubsequentlydevelopa treatmentplanbasedonthatinformation,ratherthanpursueatrialand-errorapproachbasedonpresumptive diagnoses.Theresultoftenismorediagnosticexpenses,butloweroverallcost becausetheappropriatetreatmentisidentifiedmorequicklyandismoreeffective. Atminimum,referralshouldbepursued priortowaitingforallotheroptionsto fail,orforabelovedpet’shealthtodecline further.Thisisnotidealforyourpet,and oftenlimitsourabilitytotreatsuccessfully orinacost-effectivemanner.
Hopefully,thishelpsclarifytheroleofa veterinaryinternistandwhattheycanofferpets,theirowners,and theirreferringveterinarianasapartofthemedicalteam.Through partnershipwithreferringgeneralpractices,aspecialistinveterinary internalmedicineexpandsthediagnosticcapabilitiesandtechnologies aGPcanoffertheirpatients,servesasvitalsourceofknowledgeand
experienceinthediagnosisandtreatmentofcomplicatedmedical diseases,andsubsequentlyreturnsthepatienttotheGPformoreroutine concernsandpreventativecarethatarebesthandledinthatvenue.
Withanyluck,yourpetwillneverrequirereferraltoaboard-certified veterinaryinternist.However,asapetownermyself,itiscomforting toknowthatPittsburghisblessedwithaccesstoalargenumberof veterinaryspecialistsinawidevarietyoffieldsthatcanfunctionaspart ofyourpet’smedicalteamifneeded.Ifyouthinkreferraltoaspecialist ininternalmedicinemightbeinyourpet’sbestinterest,youshould discussthisoptionwithyourpet’sregularveterinarian.
Dr.Johnsonisaboard-certifiedspecialistinsmallanimalinternal medicine,andisthefounderoftheinternalmedicineserviceat PittsburghVeterinarySpecialtyandEmergencyCenteronCampHorne RoadintheNorthHills.Hiswifeisaveterinarygeneralpractitioner,so bothareacutelyawareoftherolegoodcommunicationbetweenGPand specialistplayinprovidingoptimalpatientcare.
Thankyou,andcongratulationsto PPC foritsfirstyearofservingthe Pittsburghpetcommunity!
DiplomateACVIM(InternalMedicine) 807CampHorneRoad,Pittsburgh,PA15237 Ph:(412)366-3400Fax:(412)366-3489 www.pvs-ec.com
A.SherwoodJohnson,DVM
ANIMALBEHAVIOR
Above:Puppysocializationisnotjust aboutotherdogsorpeople,butalso newandpotentiallyscaryobjectslike atunnel,whichLoki(14weeksold) learnedwasfun!
Right:WildmanLokilearnedamore maturewaytointeractwithValentina, anadultpitbull,whowouldn’tplay untilhestoppedbeingarudepuppy.
PuppySchoolIsPrevention!
IfItoldyoutherewasa waytohelppreventyour newpuppyfromhaving behaviorproblemslike aggression,fearfulresponses totheworld,barkingand lungingatdogsorpeople whenonleash,hatredof nailtrims,andbadmanners asanadult,wouldyou
ByTenaParkerofSuccessJustClicksDogTraining
Althoughsocializingwithotherpuppiesandpeopleisseenasthemain reasonforpuppyschool,itisn’ttheonlyreason.Therearemanyother aspectsoftrainingandsocializationthatpuppyschoolshouldbeaddressing. Puppiesshouldenjoylearningfoundationskillslikenamerecognition,sit, target,tradingitems,andimpulsecontrol.Aswithalltraining,puppyschool shouldfocusonteachingpuppiesbyusingtreats,toys,orplaytoreward behavior.Thebestpuppyclasseswillattendtothesetrainingneedswhile expandingtherealmofsocialization.
Instructorsmaybringininflatableholidaydecorations,novelitemsfrom theworld(vacuum,balloons,walkers,wheelchairs,etc.),usetunnels andcreateobstaclestogainconfidenceonunevenfooting,playCDs ofvariouslifesounds,andusetarps,gates,orbubblewrapfor strangeflooring.Instructors(andstudents)maywearwildhats, uniformsorcostumesandtheyintroduceawiderangeofhandling exercises.Theseexerciseshelpcreatepositiveassociationswith necessaryprocedureslikenailtrimmingandvetvisits.Thesemay seemsilly,butsocializingtotheworldandwhatthepuppywill experienceasanadultcanpreventfuturebehaviorproblems.
jumpatthechancetodoit?Mostpeoplewouldabsolutelysayyes!Who wouldn’twanttohelptryandpreventproblembehaviorsbeforetheystart? Well,thankfullythereisawaytohelpincreaseyouroddsofavoiding behaviorproblemsinadulthood–puppyschool!
Mostpeopleknowaboutpuppyschool,butdidyouknowthatyournew poochcanstartclassasearlyas8or9weeksoldandshouldstartsooner ratherthanlater?Puppybrainsareprimedtoacceptnewthingsandsituations betweentheageof4weeksand16weeksold.After16weeks,thereisalarge decreaseinthepuppy’snaturalsociabilityandwillingnesstoeasilyaccept newthingsandsituationsassafe.So,importantsocializationneedsto happenearly(thisisn’ttosayyoucandoremedialsocializationwithanadult dog).Yourpuppyshouldexperienceasmanythingsaspossiblethatyou wanthimtobecomfortablewithasanadult,beforehehits16weeksold.
Althoughsomeveterinarianssuggestwaitinguntilapuppyisfullyvaccinated (whichisoftenaftertheprimesocializationperiodends),theAmerican VeterinarySocietyofAnimalBehaviorhaspublishedaveryclearposition statementonpuppysocializationandinittheyconcludethat,“itshouldbe thestandardofcareforpuppiestoreceivesuchsocializationbeforetheyare fullyvaccinated.”
Agoodpuppyschoolprovidesaplacewhereapuppycancontinueto socializewithotherdogsandpeoplewithminimalriskofillness.Themore puppieslearnhowtofeelcomfortablearoundandcommunicatewiththeir ownspecies,themorelikelyitwillbeforthemtoremainatleasttolerantof otherdogsastheymature.Puppyschoolsthathavesoundadultdogsvisit classareahugebonus–puppiesalsoneedtolearnhowtoactaroundadults. Anotherbigbenefitofpuppyschoolisthatitprovidesanewgroupofpeople ofvaryingsize,shape,raceandagetointeractwith,whichisveryimportant foradevelopingpuppy.Puppiesshouldmeetandhavepositiveexperiences withmanytypesofpeoplesotheylearntoacceptallsortsofpeopleasroutine andnormal.
Unfortunately,notallpuppyclassesarecreatedequalandnotall puppyclassesaregood.Puppyschoolcaneitherbeabreeding groundforfear,badhabits,andbullyingoritcanbeaplaceof learninggoodlifeskillsandsocializationskills.Doingyour homeworktofindapositivepuppyclassisimportant.
Askingtoobserveaclassbeforesigningupcangiveyouafeelfortheclass andthetraininginstructorbeforecommitting,whichcanhelpyoumakea goodchoiceinpuppyschool.Herearesomethingstolookforortoavoid inapuppyclass.
PUPPYCLASSGREENLIGHTS
•Newnovelobjectspresentedeachweekforpuppiestoexploreinstead ofablankspacewherepuppiesgetinvolvedinhigharousalandoften inappropriateplay.
•Off-leashsessionsareshortandwellmoderated–pausesandbreaksinthe play,andtimeoutsforoverarousal.Bonusiftherearestableadultdogs teachingpuppiesmaturebehavior.
•Iftheclassislarge,puppiesaregroupedbyplaystyle/confidencelevel duringoff-leashtimetoallowshydogstogainconfidence.
•Positivereinforcementtrainingtechniques(treats,toys,play)areusedto teachnewskills.
•Emphasisisonoverallsocializationtopeople,dogs(ofallagesnotjust puppies),objects,flooring,sounds,handling,etc.
PUPPYCLASSREDLIGHTS
•Off-leashsessionischaoticwithlittlemoderationfromtheinstructor.
•Puppiespracticinginappropriateplayorbullyingareallowedtocontinue tobully.
•Puppieswearinganytypeofcorrectioncollar(choke,prong,orshock collars)orbeingpulled/pushedintopositionsduringtraining.
•Trainerpromotesdominance,theuseofalpharoles,corrections,orforce intrainingpuppies.
•Nomodificationsmadeforshypuppiestohelpbuildconfidence.
It’simportanttorememberthatitisabsolutelyokaytoremoveyourselfand yourpuppyfromaclassthatmakesyoufeeluncomfortableorencourages youdothingstoyourpuppythatmakesyoufeeluncomfortable.Beyour puppy’sadvocate!
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Bringthewholefamily(includingyourdog(s)with updatedvaccines)outtoBCAHtojoininthefamilyfun ofcelebratingFall&Halloween!
Where: 2232WestHardiesRd. When: Sunday,Oct.20,2013 Time: 11AMto4PM
$15.00perfamily–Allproceedingswillgo toourdonationfund,TwoAngels!
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HOLISTICCARE
Holistictherapiesaresaidtobenaturalbecausetheyworkwith thebody’snaturalmechanisms.Forexample,chiropractic adjustmentsgentlyrealignthespinesotheanimal’snervousand musculoskeletalsystemscanreturntonormalfunction.Herbscan modulateorganandtissuemetabolismbacktotheirhealthystate.
What’ssoNaturalabout“Natural”?
byDougKnueven,DVM,CVA,CVC,CVCH
Whenacupunctureneedlesareplacedinspecificspotsonthebody, theysendsignalstothebraintoreleaseinnatehealingchemicals. Becausenaturaltherapiessuchastheseworkwiththebody,wesee fewersideeffectsandmorerobustwellnessthanisseenwithconventional veterinarycare.Sonaturalisgood,right?
ItdoesseemthatthefartherwestrayawayfromMotherNature,the moretroublewegetourselvesandourpetsinto.Forexample,the unnaturallysedentarylifestyleofAmericansnotonlynegativelyaffects theirhealth,italsoleadstocanineobesityandbehaviorproblems. Feedingcatsdryfoodgoesagainsttheirnaturetoeathigh-moisture, low-carbpreyanimalsandcontributes toobesity,diabetes,urinary crystals,andkidneydisease. Yes,naturalisbetter.
Thewordnaturalcanbedefinedassomethingrelatingtoor derivedfromnature.Thiswordisoftenthoughtofastheopposite of“synthetic.”Somethingissyntheticifithasbeenremovedfrom natureandchemicallymanipulatedbyman.Soweconsidergrain whichisgrowninMotherNature’ssoiltobenaturalwhileplastic issynthetic.Ofcourse,whoeatscornonthecob withoutfirstcookingitorsubjectingittosome other,moreextremeprocessing?Sincewe’ve changedthecornfromitsnaturalstate,isitstill natural?Andwhatofplastic?Itismadefrom petroleumproductswhichcomefromdead dinosaurs.Whatcouldbemorenaturalthanthat?
Sothereseemstobeaspectrumofnaturalness.Whilewewouldall agreethatanearofcornisnaturalandaplasticcupissynthetic,where dowedrawthelinebetweenthetwo?Iscornalwaysnaturalnomatter howithasbeenprocessed?Thenaturalnessofcornrangesfromanear ofcorn,togroundcorn,tocornflakes,tohighfructosecornsyrup,to “cornplastic”usedinbiodegradablepackaging.Iwouldsuggestthat somewhereinthatprogression,thecornhasceasedtobenatural.
Unfortunatelytheword “natural,”especially whenappliedtoall thingsrelatedto petdietandhealth, hasbecomeabit ofabuzzword. Wehavenatural petfoodswith naturalingredients likenaturalflavors. Therearealsonatural supplements,natural shampoosandeven naturalpetmagazines. Itleadsonetowonder whatitreallymeansto benatural.
Thesamethingcanbesaidfornaturalpetfoods.Sure,grain,potatoes, oranysourceofstarchcouldbeconsideredasnaturalingredients.They mayevenbeorganic.But,afterthehigh-heatprocessingandextrusion, theirnaturalnesshasbeencorrupted.Evenmoreimportantly,itis extremelyunnaturalfordogsorcatstoeatlargeamountsofstarchin anyform.AsfarasI’mconcerned,callinganyprocessedkibble “natural”isextremelymisleading.
Thenaturalingredientsinnaturalpetfoodsoftenincludenatural flavors.Chemicalsusedasnaturalflavorsarederivedfrommorenatural sourcesthanareartificialflavors.However,theprocessingoftheraw materialsintotheflavorchemicalsresultsinunnaturalendproducts thatresembleMSGincharacter.Ifthenaturalflavorsaresonatural whydoesn’tthelabeljustcomerightoutandsayexactlywhatthey are?Inmyview,naturalflavorsarenotnaturalatall.
Somenaturalpetfoodsareproudthattherearenopreservativesin theiringredientlists.Unfortunately,thatcanbeanotherdeceptiveploy. Ifapetfoodmanufacturerbuysarawmateriallikefat,andthenadds apreservativelikeethoxyquin,thenethoxyquinmustbelistedasan ingredient.Ontheotherhand,ifthecompanybuysfatthatisalready preservedwithethoxyquin,thentheingredientlistdoesnotneedto includethatchemical.Justonemorewaythateventheingredientlists onpetfoodlabelscanbemisleading.
Petfoodsareusuallynotasnaturalasthepackagingwouldhaveus believe.Processedkibbleandcannedfoodsarecertainlynotwhatpets evolvedeatingandarebytheirverynatureunnatural.Ithinkthat balanced,rawpetfoodsarethebestchoicewhenfeedingpetsandthat natural,holisticmedicalcareandlifestyleareideal.
Dr.DinaLiVolsi isdedicated tohelpingyouachieveyourpet’s wellnessobjective.Bycombining skillandexpertisethatspans theentirechiropractic spectrum,Dr.LiVolsiis committedtobringing yourpetbetterhealthand increasedqualityoflife.
Animalsandtheirowners whoseektreatmentfrom Dr.LiVolsicanbeassured ofreceivingonlythefinest qualitycare.Working successfullywithanimals since1998,Dr.LiVolsiisa highlyregardedpractitioner inthiswellnessfield.
Dr.DinaLiVolsi CertifiedAnimalChiropractor
WHYANIMALCHIROPRACTIC?
•Neck,back,legpain
•Injuriesfromslips,falls,accidents,sports
•Musclespasms
•Post-surgicalcare
Whenselectingapractitionertoperform“chiropractic”onyour animal,pleaseaskfortheireducationandcredentials.Animal chiropracticisnottaughtinanyregularchiropracticorveterinary schoolcurrently–itisapost-graduatecourse.Pleasebe cautiousifselectingapractitionerwhotookaweekend seminarandwhoisnotcertifiedthroughtheAVCA.Please visitwww.avcadoctors.comtolearnabouteducationand certificationandtofindacertifieddoctorinyourarea.This siteidentifiesthoseprofessionalswhohavemethigh,specific standardsofknowledgeandexperience.
•Maintenanceofjointsandspinalhealthcare
•Olderpetsneedingcomfortcare
“Dr.Dina”isAllegheny County’s firstandonly AmericanVeterinary ChiropracticAssociation (AVCA)certifiedanimal chiropractor.Thisis importantastheAVCA istheonlynationally recognizedcertificationbodyinthecountryforanimalchiropractors. Dr.DinaservedontheAVCA’sPracticeStandardsCommitteeand helpedtowriteandthenadministertheAVCA’sfirstnationalboard, andhasbeenanexamineronsubsequentexams.Dr.Dinahasalso beenalicensedchiropractorforhumanssince1991.
HOWDOIKNOWIFMYPETNEEDS TREATMENTFROMDR.LIVOLSI?
•Lameness,troublegettingup,jumping,stairs
•Moodorbehavioralchanges
•Chronichealthproblemsthatarenot responding
Dr.Dinaisaleaderinthelegitimatefieldofanimalchiropractic,both locallyandnationally.Shedevelopedandhassubsequentlytaughther owntechnique“ENERGYWORKSCHIROPRACTIC”toothercertified veterinariansandchiropractorsacrossthecountryforprofessional continuingeducationhoursaswellasthe“INTENSEREVIEWPLUS” and“DOGS,DOGS,DOGS!”seminars.Alloftheseseminarshavebeen approvedbytheAVCAforre-certificationhoursnecessaryfordoctorsto keeptheirstandingwithintheAssociationandtheprofession.Several yearsago,shealsowasprimarilyresponsibleforcreatingandteachingthe successful“INTRODUCTIONTOCOMPLEMENTARYCARE FORTHEVETERINARIAN”seminars.
Dr.DinatraveledregularlytoCairo,Egypt,wheresheadjusted high-levelcompetitionhorses(andyes,oftentheirownersaswell). Theexperiencegreatlyenhancedherunderstandingandcontinuing appreciationforanimalownersandlovers.
Anationallyrecognizedlecturerinthefieldofanimalchiropractic,she haspresentedherowndiscoveriesattheAmericanHolisticVeterinary MedicalAssociation,theMidwestVeterinaryConferenceandhasbeen akeynotespeakerseveraltimesattheannualAmericanVeterinary ChiropracticAssociation’sannualconference.Thewell-received “CanineMassageforYourDog”classesarealwaysasell-out!“Iwanted togiveownerssomethingthattheycoulddoathomewiththeirdog. Thistimeisbonding,healingandrewardingforbothdogandowner,” saidDr.LiVolsi.
InPennsylvania,chiropractorswhoworkwithanimalsfall underthejurisdictionofthePennsylvaniaBoardof VeterinaryMedicine.Theboardstatesthatachiropractor musthaveaveterinaryreferralfromavetwhoisonsiteand workundersupervision.Dr.LiVolsiworksexclusivelyat Point2forHealthyPets,PointBreezeVeterinaryClinic’s well-patientofficelocatedat415GettysburgStreet, Pittsburgh,PA15206.
Dr.LiVolsispeaksregularlytolocalclubs–contacthertoday tocheckavailabilitytohaveherspeakatyourgroup’snext meetingorevent!ComevisitherattheupcomingPetExpo!
Visitwww.drdinalivolsi.comforfurtherinformationandto contactDr.LiVolsidirectly.
Gentlechiropracticcareforyourdogsandcats underveterinaryreferralandsupervision. CertifiedbytheAVCAsince1998.
2.5WEEKSUNABLETOPUTWEIGHTONHINDLEG!
Mr.Coopisa7.5-year-oldboxer.HecametomeinmidJuly2013witha historyofrighthindlegproblems.Hewouldlifttheleg,hewastentativeonthe leg.Atonepointandforagoodwhilehewouldnotevenputpressureonthe legbutjustholditupintheair.Hewas,“onthrees.”Becauseofthishehad troubleplayingandrunning,whichhetotallylovestodo.Theconditionwas evenaffectingbasicwalks.Momwasbummed.
Wegotourfirstresultsjustafteronevisit,he“sleptbetterallweek,andthere waslesslimping”,buthisqualityoflifewasstillsubpar.Aftertwovisitshewas 50%improved,hewasabletorunuphillandhadmuchmoreenergy,butcameuplimpingsignificantly afteranyincreasedactivity.Byvisitthreehehad “Nolimpingatall!”
Asofyesterday’svisit,aonemonthfollowup,hecontinuedtohave nolimp afterafullmonth’sworthofrunningandplayinglikeamaniac.Mr.Coopis nowbacktoMr.Cool!Andthat’safactJack!
FALLS,MISSESSTEPS,LIMPS,LOWENERGY…
MeetKaylee!Sheis14!Shedoesn’tlook14thoughdoesshe?ShedidwhenI firststartedseeingherabouttwomonthsago.Mom’sinitialworrieswerethat Kayleewaslimpingonherleftfrontleg,noticedmorewhenshewasgetting up.Shealsofellalotandwasmissingsteps.Shehadbeengraduallyslowing downforayear.Wellsheis14,right?Thatisjustoldage.Whatcanyoudoaboutthat? OnourlastvisitMomreportedsheismoreactive,more alive,shenowrunsandplays,anddoesflying leapsontothecouch…sureshemissessometimes, but sheisabletogetbackupandtryagain!Shehad notdoneanyofthesethingsinalongwhile.Basicallyshewaslivingtodie…nowsheisvitalandfullof life. Fourteen,Schmorteen! Restoringvitalityonelifeatatime.
DC,CCSP,CVCP
Dr.Savkoworkswiththefollowingveterinaryclinics: MeadowlandsVeterinaryHospital,Washington,Pa SuburbanAnimalClinic,Butler,Pa, DelmontVeterinaryHospital,Delmont,Pa, FoxRunEquineCenter,Apollo,Pa
Over13years experience
ENTERTAINMENTSCHEDULE
Friday11/1
AnimalArena
5:00p-9:00p...GroomingCompetition
5:30p-6:00p...JanetJacksonAnimalReiki/ AnimalCommunication
6:00p-6:30p...ClassicK9Show
6:30p-7:00p...Mr.O’s
7:00p-8:00p...WildlifeDefenders
8:00p-8:30p...ClassicK9Show
Saturday11/2
AnimalArena
10:00a-5:00p..GroomingCompetition
10:15a-11:00a.WildlifeDefenders
11:00a-11:30a.ClassicK9Show 11:30-Noon...Mr.O’s
Noon-12:30p..BelletheTherapyDog
12:30p-1:00p..Dr.DinaLivolsi
1:00p-1:30p...ClassicK9Show
1:30p-2:15p...BabyReadyPets
2:15p-3:00p...WildlifeDefenders
3:00p-3:30p...ClassicK9Show
3:30p-4:00p...Dr.DinaLivolsi
4:00p-5:00p...BabyReadyPets
5:00p-5:30p...ClassicK9Show
5:30p-6:00p...Mr.O’s
6:00p-7:00p...WildlifeDefenders
7:00p-7:30p...ClassicK9Show
DockDogs
11:00a-8:00p..BigAirQualifyingRounds
Sunday11/3
AnimalArena
10:00a-5:00p..GroomingCompetition
10:15a-11:00a.WildlifeDefenders
11:00a-11:30a.ClassicK9Show 11:30p-Noon..Mr.O’s
Noon-12:30...BelletheTherapyDog
1:00p-1:30p...ClassicK9Show 1:30p-2:30p...WildlifeDefenders
2:30p-3:00p...Mr.O’s
3:00p-3:30p...ClassicK9Show
3:30p-5:00p...GroomingGrandParade DockDogs
11:00a-4:00p..BigAirQualifyingRounds subjecttochange
2KrewSystems
3DPhotoCrystalsbyLooxis ofVirginia
6DavidCompany/NiceDoggies
&PrettyKittys
APlaceforPaws
AivilasPetProducts
AndisCompany
AngelRidgeAnimalRescue
AnimalAdvocates
AnimalCare&Welfare
AnimalElegence
AnimalFriends
AnimalRescueLeague
Anne’sPetProducts
Annie’sPoochPop
AnswersPetFood
ArabianRescueMission
Arks-N-Barks
AVETS
BadaBingPetProducts
BanfieldPetHospital
BathPlanetofWesternPA
BeaverCountyHumaneSociety
BelaCoopAnimalHospital
BeyondBodyPads
BiggiesBullies
BioGroom
BlueBuffalo
BobbieGlue,Inc.
BoulderDesigns
BullyMaxSupplement’s
ButlerCountyHumaneSociety
CampBowWow
CanadaPooch
CatAroundTown
CatintheBag
CattoysbyGallileo
CedarCreekPet
CenturyInsurance/VPI
ChampionWindows
ChiaraFotographic
ChromeBones
Clara’sCollars
CoatsnTotes
ColdNoseBakery
ColorMeMine
ContainaPetofWesternPA
CreativeStitchesbyDina
CulliganWater
CustomDogJacketsbyJillLee
CustomQualityPetFurniture
Danne’sGifts
DazzlesStoryLockets
DirectBuy
DogItalia
DogPoopBags.com
DogsonDeployment
DozenBakeShop
Dr.ChiroVet-HolisticCareforAll
AnimalsLargeandSmall
Dr.DinaLivolsi–Animal
Chiropractor
DuncanHomemadeDogTreats
EarthBath
EdwardJones
EternityPetMemorial
EverdryWaterproofing
FlipFlop® Dogs,LLC
Florida’sBest
Frankie’sFriendsCatRescue
FreePetRxDiscountCard
GiantEagleGiftCards
GoingHomeGreyhounds
GoldKeyResorts
GoldenTriangleObedience
TrainingClub
GrandmaBowser’sInc.
GreaterPittsburghJointand
MuscleCenter
GreenMountainEnergy
GreenfieldGroomingSalon
GreysLandingGreyhound Placement
Groomer’sHelper
GutterHelmet
GutweinK-9
HealthyPetProducts
HelloBully
InCareofCats
InternationalJudgesAssociation (IJA)forPetGrooming InvisibleFence
ItWorks!
J&DWaterproofing
KleinCutlery KRITTERKOOKS KurandaDogBeds LADSPetSupplies/Carna4 HandcraftedDogFood
Larry’sLaundromutt LeafFilter Leashlocket
LegacyRemodeling LifesaversAnimalRescue
MaryKay MerrickPetCare Mid-AtlanticWaterproofing MidwestBeagleRescue, EducationandWelfare
Mr.O’s–TheDogTrainingPlace MyCanineKids/Binki+Boo MyDogPaws
NagrobekMemorials
NashAcademy NationalAssociationof ProfessionalCreative Groomers(NAPCG) NaturallyTearfreeCanineL.L.C. OakCrestPetCrematory P&CReplacementWindow PamperedPaws-N-Claws
PatnicConstruction
PawPrintsPhotography
PawrateTreasures
PawsHereAwhile
Paws-itivelyPurr-fectPetCare
PawsitivelyPurrfectMobilePet SpaandSitting
PeakPerformanceChiropractic andMedicalCenter PetBakeryofOakmont PetLand-Monroeville PetPDC
PetSearch
PittsburghPetconnections,LLC. PittsburghPostGazette
ProfessorAmosProducts Puplight PuppyPaws
Purr-FectPawsKittyAdoptions PVSEC
QuickSwitchCollars RenewalbyAndersen RingersPetDogTraining Rollier’sHardware
Ryan’sPetSupplies
SatelitteConnections
SavvyPetShopLLC SchmoopsieCouture
Scrappy’sCloset SeacayEnterprises SevenFieldsVeterinaryClinic SimplySweetShoppe SitMeansSit SteelCityPetSittersLLC StillDreaming SundanceVacations
Surefit
TearosePhoto
ThatGuywiththeBirds TheCorkFactory&Lot24 TheDogStop TravelResortsofAmerica
TribTotalMedia
UpperCervivcalChiropractic VacationVillageResorts Veronica’sDoggieDelights VibrantPets
Wahl
WashingtonAreaHumane Society
WexfordFarmsPetFoodLLC WhiskerBiscuits
WildlifeDefenders Woofer’sDelight
Zelda’sSongL.L.C.
Rescueme,takemeinyourarms,Rescueme,Igotpawsnotarms Rescueme,takemehome,Rescueme,Idon’twanttobealone
NASHANDIJAHOSTGROOMINGCOMPETITIONFORRESCUEDDOGS
NashAcademy andthe InternationalJudgesAssociationof DogGroomers(IJA) willhostTheRescueRodeoRoundUP competitionsatthe7thAnnualPittsburghPetExpotohelpfindhomes forrescuedogsthroughaseriesof6groomingcompetitions.NASHand IJAareproudtopartnerwiththeNationalAssociationofProfessional CreativeGroomers(NAPCG)tooffer3creativestylingcompetitionsas well.NAPCGdoesmuchworktowhicheducateandpromotesafecoat coloringanddecorativecoatartapplicationsonman’sbestfriend.
AtthePittsburghPetExpo,IJAwilljudgesixRescueRodeoCompetitions fromthirteenrescuegroupsincludingdogsofallsizes,breedsand coattypesbecause“bigorsmall;NASHlovesthemall”.IJAwillalso judgethethreeCreativeCompetitions..
THECOMPETITIONS:
6RESCUERODEOCOMPETITIONS
3THEMEDfortheloveofdogsandgettingthemahome
•EveryDogHasitsDay,IsthismyDay?
•RescueMe,IWanttoBeinYourArms
•DogGoneit,IWantaNewHome
3THEMEDfortheloveofdogs–ShortandSassyMiniMutt Makeovers(smoothcoatdogs)
•DirtytoFlirtyin30minutes
•SexyandShinyin60minutes
•NeatandNiftyin90minutes
3CREATIVECOMPETITIONS
•CreativeColoringandDecoratingCreations,
•SalonCreativeColoring,DecoratingandStyling
•ExtremeSensationalCreativeCreations
NashAcademyandIJAarebothfamilyownedandoperatedandtreat theirstudents,competitorsanddogslikefamily.Theytrytoalwaysengage theaudienceandpetfamilies,sothisPetExpowillbenoexception.
•Thecompetitionsarealsodesignedtobefunandexcitingforpet familiescreatingjudgingsystemstoallowpetloverstobecome apartofthevotingprocessawardingtheFanFavoriteAward.
•Runwayawardceremonieswillfeaturecompetitiondogs,judges, competitorsandthepetowners.EX:TheMuttStrut–Dogstaketothe CatWalk
•SpecialannualawardstobeintroducedsuchastheJohnNash MemorialScholarshipAward–anopportunityforonepetloverto “BeAllTheyCanBe,AtNashAcademy”withaFREEenrollmentinto theTraditionalProgramforDogGroomingatNashAcademy. ThewinnertobeannouncedattheEXPO,valuedat$7950. VisitusatNashAcademyfordetailsonhowtoenter. www.nashacademy.com/Web/na.nsf/page/John_Nash_Memorial_ Scholarships.
THENASHACADEMY
NashAcademyisaninternational,innovativeandcreativetrainingacademyforanimalartsfounded in1979.Theacademy’sinternationalreputationandsuccessisbuiltonagenuineloveandcompassionfor animals;treatingdogslikemembersofthefamily.Since1979,theacademypridesitselfoncontinuing toprovideitsstudentswiththemostuptodateandprofessionalcat,dogandhorsegrooming trainingthatthepetindustryhastooffer.
IntheUnitedStatesandaroundtheworldNashAcademyproudlyprovidesitsgraduates,internationally, astateoftheartfacilityfortraining,onlineandonsitepracticaltraining,andqualifiedandcertified instruction,allofwhichisdeliveredwiththecompassionandsafetyoftheanimalsasapriority. Trainingincat,dog,andhorsegroomingisavailablethroughonlineandonsiteeducationcourses. Graduatesexperiencesuccessatthehighestlevelsthroughcontactwithcelebritygroomers, competitiongrooming,salonowners,mobilegroomersandinternationaljudges. Visit www.nashacademy.com tolearnmoreabouttheNashAcademy.
THEINTERNATIONALJUDGESASSOCIATION
ThefoundersofIJA,VivianandthelateJohnNash,beingpetloverscoupledwithagenuinepassion fortheartofgrooming,believethatequalopportunitiesandfairnessmustalwaysexistforall competitorsinthering.
IJAisveryproudofitsmissionto“Standardizeandpromotefairandequitableplacementof contestantsinprofessionaldoggroomingcompetitions,agreeduponandacceptedbyapanelof threeormoreIJAjudges.”
IJA’sfoundersarealsotheproudownersoftheNashAcademyofAnimalArts.TheydesignedtheIJA SystemtocreateanexcellenteducationalenvironmentatallIJASanctionedCompetitions.Thesystemis designedtotrainnewandexistingshowpromoters,judgesandcompetitorsusingthesamepoliciesand procedurestoestablishandmaintainastandardintheartofjudginggroomingcompetitionsworldwide. JohnandVivianNashproudlyadaptedtheNashAcademyphilosophy“BeAllYouCanBe,AtNash Academy”totheIJAsystem,expandingitfromnotjuststudents,buttoshowpromotersandjudgesas well.Allcompetitionsarescoredon:
•Technicalability
•Expression/profile
•Degreeofdifficulty
TheprofessionalobjectivesofNashandIJAcanbesummedup:
•Loveofdogs/treatthemlikefamily
•Compassionforthedogsaswellastheart
•Education–ongoinganduptodateforall petlovers
•Fairness/equalopportunityforallcompetitors
•Funeventsforeveryone
•Provenexpertiseandskillsintheindustry
TheseobjectivesaresupportedbytheNAPCG;makingNash,IJAandNAPCGthe“TerrificTrio”for thesecompetitions.
NAPCG-TheNationalAssociationofProfessionalCreativeGroomers wasfoundedin2009 toprovidegroomerswiththenecessaryinformationtounderstandandeffectivelyutilizecreative groomingtechniquesinthesalonaswellasthecompetitionringwithoutcompromisingthecomfort orsafetyoftheanimalinvolved.Theassociationisalwayshostingeducationalwebinarsmakingiteasy forpetloversandprofessionalseverywheretostayinformed.The6creativeawardsforeachofthe 3creativecompetitionsaretailoredtoaloveofdogsandpetsafeproductsarealwaysusedtohelp eliminatethestigmathatsomepeoplehaveaboutcreativedogstyling.
NACPGpridesitselfoneducatingthepubliconthe“safetyofcreativegrooming”!Provingthatwhen donerightbyprofessionalswiththerightproducts,“Colorwon’thurt,buthelpthemflirtinthepark”. http://thenapcg.com.
ADVERTISERLOCATOR PleasesupportourAdvertiserswho makethispublicationpossible. Tellthemyousawthemin PetConnections!
(seeadpg26)
(seeadpg6) 5 OddballPets&Aquariums (seeadpg2) 6 SWPugsw/SpecialNeeds (seeadpg7)
(seeadpg36) 8
(seeadpg5)
TheEnglishHornLtd (seeadpg33)
PittsburghVeterinarySpecialty& EmergencyCenter (seeadbackcover)
FurEverGreenDogSpa (seepg23) 13 BackToBasics (seeadpg30) 14 Ringer’sPetDogTraining (seepg23)
15 VibrantImages (seeadpg4)
16
(seeadpg35) 17
(seeadpage11) 18 TheGatewayatSummerset (seeadpg11)
GroomingWithCare (seepg23) 21 PetsburghDog&CatGrooming (seeadpg29)
22 Westminster’sPetMinistry (seeadpg12)
23 PittsburghPetExpo (seeadpg1)
24 5thAvenueFido (seeadpg26)
25 Dr.DinaLiVolsi (seeadpg15)
26 WesternPAHumaneSociety (seeadpg27)
26 NagrobekMemorials (seeadpg36)
27 GoldenTriangleObedienceClub (seeadpg29)
28 VictoriaStilwellLecture (seeadpg21)
AllNaturalHoofCare (seeadpg33)
VISITOUR ADVERTISERS INDICATEDINRED ATTHEPETEXPO!
ADVERTISERS
AmericanVeterinaryCharitableFund (seeadpg28)
AngelRidgeAnimalRescue (seeadoninsidefrontcover)
AnswersPetFood (seeadpg16)
CampBowWow (seeadpg11)
Chris’sCanineClub (seepg23)
CoventryEquestrianCenter (seeadpg35)
Howl-A-Ween (seeadpg29)
FancyCreations (seeadpg5)
GentleJourney (seeadpg36)
HAAWC (seeadpg29)
HolisticCareforAnimals (seeadpg16)
JudithLevy (seeadpg31)
J&DHomeImprovements (seeadoninsidefrontcover)
KSJonesPhotography (seeadpg35)
Molly’sCanineAcademy (seepg23)
NicoleBegleyPhotography (seepg23)
PawsHereAwhile (seeadpg26)
PortraitsofAnimals (seeadpg24)
TheRoganRexfordBloodBank (seeadpg9)
SuccessjustClicks (seepg23)
VCAAnimalHospital (seeadpg20)
TheWorkingPaperHorse (seeadpg33)
Zelda’sSong (seeadpg13)
“Takingstepstoimproveyourpet’swell-being”
CATCORNER
Inmid-SeptemberFaithBjalobok,PhD,withhergraduate philosophyclassatDuquesneUniversity,“ThePhilosophyof Animals”,convenedaseminarentitled“TheInvisibleCat”to discusstheplightandtreatmentofcatswholiveinourmidstbut withouthumancaretakersinaformalhuman-animalbond relationship.Theseminarwasthekick-offeventofPennsylvania’s SixthAnnual“WeekforAnimals”.
TheInvisibleCat
Speakersrepresentedmostoftheorganizationsadvocating specificallyforaffordablespayandneuterservicesforcatsinthe Pittsburghareaasonehugesteptowardreducingthepopulations ofcatswholiveonthestreet.Ms.Bjalobokwasaspeakeronbehalf oftheFluffyjeanFundforFelines,aWashingtonCountylow/ no-costfelinespay/neuterprogramofwhichsheisthefounder.Other speakersincludedCarolWhaley,coordinatorofAnimalFriends’ low-costspayandneuterprogram;MichelleBruceofFixUrCat, thenot-for-profitWashingtonCountylow-costfelinespay/neuterprogram; BeckyMorrow,DVM,founderofFrankie’sFriendscatrescueandpresident oftheHomelessCatManagementTeam(HCMT),AlleghenyCounty’s programprovidinghigh-qualitylow-coststerilization;andRiséChontosofIn CareofCats,thesanctuaryinElizabeth,PAforcatspositiveforFeLV.
Thecatsdiscussedarereferredtoasstraysorferals,homelesscatsor communitycats,evenasvermintobeeradicated,butinonewayoranother, they’vecometoliveoutsideofhumanhabitationwithoutahumancaretaker.
Sheltersalloverthecountry,andtheworld,strugglewiththeissueofpet overpopulationeachday,especiallywiththemillionsofunintendedkittens borneachyear.Unfortunately,manycatslosetheirlivesinthestruggleboth inandoutsideofsheltersandalsosufferabandonment,abuse,starvationand injurywhiletryingtoliveonthestreets.Howcanacompassionatehuman kill,maim,neglectorstarveanotherlivingcreature?Onewayistodepersonalize it,takeawayitsidentityandturnitintoanameless,facelessobject,andthereby makeitinvisibletotherightsandprivilegesofsociety.
Abandonedandhomelesscatsarelargelyinvisibleinthisway.Thoughtheyare thesamespeciesastheoneswhosleeponourheadstheyarenotseenassuch, treatedassuchorlegislatedassuchbymostindividualsandcommunities.
Mostofthecatsyouseeonthestreetarenot“feral”astheyaresooften categorized,asiftheyareadifferentbreedorevenspeciesofcat,somehowless deservingofhumanetreatmentthanacatwhohasaresponsibleowner.Most catswho’vespentevenashortamountoftimeonthestreetbecomewaryand defensiveandstaythatwayuntiltheyfeelsafeagain,evenwhenahumantries torescuethemfromtheirsituation.Givenafewdays,weeks,evenmonths,in gentleunderstandinghands,though,thehardshellthey’vedevelopedwillwear awayandthehousecatemergesonceagain.
thelaw.FromSection5511whatahumanisresponsibleforinrelationtothe animaltheyhavetakenintotheircare:
Apersoncommitsanoffenseifhewantonlyorcruellyilltreats,overloads,beats, otherwiseabusesanyanimal,orneglectsanyanimalastowhichhehasaduty ofcare,whetherbelongingtohimselforotherwise,orabandonsanyanimal,or deprivesanyanimalofnecessarysustenance,drink,shelterorveterinarycare,or accesstocleanandsanitaryshelterwhichwillprotecttheanimalagainst inclementweatherandpreservetheanimal’sbodyheatandkeepitdry.
Thosepeoplewhoareabandoningthesecatsareindeedbreakingthelaw andshouldbepunishedforit,butthelawsarenotenforcedandinfactvery fewpeopleevenknowtheyexist.
Butinsteadofenforcinglawswealreadyhavetoresolvetheissue,communities alloverthecountryaremakingnewstatutestopreventthefeedingofoutdoor cats,todisbandordefundTNRprograms,eventotrapandkillasmany outdoorcatsaspossibleto“getridoftheproblem”,ostensiblyfor“public healthandsafety”.
Removingorkillingcatsdoesnotsolvetheproblembecauseitdoesnot reducethenumberofcatslivingoutdoors–peoplecontinueabandoningcats becausethelawswehavetostopthemarenotenforced.It’sanirresponsible personwhostartsthischainofevents,whoadoptedthatcatthenintentionally abandonedthatcat,andyetcatsaremadetosufferforthisasiftheyarethe oneswhohadbrokenthelaw–andallcatssufferforit.
RiséChontosofInCareofCatsremindedusthat,“Wedomesticateddogs andcatsfirst,wetookthemoutofthewoodsandmadethemdependenton us,andnowwehavefailedthem.”
Andkittensbornoutsideofhumancontact,eventoamothercatgenerations removedfromhumancontact,ifrescuedyoungenoughandhandledby people,areimmediatelylikeanyothercute,playfulandfriendlykittenswe know.The“feral”isn’t“bornintothem”,it’ssomethingcreatedbytheir conditions,buttheirnaturebefore“nurture”atacrucialtimeistrulyalways thatofadomesticcat.And“feral”catsthemselves,raisedtoadulthoodwithout humancontact,oftenlearntolivewithhumansandevenbecomeaffectionate andrelaxed.
Buthowdothosecatscometoliveoutdoors,andshouldtheybetreated differentlybylawandbysociety?
Innearlyallcaseswherecatsarefoundonthestreet,theyaretherethrough theactionsofhumans–youngcatsfoundtobepregnantorwithkittenstaken offtosomeplacetheyhopefullywon’treturnfrom,sheandherkittens continuingtobreed,oracatwhoisn’twantedputoutsideandsimplynotlet backin.Andthoughmostpeopledon’tseemtorealizeit,Pennsylvaniahumane statuesareprettyclearonthepointthatthepersonswhodothishavebroken
BeckyMorrow,DVM,ofFrankies’FriendsandtheHCMTremarkedthat thoughspay/neuterclinicshadalwaysbeforebeenfocusedononlycatslivingon thestreetstokeepthemfromreproducing,theyarenowexpandingtheirmission toincludeallcatssothatprovidinglow-costspayandneuterwillhelptoreduce thenumbersofcatswhoenduponthestreets.“Nowwetargetanycatinthe communitythatisnotspayed,”shesaid.Andnomatterthestatusofthecat, whetherapetorunownedorlivinginamanagedcolonyoutdoors,“Wedo whateverittakestomakelifebetterforthekitty.”Andateveryclinic,allkittens andasmanyfriendlycatsaspossiblearenotreturnedtothestreetsbutarepulled fromtheranksandputinfosterhomes,andfoundpermanenthomes.
Allspeakersandthoseattendingagreedthatspayingandneuteringcatsis keytoreducingpopulationsonthestreetsandinshelters,andthatthecostof spayorneuterisoftennotaffordablebypeoplewhoareotherwiselovingand compassionatecatowners.Aggressivelyspreadingthewordaboutlow-cost spayandneuterprogramsiskeytoreducingpopulationsonthestreetsandin shelters,andtherebyelevatingallcatsfromthestatusof“invisible”.
EachoftheorganizationslistedunderthespeakersandeachofPittsburgh’s sheltershasalow-costspayandneuterclinic.Pleaselookthemupandspread theword.
BewareofBlogs
Everyyear,around$45billiondollarsis spentondogandcatfood.Thisbig businessleadstobigeffortstocornera shareofthatmarketusinganythingfrom competitiveadcampaignstodoggedsales reps.Petfoodcompaniesaretryingeverything togainsalesandretaincustomers,evenif thatmeansdabblingin deception.
Mostpetparentstake totheinternetlooking foradviceonwhatto feedtheirpets.Pet foodreviewsiteshave largelyremained impartialintheirrating, whichhasprovedathorn inthesideofthepetfood giants.Independent websitesconsistently ratethempoorly.
This,unfortunately,meansmostreviews onlinearequestionable.Frommessage boardstosocialmediasites,peoplearebeing paidtoactlikesatisfiedcustomersregardless ofwhetherornottheyactuallyusethefood they’repromoting.Theonlywaytoget aroundthisistodoyourownresearch.
Petfoodcompaniesrespondedbyhiring armiesofreviewers,bloggers,andpromoters tomaketheirproductssoundmorefavorable ontheinternet.Herearetwojobdescriptions postedrecently:
“Nutrishislookingfor10dogbloggersto helppromoteaPinterestcontestwhereone winnerwillwinayear’ssupplyofdogfood!”
“DiamondNaturalsGrainFreeislookingfor 15DogBloggerstoworkwithandshare informationaboutGrainFreedogfood.You donotneedtofeedDiamondNaturalsGrain Freedogfood,oranykindofGrainFree dogfoodtoparticipate.”
Ingredientsandwherethoseingredients comefromaretheonlytrueindicationof thequalityofthefood.Ingredientlistsare requiredbylaw,butthesourcesofthe ingredientscanbeadifficultthingtotrack down.Goodcompaniesknowwherethey sourcefrom,andmakethisinformation accessibletoconsumers.
Oneeasyplacetostartyourresearchis SusanThixton’s PledgetoQualityandOrigin Thispledgeisasimplelistofingredients, theirgrade,andthecountryoforigin,signed offbytheCEOorPresidentofthecompany. It'sahugeundertaking,butanimportant oneinensuringtransparencyandquality inaneverchangingindustry.Youcanalso checkwww.dogfoodadvisor.comor www.petfoodratings.org.
Companiesthathaven’tsignedthePledgeto QualityandOrigincanstillmakefantastic food.Checktheirwebsite,contacttheir customerservicedepartments,anddiginto thecompanyasmuchasyoucan.Ifthe sourceoftheingredientsisn’tonthewebsite, acustomerservicerepshouldbeabletoget youtheinformation.Goodcompaniesare usuallyhappytohelp,astheyhavenothing tohide.
Whenlookingfortheperfectfoodforyour pet,bypassthepetfooddeception.Do yourownresearch,andfocusonwhat matters:quality.
Ifyoudon’thavethetimetodoyourown researchwehavealreadydoneitforyou. Stopin,wewillgladlyhelpyou.
HAAWCisa501(c)(3)organizationthathonors theHumanAnimalBondasasourceofwellness forindividuals,familiesandcommunities.
Guidedbythebeliefthatanimalsareagatewaytohuman healing,HAAWCintendstodevelopbothurbanprograms andruralsanctuariesdesignedtoimpact communityhealth,safetyandwellness.
HAAWCisraisingfundsforupcoming animal-relatedprogramming.
www.haawc.com
UPCOMINGEVENTS: OBEDIENCE&RALLYTRIALS SaturdayandSunday, October12and13,2013
PittsburghIndoorSportsArena(PISA), 22RichHillRoad,Cheswick,PA15024
TRACKINGTEST
Sunday,November3,2013
MingoCreekCountyParkbywayofFinleyville/SugarRunRoad& Furda’sRollingGreenAcresFarm,locatedonRoute136,EightyFour,PA.
HealthyOutsideandIn
BySharonSatterfield,ND
Manyofyouhaveheardmetalkovertheyearsabouthowimportantitis tokeepourselveshealthyontheinside.Howeveritisequallyimportant tobewiseaboutwhatyouputonyourbodyaswell.TheTVshowsusendless commercialsontopicallotions,makeup,toothpaste,shampoosand conditioners,hairspray,haircolorsandgels,evendeodorantsandthelistgoes on!Letmeremindyouourskinisourlargestorgan,manyarenotawareof that.SowhateveryouputonitWILLgetintoyoursystemandotherorgans. Thinkaboutthat.Wecannotdomuchabouttheairwebreathe,butwecan drinkhealthywaterandwecanputhealthythingsonourbodies.Cancer continuestobeontherisealongwithmanyauto-immuneproblems.Ibelieve, asmanyotherNaturalHealthcareprovidersthatthechemicalsanddyesinall ofouroverthecounterpersonalproductsareapartofthecause.
TheDentisttellsusweneedfluoridetreatmentsandfluorideinour toothpastetopreventcavities,theyevenputfluorideinourdrinking water…ifyouhavecitywater.Doyouknowhowdangerousitis?Itisthe numberonereasonforHypo-Thyroidisminthiscountry.Wewon’tdie fromacavitybutfluorideDOESdamageourbody,sodoesthemercury fillingtheyputinourteethifwegetacavity.Everreadaboutmercury poisoning?Notaprettypicture.Thelistofhealthissuesitcausesisamile long.Ourimmunesystemsareoverwhelmedwithchemicalsdayafterday alldaylong.SuretheFDAapprovesallofthesethings,theysay“Ohitissuch asmallamountitwon’thurtyou”.Wellthinkabouthowmanyproducts youuseeveryday365daysayearandhowmanyeveryoneelsedoesthatis aroundyouthatyouarebreathingin.Itmountsup!Thebodywasnot designedtobeabletohandleallthesetoxins.Weweregiventwoglandsthat sitalongthejawlinecalledtheparotidglandswhich,inadditiontoadding salivatomoistenfoodbeforeweswallowarealsodesignedbyGodtofilter outtoxins.Wewonderwhysomanyhaveallergiestoenvironmental chemicals,toxinsandallergens.Thepoorthingsarewornout!!Nowthe goodnewsistheycanberepaired,butwehavetostopusingsomany chemicals.Thatincludescleaningproducts!Therearemanyaromatherapy oilsthatwillcleananddebugyourhomeandtheysmellgreattoo.For instanceteatreeoil,oregano,neem,grapefruitseedextract,cloveand pepperminttonameafew.IevenusethemwhenIflytopreventcatching anythingontheplanefromthosewhotravelsick.Wecarrymanyoilsatthe shoppethatcanbeusedasperfumeoraddedtoanymassageoilorlotion.
Deodorantsandantiperspirantsareanotherbiginvadertothebody. Especiallyantiperspirants.Theymaykeepyoudrybuthaveyouever
Wecarryallnatural,foodbased,excipient-freevitamins, herbsandsupplements&personalproducts. WealsohaveavarietyofherbalteasandlocalhoneyfromBedillionFarms. Ourotherservicesinclude:•IonDetoxificationCleanse•Consultationswith SharonSatterfield,ND•FeaturingtheZytoSelectBiocommunicationScan •Consultationsforthewholefamilyandyourpets! 412-343-8156www.back2basicsinc.com LebanonShops|300Mt.LebanonBlvd.
wonderedhoworwhy?Theyclogupourpourssoourbodydoesnotsweat. Notgood!!!Sweatingisawayforthebodytocooldown,italsohelpsusto detoxify.Evergonetoasaunaorsweatlodgeoranythingelsethatisdesigned tomakeussweatfor“healthpurposes”?Itisgoodtosweat,weactuallyneed to,itisthebodieswayofeliminatingtoxins.Sowhystoptheprocessand createthepossibilityoflymphaticcancer?Wecarrymanyallnaturalsafe deodorantsthataresafe.Myfavoriteisthecrystalstonewhichisactually madeupofminerals.LastsaVERYlongtime,andpreventsthatunderarm smellweallwanttoavoid.Avoidantiperspirantscompletely!
Bodylotionsandskincareproductsisanotheroffender,manychemicalsin theretoo.Whynotjustusecocobutterorsheabutter,oliveoil,calendula andcamomile,manukahoneylotion,wheatgermoil,VitaminEandC, Na-PCA,Aloe,almondoil,grapeseedoil,orcoconutbutter.Thesearethe bestproductseverforyourskinandmanyhelpwithvariousskinconditions. Manukahoneyactuallykillsmersa,didyouknowthat?Calendulaisgreat foreczemaandpsoriasis.VitaminCoilactuallyhelpspromoteyourbody toproducemorecollegenfortheskinortohelpreplacewhatwehavelost duetoagetokeepithealthyandtoned.Nowletmesayagecatchesupwith allofusduetothelackofhormones.Soletsnotfoolourselvesintothinking wecanlook20at60,butwecanstillhavehealthy,vibrantlookingskin,even ifwehaveafewwrinkles.:-)Alsorememberdrinkenoughwaterforhealthy skin,dehydrationtakesatollonallourorgansandglands!!
Teatreeoilisverygoodforacneandclearsitupquickly!Neemisan antisepticandalsopreventsfleasandticksonyourpetalongwithlavender oilandmosquitobitesonhumans.Wehavebeengivensomanywonderful thingsfromourcreatorandhisnaturalpharmacytotakecareofourselves. Weneedtousethem!Wealsohavemanysoapsmadefromaloeandolive oilandverysoongoatmilk,alongwithmanyofthearomatherapyoils. Theyareverygentletotheskinandneverdrying.Thesameforallofour shampoosandconditioners.
Lastbutnotleasthaircolor!NowIknowmanycolortheirhair.Ididtoo formanyyearsandIunderstandthatneedtodoit.Howeverthinkabout usingnaturalhaircoloring.Therearemanysalonsthatcarryitnowdaysdue tothedemand.Askaroundorpurchaseyourowncolorandtakeittoyour salonordoitathome.Waytoomanychemicalsincolorings.Ireadan articleacoupleyearswheresomemedicaldoctorsbelievehaircoloringisa dangertowomen!!Alsoskincareproducts.Imaginemysurprise!Who wouldhavethoughtDr’swouldadmittothat?Certainlynotme!!LOL
WellIbelieveIhavecoveredeverythingonthissubject.Pleaseconsider changingyourmindontheproductsyouuseonyourbodies.Myphilosophy hasandalwayswillbe“ifGodmadeit,eatit,oruseit…ifnot,DON’T.Man hasmadealotofthingsoutofnaturalplantsetc..theproblemisoncethey changethenutrientsorcompoundsofthatplanttheybecomechemicals andchemicalshurtus!Justusethenaturalformoratleasttheleastamount ofprocessingaspossible.Ihaddinnermanyyearsagowithacouplefriends, onewhoownedafuneralhome.Iaskedhim“doyouthinkallthechemicals weuseinfoodandpersonalproductseffectsus?”Youknowwhathisanswer was?“SharonifyoucouldseewhatIdowhenIhavetopreparethesebodies fortheirlovedones,youwouldbeshocked!Nottomentionthosewhodo autopsies,thedamagetotheirbrainsandorgansisamazing!!Weactually wouldnothavetouseembalmingfluidthebodieswouldnotstartthe decayingprocessforquitesometimebecauseofsomanypreservativesin thefoodsthesedays.”MyquestionwasansweredandIwasleftspeechless foramoment.Somethingtothinkabout,howaboutyou?
GodBless,Sharon
EnergyMethods isacollectivetermusedtorefertoavarietyof energyhealingtechniquesbasedontheuseandmodificationofenergy fields.EnergyMethodsaredesignedtoassesswherethemind/body’s energiesareblockedornotinharmonyandthencorrectandbalance theflowoftheseenergiestherebyaligningthemind/body’senergies toboosthealthandrestorevitality.
MeridianTappingTechniques isthenamegiventoavarietyof innovativeenergyorientedcoachingandself-helpmethods.MTTuses theancientChinesemeridiansystemtobalanceaclient’senergywith agentletouchandbreathingprocedurewhichstimulatesthe meridianholdingtheenergytobereleased.
WHATISTHOUGHTFIELDTHERAPYAND HOWCANITHELPYOU?
ThoughtFieldTherapy isaMeridianTappingTechniqueandis usedforenergeticdisturbances;Itprovidesacodethatwhenapplied toselfdefeatingbeliefs,stressorblockstopersonalgrowthand transformation,coupledwithfocusedattention,willeliminatethose disturbancesintheThoughtField.
TheThoughtField: Einsteindemonstratedthateverythingis energy(E=mc2).ThoughtFieldTherapyisbasedonthepremisethat eventhoughtisenergy.(Callahan, TappingtheHealerWithin).The ThoughtFieldistheelectromagneticfieldthatiscreatedwhenone
ThoughtFieldTherapy… AMeridianTappingTechnique HowItCanHelpYou
ByJudithLevyM.Ed.,CEHP,RMT
thinksaboutanegativestate.Asyouknowwehavesophisticated equipmentsuchasanelectroencephalogramtomeasurebrainactivity. Whilewecannotyetmeasurethoughtenergyitisnonethelesscreated inthe“field”whenweprocessmentally.WhentheThoughtFieldis outofbalanceordisturbedthemind/bodyconnectiondoesnotfunction effectivelyandwethenmaynotfeelwelloraccomplishwhatwedesire. Forexampleifyoufeelstressedandthatstressinterfereswithforward movementorifyouwanttomakeachangeinyourlifebutfeelblocked tohavingthatsuccess,ThoughtFieldTherapymayhelp.
ThoughtFieldTherapy usesalgorithmsorrecipestorestore thebody’senergysystemsandtoreturnharmonyandboostmental, emotional,physicalandspiritualhealth.Puttingthesealgorithms intopracticetohelpyoumoveintoamorepositivestateslooks somethinglikethis:
•Focusonapainfulmemory,blocktoagoaloruncomfortable negativebelief.Rateyourdiscomfortfrom1-10intensitywith10 beingtheworst
•Taponthemeridianpoints(sameasacupuncturepoints)thathave beenestablishedtobepartofthemeridianswherethedisturbance isstored.ThepractitionerusesAppliedKinesiologyorMuscle Testingtoidentifylocation.
EnergyInterventions
Anevidencedsupportedmind-bodyapproach thatgoesbeyondtalk
Transformselfdefeatingnegativebeliefs
Reachgoalsthathavefeltoutofreach
Feelbetter&acceleratehealing www.judithlevywellness.com
•Youthencontinuetofocusontheproblemwhiletapping/ humming/countingandthendoingeyerollsinbothdirections. Clientsmaythinkthisisallstrangebutthereisagoodreasonfor thisprocess…Thisseriesstimulatesandbalancestheenergiesin variouspartsofthebrainandhelpstodecreasetheintensityor theproblem.
•Youthengobacktosteponeandtwoandrepeattappingtherecipe oralgorithmwhilecontinuingtothinkabouttheproblem.
•Thisprocessiscontinueduntiltheproblemratesatanumber zerooroneintensity.Atthispoint,thethoughtormemorythat previouslyactivatednegativeemotionsnowcreatesaneutral thoughtoremotion.
Ifyouarehavingacurrentlifedifficultyorarefacingchallengesin yourlife,TFTalongwiththehelpofyourinternalresourcesmayhelp youovercomeobstacles. Visit www.judithlevywellness.com formoreinformationonenergy modalities.
EQUINEAFFAIRS
ByNancyFrishkornCHCP,BA
WhenAbscessGoesUntreated–theSequestrum
Ifyouownhorses,chancesaregoodthatatsomepointeitheryouor someoneyouknowspentmanyhourstendingtoanabscess.An abscessiscollectionofpusinanareaofthebody(inthiscasethehoof capsule)thatcausesseverepainandswellingduetothebody’simmune system’sattempttofightofftheinfection.Thispusisactuallyexcess whitebloodcellsandtissue(livinganddead),fluid,bacteriaandother foreignsubstances.Thewhitecellsarethebody’snaturaldefenseto infectionthatreleasesdestructivecomponentsafteridentifyingandbinding withbacteria.Theirpurposeisto“kill”theharmfulbacteria,butinthe processhealthytissuesarealsodamaged.Inthehoof,thisdamagemost oftenoccursinthelaminaeandbonystructurewithin;inotherwords, ifnottreated,thecoffinboneitselfbeginstodegenerateandweaken, causingsmallpiecestobreakaway.Aspartoftheinflammationresponse, morewhitecellsaresenttothesitetoremovethedamagedtissue(the clean-upcrew)whichactuallycreatesevenmoreinflammationand subsequentlymorepain.Thepiecesofbrokenanddamagedtissuearenot distinguishedbythebodyandthenaturalimmunesystemsubsequently treatsthemasforeignobjects;hence,thesystemtreatsthebonepiecesas “foreignobjects”–thesearewhatareknownassequestrum.
ThisisthestoryofColt,abeautifulgeldingwhohadpoorhoofcare beforeCarla, PittsburghPetConnections CEO,foundhim.Thereare someindividualswhobelievethehooves cangomonthswithouttrimming,and otherswhofeeltheycantrimthemselves despitethefactthattheyhavehadno trainingorpoortrainingatbest.Coltwas onesuchvictimofcircumstance,andhe cameintoCarla’sloveanddevotionin needofimmediateattention.Hishooves werelongandimbalanced,andaftertwo trimshewasstillexperiencingintermittent lameness.Localvetswerecalledandhis abscessingwasopened,buttheycontinued tofesterdespitemanyhoursofsoaking, drainingandtreatmentswithdrawing salve.Afterseeingnoimprovement,itwas decidedheneededtoseekclinicalattentionforasecond opinionandfilms.
pictureshowsthepieceofbone beingremovedandjusthow smallthepieceofbonewas;its removalwasimperativefor Colt’srecovery.
Beforethesurgery,Dr.Burks scrapedoutallthehardlaminae fromthebottomofthehoof toensuretherewouldbeno residualbacteriasinvadingthe capsulethatcouldpotentially causereinfectioninthehoof. Hisintuitionsservedhimwell whenitwasdiscoveredthattheverytipofP3(coffinbone)wasextremely brittle.Heconcludedthatthiswasdamagedalongtimeagofromold abscessingthathadcausedthisareatoweakenandnearlybreakaway.By makinganother“window”inthehoofwall,Dr.Burkswasabletopreserve mostofthewallstructureandremovethisweakenedareaaswell.He commentedtomethatthetip“fellaway”whenhemerelytoucheditwith hisforceps,soittoowasremovedandneededpackinguntilitgrewout. Thisthirdpictureshowstheactualprocedureduringsurgerywhenthe forcepswereinsertedintothetoewallto removethesequestrum.
ColtwassenttoFoxRunEquineCenterinApollo,PA, whereDr.BrianBurks,DVMDipl.ABVP(Equine) diagnosedalateralsequestrumonColt’sleftfronthoof.This firstpictureshowsColt’stractonfilm;youcanseesomelines comingfromthesideofthehoofdrainingdownbytheback oftheheel.
Thisisthesitethathadbeenopenedfromtheoutsidebar (hoofwallbesidethefrog)butneverdrainedoutcompletely. Inside,thereisapieceofbrokenbonethatwasdamageddue theaccumulationofpusforalongperiodoftime.Dr.Burks usedadremeltooltodrillasmallholeintothequarter(side ofthehoofwall)toremovethissequestrum.Thesecond
I’veworkedwithmanyvetsovertheyears, butI’venevermetonequiteasthorough andopenmindedasDr.Burks.The traditionalprotocolforanyrespective procedureishospitalplates(widealuminum shoes)thatstayonformanymonthsto supportthehoofduringhealing.Because Burketooksuchcaretomakeminimally invasiveopeningsforremoval,Colt wasleftwithadequatehoofwallfor support.Carlawasadamant inkeepingColtasnatural aspossible,meaningshe wantedhimtoremainbarefoot, andherespectedherwishes. Iwascalledtomeetwith Burksaboutfollowuphoof careandwemutuallyagreed hecouldremaininahoof bootthatwouldnotonly supporthishoof,butalso providebettercoveragefor theopenedareasthatneeded dailytreatments.
ThislastpictureshowsColt’s opentoeareafivedaysafter surgerywhenhewastakenout ofwrapsandplacedinahoof boot.
Treatingahoofinjuryis difficultontheowneraswell asthehorse.Carlawasgoing toneedabootthatwouldnot onlycovertheentirehoofwall,butalsoonethatcouldbeeasilyremoved andstrongenoughtowithstandseveralmonthsofcontinuouswear.Colt wasratherstubbornaboutliftingthehoofforhisdailytreatment,soease ofapplicationwasanabsolutenecessity.Iamfamiliarwithseveralboots, butthebestchoiceforthissituationcalledfordurability,fullsupport andeasyremovalaswellsothatnofurtherdamagewouldoccur.Icould thinkofonlyonebootthatwouldserveherpurpose,andonethatshe wouldbeabletokeepforyearstocomeincasesheeverneededthem again–theEasybootRX.
FromMarchtomid-MayColtworehisbootsdayandnight.Hewas soundatawalkalmostimmediatelyafterthesurgeryandbecausehe hadaboothewasabletogetturnoutinthearenaandasmallpaddock everyday.Weactuallybootedbothfronthoovestomakesurehewasn’t offbalanceonthefrontandthiskepthimsounderwhilesimultaneously avoidinganyshoulderpressureorfurtherinjury.Carlamadesurethathis hooveswerekeptasdryaspossibletoavoidanyrubbingduetoexcess moistureorsweatbyremovingthemdailyfortreatmentsanddryingthe
backofthehoofbeforereplacingtheboot.Thismovementhelped facilitatethehealingprocessandbytheendofMaytheentirewallhad grownoutcompletelywithnofurtherproblems.WithinamonthColt wasevenabletodoshortridesinhisbootsandtodayheisdoingvery well.Hehasnothadanabscessinnearlyayearandhissolesaretough becausehehasrelocatedtoafacilitythatenablesfullturnoutandnatural wear.CarlahassincepurchasedapairofEasybootTrailbootsforlong rides,andwearegratefultonotonlyEasycarefortheirsupremeproducts, butalsotoDr.Burksforhisopen-mindedapproachtonaturalhorse keeping.ThankstoCarla,Colthasawonderfullifeandhishoofissues arenolonger…heishappy,healthy,andsound.
EQUINEAFFAIRS
ISYOURHORSEBALANCEDLONGITUDINALLYAND LATERALLYWITHFOURWAYSTRETCH?
“Yourhorseneedstobebalanced,” thetrainersays, butwhatdoesthetrainermean?Balanceforthehorsecomes intwovarieties:horizontal(frombacktofront)andlateral(fromside toside).Whenwegymnasticallytrainthehorse,oneofthegoalsisto trainittohavebalancebothforwardandback andonbothsidesofitsbody.Thegoalisto haveabalancedandsupplehorsethatwill,by therider’scommand,stretchitsbackandneck forwardanddownand/orbenditsbody laterallyaroundtherider’sleg.Awell-trained horsethatisbothsuppleandbalancedwillhave whatIcall,“fourwaystretch.”
Mostridersmaynotthinkaboutthebalanceof thehorse,andmayassumethatthehorseis balancedbyitself.Certainly,thehorseisnot fallingover,thatisforsure.But,whenamore educatedriderbeginstotrainahorse,then horizontalorlongitudinalandlateralbalance withinitsbodywillbecomegoals.Mosthorses mayappearbalancedonallfourlegs,butlike peoplewhoarepredominatelyrighthanded, horsesarepredominatelybenttotheright.That meanstheyliketobendtotherightandare slightlycurvedlikeaC,orbananashapedin thatdirection.Sinceahorsetravelsonfourlegs itcertainlyappearsbalanced.butifyouwalkor trotahorseandtrytoputitonastraightline youwillseehowitsheadandneckleanina certaindirection.
Thisphotoshowshowabalancedriderwithher threenaturalaidscanridethehorseforwardand putstraight.Thehorseisinhorizontaland/or longitudinalbalance.Itsheadiscenteredbetween theshoulders,theshouldersareinalignmentwith thehaunches.Asaresult,thehorsewilltrack evenlyfrombothhindlegs.
Ahorsethatisbentrightwilllikely'fallin'towardstherightona straightlinebecausetheinsidehindlegdoesnotcomeasfarunder
byKristinHermann
Thisriderisbendingthehorselaterallytotheleft.The horsesheadisofftotheleftside,whichlengthensthe rightsideofitsbody.Horsesshouldbeabletobend equallyonbothsidesofthebody,totheleftandthe right.Therearecertaingymnasticexercisestoothat helptobendthehorselaterallysuchasshoulderinand haunchesin.Thisismerelyneckbending.
andcarrythehorse’slongbodyforward.Theriderwhogymnastically trainsthehorsetotrackstraightwoulduseanoutsidesupportingrein tostraightenthehorse’sheadandneckkeepingitin alignmentwiththeshouldersinsteadofallowingit toswingtotheright.Theoutsidelegmayalsohave tobecomeinvolvedkeepingthehorse’sribcage behinditsshoulders.Rideyourhorseforwardand putitstraighttoachievebalance!
Straighteningahorsetoputitinbalancerequires notonlyaligningtheheadandneckinthemiddle oftheshouldersbutalsomovingtheshouldersto alignwiththehorse’shindend.Horses’spinesare horizontal:thatiswhyitiscalledhorizontalbalance. So,justlikepeoplewhocarrytheirheadinthe middleoftheshoulderswithaverticalspine,horses’ headstooshouldbeinthemiddleoftheirshoulders andtheshouldersalignedwiththehipsorhaunches. Whenthehorsetravelsinalignmentwithitshead centered,shouldersinfrontofthehips,andstraight fromtailtopollthenitwillworkevenlyonallfour legs.Ridingthehorsestraightandmaintaining alignmentbothlongitudinallyandlaterallyandnot allowingthehorseonlytobendinitscomfortable directionwilltrainthehorsetouseitshindend evenlyinsteadoftrackingshorterwithonehindleg.
Lateralbalancemeansthatthehorsebendsevenlyonbothsidesofits bodytotherightandtotheleft.Ifyourhorsepreferstobendright,like mosthorses,andyouaskittogostraightwithanoutsidereinandleg thishelpstobalancethehorse’sbody.Inaddition,laterallybending thehorsetotheleftonacirclewillalsohelptolengthenthehorse’s shorterrightside(thatiswhyitbendstotheright)andencourageit tobebalancedequallyonbothsidesorlaterally,andlessbananashaped totheright.
Willthehorseevernotbendtotheright?No!Because,thisishowit wasmade.IfIwasbornlefthandedandsomeonetaughtmetowrite withmyrighthand,Iwouldstillbepredominatelyrighthanded. Traininghorsesisaprocess,andjustbecausearidercangetahorse straightdoesnotmeanthatthehorsewillstayforeverstraight.Arider needstocontinuetointeractwiththehorsebyusingthethreenatural aidstokeepitinbalance.Ridingisaverb,anactionword.Ridingis somethingwedo.Certainly,ridingahorsecanbeapassiveadventure toosuchashackinginthewoodsandnotcaringifthehorseisstraight orinbalance.But,totrainthehorsegymnasticallytobestraightand inbalancefromfronttoback,plusbendequallyinbothdirections whileoncircles,willkeepthehorsesuppleandsound.AtCoventry,we havehorsesintheirmid-twentiesstillbendinglaterallyandstretching longitudinallyorhorizontallylikefour-year-olds!
Ifyouthinkyourhorseisstiffornotbendinginonedirection,try workingitinbalance.Everyhorseisdifferent,butthemajorityliketo bendtotheright.Sothenexttimeyoumount,figureouthowtoline upthehorse’sshoulderswiththehipswhileputtingthehorse’shead andneckstraightonastraightlineandonacircle.Bendittotheleft whentrackingleftonacircle,putitstraightwiththeoutsidereinwhen circlingtotheright.Ridingyourhorsetoputitstraightresultsin balance,orthehorseworkingevenlyonbothsidesofitsbodyand acrossthetopline.Bydoingthis,youwillbecomeamoreadeptrider andyourhorsewillbecomemorebalancedbothlongitudinallyfrom backtofrontandlaterallyfromsidetoside.Or,fourwaystretch.
kjonesphotography88@gmail.com www.kjones.smugmug.com 724-825-9025
•FreelanceRidingInstructor-forlessonsandclinics
•Learntotrainthehorsegymnasticallyusingsimplifiedriding techniquestocreateamoreathletichorse&ridercommunication
•Improveyourridingdialogforalldisciplines
Call724-206-9902,orvisitwww.CoventryEquestrianCenter.com
introducingachildto riding,fulfillingalifelong dream,renewinganold hobbyorjustlookingfor someplacenew,wecan help.Contactusand seehoweasyitisto getstarted!
Holisticand
ConventionalCare:
•FullServiceAnimalClinic
•PreventiveHealthCare
•GeneralSurgery
•Radiology
•Dentistry
•HolisticCare
•Acupuncture
•Vaccine&VaccineCounseling
•NutritionCounseling &NaturalRawDiets
•Chiropractic
•ChineseHerbalMedicine
•TherapeuticLaser
Dr.Doug TheHolisticVet
Dr.DougKnueven practicesan integrativeapproachtopetcare.Heis wellversedinconventionalveterinary medicineandhasbeenlicensed since1987.Heisalsocertifiedin acupuncture,Chineseherbalmedicine, andchiropractic.Heisamemberof theAmericanHolisticVeterinary MedicalAssociationandhasadvanced traininginnaturalnutrition,massage therapy,homeopathyandahostof otheralternativetherapies.
•HealingTouch&MassageTherapy
BEAVERANIMALCLINIC
WeatBeaverAnimalClinicbelieve inthepowerofcaring. Caringforourpatientsasourownpets. Caringforourclientsasourfriends. Caringforeachotherasourfamily.
Hours:Mon.–Thurs.9-8;Fri.9-5 Sat.9-3;Sun.Closed 357StateAvenue|Beaver,PA15009 724-774-8047
www.facebook.com/BeaverAnimalClinic
AtBeaverAnimalClinic,Dr.Dougoffersafull rangeofoptionsforthetreatmentofdiseaseand themaintenanceofhealth.Westernmedicine tendstofocusonfightingdiseasewhileholistic medicinestrivestostrengthenthebody.These twogoalsarenotnecessarilymutuallyexclusive. Anintegrativepractitionerworkswiththebest ofwhatthesetwophilosophieshavetooffer pickingandchoosingfromthefullmenuof optionstoputtogetheratreatmentplanthat isidealfortheindividualpetandhercaregiver.
Dr.IngridRhinehart earnedher veterinarydegreein2011fromCornell University.Duringhertimeinveterinary school,shefocusedonsuchthingsas bringingveterinarymedicinetolow-income families,helpingpeoplecopewiththeloss ofapetbyvolunteeringonthePetLoss Hotline,organizingcommunityeducation eventsandhelpingtobringholisticand complementarymedicinetothecollegeand theveterinarystudents.SheisaCertified VeterinaryAcupuncturistandlooks forwardtoexpandinghertrainingin integrativemodalities.
Shesharesherlifewithherhusbandand theirthreefabulousGreatDanes(Aurora, LuckyandHarry),onesmartandsassy Doberman(Ace),andaveryentertaining Hermann’stortoise(Scooter).
