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•PreventiveCareFocused

•OfferingSurgery,Radiology, Laboratory,Pharmacy andmuchmore

•MonthlyEducationalEvents

WellnessWednesdays:

AtBelaCoopAnimalHospitalyourpet’soverallwellnessis veryimportanttous!HereatBCAHwebelieveinpreventative care.Thiscanbecomeveryexpensivesowehavededicated WednesdaystoWELLNESS.OnWellnessWednesdayswewill beofferingthreedifferenttypesofwellnessplansforboth catsanddogs.Thesewellnessplanswillbediscountedand includestandardtoenailtrimsandstandardearcleanings. PleasevisitourFacebookpageorcallustolearnmore. Calltodaytoscheduleyourpet’swellnessexam.

TheBelaCoopSpecial:

(anyday,nowthroughSeptember30,2013)

•PhysicalExam

•Completebloodwork,urinalysisandthyroidcheck

•Fecalexamination

•Standardtoenailtrim

Calltodaytoscheduleyourpet’s appointmentforsavingsover$120.00.

Puppyclasses:

StartingSeptember10,2013BCAHwillbeofferingbasic puppyclasses.ClasseswillbeheldonceaweekonTuesday eveningsat6:15pmandwillrunfora4weekperiod.

Puppies12weeksto6monthsofagearewelcome.However, theymustbecurrentonvaccines.Formoreinformation pleasevisitusonFacebookorcallustoday!

Hours:

Monday:8am-6pm

Tuesday:8am-6pm

Wednesday:10am-7pm

Thursday:8am-6pm

Friday:8am-5:30pm

Saturday:8am-12pm

Sunday:CLOSED

PPCMagazine SeptemberNews:Iwouldliketoextendaverywarmthankyoutoallwhocontributedtomakingitavery successfulfirstyear!The PPCMagazine staff,PattiSutkowski,BernadetteKazmarski,KaraJones,andSavannahFleminghave putinmanyhoursofhardwork,dedicationandheart.Iamespeciallygratefultothisexceptionalteam!Ourwriters,advertising sponsorsandanimalorganizationsalsodeservespecialthanksfortheircontributionsto PPCMagazine andrecognitionforthe specialworkthattheydoforpeopleaswellasanimals.

PPCMagazine isdedicatedtoourmissionofeducatingpeopleonthebenefitsofTheHuman-AnimalBond.Ouranimals teachuslove,compassion,andtrust.Theyenrichourdailylivesandshareinourtrialsandtribulations. PPCMagazine looks forwardtoofferingexpandedcoverageoflocalnews,events,andalsofeaturingspecialeditionsassomeofourreaderssuggested. We’llcontinuetoprovideoutstandinginformativearticles.We’llalsocontinuetoassistourPittsburghareanon-profitorganizationsasamediapartner,throughour featureddirectoriesandfeatureadsandarticlesandsponsoringevents.

PPCMagazine reallyenjoyssponsoringandattendingeveryeventwecan,smallandlarge.Iamalwaysverypleasedtomeet readersandtheirpetsandanimalorganizations.IamhonoredwhenIhearthatwearemakingapositivedifferenceintheir liveswith PPCMagazine.OurAugusteventsincludedPawsfortheCausewiththeWesternPAPoliceBenevolentFoundation andjoiningAngelRidgeAnimalRescueattheWashingtonCountyFairandtheirLuckyDogDaysBingoevent.

isIssue: OurSeptemberissuefeaturesmanymorelocalpetevents!Pleaseseetheeventcalendarpageinthisissueonpage5. Ourwebsite www.pghpetconnection.com/calendar alsohasaneventcalendarandadditionaleventlistings.Wewelcomeyou touploadaneventforyourorganizationatnocostandsubmityourdirectorylisting.

Mybackgroundofover25yearsasaveterinarytechnician,veterinaryhospitaladministratorandnon-profitfounderhasled metocreate PittsburghPetConnections Magazine.Mygoalistolead,shareandhealthroughtheHuman-AnimalBond (HAB).Iwouldliketopersonallythankallofthankyouforpickingup PPCMagazine. Takecareofyourself,aswellasyour animalsandbewell!

Warmly,

CarlaMader CEO&Publisher

PittsburghPetConnections,LLC.

PittsburghPetConnectionsMagazine

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

GraphicArtist .......................PatriciaSutkowski

Photographer ...................KaraJonesPhotography

ContributingWriters: Ourcontributingwritershavemanyyearsof combinedexperienceandexpertiseinthefieldsofveterinarymedicine andtheHuman-AnimalBond.

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THEHUMAN-ANIMALBOND

Spirituality—howdoyoudefineit?Iseeitasawayoflivingthat requiresasearchforwhowereallyare,forthemeaningofour lives,andthathonorsourconnectiontoahigherpowerandallthat is.Humansarenottheonlyoneswithaspiritualnature.Naturehas aspiritualnature.Everyindigenouscultureunderstandsthatthereis aconsciousnessandspiritualconnectionthatflowsthroughanimals andtheearth,justasitdoeswithhumans.

OurPetsAs SpiritualTeachers?

byDr.SusanWagner

Manyofusdon’tthinkofourpetsasbeingpartofourspiritualpath, butIbelievetheyare.Theyareofadivineessence,andtheyarealso areflectionofwhoweare.Ifwewanttolearnmoreaboutourselves, weneedonlyobserveourpets.Theywillshowusthejoywecan bringtolifeandtheunconditionalloveallhumansareinstinctively capableof.Theycanalsoexhibitourweaknesses,sothatwemaygain clarityandovercomethem.Ifyouseeanissuewithyourpet,lookin themirror.Notwithjudgmentandshame,butwithgratitudefor theawarenessandopportunitytoheal.

Thisisoneofthemostamazingwaysanimalsareofserviceto humans.I’mnotspeakingofdomination,oranentitlementthatwe havewithanimals.Beingofservicetousisinstinctivetothemand partoftheirconsciousness.Andisn’tthatthehighestspiritualstatea humancanaspireto?Whenoneiscompletelyofservicetoanother, heislivingatrulyspirituallife.Peoplemustawakentothisstate. Animalsarebornthere.Jesuswasn’tborninamangerbecausethere wasnoroomattheinn.TherewasnoroomattheinnbecauseJesus hadtobeborninamanger—humbleyetsacredsurroundings.

Dr.SusanWagner isaboardcertified veterinaryneurologistwhosepioneeringwork acknowledgesthebioenergeticinteraction betweenpeopleandanimals.Sheisanadvocate forchangeintheareaofinterpersonalviolence andanimalcruelty,andworkstowarda greaterunderstandingsurroundingthehealth implicationsofthehuman-animalbond.

Dr.WagnerisanAdjunctAssistantProfessorat TheOhioStateUniversityVeterinaryCollege,a LevelIVHealingTouchforAnimalspractitioner andco-authorof ThroughADog’sEar.

DowntownBeaver 6373rdStreet Beaver,PA15009

724-774-1731

www.vibrant-images.com

Eco-friendlybirdhouses, windchimes,jewelryfromSeattle andHawaiianartists,landscape andwildlifephotography.

& ANIMALHEALTHWELLNESS

IamaveterinaryanesthesiologistatPittsburghVeterinarySpecialty andEmergencyCenter,theonlyresidencytrainedveterinary anesthesiologistinWesternPennsylvania.RightnowIamsureyouare eitheraskingyourself,“Whatintheworldisaveterinaryanesthesiologist? Ihadnoideathatspecialtyexisted.”or“Doesn’teveryveterinary hospitalhaveaveterinaryanesthesiologist?”

Veterinary Anesthesia

byDr.DiannaOvbey,DVM,MS, PracticeLimitedtoVeterinaryAnesthesia

BeforeIenteredtheveterinaryfield,Ididn’tthinkmuch abouttheprocessofsurgerymybelovedpetsexperiencedat ourlocalveterinaryclinicinthesmallcityofDalton,Georgia. Iknewthatpeoplehadadoctor thatperformedthesurgeryand,I assumed,wasalsoinchargeof makingsurethepatientmadeit throughanesthesiaandsurgery; thatisgenerallyhowallthe currentandpreviouslyexisting medicaldramasportray surgeryontelevision.Inmost veterinaryclinicsandhospitals aroundthecountrythatisa truedepictionofhowsurgeryis performed,butdidyouever wonderhowthoseveterinarians learnedtoperformanesthesia? Everyveterinaryschoolinthe UnitedStateshasatleastoneandinmostcasesmultipleveterinary anesthesiologiststhatteachveterinarystudentshowtoperformthe safestandmostidealveterinaryanesthesiainavarietyofanimalspecies.

veterinarianqualifiestotakeaboardcertificationexam.Anesthesiologists canpracticeveterinaryanesthesiawhilewaitingtotakeaboard certification.Oncetheboardcertificationexamhasbeenpassedthat veterinarianbecomesamember/diplomateoftheAmericanCollegeof VeterinaryAnesthesiaandAnalgesia(ACVAA).

Youmayask,“Sodoesthatmean,myveterinarianisasurgeonandan anesthesiologist?”Theansweristhatingeneralveterinarypracticeyour veterinarianwearsmanyhatsandmusthaveageneralknowledgeofall facetsofmedicineincludingsurgery,anesthesia,dermatology,internal medicine,andpracticallyanyotherdivisionofmedicineyoucan imagine.Thedifferencebetweenanyspecialist,includingveterinary anesthesia,andgeneralpractitionersofveterinarymedicinearethe additionalfouryearsoftrainingrequiredfortheopportunitytotakean examforboardcertificationinanyofthemultipleveterinaryspecialties available.Veterinaryanesthesiologists,likeotherveterinaryspecialists, haveaveterinarydegreealongwithaone-yearinternshipandthree yearsofresidency.Aone-yearinternshipallowstheveterinarianan opportunitytotrainwithavarietyofspecialistsineachdepartmentand aresidencyallowsaveterinariantotrainwithoneparticularspecialty forthreeyearssothattheymaybecomeanexpertintheirfieldof choice.Atthecompletionofathree-yearanesthesiaresidencythe

TheAmericanCollegeofVeterinaryAnesthesiaand Analgesiaisstillarelativelynewentityasitwas establishedin1975.SinceinceptionoftheACVAA theroleoftheanesthesiologisthascontinuedto evolveduetoanincreaseddemandformore specializedveterinaryservicesforpetsbythegeneral public.Historicallyveterinaryanesthesiologistswere employedstrictlybyveterinaryteachinghospitals forthepurposesoftrainingveterinarystudents, veterinaryinterns,andveterinaryresidents.Asmore andmoreprivateveterinaryreferralcentersopen (hospitalsinwhichmultipleveterinaryspecialists suchassurgeons,internists,ophthalmologists,etc. worktogether),theinterestinaddingveterinaryanesthesiologytothe listofservicesofferedhasandwillcontinuetogrow.Aveterinary anesthesiologist’sroleasamemberofthereferralcenter’steamincludes butisnotlimitedto:anestheticplanningforandmanagementofall casesanesthetized,supportandeducationforveterinarytechnicians performinganesthesiathroughoutthehospital,clienteducation, trainingofvisitingveterinarystudents,veterinaryinterns,and veterinaryresidents,continuingeducationforlocalveterinarygeneral practitioners,andpainmanagementconsultation.

Iamsurenowyouarewonderingwhathappenstoyourpet whenhe/shecomestothehospitalforsurgery.Themorningof surgerywhenyoudropyourpetoffyouwillbegivenashort historyformtobefilledout.Ireviewyourpet’shistorystarting withthehistoryform,Iwillthenreviewanybloodwork performed,andthendoaphysicalexamonyourpet.After reviewingthepatient’shistory,previousanestheticepisodes, bloodworkandphysicalexam,Isitdownwiththeveterinary technicianassignedtoyourpet’scaseandwegooverthedrugs tobeusedanddiscussanycomplicationsweexpecttosee

duringsurgery.Thepatientisgivenamedicationtocalmany anxietyandrelieveanypainpriortosurgery.Afewminutes afterthemedicationisgivenaveterinarytechnicianwillplace anintravenouscatheter;wewillusethiscathetertoadminister fluidsandanymedicationsneededforsurgery.Whenyourpetis readyforsurgerywewillgiveadrugtoinduceunconsciousness withashortactingintravenousanestheticandplaceabreathing (endotracheal)tubeintohis/herthroatsothatwecanadminister oxygenandaninhalantanesthetic.Duringtheperiodthatyourpetis anesthetizedaveterinarytechnicianiscontinuouslymonitoring his/her:heartrate,breathingrate,bloodpressure,oxygenation, temperature,anddepthofbreathing.Theveterinarytechnician assignedtothecaserecordsthevitals(theabovedescribed values)everyfiveminutesonananestheticrecord.Muchlike otherreferralcenters,severalofthesesurgeriesareoccurringat onetimeandtheanesthesiologistmovesthroughoutthevarioussurgeriescheckingtherecordedvitalsofeachpatientassurgery proceeds.Ifaproblemsuchaslowbloodpressure(hypotension) occursduringsurgerytheveterinarytechnicianassignedtothe casewillalerttheanesthesiologistoftheproblemsothatwe mayintervenetocorrectanyissues.Whensurgeryisfinished

theinhalantanestheticisstoppedandthepatientisallowedto recoverwithoxygenthroughthebreathingtubeforseveral minutesuntiltheyareawake.Whenthepatientisawake,the breathingtubeisremovedandthepatientismovedtoarecoveryward forpostoperativemonitoringandpainmanagement.

Thankyoufortakinganinterestinveterinaryanesthesiology.Should yourpeteverneedsurgeryatPittsburghVeterinarySpecialtyand EmergencyCenterIwillbehappytospeakwithyouabouthis/her anesthesia.Iamheretokeepyourpetsafeandcomfortable.

Dr.DiannaOvbey,DVM,MS 807CampHorneRoad,Pittsburgh,PA15237 412.366.3400www.pvs-ec.com

HOLISTICCARE

byDougKnueven,DVM,CVA,CVC,CVCH

TheBody CanHeal Itself

Thebodyhasanincredibleabilitytohealitself.Ifyoucutyour fingeranddonothingbutkeepthewoundclean,withinaweek orsothatlacerationwillbeperfectlymended,oftenwithoutsomuch asascar.Somehowtheinnatewisdomofthebodyisableto:first, flushdebrisout ofthewound withblood,then clottheblood andcallinwhite bloodcellsto fightinfection, thensetupa scaffoldforthemigrationofskincellsoverthedefect,andfinally completetheprocessandstopwheneverythingisjustright.

Holisticmedicinetakesintoaccountthefactthatthe bodyisequippedwithitsownpharmacy.Evidenceof thisisseenintheplaceboeffect.Accordingto medicalstatistics,onaverage30%ofpatients willgetbetteriftheytakeasugarpillno matterwhattheirproblemis.Pain, depression,highbloodpressure,andlow bloodpressurecanallberemediedwitha placebo.Infact,placebotreatments havecausedwartstodisappear,healed stomachulcers,increasedtheactivityof whitebloodcells,andevencausedbald mentogrowhair.

Ofcourse,mypatientsareimmuneto theplaceboeffect.Faceit,Fidodoesnot believethatacupunctureisgoingto alleviatehisarthritispainandMissydoes notthinkasupplementisgoingtosettle herupsetstomach.Weconsidertheplacebo effecttobeacaseof“mindovermatter”but whatdoesthatreallymean?Tomeitmeans thatthebodycanhealitselfiftheright conditionsarecreated.Asaholisticvet,Itryto createtherightconditionsforthebodytohealitself.

Twomonthslater,Mr.Wrightreadanewspaperreportthatsaid krebiozenwasnotasgoodasfirstthoughandhestartedtoloseweight andthetumorsbegantogrow.Nowthiswasbackinthedaywhen doctorscoulddothingsthattodayareconsideredunethical. Mr.Wright’sdoctorsthoughtthattheplaceboeffectwasinvolvedin theirpatient’scancerrecovery.Theygavehiminjectionsofsterilewater andtoldhimitwasanewimprovedbatchofkrebiozen.Mr.Wright onceagaingainedweightandhistumorsshrank.

Unfortunately,hedidn’tlearnhislessonthefirsttimeandtwomonths laterhereadanewsreportthatsaid“theAMAdeclaresthatkrebiozen isworthlessagainstcancer.”Oncue,Mr.Wright’stumorsgrewand hediedtwodayslater.Itisamazingwhatanorganismcando.How wasMr.Wright’sbodyabletocauseendstagecancertodisappearfor monthsatatime?

Theplaceboeffectcanbequitestrongasseeninthecaseof Mr.Wrightwhichisdocumentedinmedicaltexts.Hehadbeen diagnosedwithadvancedLymphoma.Hehadlymphnodesthesizeof orangesandthenursesdrainedagallonofmilky,whitefluidoffhis chesteveryday.Hebeggedhisdoctortogivehimanewmiraclecancer curecalledkrebiozen.Thedrugwasgoingthroughclinicaltrialsand unfortunatelyMr.Wrightdidnotqualifybecauseonlypatientswho wereexpectedtoliveforseveralmoremonthswereincludedinthe study.Mr.Wright’sdoctorsthoughhe’dbedeadinamatterofdays.

Becauseofhispersistence,Mr.Wright’sdoctoracquiescedandgave himthedrugonFriday,expectingtofindthathehaddiedbyhis Mondaymorningshift.Instead,Mr.Wrightimmediatelygained weightandhistumorsshrank.Heleftthehospitaltendaysafter receivingthedrug.

Otherevidenceofthebody’sabilityforhealingis foundinthemanydocumentedcasesofspontaneous remission.Spontaneousremissionisdefinedas thedisappearance,completeorincomplete,of adiseaseorcancerwithoutmedicaltreatment ortreatmentthatisconsideredinadequate toproducetheresultingdisappearanceof diseasesymptomsortumor.

The“SpontaneousRemissionProject”is acollectionofsuchdata.Itcontains 3,500referencesfrom800journalswritten in20languages.Thiscompilationof informationincludesapersonwhowas HIVpositivewhowentnegative,a womanwithmetastaticbreastcancer whichresolvedwithouttreatment,aperson withabrainaneurysmthatmagically disappeared,andamanwithagunshot woundtohisbrainwhorecoveredwithout treatment.Thisinformationonspontaneous remissionscanbefoundathttp://noetic.org/ library/publication-books/spontaneous-remissionannotated-bibliography/.

Thefactthatthebodycanhealitselfiswelldocumented.Mygoal asaholisticveterinarianistostimulatetheanimal’sinnatehealing potential.Ialwaysrecommendnaturalnutritionandsupplementsto givethebodytherawmaterialsneededtocreatehealth.Sometimes Irealignthespinewithchiropracticadjustmentstoallowpropernerve function.OthertimesItweaktheanimal’senergysystemwith acupuncture.AndthentherearetimesthatIadjustthebodychemistry withherbs.Allofthesemethodsgentlycoaxthebody’ssystemsback intoahealthybalance.

OnaWingandaPaw… IWanttoGoHome

Power…love…wisdom… whenalignedwithinus,allowa streamofenergyandinformationthatrevealhonestinsights.Trust, courageandafortifiedselfesteemmustbethefoundationwhen enteringintothesilenceandaskingforsuchinsight,especially regardingalovedone.

InApril2013mykitty,Autumn,beganexperiencingnoticeablehealth problemswhichpromptedaparticularlyrevealingcommunication. Autumn’slitterboxhabitswerewaffling.Inthebeginningtherewere variousreasonsuncovered.Therewerevariousremediesappliedand changesmadetoaddressthesituation.Eventually,aveterinarian diagnosedherwithahyperthyroidcondition.

IdecidedtoaskAutumnthreequestionsthatIwouldaskanypet client:“Whatismosthelpfulformetoknowaboutyourcondition?” “HasyourpurposebeenfulfilledhereontheEarth?”“Isthereanyway thatIcanhelpyou?”

Autumn’smatter-of-factyetlovingresponseswere: Stopyourworrying. I’meatingwhenI’mhungry.I’msleepingwhenI’mtired.Keepmyroutine. Don’tmakememiserablewithmedicinesandherbs.Myearsfeelalittle

irritated,andIfeelalittleweak. Igotyouoverseveralmajor humpsinyourlife.Iplantostay justalittlelonger.Iplanto releaseoutofmybodynearAugust tobefreeinspirit.Iwantto gohome.

Uponinitialimpact,thisinformationfeltneutraltome.Afterwards whenIreadmynotes(IneedtowritenotessoIcanrememberthe conversation),myemotionsstarteddancinginandoutofthefear/trust mode.Fromthatpointon,Ihadtomakeaconsciouspracticeof choosingtoreturntothetrustmodewhenImentallyoremotionally felloutofit.

AthirdvetvisitinJuly2013providedevidenceconfirmingAutumn’s communication.Inadditiontothethyroidcondition,x-raysrevealed asubstantial,fast-growingmassnearherliverandalsonodulesinher lungs.Thisfinallyclarifiedtheliterboxhabits,weightlossandother uncomfortablesymptomsthatwehadbeenobserving.

HonoringAutumn’sclearcommunication,withcompassionate assistanceonJuly26,Autumngentlyreturnedhometospirit.During theprocedure,Isawmyparents,bothinspirit,lovingly,compassionately stepforwardtowelcomeAutumnhome.

AlthoughI’vebeenwadingthroughadeeplysaddenedheart,it’sa matterofflowandacceptance,isn’tit?Weareallinvitedtoflowwith theCreativeForcethroughbirth,sustenance,declineandtransition. WithAutumn’shelp,servingasmyfriendandteacher,Ihavedeepened myownabilitytotrust,especiallywhenitcomestoinsightregarding alovedone.

Thankyou,mypreciousAutumnGirl,foryourlovingpresenceinour livesthesepastsevenyears.Mayweallremainopen-heartedtonew adventuresunfoldingforyouwithyourreturninghometospirit,and newadventuresunfoldingforus,whoarestillwalkingourpathhere ontheEarth.

Listeninglightly,

Renee

ANIMALBEHAVIOR

DearJudith,

MyneighborshaveapartBeagledogthatbarksconstantlywhentheyleave theapartment.Theyhavetriedclosingthecurtainsandhaveputherinone ofthosespecial,tightfittingshirts,butneitherhavehelped…shewillbark forhoursonend.It’sbotheringalltheneighborsandmycatsgetrestless, yetwehatetotellthelandlordbecauseshe’ssocute&friendlyotherwise. Anyotherideas?

Thereareseveralpossiblecausesforadogtobarkalldayandabehavioral evaluationisnecessarytoclarifythecause.Itislikelythough,thatthislittle doghasamildcaseofSeparationAnxiety.

IcategorizetheseverityofSAin3levels; mild whichforexample,is whenadogbarksincessantlywhileyouareawayorperhapspantsagreat dealwhileyouaregone.Adogwitha moderate issuemayurinate, defecate,barkorsalivatesomuchthatherchestissoakedwhenyouget home.An extremecase usuallyinvolvesthedogdamagingyourproperty. Thedogispanickedandtriggeredusinghermouthorpawstoventher extremeanxiety–Ihaveworkedwithdogswhojumpedthroughclosed windowsandwhohavetornoffentiredoorframes.

Asalways,Irecommendyouruleoutanymedicalororganiccauseofthe problembyvisitingyourveterinarian.

Whataresomesignsthatyourdogmayhaveseparationanxiety?

•Followsyoueverywhereinthehouse

•Becomesanxiousoragitated(barks,criesetc.)whenyouleavethehouse togetthemail

•Barks,doesdamage,urinatesordefecateswithinthefirst30minutesof youleavingthehouse

•Seemstoget“worried”ormorewatchfulwhenyoustartyourmorning routinetoleavethehouse

•UrinatesordefecatesinthehouseonlyonMondayoronlyafteryouare homeforseveraldays

Whymightadoghaveseparationanxiety?

•IfeelthatinmostcasesSAstartstodevelopinthefearimprintperiods orsensitiveperiods(sevenweekstoeightmonthsandagainataround 14months).Whenadogiseitherleftalonetoomuchoris always with someoneand never aloneduringtheseperiods–itsetsthemuptohave adifficulttimebeingalone.

•Adogwhohasbeeninashelterorhasbeenextremelyisolatedcanhave adifficulttimebeingaloneoncerescued.

•Whenaresidentdogpassesaway,theremainingcaninecansufferfrom SAaswell.

Tipsthatmayimproveamildcaseofseparationanxiety.

•Donotmakeafussoveryourdogwhenyouleavethehouseorwhenyou gethome.Spend“closeemotionaltime”awayfromcomingandgoing.

•UseReiki,BachFlowerRemediesoracalmingproductfromthepetstore.

•Don’tletyourdogfollowyoueverywhereorlayontopofyouall evening.Closedoorsonhisfaceforbriefperiodsandmoveawayifhe isalwaystouchingyou.

•Exercise,exercise,exercise.

•Feedahealthydiet.Itisworthspendingabitextratohelpyourdog maintainbalance.

•Purchaseinteractivetoysforstimulationduringtheday.

•Havesomeonevisitandexercisemid-dayorcomehomeatlunchtime todoso.

•Ignoreyourdog’sdemandsforattention.Ifhecanmanipulateyouand getswhathewantsatanygivenmoment,itwillbemoredifficultfor himwhenyouleave.

Ifyouarenotabletotreattheproblem,youcanmanagethesituation.

•Leavingyourdogwithaneighborisagoodmanagementtool.

•Youcantradepetsittingwithafriend.

•Startagoodleadershipprogramwithyourdog.Sometimesrightsizing thepackwillgiveyourdogtheconfidenceheneeds.

•UsingBachFlowerEssencesandReikicanbehelpfulformildcases (especiallyinconjunctionwithagoodexerciseprogram.

•Makesureyoufeedyourdogahealthydiet.Youcaneducateyourself aboutdogfoodonwebsitessuchas TheWholeDogJournal.

•Youcanspeakwithyourveterinarianaboutmedication.Itisalways importanttothencombineagoodholisticprogramifyouchoose medication.

ThefollowingWILLNOThelpyourdoggetbetter.

1. Crating: Ifadogispanicked,cratingusuallymakesmattersworse.Your dogcaninjurehimself.Confiningthedoginasmallspacecanincrease theanxietyresponseaswell.Ifpossible,itisbettertoleavehiminasafe spacethathassomeroomtomove.

2. Punishing: Ihavehadclientstellmethattheirdog“knows”hedid somethingwrongwhentheycomehometoapuddleofurineorworse. Yourdogcanfeelyourangerandislikelyassociatingwithapast unpleasantexperiencewhenhehadthesamesuchexperience.

3. Gettinganotherpet: Iactuallydofeelthatanimalsgenerallyfeelbetter wheninthecompanyofanotheranimal.However,gettinganotherpet foryourdogwhenheisafullblowntriggeredconditionwilldefinitely nothelp.It will bemoreworkforyou!

Scheduleabehavioralconsultationifyouneedhelp.Waitingisnot advisedasanxietygeneralizesandtheproblemwillgetworse.

VisitJudithLevy’swebsite@www.judithlevywellness.com

“DONOT..DONOTTRYCHIROPRACTIC,ACUPUNCTURE ORANYOTHERHOLISTICMETHODS!!!”

“Tobyinjuredhisnecksomehow.Hewasinpain,hunchedover,holdinghishead down,andhaddifficultymovingaround.Hewasseenbyavetthreetimesin threeweeks.InitiallyTobywasgivenmedicationtoreduceswellingandmanage hispain.Wetriedthatfortwoweeksandhewasstillinpainandhadtobecarried outtothebackyardtogotothebathroommultipletimesaday.Itookhimback tothevetandhadtoaskforthemtodoX-raystoruleouttumorsoranything elsethatmightbecausingtheseproblems.TheX-rayscamebacknegative.Thatis whenthevetproceededtotellmehesuspectedaherniateddisc.Imyselfhavehad twoherniateddiscsatonetimesoIknewwhathewastalkingabout.Intalking aboutthesuspectedproblemImentionedIhadrehabbedwithchiropracticwork andPilates.Thevetinstantlysaid,“DONOT…DONOTTRYCHIROPRACTIC,ACUPUNCTUREORANYOTHERHOLISTICMETHODS!!!”HetoldmehethoughtToby’s onlychancewassurgeryandifIcouldnotafforditIcouldapplyforacreditcardtobeusedforthesurgery. Hewouldsendareferraltothespecialistandheknewhertobegood.Ilefthisofficeoffendedandupsetwith onlytwochoices.OnewassurgeryandtheotherwastoputmyTobytosleepbecausenowaywouldIlet himsufferanymorethewayhewas.ThatwasuntilIfoundDr.Michael!Afteronevisittherewasapointed changeinToby,afterthesecondvisitItookTobyoffofallhismedicationsandsawevenmorechanges.The thirdvisitleftmealmostspeechless.Tobynowlooksandactslikeapuppyagainandnotthe81/2yearold heis.Heiscurrentlybetterthanever!”

Tobymostlikelyhadjustsimplysprainedhisneck…goodthingtheydidn’tkillhimbecauseofit.Wedid onevisitattheMeadowlandsVeterinaryofficeandTobywasmarkedlybetterwithnopain,nohunching, noholdingheaddown,nosurgery,nomeds…justthathorriblenaturalhealingthatneverworks.

Whateveryoudo,DONOTtryanythingthatissimple,natural,hasalong,longhistoryofamazingand longstandingresults,haszerochanceofcausingharmorserioussideeffects,andisextremelycosteffective.;)

DC,CCSP,CVCP

Dr.Savkoworkswiththefollowingveterinaryclinics: MeadowlandsVeterinaryHospital,Washington,Pa

SuburbanAnimalClinic,Butler,Pa, DelmontVeterinaryHospital,Delmont,Pa, FoxRunEquineCenter,Apollo,Pa

Over13years experience

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Ringer’sPetDogTraining

Don’tBlame’Em–Train’Em!

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www.ringerspetdogtraining.com

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“Takingstepstoimproveyourpet’swell-being”

“Takingstepstoimproveyourpet’swell-being” “Walkingthedogs ofWashington County”

Dogwalking,withextendedservicesofpettransporttovetand groomer,andoccasionalpet-sittingforestablishedclients.Insuredand bonded,andtrainedinpetCPRandfirstaid.Calltoreserveyourspot!

I’verescuedandfosteredcatsforjustabout30years,usuallyliving withanaverageofninecatsincludingmy“permanentcollection”, thosewhowereneveradopted,andfosters,frombottlebabiestosenior citizens.In2012IlostCookie,20,andKelly,19,twoofmyfirst rescuesinthishouseandthelastofthoseoldfriends,andalsothelast inalonglineofnearlyyearlylosses,especiallyofveryoldcats.Idecided afterlosingKellyinAugustIwouldtakeabreakinfostering,vowing tostaywithmyfamilyoffiverescuedblackcatsuntilIfeltreadyto rescue,fosteroradoptagain;myhearttrulyneededabreak.

Storiesofcatsinneedrunpastmealldaylong,everyday,asIwriteand sharemyarticlesformyfeline-centeredblog, TheCreativeCat.And evenwithallthepleasofpeopleandcatsinneedI’vebeenhappyto livewithonlyfivecatswithnohealthorbehaviorissuesforthefirst timeindecades.InplaceoffosteringIdomybesttohelpothers whoarefostering,postingrescuestoriesandcatsforadoptionon TheCreativeCat aswellasallthesocialmediaavailabletome,and providingasmuchsupportasIcantothosewhoareoutonthestreets hands-onrescuingcatsandkittens.

ButIheardabouttwocats,19and20yearsold,whowerelivingina cageandneededanewhome,andforalltheothercatsandkittens andfostersandhardluckcasesthatrunbymeeverysingleday Icouldn’tseea20-year-oldanda19-year-oldbeingshuffledaroundin cages.I’velivedwithandprovidedcaretofartoomanygeriatriccats, Irememberthedelicatethinnessoftheirskin,theirfragilebonesjust beneathit,thesunkenhipsandcheeksasmusclewastesaway,how Isensedtheywerecompensatinginsomanylittlewayseverydaybut withthatfireofwillburningintheireyes,andIwoulddoanything theyneeded.

Ididnotwanttoseethesetwooldercatsinthissituation.Icouldn’t imagine,forinstance,CookieandKellyinthissituationatjustthe sameages.Ihadtakenintwo15-year-oldcatsfromasituationlike thisandthoughyoungertheyhadstruggled,andI’dlostonejust monthslater.ForallthesereasonsIknewIwasbetterequippedthan mosttohelpthesetwo.

Attheiragemostshelterswouldconsiderthemunadoptableandeither turnthemaway,orwarnthatthey’dbeputtosleep,andinfacttheir caretakerhadbeenadvisedtojusthavethemeuthanized.ButIsaidI’d takethem,sightunseen.Itdidn’tmatterwhattheylookedlike,they neededahome,andpossiblymorethanothercatsoutthereappealing toaninternetfullofhumanswhomighttakethemin.Kittensarefun.

byBernadetteE.Kazmarski

Adultcatsareaknownquantity.Geriatriccatsarefrightening.Their conditionisunpredictable.Theyrepresenttheimmediatepotentialfor lossandpain.Theyarewalkinginthefaceofdeath.Buttheyareliving, lovingcreaturesandafteralonglifedeservetolivethatlasttimeoflife withloveanddignity.

Bothweredehydratedandunsteady.Icouldseethattheoldercat’s eyeshadfadedfromSiamesebluetoagreenishgray,whichmight indicatejaundicerelatedtorenalfailureandthoughthemightnot havemuchtimeatall.Butafteraslowstartbothrespondedtoaquiet, comfortableroom,constantfoodandwater,transitionalflower essences,andloveandaffection.Lakota,theSiamesemix,evidenced aconfidentandfriendlypersonality,whileJojo,thelong-hairedblack female,wasfriendlybutreserved.Lakotabeganexploringmysecond floor,managingtogetuponmybedforanapandsupervisingmein mystudio.Theyweren’tcomingfacetofacewithmycatsbutclose enoughtohaveconversations,buteventhesegrewcivil.Ibeganto planonhowtointegratethetwo.

Butafteronlyfourweeks,Lakotasuddenlybegantoeatless,thenbe lessactive,andquicklydeclinedinamatterofdays.Aveterinaryvisit showedendstagerenalfailure.Wetriedaweek’sworthoftreatments tobringbackhisappetiteandprovidecomfortandhereceivedan acupuncturetreatmenttohelpbalancehisQi,buthedidn’trespond atall.

Sowasheslowlyfadingbutperkedupwhenhecameherewithamore stableenvironmentandjusttheexcitementofchange?Anewperson tocharmandmanipulate?Anewhometoexplore?Areasontolivea littlelonger?Likelyso.Andwelovedeveryminuteofthetimewe shared.Heleftthisearthlyexistencebehindalmostexactlysixweeks afterI’dcarriedhimintomyhome.

Lakotaknewhisendwasnear,yethedidn’tfearthenewadventure andanewpersontolove,andwhyshouldI,oranyofus?Whenwe considertakingananimalcompanionintoourhomeandourheartdo weneedtheassuranceofafulllifetimetogetherbeforewe’llagreeto it?Orcanwesimplyloveaslongasloveisthereintheflesh,and continueoninmemory?Weshouldnotforsakethejoyofloveforthe fearofloss.Losswillalwayscome.Notsowithloveunlesswewelcome itdespiteitsrisks.

AsacreativepersonIturnmyemotionsintoart,designandwriting, andforLakotaIdesignedanewanimalsympathycardwhichreads, “Neverenoughtime,buttimeenoughtolove.”

Hislifelongfurfriendseemswell,missingherfriend,buteasily affectionate.IchangedhernamefromJojotoEmeraude,befittinga ladyofsomedignifiedmaturitywithstill-brilliantgreeneyes.Ilook forwardtoourtimetogether.

ToFeedRAWor NotToFeedRAW???

Ifirststartedfeedingrawin2001andatthat timeIhadtomakeitorhaveitshippedto mefromOhio.UpontellingpeoplewhatIfed mydogtheyeitherlookedatmeasifIhad threeheadsortheythoughtIcookedformy dog.Neitherofwhichisthecase.

Therawcategoryhasgrownsignificantly sincethenandcontinuestodoso.Nowyou canwalkintoalmostanypetstoreandfind afreezerwithmanybrandsandchoices.So, whyisthistopicstillheavilydebated?When talkingtocustomers,Istillhear“Won’tmy dogorcatgetsickfromconsuminguncooked meats?”Thistomeisthepowerofadvertising clearlyatwork….howisitpossibletoforget thatcatsareobligatecarnivoresanddogsare firstcarnivoresandsecondlyomnivores.The nextobjectionItypicallyhearis“Butthey havebeendomesticated.“Oksohowdoes domesticationortheintroductionofkibble (lessthan100yearsago)changethe anatomyofamammal?Andathirdcommon thoughtIhearis“it’sgross.”Well,unlessyou

areavegetarianIamhereto tellyouitisnotgrossandis nodifferentthanhandling groundmeat.Theforminwhichmostraw foodissoldisalreadygroundformulas,a completeandbalancedcombinationofmeat, boneandorgansandevensomefruitsand veggies.Soifyouarepicturingyourself handingawholechickencarcasstoyour dog…getthatpictureoutofyourhead!You canfeedbodypartsifyouchoosetodoso butyoudon’thaveto.

So,thequestionisstill“Whattofeed?” A newcustomerwalkingintooneofourstores willseethe5differentcategoriesofpetfood:

•Raw

•FreezedriedRaw

•DehydratedRaw

•Kibble

•Canned

Aftertalkingabouteachcategory,ifa customerisstillperplexedonwhattofeed, Isuggestgoinghomeanddoingsome researchontheprosandconsofeach categoryandmullingitover…figureout whatmakessense.Ifyouchoosetodiscuss thistopicwithyourveterinarianyoushould knowthattheAmericanVeterinaryMedical Associationhaspassedapolicytodenounce rawfeeding.Inotherwords,yourveterinarian willmostlikelynotsupportyourchoiceto feedrawfood.

Ifyouliketheideaoffeedingrawbutthe bacteriaisstillworryingyou,someofthe rawbrandsarenowpasteurized.The acronymfortheprocessisHPP,High PressurePasteurizationwhicheliminates theriskofvariousfood-bornepathogens

suchas Escherichiacoli, Salmonella and Listeria.Wenot onlyhavethatchoiceto easeourmindsbutalsothedehydrated foodsaswell.Thetemperatureusedinthe dehydrationprocesswillkillbacteria.

Inmyopinion,thebestwaytofeedisraw andIhonestlywillneverfeedanythingbut raw.Ifitdoesn’tworkforyouinonewayor anotherthebestapproachis“Themore wholefoodstheygetthebetter.”Alotof times,acombinationof2or3oftheabove workswell.Mymainpointhereisyouhave options,manyoptionsandIencourageyou toexplorethemandallowyoupettothrive andnotjustsurvive.

ToniandMeg

HAAWCisa501(c)(3)organizationthathonors theHumanAnimalBondasasourceofwellness forindividuals,familiesandcommunities.

Guidedbythebeliefthatanimalsareagatewaytohuman healing,HAAWCintendstodevelopbothurbanprograms andruralsanctuariesdesignedtoimpact communityhealth,safetyandwellness.

HAAWCisraisingfundsforupcoming animal-relatedprogramming.

www.haawc.com

AVCFprovidesveterinarianswithauniqueopportunitytojoin togetherunderonecharitableentitydesignedtoassistthem raisefundstosupporttheirgenerousgiving.

Appreciativeclientsandcaringindividualscannowhelp veterinariansintheircharitableendeavorsbysupportingan individualveterinarypracticeortheAVCFGeneralFund. Donorscanrestassuredthat100%oftheircharitable givingtotheAVCFgoesdirectlytoimprovingthequality oflifeofpetsandtheirpeople.

email:info@avcfund.org Formoreinformation:www.avcfund.org

ColdandFluSeason

BySharonSatterfield,ND

Lookslikesummeriswindingdown,fallisintheairandschoolis abouttostartformany.Withthatcomescoldandfluseason.So inpreparationfortheseasonIwouldliketodiscusshowtokeepour immunesystemsstrong.

Oneofmyfavoritesisoliveleafextract,and elderberryisalsogoodforchildrenunder6yearsof ageandtheylovethetasteofit.Personally,Idotoo –itremindsmeofmyyouthandhomemade elderberryjelly.Yummy!!Startincreasingyour VitaminC,addinggarliccapsulesforadultsand children.Oreganoisanothergoodchoiceandof courseprobioticstokeeptheguthealthy.

AnewproductIhaveagreatinterestinisEpiCor. Thisproductisdriedyeastfermentatewhichisa complexnutrient-richingredientcomprisingfiber proteins,vitamins,minerals,aminoacidsandantioxidants. Itisavailableforbothadultsandchildren,andithelps supporttheimmunesystem.Ithelpsprotectand balancethemucosalbarrierorinnateimmunesystem byactivatingtheNaturalKillercellswhicharean integralpartoftheimmunesystem.Italsoactivates Bcellswhichsupportantibodyproductionand containsantioxidantswhichfurthersupportahealthy bodybyscavengingfreeradicals.Thisproductbegins workinginaslittleastwohoursprotectingyour immunesystem.Followtherecommendeddosages.

OnedoesnotneedtouseeverythingImentioned. Pickonethatsuitsyouoryourbudget,getstarted andstickwithitthroughthewinterseason.Somelike usingasimpleantioxidantformulalikeACESby Carlson,OneDailybyPremierLabs(thoughyoucan takemorethanone),Thai-GobyNature’sSunshine, OxygenicsbyMetagenicsortheonesImentionedabove.Wehavea prettywidevarietyhereattheshoppe.

Rememberstressisahugeinfluenceonourbodies,somaybeadding insomethingfortheadrenalsand/orastressformulawillbeagood idea.WiththechildrenbacktoschoolandalltheiractivitiesMom andDadarebusierthanever.Toanyteachersoutthereweknowyou needsupport.Weallknowwhatyougothrough–believemeIdo,my fatherandmystepmotherwereschoolteachers.Theyareretirednow andenjoyinglifeandhaveawholelotlessstress.

Wecarryallnatural,foodbased,excipient-freevitamins, herbsandsupplements&personalproducts. WealsohaveavarietyofherbalteasandlocalhoneyfromBedillionFarms. Ourotherservicesinclude:•IonDetoxificationCleanse•Consultationswith SharonSatterfield,ND•FeaturingtheZytoSelectBiocommunicationScan •Consultationsforthewholefamilyandyourpets! 412-343-8156www.back2basicsinc.com LebanonShops|300Mt.LebanonBlvd.

Drinkmorewater,eat fewercarbs,avoidwhite sugar,eatyourgreensor makeyourselfagreen drinkdaily.IfGodmade it,eatit,ifmanmade it,don’t.Avoid:GMO foods,preservatives,food additives,foodcoloring, MSG,processedfoods atallcost!!Andmake sureyourbowelsare moving…ifnot…all thosetoxinsarestaying inthere.Whatgoesin mustcomeout…simple physics!!

Manyofyouknowor maynotknowIseeyour familypetforFREEas theycantakemanyof thesameherbsand vitaminswedo.Ifyou wanttosupporttheir immunesystemsgive themaprobioticona dailybasisoratthevery leastafewtimesper week.Animalscanget systemicyeastinfections too,whichcanaffect theirsinuses,skinanddigestivesystem.Irecentlytreatedacatfora horriblerashthatwouldnotgoawayandthevetdidnotknowwhat todoforit.SoIputitonprobioticsandgarlicandtherashwentaway in2days.Itwasayeastovergrowth.Wealsousedneemcreamtoapply topically.Bothkittyandparentsarehappy.

Remembergivefishoiltocats,dogscanhavefishorflax.Theycanalso takevitaminsandmineralsjustlikeus.Extracanbeaddedifnecessary, orifyouhaveadoptedananimalwhohasbeenstarvedorneglected andhaspoorhealth.Iftheyhaveanauto-immuneproblemlike arthritisyoucangivethemextravitaminE,Glucosamine,Baxyland Yucca.Ihopeyouallenjoywhat’sleftofthesummer!

GodBless,Sharon

SPECIALFEATURE

That’sagoodthing–averygoodthingaccordingtoandTom Hayes,aquaristofthePittsburghZoo&PPGAquarium.It’s goodnewsforourwaterwaysthatanelusivespeciesnativetoour region,nearlyabsentfromourstreamecologyfordecades,hasreturned tocreeparoundunderrocksandeatcrayfish.

HellbenderSalamanders inOurStreams?

HellbendersarethelargestAmericansalamanderandhaveoccupied thesamehabitatssinceprehistorictimes.Incaptivitytheyhavelived tobe30yearsold,andbiologistsestimatetheylivetobe30to50years oldinthewild.Theyareprimarilynocturnalandlivemostoftheir livesunderwater.Theyaresolitaryexceptforthefallmatingseason whenthemalehollowsoutasaucer-shapeddepressionin thestreamfloorinastillareaunderarock,guidingfemalestolayeggsthereashespraystheeggswithsperm. Hethendrivesoffanyfemalesandincubatestheeggsfor upto75daysdependingontheregion.

byBernadetteE.Kazmarski

The“AlleghenyAlligator”or Cryptobranchusalleganiensis,theEastern hellbendersalamanderisuniqueamongournativesalamanders,much larger,growingtoanaverageof24inchesinlength.Foundonlyinthe Appalachiancorridor,thenichetheyfillisbothaspredatorandprey, asortofbridgespeciesbetweensmallerpopulousbottom-dwelling streamspecies,especiallycrayfish,andlargerreptilesandamphibians suchassnakesandturtles.

Theyinhabitaveryspecifictypeofstreamwithcoolerfast-moving waterthatcontainsagoodbitofdissolvedoxygen,especiallywithlarge rocksandrifflesoveranunevenbottomthatkeepsthewatertossing andmoving.ThatsoundsalotlikeourmountainstreamsinWestern Pennsylvania,andHayeshasbeenpartofstudyingandreintroducing thisspeciesinfourareasinWesternPennsylvaniaalongwiththe WesternPennsylvaniaConservancy.

“Theyareanindicatorspecies,showingthehealthofastream,” Hayesexplained.“Ifthisspeciescanlivethere,thenitmeans alotofotherspeciesarelivingthereaswell.”

Hellbendersare“opportunistic”or“ambush”feeders,lyingin waitunderarockuntilsomethingshowsupwhichtheycan quicklycatch.Ourlocalstreamshavebeencompromisedwith industrialandagriculturalrunoffandsedimentationpolluting thestreamsaswellasdrainagefromabandonedmines,much ofwhichissohighlyacidicthatbeautifulstreamsaround LigonierandOhiopylewherespeciessuchasthehellbender shouldlivearecompletelysterilewithnolifeatallinthewater. Withsedimentationthewaterisliterallymuddiedsothat water-dwellingspeciescan’tnavigatetofeedorbreed,andoften thefloorofthestreamandallthatlivesthereiscoatedwith pollutantsorparticulates,sealingitallofffromnutrientsand oxygeninthewater.Waterwaysingeneralhavealsobeen warmingandhellbendersneedacoldenvironment.Inthese conditionsasalamanderthesizeandhabitsofahellbender wouldn’tsurviveverylong,notonlydisappearinginitsown right,butalsodeprivingspeciesupthefoodchainoftheirabilitytosurviveandreducingtheirpopulationsaswell.

“Theyalsotendtoliveinmicro-habitats,suchasa500-yardstretchof astream,noteventhewholestream,becausethat’sthehealthiestarea forthem,”Hayescontinued,sowhentheirhabitatisdamagedor destroyedtheyoftencan’tjustmoveon.

Notonlyaretheysubjecttoenvironmentaldegradationbutforyears theywereconsideredverminandblamedforeatingstockedtrout, andaccordingtoHayesinthe1930sPennsylvaniaaquaticwildlife authoritiesorganizedhellbenderhunts.“Theywerecomparedto snakes,competingwiththosewhowantedtofish,andbecausethey hadsuchspecifichabitattheywereeasytofind,”Tomsaid.“People wouldgooutatnightandflipoverrocksandjustpullthemoutand

Babyhellbender.Photo:PittsburghZoo&PPGAquarium

killthem.”Acertainnumberofhellbenders,likemanyexoticspecies, arealsostillcollectedandsoldaspets.

It’snowondertheirpopulationsweresodepletedthata2003report ofthehellbenderinallitsAppalachianrangesshowedbiologists chasingdownreportsofhellbendersinareasinoverahalf-dozen streamsincountiesinPennsylvania,butnotactuallyfindingany animalstherewhenarriving.Inallareasthereportcovered,the populationswereconsideredsoimperiledthat thenamesofthestreamsareactuallyblacked outtohelpprotectthesalamanderfromthose intendingtokillorcollectthem.Eventoday, Hayeswouldn’tbetraywheretofindthe hellbendersheiscurrentlystudying.

Nowinsteadofpullingthemoutandkilling them,biologistsarevisitinghabitatareasyearly andtaggingandmicrochippingtheminthe leastdisruptivewaypossible.

“Weusedtogointhereandliftuptherockand pullthemout,”Hayesrelated.“Likemostsuch speciestheyarecoveredwithslimeandwhileit makesthemhardtohandle,theslimeisalsoan importantbarrierfromdiseaseandpollutants fortheirownhealth.

“Nowwelifttherockjustslightlytoseeifoneisunderthere,andtap thehellbender’stailtomakeitrunintoanetwe’vesetupforit,and wehandleitinthenet,”heexplained.Theygatherbasicdatasuchas weight,lengthandsize,gatherDNAsamplesfromthetipofthetail andtheslime,andgetaGPSreadinganddocumentwaterqualityand habitat.Atonetimetheyclippedonefronttoetoshowtheanimal hadalreadybeencounted,butnowtheymicrochipthesalamander withthesamemicrochipsusedforpetsinsheltersandcanscanfora microchipwitheachanimaltheyfind,registeringnewdataonthe animalwiththechipinformation.Ifahellbenderisfoundinapet shoporkeptbyanyonewithoutapermit,theycanalsoscanforthe chiptofindoutwhereitcamefrom.Andinordertofurtherprotect thespecies,biologistsneedapermitforeachresearchtrip.

“Iwouldsaynowthathellbendersare‘locallyabundant’,their populationsarehealthy,”saidHayes.

Andthatname?Varioussourcesinbiologicalreportssayit’sgottodo withthecreature’sunusualphysique,thattoearlysettlersitmayhave lookedlikea“creaturefromHell”withitslumpy,undulatingskin. Thoughitmaybeunattractivetous,itlooksliketheperfectbiological adaptationforitshabitat.

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Microchippingahellbender.Photo:PittsburghZoo&PPGAquarium

INREMEMBRANCE

PetMemorialSundayCeremony

HostedbyCCPC

ThesecondSundayofSeptemberis designatedasPetMemorialSundayby theInternationalAssociationofPetCemeteries andCrematories,andcommemoratingthat dayisimportanttoDebChebatorisof ChartiersCustomPetCremation(CCPC). Shehashostedaceremonyonthisdaysince 2005dedicatedtorememberingouranimal companionsforfamilieswhohavelostapet.

“Oursocietydoesnotnormallyhavearitual tohelpfamiliestransitionthroughthelossof apet.Thiseventisanefforttomeetthat need,”saidChebatoris.

Ouranimalcompanionshave becomemorerespectedmembers ofoursociety,fromrecognizing thatpeoplewillnotevacuate evenalife-threatening situationiftheycan’ttake theiranimalstorealizing thataclosebondwithan animalcanhelppeopleheal frombothphysicaland emotionaltraumas.Our animalcompanionsfilladeep placeinourlives;forchildren theyaresometimestheclosest friendandconfidant,forseniorsthey areoftenasingulardailycompanion.Grief afterthelossofacherishedanimalcompanionneedstobetreated withrespect.

“Iamhonoredtocontinuehostingthisceremony,”Chebatoris says.“Frompastyears’thankyounotesfamilieshavereceived healingfromattending.”

Thisyear’sceremony

TheceremonyisonSunday,September8,2013from 2:00p.m.to3:30p.m.atMelroseCemeteryinBridgeville.

Aspartoftheceremony,threespeakerswilldiscussourrelationships withourpetsbefore,duringandaftertheirdeath.Dr.Brad CarmichaelofPleasantValleyVeterinaryHospitalinMcMurrayPA, willspeakon“OurLastMomentsTogether”,ElizabethBabcock, LCSW,willspeakon“OurInitialGriefResponse”,andBernadetteE. Kazmarski,animalartistandwriter,willspeakon“TheJoyofPets”. Thesespeakersarefollowedbyareadingof“WordsofTribute” writtenbypetownerswhoattend.Chebatoris encouragesparticipantstowritea50-word tributetocommemorateandrememberthe livestheysharedwiththeirspecialpets,and hastipsandexamplesonherwebsitefor composition.

“Keepingatributetoyourpettoonly50 wordscanbeachallenge,”Chebatoris remarks,“butlimitingyourremembranceto 50wordshelpsyoutofocusontheessential elementsthatmadeyourpetspecial.”Families arealsoencouragedtobringaphotoor mementooftheirpettobedisplayedduring theceremony.

Afterallthespeakersandthereadingsandthe candle-lightingceremony,“wereleaseaflockof whitedovestosymbolizeourabilitytoletgoof ourpreciouscompanions,”Chebatorisexplains.

Thegatheringwillbeheldunderatentinthe cemeterywithlightrefreshmentsservedafterward asfamiliesareinvitedtosharetheirexperiences witheachotherandspeaktothepresenters.

TheTributeScroll

Asafollow-uptotheevent,attendeesareencouraged toofferaphotowiththeirtributetobeincluded intheannual“TributeScroll”,aslideshowofphotosandtributeswith originalmusicalaccompanimentcomposedaftereachPetMemorial Sundaysince2010.Eachslideshowisaddedtoherwebsiteforfamilies toviewasamemorialwhenevertheychoose;toseetheseTribute Scrolls,pleasevisitwww.ccpc.ws.

PleaseRSVP

FormoreinformationortoRSVP,pleasevisitwww.ccpc.wsorcall Debat412-220-7800byFriday,September6.Ifyouwishtocompose atribute,pleasesendthatbyFriday,September6aswell.ThePet

CHARTIERS CUSTOM PET CREMATION

“Caringforfamilieswho

MemorialSundaypageonthesiteincludesane-mailaddressandfax forDebaswellasinstructionsforcomposingandsendingyourWords ofTribute.

Also,inordertoprovideapeacefulenvironmentforall,itisnot appropriatetobringlivepetstothisevent.

Toreadawrite-upandseephotosofthe2011PetMemorialSunday celebration,visittheCCPC’sblog“Animus”andread“PetMemorial Sunday2011”.

Photos:BernadetteE.Kazmarski

FEATUREDBUSINESS

FAMILY BUSINESS ROCKIN’FOR 20YEARS

Rockin’HorseStablesin CranberryTownship isfamilyrunandwillbe celebratingitstwentiethyearin businessin2014.Thestables werefoundedandareownedby wifeandhusbandKimberlyand AdamGiannamoreandoffer boarding,professionallessons, qualityhorsesales,trainingand summercamps.

byBernadetteE.Kazmarski

KimberlyGiannamoregrewup onaWashingtonCountyhorse farm.AftertheirfirsttwodaughterswerebornsheandAdamdecided thattheywantedtobringuptheirdaughtersinthetypeof environmentKimhadenjoyed,awayfromthecity.Threestablesand 20yearslater,Adamsays,theyareinaterrificlocationjustacoupleof milesfromtheheartofCranberryTownship.

“Nowthoselittle girlsareallgrown upandteaching hereatthestable,” hecontinues.Aszia, 26,andAinjel,24, areaccomplished equestriansand alongwiththeir motherKimthey enjoypassingtheir knowledgealongtothestable’sstudents,andseeingtheridersadvance isveryrewardingforthem,andwhiletheywanttheirstudentstowork hardtheyalsoremindthemtoenjoywhattheyaredoingandhavefun withit.Theiryoungestdaughter,Lexzy,14,hasalreadycompetedat theAmericanGoldCupandothertophorseshows.Shehasagenuine loveforridingandtrainingthehorsesaswell.“Nowwiththeaddition ofourgrandson,two-year-oldDom,thethirdgenerationofridershas begun,”remarksAdam,whohandlesbuilding,maintenanceandrepair atthestables.

Mostofthe40horseswholiveatthestablesareboarders, lessonhorsesandleases.Mostarehuntersandjumpersbuta fewareaccomplishedeventersaswell.Manyoftheboarders andstudentscompeteatequestriancompetitionsthatthe Giannamorestraveltoyearround.“Ourridershaveenjoyed agreatdealofsuccessineverythingfromschoolingshowsto someofthebiggestshowsinthecountry,”Adamcontinues. “Weareusuallyeasytofindbecausewearethelargegroup cheeringonourridersandactuallyhavingfun,something Ithinkfartoomanyridersaremissing.”

AdamstartedtheRockin’Horsesummercampprogrameight yearsagoandthathasevolvedintoafun-filledweekoflasting memoriesforthecampers.“Inevercallourcampsriding

campsbutinstead‘horse-themedsummercamps’,”Adamsays.Their uniquegames,learningactivitiesandadventureactivitiescombined withthehorseridingsetstheRockin’Horsecampsapartfromany others.“The10-year-oldinsidemeassuresmethateachyeartherewill benewfunactivitiesforourkidsandthatislikelythereasonwehave somanyrepeatcamperseachyear,”Adamremarks.Thisyear’scamps werethebiggestcampsever.

Rockin’Horsestrivestoofferasafe,clean,family-friendlyenvironment forbothboardersandstudents.“Thebestthingaboutthebarnisthat weareafamilyrunbusinessandKimreallycaresagreatdealaboutthe animalsandwoulddoanythingforourboarders.Shemakesthisa specialplace,”Adamsays.

“Ialwaystellpeople thatifyou’relooking forsomethingfunfor yourselforyourkids giveusacallandsee howeasyitistoget started.”

Aszia,Lexzy,Adam,Kim&Ainjel

EQUINEAFFAIRS

OutofBalance (part2)

ByNancyFrishkornCHCP,BA

Inthelastissueourtopicwasflaresandbalancefromaconformational perspective,buttherearemanyfactorsthatcontributetohoofshape. Onehastoconsidertheenvironment,theoverallusageandthegenetic makeupoftheequineaswell.Theideathathoovesshouldbeperfectly “symmetrical”isratherideologicalandararityatbest.Afterdissecting hundredsofcadaverhoovesduringmyworkshoptrainingyears, Ifoundthatmanyoftheboneystructureswithinwereanythingbut symmetrical.Yearsofwear,shoeingandtrimmingpractices,injuries andaplethoraofotherfactorsyieldedcoffinbonesthatwereoften widerononeside,chippedorbrokeninareas,andmoreoftenthannot asymmetricalinnature.Perhapsyou’veseenahorsethathada “flatside”onbothfronthooves,mostlikelymedially,andwondered ifmaybeyourfarrier/practitionercould“fix”thehoovestomakethem moreaestheticallypleasing?Chancesare,iftheytried,thehorse experiencedlamenessandbeganloadinginanunnaturalway.Sohow doesahorseload?

HeelFirstLanding

Forcingahorsetoload“heelfirst”isunnatural.Therearemany organizations,individuals,andveterinariansalikewhowillinsistthis isnotonlybeneficial,butoptimalfortheequine’sperformance.Ihave evenhadavetprescribethatIextendtheshoeplatebeyondtheback ofthebulbstoensurethehorseloadheelfirst;respectfullyIrefusedand walkedaway.Why?Becausetheequinedoesnotloadheelfirst–well notalways.Theymayiftheyareamblinguptheaisleofyourbarnat arelaxedwalkfortheirtrim,andtheymayduringanextendedtrot reachforthelevelgroundheelfirst,butmoreoftenthannotthehoof loadsflat.Whentheyclimbahill,theyloadtoefirst,whenthey descendtheyloadheelfirst,andwhentheypassagetheyloadtheside firstandrollthehoof;likewisewhentheyareonuneventerrainthey loadwhateverhitsthegroundfirstandaccommodatetoregainbalance witheachstep.Whatisbalancethen?

BalanceDefined

Balanceisdefinedasastateofequilibrium orequipoise,anevendistributionof weight.Balanceishavingtherightamount –nottoomuchortoolittle–ofany quality,whichleadstoharmonyorevenness. Betweenhorseandriderthisbalance mustbeearnedthroughpractice,discipline andrepetition.Withinthewildhorseit canbeobservedthroughnaturalcollected movementswherebytheheadcanswing freelyfromsidetosidescanningthe

environmentasthebodyremainsperfectlyunderitself.Thistoois earned,forthehorseisnaturallyshortononesideortheother(like beingrightorlefthanded)anddisciplinedridingofthedomestichorse mustreplacewhatwouldnaturallyoccurinthewildiftheywere permittedfreemovementovertwentyplusmilesaday.Howdoesthis applytohooves?Theyarethesourceoftheevenness–providingjust therightamountofsupportwhereneededtobalancetheequinefor movement.

Thehoovesarerarelysymmetrical.Onemaybelargerorwiderthan theother(i.e.clubfoot)tocompensateforstructuresabove;likewise onesidewillextendfartherout(flare)toaccommodatetheweight placeduponittofindbalance.Theheelsarenotalwaysequaleither, despitemanyclaims;theyaremerelythesamelength.WhatImeanby thisiswhenviewingthepalmercapsule(backofthehoof),oneside maybeslightlyhigherthantheothershouldyoudrawanimaginary line.Inlastmonth’sissueIprovidedapictureofabalancedhoof,and ifyoulookcloselyyouwillseethatevenwhenIpushedmyright thumbagainsttheoutsidebulbtoraiseittheline(inyellow)wasnot perfectlyhorizontal.Thepicturebelowisofaferalbasinmustangtaken duringmyvisittotheBLMinSparksNevada.Asyoucansee,the thereisavisiblefare,orwiderarea,onthequarters(sides)ofthishoof. Thisiswhatwecalla“naturalflare”anditshouldnotberaspedaway foraestheticreasonsforithaspurpose;itprovidesbalancetothehoof.

Theflareis“natural”becauseitisconnected,notseparated,fromthe lamellarjunctionandmedianstratum(whitelineandwaterlineor inner“white”partofthehoofwall).Thebalanceisdeterminedbythe centerstructurewithin,notbythevisibleappearanceofsymmetry fromtheoutside.Thereisno“flatplane”visibleonthecapsuleitself, becauseitisnotweightbearinginthispositionandthereforehasno forcesappliedtoexpanditaswouldoccurduringnormalmechanical function.Similarly,thefronthoovesexhibitslightlymoreheellength, yetexpressalowerangle(toeangle)thanthehinds.

Thecoffinbonewithinthefronthoovesismoreroundedduetoits function–balance.Thehindsexpressamoreovalshapeduetotheir propulsionfunctionaswellasbalance.Thehoofwallfollowsthe shapeofthebonewithin;giventhis knowledgeitthenmakessensethat thebonesthemselveswillremodel overtimeduetouse,function, circumstance,andenvironmental forces.Thisisnottosaythatall hoovesareperfectlysymmetrical atbirth,forgeneticsalsoplaya significantpartindetermining shapeandsizeofeverystructure withinthebody.

Newbornfoalhasnaturalbalance.

Thislastphotoisfroma14yearold paintthatis“splayfooted”ortoesout onthefronthooves.Thishoofhada terriblecrackinthecoronetregion duetoimbalanceand/orinjurybut waspermittedremodelingthrough naturalhoofcare;interestinglythe quartercrackclosedandhealed withouttheuseofanyshoeingdevice. Asyoucansee,theouterheel(onyour rightsideinthisphoto)isslightly longerthantheinsideheel,yetthe frogiscenteredinthecapsule.Theimportantthingtolookforisthat theheelsareatthewidestpointofthefrog(backofhoof)andtheybear weightequallyprovidingaperpendicularlinetothecenterofthe capsuleupthebridgeandfrogapex.Theentirestoryofthishorse(my veryownmother’spaint)canbefoundunderthe“cracks”tabonmy websiteatwww.hooflady.org.

References

Balance-DictionaryDefinition:Vocabulary.com.(2013).Retrieved fromhttps://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/balance

Solarviewtoedoutbalancedtrim.

Palmerviewbalancednaturaltrim.

byKristinHermann

Whenariderlearnstohalfhaltwhetherfromthe seat,legorreinaidtocontainthehorse’sforward energy,amoreuphillbalancewilldevelop.The gymnasticallytrainedhorseshouldbeableto lengthenitstopline(spine)aswellascollect. Thishorse’stoplineiscoiledorcollectedbutnot constrained.

Inthepreviousarticles,wediscussedthevalueoftrainingthehorse toberelaxed,rhythmic,roundinthetopline,andstraightwhen movingforward.Agymnasticallytrainedhorsewilluseitswholebody whilecarryingariderandmaintainalloftheabove-mentionedqualities oftraining.Thegymnastictrainingofthehorse,ordressage,will enhanceahorse’s wayofmoving andkeepthehorsebalanced,athleticandsound. Trainingthehorsetostretchitsback,trackstraight andstayrelaxedandhappythroughoutitsworkout islikeyogaforthehorse.Thehorse’swholebodyis engagedinthetraining.Ridersdoyogastanding andsitting,buthorsesaretrainedprimarilywhile movingforward.

UsingaHalfHaltto “rebalance”aforwardhorse

Thishorseistakingafullstrideandtrackingup.Asa result,heisusinghistoplineundertherider’sseat.The rider’sseatorpositionisnotinhibitingthishorsein anyway.Tohalfhaltthislongstrideshewouldtake backalittlewiththeoutsiderein.Thehorsewouldthen stepmoreunderhisbodyandup,asopposedtoalonger stride.Theresultofahalfhaltdevelopsthehorse’sability tocarrymorefrombehindinsteadofcoveringground.

Asdiscussedlastmonthahorsemovingforwarddoesnotmean rushingaround.Itmeansmovinginarhythmicforwardmotionthat canbeharnessedbytherider’saids.Horsesarenaturallypronetomove forward,andatrainedhorselearnstowaitfortherider’scommand. Ridersdonotjusthoponandgiddyuptillthehorserunsoutof energy.Although,Iamsuresomeridersthinkthisisacorrectandfun waytoexperienceahorse.Thegymnasticallytrainedhorseworks willinglyforwardfromtherider’slegandthenrespondstoeitherthe rider’sseatorreinaidtoslowdown.Thecircleisthe‘trainingwheelof training’whetherinaroundpenoratwentymetercircleinthearena. Ridingonacirclewillnaturallyslowarushinghorsedown,butapplying ahalfhaltwillaccomplishthesameobjectivemoreimmediatelyand moreeffectively.

Thehalfhaltslowsthehorseascomparedtoafullhaltthatasksthe horsetostopcompletelyor“whoa.”Itiscalledahalfofahalt,orhalf halt,becauseitisnotafullhalt.Thehalfhaltrebalancesahorsethat mayhavelostbalanceandisrushing.Trainedhorsesrarelyrushbutdo occasionally,andinthiscasewouldneedahalfhalt.Ofcourse,ittook

lotsofhalfhaltsandcirclestotrainthemnottorushinthefirstplace. Applyingahalfhaltisdonewiththerider’soutsiderein.Astherider’s insideactivelegasksthehorsetomovemoreforwardifneedbe,the outsidereinthenslowsthehorse.Theseaidsarecalledthediagonal aids,meaningtheyworkfromtheinsidetotheoutsidethroughthe horse.ThetimingofthehalfhaltforanEnglishriderisontheup phaseofthepostingtrot.Whentheriderisinthedownphaseofthe postingtrot,the insideactiveleg asksthehorseto moveforward. Ariderthatis notposting,needstofeelwiththe seatwhenthehorse’sinsideleg movesforwardandaskformore forwardifneeded,andthenhalf haltasthelegmovesback.Ahorse primarilycarriesitsweightfromits insidehindleg.Thuswhenthe rider’sinside‘activeleg’asksthe horsetostepmoreforwardthenthe outsidehalfhaltingor‘supporting rein’capturesthisforwardmoving horse.Theenergyisthentransferred backtothehindquarterinsteadof sendingitmoreforward.Thiscycle ofsignalingthehorseiscalledthe “ringofaids”andiswhyandhow ahalfhaltworks.

Usingtheaidstoapplyahalfhalt toslowthehorseisonewayto rebalanceahorsethatrushes.A ridercancircletillthehorsefinds arhythm,butthiscouldtakea while.Learningtoapplyahalf halt,likeallriding,isdonewith trialanderror,butonceyoufeelyourhorserebalanceandslowfrom aneffectivehalfhaltyouwillhavelearnedhoweffectiveitis.With riding,ifyoufeelityoulearnit.

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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).