April, May, June 2015
magazine
Local Tales
The Lola Project
K9-KIND
Your Dog Does Not Have Lyme!
The Dinner Dish A Perfect Pet Diet
FREE Please take one
Issue 4 Apr-May-Jun 2015 magazine
A Welcome Note from the publisher Founder & Publisher
SIRENA JOHNSON Graphic Designer | Art Director
GULNAR BABAYEVA CaspianMuse.com Guest Writers
DR. ALEXANDRA BARRIENTOS DR. MICHELE YASSON
Special Thanks RUSS FOWLER
Happy Glorious Spring, Paw Print Readers! With such an incredibly brutal winter behind us, we all deserve to get out and enjoy some sunshine & fresh air! And what better way to do that, than with your pet by your side. Check out our Pet Events Calendar - there are many fun, dogfriendly events happening throughout the Hudson Valley this Spring! I know this publisher needs to get out and I plan on attending each event, magazines in hand! Come on out and say hello. I would love to meet you! Love for the animals ~ Sirena Johnson Founder & Publisher
Š 2015 Hudson Valley Paw Print P.O. Box 246 Athens, NY 12015 518.567.5707 hudsonvalleypawprint.com info@hudsonvalleypawprint.com
Cover photo by STACEY GAMMON
ON THE COVER The dog seen on the cover was photographed by Stacey Gammon Pet Photography during one of her pro-bono animal shelter photography sessions at the Newark Humane Society in New Jersey. In a few months, Stacey will be moving her business to Saratoga Springs, New York. She is looking forward to meeting new clients and establishing new relationships with local rescue groups and animal shelters. If you have interest in a photo shoot for your pet, or a free shoot for your adoptables, Stacey can be reached at stacey@staceygammon.com. Visit her website at www.staceygammonpetphotography.com
All articles and content in this magazine are copyrighted by Hudson Valley Paw Print Magazine. Any material, in whole or in part may not be reproduced unless prior written consent is given by publisher. While we strive to feature highly reputable companies and organizations, we are not liable for any claims made by such.
contents
apr - may - june 2015 local tales The Lola Project
5-7
the dinner dish
A Perfect Pet Diet 8
-11
the K9 kind
Your Dog Does Not Have Lyme
12 -14
DIY
Kong Recipes; Cat Grass Garden
what’s up dog?
Pet Events Calendar
pet resources
15
16
Helpful Contact Information
19
Magazine not in your area yet? Subscribe for only $25/year & get Paw Prints delivered directly to your mailbox! Details on hudsonvalleypawprint.com
Hudson Valley Paw Print Magazine 2015 | Apr-May-Jun | Fourth Issue
Nestled in the Catskill Mountains, a state of the art resort, run by Professionals to care for your special friend.
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4
Hudson Valley Paw Print 2015
local tales
The Project The Lola Project, founded by Britney Digilio, was started to raise awareness and educate about mental health and illness and the benefits of psychiatric service dogs; especially for uniformed Veterans, including military, police and fire.
By Sirena Johnson How did the creation of The Lola Project start? This all started from a personal experience with mental illness; I have a diagnosis of bipolar and OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). With a dream to help others, mixed with some inspiration from a wonderful puppy named Lola, The Lola Project was formed. The project officially started June 28, 2012 when Lola wore her first "Service Dog In Training" vest and ventured out for socialization work. Since then we have completed numerous training classes, completed over 900 hours of socialization/public access work, and have educated thousands of people about mental health and the benefits of psychiatric service dogs. What is a service animal or in Lola's case, a psychiatric service dog? Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to Lola, the service dog do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Therefore, a Photo from thelolaproject.org psychiatric service dog (PSD) is one whose tasks and work are directly linked to mitigating a psychiatric disability, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, among others. Due to the uniqueness and wide range of symptoms a person with a psychiatric disability can have, each PSD's tasks and work will vary to fit the needs of their handler. 5
So, service dogs are different from therapy dogs? Yes. Therapy Dogs, having stable temperaments and friendly, easy-going personalities, provide emotional therapy to individuals other than their handlers. Typically, they visit various institutions like hospitals, schools, hospices, psychotherapy offices, nursing homes and more. Unlike service dogs, therapy dogs are encouraged to socialize and interact with a variety of people while they’re on-duty. The handlers or owners of therapy dogs do not have the same rights to be accompanied by these dogs in places where pets are not permitted and are not protected/ covered by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act ). Your mission stresses the importance of PSD's for our Veterans. Yes! On average, 22 Veterans commit suicide every day. For many, having a service dog can make the difference between living life and “just being”. Every service dog placed with a Veteran could be a life saved. What do you need from those desiring to help with this mission? The Lola Project is constantly growing and expanding to provide valuable education that is so desperately needed. Financial donations are needed to cover the costs of printing our educational
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continues on the next page
SUPPORT THE LOLA PROJECT
thelolaproject.org
Lola & Britney Photo from thelolaproject.org
Call Us Today! 845.234.4417 Specializing In Intergrated Holisitic Medicine www.FullCircleVetHospital.com ✔ Comprehensive preventative wellness program customized to your pet ✔ Animal medical services for diagnosing and treating health conditions ✔ Pet surgery including spay and neuter ✔ Pet dental cleanings and treatment to avoid serious dental diseases and many more
Tender Loving Care & More! Dr. Rocque Welcomes You!
1609 Route 9, Wappingers Falls, NY
PawFact Pit Bulls were once known as "nanny dogs" because of how protective and kind they are to children.
â–˛
brochures, expenses for events, promotional materials, etc. Our goal, with the help from our sponsors and supporters, is to work toward a national understanding campaign, where we will work as a nationwide community to educate and treat those in need.
Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one, is a life diminished. ~ Dean Koontz
meow?
TALK TO YOUR CAT! The more cats are spoken to, the more they will speak to you. If you do not respond when your cat talks to you, it will soon lose the urge to communicate with you!
PawTip
7
the dinner dish
With all the different diet choices available today how does a concerned pet owner learn to identify misleading safety claims and sort facts from fads?
A Perfect Pet Diet W
ith thousands of pet food and supplement choices available today, concerned pet owners have a daunting task before them. Is the “perfect diet” for their pet out there, and whose advice do they follow when there is so much dissent even among experts? As our pets develop specific ailments or simply age and slow down, how do we choose fact from fad, and make a choice with confidence? BY Dr. Alexandra Barrientos
8
With all the different diet choices available today how does a concerned pet owner learn to identify misleading safety claims and sort facts from fads? Lets take a look.
Claim # 1
If it looks and smells good and my pet likes it, it has to be good for them. Since processed food can look like the real thing, the usual senses of sight and smell are not reliable. Dye and starch are easily turned into what appears to be bite sized veggies and cooked meats. Taste enhancers like salt, vinegar, celery, hickory, caramel coloring and synthetic flavorings entice pets to devour foods regardless of their nutritional merit.
Claim # 2
If the label claims to utilize natural wholesome ingredients then this diet is free of synthetics and processing. Unless feeding fresh, raw whole prey, all pet diets, including frozen raw or dehydrated, are processed in some way. Processing subjects foods to unnaturally high and low temperatures and pressures results in fatty acid oxidation, cholesterol oxidation production (COPS) and chelation of vitamins and minerals resulting in diminished nutritional value as well as the creation of toxins. Such alterations therefore require food manufacturers to supplement their products with the essential fatty and amino acids, vitamins, minerals, probiotics, antioxidants and enzymes otherwise lost during processing. These additives, while synthetic in nature, are necessary in order to salvage the nutritional value of the diet. Beware of diets that bypass this replenishment in order to claim their diets to be “100% natural.” Ignoring this loss of vitamin and other nutrients without replenishing them results in less than a complete diet necessary to achieve optimal health.
The benefit of a homeprepared diet is having control over every ingredient while lessening the need for preservatives. These diets are ideal for pets with allergies as owners can monitor, through taste trials, every ingredient used to prepare meals. As long as they are done under the guidance/guidelines of a nutritionist or other experienced professional, home-prepared diets can contain all of the ingredients necessary to create a diet for optimal health.
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continues on the next page
“ Tell me this isn't celery.”
Dr. Alexandra Barrientos, affectionately known as "Dr. Alex", is the owner of Earth Angels Veterinary Hospital, located in Wappingers Falls, where she utilizes integrative medicine in caring for her patients.
9
Claim #3
Minimally processed whole foods are best! We all intuitively know that natural fresh food is safer and more likely to be beneficial than a processed or synthetic one. However, cost and convenience are also important factors to consider when choosing what is most appropriate for pets and their families:
Dehydrated
Raw
Home Cooked
Whole Ingredient
❋❋
❋❋❋
❋❋
Least processed
❋❋
❋❋❋
❋
$$
$$
Reference Table
Kibble
Canned
Convenient
❋❋❋❋
❋❋❋
❋❋
Cost
$
$$
$$$
Kibble is better than sticky canned food when dental health is involved. Dental health care for pets and humans is very similar. Genetics, diet and cleaning habits are all factors. If a kibble contains sugars, caramel, acidic preservatives and it is moistened by saliva, chances are good that it will affect dental health negatively just as cookies would affect a human being. Canned food with wholesome high fiber vegetables containing protein and fat are less likely to cause a problem. It is important to remember that it is the food ingredients, not the textures, which play a big role in maintaining dental health. AAFCO’s (Association of American Feed Control Officials) statement that a food is 100% complete and balanced for Adult Maintenance or for Growth and Reproduction is enough accreditation to trust that it will keep my pet in optimal health for the long term. Unfortunately, AAFCO accreditation only guarantees that all essential nutrients are minimally present in the diet, regardless of their source or quality. Diets that do not meet minimal 10
Hudson Valley Paw Print 2015
AAFCO standards for survival of a pet are still legal and are simply labeled “for intermittent or supplemental feeding”. Many low calorie diets intended for overweight or senior dogs may fall in this category. This means that diets labeled as such lack enough essential nutrients to guarantee survival, much less an optimal state of health.
The bottom line
Most of us have the knowledge and/ or intuition to not exclusively feed our children processed, fortified food from a bag, can, or fast food company, even if the label claims nutritional balance. Astonishingly, few are comfortable to apply such common sense to pet feeding practices as they are constantly told by the pet food industry, nutritionists, veterinarians and internet pet food reviewers that pet foods are “100% complete” and are therefore the “only option” to feed our pets correctly. The truth is that processed canned and then bagged kibble were first introduced for convenience, not for nutritional reasons. When all is said and done, the only true measure of good nutrition is how your pet does with a particular diet over the long term. Pets benefit most when owners in search of a healthy diet combine research with regular veterinary check-ups that include blood work, dental health maintenance and weight management programs. Such a regimen will provide pet owners with the insight and guidance needed to discern how a particular diet is working for the moment. Even though animals (and human beings) can survive on bread and water for years, most pet owners would agree that mere survival is not the goal when choosing a diet for our furry companions.
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YOUR DOG DOES NOT HAVE
LYME DISEASE
Have you ever gotten a 'diagnosis' of Lyme disease for your dog? It is highly unlikely your dog now has or ever had Lyme disease.” 12 Hudson Valley Paw Print 2015
the K9 kind
BY
DR. MICHELE YASSON
H
ave you ever gotten a “diagnosis” of Lyme disease for your dog? More accurately stated, your dog had a positive test for Lyme. I can say your dog does not have Lyme disease and likely be right over 90% of the time. It is highly unlikely your dog now has or ever had Lyme disease. An understanding of the test and the disease will help in understanding why this is so. When your dog tests positive with the standard titre test, he/she is testing positive for the antibody, but this is not a test for the actual, current presence of the organism that causes the disease. Antibody is what healthy white blood cells produce upon exposure to a pathological organism. They will often produce that specific antibody long after the problem is resolved, to be ready for future exposures to the same offender. This is the basis for vaccinations. One exposure creates an anamnestic (informed memory) response that produces antibody, sometimes forever. So, a positive antibody test only indicates the presence of antibody from a previous exposure. That
exposure could have been last week, last year, or a decade ago. Dogs keep their antibodies to the Lyme organism and stay positive-testing for a very long time. Most often it is many years, even for the rest of their lives. Research done at Cornell University Veterinary School found that 94% of all dogs are naturally immune to Lyme (without ever having had the vaccine). That means that 94% fought it off successfully and completely when they experienced their first exposure. Those dogs in the study developed the antibody titre that will last and test positive for many months or years. So, here is the problem. A huge portion of the healthy, symptom-free canine population in North America has been exposed and is producing antibody. In the future if these dogs have a fever from an unrelated cause (unrelated to their past, resolved Lyme exposure) they will be routinely tested for Lyme as part of the fever diagnostic workup. They will test positive. Testing positive will set up the common misdiagnosis 13
of a current (or recurrent) case of Lyme disease. The misdiagnosis is especially obvious when the positive titre value does not match the severity or comprehensive nature of the symptoms.
of Lyme. The doxycycline "worked," the treatment was a success. And, of course, suppressing a fever only happens by suppressing the immune system – a very bad idea in the long run.
To complicate the matter further, the main antibiotic drug used for Lyme disease is doxycycline. Doxy is well known to be a very powerful anti-inflammatory drug. So, regardless of the cause of any fever or pain issue, doxycycline will resolve (not cure) the fever and the pain, just as if you gave aspirin. Actually, often better than aspirin as doxycycline, like all antibiotics in the tetracycline family, has a great affinity for cartilage, bones and joints. That means that a dog who is lame from a recent or old injury, or has chronic arthritis from causes other than Lyme disease, may actually show great improvement on taking doxy. Of course, for suspected Lyme cases this leads many vets to “confirm” their diagnosis
TAKE HOME MESSAGE
14
Hudson Valley Paw Print 2015
1.
Get your dog tested for Lyme yearly, when it is NOT ill, so you will know in advance if your dog is already successfully protected.
2.
Insist on the newest test (Cornell Univ’s Multiplex Assay) that differentiates the “age” of the titre.
3.
Keep your dog’s immune system healthy by avoiding over-vaccination, feeding a grain-free and/or home prepared/fresh diet, and minimizing stress and toxins in their environment. © Dr. Michele Yasson, 2015
DIY Do It Yourself
Grow your own
cat Grass Providing your kitty with the right kind of grass to snack on, provides them with essential vitamins for skin and coat health and aids in their digestion. By adding this roughage, it helps prevent constipation and assists in evacuation of hairballs instead of them vomiting. Dogs love it too! For those allowed outside, yard grass is not digestible and may be toxic due to pesticides and fertilizer.
PawTip Plant some catnip in your garden; not only will it repel mosquitos, but you’ll get some pretty owers as well!
Using organic soil, plant either (food grade) seeds or grown plants of wheat, barley, rye and oat grass along with catnip. (Plant lucerne grass for dogs). Keep well watered as the plants grow. Keep as an indoor garden or transplant outdoors after danger of frost.
Homemade
Kong Recipes
PawTip Freezing the stuffed Kong will keep your dog occupied longer.
1. Peanut butter + cheddar cheese chunks 2. Canned pumpkin + cheerios 3. Mashed banana + dog treats 4. Plain yogurt + carrots 5. Applesauce + dry dog food 6. Cooked oatmeal + apples
Mix & Match any of the above ingredients!
For puppies, the cold feels good on their gums while they are teething. It's a good idea to have two Kongs to freeze and rotate! 15
“what’s up dog ?” Pet Events Calendar for April, May, June 2015 10am-3pm sat
apr 25 th
Beacon Barks! Parade & Street Festival Main St. Beacon, NY 9th annual animal shelter appreciation day. A street festival for people who love animals, live music and great food!
9am-2pm sun
Bark for Life - A canine event to prevent cancer Kiwanis Ice Arena, Saugerties, NY A noncompetitive walk event for dogs and their owners to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society's fight against cancer.
11am-4pm sat
Safe Haven's Pet & Wildlife Expo East Fishkill Community Center, Hopewell Junction, NY 6th annual expo - vendors, music, food, kid's corner and animals available for adoption.
11am-4pm sun
Woof & Wine Benmarl Winery, Marlboro, NY 6th annual - a fun and relaxing event to benefit dogs in need of adoption!
10am-6pm sat
NY Pet Expo Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY Play~Learn~Shop~Adopt Free admission – Bring your pet!
May 3 rd
May 16 th
May 17 th
May 30 th
10am*, 11am** sat
Jun 13 th
JUNe
Mickey's Mile Dog Walk for Canine Cancer Research East Fishkill Community Center, Hopewell Junction, NY 9th Annual Walk. Music, off-leash dog park and ice cream! * Same day sign-up starts at 10am ** Walk starts at 11am For further info on these and other events in our area, see the calendar on hudsonvalleypawprint.com
m
Is aDoPT a sheLTer caT MoNTh!
June 26 th
TaKe YoUr DoG To WorK DaY! 16
ALL NATURAL
DOG TREATS made with love
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Balls are for fetching, neuter your pets!
Dog's Definition
Thunder A signal the world is coming to an end. Humans remain amazingly calm during thunderstorms, so it is necessary to warn them of the danger by trembling, panting, rolling your eyes wildly and following at their heels.
pet resources EMERGENCY ANIMAL HOSPITALS & POISON CONTROL Animal Emergency Clinic-Poughkeepsie ......................................................845 471 Animal Emergency Clinic-Kingston ..................................................................845 336 Orange County Animal Emergency Service ..................................................845 692 Capital District Animal Emergency Clinic-Latham ......................................518 785 ASPCA Poison Control Center | aspca.org/apcc .......................................888 426 To report adverse food & drug effects in pets...............................................888 FDA
8242 0713 0260 1094 4435 VETS
SPCAs & HUMANE SOCIETIES Columbia Greene Humane Society | cghs.org...........................................518 Dutchess County SPCA | dcspca.org .............................................................845 Ulster County SPCA | ucspca.org ..................................................................845 Hudson Valley SPCA | hudsonvalleyspca.com .........................................845 Humane Society of Walden | waldenhumane.org ..................................845
828 452 331 564 778
6044 7722 5377 6810 5115
● To find an animal shelter or rescue group near you: AnimalShelter.org or TheShelterPetProject.org ● To adopt a pet (specific breed, gender, age, etc.): PetFinder.com or AdoptaPet.com ● To find your town animal control officer, see your county SPCAs website ● For low cost spay/neuter services or certificates: SpayUSA.org or FriendsOfAnimals.org ● For a list of local wildlife rehabilitators: Wildlife.RescueShelter.com/NewYork ● To find a local T-N-R program for feral cats: AlleyCat.org
PET FOOD PANTRIES Safe Haven Thrift Shop & Pet Food Pantry .....................................................845 448 Rte 376 Hopewell Junction Coxsackie Pet Food Pantry ....................................................................................518 16 Washington Ave Coxsackie Four Paws Food Pantry ..........................................................................................845 1765 Rte 212 Saugerties Pet Chow Pantry ......................................................................................................845 363 Derby Rd. Middletown
392 5300 478 5414 679 0339 386 9738
PETS-LOST & FOUND WEBSITES LostPetsHV.org or PetFinder.com facebook.com/LostPetsoftheHudsonValley facebook.com/groups/LostPetsGreeneColumbia 19
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ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS IN THIS SPACE AND BECOME A PARTNER IN OUR COMMUNITY OF ANIMAL LOVERS! info@hudsonvalleypawprint.com