The Virginia Dog - Spring 2011

MILITARY WORKING DOGS: A Soldier’s Best Friend

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rom proper nutrition and skin care to making sure the doggy cookie jar is filled with all kinds of tasty goodies, our lives revolve around our pets. We carefully weigh the pros and cons of products and wellness choices to be sure they are up to par for our four legged friends. Often overlooked, until we are faced with a problem, is joint health. Today’s dogs live longer and play a vital role in our everyday lives. Their joints are more prone to age, wear and tear.

With the explosive increase in popularity of agility classes, flyball tournaments and the newest sport craze, dock diving, some dogs are extreme sport weekend warriors, putting smiles on our faces and stress on their joints. Breed type plays a role. Giant breeds (Great Danes, Mastiffs) with their heavier body and bone structure can experience stress on their joints. Breeds such as Retrievers and German Shepherds are more prone to hip and elbow joint problems. The joints of breeds including Dachshunds and Bassets have unique stressors because of their conformation.

Pet owners are educating themselves on the best ways to keep their dogs healthy. Maintaining healthy joints through exercise, good nutrition, healthy weight and a joint supplement are the best ways to prolong your dog’s quality of life.

Sashas Blend is a great choice of a joint supplement to use before you are faced with a problem. Sashas Blend is formulated from all-natural marine concentrates, and backed by years of science and research. It is a registered veterinary medicine in Australia, and has been recommended by veterinarians there and in Canada for over 8 years. It is the choice of winning canine Agility trainers and teams in the USA and Canada.

As our pets age, they are faced with a whole new set of challenges. We need to listen to them when they start to tell us in their own ways that they need a little TLC. Does it seem like your dog isn’t getting up from his nap as quickly as before?

Does he seem to have trouble with the stairs? It could be that his joint health needs a check-up. Once your vet gives you the go ahead you can start a supplement to help your senior pet become more comfortable in his later years. Sashas Blend is again a leading recommendation. It provides chondroprotection to slow down the breakdown of cartilage and helps build new cartilage. Its anti-inflammatory action provides pain relief by decreasing the mechanisms that cause pain.

We are educated shoppers when it comes to our dogs and we make hundreds of choices for them throughout their lives. Make the choice to include Sashas Blend to ensure complete joint health for your pet. Remember, it’s never too early or too late to start caring for your pet’s joint health.

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The Virginia Dog c www.thevirginiadog.com 5

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[Turning Art Into Activism] Local Artist Helps Homeless Dogs and Cats Find a Permanent Home Through Her Portraits

After she fostered her first dog, Lucky, in late 2009, artist Julie Hart wanted to help the homeless dogs and cats she encountered while she volunteered at a local rescue group.

Hart decided to combine her love of animals with her artistic abilities. She wanted to paint portraits of homeless animals, and then donate the proceeds from the sales of those paintings—to raise awareness about the issue of dog and cat adoptions.

Sadly, Lucky (pictured to the right), died from cancer after only a short time living with Hart.

Watching Lucky change from a shy dog into a loving pet, Hart was motivated to turn Lucky’s tragic death into something more—helping homeless animals, in his memory.

“When I begin a painting, I start by getting to know the dog while taking photographs,” Hart says. “I combine the personality and story behind each animal to find that perfect expression.”

Hart’s adoptable pet portraits feature a blend of realism, texture, and bold colors. She pays particular attention to the eyes, which she believes hold the key to capturing an animal’s personality.

Depicting different fur textures and bone structure with paint is challenging, yet enjoyable, for Hart.

Fulfilling her goal of helping the animals find homes, some of Hart’s subjects subsequently have been adopted or fostered by her or by friends. Others are awaiting their homes at rescue groups near her studio, in Northern Virginia.

Initially, Hart didn’t know what the reaction would be to her homeless animal portraits.

But after some positive feedback, including an honorable mention award at The Art League in Alexandria, Va., and commission requests, she is considering making this her artistic focus. She honors the relationships that people have with their pets by doing commissions.

Hart considers the $800 from her art sales that she has donated to animal rescue groups a good start to her endeavors.

She hopes people will consider adoption when looking for a pet. Hart continues to foster dogs because of the satisfaction she gains from helping a dog that has been neglected, abused, or injured, transform into a happy, healthy pet.

Her foster dogs give her unconditional love and joy. The new artistic focus and success is a bonus.

Julie Hart’s artwork can be seen at her website, www.juliehartdesigns.com, at A Show of Hands Gallery in Del Ray, Alexandria, Va., and The Lorton Workhouse in Lorton, Virginia.

The Virginia Dog c www.thevirginiadog.com 11

[Military Working Dogs]

A Soldier’s Best Friend

Photos by Lyna Tucker, Fort Eustis

by Amber Haldis

N

ot many soldiers will get excited about finding out about a deployment overseas, at least while the United States remains at war in the Middle East. Dogs won’t comprehend the news when it is received, but they will recognize the change of scenery when they get there. A war zone might scare Fifi, your little Yorkshire Terrier, but to a Military Working Dog, it’s just another day on the job.

Most of an MWD’s day is devoted to the mission. While in training, the missions aren’t necessarily “real,” but real explosives and real drugs are used. It is the only way to develop a taste—a scent—for the job.

A Military Working Dog, or MWD, will wake up in a state-of-art kennel facility with room to play and run indoors and out, a step up from the local Humane Society cages, and possibly from many of the apartments or other yard-less homes some pets are adopted into.

Training will last several months, and can go for as long as a year. It depends on a dog’s temperament and ability to learn.

Of that time, about two-and-a-half months will be spent training with the handler. As handlers receive new assignments and move to new bases, the dogs will have to train with a new handler, as their assignments often remain the same. The only exception is Specialized Search Dogs, which need to keep the same handler.

Their day begins with about 30 to 45 minutes devoted to feeding and grooming—again, a pampering not all dogs get to enjoy. The rest of their day, however, would not be fun for Fifi, and even more athletic dogs that have been sheltered their whole lives might have difficulty participating in the day-to-day activities of a Military Working Dog.

All training is handled at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, by the 341st Training Squadron. Between the Base and Training Annex, about 400 acres is devoted towards the training of Military Working Dogs. The locations host 90 training areas and laboratories and 1,000 kennel runs, and is home to an average population of 800 dogs.

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[Military Working Dogs] Photo by Lyna Tucker, Fort Eustis

Military Working Dogs have saved countless lives, and they have made thousands of discoveries of explosives and ammunitions.

Their help allows soldiers to cover more ground faster and remain safe longer. By locating and removing the enemy’s resources, attacks are truncated and future attacks are prevented.

Not to mention that the dogs can bring a feeling of playfulness and camaraderie when back in the barracks. Handlers and their dogs will be practically inseparable during deployments.

Several of Fort Eustis’ dogs are currently deployed overseas in multiple locations. SSG Washington has spent two tours in Iraq handling MWDs, once with Britt, a German Shepherd, and a second time with Jings, a Belgian Malinois, both trained in Explosives Detection. Labrador Retrievers and Dutch Shepherds are also common breeds trained to become an MWD. Sorry Fifi, Yorkies don’t exactly belong.

Military Working Dogs receive medals and honors and hold rank, just like any member of the military. The only difference is that they offer a paw rather than a salute in acceptance. In 2008, Sgt. 1st Class Zzarr, one of Fort Eustis’ dogs, received an Army Achievement Medal for his services. Jings, also a Sergeant 1st Class, has received the 8th Transportation Brigade Commander’s Coin.

Air Force Base, Oceana Naval Air Station, and Yorktown Naval Weapons Station.

The Fort Eustis unit houses dozens of dogs and is handled by the 221st Military Police Detachment. The dogs on the base work mostly to maintain law enforcement and to secure the perimeters through barracks, cars, and gates searches. They have also aided the local police with responding to bomb scares, and they perform demonstrations for the public.

In May, 2009, Fort Eustis earned top honors in the Training and Doctrine Command’s annual Military Working Dog Warrior Police Challenge, held at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

SSG Joshua Washington, Fort Eustis’ current Kennel Master, and MWD Clara took home first place in the competition’s Endurance Challenge. The Challenge mimicked a battlefield situation, and Washington relayed through most of it, carrying Clara as if she were injured.

It is the war zone where a Military Working Dog, and the handler, will really shine. About half of Fort Eustis’ MWDs have spent tours in a war zone. Soldiers are told to relax in the presence of a Military Working Dog. The dogs give them warning as to where explosives and other dangers are located, and soldiers can physically and mentally prepare themselves accordingly.

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MWDs are ranked one level above their handlers. This is to make it a major offense for a handler to abuse their dogs, as it would then be considered abuse to a superior. The dogs will retire with their highest ranking.

Dogs who die in combat receive a military funeral, too.

A Military Working Dog can be expected to serve 12–15 years.

Dogs that have failed training or have become medically unfit for service, or who have just served their time and lost their drive for the job, return to Lackland for adoption.

Priority for adoption is given to handler. The general public is given the opportunity to adopt a retired MWD last, and that process works on a first-come, first-served basis. Dogs adopted by private parties are not permitted to do any security, patrol, or detection work.

Information on adoption is available at the Lackland AFB website, under the 341st Training Squadron’s Military Working Dog web page.

The Fort Eustis dogs and their handlers will return to Fort Leonard Wood in the spring to compete in the Challenge.

For more info contact: Monica Miller-Rodgers Public Relations Fort Eustis (757) 878-4920

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[A Fight with Consequences]

by Anne Stoneham, DVM, Diplomat, ACVECC

Twister, her human Mum (she’s British) and her canine brother were walking in the woods near their house when a large Newfoundland Retriever came out of nowhere and attacked. He grabbed little Twister, an adorable 13-year- old, wire-haired Jack Russell Terrier, around her abdomen. He picked her up, shook her and kept biting. Somehow Julie, her Mum, was able to get him to let her go and rushed the whole family to VCA Veterinary Referral Associates.

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As soon as she arrived at the hospital, the receptionist called a “stat triage.” The emergency-room nurses immediately rushed out to get her, while I and another ER doctor headed to the ER so a team was ready and waiting for her.

Within a minute of the call, we all met in the emergency room. When we first saw Twister, she was in shock. She was trembling from pain and she was losing blood through bite wounds on her belly and neck. After we stabilized her with intravenous fluids, we started intravenous antibiotics and a potent pain medication.

HOW MUCH TREATMENT AND AT WHAT COST?

by Fred Wolfson, L.Ac.

In previous Virginia Dog articles about pet acupuncture, we have touched on some of the most common questions asked by pet owners: What is acupuncture and how does it work? What are treatments like? How do you get the dog or cat to be still?

After these questions are answered, most owners want to know how much treatment will be needed until they see a difference in their pet. In other words, how fast can they expect results and at what cost?

Based on my experience with people and pets, the answer is that acupuncture rarely works fast. That is the trade-off for using a therapy that is gentle, safe, non-toxic to the body, and without negative side effects.

From what I have observed, most traditions and styles of acupuncture work equally well—assuming you have a qualified practitioner who understands the principles of Asian medicine as well as the functions of the acupuncture points. What usually makes the difference between success, partial success and no effect, is the amount and frequency of treatment. Although there are instances of fast dramatic results, pet owners should not enter into treatment with an expectation of a quick miracle.

Acupuncture works over time, gradually, with consistent, closely spaced treatments. The amount of treatment needed depends on the nature, severity, and duration of the condition, as well as the pet’s general health, age, diet, exercise, activity, and stress level. Many common pain and mobility conditions experienced by pets require one or two treatments per week for a month or more before significant results are seen. Pets, like people, will probably not have success with an erratic and infrequent treatment schedule.

A 2-year-old lab, with an acute injury such as a sprain, may only need a few treatments within a short period of five days to resolve the issue. In contrast, when treating chronic conditions such as severe hip and spine issues or advanced arthritis, the therapy is geared towards reducing pain and helping to lessen the adverse side effects of medications. For some chronic conditions, acupuncture focuses on maintenance rather than curing or reversing illness.

Tied to the issue of treatment frequency and schedule is the issue of money and budget. In my practice with people, I use a flexible fee system of $20 to $40 per treatment. Patients pay what they are able. No questions asked. They put their payment into a box on the wall. I am able to do this with people because I can treat multiple patients at the same time. As I cannot do that with pets, the treatment fee is $40. I am including these fee details not to promote my service (I am in Baltimore far from most readers) but because affordability and accessibility of acupuncture is a vital piece of this conversation that cannot be glossed-over for people or pets.

Many pet owners can scrape together $75 for a single treatment, but at those rates, very few can afford to complete a full course of treatment. Because of the cost, owners often

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tell me they had to stop previous acupuncture treatment before they could see any progress, or they had stopped at the first sign of improvement. To avoid unrealistic expectations, practitioners and patients need to have clear communication about how much treatment is needed for a possible good outcome and at what cost. Owners need to understand that they are often entering into a gradual process so they can make a well-informed health decision for their pet and do realistic financial planning to follow through.

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The Virginia Dog c www.thevirginiadog.com 19

Weekend Getaway Fox Hill Bed & Breakfast & Cottage Suites

by Lauren Hagan

An Adventure in the Shenandoah Valley

Dogs are only the beginning of the animal adventure that guests can find at the Fox Hill Bed & Breakfast & Cottage Suites in Fairfield, Virginia. The facility, and the surrounding Shenandoah Valley, offer many dog-friendly, animal-friendly and entertainment activities, including horse shows and safaris. Whether guests are seeking a calm opportunity to enjoy nature, or an activity-packed weekend with the family, Sue and Mark Erwin, the innkeepers at Fox Hill, have plenty of ideas to suggest for a great vacation for people and their pets.

The Shenandoah Valley offers many activities each season, including hiking, swimming, and sight-seeing. Visitors can grab a leash, their dog, and round up their kids for a day of hiking in scenic environments like Goshen Pass or Panther Falls. If it’s warm enough, bring a bathing suit and take a swim in the many streams, rivers, or waterfalls.

For sightseeing, there’s the Natural Bridge; which is often listed as one of the “seven natural wonders of the world” in travel literature. Widely-regarded as a beautiful landmark, this rock structure is breathtaking and perfect for people of all ages and interests. Also located in Natural Bridge, Va., Is the Virginia Safari Park, another ideal destination for animal lovers. Walk through the ten-acre park and observe Bengal tigers, giraffes, reptiles, birds, and many other creatures.

On April 1-3, 2011, the nearby Virginia Horse Center is hosting the American Kennel Club National Championships, an event that will interest dog-lovers from around the country. Sue is always happy to provide guests with the most up-to-date events calendar, which includes activities from the Historic Virginia Garden Week in Lexington on April 23, and various theatre performances at the Black Friar Theatre, which is a recreation of Shakespeare’s original London theater.

At the Fox Hill Bed & Breakfast & Cottage Suites, guests have the choice of the bed-and-breakfast, or the cottage

20 Spring 2011

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suites. Both are pet-friendly, with the exception of one room for people who are allergic to animals. The bed-andbreakfast features a full country breakfast. Families or larger groups might be more comfortable in the cottage suites, with fully-equipped kitchens. The suites are attached to the main house.

People and dogs will find plenty to do just on the main property. Big fields provide a great setting for dogs to get together and play. In warmer weather, meals can be served outside on the spacious porch so your dog can join in, too.

Or why not take a walk to the stable on the property and visit the horses and the mini-sicilian donkey, Bud! “He loves having his picture taken!” Sue assures. Your dog will be well-satisfied by the doggie treats, complimentary towels and washing station with shampoo that Fox Hill offers. The Erwin’s dog, Ellie, a border collie mix, will assure guests how great this property is!

Sue and Mark have been innkeepers for 15 years, and they have owned Fox Hill for seven. They’re experienced in taking care of their guests. “We’re corporate drop-outs,” Sue says.

“We ran out screaming in ’95!”

The Erwin’s assure that from the moment guests arrive, they’ll be provided for. There’s a memorable, breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountain view offered in that first moment on the inn’s driveway! Sue knows when guests are late for their check-in, they can be found gazing at the view from the driveway. “Some people come and just never want to leave!” Sue says.

Fox Hill Bed & Breakfast & Cottage Suites Sue & Mark Erwin 4383 Borden Grant Trail Fairfield, VA (800) 369-8005 www.foxhillbb.com

TmaVDSpr11.pdf

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Planning a Canine Event?

The Virginia Dog proudly sponsors non-profit organizations in their effort to assist in the adoption and/or care of canine’s in need through charitable events by providing a supply of free magazines to be placed within gift/goodie bags, as well as free publicity via our extensive website, and print magazine.

For more information: info@thevirginiadog.com

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The Virginia Dog c www.thevirginiadog.com 21

Weekend Getaway The Garden and Sea Inn:

Escape to the Eastern Shore

by Lauren Hagan

Thomas and Dorothee Renn know all about the stresses of the fast-paced corporate world. Which is why things at the Garden & Sea Inn in New Church, Va., adopt a much slower and more relaxing pace, thereby making the bed-and-breakfast the perfect vacation spot for guests and their pets. Thomas and Dorothee are relatively new innkeepers, as they took control of the business in March, 2008, and set it in operation again one month later.

The inn’s history stretches way back to 1802. Its motto has always been about maintaining comfort and luxury for its guests.

The Garden and Sea Inn was originally known as the Bloxom Tavern in 1802. Before and after the Civil War, two families owned the property in turn, maintaining it as a private residence, and adding rooms and amenities to the house. In 1896, the Nelson family decided the inn was too close to the road, so they cut off the front half and added the Victorian facade. The other half of the building was used as the farm manager’s house and is still visible today near the intersection of Highway 13.

“It began as a fine dining restaurant in the late 1980s and was known for its exceptional cook,” Thomas says. “Guests came all the way from New York City to come to eat here.” It only makes sense that with guests coming from far and wide, they would have a room to stay in upon their arrival. So in 1994, it became a bed-and-breakfast. Today, Thomas and Dorothee’s goal is to “restore it to its original beauty.”

The inn is unique in the New Church area. The inn is not located directly on Chincoteague Island, but it makes amends by boasting of having larger rooms than many other inns on the island. The facility has five landscaped acres that include rose gardens and forests, a rich history dating to before the Civil War, a heated swimming pool, a central location near

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Photos by Thomas Renn

surrounding cities, nearby points of interest, and plenty of privacy. The inn is a three-building estate, located within forty minutes of Chincoteague Island, Cape Charles, Salisbury, and Tangier Island.

One aspect that makes the Garden & Sea Inn so accommodating is the pet-friendly policy, implemented so your pet does not feel left out from vacation. About 50 percent of the guests at the inn have dogs. On weekends, up to 10 dogs have romped throughout the property, chasing the plentiful rabbits through the fields. Dog treats, towels, and complimentary bags are offered at the inn.

One room has a fenced-in yard perfect for dogs, and others have screened in porches. When guests make reservations, they should ask about Doggie Specials. Although the inn’s original special is no longer listed online, Thomas assures guests that another special package for pet owners is in the works. In the future, the inn intends to host dog-grooming services and “perhaps a dog agility test,” Thomas says.

Chloe, the resident dog and “innkeeper,” is an 11-year-old boxer who will greet guests upon arrival, and who will occupy dogs as a playmate during their stay.

Call in advance to let Thomas and Dorothee know that your furry friend will accompany you, and they will make the necessary arrangements. They are more than happy to direct you to nearby dog-friendly beaches, hiking trails on Assateague Island, the pet-friendly, nearby national park for bird-watching, and other scenic rivers and areas.

Garden & Sea Inn Thomas & Dorothee Renn, Innkeepers 4188 Nelson Road, New Church, VA (800) 824-0672 www.gardenandseainn.com

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[By Land or By Sea]

Photo Courtesy of Veterinary Surgical Centers

The Use of Treadmills in Veterinary Rehabilitation Medicine

by Krisi Erwin, DVM, CVA, CCRT

With Contributions by: Kasey Kephart, CVT, CCRP and Nancy Liptak, RVT, CCRP

The inspiration for this article is close to home—my own home.

My husband and I rescued our Doberman, K.C., five years ago.

She is a loving dog with a goofy personality. Unfortunately, she also has a condition called Wobbler’s Disease, an instability of the vertebrae in the neck that predisposes dogs to intervertebral disc disease and neck pain. K.C. was diagnosed with Wobbler’s about two years ago. She seemed to be well-managed with pain medication and acupuncture, so we did not pursue surgery. A few months ago, K.C.’s condition deteriorated and she is now no longer able to walk without assistance. She became depressed and confused by her new limitations. Thankfully, K.C. was able to use an Underwater Treadmill (UWT) at the Buckeystown Veterinary Hospital, in Buckeystown, Md., to help regain her confidence and a bit more of her freedom. These sessions helped to build K.C.’s quality of life and her general happiness and well-being.

to shoulder height. The belt can be run on the flat or an incline and has a variably-adjusted speed. Some treadmills are equipped with jets similar to a hot tub to help massage the muscles. Some pets are small enough to even use the waterfilled chamber for swimming.

For those who have never seen an UWT, it can best be understood as a four-walled chamber with a treadmill belt as the floor. Generally, a rehabilitation technician accompanies the pet into the treadmill. Once the pet is walked into the treadmill, the chamber fills with water approximately

The Buckeystown Veterinary Hospital makes extensive use of their UWT a part of their rehabilitation services to help many animals. The UWT greatly improves the quality of life of geriatric patients, especially when a work-out is preceded by stretching, massage and therapeutic laser.

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UWT’s can be advantageous because walking in water minimizes impact on the joints while making the muscles work harder. The buoyancy of the water can be very helpful for neurological patients such as K.C., weak or debilitated patients, and post-surgical patients to help build and maintain muscle. Overweight pets can also use an UWT as part of a weight-loss program to help burn calories.

UWTs also offer a great way to exercise your dog when cold weather shortens walks and limits the amount of exercise your dog gets outside.

Nancy Liptak, MS, RVT, CCRP, is the head of their rehab program. Asked about using the UWT, she said, “One of my favorite patients, a rambunctious 13-year-old German Shepherd, improved dramatically following several work-outs. After seeing his improvement, his parents quipped that what they really wanted was just a ‘10-year-old’ dog and not the ‘7-year-old’ that we produced. It seems he was a pretty wild dog in his younger years!” This is just one example of how the Buckeystown team uses UWT to improve the lives of the dogs in our area.

Land treadmills, which are very similar to human treadmills, can also be useful in helping our canine companions. They offer the same benefits of UWT, except for the buoyancy to help reduce the load on the joints.

Kasey Kephart, CVT, CCRP, the head of the rehab team of Veterinary Surgical Centers (VSC) in Vienna, Va., uses her land treadmill often to help with weight management and conditioning for canine athletes. She says that treadmill work-outs are most successful when they are combined with other rehabilitation techniques such as massage, stretching, and exercises targeted to fit a patient’s individual needs. Her own dog, Gertie, uses

Photo by Krisi Erwin, DVM, CVA, CCRT.

Photo Courtesy of Buckeystown Veterinary Hospital

Photo Courtesy of Veterinary Surgical Centers

[By Land or By Sea]

the treadmill three or four times a week to help maintain her fitness during the winter months. She also has had several success stories with dogs enrolled in VSC’s weight management program. She happily reports that Cody, the Chocolate Lab, has already lost four pounds of his 10-pound goal, and little Milo, the Jack Russell Terrier, diligently plugs along on his treadmill workouts to help establish endurance and to lose weight!

We are truly fortunate that Veterinary Rehabilitation Medicine has started to add tools such as land and underwater treadmills to help improve the lives of our canine family members, and that these tools are becoming increasingly available in our area. I am certainly glad to know that I had such skilled friends to help K.C. along, as she has adjusted to her new way of life. Do you feel that your pet would benefit from treadmill work like K.C., Gertie, and Milo? Ask your veterinarian today to learn how and where to implement a plan to help add more bounce to your pup’s step!

For More Info Contact: Leesburg Veterinary Hospital (703) 777-3313 www.leesburgvet.com

The Virginia Dog c www.thevirginiadog.com 25

[One Bite]

IN VIRGINIA, EVERY DOG GETS ONE BITE

In the last issue of The Virginia Dog, I explored a person’s liability to a dog owner for injuries to the dog. In this issue, I consider the flip side: a dog owner’s liability for harm caused by their dog. In particular, liability for dog bites.

General Background on Dog Bite Laws Dog bite law is a combination of city and county ordinances, state statutory law, state case law (i.e., legal principles that arise from lawsuits within the state), and common law (i.e., legal principles that arise from lawsuits within the United States).

Our legal system in the United States is based on English common law. Under English common law, there is an old rule known as the “one bite rule”—that is, every dog gets one bite.

This rule protects a dog owner from liability, civilly and criminally, until he or she knows their dog is dangerous. However, when the owner has knowledge that their dog is dangerous, criminal laws may impose serious consequences on the dog owner, including incarceration or a fine. Animal control laws may require that the dog be euthanized or they may impose special conditions for retaining the dog. Civil laws may hold the owner strictly liable for all damages resulting from the bite.

Most states, which are referred to as “strict liability states,” and the District of Columbia have statutes which either abolish or significantly modify the traditional one bite rule, and make dog owners civilly liable for all or most dog bites as long as the victim was not somehow culpable (e.g., by virtue of trespassing or provoking the dog). Similarly, criminal laws and animal control

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laws in these jurisdictions may provide consequences for the dog and its owner even where the dog has not previously displayed aggressive behavior. However, 16 states, including Virginia, do not have dog bite statutes. These “one bite states” follow the English common law rule.

The One Bite Rule Generally, the one bite rule provides that: • A dog owner is protected from liability as to the first injury caused by the dog, unless liability can be based upon other grounds.

•A dog owner will be held strictly liable for dog bites and other harm caused by a dog with known dangerous propensities.

For example, if the dog previously bit someone, and the owner has knowledge of this, then the owner will be responsible if the dog bites anyone else.

Owners should be aware of the fact that even if their dog has never bitten anyone or otherwise displayed violent propensities, they can nevertheless potentially be held liable for negligence, injuries arising out of the violation of a local ordinance such as a leash law, and/or intentional or reckless behavior involving their dog.

Negligence Every person is responsible for injury to the person or property of another, caused by his or her negligence. Negligence is generally defined as the failure to use reasonable care and may

[One Bite] little as 1 percent at fault for the injury, they are not entitled to compensation from the defendant.

Negligence Per Se Another form of negligence is known as “negligence per se.” Negligence per se is the legal doctrine whereby an act is considered negligent because it violates some statute or regulation. To establish negligence per se, the plaintiff must show that: • The defendant violated a statute.

• The statute is a safety statute.

•T he act caused the kind of harm the statute was designed to prevent.

• The plaintiff was within the zone of risk.

consist of action or inaction. In the context of dog bite law, an example of negligence would be for a dog owner to let go of his or her dog’s leash as another unknown dog is approaching, in order to allow the dogs to play. Another example, involving inaction, might be an owner’s failure to keep a dog away from guests, when the owner knows their dog has a tendency to play rough or knock people down.

Contributory Negligence Sometimes the victim’s own negligence may cause or contribute to the injury. Depending on which state’s law applies, the victim’s negligence might impact or even preclude that individual’s potential recovery from the dog owner. For instance, if both the victim of a dog bite and the owner of the biting dog are walking their dogs without a leash, and the victim is injured while attempting to separate the dogs during an ensuing fight, the victim is likely to be deemed at least partially responsible for his or her injury. Today, most states adhere to what is known as the doctrine of comparative negligence. Comparative negligence is a partial legal defense that reduces the amount of damages that an individual can recover in a negligence action based upon the degree to which the individual’s own negligence contributed to cause the injury. In these states, a dog bite victim’s recovery will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to him or her.

Virginia, however, is one of only five jurisdictions (the others being Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina, and the District of Columbia) which continue to apply the law of contributory negligence. This doctrine provides that if the victim is even as

If a dog harms a person or property while in violation of a leash law or a prohibition against dogs trespassing, this will constitute negligence per se. For example, in the case Butler versus Frieden (1967), a 4-year-old girl sustained injuries when she was attacked on a public sidewalk in Norfolk by an unattended and unleashed dog. A city ordinance subjected dog owners to a fine if their dog “shall go at large upon any public street…of the city, unless such dog is accompanied by an attendant or held in leash by a responsible person.” Because the purpose of the statute was to protect the public against hazards created by dogs running around at large (including the most obvious hazard, dog bites), and persons such as the plaintiff were within the class of persons intended to be protected by the ordinance, the dog’s owner was held liable for the girl’s injuries under a theory of negligence per se. In the absence of the ordinance, the owner would not have been liable for the girl’s injuries because it was undisputed that the owner had no reason to believe the dog would hurt anyone if permitted to run free.

Bottom Line To summarize, in one bite states such as Virginia, liability for a dog bite is determined by a consideration of the following principles: •W hether the dog previously bit anyone. If so, the dog owner is strictly responsible for the injury.

• If there is no reason the owner should have been on notice of the dog’s propensities to cause injury, consideration turns to whether the owner violated any law pertaining to public health or safety, which is intended to protect people like the victim, such as a leash law, at the time of the incident. If so, the dog owner is liable under a theory of negligence per se.

•F inally, if there is no history of aggressive behavior and no violation of a law pertaining to public health or safety and thus negligence per se does not apply, the question becomes whether the accident was caused by the owner’s negligence. For example, a dog that has been mistreated or is sick and neglected might be more likely to bite a person, even if the dog has no violent history.

In such instances, general principals of negligence will apply to determine the extent of the owner’s liability.

Owning a dog can provide one with much joy and emotional support, but it is important to bear in mind that it also entails legal responsibilities. It therefore is important to know what your legal obligations are and to take a few simple steps to ensure that your dog is not placed in a situation where it could harm others.

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s] [ upcoming event

The Back to the Beach Gala Saturday, April 9, 2011

04.09

The Virginia Beach SPCA is sponsoring the Back to the Beach Gala with an evening of great food and drinks, a silent auction, fashion show and music by The Janitors!

For more information contact: The Virginia Beach SPCA at (757) 427-0070, Ext. 20

03.12

05.07

BARKS (Books and Reading for Kids in Suffolk) Program Event Saturday, March 12, 2011

Pet Fiesta Saturday, May 7, 2011

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

The Pet Fiesta is an outdoor festival bringing together local businesses, animal rescue groups and pet owners for an exciting day of interactive activities, demonstrations, exhibitions and animals galore. Meet dozens of animals looking for their forever home and then check out the latest in pet products.

Suffolk Humane Society and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church have partnered to bring the BARKS Program to Suffolk children.

The program allows children to read one on one to a therapy dog and their handler in a non-threatening environment.

For more information contact: Michele Thames at (757) 538-3030

Reston Town Center, Reston, VA

04.09

BARKS (Books and Reading for Kids in Suffolk) Program Event Saturday, April 9, 2011 St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

Suffolk Humane Society and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church have partnered to bring the BARKS Program to Suffolk children.

The program allows children to read one on one to a therapy dog and their handler in a non-threatening environment.

For more information contact: Michele Thames at (757) 538-3030.

Paws in the Park Saturday, May 7, 2011

05.07

Sponsored by the AARF (Animal Adoption & Rescue Foundation)

Richmond Fashion Week Saturday, April 2, 2011

04.02

Each night will feature a new venue and a new charity partner Richmond SPCA night is Tuesday, April 5, 2011.

For details contact: (804) 521-1318

Innsbrook Picnic Ara 4600 Cox Road Glen Allen, VA 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission is $5.00/12 and under free!

Contact: AARF (804) 399-6456 or (804) 339-2435 For more information visit: www.aarf.org

If you have an event that you would like to share, please email your information to bark@thevirginiadog.com

The Virginia Dog c www.thevirginiadog.com 29

Safety

Spring is here planting time is near Pet Safety for your Yard

by Christina Selter

Your yard and garden are wonderful for relaxing, playing and entertaining. However, they can also be dangerous for our pets.

As the Pet Safety Lady, I always say, “protecting our pets from potential hazards in our yards is of the utmost importance.”

Statistics show that tens of thousands of calls each year involving animal companions are in reference to having had potentially hazardous contact with insecticides, weed killers and pet-toxic plants.

Top Yard Pet Safety Tips from the Pet Safety Lady When designing and planting your yard, it’s a good idea to keep in mind that many popular outdoor plants are poisonous. Sago palm, azalea and rhododendron are toxic to dogs and cats. Sago Palm and other members of the Cycad family, as well as mushrooms, can cause liver failure, while rhododendron, lily of the valley, oleander, azalea, rosebay, kalanchoe and foxglove all affect the heart.

Keep your pets out of other yards if you’re not sure what kinds of plants or flowers they contain. Keeping your pet off any lawn that you are not familiar with, including parks and other public yard areas, will also help keep your pets happy and healthy.

Insecticides are not meant for four-legged consumption— always store pesticides in inaccessible areas away from pets and children. Make sure to read the manufacturer’s label carefully for proper usage and storage. Some fertilizer, herbicides, granules, sprays and insecticide baits may be needed to keep our yards healthy, but the ingredi­ents are not good for our pets and children. The most dangerous forms of pesticides include snail bait with metaldehyde, systemic insecticides which contain disyston or disulfoton, fly bait with methomyl, mole or gopher bait with zinc phosphide, and most forms of rat poisons.

As for fertilizer, or plant food, these may help to keep our yards healthy and green, but they can cause destruction to your pets’ digestive tracts. Make sure to follow instructions carefully and follow the appropriate wait­ ing period before

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letting your pet run wild outside. Pets that ingest large amounts of fertilizer can subsequently get upset stomachs, and they may get life-threatening gastrointestinal obstruction.

Food and garden waste, also called compost, make excel­lent additions to garden soil, but depending on what you’re putting into your compost, those ingredients can create problems for your pets. Coffee, moldy food and certain types of fruit and vegetables, in­cluding some stems, leaves and seeds, are toxic to your dogs and cats.

Like chocolate, cocoa mulch can pose problems for our pets.

This is a by-product of chocolate production and it is used in landscaping. Pets love its sweet smell, and depending on the amount of ingestion, cocoa mulch can cause sick­ness, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, elevated heart rates, hyperactivity and seizures. Try using other alternatives, such as cedar, shredded pine or hemlock bark, and always read and follow all instructions. Also, supervise your pets in the yard.

You should properly store all garden tools in a safe area, not randomly on the ground. They seem like no big deal, but rakes, tillers, hoes and trowels can be hazardous to pets and children. They can lead to injuries to the eyes, paws or even noses, plus rusty and sharp tools also create a danger for tetanus if your pet punctures their skin.

Fleas and ticks lie and wait in tall brush and grass in your yard, so it is important to keep lawns mowed and trim. Fleas cause scratching, possible hair loss, tapeworms, scabs, hot spots and anemia from blood loss in both dogs and cats.

Ticks can also cause similar problems that lead to several complications, including Rocky Moun­tain spotted fever, Lyme disease and Babesia.

Taking care to keep your yard tidy also means taking care to keep your yard safe for your pets and children. It may require a little research and extra time, but is well worth it in the long run, when you’ve prevented fatalities and illness. With this extra care comes extra enjoyment and peace of mind.

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The Virginia Dog c www.thevirginiadog.com 31

The Virginia Dog encourages you to spay and neuter your pets. It is a humane and responsible choice that will help to slow the overpopulation and as a result decrease the euthanasia of homeless animals in shelters. Spaying and neutering improves pet health, behavior, and increases the quality of life while lessening the burden on overcrowded animal shelters.

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[Featured Business]

Obedience Secrets Unleashed

Off-Leash K9 Training Creates a Mutually Rewarding Pet Partnership

by Lauren Hagan

Nicholas White knows that it is not impossible to teach an old dog new tricks; in fact, he guarantees the opposite and believes his business, Off-Leash K9 Training, LLC, located in Northern Virginia, creates a bond between a pet and its owner that is unrivaled by all other training approaches. White gives private lessons, dog behavior consultations, and educates owners on why their dogs do what they do.

For puppies under six months old, White recommends a procedure called Clicker Training. This simple solution is rewardbased: a small device makes a “click” noise, which the dog recognizes as a confirmation that they successfully achieved the desired behavior. To reinforce a job well done, a treat is given immediately after the desired command is followed through.

Click Training is a great foundation for Off-Leash’s E-Collar training, offered to older puppies and dogs of all ages.

White is quick to lay all misconceptions about E-Collar training as a cruel form of abuse to rest. A remote control operates the e-collar as a means to communicate with dogs up to 400 feet away, and the collar uses a stimulation mechanism similar to an electric fence collar. Shocks sent to the collar are meant as a communication technique and not as a punishment. White relates the shock to a tap on the shoulder to get someone’s attention and he insists that, “I would never do anything to a dog that I would not do to myself,” which is why White or the dog’s owners are able to test the collar on their own arms to feel the mild stimulation.

Not only is E-Collar training effective, it is enjoyable for both dog and owner. It is gentle and reward-based. Just as dogs get excited when their leashes are fastened, soon the “on” beep the collar makes will excite pets because they will know they are about to be exercised! Exercise and obedience is said to decrease behavioral issues in dogs, which will also put owners at ease. Also, training is easily worked into daily routines, so this is not a time-consuming process for owners.

Nicholas White has been working with dogs since he enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 18. He spent four years working with, and training, military working dogs, and he currently works for a federal law enforcement agency in Washington, D.C., with protection and detection dogs. He believes that 98 percent

of dogs, regardless of age, breed, or size, can be trained to the point of producing amazing results. About two years ago, Las Vegas K9 used the E-Collar method to win the Top Dog and Top Agency awards at the Western States Canine Trials.

E-Collar training generally takes four lessons. The first lesson, instructing dogs to “sit” and “come,” is guaranteed 100 percent, and if customers are not satisfied, the initial lesson is free. White boasts that dogs will be off-leash and romping through the park obediently after just one lesson!

So, what are you waiting for? “Let the bond with you and your K9 be UNLEASHED.”

Off-Leash K9 Training Nicholas White 2627 Hanco Center Drive Woodbridge, VA 22191 1-888-413-0896 info@offleashk9training.com www.offleashk9training.com

Special Package PRICING

h

The Basic Obedience Package >> $550.00

• Sport Dog 400 E-Collar

• 20-foot leash

• Four lessons

The Basic Puppy Package >> $280.00

• Four lessons

• Unlimited phone/email support The Virginia Dog c www.thevirginiadog.com 33

[Slipping into Springtime]

…with a Common Knee Injury

by Geof Ruppert, DVM

A

h, springtime! The ice melts, creeks rise, flowers bloom, and birds sing! And then there is that magical moment when you open the door and your dog bounds out into the yard. He runs extra fast because he feels the springtime magic. But wait, he’s coming back holding up a hind leg. What could be the problem? He was fine only moments ago.

Possible causes of hind limb lameness range from simple strained muscles to major long bone fractures, but one of the most common reasons is the torn anterior cruciate ligament of the knee. You may have heard of this injury, since it is a frequent ailment among our sports heroes and our friends who ski.

Canines of all ages are susceptible to it, but we see it very commonly in middle aged—well-fed—patients. Here are the basics on how we veterinarians recognize and treat ACL injury.

The anterior cruciate ligament is found in the center of the knee joint, and it plays a key role in keeping the major long bones together as our furry friends walk around. It extends from the lower end of the femur (thigh bone) to the beginning of the tibia (shin bone) inside the knee and keeps the lower tibia bone from thrusting forward and rotating inward when the foot is planted and bearing weight. If this ligament is torn, there is excessive movement of the bones, which we call joint laxity. This extra movement is subtle, but it leads to inflammation, swelling, and pain. Left untreated, the inflammation spawns arthritis.

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Nutrition

Why A Natural Diet?

by Darleen E. Rudnick, Pet Nutritionist

Your pet is important to you and you hope your pet will be a member of your family for a long time. But, are you sure that you are meeting your pet’s unique needs? Selecting the right diet is up to you.

You are probably cautious about what you eat and how you live your life. You make changes that will improve your well-being.

Proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle are just as important for your dog or cat.

Everything they ate was complete, and the animals’ lives were as nature intended. Now that we have domesticated animals, that lifestyle has changed how they eat and how they live.

Domestic pets eat what we feed them—in most cases, dry or canned food. Unfortunately, these foods don’t always contain what we think they contain.

Poor nutrition is a direct cause of many major and minor diseases. Therefore, a commitment to optimum health and longevity for your pet must include a high quality diet.

Many people are fooled by marketing that entices owners through fancy packaging and clever advertising. Other owners can be persuaded to buy a particular food because it is less expensive or because it is advertised as a “premium” brand and it costs more than other foods. Often people make their selection because television commercials sway them. Unfortunately, many of these commercial foods are manufactured and fed at the expense of our pet’s health. Most foods contain a high percentage of artificial flavorings, preservatives, and sugars, and the protein is low-quality and difficult to digest.

In their natural state, in the wild, animals obtained all of the nutrients they needed to exist from hunting and scavenging.

“Forty percent of many pet foods consist of meat by-products and offal [wastes],” according to The Pet Food Institute.

Your pet deserves a healthy diet that is going to help, rather than harm. But, how can you be sure your pet’s diet contains the proper nutrients? Unfortunately, many of the products that are readily available are not the right ones for your pet.

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Nutrition

“The other 60 percent is grain and soy meal not used for human consumption because of foreign odors, debris, germs, etc.” Many commercial pet foods contain unnatural preservatives, coloring, sugar, and salt. When you see “poultry by-products” listed on your cat or dog food bag, this does not mean your pet is getting meat. That may mean that the pet is getting feet, feathers, heads, and eyes.

The majority of pet foods are produced to appeal to the public for sales—and not for our pets’ optimum health. The proper quality control of ingredients is not always maintained, and added nutrients are not always digestible. Generally, the higher quality the ingredients, the more usable they are by the pet’s body, requiring less food and producing fewer stools.

Fortunately, there are natural pet food manufacturers that use high quality meats, grains, vegetables, fruits, and natural preservatives. Natural foods contain wholesome ingredients that your pet’s body organs and structures are best equipped to utilize. Everything you take into your body affects your cells in one way or another. The same is true with pets—when your pet takes in the right foods, these foods will set up healthy biochemical reactions. When your pet takes in the wrong foods, they will set up destructive biochemical reactions in the body. It is that simple. Therefore, healthy foods—fresh meat, vegetables, grains, and fruits—set up a healthy immune system that fights off bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

Research has shown that a low quality diet—a diet loaded with chemicals, fillers, stabilizers, coloring agents, and by-products can lead to allergies, nervousness, hypertension, diabetes, weight problems, dry skin, and other common ailments.

Dogs and cats sometimes strip wallpaper off the walls in a desperate attempt to get some of the minerals and trace elements that are lacking in today’s pet foods. If your dog eats his own feces, he may not be a “bad dog.” He may simply be trying to obtain some nutrients missing from his so-called “nutritionally complete” commercial dog food. You will save money purchasing these low-quality foods, but years down the road, you will make up for it with a sick pet and costly veterinarian bills.

If you feed your pet a natural diet, and you will immediately see results—a shiny coat, glossy eyes, little body and mouth odor, less fleas, less shedding, and lastly, less visits to the veterinarian.

I recommend a homemade diet. However, I realize that this does not fit into everyone’s lifestyle. Therefore, if a homemade diet is not possible, it is important to choose a high-quality dry food.

Choosing a more natural, homemade diet could result in a happy, healthier—and less costly—pet!

The Virginia Dog c www.thevirginiadog.com 37

Training

For more info contact: Tom & Pat Lacy Dog Lovers Obedience School Richmond, VA Tel: (804) 741-DOGS or (804) 749-4050 www.dogloversobedienceschool.com

TOM’S TRAINING TIPS: Pick the Right Word for the Best Results

by Tom Lacy, Dog Obedience Instructor

Consistency and repetition train a dog. Everyone in the family at our Dog Lovers Obedience School in Richmond, Virginia who are four years and older does the same thing the same way. And using the same words gets the dogs to learn quickly and retain training better.

A dog’s strongest sense is smell. After that, hearing, and then sight. We think that a dog’s keen sense of hearing works best for most people—especially young children. Interestingly, it only takes a child’s vocabulary to teach all the basic obedience commands. By employing common-sense commands, even the young comprehend. After all, they’re words that they use daily.

In foundation training, don’t substitute words you haven’t taught. Say the five position commands: sit, down, stand, heel and come only once. Even if you have to reposition the dog in the beginning to get them to perform the command. If you say the command two times, for instance, without putting the dog in that position, you’re teaching that the command is “sit, sit,” rather than simply “sit.”

“No” doesn’t tell a dog what to do. It only tells them what not to do. It should be used sparingly, and firmly but not loudly.

Just as we tell children and adults “no,” to aid them in avoiding danger, use it the same way with your pet. Do not intersperse “no” with other commands such as, “No, sit!” After you have given the “no” command, immediately reinforce that with a position command to regain control as the pack leader.

“Down” is a position command, as listed above, not to be coupled with “get down,” meaning “get off.”

“Off” means to take the paws off of something, or not to jump on someone. Nor should you couple the commands “sit down.”

A dog cannot “sit” and “down” at the same time. Always avoid confusing the specific commands.

Say what you mean; mean what you say.

Many words can be added to your battery of commands, but keep the list short and use appropriate words to accomplish the desired corrections. As the dog becomes proficient, add single word commands to sentences. Most of the sentence will be for you, but they will learn to pick out the words directed toward them.

“Stay” is a reinforcement command and can be repeated as often as necessary. Use “stay: if the dog attempts to break your most recent command. Repeating the word “stay” can be accompanied by a slight reinforcing tug on the leash, or with a hand signal similar to that which a traffic policeman makes.

Challenge yourself as a pet owner to simplify your commands.

Make them more relevant to people usage, and give your pet lots of love and praise as they learn to respond better.

Remember: Consistency and repetition train a dog. Pick the right word, and then stick with it.

38 Winter 2010 c The Virginia Dog

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The Virginia Dog c www.thevirginiadog.com      39  

Health Your Dog’s Health Means A Balanced Immune System

by Jean Scherwenka

Photo by Jean Scherwenka Priestly the Rottweiler was 6-1/2 years old when he came to live with Rusty Peterson and his family. After a while, fungal and bacterial infections started breaking out in different places on the dog’s body. “He was in a little scuffle with another dog and got a fungal infection. A different time his toe became infected,” says Rusty. Priestly’s persistent health problems caused worry and concern for his family. They didn’t know why he kept getting sick, or what they should do about it.

Holistic veterinarian Chris Bessent, DVM, in Oconomowoc, Wis., determined that Priestly’s immune system was under-active.

She suggested Support Immunity, a Chinese herbal formula from Herbsmith. This proprietary blend of astragalus and codonopsis root provided the necessary balance to restore health and wellness in Priestly’s body. Sometimes it was hard to tell whether his infections were bacterial or fungal, but the herbal formula helped in either case because it provided a general boost to his immune system.

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If your dog gets sick easily, more often than you’d like, or more often than seems normal, his problem might be an under-active immune system. According to Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), a properly functioning immune system will protect your dog from the invasions of those ever-present bacteria or viruses. That’s its job. But if your dog’s immune system is under-active, that opportunistic bacteria or virus will invade his body, simply because it can. If he suffers from allergies or autoimmune diseases, then those symptoms indicate he has an overactive immune system. In either case, if you continue treating only his symptoms, you’ll never actually resolve the root of his problems.

What does a balanced immune system look like in our dogs, and how do we maintain that healthy balance? The following may sound a bit “magical,” but when you think about it, all body systems are actually quite miraculous in their ability to maintain health and balance when we make sure the body gets what it needs and nothing more.

Health

First, some background.

Heredity or Heavenly Jing In Western medicine, DNA, heredity, and genetics refer to inherited or natural inclinations toward health or certain diseases.

A dog with a family history of cancer, for example, might be inclined to develop cancer during his own lifetime. A balanced diet, vitamin supplements, and immunizations are recommended for building immunity against disease.

Chinese medicine refers to heredity as “heavenly jing,” or the life force or qi (pronounced “chee”) the dog is born with. “Post heavenly jing,” or the qi a dog develops over the course of his lifetime, depends on the food he eats, the quality of air he breathes, and the amount of movement or daily exercise he gets. Chinese theory refers to the immune system as wei qi (pronounced “way chee”), or an outer defense field on the surface of the body that protects it from invasion of wind, cold or damp, and from viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and microorganisms. A healthy wei qi results from a good balance of blood and qi within the body.

Yin and Yang.

From the Chinese perspective, blood is yin and qi is yang. For a balanced immune system, there must be a balance of yin and yang. Wei qi develops through the spleen and stomach with digestion. For example, the dog ingests a good quality food which gets “rotten and ripened” within the stomach (digested with the digestive enzymes). The components of that food—glucose, fatty acids, amino acids—then get absorbed through the small intestine and enter the rest of the body to provide basic building blocks of energy.

Chinese theory describes this process as spleen qi, as the spleen takes in those food components and disburses them as food energy throughout the body, particularly sending the energy upward to the lung. If the lung is breathing in good oxygen, then every day, with every breath, good oxygen gets absorbed into the body. That combination of food qi from the spleen and air qi from the lungs descends down over the body and provides the good qi that we think of as energy.

Back to Wei Qi. So the spleen and stomach need to function to their fullest in order to develop a foundation of post-inherited, or postheavenly, jing, the qi that is developing every day. A healthy, balanced body needs a combined effort of the spleen and stomach functioning to their fullest, the lungs taking in good air and oxygen, and a movement of qi, or energy, throughout the body. This is where every-day activity makes a big difference. Daily walks, runs, or games of fetch get the dog’s qi moving as it should throughout his body. Combined with a balance of yin and yang, good food, quality air, and daily exercise provide the complete foundation of a balanced immune system for vibrant health.

Inside, Outside, All Around the Dog. Chinese medicine explains the immune system or wei qi as the outer protective force field on the surface of the body.

From the Western perspective, “the surface of the body” might be described as the hairy or furry part of the dog. But the Chinese perspective also sees the lining of the colon as part of the outer surface of the body. And here is why. In order to get this perspective, it helps to perceive the dog’s body as an elongated donut. The donut hole is represented by the long “hole” from the dog’s mouth all the way to the opening at his other end, or anus. When viewed this way, the lining of his entire digestive system becomes part of the outer surface of his body along with his hairy, furry skin. The immune system, or outer force field, runs along this entire outer surface of the dog’s body protecting him from the invasion of viruses, bacteria, protozoa, or microorganisms.

“We feel there’s no way in the world Priestly would still be with us if it weren’t for those Chinese herbs,” says Rusty. “The docs [who previously saw Priestly for a CT scan] didn’t think he was going to live much longer.” At a cheerful 11-1/2 years old, Priestly will never be without those herbs. Safe for long-term use, the Support Immunity formula has a permanent spot in the dog’s medicine cabinet.

The Virginia Dog c www.thevirginiadog.com 43

Photo by Janet Hitchen

[Hilleary Bogley]

by Janet Hitchen

I

f ever there was a person who has devoted their life to the welfare of animals, that would be Hilleary Bogley, the founder and president of the Middleburg Humane Foundation, Hilleary has steadfastly stuck to her dream, which is providing shelter and protection to abused and neglected animals.

“My animals have always been my family,” Bogley says with a smile. As a young child, she was surrounded by family pets. “My mom was a real animal lover and she definitely instilled that love and caring in me as well. Samantha, our German Shepherd, was my very best friend. She saw me through some horrible times.

She was always at my side.”

Born in 1963 in Potomac, Md., Bogley sadly lost her dad to a terrible riding accident. Sam Bogley, a master of foxhounds for the Potomac Hunt and a successful real estate businessman, died from horrific injuries he received when his horse stepped in a hole while riding with the Blue Ridge Hunt in Berryville, Virginia.

Hilleary Bogley was four years old.

She remembers almost nothing from those early days with her dad, but she is comforted by the stories about his life that she has been told by people close to him.

After her dad died, the young Bogley and her mom, Rose Marie Bogley, moved to Georgetown in D.C. for a year, and Hilleary attended the Holten Arms school. When she was in the eighth grade, they moved to Middleburg, and she attended the Hill School. Shortly after that, she decided she wanted to live with her Uncle Ralph, in Wisconsin, who had become a father figure to her. She lived with him for seven years, and it was there that she started to work on her dream of helping animals in need.

She started by having the school bus drop her off every afternoon at the local animal shelter. Later, when she was old enough, she moved to Denver and enrolled in a program to become a licensed veterinary technician. “I was basically living out of my car with my five dogs! We looked like the Beverly Hillbillies,” she laughed. “The day I graduated, I found a job at the downtown Denver emergency animal clinic. It was called

44 Spring 2011

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the Alamada East Veterinary Hospital. It was an unbelievable experience. I worked for a wonderful veterinarian named Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald, who is now on Animal Planet all the time. I was his first technician, as he had just graduated himself from Colorado State. We saw horrible things on a regular basis. There was terrible intentional cruelty to animals.

A night would hardly go by that the police didn’t bring us some poor dog or cat that had been victim of someone’s senseless viciousness.”

Hilleary stayed there for two years. When she wasn’t at the emergency hospital, she was volunteering at the Humane Society in Denver. At this point, she still was thinking that she might go on to vet school. But gradually, she began to realize that her true passion was doing humane work.

Eventually, her dream brought her back to Virginia. As a youngster living in the Middleburg area, she realized there was a need for an animal welfare organization. “People always had the mistaken idea that because it was such a prosperous town with beautiful estates and farms that there was no need for a humane society,” she says. “That couldn’t have been further from the truth!”

Bogley had a plan. She opened an ice cream parlor—and used the proceeds to fund a shelter. She called the shelter Scruffys.

She began by starting a program called “Scruffys Strays,” a spay, neuter and foster home project for animals at risk. She covered the walls of Scruffys with photos of dogs and cats in need, and then she posted their stories as they were adopted.

Scruffys first day of business was the day of the Christmas parade in Middleburg. Bogley was happy that she actually made $300. “I thought I had a gold mine on my hands” she says.

“Unfortunately, that was a huge exception to the rule. I very quickly found out that to actually realize my dream. I would need to find another way to make money.”

She was still living under pretty terrible conditions. “I only cared about keeping my animal family intact,” she says. “I really didn’t care where I lived as long as they were with me. I rented a

[A Life Devoted to Animals] house in the Plains that hardly ever had running water or electricity. My landlord was Mr. Pickett. He told me I could only have two cats. I actually had 10, but they were all black, so whenever he came around, he always thought he was seeing the same cat over and over again. It was pretty funny!”

Six years passed. Bogley began to realize that although the money was still not there to open her shelter, something else was happening that was important to her cause--she was developing creditability in the community.

“People had begun to see how committed I was,” she recalls.

“One spring I went around and took photos of all the signs of the local businesses. I had little pictures made up and took them along with a letter for every business owner telling them of my goal to open a shelter and asking for their support. I realize now what a huge thing it was to have so many people willing to support my dream. I could have never done it without the help of everyone around me.”

In the early 1990s, a fortuitous thing happened. The Loudoun Times Mirror wrote an article about Bogley and Scruffys.

“Soon after it ran, an adorable little woman appeared at Scruffys with a passionate mission. She wanted to open an Equine Rescue League,” Bogley says. “I instantly loved her.”

Her name was Pat Rogers. Before long, she, her daughter Cheryl, and Bogley opened the first Equine Rescue League in the country. The Times Mirror gave them a free ad, in which they asked for help from the community. After the ad ran, about 30 people responded, including a lawyer who filed the necessary paperwork to make the operation a legal charitable foundation. The Times Mirror soon gave them another free ad, this time asking anyone with land and barns to house the new facility. After that ad ran, the family that owned Churchland Farm, which is located just outside of Leesburg, Va., leased them a 60-acre farm for $1.00 a year.

Bogley, Bogley’s pets, the Rogers and the Rogers’ four rescued Mustangs moved in.

“I have worked closely with Pat ever since.” Bogley says. “We had to deal with some horrible things, the worst of which was usually policing the local horse auctions. We would get frantic phone calls from horrified people telling us of atrocities, mostly connected to the slaughter industry. Even though there were some laws in place governing the transporting of animals to slaughter houses, absolutely no one enforced them. Again and again we would get reports of horses with broken legs being dragged on to trucks and trampled. I would go there shaking the legal paperwork in the faces of the sale officials and the truck drivers and I would be totally ignored! I began doing undercover work, going to countless auctions and taking pictures of these atrocities. I knew that I couldn’t stop the slaughter, but I was determined to make sure that the laws governing the ethical and humane treatment of animals up to that point were upheld.

What I finally did was probably the single most important thing I ever accomplished . I enrolled in a program to become a court appointed humane investigator. I was finally able to enforce all the county and state animal protection laws. It meant I could intervene whenever I saw abuse and neglect.”

Several years passed. Bogley continued to think about creating an animal shelter. Her fundraising barely covered the cost of

taking care of the animals in Scruffys Strays. She still did not have a property for a shelter. She then created the Middleburg Humane Foundation and started looking at properties with the help of her three half-sisters and a family friend.

Initially, the search was difficult. The locations were either inappropriate or too expensive. Then a real estate agent casually mentioned a “derelict” place in Marshall,Virginia. It was a property known as the old Millman place. The property had been on the market for some time, and the Millman sisters, both in their 90s, were in a nursing home.

When they first inspected the property, Bogley’s sisters were horrified. It was run down. The floors had buckled. The windows were disintegrated. The property was covered in weeds. The front of the property included an old farm house built at the turn of the century. The back was the oldest four-room log cabin in Facquier County, and the house dated to about 1700. The property had been used as a prisoner of war camp during the Civil War. After some discussion, though, it was decided that Bogley would live in the front part of the property, and the shelter would be in the back. “They loaned me the money to do it,” Bogley says. “But I paid them back with interest.”

The Middleburg Humane Foundation gradually became part of the community. Bogley also worked as a vet tech at the Middleburg Animal Hospital for 18 years to help finance her work. Volunteers such as Jack Love and Janet McKim “were totally supportive from the very beginning and helped [the Foundation] in every aspect,” says Bogley. “They allowed me to house many rescued animals at the clinic and provided wonderful veterinary care for them all. They helped so many people and animals. They always went above and beyond. They were totally generous in every way. They will always be my heroes. It was a sad day for the whole community when they retired and moved away. They are deeply missed.”

During the past 17 years, the foundation has grown to be a busy, successful shelter. The foundation is active in the community, and runs several programs, including a chained-dog assistance project that provides food, straws and new dog houses for dogs that are kept outside on chains. The foundation has a feral cat program. There is also an emergency medical assistance program for families who cannot afford to take care of their animals.

Despite some challenging moments, Bogley carries on. She is assisted by her staff, a shelter manager, a close friend, Kim Zimmerman, and a second licensed veterinary technician.

Today, Bogley’s latest goal is to start a low-cost spay and neuter clinic in the community. She hopes to have some local vets help with that project.

Another goal is get some time off. “I’m giving myself 10 years to bring along a new generation of caring and dedicated people,” says Bogley. “I badly need some rest.”

She always thanks those people who have helped through years. “It could have never been done without the generosity and kindness of countless friends.”

For information on the Middleburg Humane Foundation and how to volunteer, go to www.MiddleburgHumane.com.

The Virginia Dog c www.thevirginiadog.com 45

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