5 minute read
Petlife
Is your dog cover worthy?
DOG OF THE YEAR
is going to the dogs!
Send us your pup pics and we’ll create their own special cover. We’ll post all the entries online and readers will vote for the best cover. You can win a gift basket of doggie treats, toys and books valued at $250 from our friends at Polite Pups Training! Submit your pet at airdrielife.com BEFORE March 30, 2021
petlife
WITH CARL PATZEL
Pawsitive Help
Transforming your dog from wild to wonderful goes way beyond the length of a leash.
Sit, stay, roll over may have been the mainstay for pooch training years ago, but there have been leaps and bounds in four-legged guidance methodologies.
“Companion animal behavioural science is a relatively new but robust area of veterinary research over the last 30 years,” says Donna Barrett, owner of Polite Pups Training. “This science has proven that positive reinforcement is the best method to train dogs and even rehabilitate dogs with serious unwanted behaviours.”
Educated through the Positive Approach Canine Education instructor program, Barrett offers private lessons in encouragement training techniques for owners hounded by behaviour problems.
“I do not use force, intimidation (wanting a dog to submit to my will) or any pain-inducing tools such as choke or prong collars,” says Barrett, a member of the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants.
The adage you can’t teach an old dog new tricks doesn’t give any of these trainers pause who welcome all ages.
“We say their names, we say ‘No!’, ‘Stop!’, ‘Come.’ “We need to say ‘YES!’ so our pets know that they just did something we wanted them to do or like,” Barrett adds.
Before you’re at the end of your leash, having the right equipment can only help solve hounding puppy manners.
Over the past six years Laura Hudson of The Woof Pack Dog Walking & Pet Services has been helping lead dog owners in the right direction.
“I have collected a really large and diverse tool belt and useful selection of positive and force-free leashes and harnesses as well as tools and toys that we use to enrich and walk our dogs.”
As fetching as that sounds, leash reactivity is just the first step. Recognizing calming signals, body language and pet cues is just as important as knowing your breed’s tendencies and personality traits.
“If we have learned anything through this pandemic it is that dogs are our best friends and companions. We should always feel compelled to choose the kind method for them,” says Hudson.
When it’s time to scratch that itch and take care of your pup’s health, there are alternatives, says certified MagnaWave practitioner Kerrie Collingham of Kre8ing Waves.
“MagnaWave is PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field therapy); it uses coils or a mat to distribute magnetic waves to the body. This is a drug-free, non-invasive pain relief for animals and people, too,” says Collingham, who recommends discussing any treatment with a veterinarian.
Collingham has used the alternative method on arthritis, inflammation, hip dysplasia, pinched nerve and surgery issues.
“I do not diagnose nor cure any issues; only help the body help itself.” life
APARC
THE CITY’S ROLE IN REUNITING LOST ANIMALS WITH THEIR OWNERS
BY STACIE GAETZ
Losing a pet is a terrible feeling. Not knowing where your beloved furry family member is can be stressful and heartbreaking. That’s why Alberta Pound and Rescue Centres (APARC) and the City of Airdrie’s municipal enforcement department are working together to reunite lost pets with their owners. “We help lost animals find their way back home, or if not reclaimed, these animals are placed up for adoption,” says APARC president Kevin Maurice.
Laura Hudson 403.477.2710 woofpackairdrie.com
TO THE RESCUE
The City’s municipal enforcement department provides the animal control portion of the equation, taking calls about lost and found animals and bringing them to the APARC facility.
“The City of Airdrie and APARC have a very collaborative and transparent relationship that benefits not only our organizations, but the city as a whole,” says Airdrie’s team leader of municipal enforcement Lynn Mackenzie.
“Together we help reunite lost pets with their owners and find homeless pets their perfect forever home.”
The City of Airdrie has 11 community peace officers that deal with all animal complaints.
If you lose your pet or find a lost pet in Airdrie, call municipal enforcement at 403-948-8892.
“Officers are on duty seven days a week,” says Mackenzie.
“We ask that residents always leave a voicemail, as officers are able to receive messages even while they are on the road.”
She adds licensing your animal is required as per the Animal Control Bylaw and it is a critical piece to assist officers and APARC in reuniting their lost pets with their owners.
BACK HOME
APARC, a registered charitable organization, provides animal impound and rescue services for Airdrie. The services include licensing, adoptions, impound services, public drop off and pick up, cat trap rentals and animal welfare education.
The 8,000-square-foot APARC building opened in April 2020 on East Lake Way. The organization has 10 staff members between the Airdrie and Medicine Hat locations as well as a number of volunteers.
After an animal has been brought in by municipal enforcement, the staff assess the animal for health and provide basic care or ensure the pet receives any emergent veterinary treatment until owners can be located. If owners aren’t located after the mandatory hold period of three to 10 days, the animal is assessed for the adoption program.
The animal is then fixed, vaccinated, dewormed, microchipped and placed up for adoption.
From April to December 2020, APARC adopted out 143 cats, four dogs, one bird, and one hamster.
In the same timeframe, 59 cats and 62 dogs were returned to their owners.
“Our primary focus is to get animals home, and to do this we like to make partnerships with companies in our community to provide additional exposure for adoptions and to provide fundraising opportunities,” says Maurice.
“Additionally, this helps reduce the length of time animals stay in the shelter, preventing mental decline and the risks of disease transmission that typically occur when animals are in shelters for long periods.” life
Drug Free-Non Invasive Pain Relief for Animals and People
Kerrie Text 403 836 3919 Kre8ingWaves | Kre8ingWaves.com
