PITTSBURGH PETCONNECTIONS MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019 VOL. 7 ISSUE 2 DIGITAL EDITION

Summer 2019

Vol. 7 Issue 2

PetConnections PITTSBURGH

WEL LNESS THROUGH THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND. FREE!

KIDS & DOGS Diet and Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs Water in Summer’s Heat Predator and Prey

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Owner, with Desoto and Bo www.petconnections.pet 11 petconnections.pet

1

Fun for

FROM THE PUBLISHER

URGH!

From The Pu

ONS

WELCOME to Pittsburgh PetConnections SUMMER Volume 7 Issue 2 Welcome to Pittsburgh PetConnections Mag

p District Wexford

News & Events

Winter 2019, Volume 7 Issue 1

We welcome advertisers Southern States, Agway and VCA Northview Animal News Hospital Specialty Referral Center! Also, congratulations to Healthy Pet Products, as they justWelcome opened their third location in Cranberry! to our Winter 2019 issue!

m

e coupon per family. Offer expires 6/30/19.

CORRESPONDENCE

Introducing our new quarterly sister Ease publication, March, Integrative and O2 Derm Pet Topical We welcome Animal released Massage,inBuzzy Photography, Healing magazine for people, and,supporting of course we have a pet section! See the digital Gel to our advertisers! issues on www.alllifemedia.com. Also visit our All Life Advanced Care page for Introducing our new sister publications coming out in March, Integrative Healing upcoming clinics for people magazine for people (and, of course, a pet section!) and pets!

info@pghpetconnections.com Training Retail 724.292.7387 are fall alsoinclude, pleasedCARMAA’s to announce some fun new things that we have in the works Events this summer andWe early Dogtoberfest is Saturday October 5th this year!

CORRESPONDENCE All Rights Reserved | ©2019 for PetConnections! info@pghpetconnections.com Animal Friends is also hosting their annual two-day Black Tie & Tails September 20 & 21st. Stay informed about 724 -292-7387 will be publishing pictures of your pet from winners of our new weekly social local pet events on our We PetConnections Facebook page!

PITTSBURGH PETCONNECTION QUARTERLY All Rights Reserved | © 2019 media photo contests! Also new, our membership sign-up button on our Facebook Published by: Pittsburgh PetConnections, LLC. Pittsburgh page, where you can receive news about events and contests, special discounts This Issue PetConnections LLC. was formed in 2012.

Our mission is to from our advertisers, discount event tickets, join our PetConnections Birthday Club PITTSBURGH PETCONNECTIONS QUARTERLY publish a high quality, informative publication focused on PetConnections, LLC. for Pets, submit your story to be published in our Human-Animal Bond section or Published by: Pittsburgh Our cover features Hudson Reinfeld andand Koby and the photo is by Buzzy Photography. Our accompanied Kids & Remembrance, more! the Human-Animal Bond. We support local businesses and Pittsburgh PetConnections LLC. was formed Dogs article in the Human-Animal Bond section, covers safety tips for children around dogs. also assist local non-profit businessesinfor2012. pets Our and people, mission is to publish a high to give back to our greatquality, Pittsburgh communities.publication focused informative on Our Featured Shelter this issue is the Beaver Area Humane Society!

Events the Human-Animal Bond. We support local Chartiers Petthe Cremation’s Healingregarding Hearts Pet Seminar, Animal This issue also many more articleCustom including, ongoing debate theLoss linkGrief between nutrition andFriends’ and CA businesses and also assist local non-profit MAGAZINE PUBLICATION STAFF highlighted in our event section.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy in dogs by Dr. Erin Anderson, board-certified cardiologist at Pittsburgh Veterinary businesses for pets and people, to give back Carla Mader, Managing Editor Specialty and Emergency Centers. Bernadette Kazmarski has updated the Homeless Cat Management Team to our great Pittsburgh communities.

Kara Jones Photography, Photography schedule on the Cat Resource as well as write an article on hydration for pets and animals in the summer This page, Issue Buzzy Photography, Photography heat.

Our Equine Affairs section features an article about Rockin’ Horse Stables. Our Remembrance section M A G A Z I N E P U B L I C AT I O N S TA F F Daria K Design, Graphic Designer Ourfor cover features Manon Farm’s Princess Showcaseand riding show! Memorial See the Equine Affairs section art has featured articles events for Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation Jefferson Cemetery, Carla Mader, Managingalso Editor Edward R. Moats, Content Editor April Minech! Also, a reader, Ruth Maloy-Carter submitted her heart-warming story, “Great to be G Funeral Home and Crematory.

Kara Jones Photography, Photography Animal Bond section! Edward Moats continues his avian nutrition articles, with more great tips, in Carla Mader, Sales & Distribution Manager Kelli Koladish, Graphic Designer Also, we are revisiting Integrative Healing for Pets with Dr. Doug, in our Pet Holistic section.

Edward R. Moats, Media Account Manager Edward R. Moats, Content Editor Carla Mader, Sales & Distribution Manager Our rescue section reptile PVSEC/BluePearl’s article aboutHoliday winter safety for PetConnections is published quarterly as features follows: Nate’s February, July,Rescue.

September, and November, special ADVERTISING SALES Korner Homelesssites Cat Management Teamevery has spay and neuter info, by Bernadette Edward R. Moats, Media Account Manager issue this year! Our print copyhas distribution will be replenished 6 weeks.

Our online presence hasKazmarski. E Hermann Learning from Source.

Elizabeth “Betsy” Fey, Director of Sales always been much greater than inwrites print about with now over 350,000 impressions this year. To subscribe to your own 412-447-8490 A D V E RT I S I N Gpersonal S A L E S copy of PetConnections, please contact us below.

Robin Reinfeld, Director of Sales, Pittsburgh PetConnections is published quarterlyspecialized as follows:pet Early February, May, August, and Novemb Did you know? PetConnections has evolved into a full-service media company, providing 412-780-2254 | rrcd@aol.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS distribution sites will be replenished every 6 weeks. Our online presence has always been m services for advertising in print and digital marketing platforms to help our sponsors grow their businesses. print with now over 350,000 impressions this year. To subscribe to your own personal copy Doug Knueven, DVM, CVA, CVC, CVCH on advertising R I T E R Sus below for information please contact us below.or sponsoring!

Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty &C O N T R I B U T I N G WContact Doug Knueven, DVM, CVA, CVC, CVCH Emergency Center Thank you for picking up this copy of PetConnections. Be well and have a safe happy summer season Did you know? PetConnections has evolved into a full-service specialized pet media compa Pittsburgh & pets!

Kristin Hermann Veterinary Specialty with your services for advertising in print and digital marketing platforms to help our sponsors grow Emergency Center April Minech Contact us below for information on advertising or sponsoring!

Kristin Hermann Bernadette Kazmarski Thank you for picking up this copy of PetConnections.

April Minech Edward R. Moats Bernadette Kazmarski Edward R. Moats Warmly, Warmly, www.petconnections.pet 11

Cover photo by: Buzzy Photography Anita Buzzy Prentiss

Cover Photo: Hayden and Harper Stewart Photo By: Erica Stewart

Carla Mader Publisher Carla Mader Publisher Please submit |any correspondence to: info@pghpetconnections.com Pittsburgh Central Ohio PetConnections Magazine Please check us out on the web & subscribe at: www.petconnections.pet PetCon Expos Follow PghPetMag on Twitter and “Like” us on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/PghPetconnectionsMagazine Please submit any correspondence to: info@pghpetconnections.com

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Pittsburgh PetConnections | Summer 2019 2 PITTSBURGH PETCONNECTIONS | WINTER 2019

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

4 10

HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND

Retail

Diet and Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

16 22

HOLISTIC PET CARE THE ART OF MEDICINE

26

FEATHERED FRIENDS PREDATOR & PREY:

EQUINE AFFAIRS

Dressage for every rider and horse

6 EVENTS County 8 RESCUE & SHELTER Beaver Humane Society for Pets, Wildlife—and 14 ADVERTISOR LOCATOR MAP Water People —IN SUMMER’S HEAT 18 WILDLIFE 27 Pets REMEMBRANCE Honored & 19 CAT RESOURCE GUIDE Remembered

20 DIRECTORIES 24 EQUINE AFFAIRS

28 Jefferson REMEMBRANCE Memorial

Rockin’ Horse Stables

www.petconnections.pet 11 petconnections.pet

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HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND

KIDS & DOGS – Good Sense Tips

By April Minech

W

e all know the great relationships that people form with their dogs, and many had their start when we were just kids. Doesn’t everyone have a memory of their first dog, playing in the yard together or sneaking them into bed? Watching TV on the floor, trying to feed vegetables under the table or long summer walk are some of the sweet reminders of the bond between us and our first childhood fur-friend. As today’s lifestyles have changed, so has the advice and information we have about our furry friends and how to build the best relationships.

There are things parents can do to help get things off on the right foot. For example, “The dogs should be exposed to changes coming before they happen,” says Lilian Akin, local family dog trainer. You can push a stroller around, play sounds of babies crying and let the dog smell or experience what’s going to be happening in their world before the actual baby comes home.

Many shelters offer a “Baby Ready Pets” course which goes over a list of situations and how to handle them that new parents might not have thought of. And there are online resources such as www.FamilyPaws.com that offer a lot of information and suggestions.

Little babies should always have a person between them and the dog, as they are at the most risk for damage from even a small incident because of their size. “Dogs should never come in direct contact with small babies” says Lilian. “You can sit on the couch with your baby on one side and your dog on your other. Or let the dog smell the baby through a baby gate. It’s also important to see things from the dog’s point of view.” Most dogs are going to be interested in a new baby, but you want to avoid encouraging bad behavior

from the dog when doing the introductions. “Some people hold the baby down to the dog’s level, then pick them up and away in their arms, which can encourage the dog to jump or try to get at the baby as if it were a toy,” Akin explains.

Along with general manners, dogs can be taught extra commands such as “back-up” or “go” so they have a cue to escape or leave the situation if it becomes uncomfortable for them. Lilian teaches other baby specific things such as not stepping on the baby blanket so your pet can know what is expected of them. You can also teach the dog to lay down and be calm when the baby is on the floor, so they can share that special time together.

“And even small children can be taught to be gentle and respectful of animals. Teaching children not to lay on the dog’s bed or go in its crate shows them how to be respectful of the dog’s space,” encourages Lilian. Most people know not to let the child go near the dog when its eating, as that makes some dogs uncomfortable, but don’t always extend that courtesy to other things the dog might view as theirs. And toddles can be scary to dogs. They walk funny, more quickly and fall and dogs don’t understand what’s going on. One of the ways to help them understand kids are good is to throw treats to the dog while the toddle is coming towards them. Or teaching the dog to lay by the highchair and reap the food that falls from the sky.

Lilian states that the number one thing people usually do that she would change is holding or trapping the dog while the child comes close to it. “Some people hold the dog by the collar or pin it down in an effort to restrain it while kids come close, and that can be very frightening experience for the dog. If it is afraid, that feeling of not being able to escape could make the dog react in a fearful way, as he has no choice. Yelling at the dog or swatting at the dog may make the dog resent the child, rather than teach him how he should act or what is good manners,” she says. And don’t punish the dog if it growls! Those growls are the dog’s way of saying “Hey, I’m uncomfortable here!” Listen to the dog and be thankful he was able to let you know so you can make good choices about how to handle things. Dogs want to be our friends and we can help show them the way with a little preparation.

You can contact Lilian directly for advice by email: laakin@verizon.net or by visiting her web site akinfdt.net

Family Dog Training Professional Lilian Akin, 3510 Gerber Avenue | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212 | 412.732.8091 CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA got her start training dogs by volunteering at shelters. She has worked, volunteered and/or taught classes in all three of the major Pittsburgh shelters, Animal Friends, the Western Pa. Humane Society, and the Animal Rescue League. She started out by working with shelter dogs under the guidance of volunteer trainers.

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Pittsburgh PetConnections | Summer 2019

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EVENTS

Animal Friends

Rescued & Recycled Saturday, Aug 3, 2019 | 11:00am - 2:00pm

https://www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org/events

Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation

Pet Memorial, Sunday, September 8, www.ccps.ws

Animal Friends

Black Tie & Tails Friday, Sep 20, 2019 & Saturday, Sep 21, 2019 | 6:30pm - 10:30pm

https://www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org/events

Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, Cemetery and Cremation October 5th – Bark in the Park and followed by the Annual Pet Memorial Service

www.jeffersonmemorial.biz

CARMAA

Dogtoberfest, Saturday, October 5th

www.carmaa-petadoption.org

OHIO PA BIRD FAIRS

October 20th, www.ohpabirdfairs.com

Events

OHealing H P AHearts B iPet r dLoss Fa i r s Grief Seminar www.ohpabirdfair.com

Feb 24 facebook.com/OHPAbirdfair Bridgeville Chartiers Custom Pet Cremations www.ccpc.ws

Animal Friends

Biscuits Bingo Saturday March 23 | Doors open at 10 a.m.

Bingo starts at Noon | IBEW Hall 5 Hot Metal Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 MEDINA, OHI0 Pittsburgh Marathon 735 West Lafayette Rd. Run for Their Lives Medina, Ohio 44256

Sunday, May 5 | 7 a.m.

Downtown Pittsburgh PITTSBURGH, PA

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April 7, 2019 Suzanne Clothier JulyLecture 21, 2019 600 Garden City Dr.Behavior May 24-26 Oct 20, 2019 Monroeville, PA 15146

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RESCUE & SHELTER Beaver County

HUMANE SOCIETY

By April Minech

T

he Beaver County Humane Society was incorporated in 1950 and had several locations, including behind the Beaver County Mall before building its large, modern and current location in 2013 at 3394 Brodhead Road in Aliquippa. “We can care for about 250 animals at one time,” explains Executive Director Susan Salyards. Each year about 4,000 animals pass through their doors, including visits for services such as rabies clinics or TNR (trap, neuter, return).

They also offer many supportive services and programs such as a pet food bank to help those with food insecurities keep pets in their homes.

“One of the greatest things about us is our staff,” says Salyards, “who take advantage of our four large play yards to work with our dogs. We held a training program at our shelter thanks to a grant from the Animal Farm Foundation to work with Aimee Sadler and her program Dogs Playing for Life.” The program teaches both staff and volunteers how to introduce and manage dogs for socialization purposes. Play groups have become a popular way to enhance a shelter dog’s quality of life while kenneled. Noting that shelters have limited resources and a need for efficiency, DPFL teaches shelter staff that incorporating daily canine play sessions proves to be a “best bang for the buck” in canine enrichment, assessment, training and adoption promotion program for animal welfare organizations. “Using play groups allows us to keep the dogs healthy mentally as well as physically.

“Obviously, a very cold or rainy day limits what we can do, but we try to get the dogs out on an everyday basis. As long as the staff can determine that the dog likes other dogs, or is safe to handle, we allow them to be placed in play groups. Safety is a main component, as we don’t want staff or any of the dogs to get hurt, but that’s what Aimee’s training provided,” Susan explains. “The staff now have the tools and resources they need to understand dog playstyles, dog behavior so that we can use play groups to not only enrich the lives of shelter dogs but even learn about them behaviorially.” Volunteers also can help with play groups if would like to help; the shelter has about 500 volunteers that walk dogs, cuddle cats, work at our thrift store and help with everything from events to paperwork. You can contact Volunteer@ beavercountyHumaneSociety.org for more information.

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Pittsburgh PetConnections | Summer 2019

If you are interested in helping by making a donation, the shelter has a wish list on their web site with everything from office supplies to cleaning supplies and welcomes monetary donations at https:// beavercountyhumanesociety.org/donate. “The shelter operates on a 2 million dollar budget, and it takes lots of resources to make things run.” Salyards says. Visitors are welcome to stop by and check out the play groups, visit the animals and inquire about the programs Tuesday through Saturday 11am-4pm, (additional evening hours until 7pm on Tuesdays & Thursdays.) You can find the wish list here: https://beavercountyhumanesociety.org/ our-wish-list

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9

RESCUE & SHELTER

POSITIVE RESULTS

with Positive Reinforcement

By Veronica Rigatti, Animal Friends’ Canine Behavior Technician

T

raining a canine companion takes time and patience.

Sometimes, our four-legged friends struggle to understand what we are asking of them. So, how do we cross this language barrier between pups and people?

At Animal Friends, we use positive reinforcement training.

The main idea behind positive reinforcement is that praising your dog has much more effective, long-term results than punishing them. But what exactly does positive reinforcement involve?

Let’s get into the specifics …

If your dog does something good, you should reward their behavior with treats, toys or positive attention. Your dog will want to repeat that behavior again and again so they can continue to be rewarded! Over time, your dog will begin to consistently exhibit the good behaviors that you’re hoping for.

Positive reinforcement training makes your dog happy while the good behaviors they are learning will make you happy – everybody wins! This type of training also builds trust between you and your animal companion, which will strengthen the bond you share for years to come.

Often times, training a dog isn’t a simple task. You will likely experience bumps in the road, but that’s okay! Struggles and setbacks are all part of the learning process for you and your dog. The most important thing to remember is to be patient and give your dog time to understand what you are trying to teach them.

What should you do when your dog demonstrates an undesirable behavior? You can use positive reinforcement in these situations too! For instance, if your dog barks every time you have a visitor, try teaching them to grab their favorite toy when there’s a knock at the door. They will be distracted by their toy and they won’t be able to bark because their mouth is full!

It’s important to recognize that training a dog comes with ups and downs and it is easy to get frustrated. Remember, you want your dog to love and trust you – punishing them instead of using positive reinforcement only teaches them to be afraid of you. This type of training can also be very harmful to a dog’s development and can cause new issues like fear, anxiety and even aggression.

Using force to punish a dog – like hitting, using choke or shock collars or yelling at them – simply teaches them to be afraid to act a certain way. While this may stop the negative behavior, it does not reinforce a positive one. As a result, the dog is likely to develop something known as “learned helplessness” where they will shut down and refuse to do anything because of fear of punishment. The result is a dog who is fearful of their owner and a very weak bond between the two of them.

According to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) …

“The potential adverse effects [of using punishment] include but are not limited to: inhibition of learning, increased fearrelated and aggressive behaviors and injury to animals and people interacting with animals. AVSAB recommends that training should focus on reinforcing desired behaviors, removing the reinforcer for inappropriate behaviors and addressing the emotional state and environmental conditions driving the undesirable behavior. This approach promotes a better understanding of the pet’s behavior and better awareness of how humans may have inadvertently contributed to the development of the undesirable behavior.”

Punishment can have a long-lasting impact on a dog and weakens the bond they share with their humans. There are so many reasons we recommend positive reinforcement at Animal Friends. It keeps pets and their people happy, it builds confidence – and it works!

Animal Friends offers a wide variety of training classes through Animal Friends University! To learn more and register, visit ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org/Training.

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Pittsburgh PetConnections | Summer 2019

AnimalFriends

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Whether you’re a cat fancier, rabbit wrangler, novice pup or seasoned hound, we have a class for you.

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562 Camp Horne Road | Pittsburgh, PA 15237

PET HEALTH & WELLNESS ADDRESSING CONCERNS OF DIET ASSOCIATIONS in Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Dogs Erin Anderson, VMD, MSc, DACVIM (cardiology), Pittsburgh Veterinary Cardiology, March 2019

L

ately, there’s been a lot of discussion about a potential association between grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. We’d like to address this concern with the most up-to-date information currently available.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious and unfortunately rather common kind of heart disease characterized by weakening of the heart muscle cells and enlargement of the heart. Dogs with DCM can experience exercise intolerance, coughing and trouble breathing associated with congestive heart failure, or arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) causing sudden death. DCM is most commonly seen in large breeds (Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, Boxers), where there is a known or suspected genetic component. Recently, though, astute cardiologists started seeing a higher rate of DCM in less common breeds – like Golden Retrievers, Miniature Schnauzers, and Shih Tzus- and ultimately became suspicious of a potential common link among the affected dogs’ diets. These atypical breeds were all consuming “boutique” brand diets, those containing exotic or limited ingredients, or diets labeled as grain-free (“BEG” diets). Currently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine is actively investigating cases of potential diet associations in dogs with DCM. It is critical to recognize that this is an ongoing investigation and that our suspicions are not certainties. We’re exercising caution because DCM is devastating and any reasonable preventative measure (a change in food!) is worth considering.

What we know: • The original investigation included 24 Golden Retrievers in California with DCM. Over the past two years, veterinary cardiologists have identified an additional 240 cases of diet-associated DCM in 29 other breeds. These dogs were all being fed grain-free diets, “boutique” brands, or foods with exotic ingredients - kangaroo, lentils, duck, pea, fava bean, buffalo, tapioca, salmon, lamb, barley, bison, venison, and chickpeas. Vegan, raw, and home-prepared diets have also been reported.

• Some (but not all) dogs with DCM eating BEG diets were shown to have low blood levels of an amino acid called taurine. Taurine deficiency has been implicated in DCM since 1987 when we learned that cats have a higher dietary demand for taurine since they cannot synthesize it on their own.

When taurine was supplemented in feline diets, the cardiac changes improved. Now, commercial cat foods are supplemented appropriately and the rate of taurine-deficient DCM in cats has plummeted. The original group of Golden Retrievers who sparked this new controversy (as well as many Cocker Spaniels) had low blood taurine levels, but not all dogs with DCM on BEG diets do.

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• Diet change and taurine supplementation resulted in improvement in both symptoms and echocardiographic variables of disease in affected dogs over 8-12 months of follow-up. Many of these dogs had medications reduced or discontinued altogether, an unlikely occurrence in DCM due to its traditionally irreversible nature.

What we don’t know: • How BEG diets affect taurine levels. Possibilities include low levels of taurine or its metabolic precursors; reduced availability, poor absorption, or altered metabolism of taurine owing to non-traditional ingredients like legumes, potatoes, or rice bran or to their interactions with normal intestinal microbes.

• Factors other than taurine deficiency that may implicate BEG diets in DCM. As in the cases of diet-associated DCM in dogs with normal taurine levels, we acknowledge that the problem may not arise from what isn’t in the food, but from what is. Commonly used but less well-studied exotic ingredients may pose problems with bioavailability or interactions with other ingredients or have inadvertent cardiotoxic effects.

• How many or which dogs on BEG diets are at risk for DCM. These diets have recently exploded on the marketplace, and they are likely being fed to millions of dogs, many of whom do not develop DCM. Additional risk factors have yet to be identified.

What we can do: • If dogs on BEG diets are experiencing any symptoms of DCM (exercise intolerance, cough or trouble breathing, fainting or looking “light-headed”), seek prompt veterinary care. This should include a thorough physical exam, radiographs of your dog’s heart, measurement of blood taurine levels, and –ideally- referral to a veterinary cardiologist for an echocardiogram, the definitive means of diagnosing DCM. • Dogs diagnosed with DCM should be treated with a diet change and taurine supplementation and may require additional medications depending on the extent of cardiac changes. There is no one perfect diet for every dog.

Currently, veterinary nutritionists advocate that affected dogs are transitioned to a diet made

Pittsburgh PetConnections | Summer 2019

by a well-established, reputable company which contains “standard” ingredients (chicken, beef, rice, corn, wheat).

The diet should include the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Nutritional Adequacy Statement labeling it as “complete and balanced nutrition.” (Notably, all BEG diets being fed to the sentinel 24 Golden Retrievers were AAFCO approved, so this label is not exclusive validation of a “safe” food.) Raw and homemade diets are not encouraged as they may increase the risk of other nutritional deficiencies or infectious disease. Helpful resources for critically examining pet foods include: http://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/12/questions-youshould-be-asking-about-your-pets-food/ and https:// www.wsava.org/WSAVA/media/Arpita-and-Emmaeditorial/The-Savvy-Dog-Owner-s-Guide-to-Nutrition-onthe-Internet.pdf The needs of dogs with additional special dietary considerations are best met in conjunction with a veterinary nutritionist (acvn.org).

• The cases of affected dogs should be reported to the FDA: https://www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/ safetyhealth/reportaproblem/ucm182403.htm Samples of the associated food should be saved, along with original packaging. Ideally, samples and packaging of all treats, chews, and supplements should also be saved.

• If dogs on BEG diets are not experiencing symptoms of DCM, it may still be worthwhile reconsider your dog’s diet. Even as we work to better understand the link between diet and DCM, it’s important to know that DCM is serious and often fatal. This risk probably outweighs any perceived benefit of a grain-free diet. Grain restriction is not supported by any reputable nutritional science, and it likely gained traction as a fad in the pet-food industry because of creative (and powerful) marketing. While some dogs with allergies may respond to dietary change, there is no evidence that grain is the source of the sensitivity.

• Stay open-minded, well informed, and savvy about the source of your information. Avoid dogma and anecdotal reports of what is “good” and “bad” – very few things, including diets, are solely one or the other. As the veterinary community works to better understand dietassociated DCM, we bring you these concerns not to vilify brands or kinds of food but because we are advocates for the best interest of your dog.

Figures a and b: Right lateral radiographs of a 10.5 year old, mixed breed dog diagnosed with DCM while consuming a grainfree diet. Figure a shows marked enlargement of the heart, prompting treatment with medications to prevent congestive heart failure as well as a change in diet. Figure b shows a smaller heart 5 months after treatment. Typically, DCM can be treated with medications to reduce symptoms, but an objective reduction in heart size is not expected. There are only rare instances of “reversible” DCM (such as with low thyroid function or taurine deficiency), and current evidence shows that certain diets may be included in these reversible factors.

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HOLISTIC PET CARE

THE ART OF MEDICINE

By Dr. Doug - The Holistic Vet \ Doug Knueven, DVM, CVC, CVCH

M

edicine has been defined in Stedman’s Medical Dictionary as, “the art of preventing or curing disease; the science concerned with disease and all its relations.”

So, according to this medical reference book, medicine is first and foremost, an art. This concept may feel strange to us modern Americans. We are all too familiar with the science of medicine. We are most accustomed to X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRIs as medical tools. We also have come to equate medicine with the precise measurement of certain compounds in our blood. Yes, the medicine of today is a scientific endeavor. So, what does art have to do with this process?

Art is a term that can be difficult to define in words. Sure, when you look at a beautiful portrait painted by one of the masters, it is easy to appreciate it as art. At the same time, when I look at some modern, abstract art, worth millions of dollars, I sometimes think, “Heck, I could have done that.” (But maybe that’s just me.)

Visual art has to do with color, balance, and arrangement. It is an intuitive process where the goal of the artist is to elicit a certain reaction from the viewer. There is an interaction between the artist and the consumer, and each observer will no doubt be left with a different impression based on his/her past experiences and individuality. Art is inherently a human endeavor. It requires creativity. It calls on intuition and creativity, and touches the soul. When we take this view, we can easily see how medicine is art.

As a doctor for animals, I (consciously or unconsciously) call on intuition and creativity with every pet I treat. Whether I’m using conventional methods or employing holistic modalities, there is an intuitive component to every decision I make in the diagnostic and treatment plans. Given the particular case in front of me, how do I elicit information from a patient who cannot tell me what they are feeling? What questions should I ask the client? Which tests should I run? How do I interpret the results when taken as a whole? How do I approach the caregiver with my conclusions? What drugs, herbs, supplements, or acupuncture points should I use? What follow-up plans should I put in place?

Much like an artist, every veterinarian will approach a given case differently, based on their training, personal experiences, intuition, and

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Pittsburgh PetConnections | Summer 2019

individuality. In fact, different veterinarians often have very different styles. When caregivers come to me for a second opinion (or sometimes a third or fourth), I often start the conversation by explaining that if they took their pet to three different vets they are likely to get five different opinions.

Of course, science plays an important role is what I do as a veterinarian. I run bloodwork, take X-rays, and do other clinical assessments to find what the problem is. Scientific tests are objective. The results are black and white, right? Well, actually the interpretation of the results can be tricky. For instance, X-rays are two-dimensional, black and white, still, dead images of a three-dimensional living being. When confronted with an X-ray image for the first time, the untrained eye often sees only meaningless shades of grey. Even experts, like veterinarians, can be lead astray and misinterpret what they see.

With almost every objective test I do, I am met with anomalous data points. For example, with blood tests, it is actually unusual for a perfectly healthy animal to have every one of the 20 or 30 numbers come out in the “normal” range. With X-rays, we commonly find unusual shadows. So, how do I judge the significance of the abnormal findings? It is an intuitive process of looking at the patient as a whole. It is like putting together a puzzle that has a few pieces from a different puzzle thrown in.

The goal is to be able to bring the appropriate pieces together and see a meaningful image.

Like art, medicine is fundamentally a human effort. As a veterinarian, I am not concerned that I will someday be replaced by a computer. I am confident that so called artificial “intelligence,” with its data manipulation, will never be able to replicate the human insight needed to succeed at medicine. Similarly, computer-generated “art” will always be missing an important human connection.

As we all bear witness to the role that intuition plays in guiding our actions, no matter our vocation, we see all that we do as a form of art. I love embracing the art of medicine and acknowledging the inspired intuition that I employ every day. The great thing about being an integrative veterinarian, is that I have more colors on my palate and more brushes to work with. When medicine is viewed as art, my every case is a masterpiece.

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WILDLIFE Water for Pets, Wildlife—and People —IN SUMMER’S HEAT

By Bernadette Kazmarski

M

any people think that since animals live in the wild and survive, all animals can survive the heat “naturally”. Nothing could be further from the truth for either our pets or the creatures that live right outside our doors. Any body, human, cat, dog, rabbit, bird, groundhog, squirrel...all need to take special care in the excessive heat of summer just as we do in the excessive cold of winter. We and our pets living indoors and our animal friends living outdoors need to find cover in a cool place, and we also need to keep ourselves sufficiently hydrated, drinking more liquid, preferably just plain water, than usual.

PETS

When heat stroke is possible

For your indoor pets

Being outdoors in sunny, hot weather, or being indoors in an enclosed space in hot weather, can bring on heat stroke. But other circumstances you may not consider can also cause heat stroke, especially in very young, ill or elderly animals and especially on hot, sunny days, or even hot nights with no air conditioning.

You should always dump yesterday’s water, wash the bowl, and provide fresh water each day. Yesterday’s water may not only have debris like hair and dust in it, it may also smell stale and taste funny, and most animals instinctively avoid still, stale water. Consider adding a pet fountain that recirculates water so it’s constantly filtered and aerated and they have their choice of drinking from the bowl or from the fountain.

To encourage extra hydration add ice cubes to their water bowls, and even add extra water bowls around the house when it’s really hot. Add a tablespoon of water to canned food too.

If your pets go outdoors If your pets go outdoors add extra water bowls in convenient places out there too, even if your pets only visit the yard and don’t spend time out there. A couple of my cats go outside on leashes while I hang laundry and work in the garden in the morning, and they regularly visit the water bowl I provide for them. And even if they’ve had drinks while they were out, offer them water again as soon as they come back in the house. They can never have too much in hot weather.

If you have indoor-outdoor pets or pets who stay outdoors, you will have established an outdoor watering place—even if your pets come indoors for part of the day, they still need water available to them outside. Be sure to keep that water source clean and fresh, and add more water bowls for them as well.

Pets on walks or traveling If your pets travel with you, even a short walk or a car ride, take water and a bowl for them. When I visit the trail I always carry lots of water, and I also carry a small plastic bowl in case I find an animal in need. Also, when I’ve attended outdoor festivals as a vendor, especially animal events, I always carry an enamel bowl and fill it with water to place in the shade under my table for the dogs who arrive with their humans. This bowl is always a hit!

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• Napping on a sunny windowsill.

• When it’s hot outside and there is no air conditioning, or it’s turned up above 85 or so to save on electricity.

• Riding in a car with no air conditioning.

• Sitting in a closed car, even with the windows partially open • Being closed in a small room.

• Being active outdoors with no water or shade.

• Limited or no access to water while nursing young, even with shade.

Keep these in mind while caring for your pets indoors and out, community cats and wildlife.

who feed our birds, but accessible water is more important than food at difficult times of the year like the heat of summer when food is plentiful and water can be scarce.

And many wild mothers are still nursing their young and need extra hydration to produce milk.

Add extra birdbaths and watering spots in the yard, especially one or two shallow ones on the ground for little ones like chipmunks and mice.

Run a sprinkler of some sort to leave moisture on plants that butterflies, bees and other insects can drink, and to moisten

COMMUNITY CATS Maintaining community cats If you care for cats outdoors, don’t forget that they need adequate water as well, and just as often as our own pets. If there is a nursing mother around at this time who can’t be trapped yet, she needs extra hydration while nursing her kittens.

Provide fresh water each day; sometimes it’s handy if you simply keep a stock of containers and bring new clean ones each time, taking away the used ones to clean and bring back another day. Also put out extra water bowls, and spread them around so that several cats and even other animals can reach the water at the same time. You may also be able to use an automatic water container that offers a quart or more of water and automatically refills a bowl if it will stay clean.

Place all the bowls or containers in the shadiest spot you can find, but try to keep them free of debris such as leaves or gravel.

Our wild friends need water too For wildlife we often think providing food is most important, especially for those of us

Pittsburgh PetConnections | Summer 2019

the soil so it stays cooler underneath—and sometimes you’ll get to see small birds and bees and butterflies flying around in the spray from an oscillating lawn sprinkler obviously enjoying it as much on a hot day as we humans did as kids.

And so do we And don’t forget to keep yourself hydrated.

Humans can become easily dehydrated in the heat because we sweat to cool down, letting our internal hydration evaporate off the surface of our skin, but then we need to replenish that fluid. Keep drinking fluids, preferably plain water, but definitely something without caffeine or alcohol.

Make sure you take as good care of yourself as you do of your pets.

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Low-cost spay/neuter and animal services in and around Allegheny County This is an ever-changing list of resources for pet owners in Pittsburgh and beyond including low-cost spay and neuter programs for pets as well as TNR for community cats, after-hours emergency care, help with veterinary bills, pet-friendly rentals in Pittsburgh and across the US and links to shelters for adoption and other services. This information is provided for reference only and subject to change without • East End • South Hills • Strip District notice. Please contact the organization or agency before using their services.

• Sewickly • Monroeville • Wexford clinics but organize, host, sponsor or otherwise provide • Upper TNR and Low-cost Spay and Neuter St. Clair NEW Organizations and Programs

access to spay and neuter services. www.TheDogStop.com Catnip Acres (Greene County) Homeless Cat Management Team http://www.catnip-acres.org/clinics.html http://www.homelesscat.org *Offer only valid for new clients at participating locations. Limit one coupon per family. Offer expires 6/30/19.

Fluffy Jean Fund (Washington County) City of Pittsburgh Free Spay and Neuter for City http://fluffyjeanfund.weebly.com/ Residents, city of Pittsburgh offers five free spays/neuters to all city residents Fund for Feral Cats of Pittsburgh www.pittsburghpa.gov/animalcontrol/spay_neuter.htm Reimburses partial funds to help spay/neuter feral cats (funds not always available), 412-521-5352 Day Care Training Retail Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Programs at Shelters Boarding Grooming in Allegheny and surrounding counties Shelter Lawrence County Animal Relief Fund (LCARF) Programs http://www.lcarf.com/ PENNSYLVANIA Operation Spay/Neuter Animal Friends Butler, PA (for Butler County residents only) www.thingkingoutsidethecage.org http://operationspayneuter.com/ Humane Animal Rescue Pet Search Please call each branch while the two shelters continue their http://www.petsearchpa.org/ merger.

SNIPP: Spay and Neuter Indiana PA Pets East Liberty Shelter (formerly Animal Rescue League) Westmoreland/Indiana Counties, Alle-Kiski Valley (Leechburg), http://www.snippindianapa.org/ http://www.animalrescue.org/ North Shore Shelter (formerly Western Pennsylvania Humane Society) www.wpahumane.org Clarion Paws Serves Clarion, Forest and Jefferson County Low Cost Spay / Neuter Clinic: spayneuterclinic@clarionpaws.org Trap-Neuter-Return: tnr@clarionpaws.org http://www.clarionpaws.org/ PET & OUTDOOR OR FERAL CATS Beaver County Humane Society http://www.beavercountyhumanesociety.org Butler County Humane Society http://www.butlercountyhs.org/FelineSpayNeuter.asp Washington Area Humane Society http://washingtonpashelter.org/services/ EASTERN OHIO Angels for Animals http://www.angelsforanimals.org/snWhy.asp

Low-cost Spay/Neuter Organizations in Allegheny and surrounding counties

These are organizations which are not day-to-day

Low-cost Spay/Neuter and Veterinary Clinics These are independent clinics that offer services on site during regular business hours.

Fix ‘Ur Pet http://fixurpet.org/ Frankie’s Friends http://www.FrankiesFriendsCatRescue.org/ Penn Hills Spay/Neuter Clinic http://www.spayaz.com/Pittsburgh.html Wexford Spay/Neuter Clinic http://www.spayaz.com/wexford-pa/

Find Local Low-cost Spay, Neuter and Veterinary Care on the Internet

Low-cost Neuter and Spay (search by zip) http://neuterspay.org/ Love That Cat (online search) http://www.lovethatcat.com/spayneuter.html Spay USA http://www.spayusa.org/search.php Spay and Neuter Early, a Humane Alliance Campaign http://www.whentospay.org/get-your-pet-fixed

Get Your Fix.org http://getyourfix.org/ ASPCA searchable map of low-cost clinics in US & Canada https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/ low-cost-spayneuter-programs

Emergency and After-hours Care

Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center (PVSEC) http://www.pvs-ec.com/ VCA Castle Shannon Animal Hospital http://www.vcahospitals.com/castle-shannon VCA Northview Animal Hospital Specialty Referral Center http://www.vcahospitals.com/northview A-VETS, http://www.avets.us/

Pet-friendly Rentals

In the Pittsburgh area, visit this list on the FosterCat website: http://www.fostercat.org/friendly.html Nationwide (United States only) http://www.rent.com/pet-friendly-apartments

Shelters and Shelter Services

Adoption, surrender, low-cost clinics, pet food pantries, referrals, etc.

Humane Animal Rescue, North Shore (Western PA Humane Society) www.wpahumane.org Humane Animal Rescue, East Liberty (Animal Rescue League), www.animalrescue.org Animal Friends (AFI), www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org Animal Advocates, animaladvocates.net Washington Area Humane Society www.washingtonpashelter.org Butler County Humane Society, www.butlercountyhs.org Beaver County Humane Society www.beavercountyhumanesociety.org

Animal Cruelty Laws by State (United States)

Animal Legal & Historical Center www.animallaw.info/articles/armpstatecruelty.htm www.petconnections.pet 11 petconnections.pet

19

DIRECTORIES 20

ANIMAL EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS North: The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium pittsburghzoo.org The National Aviary nationalaviary.org ANIMAL COMMUNICATION Greater Pittsburgh Area: Renee Takacs, M.A., intuitguide.com ANIMAL-RELATED ART, PHOTOGRAPHY & RETAIL April Minech Custom Portraits | Pet Inspired Art www.ladybugdelightz.etsy.com North: Kim Lenz, Behind the Lenz Photography 412-983-0981, https://www.facebook.com/ Behind-the-Lenz-127787624032093/ Buzzy Photography 412-371-5212 | anita@buzzyphoto.com South: Kara Jones Photography, kjones.smugmug.com Paws ‘n Claws Eyewear, PawsnClawsEyewear.com ANIMAL RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS North: Animal Friends 412-847-7000 | thinkingoutsidethecage.org Beaver County Humane Society 724-775-5801 | www.beavercountyhumanesociety.org Pennsylvania Great Dane Rescue, 724-869-9185 Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary 412-366-1187 | hopehavenfarm.org Western Pa Humane Society 412-321-4625 | wpahumane.org South: Animal Care & Welfare 412-244-1372 | animalcareandwelfare.org Droopy’s Basset Rescue 888-9 GET DROOL | www.droopysbassetrescue.com Washington Area Humane Society 724-222-7387 | washingtonpashelter.org Animals Against the Odds Rescue/Rehab www.aato.rescueme.org East: Humane Animal Rescue 412-345-7300 | animalrescue.org HAR Wildlife Center 412-345-7300 | animalrescue.org SW PA Pugs with Special Needs 724-763-2790 | swpapug.org West: CARMAA, 412-780-4983 | carmaa-petadoption.com Greater Pittsburgh Area: SPAAR, www.seniorpetandanimalrescue.org Guardian Angels Pug Rescue, 724-537-3466 www.facebook.com/guardianangelspugrescue Humane Society of Greene County 724-627-9988 | greenepet.org PEARL Parrot Rescue, www.pearlparrots.com BIRD & SUPPLIES Natural Inspirations Parrot Cages www.naturalinspirationsparrotcages.com

Pittsburgh PetConnections | Summer 2019

DOG TRAINING North: AKIN Family Dog Training (Lilian Akin) 412-732-8091 | akinfdt.net Greater Pittsburgh Area: Happy Pets Training/Christine Flint 412-373-9583 | www.happypetstraining.com Success Just Clicks, successjustclicks.com North Shore: Western PA Humane Society 412-321-4265 | wpahumane.org South: Paula’s Professional Dog Services, 412-818-2482 DOG TRAINING CLUBS South: Dogworks Training Center at The Canine Club 412-220-8100 | www.thecanineclub.com Golden Triangle Obedience Training Club 412-653-6880 | gtotc.com Keystone Canine Training 412-833-2211 | keystonecanine.com Xcel Canine Training Center 412-833-2504 | xcelcaninetraining.com EQUINE BOARDING, LESSONS & TRAINING FACILITIES North: Rockin’ Horse Stables 724-601-4706 | rockinhorsestables.com South: Coventry Equestrian Center, 724-206-9902 Manon’s Farm, 724-705-7912 | 724-621-0260 SydMor Equestrian Center 724-969-0510 | www.sydmorstables.com EQUINE FEED & SUPPLY AGWAY - SOUTHERN STATES North: Mount Nebo Agway, Sewickley, PA | 412-364-4430 Beaver Agway, Beaver, PA | 724-775-0535 Mars Agway, Mars PA | 724-625-2340 South: Eighty Four Agway, Eighty Four, PA | 724-222-0600 East: Ligonier Agway, Ligonier, PA | 724-238-6207 West: Imperial Agway, Imperial, PA | 724-695-7388 EQUINE HOLISTIC CARE Greater Pittsburgh Area: Dr. Michael Savko, DC, CCSP, CVCP 724-261-7915 | drchirovet.com EQUINE TACK STORES North: Shady Acres Saddlery 412-963-9454 | www.shadyacressaddlery.biz South: Lowry’s Western Store 724-228-1225 | lowryswesternshop.com EQUINE VETERINARIANS Dr. Brian Burks, DVM - Fox Run Equine Center 724-727-3481 | foxrunequine.com

HOLISTIC PET PRACTITIONERS Pet Chiropractor North: Dr. Doug Knueven, DVM, Beaver Animal Clinic 724-774-8047 | beaveranimalclinic.com Greater Pittsburgh: Dr. Michael Savko, DC, CCSP, CVCP 724-261-7915 | drchirovet.com EASE Animal Massage 412-447-8490 | www.easeanimalmassage.com HOLISTIC PRACTITIONERS FOR GUARDIANS East End: Judith Levy Wellness, Coaching/Energy Modalities 412-726-2659 | www.judithlevywellness.com South: Manning Chiropractic & Wellness Center 412-341-2505 | drastridmanning.com HOLISTIC VETERINARIANS Dr. Doug Knueven, DVM, Beaver Animal Clinic 724-774-8047 | beaveranimalclinic.com Dr. Qiang Li VCA Castle Shannon 412-885-2500 PET BURIAL, MEMORIAL & CREMATION SERVICES South: Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation 412-220-7800 | ccpc.ws Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home 412-655-4500 | jeffersonmemorial.biz Greater Pittsburgh: Thousand Hills Pet Crematory 724-355-8296 | www.thousandhillspetcrematory.com PET GROOMING North: All About Dogs 724-925-1577 | allaboutdogsgrooming.info Happy Tailz Pet Spa 412-759-7620 | Happytailzpetspa.com Healthy Pet Grooming 724-759-7567 Larry’s Laundromutt 412-534-4052 | Larryslaundromutt.com South: Candelore’s Barking Beauties, 412-872-5550 Creative Canine Cuts, 724-223-9020 Grand Slam Grooming 412-221-5081 | grandslamgrooming.com Petsburgh Dog & Cat Grooming 412-885-4027 The Pet Salon 412-279-5331 | petsalonusa.com Woody’s Dog Wash & Pet Boutique 412-714-4644 | woodysdogbath.com East: Animal Elegance 412-361-1177 | www.animal-elegance.com Cat Around Town Cat Grooming 412-466-7877 (PURR) | cataroundtown.com West: Paws Here Awhile Pet Resort 724-573-4665 | pawshereawhile.com

412-362-PLAY Camp Bow Wow Pgh East 724-733 CAMP (2267) North: Dog stop - North 724-935-DOGS (3647) | www.thedogstop.net The Dog Stop - Sewickley 412-766-DOGS (3647) | www.thedogstop.net Lucky Paws Pet Resort 724-728-1484 | www.luckypawsresort.com South: Grandma’s Dog Daycare 412-586-7094 | grandmasdogdaycare.com Fuzzy Paws Pet Villa 724-746-3899 | fuzzy-paws.com The Dog Stop - Banksville Rd. 412-343-1171 | www.thedogstop.net Pampered Paw Resort 724-413-3135 | pamperedpawresort.com East: Pittsburgh Pet Concierge 412-856-8505 | petconcierge.org The Dog Stop - Monroeville 412-373-3355 | www.thedogstop.net The Dog Stop - East End 412-361-0911 | www.thedogstop.net The Dog Stop - East: Strip District 412-315-7050 | www.thedogstop.net Country Lane Pet Hotel 412-824-7991 | www.countrylanepethotel.com West: Paws Here Awhile Pet Resort 724-573-4665 | pawshereawhile.com PET RETAIL/SUPPLY North: Healthy Pet Products 412-366-0700 | healthypetproducts.net South: Healthy Pet Products 412-831-3700 | healthypetproducts.net Oddball Pets & Aquariums 412-884-2333 | oddballpets.com Woody’s Dog Wash & Pet Boutique 412-714-4644 | woodysdogbath.com East: Petagogy, petagogy.com | 412-362-7387 Petland East Side Village 412-363-PETS | www.petlandvillageofeastside.com Greater Pittsburgh Area: Baskets of Nature 724-831-9437 | www.basketsofnature.com Dig It Collars, dig-it-store.com Trixie’s Dog Fashions www.trixiesdogfashions.com O2 Derm Pet Topical Gel, www.O2Dermpet.com

DIRECTORIES

Greater Pittsburgh Area: Zoom N Groom (Sonya Patterson), 724-225-4827 PET FRIENDLY BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS Bactronix, 412-375-7886 | www.bactronix.com Good Nature Organic Lawn Care 888-LAWNSAFER | whygoodnature.com Simple Sugars Scrub, Simplesugarsscrub.com Village Shoppes Scenery Hill Elves Lair Christmas & Gifts, Jan’s Tea Shoppe - 2nd Street Coffee Roasters, Velvet Envelope, Westerwald Pottery, Two Old Crows, www.sceneryhillpa.com Greater Pittsburgh Area: Fragasso Financial Advisors 412-227-3200 | www.fragassoadvisors.com Fundvelopes, 412-595-8641 | fundvelopes.com Matt Arch Foundation, www.connectarian.com One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning 724-225-1644 | www.onehourair.com OxyMagic, 412-781-4110 | www.oxypgh.com Susan G. Komen Pittsburgh 412-342-0500 | www.komenpittsburgh.org East Pittsburgh East Nissan 412-824-9020 | www.pittsburgheastnissan.com Unique Home Solutions www.uniquehomesolutions.com South: Southpointe Chamber, www.southpointe.net PET-FRIENDLY LIVING Greater Pittsburgh Area: Pinch Property Services 412-445-8550 | PinchPropertyServices.com East: The Getaway at Glen Highland Farm www.glenhighlandgetaway.com South: American Destiny Real Estate Services 412-983-2220 | www.adr-usa.com Amore 877-716-6840 | amoreapartments.com PET GROOMING SCHOOLS North: Pa Academy of Pet Grooming, 412-759-7620 PET MINISTRIES South: Christ United Methodist Church 412-277-1096 | christumc.net Westminster Presbyterian Church 412-835-6630 | westminster-church.org PET RESORTS - BOARDING, DAYCARE, GROOMING & TRAINING Camp Bow Wow South 971 Killarney Dr Pittsburgh, PA 15234 Camp Bow Wow Southwest 412-276-WAGS (9247) Camp Bow Wow North 412-931-WAGS (9247) Camp Bow Wow Highland Park

PET SITTERS North Furry Family Pet Sitting 412-999-9524 | www.furryfamilypetsitting.com Western PA No Boarders Pet and Animal Care Home & Farm Sitting 724-219-7801 | Noboarders-petcare.com South: Pets at Home 412-655-7297 (PAWS) Your Critter Sitters (Raylene Hoover) 724-448-7330 | yourcrittersitters.com East: Pittsburgh Pet Concierge 412-856-8505 | petconcierge.org VETERINARY HOSPICE & MOBILE SERVICES Greater Pittsburgh Area: Nancy A. Ruffing, DVM 412-801-1071 | gentlejourneyvet.com VETERINARY PHARMACIES Greater Pittsburgh Area: Murray Avenue Apothecary 412-421-4996 | MAApgh.com VETERINARY HOSPITALS North: Beaver Animal Clinic 724-774-8047 | beaveranimalclinic.com Cheyenne Veterinary Wellness & Surgical Center 412-884-3162 | www.cheyennevet1.com VCA Northview Animal Hospital 412-364-5353 | vcanorthview.com South: All About Pets Veterinary Hospital 724-745-5503 | aapvet.com All About Pets Veterinary Hospital – Washington location 724-503-4887 | www.aapvet.com VCA Castle Shannon 412-885-2500 East: The Big Easy Animal Hospital 412-908-9301 | tbeah.com Monroeville Pet Hospital 412-372-1100 | www.monroevillepethospital.com VETERINARY SPECIALTY & EMERGENCY SERVICES North/South: Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center, Inc. 412-366-3400 | 724-809-2000 pvs-ec.com North: VCA Northview Animal Hospital Specialty Referral Center 412-364-5353 | vcanorthview.com

List your business today! info@pghpetconnections.com

21

FEATHERED FRIENDS PREDATOR & PREY:

understanding the predatory response

By Edward R. Moats

W

henever I meet a new parrot family, one of the first questions I ask is, “What made you decide that having a parrot in your home would be a good idea?” And many times people reply that watching videos of parrots on the internet and social media helped pique their curiosity to interact with these misunderstood animals. Sometimes the internet and social media can give the wrong impression about animals. And one particular subject that I find of the utmost importance is interactions between predators and prey animals.

I’ve lost track of how many videos I have seen where parrots are interacting with dogs or cats. And along with the posted video comes a never-ending thread of responses that state how cute it is to see these animals at play.

Well, at the risk of sounding abrasive; there is nothing cute about these interactions. In this article, I will discuss the dangers not only to your parrot but other pets when pet parents permit interactive play between parrots and natural born predators.

A few words can summarize this article, Instinctive Predatory and Prey Behavior. Companion birds, such as parrots; are prey animals. Parrots in the wild are cognizant of their surroundings at all times in order to survive. Wild parrots have the potential of being ambushed by a predator at any given time. And over many years of evolution, this trait has become instinctive and passed down from generation to generation in order for parrots to live and flourish in their habitats. This behavior does not diminish when parrots are introduced into our homes. During the early stages of a parrot acclimating to our home, their instinctive behavior as a prey animal is amplified while they adjust to their new surroundings. And during this time, parrots can come into contact with a variety of natural born predators.

Humans can be perceived as a predator. And it is important that the potential bird family understands how to effectively interact with parrots in a way that can enhance the human/animal

bond. Approaching a parrot in an aggressive or erratic manner can trigger the “Fight or Flight” response where a parrot will fly away to escape the potential danger. Or they will engage in aggressive behavior such as biting in order to protect themselves. If a person does not understand, and practice; the proper techniques to interact with a parrot, they can essentially “create” behaviors that are reactions to a parrot protecting themselves from what the bird perceives as a predator. And if these interactions continue, the parrot’s reactions can become a learned behavior. And this is how so many birds become labeled “aggressive.” The pet parent should approach their feathered companions in a calm deliberate fashion at all times. Rushed movements can be perceived as aggression and your parrot may act accordingly in order to protect themselves.

There are other predators that a parrot can come into contact with when living in our homes. The two most common are dogs and cats. And as discussed above, many times pet parents allow parrots to interact with these predatory animals. This practice is like playing Russian Roulette with the health and safety of not only your parrot, but all pets involved.

Just as parrots have inherited instinctive behaviors as prey animals, dogs and cats are predators. Over many years of surviving in the wild, dogs and cats have evolved into carnivores. The majority of their diet consists of meat. And in order to survive, dogs and cats have learned how to hunt prey animals. And one source of nourishment is birds from their native ecosystems. Yes, our domesticated dogs and cats differ in some ways when compared to their wild ancestry. However, these primal instincts as predators is still a portion of their physiological existence. Just as erratic movements can alert a prey animal such as a bird to be on guard, these same fast movements can trigger a predatory response in a dog or cat.

A startled bird that screams and begins to flutter it’s wings in fear or excitement can trigger a predatory response that can result in severe injury and or death. And surprisingly, it’s not just the damage from a physical bite that can cause injury or death. There are other concerns that should be addressed that are as equally dangerous as a bite.

BITES & SCRATCHES can lead to infection.....

Along with the physical damage that occurs from animal bites, the pet parent should also be concerned regarding infections secondary to the bite. Dogs and cats have a variety of bacteria that colonize in their mouth and on teeth. These bacteria can be naturally occurring or manifest from ingested food. This also includes plaque that may be present on the teeth . A dog or cat only needs to break the skin of a bird in order to introduce these bacterias into the body of our feathered companions. A small puncture from the teeth that may go unnoticed by the pet parent can essentially release bacteria into a bird’s body that can cause infection and possible death.

One particular bacteria that can cause infection in birds that is transmitted from dog and cat bites is Pasteurella multocida. This gram-negative bacteria can colonize in the mouth of a dog or cat and be introduced into our companion birds with the slightest puncture of the skin. This bacteria can cause Septicemia (severe blood infection) and respiratory ailments. Sadly, the mortality rate of birds infected by Pasteurella multocida is extremely high.

Along with bites, scratches from dogs and cats also pose a concern for infection. Bacteria known as Bartonella can colonize in the mouth and nails of a dog or cat. Bartonella is a gram-negative bacteria that can cause serious infection and illness. One particular illness is known as Cat-Scratch Fever. This illness is caused by bacteria known as Bartonella henselae. Symptoms can occur within days. Crusted lesions appear at the wound site, weakness and loss of appetite.

Thus, unnoticed wounds caused by scratches can lead to severe illness and or death in our companion birds.

Another concern is the bite a parrot can inflict on other pets. Parrots, such as macaws and cockatoos; can exert from 500-2,000 PSI (pounds per square inch) of pressure from their beaks. It only takes 25 pounds of pressure to break a human finger. Therefore, a parrot bite can cause serious damage to a dog or cat.

I hope that addressing the potential health risks to parrots by allowing them to interact with predatory pets such as dogs and cats will cause pet parents to re-think their opinion regarding this subject. The best way to ensure the safety of our pets is to be pro-active in acknowledging potential risks. It is possible for parrots to share their home with dogs and cats. But, it is the pet parent that sets boundaries for a pet’s safety. In my opinion, the best way to address this topic is to acknowledge that you cannot tempt Mother Nature. And predatory responses to prey animals is a natural instinct that is gifted to our pets in order for them to survive in their environments. And if a pet parent tempts nature, you take the risk of losing a beloved pet.

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Pittsburgh PetConnections | Summer 2019

P R E S E N T T H I S A D F O R A F R E E D AY O F D AYC A R E * P R E S E N T T H I S A D F O R A F R E E D AY O F D AYC A R E *

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7 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS East End • South Hills • Strip District • Sewickly Monroeville • Wexford • Upper St. Clair

• East Endand • South Hills • Strip District Carnegie Cranberry locations coming soon!

• Sewickly • Monroeville • Wexford •www.TheDogStop.com Upper St. Clair NEW

www.TheDogStop.com

*Offer only valid for new clients at participating locations. Limit one coupon per family. Offer expires 6/30/20.

*Offer only valid for new clients at participating locations. Limit one coupon per family. Offer expires 6/30/19.

GROOMING

Grooming

DAYCARE

Day Care

BOARDING

Boarding

TRAINING

Training

RETAIL

Retail

www.petconnections.pet 11 petconnections.pet

23

EQUINE AFFAIRS ROCKIN’ HORSE STABLES

By April Minech

R

ockin’ Horse Stables in New Sewickley Township is a full care boarding facility that offers training for all levels of riders, including a summer camp program. They about host on average about 40 horses (including about 16 of their own) which are used for lessons that are offered 6 days a week. Classes range from wee ones to adults, usually starting around age 4 when the kids can pay attention and take direction. “Summer camps are great for the little ones, where they can learn basic skills and horsemanship while playing fun games,” says owner Adam Giannamore. “Our camp programs include daily riding as well as other group activities such as crafts and games.” He and his wife Kimberly developed the

24

Pittsburgh PetConnections | Summer 2019

camp program, which includes learning about the equipment used, breeds and colors of horses, and names for the different type of facial markings. Each camp is a little different, so some kids sign up for more than one. A short but fun video and some pictures of previous camp activities can be viewed on their site. Note: This year’s camps are sold out, but keep in mind for next year! As for boarding, they are currently full but have a waiting list.

Offerings can be found on their website at www.rockinhorsestables.com. Or contact them directly at 412-601-4706

Where will you lead

P R E S E N T T H I S A D F O R A F R E E D AY O F D AYC A R E * WHEN THEY BEGIN TO FOLLOW?

© 2019 Cargill, Incorporated. All rights reserved.

All-Inclusive, Clean, Safe Fun for

DOGS IN THE ‘BURGH! 7 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS • East End • South Hills • Strip District • Sewickly • Monroeville • Wexford • Upper St. Clair NEW

Available at: Your local Agway store

www.TheDogStop.com

*Offer only valid for new clients at participating locations. Limit one coupon per family. Offer expires 6/30/19.

Grooming

Day Care

Boarding

Training

Boarding / Lessons / Horse Sales

Retail

Coventry Equestrian Center Dressage ~ Gymnastic Training for all horses & riders

n ,

t

DISCOVER ULTRA-PREMIUM HORSE FEED AT P RO E LITE H ORSE F EED.COM

Rockin’ Horse Stables

Learn how to ride & train with clarity for Dressage, Hunt Seat, Eventing, Western, Pleasure All horses & riders benefit utilizing simplified gymnastic training (dressage) Visit the “Home Schooling Your Horse” Facebook page for simplified training tips

Rockin’ Horse Stables is a full care Hunter & Jumper boarding and training facility offering beginner to advanced English riding lessons, summer camps and quality horse sales. We strive to offer a clean, safe, family friendly environment for our riders and guests.

Minutes from Rt. 19 Cranberry Twp. • Stalls & Lessons Available

724-601-4706 • rockinhorsestables.com

Kristin Hermann blythedale@comcast.net 724-206-9902

7

www.CoventryEquestrianCenter.com

www.petconnections.pet 11 petconnections.pet

25

Dressage for every rider and horse

EQUINE AFFAIRS

Most barns have a discipline, and it is usually the one the owner embraces. My passion is dressage, and many of the riders at my barn utilize dressage. Some show dressage and then there are riders in the barn that think dressage is some kind of high falloottin thing that requires the rider to be all fancy and do piaffe or canter pirouettes.

DRESSAGE FOR EVERY RIDER & HORSE Dressage for every rider and horse

The word dressage simply means By Hermann Most barns have a discipline, and it training, is usuallysothe oneKristin the owner embraces.

My whether you ride hunt seat, trail passion is dressage, and many of theride or do reining, in my opinion, you are riders at my barn utilize dressage. Somedoing dressage. As with all disciplines, it I am sure anyone reading this knows how ost show barns have aand discipline, it isinjust depends on your intent with you're dressage then there and are riders interesting riding a circle on a horse can be. In all usually the that onethink the owner the barn dressageembraces. is some kindtraining. For instance, is your intention to of high falloottin thing that theride straight lines and have your horse go the books it says to ride a circle a certain way for My passion is dressage, andrequires many of rider to be all fancy and do piaffe or canterrelaxed over fences? Well, for the hunt all horses. Every horse does different things on the riders at my barn utilize dressage. pirouettes. seat rider, that comes from good a circle: some in on onefield? half of the circle and Some show dressage and then there are riders dressage or flat work. Is your intent to train a relaxed horse on thefall cross-country Thedressage word dressage simply means Dressage havehalf. to be out ondoes thenot other Thethis rider’s aids have to in the barn that think is some kind of Hmm, that is dressage cross country. fall so whether you ride hunt seat, trailmisunderstood mystery. Once again, the word merely means the training of a horse, switch up depending on what the horse is doing. high falloottin training, thing that requires the rider to be ride or do reining, in my opinion, you areand I know all horses benefit when trained.

Riding / training is dynamic! So we spend hours all fancy and do piaffe or canter pirouettes. doing dressage.

As with all disciplines, it just depends on your intent with you're The United States Dressage Federation attempting (USDF) has adopted scalecircle to to ridea training a perfect in balance and training. For instance, is your training, intention tohelp riders understand training the horse. The first two items this training This scale are The word dressage simply means rhythm withonrelaxation. is dressage! And we ride straight lines and have your horse gorelaxation and rhythm. This only makes sense because you cannot train a horse unless so whether you ride hunt seat, trail ride or do train same relaxed over fences? Well, for the hunt it is the relaxed andwhether rhythmic. weAssita in a hunt seat or reining, in my seat opinion, are doing western Once we have rider, youthat comesdressage. from good matter of saddle. fact, if you have these two “mastered” the dressage oritflat work.

Is your intent to train a relaxed horse on the cross-country field? circle, things if youthat haveis theever horse’s mind and we venture onto As with all disciplines, just depends on your possible, Hmm,training. that isFor dressage cross country.

Dressage not have to be this a horse? can build with training.

The next And whodoes doesn’t utilize a circle for training The circlethe helps the tothought intent with you’re instance, is your straight lines.

Andtraining if horse you a circle was misunderstood mystery. Once again, the word a horse, item on atthe USDFgaits. scale is findmerely rhythm, means balancethe andtraining to bend of equally in both directions all three When a intention to ride straight lines and have your waitistillwhere you start riding your horse on and I know all horses benefit when trained. rider shows dressage they are merely showing thechallenging contact.

This dressage horse go relaxed over fences? Well, for the hunt judge how well they ride a circle in both directionsstraight training may from rail. otherAll forms linesdiffer off the myofriders spend hours The United States Dressage Federation has adopted training scale and(USDF) on straight lines. Iaalways ask my to riders, training. Dressage riders ride with seat rider, that comes from good dressage off of the railing to put their horse straight. So it is “what correct answer help riders understand training the horse. The first is twodressage?” items on thisThe training scale are is, contact (with flexion at the poll) to or flat work. Is your intent to train a relaxed relaxation, straight lines and circles!”

I callunless the circle,first relaxation and rhythm.

This only makes sense“training because you cannot train a horse round the horse’srhythm, back fromround back toover the back and wheel ofand training.’

It is training horse on the cross-country field? Hmm, that ‘the training it is relaxed rhythmic.

As on a thenow front.

Hunt seat ridersstraight are not lines too trains the horse straight.

Riding for alloftypes riding, thatthese we establish matter fact, of if you have two toconcerned if the horse is “round,” but is dressage cross country. Dressage does not circle be balanced not only back to front but side to basics with you our have horse.theSomeone cameand to me horse’s mind as riders, they still want the horse have to be this misunderstood mystery. Once oncethings for lessons and said do you ever ride off theside, as does the circle. What rider doesn’t want can build with the training. The next balanced, rhythmic and submissive to circle? I said, “I keep riders on the circle till they again, the word merely means the of a circle item ona the training the aids. their horse to be balanced? I think we all do. I know Andtraining who doesn’t utilize training horse?USDF The qualities circle helps the horse tois havefor established the ofscale relaxation, find rhythm, balance and to bend equally in both directions at all three gaits.

When a contact.

This a horse, and I know all horses benefit when rhythm and bending withisthewhere horse. dressage If you want tohunt seat riders are supposed to jump straight rider shows dressage they are merely showing the training may differ from other forms of backward judge how well they ride a circle do in both directionsflips maybe seek out the Cirque du trained. going over fences, in addition to being relaxed Dressage riders ride but with Soleil.”

I did not say that, I was and on straight lines. I always asktraining. my Just riders,kidding, “what is dressage?”

The correct answer contact thinking it! is, (with flexion at the poll) to and rhythmic. All riders want the horse to be “training straight lines and(USDF) circles!” I call the circle, The United States Dressage Federation has round the horse’s back from back to responsive to the rider and this is what dressage ‘the training wheel of training.’ It is training on the Iestablish am Hunt sure anyone readingare thisnot knows seat riders toohow adopted a training scale to help riders training circle for all understand types of riding, that wefront. (basic training) establishes. interesting circlehorse on a is horse can be. with our horse. Someone came to riding me concerned ifa the “round,” butIn all the horse. The first two itemsbasics on this training scale are once for lessons and said do you ever ride off the the books it saysthey to ridestill a circle a the certain way for as riders, want horse circle? I said, “I keep riders on all the horses. circle till they Every horse does different things on aOnce a horse has rhythm and relaxation and can relaxation and rhythm. This only makes sense because have established the qualities of balanced, relaxation, rhythmic and submissive to circle: some to fall in on one half of the circle and fall rhythm bending with the horse.

If you thewant aids. you cannot train a horse unless it isandrelaxed and rhythmic. travel straight lines without falling in or out then

M

outthe onCirque the other do backward flips maybe seek out du

half. The rider’s aids have to switch

As a matter of fact, if you haveSoleil.” these things you have upthat, depending / training dynamic!

Sogood we spend Just two kidding, I did not say but I was on what the horse is doing. Riding the riderishas pretty basics on the horse and hoursnext attempting to ride a perfect circle in balance and rhythm with relaxation. This is the horse’s mind and can buildthinking withit! the training. The more specialized training can begin. However, dressage! And we train the same whether we sit in a hunt seat or western saddle. sure anyoneThis readingisthis knows how item on the USDF training scale isI am contact. where establishing the basics of training is challenging interesting riding a circle on a horse can be. In all we have “mastered” the circle, if that is ever possible, we venture onto the books it says forms to ride a circle a certainOnce way for dressage training may differ from other for most riders. Basic training (or dressage) is the all horses. Every horse does different things on a straight lines. And if you thought a circle of training. Dressage riders ride circle: with some fallcontact in on one half of the circle and fall foundation for till allyou future Dressage training was challenging wait start training. riding out on the other half. The rider’s aids have to switch your straight linesand off the rail. trainers understand (with flexion at the poll) to round the horse’s is horse basicon training, most up depending on what the horse is doing. Riding / training is dynamic! So we spend attempting to ride a perfect circle in balance and rhythm with relaxation. This is All my riders spend hours off of the back from back to front. Hunthours seat riders are this. railing to To put do their“dressage” horse straight. does So it isnot mean you have to dressage! And we train the same whether we sit in a hunt seat or western saddle. not too concerned if the horsewhat is “round,” but training) establishes. first relaxation, rhythm, round over the wearing a top hat and do a test, ride in a show ring dressage (basic Once we have “mastered” the circle, if that is ever possible, we venture onto back and now straight. Riding straight as riders, they still want the horse balanced, straight lines. And if you thought a circle do a piaffe on a fancy horse. lines trains the horse to be balanced not challenging waitcan till you startstraight riding lines without relaxation and travel rhythmic and submissive to the aids.Once a horse has rhythm andwas only back to front but side to side, as your horse on straight lines off the falling in or out then the rider has pretty good basics on the horse andrail. more specialized All mythe riders spend hours offis of the does the circle.time What you rider train doesn’tyour want horse you are training Sofor every training can begin. However, establishing basics of training challenging most railing to put their horse straight. So it is their horse to be balanced? I think we riders.for Basic training (or dressage) is foundation for round all future Dressage And who doesn’t utilize a circle training dressage.

When you think, firstthe relaxation, rhythm, over training. the all does do. not I know hunt seat riders are is my horse relaxed, is basic training, and most trainers understand this.Riding To dostraight “dressage” back and now straight. a horse? The circle helps thetraining horse to find is it going working over over the back and mean you have to do a test, ride in a lines showtrains ringthe wearing top hat andnotdo supposed a rhythmic, piaffe ontoa jumpor straight horse toabe balanced in addition to being relaxed and only back to front but side to side, as fences, rhythm, balance and to bend equally fancy horse.in both bending equally left and right in both directions does the circle. What rider doesn’t want rhythmic. All riders want the horse to directions at all three gaits. When a rider shows their horse to be balanced? I think we beat all three stretching, that is dressage! responsive to gaits, the riderorand this is So every time you train your horse you are training dressage.

When you think, is all do. I know hunt seat riders are dressage they are merely showing the judge my horse relaxed, rhythmic, or is it working over the back andgoing bending supposed to jump straight over equally left and The better your horse can do all of these in both directions in addition to being relaxed and how well they ride a circle in bothright directions and at all three fences, things the better trained it is to move onto rhythmic. All riders want the horse to gaits, or stretching, that is be responsive to the rider and this is on straight lines. I always ask my riders,The “what dressage! better your horse more specialized training. can is, do “training all of these straight things the is dressage?” The correct answer better trained it is to move onto Dressage, or in other words, the gymnastic lines and circles!” I call the circle, ‘the training wheel of more specialized training. training of the horse is for all horses and training.’ It is training on the circle for all types of riding, Dressage, or in other for all riders. You do not need a specialized that we establish basics with ourwords, horse. came the Someone gymnastic training of for allride horses for saddle or longer stirrups, all you need is a to me once for lessons and saidthe dohorse youisever offandthe all riders. You do not need a horse and an open mind that realizes that circle? I said, “I keep riders on specialized the circlesaddle till they or have longer stirrups, all yourhythm need is a and horse riding is training. established the qualities of relaxation, and an open mind that realizes bending with the horse. If you want to do backward flips that riding is training. maybe seek out the Cirque du Soleil.” Just kidding, I did not say that, but I was thinking it!

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Pittsburgh PetConnections | Summer 2019

REMEMBRANCE P Pets R E SHonored E N T Tand H I Remembered S A D F O R atACCPC F R EPet E Memorial D AY O F D A YCeremony CARE* Sunday

By Bernadette Kazmarski

T

he attachment we form with our pets is remarkably strong, making their loss a uniquely hurtful experience. Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation has been providing comfort and compassionate care to families in the tri-state area for over fourteen years. Deb Chebatoris, owner of CCPC, knows the importance of a remembrance ceremony to assist human family members to deal with this huge loss. That’s one of the reasons she hosts the Pet Memorial Sunday ceremony each September.

All-Inclusive, Clean, Safe Fun for

Deb lost both of her beloved miniature schnauzers, one in May and the other in June of this year.

“I know all the things to do to alleviate the dark cloud of grief that tends to hang over you once your pet is gone,” says Deb. “But I never expected the pain to be this intense and to last this long.”

Because she knows how her families feel when they are grieving a loss, she designed her services to address the needs those who are grieving.

Pet Memorial Sunday Remembrance Ceremony The second Sunday of September was set aside as a time to remember our pets by the International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories. Deb has hosted a ceremony on Pet Memorial Sunday since 2005 for families who have lost a pet.

DOGS IN THE ‘BURGH!

Wilson, at almost 17 1/2 years, was a much sought after grief companion, having assisted hundreds of families throughout the early stages of their grief. He was accompanied by his “brother” Colby, whose manner of assisting was merely being cute and cuddly.

7 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS

Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation will host its annual Pet Memorial Day remembrance ceremony on Sunday, September 8, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Melrose Cemetery in Bridgeville. Anyone who is dealing with grief over the loss of a pet is welcome to attend.

• East End • South Hills • Strip District • Sewickly • Monroeville • Wexford • Upper St. Clair NEW

As part of the ceremony three speakers will discuss our relationships with our pets both before and after their death: “Our Last Moments Together”, “Our Grief Response” and “The Joy of Pets: Pet Parenting After Loss”. Pet owners in attendance are also invited to offer their own “Words of Tribute” which are read by the speakers as part of the ceremony followed by a release of white doves. Pets are permanently remembered in a video/ slideshow called the “Tribute Scroll” created from families’ photos and tributes.

The gathering will be held under a tent in the cemetery (rain or shine). Light refreshments are served afterward as participants are invited to share the companionship and experiences other families who are deeply grieving the loss of their pet. Kindly call *Offer only valid for new clients at participating locations. Limit one coupon per family. Offer expiresof6/30/19.

Deb to RSVP by Friday, September 6 at 412-220-7800. For more information, please visit www.ccpc.ws/pet-memorial-sunday

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REMEMBRANCE

T

here is a special place in the suburbs south of Pittsburgh that is open, cozy, and tranquil, while at the same time encouraging a positive, relaxing respite from the bustle of the surrounding community. Affording beatific vistas of rolling hills and wooded glens that wrap around friendly nearby neighborhoods, Jefferson Memorial Cemetery has provided a peaceful resting place since 1929 when it was founded by Harry C. Neel.

Within this garden is the Faithful Friends Mausoleum, which houses crypt spaces for your pet, or you and your pet. In that same building is niche spaces for pet and human cremated remains. The mausoleum, hand built by Jefferson workers, is quite an elegant visual feature for it expresses meaningful sayings and showcases people with their pets.

In fact, most of the people are actually Jefferson employees with their companions! Similar to a full service funeral home, we also offer visitation opportunities to all pet families. We at Jefferson believe that a pet who gave love and loyalty through life deserves the respect and dignity of having their remains placed in a lasting and final resting place, just as you would your human counterpart, for they too are a part of the family.

We have developed a distinctive pet room that consists of an arrangement room, a display room for caskets, urns and memorials, as well as a visitation room.

Our before needs representatives and family service team aim to serve our pet families in every way we can.

We all love our pets and want to know they are in a safe and respectful place. Our Garden of Faithful Friends allows your pet to stay at your side forever. Jefferson Memorial will celebrate our faithful friends with

2 different events in 2019 dedicated to our faithful friends on Saturday.

Oct.5th . The day starts with our first major fundraiser with the American Cancer Society - “Bark in the Park” where you and your pet can walk the beautiful peaceful grounds of Jefferson Memorial Park. Later that afternoon we will host our Annual Pet Memorial Service at the Garden of Faithful Friends. This very special memorial service will be dedicated to the loving memories of our companions that have passed.

www.jeffersonmemorial.biz | 412-655-4500

nd

s

e h T

F a f i t o h ful Fr n e d r a ie G at

Designed exclusively for pets and their parents.

Complete funeral and burial services for you and your faithful friend.

Including advance planning for cremation, urns, graves, caskets and memorials.

They’re more than just pets, they’re family.

Call today to find out about your PetConnections savings! | 412.655.4500 | Jeffersonmemorial.biz

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Pittsburgh PetConnections | Summer 2019

THE VERY BEST FOR YOUR PET IN ONE CONVENIENT LOCATION! P R E S E N T T H I S A D F O R A F R E E D AY O F D AYC A R E *

PRIMARY CARE: All-Inclusive, Clean, Safe Fun for

DOGS IN THE ‘BURGH!

• Preventive and routine medicine (vaccines, spay/neuter, dentistry, routine diagnostic lab tests such as heartworm, fecal, CBC/chemistry, microchipping)

Call today to make an appointment!

• VCA CareClub® – A wellness plan to help your pet live a happy, healthy life – is available 7 forCONVENIENT every stage of life! LOCATIONS • East End • South Hills • Strip District SPECIALTY CARE:

• Sewickly • Monroeville • Wexford • Surgery - Orthopedic, advanced softClair tissue,NEW laparoscopy/arthroscopy • Upper St.

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• *Offer Integrative Medicine and Acupuncture - ALimit mixone of conventional only valid for new clients at participating locations. coupon per family.western Offer expires 6/30/19. medicine and alternative eastern medicine • Avian and Exotic / ZooMed - Fur, scales, feathers, fins, and slime!

Avian & exotic / zoological companion animals are unique and delicate.

Day Care Boarding Training Grooming Their anatomy and physiology is vastly different from dogs and cats, yet require the same amount of expertise and care, special dedicated equipment, housing, and staff

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• Advanced Diagnostics - Digital radiography, ultrasound, CT, endoscopy

Mention that you saw our ad in PetConnections when you book your appointment to receive a special offer upon check-in.

VCA NORTHVIEW ANIMAL HOSPITAL SPECIALTY REFERRAL CENTER 223 Siebert Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

412-348-8895 VCAnorthview.com AT VCA ANIMAL HOSPITALS, WE CARE © 2019 VCA Animal Hospitals Inc. VCA Logo is a registered trademark of VCA Inc. or its affiliated companies.

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The most comprehensive multispecialty referral and emergency veterinary center in western Pennsylvania NORTH HILLS 807 Camp Horne Rd Pittsburgh PA 15237 412.366.3400

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Pittsburgh PetConnections | Summer 2019

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