PghPetConnections NOV13 by Pittsburgh PetConnections Magazine

November 2013 • Vol. 2, Issue 3

Pittsburgh

PetConnections Magazine

Take One!

DR. DOUG: Pittsburgh’s Own Authority on Veterinary Integrative Medicine page 4

“Thanks for Paws” Contest! Page 9

The HumanAnimal Bond The Pet Connection Page 4 Therapeutic Riding: Horses with Heart! Page 6

Don’t Miss the Pittsburgh Pet Expo November 1-3

See pages 27-29 for Official Expo Program

Serving the Greater Pittsburgh Area

Take One! November 2013 • Vol. 2, Issue 3

Four Remarkable Horses Looking For Love

JJ is a ten-year-old Saddlebred/ Arabian cross. This gelding has just never found his “perfect” adopter. It takes JJ a little while to “warm up” to a new person and trust his rider. He is an excellent mover, and has won a ribbon or two as a result of the training of one of our capable volunteers. JJ needs an intermediate level rider that will ride him English or on trail.

Glory

Angel Ridge Animal Rescue (ARAR) is a shelter and sanctuary for dogs, cats and horses.

Glory is a stunning 12 yr. old registered paint. She is a bit spirited and best for an experienced rider for trail only. She lunges well. A home inspection by humane officer required for her adopters.

Shadow

Shadow is a ten-year-old Thoroughbred that came to ARAR when his human had a medical emergency. Shadow is a playful boy that loves to please. He likes to start his day with a game of tug of war with his lead rope and a hug. Shadow is a nice and willing mover and has lots of potential. He would be perfect for a beginner through experienced rider.

Daisy

Four horses, JJ, Shadow, Daisy and Glory are looking for that perfect home. They are sound and have been vetted. The adoption fee for JJ, Shadow, Daisy and Glory is $250 each. To meet JJ, Shadow, Daisy or Glory, phone ARAR at 724-229-7053 or email at aranres@yahoo.com.

Daisy is a three-year-old QH mare. She foaled earlier this year and now is ready to find her perfect home. Daisy is definitely a “people person”, greeting visitors to our rescue over the fence in her daytime turnout field. Our trainer is assessing her skills now, but we believe she has been under saddle. Daisy could be ridden English or Western, and we would prefer an intermediate to skilled rider for her.

390 Old Hickory Ridge Road | Washington, PA 15301 | www.angelridgeanimalrescue.org | 724-229-7053

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY AND MAKE SURE YOU INCLUDE A PHONE NUMBER IN CASE WE HAVE A QUESTION

Name___________________________________________________________________ Calendars are 5”x7” with built-in easel stand, featuring full-color photos of ARAR animals.

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Credit Card No.______________________________________________ Exp. Date___ /___ Here’s How It Works: 1. The 3-digit number you purchase (printed on the calendar back) is valid for the whole year. Numbers (000-999) coincide with the PA Daily Number. 2. Numbers are played straight. (First number pulled at 7pm drawing) 3. All winners will be mailed their check within 10 days. Daily pay-outs are listed on the calendar.

Name on Card_______________________________________ Security Code (3-digit)______ Signature________________________________ Email____________________________ Fill out application with check payable to ARAR and mail to: Angel Ridge Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 94, Meadowlands, PA 15347

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Tips for Safe Flea & Tick Control I

’m sure some of you will recognize this article, but I wanted to rerun it because we are having a particularly bad fall with regard to the tick population. In the past few days alone, I have literally pulled about 30 ticks off of Meg! Keep in mind, I moved to a new house 2 months ago and didn’t prep the yard with diatomaceous earth and nematodes. I don’t use chemical based flea and tick treatments but resorted to using a topical because of the recent severity. She has had one treatment in 12 years. I guess my point is if the natural stuff can’t battle an extreme situation sometimes we must resort to chemical treatments for the safety of our pets. I am also researching the Electromagnetic field tags. So far, I think it is a lesser evil than chemicals when in dire straits. Believe it or not, the healthier your pet is the less likely fleas/ticks will “latch” on. I know I sound like a broken record but it is of utmost importance to feed an “all natural” pet food. Pet food made and sourced in the USA with no chemical preservatives, by-products, food coloring or partial grains can and will have a preventative effect when it comes to flea & tick invasions. Check our website or www.petsumerreport.com to see if your food qualifies.

Another preventative & natural thing we can do is add a small amount of garlic or garlic powder to your DOG’S, not cat’s, food daily. I know some of you are saying, “But, I thought garlic was toxic?” This is true, but only in very high doses. Garlic gets into the bloodstream and the fleas don’t like the taste of it. This will also improve your pet’s immune system, just like it does for us! When dealing with preventative measures for ticks, we want to

Prevention is the best medicine!

use black walnut hulls. You can find this in capsule form at most health food stores. We’ve been telling all of our customers about this all summer, so if you’re just getting started allow 6-8 weeks of use for it to build up in the bloodstream and be effective. Another preventative method is the use of diatomaceous earth. This is a talcum-like powder made up of fossilized remains of unicellular plants that can be added to your vacuum bag, floors and even pet bedding. It’s lethal to insects. Beneficial nematodes can also be sprinkled or sprayed throughout your yard. Nematodes are microscopic worms that eat flea larvae. This will help keep the population down in your yard. There are several essential oil sprays and wipes that can be used on your pets before going out that repel fleas and ticks. These sprays are comprised of essential oils such as lemongrass, pine cedar, bergamot and citronella just to mention a few. These sprays and wipes are effective and safe for any pet that spends a good bit of time outside. Buying a flea comb and grooming your dog at least once a week can alert you to fleas before they get out of control. More frequent vacuuming and washing of your pet’s bedding this time of year can also be helpful in the prevention of an outbreak. If you already have an infestation of fleas it is nearly impossible to get rid of them naturally. So, if and when this happens, I recommend the flea/tick topical treatments that your vets sell. However, the goal is always to use these products as minimally as possible, which is why prevention is so important. These topical flea/tick treatments are chemical insecticides that we are putting

Gary Yon

directly on our pet’s skin. Their natural oils in their skin spread the chemical over their entire body. They work by disrupting the central nervous system of infesting insect. Am I making your skin crawl yet? I urge you to use chemical flea treatments as minimally as possible and consider all of the above mentioned natural tips. If you have any other questions/concerns stop by and see us as we carry most of these products at our store along with the healthiest pet food! Remember prevention is the best medicine so let’s do what we know is right for our best furry friends!

www.healthypetproducts.net

SOUTH HILLS: Crossgates Plaza 1742 Washington Rd. Upper St. Clair, PA. 15241 (Next to Model Cleaners)

412.831.3700 NORTH HILLS: 9600 Perry Highway McCandless, PA 15237

412.366.0700 Monday-Thurs: 9am - 8pm Friday-Saturday: 9am - 6pm Sunday: 10am - 4pm

Find us on

Mon-Sat: noon to 8 • Thursday: appt. only • Sun: noon to 6

I n This I s s u e : The Human-Animal Bond . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-7

Cat Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

The Pet Connection; Animal-Speak: Remembering Ted Andrews; Therapeutic Riding: Horses with Heart!

Saying Thanks (Almost) Before Every Meal

Event Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

What Warms My Heart and Soothes My Soul?

Upcoming Pet Events

Pet Expo Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27-29

Featured Rescue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Schedule of Events; Grooming Competition

Hope Haven

Equine Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32-35

Animal Health & Wellness . . . . . . . . . . . .12-13

Feeding the Horse; The Ring of Muscles

Management of Osteoarthritis in Dogs

In Remembrance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Animal Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-15

In Memory of “Buttons” Perez

Health & Wellness for Guardians . . . . . . . . .26

Help, My Dog is Wild!

Holistic Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20-22 Do You Walk Your Talk??…; Grateful for my Animal Companions; Michael Savko, DC, CCSP, CVCP

Advertiser Locator Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

November 2013

FROM THE PUBLISHER WELCOME TO OUR NOVEMBER, VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3!! PPC Magazine November News: We welcome our newest advertisers, Animal Care & Welfare, Inc., The Platinum Pooch of Verona, Your Critter Sitters and Pet Afterlife Custom Urns. The October events PPC Magazine attended were awesome: CARMAA’s Dogtoberfest, SW PA Pug’s Pugtoberfest, The Susan G. Komen Paws for the Cure and Barktoberfest at Angel Ridge Animal Rescue. This Issue: Our November issue highlights the Thanksgiving Holiday. We are excited to announce our “Thanks for Paws” contest co-sponsored by Paws n Claws Eyewear (see page 9 for details). Our Human-Animal Bond section is also expanded to honor the bond with our animals!

Shelby & Scout at SW PA Pug’s Pugtoberfest The 2013 Event season is not over!

Our event calendar on page 8 has more events this month! We are proud to be the official print media sponsor of the Pittsburgh Pet Expo and Friday is free admission thanks to Healthy Pet Products! Also, Kara Jones Photography will be at the PPC Magazine booth offering pet photos! See ad below for details. Our website also has an event calendar (www.pghpetconnection.com/calendar) and additional event listings. We welcome you to create a free account to upload an event for your organization and also submit a directory listing. My background of over 25 years as a veterinary technician, veterinary hospital administrator and non-profit founder has led me to create Pittsburgh PetConnections Magazine. My goal is to lead, share and heal through the Human-Animal Bond (HAB). I would like to personally thank all of you for picking up PPC Magazine. Take care of yourself, as well as your animals and be well! Warmly,

Carla Mader CEO & Publisher Pittsburgh PetConnections, LLC.

Angel Ridge costume contest winners: Above: “Honey Boo Boo” won Best Costume. Right: “Bear” won Most Original Costume. See page 25 for more winners!

Please submit any correspondence to: info@pghpetconnections.com Please check us out on the web & subscribe at: www.pghpetconnections.com Follow @ PghPetMag on Twitter and “Like” us on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/PghPetconnectionsMagazine Pittsburgh PetConnections Magazine Disclaimer: “The views expressed in PPC Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policies of Pittsburgh PetConnections Magazine. All view points are welcome.”

Pittsburgh PetConnections Monthly Published By: Pittsburgh PetConnections, LLC. Pittsburgh PetConnections, LLC. was formed in 2012. Our mission is to publish a high quality, informative and Human-Animal Bond focused publication. We support local businesses and also assist local non-profit businesses for pets and people, to give back to our great Pittsburgh communities.

MAGAZINE PUBLICATION STAFF Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carla Mader Chief Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bernadette E. Kazmarski Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carla Mader, Savannah Fleming Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Martin Mader Graphic Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Patricia Sutkowski Photographer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kara Jones Photography

SENIOR PICTURES, ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS, FAMILY PORTRAITS, PET PHOTOGRAPHY AND MORE.

ON LOCATION PHOTOGRAPHY

ANYWHERE IN THE

SOUTH HILLS AREA.

Special Offer for Expo Attendees! Get a 5x7 print photos on site at the Pet Expo for $8.00!

Contributing Writers: Our contributing writers have many years of combined experience and expertise in the fields of veterinary medicine and the Human-Animal Bond.

November 2013

kjonesphotography88@gmail.com www.kjones.smugmug.com

www.pghpetconnections.com

724-825-9025

THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND F

or most of us pet caregivers these days, our animals are not possessions but rather members of the family with whom we share our homes, our beds, and our lives. All living beings have in common the same life force or Spirit. It is very common for people to form strong energetic bonds with their four-legged companions.

Of course, in my early years as a veterinarian I was steeped in the Western, medical model and thought this was simply a strange coincidence. Now, with more than two decades of veterinary practice under my belt, and a mind that is more open to the spiritual connections we all share, I don’t think twice about the fact that people who are especially close to their pets often have the same physical ailments. I see it all too frequently to think it is a mere chance occurrence.

The Pet Connection

In fact, today I have a running joke that I invariably use on a weekly basis. When I diagnose a problem with a pet and the pet parent chimes in that they have the same issue, I say, by Doug Knueven, DVM, CVA, CVC, CVCH “It must run in the family.” Everyone gets a chuckle out of I believe it is this spiritual connection between man and beast that the idea but I have come to understand that we share more than a explains the amazing research documenting the benefits of sharing life home with our special pets; we also share non-physical connections with pets. For example, one study showed that heart attack victims that defy logic. who have pets live longer than those who do not. Another study demonstrated that people with pets are less likely to have a heart attack Some think that animals “take on” the physical maladies of their in the first place. Amazingly, interacting with animals can be more caregivers in a purposeful attempt to ease the suffering of their people. effective than drugs at lowering blood pressure. That certainly is one possible explanation for the phenomenon. Equally plausible is the possibility that we simply resonate energetically Research with children has shown that pet ownership helps kids learn in a complementary way that causes us to communicate disturbances compassion and responsibility, think more independently, have higher between us. Our energy fields overlap and co-mingle. self esteem and coping skills, and have less stress, aggression and sadness. Another study proved that having animals in inner city schools Scientist and writer, Dr. Rupert Sheldrake had a lot to say about the dramatically lowered truancy and increased test scores. Contact with energy connections we share with pets. In his book, Dogs That Know companion animals has also proven beneficial for children with autism When Their Owners Are Coming Home Sheldrake documented and attention deficit disorder. hundreds of cases of animals who display certain predictable behaviors at the moment their caregivers decide to return home. Furthermore, Introducing animals into nursing homes has been shown to reduce Sheldrake convincingly proved that there is no physical basis for this death rates and lower the need for medications. People of all ages who phenomenon. He proposes the existence of what he calls “morphic have pets also have fewer doctors’ visits and they live longer than those fields” to explain the non-material connections we all share with our who do not share their lives with a special animal. special companions. As a veterinarian I have been witness to a very revealing phenomenon. I’ll never forget my first encounter with it. I saw Max the poodle who was very sick with nausea and diarrhea. After examining Max and running a blood panel, I gave his caregiver the bad news. Max had liver disease. I was surprised when his person responded by saying, “That’s so weird. My doctor just diagnosed me with liver disease.”

I believe that individuals do not meet by chance. There is always an opportunity for soul development linked to every relationship we have. It is obvious to me that this concept applies to the human-animal bond just as much as it does to inter-human relationships. We are meant to enjoy, learn from and grow with our animal family members.

We are meant to enjoy, learn from and grow with our animal family members.

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

November 2013

THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND “Hurry up! Look outside!” shouted my husband. There in our backyard stood a large buck. He was as tall as a pony, with bright white spots and tail. His antlers were magnificent. (The numerologist in me now wishes I had counted the points, but I was too surprised at what I was seeing to think of it.)

Animal-Speak: Remembering Ted Andrews by Dr. Susan Wagner Animal Spirituality tells us that when an animal comes to us under unusual circumstances, there is a message to be gained. I pulled out my Animal Speak book by Ted Andrews (Llewellyn Publications, 2005), who is one of the foremost experts in animal energy and wisdom. The book said, “deer take us into the wilderness for new adventures.” Ted mentioned that in the tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Sir Gawain’s deer hunt took him to wondrous and exciting encounters. The next day I heard the sad news that Ted Andrews had died. Ted grew up in Dayton, and I have always admired this fellow Buckeye and his work. He has taught us about the wisdom of animals, and has given of himself for animal welfare. I had the good fortune of hearing him speak, and he kindly and humbly autographed one of my books.

I quickly closed the blinds on our picture window — I was visualizing the news stories about deer jumping through storefront windows. I didn’t care about the chaos that would ensue in our house, as much as the harm to the deer. I realize now that I was having a typical human reaction to this deer, and there was never any danger of shattered glass and a wounded animal. This deer came to us at a very special time. As I peeked from behind the blinds, he caught a glimpse of me – or so it felt. We stared at each other for a split second. He was as calm and cool as could be. I stood and watched as this magnificent being slowly turned and disappeared into the trees behind our house. Many of you may be thinking, big deal – she saw a deer. Well it was a big deal, because my husband and I don’t live in a rural area. We’re in a neighborhood that has lots of birds, squirrels, dogs, cats and Rocky the raccoon – no deer.

Dr. Susan Wagner is a board certified veterinary neurologist whose pioneering work acknowledges the bioenergetic interaction between people and animals. She is an advocate for change in the area of interpersonal violence and animal cruelty, and works toward a greater understanding surrounding the health implications of the human-animal bond. Dr. Wagner is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University Veterinary College, a Level IV Healing Touch for Animals practitioner and co-author of Through A Dog’s Ear.

When it comes to Ted Andrews, perhaps the deer that came to us expressed it best – magnificent and graceful, with a knowing in his eyes. Ted also says that deer represent gentleness and innocence, and a visitation signals a “gentle luring to new adventure.” I’d say the deer was right. Thank you, Ted Andrews, for all you have done in physical form, and for all you will be showing us in spirit. Please honor Ted’s memory by sharing your unusual animal encounters, and what they meant to you. Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/thank-you-tedandrews.html#ixzz2hhhJB9sJ

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November 2013

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THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND program or equine facilitated therapy program can even improve one’s overall sense of worth How? Because working with horses is a give and take situation.

n last month’s issue you may have read about Captain Montalván and his therapy dog Tuesday; a touching Edelweiss Center story about a veteran who was saved by his Therapeutic Riding therapy dog. When we think of service Greenfield, IN animals, the immediate image is typically a Seeing Eye dog for the blind, but this humananimal bond reaches much farther than the household pet and in fact, many different animals have been used in a variety of therapeutic settings—including horses.

Therapeutic Riding:

Horses with Heart! By Nancy Frishkorn BA,CHCP Therapeutic riding has made a positive impact on the quality of life for many people with disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, post trauma survivors and even those suffering from depression. Some are using equine psychotherapy in addition to or in place of traditional talk therapy and the findings reveal not only more positive outcomes, but an overall change in the disabled person’s life skills in general. Self-esteem is an emotional problem that many believe is static, or just the way things are, but involving oneself in a therapeutic riding

We financially help low-income families with low-cost spays, neuters and medical emergencies. Help us help others by sending donations to: AC&W, Inc., P.O. Box 8257, Pittsburgh, PA 15218. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit and have been in existence since 1970.

Look for our adoption animals at: www.animalcareandwelfare.org

NOVEMBER 30, 2013 MOBILE LOW-COST SPAY AND NEUTER CLINIC - FELINES ONLY – LIMITED SPACE! BY APPT. ONLY: 412-344-2294 (ACWI)

Horses are energy beings, they are receptive to people and can be patient and cooperative while the person is learning. A horse does not see you as “Jane Smith the depressive or John Doe the autistic” they see you as quiet energy, nervous energy, excitement, fearfulness, willingness, submissive, or trusting. Let’s put that another way… when you first encounter a horse it doesn’t notice your clothes, it doesn’t care what kind of day you’ve had, it only cares about who you are that very second in time. They do not judge you, they never hold a grudge, and they will quickly forgive any of your wrongdoings if you simply learn to ask the right way. When you learn to ride, the program will teach you to focus on your abilities, not your disabilities, unlike any other program available at this time. In October of 2010, a program aptly named Horses For Heroes was opened at Kentucky Horse Park that began to shed light for military service members suffering from PTSD. One report found that one in five Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffers from PTSD or major depression. According to the “Effectiveness of Equine-Assisted Experiential Therapy” clinical trial, participants in equine therapy treatment have reported considerable reduction in psychological distress and enhancements in wellbeing.” (KY). Horses are patient, receptive to people and cooperative with proper guidance. The therapies tailor to each person’s individual needs using a strength-based approach that provides client empowerment in an environment outside of the typical psychotherapy realm. These programs can accommodate such a diversity of issues that their need far outweighs their availability. The challenge presented when developing a relationship with such a large, powerful animal while learning to ride and care for them is very similar to the challenges faced in everyday life. The participant learns acceptance, ability to face fears, mutual trust and intimacy with the horse they are partnered with that can transfer to mastery of these skills outside of the program, ultimately leading to recovery from trauma, overcoming obstacles, and better relationships with others. So what can you do if you are interested in such a program or know someone who is?

2806 Banksville Road Pittsburgh PA 15216

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

November 2013

THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND This is a list of the local program found in the Pittsburgh area. Please contact the one closest to you and they will provide details on how to begin today! In Stride 637 Valley View Road, Eighty Four, PA 15330, instride@hotmail.com, 412-302-5393 Horse N Soul 115 Gretna Road, Washington, PA 15301, info.horsensoul@gmail.com, 724-288-6088 Fallowfield Stables 155 Yankosky Road, Charleroi, PA, 724-239-3329 or 412-860-3320 Hope Springs Equestrian Therapy, Inc. 1105 Green Lane Road, Malvern, PA 19355, 610-827-0931 Ford Stables 415 Cedar Run Rd, Allison Park, PA, 15101 412-767-5734

Equine Therapeutic Horseback Riding Butler, PA, 724-282-4751 Riding for the Handicapped of Western Pennsylvania 9950 Grubbs Road, Wexford, PA 15090, Shelley Bates, 724-443-4485, 412-767-5433 Glade Run Adventures PO Box 70, Beaver Road, Zelienople, PA 16063, 724-452-4453 x1249, cmoll@gladerun.org This list has been provided from internet search only and may not be all-inclusive. Many of these programs work with specific disabilities and we recommend you call or e-mail to obtain any further information to meet your particular needs. New programs are being established in the area and we will be sure to provide you with the information once it becomes available! Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season, and please remember to keep our soldiers who are serving during the holidays in your Thanksgiving prayers!

Hidden Hope 125 Old Quarry Road, Liberty Township Grove City, PA, 724-458-1231 References: Storm Harbor Equestrian Center 1 Storm Harbor Drive, SRU, Slippery Rock, PA 16057, 724-738-4010 Wagner Equine Therapeutic Center 405 Forest Ln Franklin, PA 16323, 814-432-7722

KY First Lady Announces New Program for Veterans, Grant for Therapeutic Riding Center at KHP – discoverhorses.com. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.discoverhorses.com/kentucky-horse-park/ky-first-lady-announces-new-program-for-veteransgrant-for-therapeutic-riding-center-at-khp/ therapeutic riding images - Google Search. (2013). Retrieved from https://www.google.com/search

GOLDEN PAWS PET STYLING ACADEMY The Golden Paws Pet Styling Academy is conveniently located at 2101 Greentree Rd. in Scott Towne Center. They are also the home of

The Pet Salon – a full service dog and cat grooming salon. Instructors are trained in the “Golden Paws” method of pet styling instruction – a four-decade proven program which applies to all AKC breed designs, in a comprehensive 9-week program. The Golden Paws Styling Academy offers a 320 clock-hour (just over 9 weeks) program. The course is 78% hands on. This unique comprehensive program is designed for the student to master all of the basic grooming skills with an emphasis on the fine finishing skills. The student will begin the program by learning about the various tools, their usage, operation, and maintenance. The course incorporates pet control methods, safety procedures, proper handling, pet bathing and drying, pet oral hygiene, breed designs, finishing techniques and much more. If you love animals and you have a flair for creativity, a career in pet grooming is for you! At Golden Paws Pet Styling Academy, Pittsburgh PA, you can train to begin an exciting and rewarding career in grooming. Days are flying by faster than you think, why not do something you love!!! Call 412-279-9383 today to schedule a tour!

Call Golden Paws Pet Styling Academy today at 412.279.9383 or email goldenpawspittsburghpa@comcast.net | www.goldenpawspittsburghpa.com

November 2013

www.pghpetconnections.com

November 2013 Pittsburgh Pet Event Calendar Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Low Cost Vaccine Clinic – see page 23

Friday Night FREE Admission! Pet Expo Weekend Nov 1-3 – see pages 27-29

9 Biggies Bullies Happy Hour – see website

Pet Expo Weekend – see pages 27-29

Saturday 2

Last Day To Enter “Thanks For Paws” Contest!! – see next page

Visit www.pghpetconnections.com for more information.

Animal Friends’ Pet Photos with Santa – see website

30 AC&W Mobile Low-Cost Cat Spay and Neuter Clinic – see page 6

Animal Friends’ Pet Photos with Santa – see website

www.pghpetconnections.com Subscribe, Submit, Upload! Submit your business or rescue organization’s info for a FREE listing on our directory. No website for your small home-based pet or wellness business? Add a Featured Listing on the PPC online Directory for a small yearly fee and upload photos and detailed info about your business!

Become a Media Partner with PPC Magazine! A Media Partnership with PPC includes: • Ad in print or online (free design) • A Free Featured directory page on our website with your business info, photos and link to your website • Your logo in our monthly newsletter • PPC promotes your business at our events • A subscription to PPCMagazine and copies for your business • Community Calendar link to your website or MeetUp site • We accept content contributions (print or web articles promoting your business)

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©Pittsburgh PetConnections

November 2013

First Annual

“THANKS FOR PAWS” Contest CONTEST RULES:

PRIZES:

In 100 words or less tell us why you are thankful for your pet or the shelter where you adopted your pet. Include a photo of your pet or of you and your pet along with your entry to:

First Place Winner:

info@pghpetconnections.com

A Paws N Claws Eyeglass frame or Sunglass of their choice.

Second Place Winner: A Paws N Claws Eyeglass frame or Sunglass of their choice.

Contest submissions accepted November 1-15, 2013 Sponsored by

Third Place Winner: Orange Paws N Claws Paw Print Watch.

® Fourth & Fifth Place Winners: www.pawsnclawseyewear.com

Paw Print Chain Necklace/ Eyeglass Holder

FEATURED RESCUE Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary is a 501(c)3 non-profit farm devoted to providing a lifelong home for abused and neglected farm animals, such as goats, sheep, pigs, horses, chickens, turkey, and ducks. Hope Haven gives all its animals veterinary care, nutritious food, comfortable housing, and companionship. It is also a resource to the Pittsburgh public providing education about the sentient nature of farmed animals, prevention of cruelty to animals, and animal welfare. Our mission is to provide a forever home for animals who come from very sad situations. Some were abandoned at shelters or confiscated by humane officers, while others were saved from the deplorable conditions of factory farms. These animals can live out their natural lives here at the farm or they may be adopted out into loving homes. We are not funded by any governmental or local sources and rely completely on the kind donations of interested and compassionate people who love animals and want to help. Please visit our website at www.hopehavenfarm.org and visit us on Facebook. It’s been in the works since January 2012 but the animals were moved from foster to the farm in Sewickley in May 2013. TSHIRTS FOR SALE TO BENEFIT THE SANCTUARY We finally have our t-shirts for sale! Only $18 each! We have limited colors and sizes because we wanted to see what people are most interested in. We have ladies’ PINK and ladies’ GREEN in S, M, L, and XL. These shirts are a fitted, snug, polyester/cotton blend. Super cute!! We also have unisex blue (no writing on the back) in S, M, L, XL. These are NOT fitted and a more relaxed fit. Great for guys! They will be for sale at all of our upcoming events. For the staff of WPHS, ARL, and AF, I will have them with me whenever I am working so come see me to buy one. If you would like a shirt mailed to you please message me on the Hope Haven Facebook page or email me at karen@hopehavenfarm.org with your order. Add $2 for S/H = a total of $20 per shirt. I will send your t- shirt to you ASAP as soon as I receive your check payment. 100% of proceeds go directly to the deserving animals of Hope Haven so I thank you so much for your support!

www.hopehavenfarm.org | Phone: 412-366-1187 karen@hopehavenfarm.org

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

November 2013

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ANIMAL HEALTH WELLNESS O

steoarthritis is a chronic, incurable disease of joints that is characterized by joint instability, and loss of articular cartilage. Clinically, osteoarthritis causes varying degrees of pain and dysfunction. Osteoarthritis generally is characterized as primary or secondary. Primary osteoarthritis is old age wear and tear arthritis and while common in humans, is uncommon in dogs. Secondary arthritis is common in dogs and is a response to a joint injury of some type. The most common causes of secondary osteoarthritis in dogs include hip and elbow dysplasia, cranial cruciate ligament ruptures, osteochondritis dissicans of various joints, patellar luxation and joint trauma. All of these conditions cause instability or abnormal weight bearing of joints leading to loss of articular cartilage, joint instability and periarticular osteophyte (bone spur) formation.

osteophyte formation (bone spurs), soft tissue swelling, and remodeling of the bones on both sides of the joint. Blood work generally is normal and not helpful in making the diagnosis. Other laboratory tests such as joint fluid analysis, infectious disease titers, and advanced imaging (CT ort MRI scans) may be recommended to rule out other causes of arthritis such as immune-mediated disease and tick-borne illnesses.

Management of

OSTEOARTHRITIS in Dogs

Osteoarthritis begins with an insult to the joint that causes damage to the articular cartilage. Once the cartilage is damaged, the injured cartilage cells release chemical mediators into the joint fluid that are

Treatment of osteoarthritis may take many forms. Generally, treatments fall into the categories of medical, surgical or alternative therapies. In most dogs, more than one type of therapy may be needed to alleviate the clinical signs of pain and lameness.

Surgical therapy is often used when there is a surgically correctable cause that is causing the osteoarthritis. It is often impossible to make a dog comfortable that has an unstable joint. Typically, if a ligament injury such as a cranial cruciate ligament injury or collateral ligament injury is identified, the first step in treating the joint disease is to surgically stabilize the joint. This often leads to rapid relief of pain and a slowing of the joint deterioration. Following surgery, medical management may be needed either on a temporary or permanent basis to make the patient as comfortable as possible. Medical therapy is used to achieve symptomatic relief in patients with joint pain secondary to osteoarthritis. Medical therapy may take many forms and may involve weight loss, Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, and nutritional supplements. Weight loss is often the most important therapy in dogs with osteoarthritis. Obesity in dogs is at epidemic proportions and lead to mechanical overload of the joints and makes other therapies far less effective. Weight loss in dogs requires a diligent and cooperative owner and considerable time investment. Weight loss in dogs requires calorie reduction in the diet and increases in exercise to burn calories. In some dogs, weight loss medications such as Slentrol may help with weight loss since dogs on this medication may be less likely to beg and annoy the owners.

engulfed by the synovial cells (lining cells of the joint capsule). The synoviocytes release a number of different cellular messenger chemicals that circulate back to the cartilage cells that cause further damage to the cartilage cells. This vicious circle continues its cycle leading to escalating damage to the joint and causing pain to the patient. Diagnosis of osteoarthritis in dogs is generally based upon physical examination and diagnostic testing. Physical examination will often show gait abnormalities such as lameness and examination of affected joints often shows pain on manipulation, limited range of motion, joint effusion (excessive fluid in the joint), and joint enlargement caused by excessive scar tissue formed in an attempt by the joint to stabilize itself. Radiographs of affected joints will demonstrate

NSAIDs are the centerpiece of any osteoarthritis treatment plan and are by far the most effective medications used. NSAIDs are effective both by reducing joint pain and by reducing joint inflammation. NSAIDs may be used daily on a long term basis or may be used temporarily on an as needed basis. Although generally safe for long term use, NSAIDs can cause serious side effects such as gastric ulceration and liver damage and blood work should be monitored periodically to make sure that dogs are tolerating the medications well. Physical therapy to help maintain joint range of motion and maintain muscle strength is helpful in the therapy of OA since good muscle tone helps to maintain joint stability and good range of motion if helpful

ÂŠPittsburgh PetConnections

November 2013

ANIMAL HEALTH WELLNESS in maintaining normal gait. Nutritional supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and omega III fatty acids (fish oil) are also helpful and act as general systemic anti-inflammatory medications. Even though effective, it is important to recognize that these supplements have low potency and are often not effective as a sole form of therapy.. Alternative therapies are popular therapies but it must be kept in mind that alternative therapies generally are not proven to be effective in the medical literature. Therapies such as cold laser therapy, stem cell therapy, chiropractic and homeopathy are available but have little controlled study proof of efficacy. The wise consumer should recognize that these therapies all require continued study to see where or if they fit into the armamentarium of osteoarthritis treatments.

By John T. Payne DVM, MS

John T. Payne DVM, MS Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center Department of Surgery 807 Camp Horne Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 Ph: (412) 366-3400 Fax: (412) 366-3489 www.pvs-ec.com

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ANIMAL BEHAVIOR

Help, My Dog is Wild! oes your dog or puppy pace or whine during down time? Are they D in a constant state of motion? Do they struggle to settle in one place? Does it seem like they have either two speeds – hyper speed or asleep, but nothing in between? Well, you are certainly not alone by any means. There are many dogs/puppies who struggle to have an “off switch” where they can just relax and hang out. Part of this is because of a mismatch in canine and human schedules – when the human returns home, tired from the long day at work, dogs are full of energy after sleeping all day. Besides this scheduling mismatch, dogs who struggle to settle are often either under-exercised, over-exercised, or they have simply never been taught how to turn off and relax.

By Tena Parker, Success Just Clicks Dog Training

Regardless of exercise, most dogs have never been taught how to settle and it is often a skill that does not come naturally. Luckily teaching an off-switch can be fairly simple and is something you can even start with puppies – all it takes is some consistency with training and management. Once there is an appropriate exercise plan in place, there are four basic things I work on to build a nice off-switch and encourage relaxation.

BUILD A ROUTINE I work to create a pattern of “Exercise then Rest” so the dog regularly practices calming down from exciting play. Two or more times a day, after an exercise session, I will give the dog a stuffed frozen kong or another lasting treat in a crate to settle. By restricting freedom, I am ensuring that he will practice calm behavior and am preventing unwanted wild behaviors. When settling in a crate is easy, I make it harder by transitioning to an exercise pen or tether to relax after a playtime. Settling outside of a crate is more challenging because there are more things for the dog to engage with and more space for movement, but it’s an important step before resting while loose.

CATCH HIM PRACTICING CALMNESS Any time I catch a dog practicing calmness I will reward him by calmly giving a treat or quiet praise. If he perks up or gets excited while I approach, I do not offer the treat, instead I wait until he has gone back to relaxing and then try again. If I catch him lying down and chewing on an antler, bully stick, or toy, I make sure to praise him for the good choice. The more I reward his good choices, the more likely it is that he will continue to make good choices on his own.

GO WILD AND SIT! Puppy Loki is tethered to the cat tree to help him make the choice to settle instead of being wild during down times. Most dogs I encounter are chronically under-exercised. They don’t get nearly as much exercise as they need and as a result they have excess energy that makes them antsy, hyper, and unable to settle. There is also a group of dogs who are chronically over-exercised. There are two main issues with over exercise when it comes to dogs and not being able to settle. First, dogs are rewarded for high arousal play like fetch, flirt pole, or personal play with their humans so this is how they prefer to act with people – they have the most fun with their person when they are highly excited so they repeat those behaviors. Second, dog handlers, through extensive exercise programs, end up creating ultra athletes that require an ever-increasing amount of exercise to settle down – a dog may have initially gotten tired after a 3-mile run, but after many 3-mile runs, this distance no longer tires out the dog and the handler will increase it to 5 miles to get the dog to tire out.

This is a game that works on impulse control and helps dogs learn how to collect themselves, even when they are very excited. Once your dog knows a “sit” or “down” cue very well, you can start playing the game. Using a game of personal play (just you playing with your dog) or exciting movements, get your dog a little bit excited (to start, aim for just a slight spike in excitement). Once he’s a little excited, stop moving and cue the sit or down. When your dog complies, you can restart the exciting game. As they get good at this game you can either increase the level of excitement that your dog has to settle from, or you can increase the time your dog must settle before initiating the game again.

MAGIC MAT Teaching a dog to go to a bed or a mat and lay down can be an incredibly helpful tool for teaching a dog to have an off-switch because it allows you to give your dog stationary “work” as a starting point. It’s often hard for dogs to just relax, but if we can put relaxed-like behavior on cue, the dog can practice the action of relaxation without having to feel it, yet. Eventually, if they practice relaxation enough, they start to feel it. I teach dogs to go to a mat and lay down by making the mat the best place in the world by rapid-firing treats or kibble directly on

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

November 2013

the mat if they are making a choice to stand on it. They figure out that kibble rains down when they are on the mat and nothing good happens when they arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t on the mat, so they choose to stay on the mat. I eventually teach them that kibble only rains down if they are lying on the mat and then eventually that kibble only happens sometimes. With practice, the dog will go to the mat and honestly relax when the mat is available.

6 years running! If your dog has a long history of not being able to settle, it will take more time to build this new habit, but be patient. You can always contact a skilled positive trainer if you need help!

Rio learned to settle on a mat and has been rewarded for calmness since puppyhood so he can easily relax, even at an agility trial, one of the most exciting environments.

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Please support our Advertisers who make this publication possible. Tell them you saw them in PetConnections!

ADVERTISER LOCATOR 1 Healthy Pet Products (see ad pg 1) 2 Woody’s Do-It-Yourself Dogwash (see pg 19) 3 WearWoof (see ad pg 11) 4 Animal Rescue League (see ad pg 16) 5 Oddball Pets & Aquariums (see ad pg 2) 6 Golden Paws Pet Styling Academy (see ad pg 7) 7 Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation (see ad pg 36) 8 Beaver Animal Clinic (see ad inside back cover) 9 Grandma’s Dog Daycare (see ad pg 17) 9 Double Wide Grill (see ad pg 8) 10 Western PA Humane Society (see ad pg 23) 11 Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center (see ad back cover) 12 Platinum Pooch (see pg 19) 13 Back To Basics (see ad pg 26) 14 Dr. Dina LiVolsi (see ad pg 21) 15 Vibrant Images (see ad pg 5) 16 Rockin’ Horse Stables (see ad pg 33) 17 BelaCoop Animal Hospital (see ad page 15) 18 5th Avenue Fido (see ad pg 17) 19 Grooming With Care (see pg 19) 20 The English Horn Ltd (see ad pg 33) 21 Petsburgh Dog & Cat Grooming (see ad pg 17) 22 Pittsburgh Pet Expo (see ad pg 27)

ADVERTISERS All Natural Hoof Care (see ad pg 33) Angel Ridge Animal Rescue (see ad on inside front cover) Animal Care & Welfare (see ad pg 6) Answers Pet Food (see ad pg 25) Camp Bow Wow (see ad pg 15) Chris’s Canine Club (see pg 19) Coventry Equestrian Center (see ad pg 35) Creative Canine Cuts (see ad pg 19) Gentle Journey (see ad pg 36) Holistic Care for Animals (see ad pg 22) Judith Levy (see ad pg 25) J & D Home Improvements (see ad on inside front cover)

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

KS Jones Photography (see ads pgs 3, 33) Molly’s Canine Academy (see pg 19) Nicole Begley Photography (see pg 17) Paws Here Awhile (see ad pg 17) Pet Afterlife (see ad pg 36) Portraits of Animals (see ad pg 24) The Rogan Rexford Blood Bank (see ad pg 13) Success just Clicks (see pg 19) VCA Animal Hospital (see ad pg 30) The Working Paper Horse (see ad pg 35) Your Critter Sitters (see ad pg 19) Zelda’s Song (see ad pg 31) November 2013

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HOLISTIC CARE Do you Walk your Talk?? … Showing Gratitude for Your Pet at Thanksgiving!

By Judith Levy M.Ed.,CEHP, RMT

If you’re reading this magazine, my guess is that you love your pet deeply. Most of us do and we often find it difficult to find time to stimulate them or to give them the quality time they deserve. Dogs and cats can become bored and ultimately out of balance and unhealthy if not stimulated mentally, physically and emotionally. This is not to make you feel guilty, just a little nudge to go out of your way this Thanksgiving to show them how grateful you are to have them in your life! The following are some activities, games and sessions that you can provide for your pet. I am sure that they will enjoy and appreciate it and you will in turn feel joy in your heart. Give some thought to which of the following suggestions would be appropriate for you, your budget and your pet!

Enjoyment for all pets! GROOMING: Dogs and cats like to be clean and they enjoy the affection involved when you groom them with a brush, mindfully intending to care for them. So get an appropriate grooming tool and gently focus on the activity. This will create a space of safety and caring for your cat or dog. CONNECTING MEDITATION: Have you ever meditated or sat quietly in a garden or under the light of the moon? If you have, you will remember the peace that the silence can bring. As you know, our pets don’t express themselves with words. But they do connect with us through energy – by feeling our presence and experiencing us in that way, there can be a deep sense of contact and love. Sit with your pet in a quiet dimly lit space. Simply put your hand on their heart center (across shoulder or left side of chest). Simply feel their breath and feel the movement that the breath creates. Once you feel that connection, send your breath down your arm, through your hand to their heart center. Exchange in this way for just a few minutes. Ahhhh, sweet! If you are “exchanging” with reptile, bird or another being that you cannot touch, simply sit next to them and imagine the energy flow between you as described above! STRESS/ PAIN REDUCTION: Providing your pet with an integrative treatment session can bring calm and comfort, balance and relaxation. Schedule a Reiki session or energy work for your pet! Or a massage!

Fun for Dogs! ADVENTURE AND ACTIVE FUN OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME: Check the internet for these activities in your area • Freestyle Dance—Yes! Did you know you can take dance classes with your dog? It’s a blast! Great way to meet people as well! • Flyball or Agility—These two active, stimulating activities will give your dog a sense of accomplishment in addition to mental, physical and emotional stimulation. • Search and Rescue—You and your dog can learn how to search for objects and even people when you get the hang of it! • Yoga for Dogs—There are now yoga classes for people and their best furry friend. It’s centering, calming, builds relationship and feels great!

Photo: Michelle Jenkins INDOOR GAMES: • “Find It” – Great activity for dogs and kids – Teach your dog to find treats using the happy command “find it”. • “Doggie Come” – Great activity for the entire family. Everyone spread between two or three rooms and call the pup back to each of you! Reward with love and a small healthy treat when he comes!

Fun for Cats! BRING THE OUTDOORS IN/ INTERACTIVE GAMES: • Cat Tree – If your cat does not have a problem with aggression while peering outside; give her a comfortable cat tree or even a chair with a towel. She will enjoy watching birds and the fall leaves! And perhaps you can join her for a few… • Branches – Bring one in for her to explore! • DVD of nature and calming music—Some cats really enjoy this stimulation on the TV. You can sometimes find these DVDs a second hand stores so they are not too costly HUNTING, CHASING AND SUCH: • As you probably know, cats are all about hunting and chasing pouncing and the kill. Two of my favorite cat toys for venting your felines are “DaBird” and a newer toy called “Cats Meow”. • iPod or iPhone interactive – Wow, your cat can now “catch bugs” on your iPhone! Look for the downloadable program on your device Have Fun and Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!! I am grateful for all of you wonderful pet guardians! Judith Levy www.judithlevywellness.com PITTSBURGH PETCONNECTIONS MAGAZINE WOULD LOVE YOUR INPUT!! For those of you who live with and/or love horses, hermit crabs, hamsters, birds, fish, snakes, turtles, ferrets, rats, mice, lizards, (and I am sure I am forgetting somebody), please share how you have fun with your pet! Please go to the Pittsburgh PetConnections Magazine Facebook page, PghPetconnectionsMagazine, and share ideas! How do you express your love and stimulate your pets?

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

November 2013

HOLISTIC CARE W

hen I heard that PetConnections was having the “Thanks for Paws” contest where people send in photos of their pets and give thanks to their pets or shelter where they obtained their pet, I knew that I wanted to honor my animals as well. I currently live with my dog Maddie (whose is posed with me in my photo) and two tabby cats, Kia and Roman. I found Maddie through PetFinders at Latrobe Animal Rescue League and both cats were strays. Kia found me while I was on vacation in the Florida Keys, and Roman was a tiny kitten sitting on the side of a rural country road. These animals have touched me in ways that any animal lover will understand: Unconditional love and acceptance. Loyal. Well behaved. Sparks of the Divine. Always happy to see me! My beloved Maddie is the most perfect animal I’ve ever known. She is well behaved, sweet and calm. When I visited my mother at St. Barnabas during a rehabilitation, my Maddie was welcomed. It was truly heartwarming to see how her presence affected the residents. They would watch for her to come off the elevator and their faces would light up. She would patiently and kindly visit with whomever wanted her loving attention. While I did obedience training with her, she did not receive any therapy dog training from me. She just was a natural. Often people would get teary and tell me of their Dr. Dina LiVolsi own pets who have moved Certified Animal Chiropractor on. I have discovered that many facilities welcome well-behaved dogs whether you have a loved one residing there or not. Kia, my ‘old girl cat’ is about 15. She is showing her age with a cataract and continuing loss of hearing, but she is still my dear and a “cat’s cat”. She has taught me almost everything I know about cats. She enjoyed the summer sleeping quietly in the sun on the porch recliner. She had, long ago, established herself as the queen and has the privilege of sleeping on the bed under the covers. Roman the Rascal. Trouble Maker. Pest. Jester. Any of these monikers fit. He was my first and last kitten (too much work!). He makes me laugh and is the goofy-est cat. He often gets in scolded by Kia, who will not take any guff, but he continues to not learn this lesson. All of my beloved animal family receive regular chiropractic treatment. I am always honored when I adjust an animal, but never more so than when I am delivering chiropractic treatment to my own.

Since my Maddie and Kia are my older animals, keeping them as physically fit as possible is a high priority. Proper nutrition, exercise, regular good veterinary care at Point Breeze Veterinary Clinic and as much human interaction that can be provided all are part of keeping them healthy in addition to chiropractic care.

GRATEFUL FOR MY ANIMAL COMPANIONS Many older pets can receive health benefits from appropriate, legitimate chiropractic care. Arthritis (often diagnosed as “hip dysplasia”) can be very painful. I have seen on many occasions dogs responding in a positive manner after a short course of chiropractic. Clients tell me that their dogs can move more easily, get up and down much more quickly, can do stairs again and of course my favorite – they can jump on the furniture again. Some are able to discontinue or reduce their pain medication under supervision of their veterinarian. I am truly grateful for my animal companions, as you are for yours. I know the difference chiropractic has made in their lives and the lives of so many others. Maddie is now almost 12 years old and shows no sign of slowing down. Kia still jumps onto the bed whenever she wants and runs away from Roman when he pesters her too much. And Roman, the trickster, the comedian, the one of a kind pest/lover, is still getting into trouble and making me laugh.

Dr. Dina LiVolsi, Doctor of Chiropractic Gentle chiropractic care for your dogs and cats under veterinary referral and supervision. Certified by the AVCA since 1998. Allegheny County's first and only AVCA certified animal chiropractor!

th at the Visit our boo t Expo! Pittsburgh Pe Point 2 For Healthy Pets The Pet Wellness Office for Point Breeze Veterinary Clinic 415 Gettysburg Street, Pittsburgh PA 15206

Contact Dr. LiVolsi on her direct line at 412-824-6276 www.drdinalivolsi.com

November 2013

www.pghpetconnections.com

HOLISTIC CARE MICHAEL SAVKO, DC, CCSP, CVCP Dr. Savko is a Board Certified Chiropractor, a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician, and is Internationally Certified in the VOM healing technologies. He has over 14 years experience working on large and small animals and has been an animal lover and advocate for as long as he can remember. He is noted for his “above and beyond” efforts to help and so far the majority of results are nothing short of stunning. But don’t take our word for it, go and see for yourself! A Pittsburgh native, Savko achieved his doctorate in 1998 from the prestigious New York Chiropractic College. While in school he tutored radiology and physical examination procedures. After graduation he received an “Equine Chiropractic-Methods and Clinical Applications” certificate and in the spring of 2000 Dr. Savko attended the VOM coursework taught around the world to veterinarians and chiropractors by technique originator Dr. William Inman BS, DVM,CVCP. He then passed an examination and took the extra steps of working intensively with a local veterinary surgeon for months on many, many cases to become certified. Savko retook the coursework in 2005 to remain up-to-date with technique enhancements and innovations. When working on animals Dr. Savko enjoys affiliating closely with a veterinarian to be sure the animal receives the best possible care. Currently Savko works in-house with 4 local veterinary hospitals and receives referrals from many veterinarians, hospitals, doctors, individuals, and other animal/

health related entities, as well as the innumerable amount of current and past satisfied clients. For Dr. Savko this amazing healing technology has been so very effective on literally thousands of cases, even cases that previously had no hope, no answers, and no results. Clients often exclaim, “I wish I would have known about you sooner”, “this is the best phone call I ever made”, and “you have been a miracle worker for our family.” VOM gets long lasting results, quickly because it can find and reduce blocks in the nervous system. That is vitally important because nerves are basically responsible for two things: pain and function. They control everything we do, there are over a billion of them! So we want them operating and communicating at their highest levels at all times in order for the entire body to be healthy and to heal quickly. VOM is non-invasive, it is extremely specific, it cannot cause harm, and the animal being treated can be in any level of discomfort (or lack thereof) and can be in any position when it is being treated (sitting, laying, standing) making the therapy much easier, and more safe for the patient. For more information please contact Dr. Savko directly at 724-261-7915 or go to his website www.drchirovet.com for more details on VOM.

Don’t give up yet, call DrChiroVet! “Best call I ever made.” “My pet is now “Miracle Worker.” better than EVER!” “...a wonderful man with a very big heart.” “Best money I ever spent.” “He’s really there for the animals.” “...so down to earth and such a great person.” “I am so amazed with what Dr. Savko has done.” “I just wish I would have known about you sooner.” “...this card is not long enough for my testimonial...” “I don’t know what we would have done “Dr. Mike literally without Dr. Savko.” saved our pet’s life.” “You have given me hope.” “His manner just puts pets and their owners at ease.” “I cannot say enough about the services Dr. Savko has provided!” “As soon as we started seeing Dr. Savko, the problem started getting better.”

DC, CCSP, CVCP Dr. Savko works with the following veterinary clinics: Meadowlands Veterinary Hospital, Washington, PA Suburban Animal Clinic, Butler, PA, Delmont Veterinary Hospital, Delmont, PA, Fox Run Equine Center, Apollo, PA

Over 13 years experience

“Thank God we found Dr. Mike.”

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

November 2013

1101 Western Ave., Pittsburgh

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CAT CORNER

Saying Thanks (Almost) Before Every Meal by Bernadette E. Kazmarski

ager for her bowl at each mealtime her humble and reserved personality had other cats served first, but that gave me the opportunity to appreciate the anticipation on her face as I lowered her bowl to the floor in front of her, as if she still couldn’t believe she was actually getting another bowl of food, just for her. A starving feral kitten, probably a day or two from death, Moses never forgot her beginnings. All of her 19 years I watched her lean into her food to excitedly nibble here and there and thought of this gentle creature still frightened to be picked up and held, uncertain about sitting on my lap, even being petted with two hands, yet when I gave her the space to make her own decisions she came to me with trust, fervently purring and gazing at me with slowly blinking eyes and such love as I have never known. Then after her first bite of food satisfied that deepseated fear of hunger it was as if she remembered her manners, my quiet and refined gray kitty, and lifted her face from her bowl, pushed herself, with the slight difficulty of legs weak from birth and a touch of arthritis, back up to a sitting position and looked directly into my eyes, purring as I saw the fur on her throat gently trembling, and gave me a long, slow blink of her soft verdigris eyes. “Thank you,” she said, every meal, every day, all her life, then went back to eating as I often brushed back tears at her honest pronouncement. Moses, my one truly feral rescue, came to me in the autumn of 1987 and taught me about feral cats before I really knew they were any different from other cats. Our 19 years together were one long lesson in patience for me as I let her come to terms at her own pace with living with a human who wanted to touch her all the time. I found my Velveteen Kitty irresistible, but I never broke her rules, and she rewarded me with an intense loyalty and a deep love. She was the gentlest creature of any species I have ever met, the safe harbor for many a frightened rescue kitten or adult cat, and as defenseless as her early deprivation had left her she proved that projecting love onto the world around you reflected it back onto you and kept you protected and surrounded by love. At Thanksgiving I am thankful for all of the lessons each of my rescue cats has taught me, and especially for Moses and her little prayer of thanks at, well, almost the beginning of every meal.

November 2013

MORE ANGEL RIDGE COSTUME CONTEST WINNERS:

Judith Levy WELLNESS FOR PEOPLE AND PETS

Holistic approach to behavior

Funniest were “Riley” (Little Mermaid) and “Frankie” (Sebastion)

Specializing in treating fear and trauma in cats and dogs

Judith Levy

Runner up: “Chrissy” and “Cami” Angel Ridge Alumni

Judith Levy M,Ed., CEHP, RMT Educator Feline and Canine Behavioral Consultant Certified Energy Health Practitioner

Runner up: Cowgirl “Tanner”

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Judith Levy 412.521.5133

WELLNESS FOR PEOPLE AND PETS

Judith Levy WELLNESS FOR PEOPLE AND PETS

November 2013

www.pghpetconnections.com

HEALTH WELLNESS for GUARDIANS

What Warms My Heart and Soothes My Soul? By Sharon Satterfield, ND

As I reflect over the year 2013

and count my blessings, I have had many. Of course we all have those moments that we could do without don’t we?

As you are baking your pumpkin pie for the holiday remember to give your pets some pumpkin too without the milk and sugar of course because it is a good preventative for worms, especially in dogs.

With Thanksgiving around the corner and I think about what warms my heart and soothes my soul, and am very thankful for, it is my 4 legged friends, 3 cats and one dog, that greet me every night when I get home from work, cuddle with me at night and love me no matter what! You can’t beat that!!! They are very important to me as is their health and mine. I want to be healthy so I can take care of them and I want them to be healthy so they can be with me as long as possible.

Staying healthy is not that hard, drink plenty of healthy water. Tyler Mountain is one of my favorites. Avoid white sugar and flour, even wheat is no longer healthy as most of it is genetically modified now along with soy and corn. Who knows how many more will be. Read your labels, if you can’t pronounce it or do not know what it is don’t eat it is my motto. Use local honey to sweeten things, stevia or Xylitol, but be aware that Xylitol is toxic to your pets. Eat lots of greens daily especially the dark leafy greens. Eat as much organic as possible including meats with no hormones, steroids or antibiotics. Get plenty of rest, even our furry friends know when it is time to take a nap. We cannot avoid stress but we can set boundaries in our life that will help to eliminate some, especially unhealthy people or relationships. Once again even our pets know who is trustworthy and who is not. We could learn from them.

One of the things I give all 4 of them is fish oil daily, a little vitamin C for their immune system in winter, a multivitamin and mineral complex, some greens and milk thistle a couple times a week. I do not put chemicals on them for fleas or ticks. If you are a pet owner that does please make sure you use milk thistle daily with them because it will protect their liver. I use essential oils like neem or lavender, even peppermint to help prevent these pest problems, even in the home not just on my pets. I feed them healthy as I try to for myself. I take everything I give them and more when needed. If they were to get stressed I would use Rescue remedy, a Bach flower product. We have had no call to use it so far, but I have used it in the past with other pets who are no longer in this world. It is great for anxiety in pets for any reason. I even use natural shampoos or soaps on them, so as you can see they are well loved and pampered. I could not imagine my life without them or without a pet in general. If I could I would own a farm or even better “buy a zoo”! The world is a better place with animals and pets. Maybe once I retire…

God Bless you and your furry family. Sharon Satterfield

Photo: Bernadette E. Kazmarski

Back to Basics

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November 2013

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ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE Friday 11/1 Animal Arena 5:00p-9:00p ......Grooming Competition 5:30p-6:00p ......Janet Jackson Animal Reiki/ Animal Communication 6:00p-6:30p ......Classic K9 Show 6:30p-7:00p ......Mr. O’s 7:00p-8:00p ......Wildlife Defenders 8:00p-8:30p ......Classic K9 Show

Saturday 11/2 Animal Arena 10:00a-5:00p.....Grooming Competition 10:15a-11:00a ...Wildlife Defenders 11:00a-11:30a ...Classic K9 Show 11:30-Noon.......Mr. O’s Noon-12:30p ....Belle the Therapy Dog 12:30p-1:00p ....Dr. Dina Livolsi 1:00p-1:30p ......Classic K9 Show 1:30p-2:15p.......Baby Ready Pets 2:15p-3:00p.......Wildlife Defenders 3:00p-3:30p ......Classic K9 Show 3:30p-4:00p ......Dr. Dina Livolsi 4:00p-5:00p ......Baby Ready Pets 5:00p-5:30p ......Classic K9 Show 5:30p-6:00p ......Mr. O’s 6:00p-7:00p ......Wildlife Defenders 7:00p-7:30p ......Classic K9 Show Dock Dogs 11:00a-8:00p.....Big Air Qualifying Rounds

Sunday 11/3 Animal Arena 10:00a-5:00p.....Grooming Competition 10:15a-11:00a ...Wildlife Defenders 11:00a-11:30a ...Classic K9 Show 11:30p-Noon ....Mr. O’s Noon-12:30.......Belle the Therapy Dog 1:00p-1:30p ......Classic K9 Show 1:30p-2:30p ......Wildlife Defenders 2:30p-3:00p ......Mr. O’s 3:00p-3:30p ......Classic K9 Show 3:30p-5:00p ......Grooming Grand Parade Dock Dogs 11:00a-4:00p.....Big Air Qualifying Rounds subject to change

EXPO SPONSORS as of 10/21/13 6 David Company/Nice Doggies & Pretty Kittys A Balancing Touch Wellness Studio, llc A Place for Paws Aivilas Pet Products Andis Company Angel Ridge Animal Rescue Animal Care & Welfare Animal Elegence Animal Friends Animal Rescue League Anne’s Pet Products Annie’s Pooch Pops Arabian Rescue Mission Arks-N-Barks AVETS Banfield Pet Hospital Bark n Go Bark Raving Mad Bath Planet of Western PA Beyond Body Pads Biggies Bullies Bio Groom Blue Buffalo Boulder Designs Brilliant K9 Bully Max Supplement’s Butler County Humane Society Camp Bow Wow Canada Pooch Carna4 Handcrafted Dog Food Cat Around Town Cedar Creek Pet Century Insurance/VPI Champion Windows Chiara Fotographic Chic Doggie Attire Clara’s Collars Coats n Totes Contain a Pet of Western PA Culligan Water Custom Quality Pet Furniture Danne’s Gifts Dave’s Aquastock Direct Buy Dog Italia Dog Shammy Dog Dryers DogPoopBags.com Dogs on Deployment Dr. Chiro Vet - Holistic Care for All Animals Large and Small Dr. Dina Livolsi- Animal Chiropractor Duncan Homemade Dog Treats EarthBath Edward Jones Eternity Pet Memorial Everdry Waterproofing Fabulous Homemade Cookies Frankie’s Friends Cat Rescue Free Pet Rx Discount Card Funny Little Dog

FurKid Rescue Fuzzy Paws Pet Villa and Doggie Day Care Giant Eagle Gift Cards Going Home Greyhounds Gold Key Resorts Golden Triangle Obedience Training Club Grandma Bowser’s Inc. Great Pyrenees Club of Western Pennsylvania Rescue Greater Pittsburgh Joint and Muscle Center Green Mountain Energy Greenfield Grooming Salon Greys Landing Greyhound Placement Groomer’s Helper Gutter Helmet Gutwein K-9 Happy Feet Healthy Pet Products Hello Bully Homeless Cat Management Team HotPak Huggies Hurry Home Hounds In Care of Cats InBalance Products International Judges Association (IJA) for Pet Grooming It Works! J&D Waterproofing JD Show Products Jefferson Memorial Park Keystone Basement Systems Klein Cutlery KRITTERKOOKS Kuranda Dog Beds LADS Pet Supplies Larry’s Laundromutt Leaf Filter Leashlocket Legacy Remodeling Lifesavers Animal Rescue Maggie’s Call of the Wild Mary Kay Merrick Pet Care Mid-Atlantic Basements Mid-Atlantic Waterproofing Midwest Beagle Rescue, Education and Welfare Mr. O’s - The Dog Training Place My Canine Kids / Binki + Boo Nagrobek Memorials Nash Academy National Association of Professional Creative Groomers (NAPCG) Naturally Tearfree Canine L.L.C. Nature’s Logic Nature’s Specialties Nemacolin Wooflands Pet Resort & Spa Northwest Savings Bank

Oak Crest Aviaries Oak Crest Pet Crematory Origami Owl P&C Replacement Window Pampered Paws-N-Claws Paw Lickers Paw Prints Photography Pawrate Treasures Paws Here Awhile Paws-itively Purr-fect Pet Care Pawsitively Purrfect Mobile Pet Spa and Sitting Pet Bakery of Oakmont Pet Search Pet Silk Pet Stop Fence Systems Pittsburgh PetConnections, LLC. Pittsburgh Post Gazette Professor Amos Products Puplight Puppy Paws Purr-Fect Paws Kitty Adoptions PVSEC QuickSwitch Collars Rainbow Cleaning System Renewal by Andersen Rollier’s Hardware Ryan’s Pet Supplies Satelitte Connections Savvy Pet Shop LLC Schmoopsie Couture Scrappy’s Closet Seacay Enterprises Seven Fields Veterinary Clinic SHOP WATERPROOF Simply Sweet Shoppe Sit Means Sit Steel City Pet Sitters LLC Still Dreaming Sundance Vacations Tearose Photo That Guy with the Birds The Dog Stop TLV Communications Travel Resorts of America Trib Total Media Tupperware Upper Cervivcal Chiropractic Urban Dog Vacation Village Resorts Vector Security Veronica’s Doggie Delights Vibrant Pets Wahl Washington Area Humane Society Wexford Farms Pet Food LLC Whisker Biscuits White Oak Animal Shelter Wildlife Defenders Woofer’s Delight Zelda’s Song L.L.C.

November 2013

Rescue me, take me in your arms, Rescue me, I got paws not arms Rescue me, take me home, Rescue me, I don’t want to be alone

NASH AND IJA HOST GROOMING COMPETITION FOR RESCUED DOGS Nash Academy and the International Judges Association of Dog Groomers (IJA) will host The Rescue Rodeo Round UP competitions at the 7th Annual Pittsburgh Pet Expo to help find homes for rescue dogs through a series of 6 grooming competitions. NASH and IJA are proud to partner with the National Association of Professional Creative Groomers (NAPCG) to offer 3 creative styling competitions as well. NAPCG does much work to which educate and promote safe coat coloring and decorative coat art applications on man’s best friend.

THE NASH ACADEMY

At the Pittsburgh Pet Expo, IJA will judge six Rescue Rodeo Competitions from thirteen rescue groups including dogs of all sizes, breeds and coat types because “big or small; NASH loves them all”. IJA will also judge the three Creative Competitions..

Nash Academy is an international, innovative and creative training academy for animal arts founded in 1979. The academy’s international reputation and success is built on a genuine love and compassion for animals; treating dogs like members of the family. Since 1979, the academy prides itself on continuing to provide its students with the most up to date and professional cat, dog and horse grooming training that the pet industry has to offer. In the United States and around the world Nash Academy proudly provides its graduates, internationally, a state of the art facility for training, online and onsite practical training, and qualified and certified instruction, all of which is delivered with the compassion and safety of the animals as a priority. Training in cat, dog, and horse grooming is available through online and onsite education courses. Graduates experience success at the highest levels through contact with celebrity groomers, competition grooming, salon owners, mobile groomers and international judges. Visit www.nashacademy.com to learn more about the Nash Academy.

THE COMPETITIONS:

THE INTERNATIONAL JUDGES ASSOCIATION

6 RESCUE RODEO COMPETITIONS 3 THEMED for the love of dogs and getting them a home • Every Dog Has its Day, Is this my Day? • Rescue Me, I Want to Be in Your Arms • Dog Gone it, I Want a New Home 3 THEMED for the love of dogs – Short and Sassy Mini Mutt Makeovers (smooth coat dogs) • Dirty to Flirty in 30 minutes • Sexy and Shiny in 60 minutes • Neat and Nifty in 90 minutes 3 CREATIVE COMPETITIONS • Creative Coloring and Decorating Creations, • Salon Creative Coloring, Decorating and Styling • Extreme Sensational Creative Creations Nash Academy and IJA are both family owned and operated and treat their students, competitors and dogs like family. They try to always engage the audience and pet families, so this Pet Expo will be no exception. • The competitions are also designed to be fun and exciting for pet families creating judging systems to allow pet lovers to become a part of the voting process awarding the Fan Favorite Award. • Runway award ceremonies will feature competition dogs, judges, competitors and the pet owners. EX: The Mutt Strut – Dogs take to the Cat Walk • Special annual awards to be introduced such as the John Nash Memorial Scholarship Award – an opportunity for one pet lover to “Be All They Can Be, At Nash Academy” with a FREE enrollment into the Traditional Program for Dog Grooming at Nash Academy. The winner to be announced at the EXPO, valued at $7950. Visit us at Nash Academy for details on how to enter. www.nashacademy.com/Web/na.nsf/page/John_Nash_Memorial_ Scholarships.

November 2013

The founders of IJA, Vivian and the late John Nash, being pet lovers coupled with a genuine passion for the art of grooming, believe that equal opportunities and fairness must always exist for all competitors in the ring. IJA is very proud of its mission to “Standardize and promote fair and equitable placement of contestants in professional dog grooming competitions, agreed upon and accepted by a panel of three or more IJA judges.” IJA’s founders are also the proud owners of the Nash Academy of Animal Arts. They designed the IJA System to create an excellent educational environment at all IJA Sanctioned Competitions. The system is designed to train new and existing show promoters, judges and competitors using the same policies and procedures to establish and maintain a standard in the art of judging grooming competitions worldwide. John and Vivian Nash proudly adapted the Nash Academy philosophy “Be All You Can Be, At Nash Academy” to the IJA system, expanding it from not just students, but to show promoters and judges as well. All competitions are scored on: • Technical ability • Expression/profile • Degree of difficulty The professional objectives of Nash and IJA can be summed up: • Love of dogs/treat them like family • Fairness/equal opportunity for all competitors • Compassion for the dogs as well as the art • Fun events for everyone • Education – ongoing and up to date for all • Proven expertise and skills in the industry pet lovers These objectives are supported by the NAPCG; making Nash, IJA and NAPCG the “Terrific Trio” for these competitions. NAPCG - The National Association of Professional Creative Groomers was founded in 2009 to provide groomers with the necessary information to understand and effectively utilize creative grooming techniques in the salon as well as the competition ring without compromising the comfort or safety of the animal involved. The association is always hosting educational webinars making it easy for pet lovers and professionals everywhere to stay informed. The 6 creative awards for each of the 3 creative competitions are tailored to a love of dogs and pet safe products are always used to help eliminate the stigma that some people have about creative dog styling. NACPG prides itself on educating the public on the “safety of creative grooming”! Proving that when done right by professionals with the right products, “Color won’t hurt, but help them flirt in the park”. http://thenapcg.com.

www.pghpetconnections.com

ÂŠPittsburgh PetConnections

November 2013

EQUINE AFFAIRS “He eats like a horse” is a common enough phrase, but what does that really mean? Here are some simple guidelines which are very important.

Feeding The Horse

Water is the most important nutrient needed by all species. Most horses will consume 10 to 20 gallons of water per day, depending upon ambient temperatures and work levels. In extremely hot weather, horses may consume up to 50 gallons of water per day. All water should be clean and fresh when given to horses.

By Brian S. Burks, D.V.M., Dipl. ABVP, Board Certified Equine Expert

Consider the breed of horse when feeding – preferably before you buy or rescue; you need to know what you are going to need to feed them. Quarter Horses are not Thoroughbreds. The latter need more protein, and while they may have a lighter frame than a draft horse, they should not be overly thin. They cannot make muscle without protein. Any thin horse may benefit more from a protein, rather than a fat, supplement. Protein is what body builders eat after a workout, and the same is true of a horse in heavy work. Other breeds such as ponies or miniature horses have different requirements as they developed in different circumstances than Arabians and Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. Too much carbohydrate is not good for breeds that are phenotypically “easy keepers”. They just don’t need it and will become obese quickly. This can result in diseases such as hyperlipidemia and laminitis. In fact, carbohydrates, not protein, are responsible for horses becoming crazy or ‘hot’, so a low carbohydrate diet can be good for many horses – if they need grain at all. And draft or warmblood horses will require more simply due to size, adding to your hay budget.

In addition to the breed, consider the work load and environment of the horse. Those working hard competing and shipping have Photo: Kara Jones different requirements from those that are ‘couch potatoes’. Also if it is cold caloric requirements will increase – keeping them indoors protects them from the cold weather and wind, decreasing the Water contamination may be the number one source of gastrointestinal need for calories, but can come with its own set of hazards. Also make bacteria and protozoal infections in the horse. As such, all water sure that individuals get fed – the more dominant horse may push away containers should be cleaned on a regular basis, and water should be one lower in the pecking order if they are all fed together. changed at least once daily. Without water, all body processes begin to cease and dry feed intake will decrease.Toxic metabolites will also increase Weigh the food. This includes hay and grain. Volume is not an accurate in concentration. Dehydration may not be evident until your horse is way to feed, as feeds may have different densities. Hay should be 5% dehydrated (this also goes for you!) as evidenced by dry mucous provided at 2-3% of body weight per day, which is about 20-30 pounds. membranes (gums) sunken eyes, and decreased skin turgor. Two flakes will not do it, but two flakes may weigh differently with different types of hay or baling techniques. So the average 1,000 pound The staple food of the horse is grass, or, at least in the winter time, hay. horse will need about 20 pounds of hay per day and good quality hay will Forage provides the roughage horses need for their digestive tract to provide over 16,000 calories, which is more than sufficient for a horse not function. Certain types of bacteria must exist in the colon to break down in work. Grain will simply give him more unneeded calories. this roughage to produce Volatile Fatty Acids (VFAs) which provide most of the horse’s energy requirements. As this is the natural diet of the horse, Your horse needs the appropriate nutrition to perform at whatever level it provides the vitamins and minerals that are needed for horses with you are asking. This includes not only ensuring enough food in the form most levels of activity. Sport horses may require calories and of hay and grain, but also controlling the quality and type of feed material vitamin/minerals beyond the average trail horse, but for most, grain, of given. All food should be inspected prior to feeding, and should be any type, is not necessary. discarded if there is any question regarding quality. Certain disease states require certain feed regimens. Consult an expert in equine medicine to If additional calories are needed, grain is calorically dense and low volume determine how best to feed your horse for its given expectations. to allow consumption. Too much grain, however, can lead to digestive upsets. It is best to limit grain intake to 3 pounds per feeding; if more is needed, add an additional feeding (3-4 meals/day) rather than simply increasing the amount given. More commonly, horses over consume and become obese. These horses should be restricted in their ability to eat, not by starving, but by using ways to control how much can be consumed. Horses need to eat; they were made to graze 16 hours per day. The use of muzzles and slow feeders can go a long way to help these “easy keepers”.

Dr. Brian Burks is the owner/directing veterinarian at Fox Run Equine Center, a 24-hour medical-surgical center near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Burks was an intern and then a resident in equine internal medicine. He is a Board Certified Equine Expert, by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.

November 2013

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EQUINE AFFAIRS uses one hand with both reins. The Western rider, however, begins to learn with both reins which is called a split rein before they progress to single handed or neck reining. Both styles of riding require the same vertical alignment while sitting on the horse. The English rider aligns the body with ankles, hips and shoulders in a vertical alignment, and it is same alignment for the classically trained Western rider.

asic riding position is designed to encourage the rider to signal the horse with clarity using the three natural aids. Often riders work diligently for years to accomplish the correct basic riding position, and even years later advanced riders are tweaked on their position to refine the signals to the horse. I always compare the correct the riding position to someone learning an instrument. For example, if you attempt to play an instrument and if your hands are incorrectly positioned you will play out of tune. In the rider and horse analogy, the instrument would be the horse, and if you are sitting in the wrong position, your horse will find it hard to understand your signals.

Why is this vertical riding position the best way to signal the horse? Because when the rider sits in the correct position, the hands, legs and seat are then in the most advantageous place to signal the horse. How these aids work to signal the horse start with the rider’s calf or lower leg asking the horse to move forward. The horse Both English and Western riders then moves forward through the share the same basic position. The rider’s seat, which is to envelop the rider balances on the sitting bones horse’s back, and then the reins of the seat, not the coccyx or lower by Kristin Hermann capture the energy of the moving spine, and the legs hang out of the horse and determine whether it hips along the horse’s sides. The should go more forward or stay at the same rhythm turn. (See last stirrups are to be positioned on the balls of the feet and the arms and month’s article in Pittsburgh PetConnections.) hands of the rider establish a contact through the rein with the horse’s mouth. English riders ride with two reins, and a finished Western rider How the rider and horse understand one another is by a ring of muscles that communicate back and forth between rider and horse and horse and rider. The horse (as an instrument) communicates to the rider through its body or muscles, as does the rider communicate to the horse with his or her muscles. Simply put, the rider’s leg muscles talk to the horse’s abdominal muscles and says “move forward”. When the horse’s abdominal muscle contracts and shortens because of the rider’s leg saying “move forward”, then the horse’s haunches engage and the horse steps forward. The horse's back (which is connected to its hind legs) then lifts under the rider’s seat, stretches through the neck into the rein contact which then directs the horse left or right or straight or slows the horse if necessary. The reins direct the forward motion that the engaged hind end has initiated. As a result, the ring of communicating muscles between horse and rider is established.

The Ring of Muscles,

or the cycle of communication between rider and horse, and horse and rider

Above: A nice riding position that allows the horse to move his body through the rider and the rider can signal the horse so the horse understands. Top photo: Here is a rider in the correct basic riding position allowing the horse to express his gaits. She is not interfering with how this horse moves. The horse is trotting through her seat and she is directing the energy with her reins.

To be more specific, the rider's calf muscles signal the horse’s abdominal muscles to shorten when the leg aid is applied which in turn pulls the hind leg forward. When the hind leg goes forward it stretches the horse’s longitudinal dorsal muscles (the horse’s back) under the rider’s gluteus muscles (the rider’s seat). The horse stretches its head and neck down and into the bit which meets the rider’s hands and fingers through the extension of the rein with the horse’s mouth and bit connection. This is how the ring of muscles between horse and rider and rider and horse communicate to one another.

November 2013

EQUINE AFFAIRS Being able to sit and maintain the correct basic position to ride a horse is merely the first step toward becoming an accomplished rider. After basic riding position is acquired, the rider then has to learn how to move with a following seat and not constrain the horse’s natural gaits. Most horses have three natural gaits, walk trot and canter, and each gait has a different rhythm. After learning how to go with the horse while maintaining basic position the rider then learns how to signal the horse with the three natural aids (legs, seat and hands) to influence the horse. This is the most challenging learning curve for most riders, developing a feel for how to do what is called “coordinating the aids” to ride in harmony with the horse. After the rider can maintain the correct position she then learns how to maintain it at all three gaits and then learns how to signal the horse without losing basic position. This phase of learning how to ride I compare to learning the keys of the instrument you are playing: in this case, it is the horse. When you know the keys and can move with the horse at all three gaits without disrupting its natural way of moving you then begin to string your riding skills together and ride in harmony. Beautiful riding position and a responsive horse that says okay! When the rider sits in the correct position the horse is better able to understand the signals from the rider. Signaling the horse in this way is seamless and to the onlooker, watching a good rider perform is puzzling because he or she is trying to figure out how this being done. The horse looks so beautiful, and no one can see how the rider is signaling the horse!

Western trainer Patrick King demonstrates the classical western seat to best influence a horse. Learn more about Patrick at http://pkhorsemanship.com/

A good rider, or one who “rides with equestrian tact,” silently asks the horse to move forward in rhythm, turn in balance and perform at all three gaits effortlessly without interrupting the horse's natural way of moving. The pair will look effortless. It can become like a beautiful dance between horse and rider. Will this kind of riding with equestrian tact take a while to accomplish? Yes. Decent riding can take years to master. Riding is extremely challenging but the journey is the best part because you get to interact with such a noble animal as the horse. Besides, I know of no other sport where you straddle a large animal that has a mind of its own. Certainly a sport with an inanimate object is for the enthusiast who does not have the patience to ride in harmony and share their ring of muscles interacting with Equus!

• Freelance Riding Instructor - for lessons and clinics • Learn to train the horse gymnastically using simplified riding techniques to create a more athletic horse & rider communication • Improve your riding dialog for all disciplines

Call 724-206-9902, or visit www.CoventryEquestrianCenter.com November 2013

www.pghpetconnections.com

IN REMEMBRANCE IN MEMORY OF: “Buttons” Perez, December 25, 2000 – January 16, 2011 Saying goodbye to you was one of the hardest goodbyes I ever had to say.

Buttons

You were a very good girl and it was an honor to have been your Guardian Mom. Until we meet again… Maria Holmes-Perez

Do you have a special pet that you would like to honor? Send submissions to info@pghpetconnections.com.

CHARTIERS CUSTOM PET CREMATION Caring for families who love their pets.”

“

• Cremations Performed on Premises • Urns • Memorials • Transport

Personalized Glass Etching & Custom Urns Doggy Bandanas, Pet Blankets, Photography & Paintings

Serving the Greater Pittsburgh Area

442 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017 Phone answers 24/7 for your convenience. Hours are by appointment.

www.ccpc.ws (412) 220-7800 36

November 2013

Dr. Doug The Holistic Vet Dr. Doug Knueven practices an integrative approach to pet care. He is well versed in conventional veterinary medicine and has been licensed since 1987. He is also certified in acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and chiropractic. He is a member of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and has advanced training in natural nutrition, massage therapy, homeopathy and a host of other alternative therapies.

BEAVER ANIMAL CLINIC We at Beaver Animal Clinic believe in the power of caring. Caring for our patients as our own pets. Caring for our clients as our friends. Caring for each other as our family.

Hours: Mon.–Thurs. 9-8; Fri. 9-5 Sat. 9-3; Sun. Closed

357 State Avenue Beaver, PA 15009

724-774-8047 www.facebook.com/BeaverAnimalClinic

At Beaver Animal Clinic, Dr. Doug offers a full range of options for the treatment of disease and the maintenance of health. Western medicine tends to focus on fighting disease while holistic medicine strives to strengthen the body. These two goals are not necessarily mutually exclusive. An integrative practitioner works with the best of what these two philosophies have to offer picking and choosing from the full menu of options to put together a treatment plan that is ideal for the individual pet and her caregiver.

Upcoming Lectures With Dr. Doug Knueven: Western PA Humane Society

How to Avoid Pet Food Pitfalls

Date: November 9, 2013 Time: 1:00 – 4:00 PM

Are you confused by all the pet food commercials? Every food claims to be wholesome and healthy. But how do you cut through the hype and see the truth? If you are interested in learning how to evaluate pet foods so you can get what’s best for your companion, then this workshop is for you. This program will focus on what makes for a healthy diet for dogs and cats. You will learn what is really in certain pet foods and how to decipher the ingredient list and nutrition panel. You will see the tricks pet food labels often play on unsuspecting pet caregivers. Participants are encouraged to bring the nutrition panel from their pet’s food and we will work together to see what we are feeding our pets.

Beaver County Humane Society 3394 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001

Date: November, 23 2013 Time: 1:00 – 4:00 PM Register on-line only: http://beavercountyhumanesociety.org/ bchs-lecture-series

Course Fee: $15.00 (100% of your payment goes to the Humane Society)

Lectures Sponsored by: