The Virginia-Maryland Dog Fall 2011

inside: Thinking Globally, Teaching Locally

The Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine

The Healing Power of Touch Pet Rescues: Emotional Tales & Helpful Hints

JANET HITCHEN

pHoToGrApHy

Uniquely Capturing Moments that Last a Lifetime www.janethitchenphotography.com 540-837-9846 路 janeth@crosslink.net PORTRAITURE

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CHILDREN

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PETS

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HORSES

contents Volume 2

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Issue 3

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Fall 2011

inside:

Thinkin g Teachin Globally, g Loca The Virg lly inia Mar yl

College

departments 20 22

The He

and Re gional rinary M edic

of Vete

ine aling Po wer of To uch Pet Resc ues: Em otional & Help Tales ful Hint s

Weekend Getaway:

On the Cover…

Paws & Reflect

Dr. Gerhardt Schurig, Dean, The Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine

Weekend Getaway:

Dr. Gregory Daniel, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVR, Professor & Department Head, The Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences,VMRCVM

The River House Inn Bed & Breakfast

“Deuce”, owned by Dean Gerhardt Schurig

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Training:

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Training:

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Photo by: John McCormick, Virginia Tech

Pet Owners Talk: Why I’m Training My Dog

features

Pet Rescues: Emotional Tales and Helpful Hints

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Not Just For Humans:

10

Cover Story:

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Pet Acupuncture:

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The Healing Power of Touch

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Reiki Healing for Animals

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An Episode of “House” Canine Style

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An Autumn Walk in the Woods

Health: Chinese Herbs: An Alternative to Tranquilizers

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Law:

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Safety:

College Dorms Going to the Dogs?

A Guide to Poisonous Foods & Dogs - What to Avoid

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Featured Business:

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Calendar of Events

My Buddy Pal

Health Insurance is Available for Your Dogs & Cats Too!

Thinking Globally, Teaching LocallyThe Virginia - Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine

What to Expect From Treatment

Get to Know the Benefits of Therapeutic Massage for Your Dog

Virginia & Maryland Dog-Friendly Hiking Trail Guide

Fall 2011 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

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{ contributors }

contributors Jacquen Castellanos, Intern

Jaquen is a writer with an ardent passion for travel, performance art, and her dog Lupe. When she is not enjoying re-runs of Arrested Development, Jaquen can be found doing research at the library or looking for someone to play outside with her in the snow.

Michael F. Clune Jr. Michael is a freelance writer with a diverse resume.

A former firefighter/paramedic/organic farmer, he began working with animals at The Mt. Pleasant Animal Hospital in South Carolina at the age of 12. Currently employed with the Shenandoah Valley Spay/Neuter Clinic in Harrisonburg, Virginia, he is an ardent supporter of animal welfare and the local agriculture movement.

Hillary Collyer, Esquire Hillary Collyer is a Virginia lawyer whose practice focuses on civil and commercial litigation. She received her law degree from the George Washington University Law School and is licensed to practice before the Virginia Supreme Court, the D.C. Court of Appeals, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. She works at a law firm in Old Town Alexandria, where her fourteen year old shih tzu-mix, Lady, accompanies her to work every day.

Krisi Erwin, DVM, CVA, CCRT Dr. Erwin, a life-long Loudoun County native, owns a house call practice called Wholistic Paws Veterinary Services that focuses on offering in-home acupuncture, rehabilitation, pet hospice, and euthanasia for her clients. She also practices part-time at Leesburg Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Erwin is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist and a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist.

Robin Farris Robin Farris grew up Nelson County, VA. She currently resides in Stuarts Draft, VA. Robin possesses a strong passion for animals. She enjoys writing, as well as spending time outdoors surrounded by her beloved dogs.

Lauren Hagan, Intern Lauren is originally from Mahwah, New Jersey, but currently attends college in Frederick, Maryland. A junior at Hood College, she is pursuing a double major in both English Literature and Communication Arts. In her spare time at Hood, she is a radio DJ and the Co-Director of Promotions at Blazer Radio. Lauren has been interning with The Virginia-Maryland Dog magazine since the summer of 2010. Her internship allows her to work around animals, as well as sharpen her journalistic skills. A dog lover since she was young, Lauren is also the owner of a mixed breed dog, Trooper, seven, whom she rescued from an abusive home.

Pat Lacy, Dog Obedience Instructor

Pat Lacy founded Dog Lovers Obedience School in 1976 in Richmond, Virginia. She has 55 years training experience. Her specialty is working with families including children age 3 and up. Pat taught a twoyear college course for dog obedience instructors. In l984 she founded Therapy Dogs & Associates servicing nursing homes, hospitals, etc.

Tom Lacy, Dog Obedience Instructor Tom along with his wife Pat are the owners of Dog Lovers Obedience School located in Richmond, Virginia.

Tom joined efforts with his wife Pat Lacy in 1983. Under Pat’s supervision, Tom trained his first dog 25 years ago.

He is an instructor, as well as a writer and counselor. Tom established the New Hope Counseling Service for premarital, marriage and family crisis counseling. As a writer, Tom has published several books, articles and assisted others in doing the same.

Kathleen Lester, Reiki Practitioner & Teacher Kathleen Lester, M.S. owner of Zubhaa, LLC is a Reiki Practitioner & Teacher and certified Animal Massage Therapist living in Baltimore, Maryland. Kathleen studied Animal Reiki with Kathleen Prasad in California and Animal Massage with Brandenburg Massage Therapy in Ohio. Kathleen is also the Executive Director of the Animal Reiki Alliance.

Jean Scherwenka Jean Scherwenka is a freelance writer living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her husband Tim and their rescued Lab mix Maggie. In addition to The Virginia-Maryland Dog Magazine, Jean’s articles appear in Clean Run, Fetch Magazine, Dog Fancy, Natural Dog, The Herb Companion, Pawsitive Life and Animal Welfare.

Anne Stoneham, DVM, DACVECC Dr. Stoneham is an emergency and critical care specialist at VCA Veterinary Referral Associates in Gaithersburg, MD where she is the director of the emergency department. She completed her veterinary training at three different institutions: veterinary school at Cornell University in NY, internship at the Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital (Oregon) and residency at Tufts University (Massachusetts). Her interests include emergency surgery, acute kidney failure, sepsis and hypoadrenocorticism among others.

Fred Wolfson, L.Ac Fred Wolfson is a Maryland licensed and board certified acupuncturist as well as a certified animal acupuncturist.

He trained at The Midwest College of Oriental Medicine and did his animal acupuncture training at Tai Sophia Institute. He is dedicated to providing affordable and accessible healthcare for people and pets. Fred also brings his experience as a Masters degree counselor and a massage therapist.

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EXPECT THE VERY BEST

In Your Pet’s Veterinary Care:

• • • • • •

Preventive Healthcare • Pharmacy Anesthesia and Surgery • Geriatric Screenings Radiology • Feline Boarding Dentistry • Ultrasound Laboratory Services • Pet Portal website Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupucture Now offering Canine Massage

Y •S •V•C Yellow Springs Veterinary Clinic is a full-service animal hospital, providing the highest quality healthcare for your pets.

We are dedicated to improving the quality of life for our patients and their owners.

25 Thomas Johnson Drive

Frederick, MD 21702

As an accredited member of the American Animal Hospital Association, we are dedicated to providing excellence in small animal care.

Our hospital is evaluated regularly by AAHA to ensure that we meet or exceed the association's standards of excellence. AAHA standards are recognized around the globe for quality care in veterinary medicine.

Doctors’ hours are by appointment during the following times: Monday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 am to 6 pm Tuesday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 am to 8 pm Wednesday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 am to 8 pm Thursday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 am to 8 pm Friday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 am to 8 pm Saturday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 am to 12 pm

Dr. Randy Barbour & Dr. Geof Ruppert own and operate the hospital as a team. Dr. Michelle Kluchurosky also joined the practice in 2007!

Phone: (301) 663.8353

Web: www.yellowspringsvet.com

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Publisher/Editor in Chief Pamela Wahl

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a note

from our publisher

Director of Operations Gene Wahl Art Director Kim Dow Senior Editor Kimberly Holmes Photographer Janet Hitchen Photo Editor Janet Hitchen Copy Editor Matt Neufeld Advertising Director Pamela Wahl Production Coordinator Diane Weller Web Site Design/Manager Kim Dow Business Manager Cathy Wahl Contributing Writers: Jaquen Castellanos Michael Clune Jr. Hillary Collyer, Esquire Krisi Erwin, DVM, CVA, CCRT Robin Farris Lauren Hagan Janet Hitchen Pat Lacy Tom Lacy Kathleen Lester Jean Scherwenka Anne Stoneham, DVM, DACVECC Fred Wolfson, L.Ac. The Virginia-Maryland Dog Magazine 1 College Avenue Frederick, MD 21701 Tel: (301) 514-2804 Fax: (301) 576-5079 www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com info@thevirginia-marylanddog.com Copyright 2011 No part of this publication may be reproduced without expressed written permission of the publisher. No part may be transmitted in any form by any means, including electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher.

Publisher accepts no liability for solicited or unsolicited materials that are damaged or lost. Views expressed by editorial contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.

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Every change of season can be dramatic, of course, but for many people, the most dramatic is autumn. Summer vacation and all that goes with it winds down; the school year starts; thoughts turn to football and more indoor activities, fall festivals and Halloween and then Thanksgiving; and, of course, there’s that spectacular outdoor display offered by Mother Nature, as the leaves on the trees create palates of golden oranges, yellows and blazing ambers, and along with that, there are the ominous whispers of cool, crisp air that start to sneak into the days and nights.

So, in keeping with that spirit of transition, along with this new season comes many exciting changes with the magazine that you are holding! As you could see by the cover, The Virginia Dog is now….The Virginia-Maryland Dog! Now, many readers may suddenly think that this is an entirely new publication. Well, in a sense, it is. Not only have we changed our name, but we have significantly expanded our distribution to include the state of Maryland!

And we have applied a more creative design and layout concept to our articles. However, with these changes, there are some elements that will remain the same. The owners and the staff, and the valuable, resourceful and entertaining content that our readers have come to expect from our publication.

And, speaking of valuable, resourceful content, we are extremely honored and grateful to Dean Gerhardt Schurig and Dr. Gregory Daniel, Professor and Department Head of the Small Animal Clinical Sciences of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM), which is located in Blacksburg, Virginia for their time and effort regarding the insightful, educational content for our cover story. We hope that you will find the cover story regarding these dedicated animal-care professionals and their roles at VMRCVM to be enlightening and interesting, offering a great peek behind the scenes at a veterinary school, and what it really takes to prepare for a life as a veterinarian.

Elsewhere in this issue, we offer our own colorful palate—educational, informative articles about important pet training tips, valuable pet safety tips and, of course, relative to the season, some suggestions about some fun things to do this fall with your four-legged best friend. Additionally, this issue includes several valuable articles, written by experts in their respective fields, about Eastern medicine and how these practices can be beneficial to the lives of our beloved canine companions. Joining in the theme of change, these newer (for some people) practices are changing the ways that some people look at animal health, care and medicine. We hope these interesting articles can offer their own form of change— positive change!--in caring for your pets!

So pack up the swim suits and beach blankets, dust the sand off your sandals, bring the sweaters down from the attic, and re-think some of the more traditional methods of pet care, consider visiting some pet-friendly inns, lodges, parks and trails in the region, and get outside and enjoy the beautiful autumn weather and displays of nature with your pet!

Regards, Pamela Wahl Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

The Virginia–Maryland Dog

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Not Just for Humans:

Health Insurance is Available for Your Dogs & CatsToo! By Robin Farris Pet health insurance has been available for more than twenty years.

In 1982, the first pet health insurance policy was sold in the United States to cover television’s super-star dog, Lassie. The introduction of pet health insurance still remains a new perception to many pet owners, but the concept is continuing to grow in the United States, as well as other countries.

Policies may be purchased for dogs and cats in order to help you pay your veterinary bills. The policies can help ensure that as a pet owner, you can provide the best medical care for your pet. The insurance may also prevent the pet owner from being faced with last-minute decisions. Of course, it can be very stressful to choose between your pet’s health and paying your bills on time.

There are many different pet health insurance companies that provide coverage for pets. A few of the most common companies today include VPI and ASPCA. While encouraging, it may be difficult for a pet owner to decide which pet health insurance company best suits their needs. Most companies cover preventative health and routine visits.

Protection that covers emergency visits and

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long-term medical conditions may also be purchased. Most companies do not cover pre-existing medical conditions, which can be one of the biggest drawbacks to pet health insurance.

Most companies offer a free quote that is custom to the breed and age of your pet. It is important to research each company, and compare their policies, to ensure that you are aware of the specifics that each firm provides. There are different factors relating to each company’s coverage. Policy features can vary depending on cost, as well as the specifics concerning your pet, such as breed, age, medical condition and gender. Companies will accept claims from most veterinary offices. However, since pet health insurance is considered to be property insurance, the bill must be paid out-of-pocket to the veterinarian and then billed to the insurance company by the pet owner. As with human health insurance; pet health insurance will also require a monthly bill. Also, most pet health insurance companies require a deductible for each pet.

By planning ahead and selecting a pet insurance policy that will best fit your pet, this course of action can also help protect pet owners from high and unexpected vet bills in emergencies. When you have pet insurance, you can pay a monthly bill, instead of a one-time payment.

The Virginia–Maryland Dog

Some pet owners may choose an alternate route and set aside a savings account that may be used as needed for their pet visits.

This is one way of ensuring that your pet’s health is covered. However, some pet owners may find this choice harder to do because of the discipline required.

Free quotes are provided online from some companies. Determining the best coverage and cost can be confusing. Therefore, each pet owner must decide whether having pet health insurance is what works best for their financial situation and their pet.

Our pets can be a great part of the family, so ensuring their health and safety is something that should be considered. Regardless of the decision that each pet owner chooses, it is a good idea to prepare for the unexpected, to ensure that pets are covered when they need medical attention. Our pets are worth it!

REFERENCES: http://petinsurancereview.com/101.asp http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/ pethealthinsurance/a/viewers_insure.htm www.aspcapetinsurance.com/learn-about-petinsurance/about-pet-insurance.aspx

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Dean Gerhardt Schurig, the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine

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“A veterinarian is the individual who through his or her knowledge is able to prevent disease and treat an animal and act as a sentinel against zoonotic diseases which affect humans.”

The Virginia–Maryland Dog

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globally

teaching locally Story by Michael Clune Jr. | Photography by John McCormick, Virginia Tech or most people, veterinarians symbolize professionalism and compassion. People regard their pets as family members, and they form a bond with vets similar to the bond that is formed with family doctors. People rely on vets’ knowledge and technical skills to protect our beloved animals from the threat of disease or the ravages of unexpected trauma. Affectionately known as “The Gentle Doctor,” thanks in part to the Christian Peterson sculpture of the same name, the reputation of the white-coated Samaritan through the years has been further influenced by the paintings of Norman Rockwell and the written words of James Herriot. What few of us realize is that veterinarians, beyond treating our dogs, cats, and horses, are trained to treat populations of animals, animals that interact with humans and the environment.

Vets are the first line of defense in caring for animal health, providing food security, and protecting us from existing and emerging zoonotic disease. With a world that is changing daily, demographically, economically, and environmentally, it is imperative that future generations of veterinarians be educated by innovative institutions who think globally, refuse stagnancy and strive to present progressive curriculum, clinical experience, and cutting-edge research opportunities that will benefit animals and humans. Society is fortunate to have such an institution at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM) in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Among the 28 recognized veterinary colleges in the United States, VMRCVM is relatively new, founded by the Virginia General Assembly in 1978. The school combines the strengths of Virginia Tech and the University of Maryland at College Park. Operating from three campuses--the main campus in Blacksburg, the Avrum Gudelsky Veterinary Center at College Park, and the Marion DuPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, Virginia--the institution is the only regional college of its type in the nation. Its first class graduated in June 1984. Despite its youth, the college is nation-

ally recognized for producing exceptionally competent veterinarians and award-winning research.

“A veterinarian is the individual who through his or her knowledge is able to prevent disease and treat an animal and act as a sentinel against zoonotic diseases which affect humans,” says Dr. Gerhardt Schurig, DVM, PhD. “They look toward the health of all species and are simultaneously involved in patrolling the health of our food chains and environment.” As Dean of the VirginiaMaryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Schurig is well qualified to define his lifelong profession.

While obtaining his DVM at the University of Chile, he developed an interest in improving farm animal health and productivity, as well as in zoonosis, the study of diseases that spread from animals to humans. Following graduation in 1970, Schurig earned an M.S. and a PhD. in Immunology from Cornell University.

After spending two years working with the Department of Veterinary Science at the University of Wisconsin, Schurig joined Virginia Tech as a faculty professor and researcher in 1978. Intensively studying bovine brucellosis, a bacterial disease that causes abortions in cattle and undulant fever in humans, Schurig developed RB51, a vaccine instrumental in eradicating the disease in U.S. cattle herds. In addition to working as the Dean, he has worked with the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command to develop a vaccine which will protect people from brucellosis, a move that is imperative in underdeveloped countries where the disease is still an issue for animals and humans. Schurig also leads the college’s international programs, including working on previous collaborations with groups such as the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Veterinary Education in Management and Public Health.

Schurig has worked on the campus before a college existed, so he has experienced the past and he is now participating in the College’s future growth. Since his appointment as Dean in 2004, he has worked to make sure that the College “stays ahead of the curve” in all

Fall 2011 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

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ACVR, the Department Head of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, applicants, besides being outstanding academically, can be altruistic and compassionate, and they have a heartfelt desire to work with animals.

This desire overcomes any hesitation to the rigorous application process. As with many veterinary colleges, the class size is limited, making admission competitive. Despite the competition and a potential student debt of more than $100,000 to complete the degree, VMRCVM saw an 11 percent increase in applications for the class of 2015.

Another hurdle that applicants must complete is the “mini-interview” phase, a task Daniel compares to speed dating. Candidates are given a series of intentionally difficult scenarios to assess their ability to think on their feet. This allows interviewers to pick up on those traits and characteristics in the applicant’s response that they feel are inherent to being a good veterinarian. Of the 966 qualified applications received by the college, 95 candidates were selected for the 2011 fall semester. From the first day of classes, successful applicants are instilled with the philosophy that learning is a lifelong endeavor. They are encouraged to continue their education throughout their careers. The first three years are taught on a case-based and traditional lecture and laboratory format. After the first year, students pick one of five specialty tracks: Small animal; food animal; mixed species; equine; or public and corporate veterinary medicine. According to statistics from the 2011 spring semester, 77 percent of the rising sophomores selected the small animal or mixed species tracks.

Dr. Gregory Daniel, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVR, Professor & Department Head, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine

areas, including technology and curriculum. He views himself as a guide, and he believes it is his responsibility to keep an eye on the big picture, to see where things are going, and to find what can be improved. Schurig does not like micro-management, and he surrounds himself with associates who handle the details in their particular areas of expertise. Compared to the early days when Blacksburg was a “one stoplight town and things moved very, very slowly,” he is pleased with the speed with which the college and Virginia Tech are moving, especially in the area of research for all disciplines. Physical growth is evident on the campus, with the Infectious Disease Research Facility currently under construction and the Veterinary Medical Instruction Addition breaking ground.

The investments that VMRCVM has made in its faculty, facilities, and curriculum have made attending the college appealing for prospective veterinary students.

According to Dr. Greg Daniel, DVM, MS, Diplomate

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The Virginia–Maryland Dog

Senior year is devoted to clinical rotations, or clerkships. This is done during a 12-month cycle. As practical application is the only way to reinforce classroom instruction, clerkships are necessary in preparing the students to meet the College’s reputation of producing new veterinarians with “Day 1”-ready skills. Although the focus of a clerkship is on the student’s specialty, all must complete eight core rotations, giving them hands-on experience in radiology, anesthesiology, in the laboratory, and exposure to other specialty tracks.

Of special interest is the Community Practice clerkship that is conducted at the Small Animal Teaching Hospital.

Providing primary, specialty, and emergency care to pet owners within a 35-mile radius of Blacksburg, students deal with clients and patients, providing the seniors with a realistic view of working as a small-animal practitioner in the private sector. The Small Animal Teaching Hospital, Harry T. Peters Large Animal Hospital, and Marion DuPont Scott Equine Medical Center are valuable to veterinarians—they are a referral source for dealing with difficult cases. Regional veterinarians can take advantage of cutting-edge equipment, and specialists who are educators and researchers. They can work in

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cardiology, dermatology, advanced diagnostic imaging and nutrition consultation. The teaching hospitals are also the clinical sites for translation medicine research.

Adopting a “one health” concept, translational medicine involves an integrated team of scientists, researchers, physicians, and veterinarians who investigate and attempt to resolve medical conditions that impact animals and humans. Animals of different species that are suffering medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease, and cancer are studied and treated—similar to the work of Schurig with brucellosis. The findings from these observations and treatment modules can then be applied to human health, hopefully hastening the development of products or services for human use.

VMRCVM also offers graduate programs that include an M.S. or PhD in biomedical and veterinary sciences.

The school also offers a master of public health program with the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine.

The veterinary profession is facing a challenging future. According to reports by the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges and the American Veterinary Medical Association, there will be a critical shortage of up to 20 percent of veterinarians nationally in the coming decade. Though this includes small animal practitioners, there is a current critical shortage in food animal and public health veterinarians that will worsen, unless preventative steps are taken. The predictions are so severe that, in 2009, the Virginia General Assembly passed HJR 730, tasking VMRCVM to review the issue and make recommendations to mitigate future insufficiencies.

Schurig was charged with forming a study group to evaluate the problem. Economics and limited class size were two of the major factors identified in the study group’s findings. As mentioned, the debt load to attend veterinary college is substantial. As state support for veterinary colleges has decreased during the last several years, tuition costs have risen. In addition, the social perception of the small animal practitioner, combined with the viewpoint by veterinary students that small animal private practice is more lucrative financially, makes rural or public health medicine less attractive when facing a staggering monthly loan payment.

RCVM, like 12 other veterinary colleges, will be increasing class size in the fall of 2012 by 26 percent. Schurig also notes that with only 28 colleges, the increases will still not erase the shortage issue in various professional niches, especially in the short term. The faculty also encourages students to consider careers in food production and public health, keeping them informed of career opportunities and rural externships offered from national organizations. The college also plans to increase the emphasis on preventative medicine, in addition to normal modules of diagnosis and treatment.

According to student feedback, the faculty and staff have succeeded with the quality of the academics, clinical experiences, and professional opportunities they offer. Citing a collaborative team environment and a progressive energy from the faculty, the students feel that the college’s progressive attitude in keeping up with the demands of society enhance their educational experience. A good indication of the success of the programs lie in the fact that during 12 of the last 13 years, 99 percent of the graduates passed their veterinary board exams after only one attempt. Schurig and his staff refuse to settle with the status quo. Instead, they assess their operation and structure continuously, and make improvements. They continue to work on their commitment to produce the finest veterinarians. Considering that more than 60 percent of the graduating seniors remain in the region, it is society that benefits from their dedication.

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A good indication of the success of the programs lie in the fact that during 12 of the last 13 years, 99 percent of the graduates passed their veterinary board exams after only one attempt.

Rather than ignore the findings, the College is taking steps to combat the problem at a local level. While Schurig acknowledges that student debt is a big problem, the College has made every attempt to keep tuition below the average cost associated with similar institutions. Admitting that it is difficult to keep costs down while providing a quality education, he confidently feels that students are receiving a good return on their investment. In order to meet the veterinarian deficit, VM-

Fall 2011 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

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The Virginia Maryland Dog

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PET ACUPUNCTURE: What to Expect From Treatment.

by Fred Wolfson, L.Ac

In previous articles on pet acupuncture, we have explored what acupuncture is, how and why it works, what the treatments are like for dog and owner, and issues related to cost.

I wanted to return to the issue of expectations concerning treatment, because so many pet owners have never received acupuncture themselves. To explore this question, it is helpful to keep in mind the most common conditions that people bring their pets in for acupuncture.

The first category is those pets needing between three and 15 closely spaced acupuncture treatments. If your pet has a more recent issue from the list contained within the beginning of this article, it is likely that they fall into this category.

Sometimes chronic conditions can also fall into this category, but it is often tricky to predict which issues will respond more quickly. Many pets in this category will show significant improvement within the first few closely spaced treatments, and they will be able to taper off completely in a few weeks. Some of these pets will end up coming periodically as needed if the symptoms or pain returns.

• Muscle and joint problems • Spine and hip conditions • Arthritis and chronic pain • Speeding recovery from injury and surgery • Digestive and urinary issues • Allergy, breathing and skin issues

The second category of ways that acupuncture may work involves consistent treatment, often weekly, during much longer periods of time. In these cases, acupuncture has a gradual, yet profound, healing effect even for more stubborn, chronic issues. Older pets that may be in a weakened or depleted state and those dealing with the effects of long term medications may fall into this category.

• Helping pets adjust to drug therapies such as pain medications, antiinflammatory and cancer medications Acupuncture is sometimes used with animals to treat behavioral issues, anxiety, shyness, and stress related disorders. It is often used in combination with behavioral training and other therapies.

Acupuncture can be an effective complement to regular veterinary care for many of these conditions. As with people, there are several ways that our pets benefit from acupuncture.

ments, but then show a big or moderate slow-down in progress. In these cases, continued acupuncture often shows continued improvement, but at a gradual pace. At the beginning of treatment, it is not always clear which of the treatment categories identified in this article your pet may fall into. For those reasons, it is vital that you and your acupuncturist talk about how much treatment is needed based on these possible scenarios and the costs involved.

Fred Wolfson, L.Ac. is a licensed and board certified acupuncturist as well as a Maryland Certified Animal Acupuncturist. He works cooperatively with many local veterinarians treating dogs, cats and the occasional ferret.

Baltimore Office: 443-986-0006. www.AcupunctureForAll.com.

In practice, there are many situations that end up somewhere in the middle of the above categories. They may improve significantly in the initial five to 10 treat-

Fall 2011 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

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The Healing Power of

touch Get to know the benefits of therapeutic massage for your dog!

By Krisi Erwin, DVM, CVA, CCRT

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The Virginia–Maryland Dog

Meet Flip. Flip is a 2-year-old Border Collie and a canine athlete. Flip loves nothing more than to fly around the agility courses, and his free time is spent keeping his family’s flock of sheep in check. However, these activities can take their toll on a body, and Flip sometimes suffers from strained muscles and mild soreness when he overdoes it. During those times, his visits with his massage therapist help to work out injuries and return him to peak performance more quickly. Sometimes, during competition weekends, his massage therapist also helps him to cool down and relax after a day of hard work. How relaxing!

Now, meet Josie. Josie is a 15-year-old Labrador Retriever that suffers from things most older, large breed dogs suffer from: sore hips, arthritis along her spine, overworked shoulders. Now don’t be fooled, despite her aches and pains, Josie still has a zest for life. But it sure would be easier to get around and enjoy her dayto-day activities if her muscles weren’t quite so sore.

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Thankfully, Josie’s mom recently became interested in learning some basic canine massage techniques.

Josie loves the time spent with her mom, and her mom’s gentle touch helps to ease her discomfort and improve Josie’s quality of life. For Josie and her mom, massage offers a way of deepening their bond together and providing a good friend some relief from pain.

It’s a win-win situation for both!

The art of massage has been around for thousands of years. The procedure can be defined as the application of diverse manual techniques of touch and stroking to muscles and soft tissue, to achieve relaxation and to improve the patient’s well being. It has been used as an aid for chronic pain management, to promote physical and mental relaxation, and to maintain health. Physiologically, massage helps the body by enhancing circulation, improving oxygen delivery to affected tissues, and carrying away metabolic waste products. It also speeds muscle recovery and breaks down adhesions from scar tissues, therefore improving the range of motion and movement. Massage also releases endorphins, the body’s natural pain relievers. Many pets can benefit from massage, including: geriatric dogs, dogs recovering from surgery, and canine athletes.

Canine massage relies heavily on traditional human massage techniques, including the following hand motions: ■ Stroking: This is done with the palm, moving from head to tail or from shoulder/hip down to the toes.

The movements run along the length of the muscles, in the direction that the hair grows. These motions help to soothe and calm your pet.

■ Effluerage: This follows the opposite direction of stroking and helps improve venous and lymphatic return to the heart. These movements stretch the muscle fibers and relax the muscles.

■ Petrissage: This term encompasses hand movements such as: kneading, muscle squeezing, compression, wringing up, and skin rolling.

Petrissage can play a key role in both soothing and relaxing a pet, and in stimulating the pet to be ready to exercise, depending on the speed and depth of massage.

While most massage therapy techniques have been gleaned from the traditional human massage, there are other variations in animal massage, including T Touch.

This technique was developed by Linda TellingtonJones, PhD (Hon) and is based on circular movements of the hands and fingertips all over the body. This unique form of light massage is based on cooperation and respect between humans and animals and the T Touch techniques can help improve healing, change

undesirable habits or behavior, and develop a deeper bond between pet parents and their dogs. While the specific techniques of T Touch are beyond the scope of this article, more information is available at: http://www.ttouch.com.

If you decide to employ a massage therapist for your dog, it is vitally important that the therapist be properly trained. We are very fortunate that, in our area, there is a well respected training program called Equissage (http://www.equissage.com). Equissage was founded in 1989 by certified Massage Therapist, Mary A. Schreiber. The training facility is located in Round Hill, Va., and the program has grown through the years to include on-site and home-based studies for students to obtain certification in both canine and equine massage techniques. Thanks to the guidance of Schreiber and her assistant instructors, many students have been able to pursue careers as animal massage therapists.

Their good work has improved many lives, ranging from soldier and police dogs to athletes to elderly and arthritic dogs.

While it is comforting to know that there are institutions such as Equissage to help train massage professionals, you can also empower yourself to massage your own dog. There is an excellent video called Bodywork for Dogs by Lynn Vaughan and Deborah Jones.

Vaughan and Jones are Licensed Massage Therapists, and they have also worked as Veterinary Technicians.

Their years of experience serve to provide a userfriendly format to help educate pet parents to connect with their dog through massage and acupressure.

More information on this video is available at: http:// www.animalshealing.com/Dog-body-Works.htm, and you can also rent this worthwhile tool through Netflix.

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Our dogs are our close companions, and our bonds with them run deep. Whether your dog is a “Flip” or a “Josie,” massage can greatly serve to help improve their quality of life and deepen the bond that you share. I encourage you all to massage your dog yourself or hire a professional and explore the healing power of touch!

For more info contact:

Krisi Erwin, DVM, CVA, CCRT Wholistic Paws Veterinary Services wecare@wholisticpawsvet.com www.wholisticpawsvet.com

Fall 2011 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

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Reiki Healing for Animals

By Kathleen Lester

Complementary healing therapies, such as Reiki, acupuncture, and massage for animals have become more mainstream in recent years as a complement to traditional veterinary medicine. We have come a long way from the days when these therapies were used only as a last resort, when all other options had been exhausted. Today, more and more people are seeking complementary healing therapies for their animal companions, as they are for themselves.

About Reiki Reiki is Japanese healing system discovered in the 1920s and brought to the United States in 1938.

Reiki (RAY kee) is passed on from teacher to student through an attunement process, and involves a deep spiritual practice by the practitioner that results in the practitioner’s ability to facilitate healing for themselves and others.

Reiki is considered by the National Institute of Health’s Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) as a biofield therapy. Illness, injury and trauma cause imbalances to the body, mind and spirit, and thus they appear in our animals as disease, pain, or stress. A Reiki practitioner is attuned to Reiki, and in turn is able to facilitate the flow of Reiki energy to the animal, working to bring into balance the energetic field or biofield that surrounds the animal’s body.

When the biofield is balanced, the animal’s physical body can heal itself.

Is Reiki Right for Your Animal Companion?

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Although scientific studies on Reiki are in the formative stages, research suggests that Reiki has demonstrated healing for general health and well-being, as well as several ailments, including: wounds, pain reduction, arthritis, relaxation, stress reduction, reduced anxiety, and others. There also is a significant amount of anecdotal information about the healing benefits of Reiki on spiritual, mental, emotional and physical levels.

For more info contact:

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Kathleen Lester, Reiki Practitioner & Teacher Owner of Zubhaa, LLC klester@zubhaa.com, www.zubhaa.com

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The Virginia–Maryland Dog

• Reiki is safe and non-invasive, and therefore is a wonderful therapy for general health and well being to keep our animal companions balanced.

• Because of its demonstrated ability to reduce stress, Reiki is a great therapy for animals that are showing signs of anxiety, depression, or other forms of stress.

• Reiki also aids in pain management and can be used as a complement to traditional veterinary care for animals with injuries or diseases that are painful, such as cancer or arthritis.

• Reiki facilitates harmony and bonding between animals or between humans and animals.

• Reiki can also bring comfort to an animal transitioning through death.

What Should I Expect During a Reiki Session?

While Reiki for humans often involves hand positions, Reiki for animals does not require hands-on treatment. Hand positions are not important at all. A Reiki practitioner facilitates the healing energy to the animal simply by being in the same room and with the animal’s permission; the practitioner may lightly touch the animal or place their hands directly above the animal.

During the session, the animal often will relax and may even go to sleep. Some animals move around during a session, absorbing the energy at their own pace. It is always the animal’s choice to receive or not receive Reiki. At the end of a session, an animal will often offer a lick, a nudge, a rub or other sign thanking the practitioner for the session.

How Do I Find the Right Animal Reiki Practitioner?

Before selecting a Reiki practitioner, it is best to have the advice of your veterinarian as to your animal companion’s condition. Once you have decided to hire a Reiki practitioner, it is best to find one that has completed at minimum their Level II certification, and can share with you their clinical experience. Avoid hiring a Reiki Practitioner who is not willing to be part of an integrative healing team. In Maryland, individuals can contact the Animal Reiki Alliance for a practitioner recommendation (www.animalreikialliance.com).

One final but important note: Reiki is NEVER a substitute for traditional veterinary medicine.

Help animals in need with

PRESENTS 4 PETS

Coordinated By: National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (N.A.P.P.S.)

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The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters in conjunction with The Humane Society of the United States is proud to announce our annual Presents 4 Pets collection drive to benefit shelter and rescue pets. The drive is held in support of National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, which is November 6-12, 2011

Donations Collected Sept. 1st - Oct. 31st For more info, or the drop off location, please call

Barbara Radwan_-Wiehe at: 703-231-0560 THESE ITEMS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED: TOYS TREATS BLANKETS TOWELS RUGS BEDS COLLARS LEASHES LITTER FOOD & MORE!

Coordinated Locally By

W.A.G.S.

Walks And General Services for pets Barbara Radwan_-Wiehe, Owner

{ weekend getaway }

Paws & Reflect

A People Paradise with Treats for Dogs

By Lauren Hagan

When Nancy Despeaux, the owner and property manager of Paws & Reflect, goes on vacation to a dog-friendly place, she wishes, “I want my dog to be as welcome as I am.”

Since 2000, Nancy and her friends have gone on annual Dames and Dogs Weekend Getaways to West Virginia. While there are many overnight places that allow pets, Nancy expresses disappointment because, “[Dogs] are allowed, but they were not particularly welcome.” It’s because of this neglect that Despeaux built Paws & Reflect, which she describes as, “A mountain getaway cabin for people and dogs that go everywhere together… because dogs deserve vacations, too!”

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The Virginia–Maryland Dog

Paws & Reflect is beyond dog friendly and is actually “dog-centric,” according to Nancy. The two-bedroom, one floor, dog-and-people-friendly cabin teeters on the edge of the crimson and amber autumnal paradise along the Massanutten Mountain Range in New Market, Virginia. Tucked away in a nature’s crevice, the cabin defines seclusion and tranquility, but it also offers the amenities of modern day living for people and their pets.

“It’s a normal house, even if you don’t have a dog,” says Nancy. But if Tester, Nancy’s 13-year-old black mini poodle, could talk, he would disagree about the cabin’s normalcy, from a dog’s perspective.

While Nancy only retreats to the cabin for maintenance, Tester tags along as a vacationer.

An older dog, Tester enjoys the ease offered by the single floor cabin and the ramp entrance. While he pays no notice to the cabin’s lofty ceilings and cozy gas fireplace, Tester saunters in and out of a fenced area through an electronic doggie door. Savvier than some dog visitors, Tester is cautious not to let the magnetic collar, which signals the door, attract other objects -- like his metal food bowl.

Also oblivious to the central heat and air conditioning, cable television, and other human amenities, Tester lazily lounges on the dog beds in each room of the house. While Nancy cleans and maintains the hot tub on the screened porch, Tester flops down nearby on an aqua blue waterbed. Oh, a dog’s life.

a collar, lock & leash in one

find out more at goldielock.ca

When it’s W-A-L-K Time, Tester heels, while Nancy snatches a leash from the hook to hike The Storybook Trail. The winding, paved trail includes whimsical wooden bridges and signposts that describe the geological area. A short trail with a momentous climax, viewers who reach the end can absorb the whipping autumn winds while standing on texturized grey rock and viewing the impressionistic landscape of blurred reds, yellows, and oranges that blend and mingle in the fall sun.

Located in the Shenandoah Valley, there are plenty of trails to choose from, as well as activities for animals and people. In August, The World’s Largest Yard Sale extends along Route 11. There are craft shows and wineries nearby. And if anything in the area is not pet friendly, it’s perfectly fine to leave pups behind at Paws & Reflect. They can stretch their four legs, roll over on the Critter Couch, listen to the hypnotizing sounds of CDs that decrease separation anxiety, and keep their eyes on the glass window in wait of their owner’s return. Surely they won’t mind being left behind. They may even feel that their owners got the short end of the fetch stick.

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Paws & Reflect www.pawsandreflectva.com 866.507.7297

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“A mountain getaway cabin for people and dogs that go everywhere together… because dogs deserve vacations, too!”

Fall 2011 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

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{ weekend getaway }

The River House Inn Bed and Breakfast A Refreshing Waterside Getaway

By Lauren Hagan

The sloping back lawn of The River House Inn Bed and Breakfast merges into the banks of the flowing Pocomoke River that slivers through Snow Hill, Maryland. Dogs perch on the tips of canoes and boat decks that come to rest at the inn’s waterfront. Not only is the trickle of the water the sound of relaxation, but also the river provides a canvas hosting colorful activities all year long for locals, guests, and their pets.

Dwayne Mease and Rick Lesser, innkeepers since December 2010, previously worked for 55 years at marinas, so the waterfront property is an important aspect of the bed and breakfast. So is the dogfriendliness. Both, according to Rick, add to the inn’s laidback style. “This whole interview I’ve been throwing the ball for Teal!” laughs Rick as he tosses a tennis ball for his niece’s 11-year-old black lab, the inn’s part-time pet.

The River House Inn Bed & Breakfast www.riverhouseinn.com 410.632.2722

While the pool, gazebo area, and other modern facilities are special features at the River House, the bed and breakfast is circa 1864, a “survival Victorian.” The property is home to four historic houses.

The Main House is a traditional bed and breakfast, hugged by a cozy wraparound porch. There are also the Waterfront Cottages, which gaze down the vast Pocomoke River. Also, the River Cottage is a circa 1890 Carriage Barn converted into a luxurious retreat complete with whirlpool, television, and more.

As far as the surrounding town is concerned, “Snow Hill has had a renaissance,” says Rick. Artists have figuratively and literally painted the town. During the event Paint Snow Hill, 60 artists swept into town to splatter scenes and landscapes across the town buildings. Also splattered throughout the town are several unique antique and art shops and three restaurants in downtown Snow Hill that offer a variety of Eastern Shore cuisine alongside entertainment.

All of this is within walking distance of the inn.

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The Virginia–Maryland Dog

Weddings are also a popular event at the River House. The property is capable of holding 300 people, and Rick and Dwayne are sure to cater to all guests’ needs. Including wedding guest dogs’ needs! On such an important day, why leave the dog behind?

Another event to catch while in town is First Friday.

During the first Friday of every month except January, downtown businesses open their doors in the evening and host various events or sales. This event creates a strong sense of community.

Rick and Dwayne are particularly involved in the Jesse’s Paddle event, held in mid July each year, and inspired by Rick’s late nephew who passed away at a young age. Paddlers obtain pledges from their friends and family, and the money raised is donated to the Jesse Klump Memorial Scholarship Fund for seniors at Snow Hill High School who posses leadership and integrity, like Jesse. Canoes and kayaks are free to those who present pledge forms. Additional information can be found at www.jessespaddle.org.

Jesse’s Paddle is also what brought Rick and Dwayne to stay in Snow Hill and at the River House Inn. “We found out it was for sale, and at that point we were making some changes in our lives, and [owning the inn] fit into our changes,” says Rick.

Although it has a historical foundation, the River House Inn Bed and Breakfast is built on modern day needs, such as the need for relaxation. “Once you’re a guest it’s your house and your property. Use it and enjoy,” says Rick.

Just off the Pocomoke River, which is filled with people paddling for a good cause, is an inn owned and operated by two men who made big changes in their lifestyle. Make a change in your own lifestyle and join Rick and Dwayne poolside -- and why not toss a ball for Teal or your own dog while you’re there?

Dog Lovers Making Obedience School the Family Pet a Good Canine Citizen INTRODUCING

Family Pet Dog Training

Pat Lacy’s New Invention – “The Top Notch Training Harness”

Ages 4 to adult may attend!

8 week Courses & Private Tutoring

PERFECT FOR: WALKING your dog without pulling TRAINING your dog at school, home and at the park SAFETY in the car when used with the seat belt Use with all dogs - toys to giants

Flexible Day & Evening Schedules Puppy Classes for 2-4 month olds Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced Classes

Designed especially for–TOY & SHORT-NOSED DOGS: PUGS, SHIH-TZUS, PEKES, BOSTONS and BULLDOGS who can’t use a Gentle Leader® Vets recommend harnesses over collars to protect delicate tracheas

Canine Good Citizen Classes & Testing PAT LACY

www.dogloversobedienceschool.com

For a DEMONSTRATION or PLACE MAIL ORDER Call 741-DOGS (3647)

Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter

Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter is now on

Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-the-FairfaxCounty-Animal-Shelter/146822728695182

www.ffcas.org

Find us on Facebook www.ffcas.org

54 years experience training dogs

{ feature }

An Episode of “House,”

Canine Style

By Anne Stoneham, Those of us who are lucky enough to get to live with a dog are lovers of the great outdoors.

DVM, DACVECC And lets all admit it, if we aren’t, our dogs often make us converts. Seeing how ecstatically happy they are when bounding out in front of us on a trail, that brings us joy in turn. And then we are researching the next trail, and buying the guides that will lead us to any dog-friendly bit of the wilderness that exists in our area. Dog-lovers would not trade those hikes for anything. However, all outdoor enthusiasts and dog lovers need to be aware of a major outside danger: tick-borne diseases.

Jasmine, an 8-year-old sweetheart of a Golden Retriever, hiked a lot with her owner, from the wilds of suburban Maryland to the fantastic trails in the Shenandoah’s. But when I saw her, hiking was not her priority. Sleeping was. She had lost 10 pounds during a 2-month period. And during the previous two days, she had not been acting like a typical Golden.

She was not interested in food, and her activity level was in the dumps.

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The Virginia–Maryland Dog

Doctors ran some baseline diagnostic tests, and we determined that she had a rock in her stomach and a small amount of fluid around her lungs. Many of you are familiar with the Retriever penchant for eating anything and everything that generally appears nothing like food. Ingested objects in no way have to be digestible. So, doctors found the rock in the stomach—but that was not the end of the story. Actually, that’s just a third of the story, much like sitting through one-third of the television show “House” and realizing there is much more to the tale.

A solitary object bouncing around in the stomach does not cause the conditions that Jasmine had. It rarely causes vomiting (until it passes into the small intestine and gets stuck). A greater concern was the fluid around her lungs. Very few easily treatable diseases cause that. Cancer was a concern. So doctors continued to look for the source of the illness.

If her heart was not functioning properly, it could be a source of the fluid in her chest, but Jasmine’s heart checked out fine. An ultrasound of her abdomen showed that her liver was darker than normal so doctors obtained a tiny sample. Analysis of that showed us that there was inflammation in the liver. A blood test revealed that she did have pancreatitis (an inflammatory condition). Analysis of the fluid around her lungs contained a lot of inflammatory cells.

Everything was inflammatory—but what was causing the inflammation?

Jasmine was hospitalized and put on intravenous fluids. By the next morning, she was a changed dog--and not in a good way. Her jaw and neck were clearly painful, her eyes were swollen and red, and she had a fever. We started treating her with fentanyl (a potent opioid) for the pain. We called in a few of our other specialists to examine her and give their opinions. The orthopedist and ophthalmologist did not identify any problems specific to their areas of expertise. But the neurologist diagnosed meningitis, which is an inflammation or infection of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord. It is quite painful. Meningitis has several possible causes, such as bacterial infection, protozoal infection, tick-borne diseases, inflammatory conditions and immune-mediated diseases. So we submitted some more tests to the lab, for protozoal diseases such as toxoplasmosis and for tick-borne diseases such as Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis. We started treating with antibiotics (clindamycin) for the protozoal diseases while we waited for the test results.

The next day, she, once again, proved to be one of those patients whose symptoms seem to change fast. Her fever went down, but she was more painful, and one of the lymph nodes on her shoulder had become enlarged. I went back to the white board— another “House”-like procedure. I obtained a small sample of that lymph node and sent it to the lab, where it was evaluated. It turned out to be—inflammation. At this point, doctors added prednisone to her treatments. It is an anti-inflammatory drug and is used to treat many diseases. There is one concern in using it--treating with prednisone can make it difficult, in some cases, for us to diagnose cancer. There was still a concern that the doctors had not considered every option, looking for that dreaded disease.

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“There are several safe and effective products that prevent ticks from remaining on our dogs long enough to pass any diseases to them. ”

prednisone. Since then, Jasmine has been a happy, healthy retriever.

There are several diseases that can be carried by ticks. Lyme Disease is certainly the most famous.

But there is a long list of others, including Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Bartonella, some Ricketsial diseases and Babesia. The clinical signs of the diseases these organisms can cause vary. As with Jasmine, signs could be the inflammation of several organ systems. Or it could be joint pain, fever, bleeding disorders, anemic conditions, eye problems, or other possibilities.

It’s frustrating, because keeping our dogs indoors is equivalent to destroying their quality of life and that is not an option. Performing a daily tick search of our dogs is certainly an option, but some of those ticks are so incredibly tiny that they are easy to miss. The best option is to use a tick preventative. There are several safe and effective products that prevent ticks from remaining on our dogs long enough to pass any diseases to them. Make sure you’re using one!

However, Jasmine’s Mom wanted her to feel better quickly, and she understood the risks, so the doctors added it to her treatments. And it worked! By the next day, Jasmine was acting more like herself. She did not need pain medications any more, her appetite was back, and she was more than happy to leave the hospital with her head and tail held high.

I didn’t have all of her test results when she left the hospital. But within the next few days, we learned that she had been infected with a tickborne disease called anaplasmosis. This disease definitely explained all of the inflammatory changes that were affecting so many of her organ systems.

We changed her antibiotics to doxycycline. Within a few days, doctors were able to discontinue the

Fall 2011 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

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{ training }

Pet Owners Talk: Why I’m Training My Dog

By Tom Lacy, Our goal and motto at Dog Lovers ObediDog Obedience ence School (DLOS) is: Making the family pet Instructor a good canine citizen. DLOS has been operating under our current format for more than 27 years.

Pat trained her first dog 55 years ago. I’m a novice, having trained my first dog 25 years ago! Even so, when students register their dogs we ask, “Why are you training this dog?” This may seem like an unnecessary question, but it isn’t. In teaching people to train their dog, we need to know their specific expectations.

Recently, I took this query further, asking students to answer three questions: What behavior problems caused you to train your dog? How many weeks have you been in training? Have you accomplished your goals?

In reviewing answers, it was clear what we teach did lend itself to students’ expectations. In this article,

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The Virginia–Maryland Dog

you will see how Tom’s Training Tips were beneficial to this owner.

A major Training Tip to remember is that prevention is always better than cure!

Listen to Mona’s owner’s first answer to our registration questions: “We did not have a behavior problem with our dog. Our primary reason for training her is because she is an Airedale, and we knew how wild Airedales can get if allowed to become adults without any training. After our first Airedale, 28 years ago, we trained them as soon as we got them—typically about 9 or 10 weeks of age. Our current pup, Mona, is older—about 6 ½ months. She was later coming into our household than the other pups, but we enrolled her as soon as we got her.”

My article, “I’ve Got This Dumb Dog…,” published in the Summer, 2011, edition of The Virginia Dog, concluded, “In over 27 years I’ve never met a

{ { A major Training Tip to remember is that prevention is always better than cure!

dumb dog--but I have met many untrained dogs and pet owners.�

Since all puppies are cute--even Airedales--do yourself a favor by learning what the breed will be like as an adult! Training enhances the pet’s good qualities, and trains out undesirable behavior in the way of adult and breed-specific tendencies.

Real Dogs Don’t Whisper‌ Life lessons from a larger than life Dog! (and his owner)

A girl, her two Lhasa Apsos, one Cocker Spaniel, and one adorable mutt – each with their own challenging set of difficulties to overcome! At times tear-jerking, at times hysterical, always enthralling, this is more than a book about dogs – it’s a book about life.

www.realdogsdontwhisper.com

Another Training Tip is relevant to Mona’s basic beginner course: Dogs are pack animals, and unless you do something to establish pack leadership over your dog, they will establish pack leadership over you! Remember, all puppies are cute. Mona’s owners didn’t trade cute for unruly behavior.

In conclusion, Mona’s Mom says, “Yes, we have accomplished a great deal through training Mona.

She was wild as a buck when we got her. She was untrained, not housebroken, and thought nothing of jumping on the furniture. She no longer jumps on furniture, has learned to listen to us, and is (mostly) housebroken. We remarked this week how she is starting to learn words and make the connections.

Now she is starting to ‘fit’ into our household routines and our family’s way of being. We would never have accomplished this without obedience school. It taught Mona how to listen to us, and it taught us how to talk to her.�

A final Training Tip parallels this story: Dogs learn through consistency and repetition. Everyone in the family needs to tell the dog the same thing the same way. True, there is more than one way to train a dog, but why show them two ways? Mona’s owners conclude by saying how effective this method of training has proven to be: “It taught Mona how to listen to us, and it taught us how to talk to her.�

Dog training is not always fun; it is not always easy, but it is always worth it!

Fall 2011 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

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Pet Rescues

Emotional Tales and Helpful Hints

By Pat Lacy, Angel, a 13-pound Bichon Frise, was rescued Dog Obedience from a puppy mill. She arrived at the ofInstructor fice, obviously showing signs of having just weaned her last litter. After a complete medical work-up, she was spayed, and six teeth were pulled.

Being so scared of people, she would run and hide if anyone tried to touch her. She did, however, love to eat, and she would take treats from your hand— and then run away. When she was picked up, she would growl and turn her head away, and her eyes would get big. Having been bred every season for five years, her life did not include being held and petted. It took weeks for her to get over being so nervous. Household noises frightened her. Voices on television were threatening. The telephone, the washer and dryer were also scary. Sometimes, she ran into furniture.

It took one year for us to be able to touch her back without her running away. Thankfully, Angel now has a safe and permanent home with people who are sensitive to her special needs. She is loved very much, along with the three other rescues in her happy new family.

Many times, we see articles about puppy mills being closed down, and rescue groups stepping up to provide foster homes, medical aid and safety for these neglected, frightened and very helpless dogs. Money is donated to assist with the care of these victims. For the rescue workers, it is another experience of mixed emotions: one of sadness and heartbreak for the

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The Virginia–Maryland Dog

neglect and horrible conditions these innocent little animals have been subjected to, and another feeling of excitement and joy in being able to give these sad little ones a new life, with hope for a chance to learn love and gentleness for the first time in their lives.

There is no way to describe the feeling in your heart and the emotions you feel when you look into these penetrating eyes that say, “Don’t hurt me, please help me.”

Rescue dogs can be purebred or mixed-breed.

Some are abandoned, lost or discarded, as if they have no value. Some are in homes, but they need rescuing from neglect and from poor circumstances created by owners who are not committed to proper care of their pets. Some puppies have actually been found in Dumpsters. Some dogs have been left in apartments or houses for weeks before being found. Others have been found after spending days or weeks being abandoned, and some have been chained to a tree without food, water or shade.

In my classes at Dog Lovers Obedience School, I hear many stories, and I get to meet many of these rescues that now have happy loving homes. One of my students tells of taking her kids to Wal-Mart and seeing a man with a puppy in the back of a pickup truck. He tried to get the kids to hold it and offered to give it to them. Mom said no, and they started to leave when they heard the man say, “Well, I’ll take him to the Dumpster.” The kids were upset and Mom said he wouldn’t really do it and they contin-

{ training }

ued with their shopping. However, when they came out the truck was gone—and they had to check the Dumpster. They saw the truck leaving the Dumpster area, and they ran to look inside. The little 8-weekold Beagle mix was sitting amongst the trash and garbage scared and confused. Guess who got a new puppy that day? They were so thankful that they had checked the Dumpster.

Another student has a wonderful Chihuahua who went through training, passed all the tests and became a member of our Therapy Dogs & Associates group. She also became Delta-certified, and she goes to hospitals, nursing homes and visits the children at MCV. The student decided she would like to get Zoey a friend and checked the rescue websites.

She found Reese at the Animals in Need USA rescue in Florida. Reese was found at 6-months-old, hanging from a tree with his right front leg broken in several places. The rescue group kept him in rehabilitation until he was 1-year-old. The student brought him home and put him in training classes. When he first came out, he was very scared and would growl and snap at people and dogs. After much patience and love, his confidence began to grow, and he stopped growling and snapping. Now, he is quite confident and happy, enjoying meeting new friends, people and canines. You would never know he has a pin in his leg, as he doesn’t even limp. Reese goes to rescue events to tell his story and show what a lot of patience and love can do.

A little white dog showed up at my fence one day, nervous, but trying to make friends. I caught him and called the number on his tag. After two days, someone picked him up. A few months later, he was back at my fence again. Once again, I took him in and called—but got no answer. A few days later, I called Animal Control to get permission to clip and bathe him, since he was very matted and dirty. Eight days later, the owner showed up. Since the law states there is 10 days for me to claim him, I had no choice but to return him. This was the hardest thing I think I have ever done! When I offered to take him, they didn’t agree. Several months later we heard a bark— and, you guessed it, he was back.

beginnings, he now loves everyone. His beautiful white coat now flows to the ground. He even loves to wear costumes and give kisses for the patients in hospitals and nursing homes as a therapy dog! He is so cute, entertaining himself with his toys! He gives us so much joy to have him in our family.

If you are thinking about getting a dog, consider a rescue. Check out your needs and expectations. See if there is a rescue that can meet your needs. See if you can give them a new chance. Some rescues are great with children—but some might not do well with children. Don’t try to force a frightened personality into a household with too much stimulation and activity. Young children deserve a dog that can be trusted to play well with them and their playmates without being nervous and skittish. Some dogs do better in quieter homes, with older people.

Timid and shy dogs are often made worse by wellmeaning new owners who are trying to protect them and over-pamper them. Most do better if they are taken to training classes and socialized right away.

This also gives the new owner some help with the decisions regarding setting up new boundaries and building confidence in their new friend.

Remember that many rescues come with unknown histories. Some will recover quickly. Others will always have some remnants of their past. You need to be willing to work with them and manage the remaining issues. Everyone may not have the proper place and the time to spend in the rehabilitation of a rescue.

Many breeds have special needs regarding exercise and training. Some dogs only fit in homes that can provide the needed structure. Be sure your emotions don’t override your practical evaluation of how you and the rescue will match up. Consult a trainer for information about how to pick a dog that will fit into your lifestyle.

If you are one of the fortunate ones to accept a rescue dog, you will feel great pride in seeing him turn into a confident and loving companion. You will also be happy when you have finally earned his trust. Be sure that you never betray that trust. They deserve a safe and loving “forever” home.

{

This time, he was so badly matted, he could hardly see, and he had a hard time going to the bathroom.

I called, and I finally convinced the owner to sign him over to me. That afternoon he had all his shots.

The next day, he was groomed. The hair stood alone in the shape of his body. The following day, he was neutered. It was a real blessing that he did not have heartworms. Otherwise, he was thin, but healthy.

Later I discovered this little white dog was a Coton de Tulear. He has the happiest spirit. Despite his early

{

“He has the happiest spirit.

Despite his early beginnings, he now loves everyone.”

Fall 2011 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

29

{ health }

Chinese Herbs:

An Alternative to Tranquilizers

By Jean “We’ve got to get help for this dog or she’s Scherwenka going to kill herself,” said Michelle Givens’

husband Jason, when the couple returned home one evening to find Denbigh, their 7 ½-year-old English Springer Spaniel barking, banged up, covered with slobber, and peering wild-eyed through the bent wires of her crate.

Denbigh’s first anxiety attack occurred when she turned 7, and the attacks had escalated ever since.

After trying what seemed like everything Western medicine had to offer, Michelle called Chris Bessent, DVM, a holistic vet in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Her protocol included Chinese herbs, which for Denbigh became the miracle that saved her life.

For thousands of years, an entire region of the world has thrived on Chinese herbs and documented their results. Today, a growing number of us in this country seek natural and holistic methods to keep our dogs and ourselves healthy and happy, and an

30

The Virginia Maryland Dog

understanding of Chinese herbs and how they work will help us do that.

Using the Chinese perspective, let’s examine what was causing poor Denbigh’s anxiety attacks. According to Bessent, anxiety in dogs can manifest itself in different ways, including thunder phobia, or fear of loud noises; fear aggression; and in Denbigh’s case, separation anxiety. In Western medicine, we think of anxiety as a neurosis or a mental behavior issue.

But Chinese medicine says that anxiety is a physical issue, and all three of the above examples reflect a disturbance in the dog’s heart shen.

Pioneer holistic vet Cheryl Schwartz, DVM, in her landmark book “Four Paws Five Directions: A Guide to Chinese Medicine for Cats and Dogs” (Ten Speed Press, 1996), explains heart shen as “the spirit of the body” housed in the heart, “from which happiness and well being arise.” Bessent describes heart shen as the ability to feel relaxed in a new environment,

the ability to settle in. Animals with poor heart shen have difficulty doing that, and if left unchecked, poor heart shen could develop into other conditions. For example, a tranquilizer might have enabled Denbigh’s family to live with her anxiety while they tried effective behavior management to control her anxious behavior. But her heart shen problem would have remained, and Chinese medicine says that that untreated disharmony deep within Denbigh’s body could eventually lead to more serious problems.

Schwartz describes this major difference between Western and Eastern medicine in this way. “Our thinking is very linear: If A happens, B follows,” she says.

“There is health. There is disease. In Eastern thought, however, things are more circular. Eastern medicine talks about balance and imbalance.” In order to maintain health, she stresses the importance of recognizing an imbalance before it becomes a disease.

Denbigh’s anxiety indicated an imbalance, or disharmony, in her heart shen, but how exactly did those Chinese herbs correct her problem? Schwartz explains how Chinese medicine distills the entire world into five elements: fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. Certain elements control others, and all are affected by each other in a cyclical way. For example, the heart is the fire element, and the kidney is the water element. So it makes sense that the kidney (water) controls the heart (fire).

{

{

{ health }

“There is health. There is disease. In Eastern thought, however, things are more circular.

Eastern medicine talks about balance and imbalance.”

formula goes straight to the dog’s heart shen problem and resolves it by tonifying the kidney.

Schwartz calls this “a more rounded and holistic approach.” She says if an imbalance can be recognized, it can also be treated, and Chinese medicine does exactly that. “It can pick up an imbalance before it becomes a disease.”

Most of us would prefer a pill that does the same thing an herb will do—resolve the root of the problem, only do it quickly. Hooked on that quick fix, people might say to their holistic vet, “I gave the herb, and my dog was no different the next morning.” But according to Bessent, Chinese medicine says he actually would be. Herbs immediately begin to work from the inside out, and at first though we may not see it, improvement has begun. Furthermore, she explains how dogs actually experience added benefits from the slower process of herbal healing. Most herbal

“When there is an imbalance or disharmony in the heart fire, the kidney, being the water element, should be able to control it,” says Bessent. “The Chinese herbs tonify [strengthen] the kidney.

This increases its ability to control the heart, which then allows the animal’s body to keep anxiety in check.” So, when Western medicine’s anti-anxiety medications or tranquilizers work fast to relieve a dog’s anxiety symptoms, the proper Chinese herbal

Fall 2011 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

31

{ health }

formulas have a combination of active ingredients that work synergistically, where one ingredient will help buffer the strong effect of another. In that way, the herbs cause little or no negative side affects.

Bessent also points out that if you miss a feeding of herbs, the dog will not experience the sudden setback he would if you missed a pharmaceutical dosage. If after a year you decide that the dog is doing so well he doesn’t need the herbs any longer, and you stop, he would not experience a dramatic or sudden relapse; he would have a slow, gradual reversal of his progress. It could be two or three months before you would recognize some subtle signs that the anxiety is returning, at which time you could easily put him back on the herbal formula and again begin his gradual progression in the right direction.

We shouldn’t look at Western and Chinese medicine in terms of “either/or,” because together they give our dogs a broader coverage of health care. Kealohi Center’s Sally Savitz in Oakland, CA treats animals with Chinese herbs, acupuncture, and homeopathy. Part of the Center’s philosophy, stated on its website, reads: “We believe that practicing collectively and working cooperatively with Western practitioners will best help change the state of health of the animal population.”

Savitz sends animals to vets who can provide traditional diagnostic tests and medical services when needed, and she gets referrals from traditional vets.

“This is the time in our culture when we need to work cooperatively. We’re not in competition. We need to do everything we can to help people and animals stay healthy, so it’s really important that we support each other’s work,” says Savitz.

Canine Anxiety Thunder or Loud Noise Phobia: Your dog becomes anxious, clingy, and agitated when his high sensitivity to barometric pressure warns him of a coming storm. When the storm hits, he paces, may bark at cracks of thunder, hide under things, or cower in a corner and shake. After the storm, he may have trouble settling down; some dogs can be restless for hours, even days afterward.

Fear Aggression: When meeting other dogs or people, your dog becomes aggressive, sometimes even biting.

Separation Anxiety: Your dog panics when left alone and resorts to destructive behavior—chews up the carpet, shreds your couch, or bloodies his own nails and teeth from clawing and chewing at the door.

All are indications of his overwhelming anxiety because you are gone.

Sources: Chris Bessent, DVM W339 N8120 Townline Road Oconomowoc, WI 53066 262-966-9891 cabessent@herbsmithinc.com Cheryl Schwartz, DVM 5318 E 2nd Street Suite 353 Long Beach, CA 90803-5354

Today little Denbigh is 11 years old, and according to Michelle, “She’s happy all the time. Is she going to live longer? I think probably, I’m not sure. But every minute she lives is going to be a better minute, for her and for me.”

32

The Virginia–Maryland Dog

Sally M. Savitz, MS, LAc, DHom Kealohi Center Oakland 158 Santa Clara Avenue Oakland, CA 94610 510-655-9644 info@kealohicenter.com

Natural Solution for Thunderstorms The

Herbsmith Calm Shen® is for the dog exhibiting nervousness, hyperactivity, and discontentment responding to environmentally-induced stress.

Herbsmith Calm Shen® also helps to maintain contentment during separation, travel and changes in the pet’s daily routine. The herbs in this formula help to naturally maintain calmness and balance behavior.

Pet Sage – Alexandria

Felix & Oscar - Springfield

Wylie Wagg – Arlington, Falls Church, Middleburg, Fairfax

Maryland

Virginia

Available at:

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Fell’s Point Pet Center – Baltimore

Gabby’s Pet Depot – Easton

Dogs and Company – Columbia

Profeed – Rockville

Online

Calm Shen

• Thunderphobia • Separation Anxiety • Shyness/Clingyness • Fear • Aggression

www.HolisticAnimalSupply.com Visit our website for more locations!

HUMANE SOCIETY of FAIrFAX COUNTY W

e are an all volunteer animal rescue that provides forever homes for cats, dogs, bunnies, birds, and horses.

W

e have 2 thrift stores located in Falls Church and Fairfax City – please consider donating (tax reciepts are cheerfully provided)

We are in need of loving foster

homes, volunteers, and dontations for our food pantry. Check our website for upcoming events.

For more information

703-385-7387| pets@hsfc.org | www.hsfc.org

{ law }

College Dorms Going to the Dogs?

By Hillary J. Collyer, Esquire

With fall just around the corner, students will be headed back to school soon. This annual tradition reminded me of a news story I read a few months back about Monty, the certified therapy dog that students at Yale Law School were given the opportunity to “check out” from the law school’s library during a pilot program implemented this past March.

There is a growing trend across the country, where college campuses are either introducing therapy dog programs or are permitting students to bring their pets with them in dorm rooms. In addition to Yale Law School, other universities that have introduced therapy dogs, in an attempt to alleviate their students’ stress levels, include Tufts University in Massachusetts, Oberlin College in Ohio, and UC San Diego

34

The Virginia–Maryland Dog

in California. Additionally, more and more college campuses are permitting pets in dormitories. In 2010, the website www.petside.com ranked the Top 10 Pet-Friendly Colleges in the country as follows: 1. Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, Florida 2. Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri 3. Washington & Jefferson College, Washington, Pennsylvania 4. Stetson University, Deland, Florida 5. Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar, Virginia 6. California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 8. Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 9. Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, California 10. Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York

{ law }

(Before all you dog owners get excited to see that a Virginia college made the list, note that Sweet Briar does not allow cats and dogs, but does encourage students to bring their horses with them to college, so long as the student belongs to Sweet Briar’s Riding Program).

who criticize the trend, or cast their doubts, cite the tendency of college-aged students to make impulsive decisions, the general chaos that predominates dorm life, and the uncertainties of post-graduation life.

Indeed, shelters in many college towns report spikes in pet abandonment at the end of semesters.

The reasons behind this trend include the recognition on the part of college administrators that pets can reduce stress and make the transition to college life easier for students. Additional factors include lessening the flow of students to off-campus housing, where they’re permitted to have pets, and providing a means for colleges to differentiate themselves in an ever-increasing competitive recruiting market for students. Smaller, independent colleges tend to dominate the list of pet-friendly schools. However, even larger campuses, such as Caltech and MIT, allow small pets in some dorms.

Both sides of the argument make valid points and raise justified concerns. I cringe when I recollect some of the poor dogs subjected to life in frat houses at my undergraduate alma mater, a state university in Upstate New York. On the other hand, I envy those Yale Law Students who have access to Monty-I certainly could have benefited from the calming influence of a therapy dog while I was holed up in the law library during my days at the George Washington University Law School.

Many schools may be hesitant to implement petfriendly policies on their campuses, given the potential liabilities that could arise from animal attacks, maintenance issues and health concerns. Colleges that do permit pets seek to minimize such concerns by implementing and enforcing strict guidelines governing pets in their campus buildings. For instance, although Monty is hypoallergenic, Yale Law School limits his therapy visits to a designated non-public space in the library in order to avoid potential adverse reactions from other library users who might have dog-related allergies.

It will be interesting to see whether these experiments with pet-friendly-dorms continue to expand.

My research did not reveal any Washington, D.C.area campuses that permit pets in their dormitories.

In fact, several local universities, including George Washington University, George Mason University, and the University of Maryland, expressly prohibit the presence of pets in their residence halls. But, given the trend at other schools, that policy may well change in the future.

Stephens College, like Eckerd and Washington & Jefferson, has a Pet Council, consisting of students and faculty, which enforces the school’s rules regarding pets: vaccinations are required; dogs are not permitted to roam free while their owners are in class; noisy dogs may be barred (after a three-week grace period at the beginning of each semester); and, as a concession to students who might not be so pet-friendly, or who have allergies, dogs and cats are not permitted in classrooms or other common areas.

While many pet lovers, owners and nonowners alike, are delighted by this growing college-life trend, the movement is not without its detractors. Those

Fall 2011 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

35

{ safety }

A Guide to Poisonous Foods & Dogs – What to Avoid Dog owners should not assume that human food is always safe for our beloved pets. Many are already aware that certain foods such as chocolate and grapes are harmful to our canine companions, but this is only two of the many human foods that are toxic and potentially fatal.

Coffee, Tea & Other Caffeinated Drinks:

Alcoholic Beverages:

Avocados:

Chocolate:

may cause intoxication, coma, and death

contains persin which may cause vomiting and diarrhea

contains a chemical compound that is both a heart stimulant and diuretic which may be fatal

caffeine of any kind can be toxic to the heart and nervous system

can cause pancreatitis

Grapes:

Hops:

Macadamia Nuts:

Mushrooms:

Yeast Dough:

contains an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys, potentially causing renal failure

contains an unknown compound causing panting, increased heart rate, elevated temperature, seizures and potentially death

contains an unknown toxin that can cause paralysis and damage to the nervous system

may contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death

the active yeast culture can cause gas in the digestive tract, creating gastric distress and possible digestive tract ruptures

Onions & Garlic:

Nutmeg:

Sweeteners (Xylitol):

Raisins:

contain sulfoxides and disulfides that can cause damage to red blood cells potentially causing anemia

if eaten in large amounts, this oil can cause vomiting and abdominal pain as well as central nervous system excitation

Potato Peelings, Rhubarb & Tomato Leaves:

contain oxalates which can cause very low blood can cause problems with sugar (hypoglycemia), digestive nervous and which can result in vomiting, weakness and urinary tract systems collapse. In high doses can cause liver failure

The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Animal Poison Control Center is the premier animal poison control center in North America. They are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to assist in any animal-related emergency. If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, contact them at the number listed below. Please note that a fee of $65.00 will apply.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435

36

The Virginia–Maryland Dog

Fat Trimmings:

see grapes

{ featured business }

by Mike Murphy

Did you ever wonder what a dog thinks about?

I did. I used to walk our dog after work. Being with him helped relieve me of the day’s stresses. I soon relaxed and enjoyed his company, watching him dart here and there, sniffing everything in sight. My mind was clear. Then I began to wonder what went through his mind? How did he view life’s ups and downs, its joys and frustrations? It got me to thinking.

The cards before “my buddy Pal” For fun, I have been creating my own greeting cards since high school. At first, it was just for the holidays. Then the occasions expanded to include birthdays, anniversaries and other happy events. Soon non-events got added in because it was enjoyable, if for no special reason, to make a card and send it to someone just to see them smile.

For the past forty years, the Christmas cards have been themed. Initially, it was our first baby, a son, who was featured. I showed the humorous ways he made changes to our lives.

Then when our second son was born, the cards showed how the two of them were able to turn our hair prematurely gray.

Finally Pal, a golden retriever, joined the two boys as a threesome for a couple of years until he took center stage for himself. He was handsome, so loving and trusting.

His antics were seen and enjoyed by the more than one hundred names on my card list. Based on their comments, we knew he

was building a following. Pal enjoyed the spotlight for a dozen years. Then one month shy of his thirteenth birthdays, he passed away.

It was terribly sad. Respiratory distress they said. He had become such an important part of our lives. With love, I created a memorial tribute “Pal” card sending it out to all the people on the list that Christmas. Their heart felt responses helped ease our pain.

“my buddy Pal” arrives The idea of going into the greeting card business had always been in my mind – though way, way in the back.

Then two yeas ago, in discussions with my wife and our boys, the notion finally made a strong move forward.

So strong that I decided to act.

We started our modest company with a first series of twelve cards, all featuring Pal with his observations and comments on life. They are humorous, some thoughtful too.

They are printed on a heavy stock because I like cards to feel firm in your hands. The stock is white on the outside, light blue inside. The drawings are all done from memory based on years of watching him. The words are what I think he thought about.

The “my buddy Pal” cards give us a way to have him here again. Plus, he now can bring a smile to others. See for yourself.

Visit our website: mybuddypal.com

For wholesale opportunities, contact us through the website or call Mike Murphy at 828-696-0944.

Fall 2011 | www.thevirginiamarylanddog.com

37

{ events }

calendar In Virginia: Saturday, August 20, 2011 9:00 a.m.

Friday, September 23, 2011 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Dog Days Peach Festival 2011 Hosted by The Leesburg Canine Country Club Great Country Farms 18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont, VA For more information: www.leesburgcaninecountryclub.com/ events/htm

From the Inside Out Petco, 5717 Plank Road, Fredericksburg, VA Free Admission For more information: (540) 785-0137

Sunday, August 21, 2011 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Paw Power in the Park Runt Boy’s Welcome Home Retreat, Sandston, VA For more information: (804) 397-1998 lavernehamlin@yahoo.com

Olde Towne Dogge Walke Market Square, King Street Alexandria, VA Benefiiting the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria For more information: www.alexandriaanimals.org

Saturday, August 27, 2011 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 15, 2011 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

4th Annual Wags N Whiskers The Villages at Shirlington Glebe Road & Shirlington Exit Arlington, VA For more information: www.villagesatshirlington.com

Saturday, September 10, 2011 8:00 a.m.

Second Annual Paw-Paw-PawLooza Dog Walk The Mariners’ Museum Park 100 Museum Drive, Newport News, VA For more information: (757) 591-7754 www.marinersmuseum.org

38

Sunday, September 25, 2011 9:00am

Blue Ridge Bull Terrier Club 30th Anniversary & Annual Picnic Great Falls National Park, 9200 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA For more information: brbtc.com

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Canine Carnival Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, 10300 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield, VA For more information: (804) 717-6325 krond@chesterfield.gov

The Virginia–Maryland Dog

Saturday, November 12, 2011 9:00 a.m.

Take a Bite Out of Canine Cancer Fredericksburg Hospitality House, 2801 Plank Road, Fredericksburg, VA For more information: www.greyhoundsrock.org; admin@greyhoundsrock.org

{ events }

In Maryland: Saturday, August 20, 2011 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Dog Day on The Bay John H. Downs Memorial Park, 8311 John Downs Loop, Pasadena, MD Benefiting: Improvements to the Dog Beach at Down’s Park For more information: (443) 956-1115 www.dogday@friendsofdownspark.com

Sunday, August 21, 2011 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

K9’s in the Vines Linganore Winecellars – Berrywine Plantations, 13601 Glissans Mill Road, Mt. Airy, MD Hosted by the Animal Welfare League of Frederick County For more information: www.awlfc.org

Saturday, September 10, 2011 Salisbury Maryland Kennel Club Salisbury Maryland Kennel Club Training Facility, 31663 Winterplace Parkway, Salisbury, MD A fair-like atmosphere, complete with vendors, SMKC’s AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day. For more information: (410) 883-3450 ewyemede@dmv.com

Sunday, September 18, 2011 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Pets on Wheels 6th Annual Dog-A-Thon Oregon Ridge Park, 13555 Beaver Dam Road, Baltimore, MD For more information: www.petsonwheels.org email: Vicki@petsonwheels.org

Saturday, October 1, 2011 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Puttin’ on the Dog Westin Annapolis Hotel, 100 Westgate Circle, Annapolis, MD Sponsored by the SPCA of Anne Arundel County For more information: www.aacspca.org

Friday, October 7, 2011 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Bark & Bowl Bowlmor Lanes DC, 5353 Westbard Avenue, Bethesda, MD Presented by The National Canine Cancer Foundation For more information: (301) 652-0955 www.wearethecure.org

Sunday, October 9, 2011 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 15, 2011 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Dog Fest 2011 Baltimore Humane Society, 1601 Nicodemus Road, Registerstown, MD For more information: (410) 833-8848 esilber@bmorehumane.org

Howard County Walk for Paws Howard County School Board, Route 108, Columbia, MD Sponsored by the All Shepherd Rescue of Howard County For more information: (410) 880-2488 www.allshepherdrescue.org

Saturday, October 22, 2011 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Saturday, October 22, 2011 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Walk for the Animals at the Bark in the Park Turkey Hill Park, LaPlata, MD Sponsored by the Humane Society of Charles County For more information: www.humanesocietycc.org

BARCStoberfest 2011 Patterson Park, 27 South Patterson Street, Baltimore, MD For more information: Esta.Baker@baltimorecity.gov

The Love Ball for everyone who loves animals Hyatt Regency Bethesda, 7400 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD Sponsored by the Montgomery County Humane Society For more information: www.mchumane.org

Fall 2011 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

39

{ feature }

An Autumn Walk

in the Woods

By Jaquen Hiking is a great fall activity for dogs, but some basic tips will make the excursion even more Castellanos fun; also, an extensive list of great local hiking spots There’s nothing better than a day out with your dog.

Especially in the fall. Whether it’s playing in the park, going for a run, or taking a trip together, man’s best friend is always a wonderful companion. A colleague once said that dogs are happiest when completely exhausted. Although that may not always seem to be the case, most dogs do love good romps. There are many activities available for owners and their furry friends, but a great outdoor activity, especially during the fall, with its crisp temperatures and inviting weather, is hiking.

Hiking with your dog on a crisp, clear fall day is a great way to spend the day. The exercise, fresh air, and excitement can do wonders for dogs and owners. There are dozens of locations in Virginia and Maryland that are great for hiking with your pet. Most state or national parks have trails available for owners and their dogs. Below, we’ve listed our favorites. But first, here are some basic tips you should consider before hiking with your dog: 1. Make sure you and your pet stay hydrated, and always include a water bowl for your dog.

2. Take a first aid kit. Dogs have soft, padded feet that are easily injured.

3. Your dog should have tags and vaccines that are up to date. Some parks require proof of updated rabies shots and other shots.

4. Wait to feed your dog until after the hike. It’s okay to bring treats for pit-stop snacks.

5. Don’t let dogs drink out of puddles of water. There is a danger from bacteria.

6. Always bring a leash. Even if a park allows your dog to walk without one, a leash can come in handy for controlling your dog.

7. After the hike, scan your dog for ticks and fleas.

Repeat the process again before entering your home.

Don’t forget to check a park’s website before you go hiking. Each park may have specific guidelines to follow. Also, do some research regarding the best trails in the park for you and your dog.

Enjoy!

40

The Virginia–Maryland Dog

{ feature }

Virginia Alleghany County Douthat State Park Douthat State Park Clifton Forge, VA 24422 (540) 862-0619 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/dou.shtml

Arlington County Theodore Roosevelt Island George Washington Memorial Pky, Arlington, VA 22209 (703) 289-2500 www.nps.gov/this/index.htm

Appomattox, VA Holliday Lake State Park 2759 State Park Road, Appomattox, VA (434) 248-6308 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/hol.shtml

Bedford County Smith Mountain Lake State Park 1235 State Park Road, Huddleston, VA 24104-9547 (540) 297-6066 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/smi.shtml

Frederick County

McLean County

Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park 120 Chatham Ln, Fredericksburg, VA 22405 (540) 371-0802 www.nps.gov/frsp/index.htm

Potomac River at Scotts Run Nature Preserve 7400 Georgetown Pike McLean, VA 22102 www.hikingupward.com/OVH/ScottsRun/

Galax City New River Trail State Park 451 Cliffview Rd, Galax, VA 24333-5007 (336) 982-2587 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/new.shtml

Grayson County Grayson Highlands State Park 829 Grayson Highland, Lane, Mouth of Wilson, VA (276) 579-7092 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/gra.shtml

Halifax County Staunton River State Park 1170 Staunton Trail, Scottsburg, VA 24589-9636 (434) 572-4623 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/sta.shtml

Hanover County

Shenandoah National Park 3655 US Hwy 211 East, Luray, VA 22835 (540) 999-3500 www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm

Twin Lakes State Park 788 Twin Lakes Rd., Green Bay, VA 23942-2525 (434) 392-3435 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/twi.shtml

Chesterfield County

King George County

Blue Ridge Mountains

Pocahontas State Park 10301 State Park Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832-6355 (804) 796-4255 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/poc.shtml

Caledon Natural Area State Park 11617 Caledon Rd, King George, VA (540) 663-3861 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/cal.shtml

Cumberland County

Belle Isle State Park 1632 Belle Isle Rd., Lancaster, VA 22503 1-800-933-PARK www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/bel.shtml

Bear Creek Lake 22 County Road 666, Cumberland, VA 23040 1-800-933-PARK www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/bea.shtml

Fairfax County Fountainhead Regional Park 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville, VA (703) 631-0550 www.nvrpa.org/park/fountainhead/

Franklin County Booker T. Washington National Monument 12130 Booker T. Washington Highway Hardy, Virginia 24101 (540) 721-2094 www.nps.gov/bowa/index.htm

Lancaster County

Manassas Park City Manassas National Battlefield Park 6511 Sudley Rd, Manassas, VA 20109-2358 (703) 754-1861 www.nps.gov/mana/index.htm Prince William Forest Park Prince William Forest Park Manassas, VA 20112 (703) 221-7181 www.nps.gov/prwi/index.htm

Mecklenburg County Occoneechee State Park 1192 Occoneechee Park Road, Clarksville, VA (434) 374-2210 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/occ.shtml

Nelson County James River State Park 751 Park Road Gladstone, VA 24553 (434) 933-4355 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/jam.shtml

Northampton County Kiptopeke State Park 3540 Kiptopeke Drive, Cape Charles, VA 23310 (757) 331-2267 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/kip.shtml

Patrick County Fairy Stone State Park 967 Fairystone Lake Drive, Stuart, VA 24171-9588 (276) 930-2424 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/fai.shtml

Petersburg City Petersburg National Battlefield 1539 Hickory Hill Rd, Petersburg, VA (804) 732-3531 ext. 200 www.nps.gov/pete/index.htm

Prince Edward County Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park 1, 6541 State Route 617, Rice, Virginia 23966 (804) 561-7491 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/sai.shtml

Prince William County Leesylvania State Park (CALL) 2001 Daniel K Ludwig Drive, Woodbridge, VA (703) 730-8205 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/lee.shtml

Pulaski County Claytor Lake State Park 6620 Ben H. Bolen Drive, Dublin, VA 24084 (540) 643-2500 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/cla.shtml

Scott County Natural Tunnel State Park Route 3, Box 250, Duffield, VA 24244-9361 (276) 940-2674 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/nat.shtml

Fall 2011 | www.thevirginia-marylanddog.com

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Smyth County Hungry Mother State Park 2854 Park Blvd, Marion, VA 24354 (276) 781-7400 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/hun.shtml

Surry County Chippokes Plantation State Park 695 Chippokes Park Road, Surry, VA (757) 294-3728 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/cal.shtml

Spotsylvania County Lake Anna State Park 6800 Lawyers Rd, Spotsylvania, VA 22551-6404 (540) 854-5503 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/lak.shtml

Virginia Beach City False Cape State Park 4001 Sandpiper Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456-4347 (757) 426-7128 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/fal.shtml

Maryland Allegany County Dans Mountain State Park 17410 Recreation Area Rd SW, Lonaconing, MD 21539-1360 (301) 463-5487 www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/ western/dansmountain.asp Green Ridge State Forest 28700 Headquarters Dr NE, Flintstone, MD 21530-3035 (301) 478-3124 www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/ western/greenridgeforest.asp Rocky Gap State Park 12500 Pleasant Valley Rd NE, Flintstone, MD 21530 (301) 777-2139 www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/ western/rockygap.asp

Baltimore County

First Landing State Park 2500 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA (757) 412-2300 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/fir.shtml

North Point State Park 8700 North Point Rd, Edgemere, MD 21219 (410) 477-0757 www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/ central/northpoint.asp

Warren County

Caroline County

Shenandoah River State Park 350 Daughter of Stars Drive, Bentonville, VA 22610-2056 (540) 622-6840 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/and.shtml

Tuckahoe State Park 13070 Crouse Mill Road Queen Anne, MD 21657 (410) 820-1668 www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/ eastern/tuckahoe.asp

Westmoreland County George Washington Birthplace Nat’l Monument 1732 Popes Creek Rd Colonial Beach, VA 22443-5115 (804) 224-1732 www.nps.gov/gewa/index.htm Westmoreland State Park 1650 State Park Road, Montross, VA 22520-2041 (804) 493-8821 www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/wes.shtml

York County Colonial National Historical Park 624 Water St, Yorktown, VA 23690 (757) 898-3400 www.nps.gov/colo/index.htm

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Cecil County Elk Neck State Park 4395 Turkey Point Rd, North East, MD 21901-6201 (410) 287-5333 ‎ www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/ central/elkneck.asp

Frederick County Gambrill State Park 8602 Gambrill Park Road, Frederick, Maryland 21702 (301) 271-7574 www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/ western/gambrill.asp Gathland State Park 900 Arnoldstown Road, Burkittsville, MD 21718 301-791-4767 www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/ western/gathland.asp

The Virginia–Maryland Dog

South Mountain State Park South Mountain State Park Myersville, MD 21773 301-791-4767 www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/ western/southmountain.asp

Garrett County Garrett State Forest 1431 Potomac Camp Rd, Oakland, MD 21550-6804 (301) 334-2038 www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/ western/garrettforest.asp Big Run State Park 349 Headquarters Ln, Grantsville, MD 21536 (301) 895-5453 www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/ western/bigrun.asp Savage River State Forest 127 Headquarters Ln, Grantsville, MD 21536-2140 (301) 895-5759 www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/ western/savageriverforest.asp

Harford Rocks State Park 3318 Rocks Chrome Hill Road Jarrettsville, MD 21084 (410) 557-7994 www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/ central/rocks.asp

St. Mary’s County St. Mary’s River State Park St. Mary’s River State Park California, MD 20619 (301) 872-5688 www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/ southern/stmarysriver.asp

Worcester County Pocomoke River State Park 3036 Nassawango Road Pocomoke City MD 21851 (410) 632-2566 ‎ www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/ eastern/pocomokeriver.asp

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– “Macbeth� Shakespeare

Are You Feeding FRANKENFISH to Your Dogs?

If you read the last three ads written about Solid Gold dry dog food, then you realize that your dog’s life depends upon what you feed them. The articles were: 1) Does GMO Mean God Move Over? , 2)Chicken and the Egg and Salmonella Poisoning, and 3) Sundancer – Our New Dog Food with Curcumin.

Solid Gold has been the leader in natural dog and cat food since 1975. % )-31.$4#%$ 3(% 4-$ +.#*%- -!341!+ $.' &..$ 6)3( +!," !-$ = 2( 4-$ ,%!-2 $.' +.#*%- ,%!-2 > !*%2 )- %1,!- (% 2!)$ 3(!3 3(%1% 6!2 -. such thing as a natural dog food. We told them that Hund-N-Flocken had been a top seller in Germany for 20 years. They said, “Oh!�

If you import a dog from Germany, frequently the export papers say that if you don’t feed the Solid Gold Hund -N-Flocken , and the Solid Gold Sea Meal powder, they will not guarantee the health of the dog.

".43 2)7 8%!12 !'. .+)$ .+$ )-31.$4#%$ ! ")2.- !-$ +!2*!- 6)+$ #!4'(3 2!+,.- )- .41 : 423 ! %% )3; for the small dog. For the large and giant breed, we introduced Wolf Cub and Wolf King. The owner of Solid Gold (!$ > .6- 3. +!2*! 3. )-3%15)%6 3(% = 2(%1,!- 6. 6%1% #(.2%- (%8 6%1% 3(% .-+8 (..* !-$ +)-% = 2(%1,%- . )& 3(%8 #!4'(3 ! 2,!++ = 2( )3 6!2 3(1.6- "!#*

..- !2 424!+ .3(%1 $.' &..$ #.,/!-)%2 #./)%$ 42 43 3(%8 42%$ ")' -%32 )3()- &.41 8%!12 3(% 6)+$ +!2*!- 2!+,.- 6!2 = 2(%$ .43 -+8 2!+,.- 6!2 !5!)+!"+% !1,%$ 2!+,.- )2 &%$ #.1- (% #.1- is sterile and cannot reproduce. The salmon are sterile and cannot reproduce. Guess what happens to the people and dogs that are fed this salmon? Solid Gold no longer uses salmon. They are concerned that the GMO salmon may #!42% #!-#%1 ,%!-2 %-%3)#!++8 .3)= %$ 1'!-)2,

41 .+)23)04% +%-$9 $.' &..$ 6!2 )-31.$4#%$ )- .+)23)# $.%2 -.3 ,%!- -!341!+ .1 .1'!-)# 3 )2 = 2( "!2%$ !-$ +.6 /1.3%)- %2/%#)!++8 &.1 3(% .+$%1 $.' 3. 2/!1% 3(% +)5%1 !-$ 3(% *)$-%82 3 )2 !+2. &.1 6()3% $.'2 3(!3 !1% +)'(3 2%-2)3)5% /(.3. !')-' 3 ! 1%#%-3 $.' 2(.6 ! $.' &..$ 5%-$.1 6!2 -%73 3. 3(% .+)$ .+$ "..3( (% 2!+%2,!- told us that his company also now had holistic dog food. We asked him what holistic meant. He said they put apples in it. Oh well!

- /1)+ 3(% -%62 2!)$ 3(!3 )- %6 %12%8 )3 )2 4-+!6&4+ &.1 /%./+% 3. /+!-3 3.,!3. 2%%$2 .4 -.6 (!5% to buy GMO tomato plants from the same company that developed GMO soybean and corn. The chemical company said they are doing this to protect the public. Seems that bugs will get on the tomato plants. For 20 years, I just washed off the bugs from my father’s tomato plants.

These GMO plants were found to cause two harmful strains of bacteria that damage the intestinal tract and cause leaky gut syndrome. Dogs were developing leaky gut syndrome and infected anal glands.

We use non-GMO tomatoes in our dog food. They are high in lycopene which is good for the heart and cir#4+!3).- -8 &14)3 .1 5%'%3!"+% 3(!3 )2 1%$ 24//.132 3(% #)1#4+!3.18 2823%, (.1,.-% 2823%, !-$ 3(81.)$ 2823%, - 3(% 1%#%-3 1!$)!3).- !/!-%2% $)2!23%1 3(% 1%$ 2%! !+'!% 6!2 142(%$ 3. !/!- 3. "4)+$ 4/ 3(% ),,4-% !-$ (.1,.-% 2823%,2 41 %! %!+ #.-3!)-2 38/%2 .& 2%!6%%$ )-#+4$)-' 1%$ 2%! !+'!% +6!82 42% .41 %! %!+ /.6$%1 6)3( .41 $.' food. It keeps the dogs from chewing at the root of the tail and licking their feet.

41 -%6 .+)$ .+$ $.' &..$ )2 4-$!-#%1 6()#( #.-3!)-2 #41#4,)- . = -$ .43 (.6 #41#4,)- 6.1*2 with cancer, see http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/turmeric-000277.htm - 3(% .-'1%22 6!-3%$ 3. &4-$ ! 234$8 &.1 3(% 42% .& #41#4,)- !-$ cancer. The big pharmaceutical companies objected and said it would interfere with revenues from their cancer drugs.

The new World Order says that if you control the food production, you #!- #.-31.+ 3(% /%./+% !-$ $.'2 %!$ $.' &..$ +!"%+2 $.-<3 &%%$ 1!-*%-= 2( !-$ .3(%1 /1.$4#32 3. 8.41 $.'2 !-$ #!32 .4 #!- $%/%-$ 4/.- .+)$ .+$ 3. /1.$4#% 3(% = -%23 !-$ (%!+3()%23 /%3 &..$2 Solid Gold Holistic Animal Nutrition Center 1331 N. Cuyamaca, El Cajon, CA 92020

For a catalog or store near you, call or email us at: (619) 258-7356 (M,W,F 10-5 PST) or E-mail us at sarah@solidgoldholistic.com or www.solidgoldhealth.com