Labor Day 2016

(C) Allen Pearson, All Rights Reserved

Today, as humans rest from their labor, I want to thank the dogs who tirelessly labor to enhance the lives of humans everywhere.  These are dogs who work 24/7/365 as Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Allergy Alert Dogs, Emotional Assistance Dogs, Diabetic Alert Dogs, Psychiatric Dogs, Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs, Seizure Response Dogs, Social Signal Dogs, Physical Assistance Dogs, Police K-9 Dogs, Military-Trained Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs, Guard Dogs, Fire and Rescue Dogs, and the list can go on - if I left your job off, I apawlogize it was not intentional, but I recognize and thank you too for the incredible work you do.

Pets for Vets

(C) Pets for Vets, Used by Permission

Dogs and cats support humans, are companions to humans, are incredible help to humans in many ways.  I'd like to paw about this organization I found!  WOOF!!!

Pets for Vets is pawleased to announce the formation of a new chapter in the Washington DC Metro area.  Pets for Vets is a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization operating in 22 states bringing together man’s best friend and our returning soldiers.

The mission is; “To help heal the emotional wounds of military veterans by using the power of the human-animal bond to provide a second chance for shelter animals by rescuing, training and pairing them with America’s servicemen and women who could benefit from having a companion animal.”

Our professional trainers will select a shelter pet based upon interviews with each veteran to determine their individual needs and personal lifestyle.   All animals are examined by a veterinarian, vaccinated, neutered and micro-chipped.  The animal is adopted from the shelter and placed with a Pets for Vets foster for weeks of rehabilitation and training.  We provide a welcome package with all the necessary supplies and equipment to start their new life together at no cost to the veteran.  Pets for Vets provides on-going support while the veteran adapts to the new life with their animal.

For more information or to donate or volunteer please go to Pets for Vets.

Used by Permission, Pets for Vets

The Beauty of Dogs and Terminal Patient Relationships

Is there anything that makes our hearts sink more than getting dreaded bad news from the doctor’s office? Imagining the prospects of spending the rest of our days in a hospital bed getting injections, running tests and eating bad hospital food… not the happiest pictured ever painted is it?

Used by permission, GraphicStock

The unhappy truth for many people in this world, young or old, is that terminal illness has struck.  It’s hard to keep a cheery disposition…and really who can blame them.  I’m sure I wouldn’t be the life of the party when stuck in bed all day everyday either.

There are visitors however, that make all the difference in the lives of these unfortunate people: Man’s best friend….dogs.

Furry Therapy
We are now more and more aware of different programs such as animal-assisted therapy, or zoo therapy, but why is it that it works?

Let’s think back to those unfortunate patients that lie in bed, without much to look forward to in their day.  Yet, just one look into those deeply adoring eyes of a furry friend gives an instant moral boost.  All of the sudden a smile creeps up on their faces.

Unconditional love that comes from a dog is inevitably going to pierce sadness.   Their inborn happiness seems to overflow and spread to those around them.  Who could deserve warm and loving furry hugs more than terminal patients?

Dog Super Heroes
Dogs are very special to all of us.  Yet we tend to underestimate the power they can have on us.  How many times have we watched funny dog videos that made us laugh out loud? How many times have we been crying and the dog comes to comfort us? Who is the first to greet you when you walk in the door?

Completely humble and motivated by pure love and desire to please, dogs all over the world use their powers for us to be happy.

In the world of terminal patients, these loving creatures become more like super heroes.  They walk in illuminating the room, bringing joy and happiness with them.  Creating an atmosphere of  'anything is possible in this moment.'

Nothing else seems to matter but the desire to pet and hug this beautiful visitor. These furry heroes provide much needed physical and psychological therapy all in one.

The smile on a child’s face grasping the hair of his beautiful visitor is absolutely priceless.  The glittering eyes of an elderly women upon seeing her faithful friend walk in the room, is so beautiful.  Each and every case is a miracle to say the least.  An instant connection or bond without words: soothing, loving and joyful.

Love Your Dog
I say this with all the conviction in my body: Love your furry friends!  Just think how grateful we should be to have this loving friend by our side everyday.  When we realize the impact they have on us, just like they do for terminal patients, it’s not hard to see that they deserve our gratitude and love in return.

They give us their very best, so we should do the same for them.  Care for them and make sure they can live happy and healthy lives.  Touching the lives of so many people around them without ever saying a word.  Keep them, cherish them and love them always.

About the Author:
Suzanne Simard- is part of the Homeoanimal.com family, a growing enterprise focused on achieving optimal animal health naturally.  She has loved animals all her life and now is happy to devote her time and efforts to helping others improve their animal’s quality of life.

REMINDER: Semper K9 - Going Green Donation Drive- Now through Nov. 30, 2015

BARK!  Just want to paw a reminder for the "Semper K9 Going Green Donation Drive" to assist them in raising funds for their work.

Not familiar with them?  Visit Semper K9.  The donation drive continues through Nov. 30, 2015.

Support Dogs, Veterans and see a Movie - Project 22

Our veterans have done so much by fighting to keep our freedom alive.  I get to bark, paw, and woof, while my human gets to talk, Worship God at his church of choice, and many other freedoms.  There are not many ways to easily say thank you to everyone who has done something, no matter how small or great but we can try by supporting groups who assist veterans.

You're invited to a special screening of Project 22- while the event is free, a donation is requested to support Semper K9 Assistance Dogs and the NOVA Veterans Association.

Used by permission of SemperK9

Tickets and information about the event can be obtained by visiting Project22Tix.

A Dog, A Human and the Connecticut Shooting

"Me!"

Paws, prayers, and sadness go out to the families, First Responders, and others who are affected by the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

I would like to mention a few things to you.  First, humans please remember to pay attention to your dog and cat too while you are going through this grieving.  Sometimes people don't realize that animals grieve too, not all or always, but if your dog or cat starts looking at the door constantly or waits in front of the door for someone to come home, chances are, they are missing someone. Or, if they seem to showing signs of depression. You might try petting them more and calling your veterinarian to learn about something else you can do.

On a happier and exciting note, we all know dogs and cat make a great member of the family.  We do things for humans that other humans can't do- it's one of those unexplainable blessings God gave us!

Well, Truman, a dog in Newtown, Connecticut, has gone out with his human to match difference to those in the community surrounding Sandy Hook Elementary School.  A Bulldog and Human's Hugs trying to make a difference.  WOW!!!!  What a concept!  4 Paws to you two!!

How Assisted Animal Therapy Can Help Those Struggling Emotionally and Physically

(I am a firm believer in animals helping humans lives be better by us just being there for them, check out my human.....without me, I'd worry about him. Humans would be so lost without us. Anyway, I was sent this article that I want to share with you.)

"How Assisted Animal Therapy Can Help Those Struggling 

Emotionally and Physically" 

Humans and animals have a special bond for as long as we can remember. Animals are able to sense when their owner is in pain, is sad or if something is just wrong. When someone is suffering physically or emotionally, the relief and comfort that is needed to become strong again comes from animals more often than anyone else. Because of this, a type of therapy has been developed enlisting the help of our furry friends. This therapy is called animal assisted therapy, which could involve a dog, a cat, a horse or even a bird.

Who Can Be Helped with Animal Assisted Therapy?

Research shows that animal assisted therapy can improve the emotional well-being of cancer patients, abused or neglected children as well as patients that facing a difficult surgery or treatment, such as chemotherapy. Animal assisted therapy is also known to help trigger something in the elderly so that they don’t feel so alone as well as helping war veterans get a handle on the effects of their time spent in the military.

When Did Animal Assisted Therapy First Come About?

Animal assisted therapy ideas date back to 1919 when animals visited mental health patients at a hospital in Washington, D.C. Therapy dogs were also utilized back in 1945 during the World War II. Dogs were used as therapy for injured soldiers of the war to provide not just comfort but also to give them motivation to get well. In addition, World War II patients were also encouraged to work with farm animals and perform farm work in order to have their minds somewhere else rather than on the war.

It has been proven that doctors see more progress in patients when therapy animals are brought in. A child psychiatrist in New York found that he was able to make more progress with patients when he brought his dog to therapy sessions. The psychiatrist was able to conclude that normally withdrawn children were able to interact more freely and willingly when his dog was present. A study from the State University of New York in Buffalo found that stockbrokers with hypertension and taking medication for their condition saw a reduction in stress-related blood pressure when they shared their daily lives with pets.

As new research becomes available, animal assisted therapy will grow. This will help not only improve one’s overall well-being, but will represent the fact that humans need animals to carry on with their life just as much as animals need humans to survive.

About the Author: Don Bennett works with Lila, a Therapy Dog at The Center for Creativity and Healing, a Counseling practice in Charlotte, NC.