THE FACTS ABOUT FEBREZE
In our May issue of the MB-F Newsletter we printed a
veterinary medical alert received via the Internet. We attempted to verify the information
in the notice with a veterinary toxicologist, however, our phone calls had not been
returned by several independent sources at press time. In the interest of passing along
what could have been important information for our canine companions we made the decision
to print.
Since that time we have had our calls and also found the
information printed below. This is information appearing at http://www.febreze.com/pet.html where there is also a further notice from the Veterinary
Emergency Center in Needham, MA. We are pleased to print both pieces as further
clarification and as correction to the piece being passed along on the Internet. Please
visit this portion of the Proctor & Gamble product’s site for additional
information on Febreze ingredients, safety issues regarding birds, testing, etc.
The pieces read as follows:
“If you’ve reached this page, chances are
you’ve received an e-mail chain letter warning you about using Febreze around your
pets. These rumors simply are not true. Used as directed, Febreze is safe to use around
pets. Nevertheless, we’re glad you stopped by to get the facts!
Leading veterinarians across the country agree Febreze is
safe. The nation’s leading authority on pet safety, the ASPCA (American Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), has investigated these rumors and issued the
following statement:
‘Veterinary toxicologists at the ASPCA National Animal
Poison Center are conducting an on-going investigation into claims that use of Febreze in
the home caused the death of several pets. All information reviewed to date suggests that
there is no evidence that Febreze represents any risk to pets when used according to label
instructions. Presently, the center considers the product safe to use in households with
pets. As with any cleaning product, the center recommends that birds be removed from the
room until the product application has dried and the area has been ventilated.’
You can visit the ASPCA at http://www.napcc.aspca.org
The Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, one of
the world’s busiest full-service veterinary diagnostic labs receiving more than
120,000 cases a year reports “we have not received any cases indicating adverse
reactions to Febreze.” According to Dr. John Reagor, head of toxicology at the
TVMDL,
“used according to label instructions, the safety of Febreze is not a concern.”
Febreze has been used safely by more than 12 million homes
with pets around the world.
Like all our products, Febreze and its ingredients were
tested extensively to ensure that the product is safe for humans, pets and the
environment. This safety data was reviewed by more than 100 scientists, doctors, safety
experts and veterinarians, and all have come to the same conclusion: Febreze is safe.
Help us squelch this rumor once and for all. Please share
the information with your friends that Febreze is safe to use around pets… .”
Here is the response from the Veterinary Emergency Center:
“In response to the recent inquires regarding Febreze
and a notice the Veterinary Emergency Center (VEC) sent to a few of our Veterinary
colleagues. As a professional service, the VEC passed on information about Febreze to a
limited set of Veterinary colleagues. This information originated from a professional and
trusted source, but had not been validated. It was not intended for general public
distribution. The VEC did not post this information on the Internet. The information did
not originate from our hospital and does not reflect any facts obtained by the
VEC.
The Veterinary Emergency Center has never seen nor heard of
any legitimate cases of animal toxicity or illness relating to Febreze. Therefore, we are
not endorsing, nor are we recommending against the proper use of this product. An official
statement has been posted on the Internet by the ASPCA: http://www.napcc.aspca.org/febreze.htm. We apologize for any misinformation we may have
inadvertently presented to the public, the Veterinary community and the
manufacturer.”
Amy A. Shroff, VMD Director Veterinary Emergency Center
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FROM WHERE I SIT
by John S. Ward
As mentioned previously, there has been a small but
steady decline in dog registrations for the past few years. The AKC has been examining
alternative sources of revenue to be put in place in the event that this decline seriously
affects the financial stability of the organization.
The AKC has two fundamental objectives which are the
maintenance of a Stud Book and a Registry, and the supervision and regulation of dog
events. Registration revenues have traditionally been the single largest source of income
for The Club. On the other hand, the income derived from charges associated with dog
events has never come close to covering the cost to the AKC of the activities necessary to
regulate, facilitate and coordinate these events. There is nothing intrinsically wrong
with this financial imbalance, inasmuch as Registration and Dog Events are partners in
promoting the utility of the purebred dog as a companion to man. Nevertheless, there
cannot be a significant disparity between income and expenses if our hobby is to survive.
The AKC has conducted studies in the past in an effort to
determine the actual cost to The Club of its involvement in dog events. My recollection is
that the cost amounted to $2.50 per dog entered in a show. This is significantly higher
than the current fee of $.50 per dog per show. Recording fees for dog shows are set by the
Delegate body, which has consistently failed to vote for an increase in the fee. This is
understandable of course since no one is particularly anxious to increase the cost of
showing his or her dog. The AKC Board of Directors, however, has the authority to set
recording fees for the more recently approved performance events such as Hunting Tests and
Lure Coursing, which has resulted in more realistic fees for these activities.
In my view, the Delegates and their Member clubs have been
shortsighted in their rejection of an increase in the $.50 recording fee. In their desire
to keep down the cost of dog show entries they have failed to consider the consequences of
utilizing other options for increasing revenues. In other sports there has been an
increased tendency to turn to the corporate world for financial support. This
commercialization has been increasing steadily in all other sports and could easily find
its way into our hobby. I would be quite unhappy, for example, to see the American Kennel
Club name and logo being used in commercial advertising.
What to do about it? I would suggest that Delegates and
their Member clubs discuss these matters however informally so that if and when a proposal
is made to increase the recording fee it can be judged on its merits and not rejected out
of hand. The current recording fee amounts to between 2 and 3% of the cost of an entry.
Any moderate increase would be a small price to pay to preserve our sport as a
self-sufficient hobby.
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CANINE HEALTH ADVISORY
CANINE STREPTOCOCCAL
TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME (Canine STSS)
The purpose of this communication is to report on a disease
that has been confused with recent outbreaks of “kennel cough.” Canine
Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS) has been reported in racing Greyhounds. Persons
who have many dogs in close quarters or bring dogs to competitions where many dogs gather
should be aware of the symptoms of both of these diseases and take appropriate steps to
seek care for their dogs.
While this condition is currently uncommon, if your dog has
symptoms of STSS you must seek immediate veterinary care with the first symptoms of
lethargy and high fever. Dogs that are not treated immediately may die within hours of the
onset of initial symptoms.
Dogs that develop STSS are reported to be healthy prior to
being found very sick only a few hours later. Typically, the dogs are found in lateral
recumbence, either being too weak to move or experiencing rigidity or mild convulsions.
Rapid, uncontrolled muscle fasciculations are often noted. A consistent and important
finding is a very high temperature (105 degrees F). As the disease progresses a deep,
non-productive cough typical of pulmonary edema develops. Rapidly, spontaneous
hemorrhaging typical of disseminated intravascular coagulation develops which is
associated with coughing up blood, bleeding from the nose, severe bruising of the skin,
and in some cases bloody diarrhea. Shock therapy alone is not enough to save these dogs.
Dogs treated in the beginning stages of the condition with injectable antibiotics
(clindamycin or penicillin G) are more likely to recover.
It is important to distinguish the disease from Kennel
Cough, which also causes coughing but which only rarely causes high fevers and severe
systemic illness. Prompt evaluation by a veterinarian is required to make a timely
diagnosis.
For additional information on Canine Streptococcal Toxic
Shock Syndrome or Kennel Cough contact your veterinarian, or either Dr. Fenwick at
fenwick@vet.ksu.edu or Dr. Keil at dkeil@vet.ksu.edu Department of Diagnostic Medicine /
Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, 1800 Denison Avenue
Manhattan, KS 66506-5606 or contact the AKC Canine Health Foundation.
ADDITIONAL CANINE HEALTH ADVISORY KENNEL COUGH “CANINE
INFECTIOUS TRACHEOBRONCHITIS”
Over the past several months there has been a notable
increase in the occurrence of a kennel cough in some groups of dogs (sporting events,
shows, shelters). The purpose of this communication is to provide some basic information
about this disease as well as to address confusion with other respiratory diseases in
dogs, in particular Canine Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome.
Kennel cough (also known as canine infectious
tracheobronchitis) is a highly contagious respiratory tract disease of dogs. Several
infectious agents (Bordatella bronchiseptica, canine parainfluenza virus and adenovirus
type-2) can cause kennel cough either alone or in combination. Research data demonstrates
that only Bordetella brochoniseptica is able to reliably induce the disease in healthy
dogs. It is also clear that there are various strains of Bordetella bronchiseptica, which
may explain why the occurrence and severity of the disease can vary and also be the basis
for why current vaccines do not reliably provide protection.
Kennel cough in dogs is very similar to whooping cough in
humans. Dogs with kennel cough suffer from continuous episodes of coughing that may result
in gagging or retching. The cough can be mistaken for choking because of its sudden onset,
self-perpetuating nature, and severity. Typically, these dogs have had recent contact with
an infected dog or group of dogs. Exposure can occur through direct contact with infected
dogs (i.e. pet stores, boarding and training kennels, dog shows, veterinary hospitals,
etc.) or through contact with contaminated objects, (i.e. water bowls, food bowl, etc.). A
diagnosis of kennel cough cannot be excluded because the dog has been vaccinated.
Dogs with kennel cough should be examined by a veterinarian
to confirm the diagnosis and for specific treatment recommendations. Fortunately, most
cases of kennel cough are self-limiting and will resolve without needing extraordinary
medical therapy. At a minimum, dogs with kennel cough should be isolated for 10-14 days to
prevent transmission of the organism to healthy dogs, and activities that may trigger
coughing episodes (i.e. exercise, barking, etc.) should be avoided. In some cases
antibiotic and/or antitussive therapy will be required. Dogs exhibiting fever, weight
loss, loss of appetite, vomiting or diarrhea, have a more serious disease and should be
immediately evaluated by a veterinarian.
For additional information on Kennel Cough contact your
veterinarian, or either Dr. Fenwick at fenwick@vet.ksu.edu or Dr. Keil at
dkeil@vet.ksu.edu Department of Diagnostic Medicine / Pathobiology, College of Veterinary
Medicine, Kansas State University, 1800 Denison Avenue Manhattan, KS 66506-5606 or contact
the AKC Canine Health Foundation.
AKC CHF UPDATES
Journal of the National Cancer Institute Addresses Canine
Genome Map: The February 3, 1999 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute,
vol. 91, no. 3, updates its readers on the Canine Genome Mapping effort. The article in
the new section titled, “Sit, DNA, Sit: Cancer Genetics Going to the Dogs,” by
Bob Kuska quotes Dr. Elaine Ostrander. Ostrander comments on the decades-old breed
genealogies and in some cases breed registries. “It is possible to say I’m
interested in all of the pedigrees that are related to this key pedigree and that
information can be obtained from breed clubs. Compared to human studies here you are
struggling just to identify a branch or cousins, it is awesome.” Dr. Ostrander’s
laboratory focuses on three major areas: breast cancer, prostate cancer and the canine
genome map.
The article begins by saying that scientists are
recognizing that, “the dog, with its many emerging strengths as a genetic model,
could join the mouse as the species of choice to unravel the mysteries of mammalian
genetics, considered to be the great challenge in biology in the next century.” This
is good news for dog breeders and owners as more resources could be targeted to study
important diseases in the dog and develop the basis science necessary to unravel the
canine genome.
Dr. Ostrander comments on why dogs are important to cancer
research. “Dogs gets lots of cancer. They live in our environment, they eat the food
that we do, and they get many, many of the same cancers.” In fact, cancer is the
number one disease killer of dogs.
Another note is that breeders will have more informed
choices about which dogs to include in their breeding program. Dr. Ostrander states,
“Breeders are aware that they are going to have dogs that epitomize everything that
is great about their breed, but that do carry a deleterious mutation,” she said.
“The only way to keep them in and the deleterious mutation out is going to be by
judicious breeder of carriers. The key is to try and dilute the gene from the breed.”
AKC/CHF Booth and Ralston Purina Raise Funds at Detroit
Kennel Club: Two of the busiest places at the very busy Detroit Kennel Club, which
recorded a record attendance, were the AKC Canine Health Foundation Booth and the Ralston
Purina Booth. The Foundation raised funds selling memberships in the Foundation and
T-shirts, while the Purina booth raised funds by distributing samples. Their combined
efforts resulted in over $8,000 for canine health research.
Presentations Around the Country: Robert Kelly made
presentations on the AKC CHF to the St. Croix Valley Kennel Club and the Lake Minnetonka
Kennel Club. Additional presentations were made to the Clumber Spaniel Club of America,
Central Florida Kennel Club, the American Boxer Club National Specialty, the Pointer Club
of America specialty, Hatboro Kennel Club, Irish Water Spaniel Club of America. In June,
CHF will visit the Poodle Club of America National Specialty.
Ohio State University Presents Program for Dog Breeders and
Owners: More than 70 breeders braved March weather conditions to attend the first OSU
Conference on Canine Genetic and Reproductive Issues. The conference, sponsored by Ralston
Purina and the AKC CHF, featured speakers on congenital and inherited diseases, hip
dysplasia, cancer, eye diseases and heart disease. Dr. Katherine Meurs presented an
overview on canine genetics; Dr. Grant Frazer, Dr. Walter Threlfall and Dr. Robert
Hutchison covered Reproduction topics; Nutritional topics, issues and answers, were
discussed by Dr. Sarah Abood.
Central Florida KC Hosts Event: On April 13, the Central
Florida Kennel Club hosted a buffet dinner followed by an educational presentation on
canine health research. Club President Diane Albers organized the event and invited AKC
Canine Health Foundation Executive Vice President Deborah Lynch to speak. The dinner was
well-attended by members of the Space Coast Kennel Club, the Toy Dog Club of Central
Florida, the Bulldog Club of Florida and the Seminole Dog Fanciers.
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SUPERINTENDENTS,
CLUBS AND AKC FIELD REPS
by Dorie Crowe
For many of the dog show years there were no AKC Field
Representatives. Since they came into being they have made a place for themselves at shows
that, if everyone is doing their job correctly, does not interfere or overstep. Instead,
the job of the Field Rep can and often does complement what Superintendents and Clubs do
and can help make our show day smoother.
Field Reps do not run the show. The Show Chairman (along
with the Show Committee) is in charge the day of the show and Superintendents, licensed by
AKC, are hired by the Club to conduct the show under American Kennel Club Rules and to
work closely with the Club to help produce the show the Club wants. While we are
responsible for running the show along with the Show Chairman, there are many things the
Field Reps do that relieve us of a number of the questions and involvement in some
situations that may occur during the day.
Many years ago we asked AKC exactly what the Field
Rep’s job was and received the answer they were on the show grounds to “observe
and report.” Over the years the duties of the Field Rep have evolved into a number of
activities, but their primary job still falls under “observe and report”.
On the day of the show the Field Rep’s responsibility
is largely concerned with judges. They conduct pre- and post-application interviews,
observe provisional judges, observe procedure in the ring, hold discussions with judges re
procedure, etc. They also handle complaints regarding judges, handle breed observation
forms, testing of prospective judges and additional breed applicants and they explain
Rules and Policies to exhibitors and advise exhibitors regarding disqualification, etc.
By the way, Field Reps do not make decisions regarding what
judges will take assignments due to illness or other absence on the day of the show. This
is solely the decision of the Show Chairman, with advice from the Superintendent as to
what can be done regarding the schedule once they’ve made their choice. Even if the
Superintendent offers the Club some choices, it is still the Club’s decision on who
will fill any vacancy. The Field Rep, however, can be a valuable tool in these situations
as they have knowledge of those who may have just become approved and may have knowledge
of who may be expected on the show grounds because of interviews, etc.
Field Reps are also there to support the club and back the
Show Chairman. They interpret AKC Rules, advise Show Committees and any accused of
procedures, rights and obligations in alleged misconduct situations. They also attend
event hearings as a counselor/advisor whenever possible. They help provide knowledge to
the club so the club may make an informed decision. This is especially important for Clubs
that handle their own shows and do not have the benefit of having a Superintendent on site
during their show.
They also observe the conduct of the show for Rules/Policy
violations and recommend fines/warnings, etc., where necessary.
Field Reps attend club meetings to speak or present
programs; they are active in seminars, workshops, and, of course, the Judges’
Institutes.
They are involved in show sites to the extent they look at
sites for clubs, they observe and report whether a site is adequate for the entry, whether
tenting is adequate, parking is adequate, etc.
Field Reps also study Rules and Policies and make
suggestions for revisions.
Just as many people who long to stay involved after years
in the Sport seek out positions with Superintending organizations, so too, many of the
Field Reps were once involved at various levels (judging, handling, exhibiting in both
Conformation and Obedience) in the Sport of Dogs. Many bring experience to this job from
multiples of those areas; some come directly from one. Whatever their circuit into the job
they help and educate as well as observe and report.
Just as with Superintendents, they don’t always give
you the answer you may want to hear. The relationship between your club and the Rep should
be comfortable. If everyone is doing their job the relationship shouldn’t be
adversarial at all. You should be able to trust they will be objective, will give answers
according to the Rules and Regulations, and will be operating in your club’s best
interest as well as in the best interests of the Sport.
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MEMORIES,
MEMORIES
By Tom Crowe
Some events during my life as a handler are still very
vivid in my memory and I thought I might share some of them with you just for the fun of
it. Here goes.
LESSON NUMBER ONE:
I had Mr. Ed Andrews of Akron, Ohio, Treasurer of the
Quaker Oats Company, as a German Shorthaired Pointer client. Ed was a real gentleman of
the old school and had a wonderful attitude and a real sense of humor. We had more than a
client/handler relationship. We were good friends. He is long gone from the dog scene and
is someone I would bring back if life after were possible, but to the incident.
Ed and I were at a show in Central Ohio and I had one of
his excellent Shorthairs entered in the open dog class. In my mind we didn’t really
have much competition all the way to BOB. Well, guess what, we were beaten in the class by
what I still believe was a scroungy looking mutt. I came out of the ring with fire in my
eyes and condemnation for the judge. I said to Ed, “That is one of the poorest
Shorthairs I have ever seen. He will never finish. Furthermore, that dog with that poor
confirmation wouldn’t last five minutes in the field.” Ed kind of looked at me
with a twinkle in his eye and turned to a man standing next to him and proceeded to
introduce us to each other. Ed said, “Tom, this is Mr. Johnson. We are friends and
run dogs in field trials together.” He continued, “And incidentally his dog that
just beat us is the top Field Champion in the United States and his win today also makes
him a Dual Champion.” I looked so pitiful and embarrassed that the three of us could
do nothing but laugh loud and long. Stick foot in mouth, bite toes.
A lesson well learned; don’t criticize dogs that beat
you. You can make a real fool of yourself.
LESSON NUMBER TWO:
In the early 1950s I had a client named George
Glassford.
We met as members of the Mahoning Shenango Kennel Club in Youngstown, Ohio. George had a
son named Tommy Glassford (One and the same). He also had two Irish Setters, Pat and
Jimmy. He asked me to show them. I agreed and that’s how this story begins. I took
Jimmy first and entered him in two shows in Batavia and Ashtabula. At Batavia I was lucky
and went from the open class through BOB and into the Group. No placement there. The next
day at Ashtabula, Percy Roberts was judging Irish and with such a good start I certainly
wanted to do all I could to make sure I repeated my feat of the previous day. The class
was called I entered the ring first and placed Jimmy first in line. Percy had a
ritualistic way of judging, to wit, “Show me the mouth.” “How old is this
dog?” I showed the mouth and then quietly blurted out he’s just over a year and
he went Best of Breed yesterday over specials. Percy wore a mustache that was curled on
each end and heavily waxed. From both ends of the mustache sparks exploded. He turned on
his heel and walked to the edge of the ring and approached another handler named Eddie
Bezdec and told him to come into the ring. Once Eddie was inside he told me to give my dog
to Eddie and he then escorted me to the far end of the ring. In no uncertain terms he
dressed me up one side and down the other and told me never, never ever make any comments
of the nature I had just made to him or any other judge as long as I wished to remain a
handler. I apologized. He told me to return to my dog. I did then we started over.
“Show me the mouth.” “How old is this dog?” The class then continued
and I went BOB from the classes.
I never forgot that lesson and I had a zipper placed on my
mouth as I entered every ring thereafter during my career as a handler.
LESSON NUMBER THREE
It was a cold (below zero) night in February when I pulled
into a little town in Indiana and went to the motel where I had a reservation. I went
inside to register and the manager asked if I had dogs in my van. When I said,
“Yes,” he informed me he did not allow dogs in the rooms. I pleaded in vain and
then decided to go to the show building, a dance hall. I went inside and found a pre-show
dinner party in progress with no dogs in the building. The Show Chairlady, a little old
lady, informed me that no dogs were allowed in the building until the next morning. She
pointed me to a tent outside with a space heater running and the place was thick with
fumes and exhaust smoke. At this point I exploded, “You want me to put these valuable
dogs in that tent in this weather?” We had quite a few words further during which I
emphatically told her I was going to leave and never ever enter her show again. She
relented and suggested a compromise. She would let me bring the dogs into the building if
I would put them in a corner and cover them so they wouldn’t make any noise. I agreed
and the dogs were brought into the building placed in the selected corner, quietly fed,
exercised and covered up. I then returned to the motel.
The next morning the little old lady told me the dogs were
very quiet and caused no problems. I thanked her and then went on about the business of
showing my dogs. What a day I had. I couldn’t lose for winning. I won every Group
except the Non-Sporting group. I then topped it off by going Best in Show. As I accepted
all the handshakes and ribbons the little old lady handed me the Best in Show trophy and
slyly asked with a little twinkle in her eye, “Mr. Crowe, you will come back next
year won’t you?”
I had made another of those foolish blunders that I shall
always remember, but I did it for my dogs and their owners. I never went back. The
following year I became a Superintendent and my handling career had ended. The little old
lady remembered, however, and I was never asked to Superintend her show. She is long gone
now but I’ll always remember the hard time I gave her and wish I could have made
amends.
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Student Outreach Projects
by Leigh Ann Wilder
As one of the nation’s leading institutions in
veterinary medicine, the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine provides its students
with the medical, technical and problem-solving skills necessary to become successful
practitioners. But the faculty, staff and administration of the CVM also stress to the
students the importance of their actions in advancing the veterinary profession. The
College instills a sense of personal accountability to encourage students to serve as
resources for their community.
They are listening... Two newly formed student projects
embody the spirit of community service and are expanding the CVM’s outreach efforts
with the public. The Human Animal Bond project, organized by the second-year students, and
Planned Pethood, a third-year student project, are fast becoming signature community
outreach efforts of the College. The students have created new partnerships in the
community that will benefit future CVM students, the College and ultimately, both the
animals and humans in their community.
HUMAN ANIMAL BOND
The Human Animal Bond project (HAB) was started by
second-year student Ivy Oakley as a means of cultivating the partnership between the human
and animal medical professions. As Ivy explains, “The research on the benefits of the
bond between humans and animals is growing. I know from personal experience that animals
have a unique power to heal and comfort people. Like a lot of my fellow students, my
connection with animals led me to veterinary school. HAB was a way for the sophomore class
to share this bond with members of the community who really need support and a sense of
connection.”
Oakley’s first step was to call the Rex Hospital
Convalescent Care Center, which is located in close proximity to the college. Kerrie Troy,
Recreation Therapy Manager at the Convalescent Center, had been looking for a pet therapy
group for her patients when she received the call from Oakley. Troy picks up the story:
“We were absolutely thrilled that the CVM students were starting this project and
were anxious to be involved from day one. We have a bird in one of our activity rooms and
many of our patients are drawn to it. We knew this would be something that our patients
would enjoy.”
Oakley and Troy spent the next several months negotiating
with the University and Hospital legal departments to insure the proper release forms and
insurance issues were covered. Oakley then organized the first HAB training session for
both volunteers and animals at the CVM in January.
The training session attracted more than 30 sophomore
students, as well as CVM faculty and staff members and their pets for a rigorous screening
that included both health examinations and behavior observations. The second-year students
increased their examination skills by first conducting a complete health screen on each of
the animals. Students checked for external and internal parasites, took an extensive
health history and administered vaccinations.
The second phase of the HAB training session included 12
stations to test the animal’s behavior and reactions to a variety of scenarios.
Several students dressed in hospital gowns and sat in wheelchairs to introduce the animals
to the equipment and environment that they may encounter in a visit to a rest home or
convalescence center. Other stations included students testing for food aggressiveness,
reactions to loud noises and erratic behavior.
The students also observed the pet’s reactions with
each other, since the animals would be participating in the site visits as a team. At the
end of the first training session, the HAB project had a volunteer team that included 13
cats, two Guinea Pigs and more than 20 dogs, including a blind dog, for their visits to
the Rex Hospital Convalescent Care Center.
The first HAB visit to Rex Convalescent Center took place
on February 15, 1999, with more than 15 students and 25-30 patients with a range of health
issues including Alzheimer’s disease and many patients who were unable to
communicate. According to Troy, words were not necessary, “You could just see their
faces absolutely light up when the HAB group came in. They love seeing the animals, but
the opportunity to interact with the students is also a big part of the enjoyment.”
The HAB volunteers worked individually with the patients
and even brought a Polaroid camera to take pictures of the patients with the pets. For
patients that were unable to leave their room, several students went on to the ward floors
with their pets for private sessions. Troy says many of the patients display the Polaroid
shots from the HAB visit prominently in their rooms.
The second site visit on March 29, was also a huge success
with the activity room filled with patients who had heard of the HAB project. The HAB
volunteers have also grown in ranks as people hear about the project, and Oakley is in
contact with other area adult day care and convalescent centers to expand the site visits.
PLANNED PETHOOD
The third-year student project, Planned Pethood, was
developed in partnership with the Wake County Animal Shelter to expand the surgery,
team-building and communication skills of third-year students while providing a valuable
service to the shelter and the community. Planned Pethood includes a monthly surgery day
to spay and neuter pets at the shelter and a monthly new pet owner class. Third-year
student Tiffany Rule coordinates the surgery days and works with fellow student Amy
Lesniak to coordinate the class time.
Planned Pethood surgery days are held one Sunday per month
in the Wake County Animal Shelter’s surgery room. The surgery team includes nine
third-year CVM students and a faculty member or a licensed veterinarian from the
community. The students work in teams with three per table and practice their skills in
anesthesia, surgery, monitoring and recovery for both dogs and cats. The Planned Pethood
volunteers work for six hours to spay and neuter an average of 20 animals per month,
increasing their adoptability by 70%.
The student volunteers from Planned Pethood also coordinate
a monthly new pet owner class in the Wake County Shelter’s education room. Students
work with the shelter staff to advertise classes to all new pet owners. As student Tiffany
Rule explains, “One of the most common reasons for euthanizing a pet in this country
is because of unacceptable behavior. It’s not enough for us to help make the animals
more adoptable, we have to prevent them from coming back in to the shelters by educating
new pet owners on what they can expect.” The clinic also gives students another
opportunity to work on team-building skills as well as presentation and communication
skills.
The class is a comprehensive overview of pet ownership.
Topics covered include pet identification, nutrition, grooming, common household dangers
for pets, common parasites and how to protect pets from them. A large portion of the
clinic is also devoted to pet behavior issues including socialization, chewing, separation
anxiety and obedience.
The students bring their own animals to demonstrate
different portions of the class, and provide examples of basic equipment like nail
trimmers, pet identification tags and chips, and even popular pet toys. Class participants
are also given a packet of information that includes handouts on the clinic topics and
coupons for area pet stores.
The students also structure the class so there is a large
amount of discussion time and a question-and-answer period. The first clinic was held in
February with more than 15 new pet owners in attendance.
The rising third-year class will expand the program to
include weekly surgical visits, tripling the number of animals who are spayed and neutered
and further increasing the students’ surgical experience. The students are also
working with Dr. Kelli Ferris, Community Outreach Coordinator at the CVM, to investigate
opportunities for the Planned Pethood program to service rural communities in the state.
Planned Pethood has garnered significant support with
several clinics donating surgery supplies, and individual animal lovers are also providing
seed money. North Carolina Veterinary Medical Foundation Board of Directors, Mary Jo
Pringle, of Kinston, and Parker Overton, of Greenville, have supported the program in
hopes Planned Pethood will expand statewide. But the greatest need, according to Tiffany
Rule, is “community veterinarian involvement and participation in the Planned Pethood
surgery days. We really want CVM alumni and local vets working together with the students
to make this project a success.”
Whether it’s increasing their surgery, diagnostic or
client communication skills, CVM students are helping themselves become better
veterinarians while helping the community. The new student outreach programs are also a
means to share the CVM’s mission and vision with the public. Perhaps the most
important message these students are sharing with the public is that they are more than
future veterinarians they are future community leaders. For more information on Student
Outreach Projects, call 919-513-6427.
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The Shaggy Dog Stories
DOG HAIKU
I love my master; Thus I perfume myself with This
long-rotten squirrel
I lie belly-up In sunshine, happier than You will ever be
Many dog behinds I have sniffed— I celebrate By
kissing your face
I sound the alarm! Paper boy— will kill us all Look!
Look! Look! Look! Look!
I sound the alarm! Garbage man— will kill us all Look!
Look! Look! Look! Look!
I lift my leg and Whiz on each bush. Hello, Spot—
Sniff this and weep
How do I love thee? The ways are numberless as My hairs on
the rug
My human is home! I’m so ecstatic I have Made a puddle
now
I hate my choke chain Look, world, they strangle me! Ack!
Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack!
Sleeping here, my chin On your foot — no greater
bliss, Except catching rats
Look in my eyes and Deny it. No human could Love you as I
do
The cat is not all Bad — she fills the litter box With
these Tootsie Rolls
Dig under fence — why? Because it’s there.
Because it’s There. Because it’s there
I am your best friend, Now, always, and certainly When you
are eating
My owners’ mood is Romantic— at their feet I let
loose a loud one (Submitted by Kristina Haarman via the Internet)
IF…
If you can start the day without caffeine, If you can get
going without pep pills, If you can resist complaining and boring people with your
troubles, If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it, If you can
understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time, If you can overlook it
when something goes wrong through no fault of yours and those you love take it out on you,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment, If you can ignore a friend’s
limited education and never correct him, If you can resist treating a rich friend better
than a poor friend, If you can face the world without lies or deceit, If you can conquer
tension without medical help, If you can relax without liquor, If you can sleep without
the aid of drugs, If you can say honestly that deep in your heart you have no prejudice
against creed, color religion or politics, Then, my friends, you are almost as good as
your dog. AMEN
(submitted by Joan Rea, via Ann Landers newspaper column,
via Internet)
THE SMILE
She smiled at a sorrowful stranger. The smile seemed to
make him feel better. He remembered past kindnesses of a friend and wrote him a thank you
letter. The friend was so pleased with the thank you that he left a large tip after lunch.
The waitress, surprised by the size of the tip, bet the whole thing on a hunch. The next
day she picked up her winnings, and gave part to a man on the street. The man on the
street was grateful; for two days he’d had nothing to eat. After he finished his
dinner, he left for his small dingy room. He didn’t know at that moment that he might
be facing his doom. On the way he picked up a shivering puppy and took him home to get
warm. The puppy was very grateful to be in out of the storm. That night the house caught
on fire. The puppy barked the alarm. He barked till he woke the whole household and saved
everybody from harm. One of the boys that he rescued grew up to be President. All this
because of a simple smile that hadn’t cost a cent.
(submitted via the Internet)
Humor is a good thing.
If you have a favorite doggy laff
-- particularly a true story --
please send it in and share a good laff with fellow dog enthusiasts.
Send to:
MB-F, Inc.
c/o The Shaggy Dog
P.O. Box 22107
Greensboro, NC 27420
e-mail: mbf@infodog.com
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