By Pamela Fitzpatrick, of YourDogWalkers, shihtzu58@optonline.net

August and Animals 

Did you know that August 24 marks the date that the Animal Welfare Act was signed into law? This 1966 act, the original intent of which was to regulate the care and use of animals in the laboratory, has become the only Federal law in the United States that regulates the treatment of animals in research, exhibition, transport, and by dealers. Other laws, policies, and guidelines may include additional species coverage or specifications for animal care and use, but all refer to the Animal Welfare Act as the minimum acceptable standard.

ASPCA founder Henry Bergh was born on August 29, 1813.  In addition to founding the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1866,   Mr. Bergh also helped form the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.   According to their website, the ASPCA was the first humane organization in the Western Hemisphere, and continues today with their mission “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.”

Finally, most of us have heard of ‘Dog Days of Summer’ those hot late summer days when the air is hot and stagnant. In some European cultures, July 24 through August 24 is still considered to be the dog days.  The name comes from the ancient belief that Sirius, (aka the Dog Star), is closest to  the sun during the ‘Dog Days’ and that proximity was responsible for the hot weather.  Sirius, which is found in the Canis Major (Big Dog) constellation, is the brightest star in our summer night sky.  Why not look up at the stars tonight and see if you can see it?

By Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

Recently at a hearing and protest against Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) in Rockville Centre, two petite female Pit Bulls came in with their owners adorned in their service dog vets and ID’s.  At first the police were refusing to let them in, until the owners spoke to them and showed them their ID, which the police looked up and finally let them in.  When they walked past the crowd of over 400 people in the gymnasium at the hearing, cheers and clapping erupted for them. A tiny bit startled it for a second, but they took it all in stride, smiling and wagging their tails.  Wrinkles and Cinnamon are a mother daughter duo of red-nose American Pit Bull Terriers, and Wrinkles is a service dog for her owner and Cinnamon is a therapy dog training to work in psychological and children’s hospitals.

Wrinkles became a service dog by showing in innate ability to keep her owner calm and alerting him when his blood sugar went low.  Joe Caufield, Wrinkles owner, is a diabetic who also suffers from post traumatic stress disorder.  Joe said he noticed that if his blood sugar was low, Wrinkles would stay right next to him, lick him and sometimes bark at him, and he mentioned she never barks for any other reason.  He also mentioned that Wrinkles really helps keep him calm and very confident.  After being a victim of a robbery some years ago, he was afraid to leave his house, nervous going outside and doing things on his own, until Wrinkles who he has had since a small pup came into his life.  Joe said, “Wrinkles gives me that confidence I needed to feel more relaxed to go outside especially at night time. She knows she is going to work when her jacket goes on, it’s amazing.”  Wrinkles also carries Joe’s much needed sugar pills in her jacket just in case he needs them. Wrinkles, who is 6-years old, is a registered service dog through the US Service Dog Registry that follows the guidelines of the ADA.

Cinnamon who is Wrinkles daughter is owned by Joe’s daughter Jennifer Collaro-Visalli.  Cinnamon still a pup at 7-months is already following in her mom’s paw prints and is in training to be a Therapy dog.  Jennifer plans on having her work as a therapy dog in a children’s hospital, in psychological wards and more.  She wants Cinnamon help bring joy to kids while in the hospital, and help brighten their day.

Wrinkles and Cinnamon were so well behaved and greeting everyone at the BSL protest with licks, wags and kisses, (and even the police officers!), and true ambassadors of this wonderful breed of dog.   While many people often think of service, assistance or therapy as other breeds American Pit Bull Terriers are proving here on Long Island and across the country that they are capable of working just as well as other breeds of assistance dogs, and thrive while doing so.

Have a Pit Bull or dog that you would love to do therapy work with?  A good suggestion is that you can take a four week CGC (Canine Good Citizen) and TD (Therapy Dog) preparation class at Doggie U K9 Academy. (www.doggieuk9.com). In order for your dog to do therapy work, he will need to pass and TDI test.  This course will prepare you and your dog for each and give you an idea of what to expect on testing day, and what it takes for your dog to be a therapy dog.   And as a Pit Bull owner, having your dog certified as a Canine Good Citizen by passing that test is excellent to have. Being a therapy dog owner/handler is a very rewarding experience, a fantastic way to give back and great way to bond with your dog.

For more information on Wrinkles and Cinnamon go to: http://www.wrinklescorner.com/

Cinnamon (left), Wrinkles (right)

Wrinkles at work!

By Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

This week from Sunday, August 8 through Saturday, August 14, National Assistance Dog Week (NADW), http://www.assistancedogweek.org/, is celebrated across the United States.  In recognition for all the amazing things assistance dogs do for their companions, to help them live their lives to the fullest – NADW was born.  Whether the person is blind, visually impaired, a diabetic, an amputee, has a traumatic brain injury, post traumatic stress disorder or owns and works with a therapy dog, we honor all the canines, their handlers and trainers this week.

Here on Long Island we are fortunate to have a two dedicated organizations that train dogs to be assistance dogs. The Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc., in Smithtown was started 1946 and has been providing guide dogs free of charge to blind people who seek enhanced mobility and independence. Located in Patchogue, the Northeast Region of Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), provides highly trained assistance dogs, that are also free of charge to children and adults with disabilities in 13 states across the Northeast and opened 1989.  Both of these much needed amazing organizations are non-for-profit and relay on donations to continue their efforts.

While the Guide Dog Foundation continues to provide dogs to assist the blind and visually impaired and they also have a sister organization called America’s VetDogs.  America’s VetDogs was created to consolidate and increase their outreach to veterans. VetDogs provides guide dogs for veterans who are blind or visually impaired; service dogs for those with disabilities other than blindness (amputations, traumatic brain injuries, post traumatic stress disorder, etc.); specialized facilities dogs that provide physical and occupation therapy at VA and military hospitals. Also, unique combat stress control dogs that are deployed with combat stress control teams to work with soldiers in the field dealing with combat stress, issues on the home front, or sleep disorders.

Photo’s courtesy America’s VetDogs and The Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind/William Krol

The Guide Dog Foundation has developed a special balance harness for work with amputees and provide refresher training for guide dog users. Guide dogs are also taught “intelligent disobedience,” which means that they will not proceed if they and their handler are in danger.  For disabled veterans with traumatic brain injuries who may also suffer from some cognitive impairment, a service dog trained with intelligent disobedience stops them from crossing a street if a car is coming.

“With the expansion of both our guide and service dog programs, there many career paths for our dogs. It’s rewarding to us that so many more people can be helped by a dog that’s matched with someone who needs it the most – no matter what its job,” stated William A. Krol, Communications Manager at the Guide Dog Foundation. “Each day is a new adventure as we serve people with disabilities, but we could not accomplish what we do without our donors, volunteers, and staff. We are supported entirely thanks to the generosity of individuals, corporations, foundations, and service groups. We do not receive regular government funding.”

At Canine Companions for Independence which started in 1975 in Santa Rosa, CA, and has regions across the US including our own in Patchogue, the life changing result begins with their CCI breeding program.  They use advanced technology, so with their breeding program they meticulously select and pair dogs for breeding.  Volunteer breeder caretakers provide homes for the breeder dogs and whelp the puppies, returning the puppies to CCI national headquarters in Santa Rosa, California at age eight weeks.

Then the puppies are placed in volunteer puppy raiser homes across the US for socialization and obedience training.  At the ages between fifteen and eighteen months the puppies return to one of five CCI Regional Training Centers across the country for six months of in depth training.

CCI dogs are train four types of assistance dogs and master over 40 specialized commands.  The dogs are trained in one of the following categories: Service Dogs, Skilled Companions, Hearing Dogs and Facility Dogs. Once the dog has completed the training, the dogs are teamed with a graduate during an intensive two week training period, called Team Training.

While these dogs are friendly, they are working dogs.  The general public needs to respect this and always ask their handler if they can say hello prior to petting the dog.  As this goes with any dog, it is especially important for assistance dogs.  We applaud all the hard work the dogs, organizations and volunteers do to continue to make assistance dogs a possibile and vital part of their owner’s lives.

For more information on how you can become involved with either the Guide Dog Foundation or Canine Companions for Independence as a puppy raiser, volunteer or make donations go to their respective websites: http://www.guidedog.org/content.aspx?id=548 or http://www.cci.org/site/c.cdKGIRNqEmG/b.3978475/k.BED8/Home.html

By Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

Firemen, hot cars and cool dogs all for a great cause!

Calling all hot rod enthusiasts and dog lovers!  There is a really cool event coming up on August 28th in Merrick, a car show and swap meet – but this has a twist, it’s gone to the dogs!  The first annual “Cruisin’ for Canines,” hosted by Vinyl Concepts, a local family owned and operated sign business, will bring together two of mans, (and woman’s) favorite things, cool cars and their four-legged best friends. The best part is all the proceeds from Cruisin’ for Companions will be donated to Forgotten Friends of Long Island Animal Rescue to continue their mission to save pets on Long Island and The North Merrick Fire Department to maintain their volunteer efforts for the community.

Vinyl Concepts decided to create this unique furtastic event for their love of animals. Owners, Joann & Jesse Ferrara adopted both their dogs and they can’t imagine their lives without them.  Joann Ferrara said, “This show will bring people together and continue to save lives of precious animals who have been overlooked and deserve a second chance.”

“Cruisin’ for Companions” will take place on Saturday, August 28th from 9am to 5pm with a rain date of Saturday, September 4th.  The event will be located at Four Towns Training Center (Fireman’s Field) on Merrick Road in Merrick. (Off of exit M9E on the Meadowbrook Pkwy.) This family event will have something for everyone. A mobile pet adoption from Forgotten Friends of Long Island Animal Rescue, judging and trophies for the car participants, doggie contests, all kinds of vendors, professional photography for cars & pets and raffles much more!

Admission for adults is $6.00.  Children are FREE and Pets are FREE.  For Pre-registered car participants the admission fee is $25.00. For same day car participants the admission fee is $30.00.

Long Islander’s love their cars, and their dogs – don’t miss this pawsome event, to benefit two amazing organizations. So come down with your dog for a great cause! Please make sure you’re responsible for pet, by curbing your dog and making sure that they are vaccinated and play good with others.  If you don’t have a four-legged friend, there will be plenty of pets that need a good home available for adoption.  So, open your mind, heart and home to the animals in need.  And heck, there might be some hot firemen there to go along with the hot cars!

For more details on how to register your car for the event or to become a vendor call Joann (516) 804-9461 or go to:  http://www.vinylconceptscorp.com/Vinyl_Concepts/News.html

June 25, 2010
by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

Hitting the road with your pet

Summer time and road trips go hand in hand and many people now travel with their pet. It is great to be able to bring your pet, but you should prepare properly so in case of an emergency or if your car breaks down, your pets will be safe. Even if you are just taking a road trip to the East End of Long Island it is good to be prepared. Some things to consider are:

• Knowing where the local emergency veterinarian is where you are traveling to.
• Have an extra dog leash, collar, foldable cat carrier, pet food, water and water bowl.
• If your pet is not used to being in the car accept for going to the vet or groomers office, then think about taking them on shorter trips to get them used to it a few weeks prior.
• Rescue Remedy is a great product to help calm a pet while on the road, and is a natural product.
• Traveling with a dog can be a lot of fun, but safety even inside the car is important. Crating a dog while in the car works great, and many people who show dogs, this is the only way how they will travel with their dog while on the road. There are also seat belts for dogs these days, mainly harnesses that have seatbelt attachments.
• Bring a portable pet first-aid kit and have any medication your pet is on with, as well as medical records from the pets vet.
• Make sure where you are traveling too does not have breed restrictions on dogs, or species of certain reptiles. Some areas can confiscate a breed of dog or reptile that may be outlawed. Check state and local laws before you leave town with your pet.
• Staying at a hotel? Make sure it is pet friendly, highly recommend for pets and has amenities for pets nearby or has a listing for you when you arrive.
• Parks – make sure if you decide to go into a park with your pet, that the pet is actually allowed there first. Camping? Some parks require a lot of paperwork if you are bringing a dog, i.e. proof of dog license, rabies vaccination proof and more. Check first!
• Leaving your pet home? Book a pet sitter or day care in advance as they fill up fast in the summer months. You can find local places here:

A few other things to take into consideration are, if the weather is different where you are traveling too. Is it hotter? Pets can have different reactions to such. Never brought your pet with you before? Sometimes a new environment can throw off even the calmest pet, be sure to watch for signs of distress. Just because you’re eating out, new foods or adding things to your diet, doesn’t mean you should do the same with your pet. Try to stick to their normal eating schedule and regular food and treats they eat at home. Most of all enjoy your vacation with your pet, but these above tips should help that!