By Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com
Pets & Hurricane Safety

With Hurricane Earl churning up the sea and seems to be heading towards the US coastline, it brings the question to light, “what would I do in a disaster with my pet? Where would I go? Can my pet come with me to a shelter?” Being and island without a real “escape” route in case of a natural disaster like a hurricane or bad Nor’easter this is something all Long Island pet owners should be aware of.

In Suffolk County we are fortunate that if there was a natural disaster there are 3 dedicated spaces that are pet-friendly emergency shelters – acting as a safe haven that could house dogs, cats, birds and their owners in case of evacuation in a disaster.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy made sure that people would have a place to go to with their pets. It would depend on what shelter would open, in regards to where the disaster happened. In other words, if the disaster happened on the East End, then a space near Yapank would open, and if it was in Smithtown one close to that area would open. You can find out more information about Suffolk County by going to their Office of Emergency Management here: http://suffolkcountyny.gov/departments/firerescue.aspx and useful pet information here: http://suffolkcountyny.gov/Home/departments/firerescue/Office%20of%20Emergency%20Management/Information%20for%20Pet%20Owners.aspx

Unfortunately in Nassau, there are not any dedicated pet-friendly emergency shelters at the moment. However, there is a non-for-profit organization called Pet Safe Coalition, Inc. (http://www.petsafecoalition.org/) who is working to help educate the public and help pet owners keep pets safe when a disaster strikes. They are also raising awareness about pet safety in disasters and provide informational resources to public officials.

“Sheltering plans in disasters will accommodate only a fraction of the pet population in Nassau County so the most important thing an individual pet owner can do is to make plans for their own pets,” said Nancy Lynch President, of Pet Safe Coalition.

Things all Long Island pet owners should do in advance of any emergency or natural disaster is have a proper collar on your dog or cat with ID, have a pet first aid kit in your car and home with at least a weeks worth of pet food, canned is best, keep an extra leash and collar with ID in your car for each pet, (or with the pet first aid kit), in case you have to get out in a hurry and your pet doesn’t have their collar on. You should also have an in-case of fire or emergency sticker on your front door or window stating how many pets are inside and what type. This way if you were not home, neighbors or emergency officials will know there may be a pet inside.

Nancy Lynch also added to the following plans pet owners should make: 1.) Ask friends, relatives, breed club members, groomers, trainers or others outside the affected area whether they could shelter your animals. 2.) Contact hotels and motels outside of your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets. Ask if a no pet policy could be waived in a disaster. 3.) Make sure your pet is a more welcome guest by having a crate and carrier for each animal. 4.) As hurricane approaches call ahead to confirm emergency shelter arrangements and get directions. 5.) Don’t wait until the last minute to evacuate. Make sure your gas tank is full and bring your cell phone and car charger. And develop a plan and practice it.

Also if you are heading to the beach within the next few days to check out the surf, and plan on bringing your dog with you, be to keep him or her leashed.  Waves in general can be dangerous for any dog and with rip tides and pounding waves – dogs don’t know not to go in the water.  Be a responsible dog owner, and please keep Bella or Max on a leash for their safety.

Waves from a past storm out at sea.

By Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

The 35th Annual Hampton Classic

The tents are up, the horses are competing and people from all over the world are coming to watch or compete in the 35th Annual Hampton Classic.  This week long jumping competition is a spectacular way to see horses and their riders up close compete in all levels of jumping competitions.  If you are a native Long Islander and have yet to attend this Hamptons classic, you don’t know what you are missing.  This event is very kid and dog friendly, as long as your dog is leashed, well behaved, friendly, and won’t freak out seeing a horse. 

Also if your kids like animals, they will love this.  Especially the exotic animals that are on display and on Saturday, September 4th is the annual Cablevision Kids Day with all kinds of activities geared for your 2-legged kids.

   
Some of the animals your kids can see pretty close.

The classic started on Sunday, August 29th and runs through Sunday, September 6, 2010 with many events during the week.  Try to go during one of the weekdays when it is less crowded and you will be able to see more.  There is also the ‘Boutique Garden’ there with a ton of vendors for your shopping pleasure.  Its $20 bucks for a car load of people or $10 a person.  If you were lucky to go today, admission was free!   For more information on the classic go to: www.hamptonclassic.com

By Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

A remarkable place on Long Island that has been around for just over 75 years but still not known by many LI suburbanites, is the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, (www.QuogueWildlifeRefuge.org), in Quogue, NY.  This is a magical place for little kids and big kids alike, and if you like nature, exploring and learning, you have to visit.  The refuge is one of the last few places you can still go to 7-days a week from sunrise to sunset and it is free.  This unspoiled beautiful piece of land is home to many native wild animals as well as a few from other countries. 

When you arrive you will be greeted by two African Spurred Tortoises that are housed next to one of the original buildings which now houses the Ice Harvesting Exhibit.  After you pass through the entrance gate, you will see animals that are there because they were injured or not legal to have as a pet, that now live their lives, in this place, with plenty of food.  All of these housed animals are all native to New York State.  There is a bald eagle which is very impressive to see so close, a beautiful bobcat, Red Fox, Red-tailed hawks and a few very cool hooting owls.  Beyond that are seven miles of nature trails which go from a deciduous forest environment to ecologically rare Dwarf Pines habitat, in which there are only 3 other places in the world, (yes in the world!), that has that eco-system.  Pretty impressive.  Along the trails you can see a cranberry bog, carnivorous plants, prickly pear cactus and the endangered Pink Lady Slipper orchid, all of these plants are native to LI.

There is a native butterfly garden to the right of the housed animals and The Nature Center Building to the left that is suspended over Old Ice Pond with a beautiful view.  You almost feel as if you are somewhere upstate in a secluded area.  The refuge also has daily camp programs, educational programs for children and adults, and many different animals, fish and snakes for your children to learn about.  They offer green birthday programs a unique twist on a kid’s birthday, and in the winter the refuge lends out snow shoes and cross country skies.  How cool is that?  In the spring, summer and fall months there are many different events including kayaking trips, full moon night hikes, and more.

In speaking with Marisa Nelson, the refuge’s Assistant Director, I asked her what she loves most about working in such a unique, beautiful place and she said, “That everyday here is different, and meeting people who come to learn and explore.  Also the change of seasons here, each season brings new beauty, something new to see and how the wildlife adapts to the changing conditions.”  

One thing important to know, the Quogue Wildlife Refuge is not a dumping ground for unwanted pets, or wild animals that were illegally owned. (They will not take them in)  It is also not a place to walk your dog or bicycle; there are plenty of other places to do that.  This is a place to come and explore on foot an incredible natural environment, see beautiful animals up close and learn more about this amazing Island we live on. 

The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is a non-for-profit organization and it is there obligation to serve as responsible land steward of the refuge property and its natural resources, as well as to promote, implement, support and assist environmental education and wildlife management. 

African Spurred Tortoises

See slideshow below for more pics!

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