Innovation Showcase Update: Prince Street Puppy Project

When Eileen Higginbotham presented the Prince Street Puppy Project to Summit 2014 delegates, it was facing some legislative dilemmas. The classrooms are still devoid of dogs, but progress is being made and efforts are underway to change policies. Have a look at this PowerPoint update sent in from Eileen! 

Prince Street Puppy Project Update

Innovation Showcase Update: K9H20

Kendall De Menech
InfoStream Guest Author 

The New Year has started out with a a very busy program at K9H2O. Over 60 pets swim per week in the pool. Many are dogs who are pre or post surgical (cruciate recovery, amputation and spinal issues are prevalent) and learn to swim, and senior swims add to the numbers.

Our Cat Swim Program is entering its official second year and to date, I have six cats currently swimming. Reasons and conditions for felines requiring aqua therapy include three indoor cats for weight loss. One, a large black and white male named Seamus, has lost 2.5 kg in the last six months. One orange male cat named Cornelius, swims to maintain muscle strength (he was hit by a car and suffered a fractured pelvis and had bilateral hip removal), and a one year old  tabby kitten swims with his Labrador sister for fun. The remaining cat was born with deformed hind legs and the paws faced upwards. Surgery was performed at Boundary Bay Specialty Hospital in Langley BC, and one hind paw was successfully rotated. The white and orange cat known as Lightning, swims to increase muscle strength and flexibility and to establish a proper left/right gait in the hind quarters.

I continue to be amazed at how our "lesson plan" to swim cats is so  successful.  A gentle and respectful approach to teaching cats to enter the water has proven to prevent the cat from going to "fight or flight". It is safe and humane. 

Although I do not see cats taking treats or distracting to playfulness, I think the stress level involved in swimming is not any higher than a cat having a visit to the veterinarian for the purpose of drawing a blood sample. Cats exit the water calmly and settle into a dry towel and a hug at the end of their swim. Further development of this program is ongoing on a daily basis as I try to offer the best care for cats who may be in need of the valuable  benefits offered through aqua therapy. 

It is a unique program to be sure. Marketing it is a challenge as public perception to swimming a cat is generally negative, and encouraging veterinarians to explore the concept is also asking them to think outside the box. 

Positive progress continues at K9H2O.

Emerging Leader, Valina Pope, shares Summit experience

Anna MacNeil-Allcock

InfoStream Staff Writer 

Eight emerging leaders were awarded scholarships to attend the 9th annual Summit for Urban Animal Strategies in October 2014. Co-founder of Starstruck Labradors, Valina Pope, accepted one of two Rolf C. Hagen Emerging Leader Scholarships. 

InfoStream staff writer Anna MacNeill-Allcock caught up with Valina at her home north of Calgary to discover the qualities that caught the attention of the urban animal industry and ask about her Summit experience.  

InfoStream (IS): How did you come to be involved in the pet industry?

Valina Pope (VP): I had plans for university at a very young age. I wanted to do something in medicine, or genetics, and research involving both. However, after working so hard in school and saving money, I was in a head-on collision on a major highway. One of my many injuries was head trauma, which has resulted in long-term memory issues. To this day, I can not remember the years since the accident, but the years before are crystal clear! I could not attend university due to my injuries. 

I was employed by Colette Francis (Pooch Palace Kennels) as kennel help after the accident. She taught me what it meant to be an ethical breeder, regardless of what you breed. She opened my eyes!

So, when I applied the knowledge I have kept from before the accident to my current life, somehow, I ended up breeding Labrador Retrievers! I chose “labs” because of the potential to create genetically superior pets that can better serve as healthier, longer-lived pets and assistance dogs. We have already seen some of the results of our unique approach to breeding.  

IS: What is driving your passion in the pet industry?

VP: I feel that if we can truly work together, we can build a positive pet experience, as well as eliminating the suffering of animals - both homeless and poorly homed. 

IS: What is the most satisfying part of your job?

VP: Personally, the moment for me, is seeing the positive difference I have made in families across North America.  

IS: What is the most challenging part of your job?

VP: Well, the more people I meet, the more I like my dogs! The most difficult (although rewarding) part of my job is the struggle to educate people. It feels like some people will not, or can not, be taught or want to learn! It can be frustrating. At the same time, when successful, this can be one of the most rewarding experiences! 

IS: Do you have any programs/ initiatives that you are especially passionate about?

VP: We are working to improve the quality of pet we offer, the education we can provide, and the ways in which we deliver these. I hope to use collaboration between different branches/organizations involved in the pet experience to accomplish this.  

IS: What would you like to see happen in your sector over the next few years?

VP: Further collaboration of vested parties to benefit the pets and companion animals in our reach.

IS: What was your experience at the Summit?

VP: My experience was very good. It taught me lessons I can apply both professionally, as well as personally. I couldn’t have hoped for more! 

IS: How might  attending the Summit have helped you in your mission?

VP: Attending the Summit enabled me to meet many new people in the industry and will help me along the path that I hope to tread for many years to come. I will be applying the many lessons I learned at the Summit to all aspects of my career and projects over the coming years.

IS: What kind of an impact do you expect this to have on the Companion Animal Industry?

VP: Ideally, of course, we all hope to begin a wave. Like ripples in a pond, we aspire to change the world around us. Some of our efforts will be, of course, quieted by larger waves. But that can not dissuade us from making a splash when something really matters!

Valina Pope is the owner of Starstruck Labradors and was awarded the Rolf C. Hagen Scholarship for her contribution to Retail and Commercial Services.

Valina has adopted one of the more unique models for breeding and raising dogs on a larger scale. Starstruck Labradors involves more than 30 breeding Labrador Retrievers, each living in a home environment with their families. Given that one of the largest concerns with commercial breeding facilities is the welfare of the adult female dogs, this model is of great interest.

To encourage the highest quality of care, Valina has developed a strong contract and holds her adoptive families accountable. The adoptive families agree to breeding their pet and Valina is responsible for finding homes for the puppies. Only once has she needed to remove one of her dogs from a home that was not living up to her required standards. 

Emerging Leader uplifted by 2014 Summit

Anna MacNeil-Allcock

InfoStream Staff Writer 

Serving as the medical director and owner of OrthoPets, Dr. Susan Calverley met all the criteria to receive a 2014 Frederick Lynn Webster Emerging Leader Scholarship. Calverley specializes in canine rehabilitation as a veterinarian with Mission Veterinary Hospital, her work providing consultations, fiberglass impressions, fittings and modifications of veterinary orthotics and prosthetics has truly helped to create healthy communities for pets and people. 

Anna MacNeil-Allcock (AMA): Susan, you were awarded the Frederick Lynn Webster Scholarship for your great work in canine rehabilitation. What is your biggest passion and what would you like to see happen in your sector over the next few years?

Dr. Susan Calverley (SC): I am passionate about the human-animal bond and how we, as veterinarians, play a part in igniting that bond for our families and communities. To this end my "pet" projects are feral cat trap neuter release programs, veterinary orthotics and prosthetics and veterinary rehabilitation in general and mental health and wellbeing for employees in the industry as part of the whole work- life balance challenge.

Over the next few years I would like to see:

1. Cats become better recognized as important family members and not be left out in the cold literally without families or veterinary care. 
2. I would like veterinary orthotics and prosthetics to become mainstream in the veterinary community and taught in the veterinary colleges.
3. I would like wellness in the workplace to be more than just trying to identify and combat compassion fatigue.  I want to see emotionally robust students graduating from tech and veterinary colleges and sources of education for veterinary practitioners about the power of positive psychology and happiness in the workplace.

I did start a conversation on Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Pet Industry and we have a group on a conference call including the Ontario SPCA and the Coquitlam animal shelter at the end of this month. We envision a central information location, possibly a website with links to information available industry wide with a blog on happiness in the pet industry.

AMA: What did receiving the scholarship mean to you?

SC: My original reaction when I was initially nominated for a scholarship to the 2014 Urban Animal Summit in Lake Louise was ‘What is this Urban Animal thing?’

As a seasoned veterinarian and practice owner, I had thought I had my finger on the pulse of what was happening in veterinary medicine and the pet industry in general. As a distributor of veterinary orthotics and prosthetics I smugly thought of myself at the forefront of the industry.

Boy was I wrong. 

I really had no expectations other than a very nice hotel and a beautiful mountain setting. What I was unprepared for was the sense of community and collaboration in the room between absolutely all sectors of the pet industry.  

These days we seem to be bombarded by negativity in the news and social media. After several recent, high profile suicides in the veterinary profession, the topic of compassion fatigue and depression in the veterinary profession has weighed heavily on my mind, 

I was so encouraged, after starting the conversation on Mental Health and Wellbeing in the pet industry, to see how the shelter industry, veterinary associations and colleges are addressing this issue and generously willing to share their knowledge to make our workplaces more emotionally robust, supportive and happy. 

AMA: What was your experience at the Summit and how might it help you in your mission?

SC: My experience at the Summit was uplifting and life affirming. It was so refreshing to see people coming together and collaborating for a common purpose. Having experience with the relatively new field of Veterinary Rehabilitation and watching the struggle as veterinarians and human physical therapists and chiropractors are coming together to improve the well being of our arthritic and handicapped pets, I admire the passion that these members of the Urban Animal Alliance are displaying.

AMA: What was the highlight of the Summit for you? 

SC: The Summit really rejuvenated me and clarified for me the importance of having passion for urban animals and the power of teamwork in creating a fulfilling life and career. The contacts that I made will help with all of my passions and hopefully create opportunities  to take them to the next level.

I am still passionate about urban animals and want to participate any way I can.

Mobile adoption centre scoops up 2014 Homing Summit

Left to right: Katy Walker, AC&C Adoption Outreach Coordinator;
Risa Weinstock, AC&C Executive Director; Anamarie Johnson,
AC&C Foster and Events Liaison; Ashlee Krammer,
AC&C Adoption Counselor; and Susan Wolfe, AC&C volunteer.
Photo Credit: NYC AC&C

PRESS RELEASE 

Calgary, AB – Animal Care & Control of NYC (AC&C)’s new Mobile Adoption Center garnered international attention last month when it was presented with the 2014 Summit Award for Homing. 

The vehicle enables AC&C to bring shelter dogs and cats to previously unreachable New Yorkers looking to adopt throughout the five boroughs.  More than 300 dogs and cats from AC&C have been adopted at mobile adoption events since the Mobile Adoption Center—sponsored by the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ®) and FENWICK KEATS Real Estate—launched earlier this year.

Photo Credit: NYC AC&C

Summit Awards have been part of the Urban Animal program since its inception in 2006. Summits are a peer-recognition program illuminating the achievements of those who toil in the trenches of the industry. In 2014, the Summits experienced record-breaking numbers with nearly 5,000 votes cast for 37 individuals and organizations in 12 categories.

Four nominees vied for the prestigious Homing Award in 2014. AC&C received 59% of the votes. Summit Award winners were announced during the Summit Awards Gala, October 24, 2014. 

AC&C’s Mobile Adoption Center will be at Petco Union Square on November 28 (4-7pm) and FENWICK KEATS Real Estate on November 29 (12-4pm). Details on upcoming adoption events are available on AC&C’s website at http://nycacc.org/Events.htm.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Shannon Woodward, Communications Coordinator

(p) 403.208.1972 (e) Shannon.woodward@petlynxmail.com

ABOUT URBAN ANIMAL PROGRAM: The Urban Animal Program (UAP) began eight years ago with the vision of uniting the sectors of a fragmented animal industry in order to solve some of the chronic urban animal challenges facing our communities.  The group identified the need to explore strategic problem solving using a more inclusive approach.

The UAP has grown successfully through the addition of high quality speakers and key opinion leaders in all sectors, and has achieved tremendous momentum, fuelled by the intense desire for positive change.  Delegates have always decided which subjects warrant discussion.  Hosted by the PetLynx Corporation since its inception, the Urban Animal Program utilizes sponsorship to fund the Urban Animal Summit and Urban Animal Regional Conferences.  The animal industry, communities, pet families and the pet are the direct beneficiaries of this sponsorship, as leaders take these discussions, projects and initiatives back to their communities.  There is a strong track record of spawning valuable collaborations from the UAP. 

About Animal Care & Control of NYC

Animal Care & Control of NYC (AC&C) is one of the largest animal welfare organizations in the United States, taking in approximately 30,000 animals each year. AC&C is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that rescues, cares for and finds loving homes for animals throughout NYC’s  five boroughs. AC&C has a contract with the City of New York to be an open-admissions organization, which means it never turns away any homeless, abandoned, injured or sick animal in need of help, including cats, dogs, rabbits, small mammals, reptiles, birds, farm animals and wildlife. It is the only organization in NYC with this unique responsibility. Visit www.nycacc.org for more information, and follow AC&C at facebook.com/NYCACC and @NYCACC.

Alliance for Urban Animals extends support to Puppy Project

Louis McCann
InfoStream Guest Author 

Some of you recently attended the 9^th Summit for Urban Animal Strategies, in Alberta, Canada. Its mission is to support and develop successful strategies for urban animals and to provide recognition for those who lead. 

One such leader in attendance this year was Eileen Higginbotham, a special education teacher from Prince Edward Island. Eileen came to the Summit as part of this year’s Innovation Showcase to present her program, The Prince Street Puppy Project.  

The Prince Street Puppy Project was started in 2011 at Prince Street School in Charlottetown, PEI. Every day, specially selected dogs would come to the school to interact with and engage students. Ms. Higginbotham was able to demonstrate how her program used integrated animal experiences to promote leadership and build empathy amongst the participating students. She explained how her approach instilled confidence, enhanced cooperation and fostered problem solving skills. It also had a profoundly positive effect on the students who struggled most, by helping to create incentives to work hard and giving a sense of belonging at the school.  

Delegates quickly realized the significant impact her program had on students with special needs. You can imagine the shock the delegates felt when we were informed that the Prince Street School initiative had been stopped due to lack of policy.

As members of the Alliance for Urban Animals and on behalf of their close to 1800 like-minded colleagues across North America dedicated to creating healthy communities and positive experiences with companion animals, the OSPCA and PIJAC Canada decided to take action. 

In a letter to the Honourable J. Alan McIsaac, PEI Minster of Education and Early Childhood Development, we expressed our surprise at such a project having been put on hold. In our opinion, a project like this one fit perfectly under the Minister’s Directive on Special Education, which seems to guarantee the use of “alternative initiatives” such as this one in service to the province’s students with special needs.

We also noted that Ms. Higginbotham’s program should be a great source of pride and inspiration to his ministry, the government and the entire province. Having won a provincial award, regional and national recognition (runner up to Innovator of the Year award and designation of Urban Animal Mentor) and being the model for other similar programs in Nova Scotia reflects well on the province’s innovative ways. We invited the Minister to contact the Alliance for Urban Animals for assistance in addressing the concerns that may have been expressed on this program. 

The Alliance for Urban Animals needs to voice its support of projects like the one put together by Ms. Higginbotham, emphasizing the importance of such an approach in enhancing the quality of education for students with special needs. We believe that a positive pet experience is instrumental in improving the learning experience of these students.

We can only hope that a solution can be brought forward to re-instate this life altering educational curriculum and provide these exceptional students with the tools they need to learn and grow.

"Pet Owner Experience" Doc receives Frederick Lynn Webster Scholarship

Anna MacNeil-Allcock

InfoStream Staff Writer 

For her commitments to understanding and sharing the "pet owner experience", Dr. Christy Leslie, DVM, MBa, was recognized by her peers as an emerging leader and presented with a 2014 Frederick Lynn Webster Emerging Leader Scholarship. 

Christy is the Director of Program Management at Associate Veterinary Clinics. She specializes in the business end of Veterinary Medicine and spends a lot of time doing emergency work. Christy travels the country giving workshops to Veterinarians and their staff about the lessons learned from research on the ‘pet owner experience’.  Knowing and understanding Veterinary Medicine from the perspective of the pet owner provides great insight for how best to manage a practice and keep clients satisfied.

Anna MacNeil-Allcock (AMA): How did you come to be involved in the pet industry?

Dr. Christy Leslie (CL): I grew up on a hobby farm in Ontario, situated about one hour from Toronto. Our family always had pets. We had cats and dogs, and of course on the farm we kept horses, cows, sheep and chickens. I have family members in the Veterinary Profession so it had always been a consideration for me.

In early adulthood, I had a doberman named Carmen. The bond I had with her really impacted my life in a significant way and kicked off my interest in the human-animal bond, which lead to my current work about the pet owner experience in the Veterinary process.

  

AMA: What do you like most about your current work?

CL: Now that I am in a managerial position I have the ability to travel all over and make a greater impact. I also do a lot of Emergency work and have a very satisfying career.

AMA: What did receiving the scholarship mean to you?

CL: It was positive affirmation and recognition that my work was indeed having an impact. getting to know more about the urban animal

AMA: What was your experience at the Summit and how might it help you in your mission?

CL: It was very eye opening, especially to see that some of the businesses had a real interest in the animal industry, not solely from a business perspective. It stretched my mind.

In some ways, when I realized the size of the issues that were being tackled, I found it overwhelming to consider what a big endeavour it is to keep such projects moving forward.

The Summit gave me a broader understanding of the industry and an appreciation for the open mindedness that was being practiced by all.  I enjoyed getting to know more about the Urban Animal Program and what it is all about. Overall, it was rejuvenating.

AMA: What was the highlight of the Summit for you? 

CL: I had an ‘a ha’ moment as I was sitting at my table between representatives from two different pet insurance companies. I was surprised that they were even sitting at the same table and having a pleasant conversation. It really impressed upon me that this Summit is about the goals of the industry as a whole. Those at the Summit were willing to strip away personal and business goals and join in the solution. I wish all my colleagues in the Veterinary sector could experience the Summit. It would be a game changer because we are so often isolated in our own silo’s. 

I liked the big picture planning and thinking that was happening at the Summit but I also liked that research was included and could be tied to current issues. I thought the research posters were great and I was happy that each poster presenter was given some time at the mike to describe their research because it was not always possible to get to speak with them individually.

AMA: Will you attend a Summit in the future? 

CL: Yes, I would definitely consider attending another Summit, if it is in the same place and the timing works for me. The clinic is grounding and I can get bogged down a bit with business. I found the Summit to be rejuvenating and brought me back to the core values. A reality check and a reminder that we are all in it together.

Summit 2014 presentations now available online!

The 2014 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies was a tremendous success with more attending delegates, more Summit Awards participation, more conversations and more positive feedback than ever before. 

Featured for the second year, the Innovation Showcases introduced delegates to eight unique innovations that are up and running in Canadian communities. Facts and Evidence sessions provided delegates with valuable metrics and information to help guide delegates in their promotion of healthy communities for pets and people. 

Summit 2014 presentations are now available online!