WELFARE - Addressing Police Shootings of Family Pets

In America, police shootings of family pets, particularly dogs, have been called an “epidemic” by some experts.

According to the ASPCA, “public records of firearms discharges by police indicate that it is common for 50% or more of all shooting incidents to involve an officer shooting a dog.”

Although exact numbers are impossible to determine since they are not tracked, estimates range from several hundred to several thousand family-owned dogs killed by police each year.

Many of these killings were unnecessary, and may have resulted from a lack of adequate training in understanding and responding to animals.

The Community Oriented Police Services (COPS) department of the United States Department of Justice is hoping to address the issue through a new training protocol designed to give officers better skills.

The training is particularly relevant now that the Sixth Circuit has ruled that officers can shoot a dog for moving or barking during a police raid.

This ruling does not sit well with some Detroit citizens.

Detroit police have faced multiple lawsuits recently from dog owners whose pets have been killed, including a dog who was behind a closed door, and one dog who was tethered in the backyard of someone who was not a suspect in the case.

It’s not only Detroit with a problem.

According to a police officer speaking to Cracked, it’s not uncommon for police officers to have an intense fear of dogs.

The new COPS training protocol will hopefully help with this, particularly now that American police have greater legal sanction to use lethal force against dogs.

Other jurisdictions have not had the same widespread public outcry against police shootings of pet dogs (the Puppycide Database attempts to track police killings of pet dogs in America and to help pet owners advocate for their rights).

However, there have been instances of questionable police killings of pet dogs in Canada, as well.

In one well-publicized incident an elderly dog was run over twice before being shot.

In another, RCMP officers shot a dog during a raid.

According to Cynthia Bathurst, the Executive Director of Safe Humane, and the content producer for the COPS training program, “The goal is to introduce options and strategies that will deescalate encounters with dogs.”

About Tiffany Sostar

Tiffany is a published academic, an editor with the Editors Association of Canada, an independent scholar and researcher, and a self-care and narrative coach. She is particularly interested in the intersection of technology and identity - how our tools shape our selves and change our stories, and in how the nature of work is changing as we incorporate more technology into our daily lives.

WELFARE - Top Webinars of 2016 from ASPCApro

(ASPCApro.org)

ASPCApro’s mission is to provide tools and resources for animal welfare professionals and volunteers at public and private agencies and rescue groups, as well as veterinarians, law enforcement and emergency responders.

They just released a list of their top five webinars of 2016 which cover a variety of topics including dog behaviour, transport best practices and conversation-based adoptions.

If you didn’t see them when they were first broadcast, don’t worry. They are still available on the ASPCApro website.

1 Building Resilience in Dogs

Canine behaviorist Patricia McConnell offers practical and science-based ways to help dogs develop resilience—the process of adapting well in the face of adversity or stress—no matter what they have been through in the past.

2 Introduction to Transportation Best Practices

The first in a seven part series based on The Society of Animal Welfare Administrators’ Best Practices for Companion Animal Transport Programs.

3 Social Change 201

Amy Mills digs into what social change is and how to apply the philosophy and practices of social change to solve some of the complex challenges faced in animal welfare.

4 Conversational Adoption Counseling

How to establish trust, exchange important information and create an experience that is enjoyable for the adopter, resulting in positive word of mouth and longtime support.

5 Maximizing Offsite Cat Adoption Success

Learn about the critical aspects of offsite cat adoption center management, including animal selection and preparation, cage enrichment, same-day adoption processing and paperwork.

HEALTH - AVMA Offers Free Suicide Prevention Training

This weekend the AVMA is launching a training program to help members identify and aid individuals who may be at risk for suicide.

While the underlying causes are still unknown, veterinarians experience high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, as well as death by suicide.

The program is not intended to replace professional assistance but is designed based on the QPR - question, persuade and refer - method that can be used to recognize the warning signs of someone in crisis.

This 90-minute, self-guided online program, will teach individuals how to establish a dialogue and assist those in crisis to seek professional help.

The program officially launches tomorrow, November 19th, which coincides with International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day.

In partnership with the AVMA PLIT and AVMA Life, the Association is opening up a limited number of free registrations for AVMA and Student AVMA members.

“This pilot program demonstrates the AVMA’s commitment to moving forward in helping our profession become more healthy,” said Dr. Marci Kirk, assistant director for recent graduate initiatives at the AVMA.

This suicide prevention training is part of a larger movement to offer more support to veterinarians.

As reported in InfoStream, the Ontario Veterinary College launched AWAR2E group to provide a multi-pronged approach to mental wellness, and the Western College of Veterinary Medicine is the first vet school in Canada to have a trained social worker available for students.

INTERVIEW - Deb Davis, Paws With a Cause - A Leader in the Assistance Dog Industry

(LinkedIn)

Service dogs have historically been a great asset to persons living with vision impairment. In more recent years, the roles of service dogs have expanded to include assisting persons living with a range of disabilities or conditions, such as autism, asthma, seizures, brain injuries, PTSD and Lupus.

InfoStream caught up with Deb Davis, Community Outreach Manager with Paws With A Cause – a service dog training centre based out of Wayland, MI. The centre does custom training of service dogs, hearing dogs, service dogs for children with autism and seizure response dogs.

Davis shares some insights about the benefits of the relationship between service dogs and their humans, as well as some perspective on the growth of their segment of service dogs for children with autism.

InfoStream (IS): What makes working with service dogs special or unique for you?

Deb Davis (DD): What makes this work unique and special for me is our clients – people with disabilities who are able to change their life because of their assistance dog. They are some of the most amazing people I will ever know in my life, and my life has changed because of them.

IS: Your organization trains dogs to assist people in a variety of capacities, including seizure response, vision and hearing impairment and autism - could you please share with us how some of these newer areas have grown in popularity over the last few years?

DD: Training service dogs for children with autism has really caught on in the past five years. Our organization did a two-year study with an organization in Canada, prior to launching our own three-year pilot program for this discipline. At PAWS, we don't just train a dog and then hand over the leash and say 'have a nice life'. We work with the clients for 4 - 6 months, after their dog has already been trained specially for them for 4-6 months. That's a lot of time and a huge commitment on the client's part. So, when families who are living with autism reach out to apply for a dog, we feel honored to be able to provide them with another 'tool' in their autism toolbox.

Families who live with children with autism already have a lot of things to handle in their lives: the child, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, play dates, school, etc. For them to accept a service dog into their lives is a great indication of their commitment to making their child's world one step easier.

Our Seizure Response Dog Program's popularity is another testament to our clients - people who want to live independently, yet live in constant fear that a seizure could severely hurt them or worse, kill them. We have clients who have a seizure response dog because they want to live alone, yet are fearful of suffocating in their pillow if they have a seizure during the night. That's pretty intense. Yet, they feel completely relieved of that fear by living with their seizure response dog. We have one client whose parents would not let him go off to college and live in the dorms until he could prove to them that he would work with his seizure response dog. I'm happy to say, they graduated.

IS: What does PAWS want people to know about what it is that makes an assistance dog more effective compared to human assistance options in some regards?

DD: The dog/human bond is an incredible thing to witness...for the human to be able to put their 100% trust in their dog is really a miracle before our eyes. The dog is a constant in their lives, 24 hours per day, day and night. Dogs don't have bad days, like aides do; dogs don't need batteries, like technology and machines do; medications reach a plateau of effectiveness and can change a person's behavior and reaction to stimuli; dogs don't. People who are hearing impaired/deaf who have a cochlear implant are still hearing impaired/deaf when they take off that cochlear implant; that's when they are most vulnerable. The dog is there as a constant reminder that they have someone to trust, and someone or something that is reliable and will take care of them.

(Paws With a Cause)

IS: What would you say to a parent with a child on the autism spectrum who is contemplating a service dog?

DD: After placing more than two dozen service dogs with children with autism, we've asked those parents what would they tell someone in this situation. Their overwhelming response has been "Do it!" Their fears were about having enough time to dedicate to the dog and when they realize that the dog folds into their already-established lifestyles, that fear is gone!

By Lindsay Seewalt
Lindsay is an experienced journalist and mother of three whose heart and home is always open to a four­-legged friend. With her Corgi, Angie, as household editor-­in-chief, Lindsay gives back to the animal planet through the written word on anything and all ado about pets. She is passionate about topics regarding animal welfare and responsible pet ownership, which she aims to instill in both her readers and children to be compassionate animal lovers who are conscious and considerate that furry friends around the globe deserve a voice.

BEHAVIOUR - Cesar Millan Animal Cruelty Investigation Reignites Dog Training Debate

The investigation of self-proclaimed “Dog Whisperer” Cesar Millan for animal cruelty has sparked more debate in the animal behaviour and training community and beyond.

An incident on his show, Cesar 911, involving a dog that has attacked and killed pigs, and injury to a pig during the dog’s rehabilitation has raised questions about his methodology.

The situation has prompted the American Humane Association, who for 75 years has monitored the use of animals in film, to call on the entertainment industry to also allow them to monitor reality television shows to ensure the safety of animals.

The TV personality has come under fire before - with his approach to training criticized for its focus on negative reinforcement (punishment) and being too harsh. In 2012 Millan faced criticism after hanging a husky by his neck during training.

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) appears to take a stance counter to Millan’s methods, saying, “Dog training and behavior modification strategies that rely primarily on misinterpretations of wolf behavior are irrelevant, ineffective and can lead to serious negative complications. The APDT's position is that physical or psychological intimidation hinders effective training and damages the relationship between humans and dogs.”

The APDT also supports the LIMA approach to behaviour modification and training – Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive. 

Others have taken exception to Millan branding himself as a dog behaviourist when he has no formal training.

In order to become a board certified veterinary behaviourist, one must obtain a veterinary degree then complete additional training, generally for at least three more years in a recognized program.

The Animal Behavior Society (ABS), the leading professional organization in North America for the study of animal behaviour, provides certification. Its requirements include a Masters Degree or PhD along with professional experience in order to obtain certification.

The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants also requires different levels of education for certification by their organization.

So, if there are all these different certification options and associations, why is there such a huge debate over training methods and education?

The dog training and behaviour industry is unregulated.

There is no governing body that requires any level of experience or training for someone to be able to call him/herself a dog trainer or behaviourist.

Until there are regulations in the industry and standards everyone is required to meet, it is likely the debate about training methods and approaches to behaviour problems will rage on and posts praising Cesar Millan for turning a dog’s life around, and posts attacking his methods will continue.

BUSINESS - American Kennel Club Opening Retail Centre In New York City

Manhattan will be the home of the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) first retail store and dog-care centre.

The 4,000 square foot facility will offer day care, boarding, training, grooming and walking services along with retail sales, reported the Wall Street Journal.

The dog-care centre will be located at Via 57West, on West 57^th Street, a luxury residential building with 45,000 square feet of retail space.

“We are experienced people with lifetimes involved with the care and showing and exhibiting of dogs,” Dennis Sprung, AKC’s chief executive, told the Wall Street Journal. “We bring that knowledge and experience to the table, and now we are just applying it to brick and mortar.”

As the United States’ registry for purebred dog pedigrees and promoter of sanctioned purebred dog events, the AKC has seen first-hand the devotion Americans have towards their pets – and the resources they commit to them – making this move into the pet retail business make financial sense.

According to the American Pet Products Association, of the $60.6 billion pet owners spent on their pets in 2015, an estimated $5.24 billion went toward grooming and boarding services.

The AKC plans to open more dog-care centres in other major cities.

Therapy Dogs Physically and Emotionally Benefit Children with Cancer

Therapy dogs are occasionally seen in hospitals visiting patients. It is believed that interacting with a dog can reduce stress and blood pressure and improve a patient’s health and quality of life. Researchers are now studying the benefits that these therapy dogs can have. The American Humane Association is leading research on the effects that therapy dogs have on children undergoing cancer treatment.

Amy McCullough is leading the research. McCullough and her team are studying weekly visits with therapy dogs on 51 children with cancer. Early results are showing that dogs are able to reduce patient stress and stabilize their blood pressure and heart rate. Therapy dogs are also decreasing anxiety, stabilizing moods, and increasing patient quality of life.

McCullough and her team are also studying therapy dog behaviour and saliva cortisol levels to examine the impact that these visits are having on the dogs. The knowledge gained from this portion of the study will hopefully benefit dog and handler training.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

AFIA Holds Seminar Linked to Food Safety Modernization Act

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) holds several Regulatory Training Seminars (RTS) each year. The next RTS will take place on December 8th, 2015, and is entitled “Phase III The Future is Now”. This seminar provides information to assist industry professionals with the new Food Safety Modernization Act.

RTS allows for industry professionals to group and develop new skills and knowledge. It is designed for regulatory directors with several years of experience in the pet food industry. “Phase III The Future is Now” will include discussions with industry experts regarding Food and Drug Administration inspections, reportable food registry and recalls, and how to work with regulatory bodies and the Association of American Feed Control Officials.

AFIA Director of Ingredients, Pet Food and State Affairs, Leah Wilkinson said, "It is important for regulatory professionals to have the opportunity for continued education, learning the latest changes in regulations and honing their skills by working through case studies. This seminar will help participants wade through regulations, ask questions, get answers and learn from each other's best practices."

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INTERVIEW - Heather Brown: Innovation Showcase Scholarship Applicant

Heather Brown owns Playful Paws, a dog daycare, training, and grooming facility. Playful Paws offers a specialized daycare program for fearful or reactive dogs. Heather has dreamed about working with dogs and owning a daycare since she was 15 years old. Even at that young age she knew she wanted to work with dogs and to make a difference in their lives. She currently has 4 dogs and 3 cats; 5 of which are rescues. Playful Paws may also be found on Facebook.

InfoStream (IS): The pet experience is important to you. Tell us about how this came to be.

Heather Brown (HB): At a young age I knew pets made me happy and feel whole. I knew they needed a voice and someone to work with them. I have a connection with each of my own pets on a different level and every clients dog is connected to me somehow. Dogs make my day. They make me laugh, cry, strive to be a better person, a better trainer and to know more and more about them.  They can complete any day, any mood, and any event just by showing up.

IS: What are the main goals of Playful Paws?

HB: Our main goals are to have a safe environment where any dog can play, learn and socialize. To know our clients and want them to know us. We offer the specialized training program so that dogs with issues, or shyness can work through it at their own pace to learn to be with other dogs. As our moto says “Because all dogs were meant to play!”

IS: When and how did you see the need for a specialized daycare for shy or reactive dogs?

HB: When my dog Dugan was attacked his personality changed. I talked to many people, friends and trainers and none of their solutions helped or got me working him with or near dogs. I started to think how many other people have this issue, become the midnight dog walker or don’t participate in daycare because one of their dogs “wouldn’t” be accepted and they couldn’t bring themselves to leave just one dog home while the others get to play. You can see the dogs that need this exposure any time you take a walk through a dog event or dog park.

IS: What qualifications do you require for staff helping in the Specialized Training Daycare?

HB: All staff for our entire daycare must be pet first aid trained, have hands on experience working with multiple dogs, and have training or education in the animal industry. They also must be willing to put the dogs first before themselves. If someone is afraid to be bit or scared of altercations or heavy play a daycare is no place for them. Everyone hired on our staff must have a good resume, experience, and shine in their two working interviews.

IS: What sets Playful Paws apart from other dog daycares?

HB: Everything about us sets us apart. Our facility is top notch with every item covered for dogs. We offer official kenneling for naps not just normal crates, we have a separate nap area for feeding and resting so that there is more of a mental break. We are the only ones in Atlantic Canada to have our flooring. It is imported from USA, manufactured and approved by veterinarians, anti-fatigue, anti-bacterial and marine sealed. Our cleaners are professional grade cleaners that deodorize, and kill such things as parvo and distemper. Our requirements for staffing, our specialized daycare, our all natural 6000+ sqft outdoor space, and of course our classes.

IS: What training/certifications do you hold that have allowed you to build and support a daycare and training business?

HB: I have a diploma in Animal Sciences, Computerized Business Management, Pet First Aid, Humane Animal Treatment and 18 years of working with dogs, and other trainers. Plus I have attended numerous seminars and clinics.

IS: What in your history has taken you to where you are now?

HB: When I was 15 I began my first job of working at a local boarding kennel.   quickly advanced to managing it, and helping with training classes. It became a clear passion and has always been with me since then. Once I was laid off multiple times from jobs that were not pleasing me or making me feel useful I decided to make my dreams a reality. CEED, INOVA, CBDC and CYBF made it possible.

IS: What is most rewarding about running Playful Paws; what makes it all worthwhile?

HB: Each and every day I walk in, get greeted by dogs I don’t own that are happy to see me and play with me. When a shy or reactive dog walks happily from it's parents to come into daycare. When parents take the time to tell us how well their dogs are doing or how happy they are to come to us. Seeing 25+ dogs run, play, dig, tumble and wrestle all in a natural environment and getting along is what makes every single day, hour, and second worth it.

IS: Is there anything else you would like us to know?

HB: Playful Paws is a family. We help our clients, our dogs, and our local rescues.  We have the most amazing clients ever. How many businesses can say they get cookies, treats, pizza, coffee delivered on a regular basis? Or have clients take their lunch to come over and say hi, or take vacation time to help us with reno’s. Offer us blankets and towels, or volunteer to help with events. With a sudden move, 16 months into business, a collapsed partnership, and a fallen roof in March our clients have stuck with us through more than most. And for that I feel not only thankful and overjoyed but that we must be doing something right.

ASPCA and Law Enforcement Officers Are Working Together to Get Tough on Dogfighting

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ® (ASPCA) has released the results of a poll conducted by Edge Research. The poll illustrates some of the concerns that law enforcement officers have regarding dog fighting. Some key findings were:

• 52% of law enforcement personnel have not received training to investigate dog fighting.
• 49% of officers would like more training to investigate animal cruelty.
• The majority of officers believe dog fighting to be a serious crime.
• 40% of officers do not have appropriate resources to investigate dog fighting.

The ASPCA is working with law enforcement officers to increase their capacity to ‘Get Tough’ on dog fighting by training officers on investigating dog fighting. The APSCA has also collaborated with the United States Department of Justice to create the Dogfighting Toolkit for Law Enforcement.

“Even though dog fighting is a felony in all 50 states, dog fighting still takes place across the country, and represents the worst of human nature,” said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA President and CEO. “When our society and our laws reflect the true seriousness and depravity of this crime, many more lives will be saved from suffering."

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Calgary Bylaw Services and CHS seek to promote positive pet experience

The Calgary Humane Society and City of Calgary Animal & Bylaw Services are teaming up to provide local dog owners with a rare opportunity. 

The partnership will host two free dog training sessions this weekend with certified dog trainers, sharing and demonstrating tips and techniques with Calgary dog owners and their dogs. 

"Calgary Humane Society is thankful for the opportunity to be partnering with Animal & Bylaw Services on this project to help improve the human/animal bond and increase positive interactions at dog parks and off leash areas with humane and effective training," said Barbara Walmer, Department Head of Behavior at CHS. "Proper training helps owners by giving them the techniques they need to minimize undesirable behaviours and encourage appropriate behavior." 

Walmer will be at Egerts Park on November 16 from noon to 2 p.m. and Kristy Pearson, also a certified trainer with CHS, will be at Bowmont Park on November 17 from 1-3 p.m. 

READ THE NEWS RELEASE

Hartz Makes Dog Training Easy

Durable training pads and professional tips help pet parents housebreak new pets

SECAUCUS, N.J., March 4, 2011

The average American parent spends almost nine hours a day on work or work related activities, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' American Time Use Survey. Add in time spent doing household chores, caring for others, sleeping, and eating, and parents don't have time to do much else let alone care for a new pet. Oftentimes, new pet owners find themselves searching for time in the day to dedicate to dog training. To help pet parents balance a busy schedule with training a new pet, Hartz Mountain Corporation, a leader in the pet products industry, is introducing Hartz Home Protection Training Pads to help keep households mess- and odor-free. With 12 hours of protection, the pads are constructed to last well beyond the average eight-hour work day.

"Housebreaking a new pet can be difficult - especially if new pet parents don't have the flexibility to rush home during the day and immediately after work to effectively eliminate accidents," says veterinarian Melinda Fernyhough, D.V.M. "When leaving your pet home alone, it's important to have confidence in a training pad, like the Hartz Home Protection Training Pads, you know will keep your house clean and your pet comfortable."

To help new pet owners successfully conquer housebreaking, Dr. Fernyhough is offering the "3-C's" every new pet parent should know:

Containment: When introducing a puppy to a new home, make sure to keep him in a small area with a training pad. By creating this small space, pets will learn the places they are allowed to go without having access to places they are not. In addition, animals usually don't urinate and defecate where they sleep, so they will be more conscious about doing so in smaller places.

Consistency: Follow a consistent schedule seven days a week through puppyhood to create a routine for your new pet. This can be difficult for new pet parents with varying or busy schedules, but planning ahead helps you stay on schedule and provide your pet with repetitive training.

Cues: Be alert of your pet's behavior. While it may take a while for you to learn your pet's ways and for them to you learn yours, often your pet will tell you when it is time for them to eliminate. Some animals will sit by the door, scratch at the door or begin sniffing around the house, so take notice of what your dog is trying to tell you so that you are alert and can counteract any bad behaviors before they happen.

"Hartz Home Protection Training Pads are also convenient for busy pet parents who don't always have time to walk their dog, even beyond the training phase," says Dr. Fernyhough. "With 12 hours of odor neutralizing, anti-leak protection, the Hartz Home Protection Training Pads will give new pet parents peace of mind when leaving their furry friend home alone."

For more pet training tips and information, new pet parents can visit Hartz's Training Academy to access training tips from professionals like Dr. Fernyhough and fellow pet-owners.

About Hartz
For over 80 years, Hartz has offered products that optimize your pet's health and overall well being. The Hartz Mountain Corporation line of pet products was born in 1926 with packaged bird food, and expanded through the 1950s into goldfish, tropical fish and a full line of aquatic supplies. Dog and cat products, most notably the Hartz flea & tick collar -- still the #1 selling flea & tick collar for both cats and dogs-were added in the 1960s. Based in Secaucus, New Jersey, Hartz today offers over 2,000 innovative products catering to dogs, cats, parakeets, canaries, parrots, cockatiels, finches, goldfish, tropical fish, reptiles, ferrets, chinchillas, guinea pigs, hamsters and rabbits-through 40,000 U.S. and Canadian retail outlets.

For further information: Nikisha Williams, GolinHarris, +1-212-373-6026, nwilliams@golinharris.com