Therapy Dogs in Danger
Recently, I read about a study in JAVMA (June 1) on the incidence of pathogens prevalent in the health-care field (nursing homes, staff, patients, etc.) and their possible effects on therapy dogs. Although we owners have taken many precautions to ensure that our therapy dog companions do not endanger any of the people we visit, I don’t think we have taken seriously the dangers our dogs’ immune systems face from pathogens in these environments–and they are serious! Among those encountered and recounted in this study, for example, was the well-known MRSA or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium difficile. The authors noted that such activities as accepting treats, licking resident hands, and getting into beds could be risk factors and dangerous. A veterinarian told me that testing for these diseases is not routine and a Geisinger doctor added that these diseases were “nasty”. Yet, the authors point out that not only the dogs themselves were at risk from these pathogens, but their families were, too, since the dogs could be considered a source. Since this is a healthcare-oriented area it would seem that these diseases must be considered if therapy dogs exhibit symptoms of diarrhea and/or gastrointestinal upset become a concern. And, perhaps it is time to re-think the age and general health of your best friend therapy dog. For example, should I take my 12-year-old Springer into a nursing home or limit her therapy activities to an educational program that does not have small children. How do you explain to a dog who loves to do therapy that she is too old— after all, her love and desire are still very much part of her joy and life.
POSITIVE PUNISHMENT. Admittedly I know very little about dog training. I have to confess that I have not taken any of the Internet courses that entitle me to a dog profession degree (the Humane Society of the U.S. is now offering degrees, too.) When asked, I have helped dog trainers by signing in dog owners, holding leashes and being a distraction. And, how I miss not going to class with a dog and watching! I have learned a lot by auditing dog training classes. This year many of the articles on training stress using “play” as part of the exercises. I approve. I like to see dog owners smile at their dogs and if it is Heppy–she smiles back! But, I approve of positive punishment (my term). Sometimes raising or lowering your voice or jerking the leash can focus a dog’s attention–it isn’t necessarily dominance. I am easily distracted so I can understand it if my dog gets distracted too. Re-focusing and being attentive is a good thing. “Texting” and “twittering” and training at the same time–No!
NEW HELP IN ANTICIPATORY GRIEF –FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG. The Argus Institute, Colorado State University, has a new publication entitled “What Now”? Contents include: supportive strategies for when a pet faces a serious injury or illness; for making end of life decisions and for coping with loss. Individual copies are $3. Call 970-297-4143 or argus@colostate.edu. This is probably the only book on pet loss I have read that discusses the problem of guilt.
ANIMAL RESPONSE TEAM HELPS PUPPY MILL VICTIMS. Fifty members of Animal Response Teams from Cumberland, Perry and Dauphin Counties walked, fed and worked with 216 dogs rescued from the Almost Heaven Kennels. The seized victims were temporarily sheltered in the PA Farm Show complex. The CART response earned the gratitude of state Dept. of Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff and others. Do think about volunteering with your local CART. Disasters come in all sizes and shapes.
HOW SAFE IS SAFE? Interesting to note that the 24 Polo ponies that died had been given a non-FDA compound of vitamins so they could perform better. A mistake was made in the mixing of the compound at the pharmacy. Another similar mistake–this time involving an FDA-approved drug that caused the death of two cats in Vermont.