Featuring Penny

This week, I wrote a feature story about Crisis Center North's Victim Assistance Canine, Penny. Penny works with Crisis Center North to provide victims of domestic violence with comfort, both in counseling sessions and in the courtroom. I had the pleasure of speaking with her owner and Executive Director of Crisis Center North, Grace Coleman. During our interview, we talked about many things including Penny's training method, what her work consists of on a day-to-day basis, and all of the wonderful awards she has received over the years. Penny also stopped by the Penn State Beaver for a quick photo shoot.

Penny is the first canine in Allegheny County to do work in the court system and has received many exceptional awards during her five years of working at Crisis Center North. The work Penny does is more extensive than most therapy dogs. Penny is in a position where she needs to do more than solely provide comfort to victims. She is responsible for thinking on her own and providing assessments when needed. The work she does for the center is truly one of a kind and they are extremely grateful for her service.

To read the entire story and learn more about Penny and the amazing work she does with Crisis Center North,  click here.

Equine-assisted Therapy

Next to dogs, horse's are another animal commonly used in animal-assisted therapy. The therapeutic benefits of horse back riding have been documented since way back when and those benefits still hold true today.

Horses remain an effective animal for therapeutic work because of their ability to mirror human emotions. Experts suggest that it is easy for humans and horses to establish a connection due to the similar ways they interact socially. Horses, much like dogs, are intuitive animals in the sense that they have a natural ability to read and understand human behavior and respond accordingly.

There are multiple equine therapy programs available all over western Pennsylvania, assisting veterans, children, and adults with physical and mental disabilities every day.

Some of the centers include:

1. Elliot Acres, Chicora, PA

2. Nickers 'N Neighs, Acme, PA

3. Horses with Hope, Bethel Park, PA

4. Verland Foundation, Sewickly, PA

Visit their websites for more information!

The Really Great Dane

"I had wheelchairs, walkers, Canadian crutches, regular crutches, and then we got George and I dropped my crutches and started to use him."

This week, I heard a story about young girl and her service dog that warmed my heart. Bella, an 11-year-old girl from Minnesota, was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, Morquio Syndrome, when she was just 2-years-old. Morquio Syndrome is a genetic disorder that attacks her healthy bone growth, leaving her short statured and making it hard for her to walk.

It wasn't until her parents brought home George, that Bella was able to walk on her own. George is a 131-pound Great Dane. He goes to school with Bella and helps her walk to all of her classes, napping while she is working at her desk. He gives her the support she needs, both physically by letting her rest her arm on him for guidance, and emotionally by being a loyal friend that never leaves her side.

Assistance animals help humans everyday in many ways physically, mentally, and emotionally. With the help of George, Bella is able to do things she would not be able to do without him.

Watch the full video below to see just how special George truly is.

Happy HOWL-o-ween!

We can't forget about our four-legged friends this Halloween season! Since trick or treat is this week, I decided to make my dog some treats of his own! Below I have included a simple, 3-ingredient recipe that your dog is sure to love.

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Treats

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
• 1 cup pumpkin puree, canned
• 1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the peanut butter and pumpkin.
3. Gradually mix in flour, 1/4 cup at a time until dough is no longer sticky.
4. Roll the dough out between 2 pieces of parchment paper to 1/4" thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out the dough, then place on cookie sheet. 
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Let cool completely.

Note: If your puppy happens to be sensitive to wheat, there are other options to choose from including rice flour or nut flours.



Did you know?
Pumpkin is actually good for dogs! The soluble fiber can help with digestive issues. Antioxidants and essential fatty acids promote healthy skin and fur and urinary health. Beta-carotene and iron could reduce the likelihood of your pet developing cancer, as well! Try mixing 1-2 teaspoons of canned pumpkin with your dog's food.

Safety first

Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year! The leaves are changing colors, the days are getting cooler, Christmas is so close I can taste it! However, with the good also comes the safety hazards, the heath risks, and the spike in pet illnesses. The months of November through January are known to have the second highest increase in the number of pets lost. (Fourth of July is the first.) A large number of pets become ill during these months due to highly preventable hazards.

As we are approaching the month of November with the holidays right around the corner, I have created a list of pet safety tips to help keep your pup as safe and healthy as possible this holiday season!

Foods to watch out for:

• Chocolate
• "The darker it is, the more dangerous it is."
• Symptoms include vomiting, increased thirst, abdominal discomfort, irregular heart rhythm, high body temperature, and can even lead to death.

• Xylitol
• A sugar substitute that is found in sugar-free gum, candy, and baked goods.
• 1/8 teaspoon can cause low blood sugar and 1/2 teaspoon can cause liver damage.

• Raisins/Grapes
• Can cause a toxic reaction from vomiting to kidney failure or kidney disease. 

• Alcohol
• Dogs are more sensitive to alcohol than humans are.
• Beverages can be toxic with symptoms ranging from vomiting and loss of coordination to seizures and death.

For more information or incase of an emergency, contact Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.

Watch out for fleas and ticks.

Fleas and ticks are extremely prevalent this year. Be cautious about where your pets play or where they wonder when they are outside. Be sure to check them when they come in the house for any fleas or ticks that may have latched on to them.

Beware of allergies.
Pets are just as susceptible to allergens as humans are. Keep your grass cut and leaves raked to eliminate irritation to their skin and keep an eye out for any abnormal behavior. If your pet is itching more than usual, you may want to get them checked for allergies.

Keep them warm.

Pets who live outdoors or exercise outdoors often should be given more food during colder months to generate body heat. If they live outdoors, make sure they have a warm place to go at night. Be sure to bring them inside during storms to prevent them from getting wet and developing hypothermia or frostbite.

Be cautious when decorating.
Pets may try to chew on wires and electrical cords which could lead to a shock causing damage to their health. Control cords to prevent this from happening.

Caitlyn's Road to Recovery

Remember this photo?

facebook.com/charlestonanimalsociety

This horrifying picture went viral back in May when Caitlyn the pit bull was found with her muzzle duct-taped shut in Charleston, South Carolina. The lack of blood supply had swollen her lips and tongue so badly that the staff at the Charleston Animal Society was worried she might not make it.

I remember seeing this picture all over social media several months ago and it still breaks my heart every time I see it. Fortunately, I was happy to learn that Caitlyn is expected to make a full recovery.

Caitlyn's road to recovery consisted of:

• Being placed in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber every 12 hours. (The high pressure of this chamber allows the lungs to take in more oxygen than usual, aiding in a quicker healing process)
• Receiving low-level laser therapy treatments to increase blood circulation and stimulate healing.
• Undergoing surgery both on her lips and cheeks.

facebook.com/charlestonanimalsociety

Above is a photo taken of Caitlyn back in August, roughly 3 months after the incident. Aside from losing a small bit of her tongue, her veteranarians said she should be able to eat and drink normally. It is amazing what they were able to do in order to save her life. Today, 15-month-old Caitlyn is living with her adopted family finally receiving the love she deserves!!


The Charleston Animal Society, as well as other organizations, such as The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and humane societies all over the country, work diligently everyday towards the fight against animal cruelty. Help stop animal abuse and join the fight!


For information regarding how to spot animal cruelty and how to report it, click here.

Pets are family

Do you bake your pets a cake on their birthday? Do you sign their name on your family Christmas cards each year? Has there ever been a time when you were forced to choose a spot on the floor because your dog bullied you out of their favorite spot on the couch?

In an article I read recently from Family Process, companion animals have become increasingly important in family life. According to the article, more than 85% of pet owners regard their pets as "family members" and many treat them as important as family members, if not more.

Over 3/4 of children living in the U.S. live with pets. That is more than those living with both parents. The article stated that children without siblings are most strongly bonded to their pets and their pets provide them with a sense of security and companionship.

When I was two, we got our first dog, Bert. We got him about six months before my younger sister was born. He was a big dog, (in fact he was the same breed as Miles, the dog we have now) so the sense of security was already there. My sister and I both shared experiences with him growing up, which shaped us into the dog lovers that we are today. Unfortunately, we lost Bert back in 2003 to bone cancer. That was the first time we have ever experienced the loss of a loved one. With my sister being six at the time and I being nine, it was hard to process the thought of everyday life without him. He taught us many things about life at such a young age like how to share, how to care for something other than yourself, how to love something so much and how to cope when it is no longer there.

The article mentions that many families credit educational and socialization benefits of pets for their children. A mother in the article was quoted saying that her pets bring out the best in her children with responsibility, kindness, affection, and concern for living things. She said that all members of the family developed a much deeper respect for life in general. Pets can help prepare children for later life experiences (i.e. pregnancy, birth, illness/death of a loved one), as it did for my sister and I. It is also common for young adults to choose to raise pets before (or instead of) parenthood to strengthen the skills they need to provide nurturance and affection.

The article touched on this a little bit but after reading the whole thing I thought it would be interesting to do a study on the difference in temperament among people who grew up with a pet throughout childhood and ones who did not. It wasn't until I began really researching therapy dogs that I realized the amount of influence they have on human behavior.

~In Loving Memory~

March 1996-May 2003

"The fear of loving a dog is knowing one day they'll be gone, and you could never find eyes that express all that you feel." - r.m. drake