News

Service Dogs Get Picked Up

May 26, 2020

For all the parts of everyday life that the ongoing pandemic has brought to a crashing halt, COVID-19 didn’t stop the Pacific Assistance Dog Society from getting their latest litter of puppies to trainers on Friday (May 22). PADS, which has existed in the province for more than 30 years, breeds, raises, trains and supports […]

Service Dog In The Yearbook

May 26, 2020

An elementary school in Kentucky saved a special spot in its yearbook for one very good girl — Ariel, a service dog. St. Patrick Catholic School in Louisville surprised 7-year-old Hadley Jo Lange by including a photo of the Labradoodle among its kindergarten class. Hadley Jo suffers from epilepsy, a neurological disorder that causes seizures. Without […]

Life With A Service Dog

May 26, 2020

Riley Alberson is excited for graduation — and that her service dog is also being recognized. The McAlester High School senior has juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which causes her joints to dislocate, constant pain, and daily seizures. Multiple seizures each day can result with her losing consciousness without anyone around to help. […]

Soon To Be Service Dogs

May 26, 2020

On Friday afternoon, a plane touched down at the Sunport with a handful of adorable yellow Labrador puppies inside – each destined to be a service dog to those with disabilities. The pilot, Jeff Stewart, lowered the plane stairs before his 7-year-old daughter Emma delivered the 2-month-old furballs – Tucker, Taz, Rosco and Rabbena – […]

Service Animal In Training

May 26, 2020

Mia Federico was on her way to eat waffles in the kitchen of her Georgetown home when her mom, Ellen, approached her with an idea: Would she like to train a puppy to become a service animal? Ellen said she saw the ad online and immediately thought of her dog-loving daughter. Then 13, 14-year-old Mia […]

Therapy Dogs Helping Kids

May 26, 2020

Burnaby kids may soon get a chance to read to therapy dogs to boost their skills and confidence, as a pet therapy group kicks off a year-long pilot program this summer. Currently, BC Pets and Friends works with universities, hospitals and seniors homes to bring volunteers with pets and offer a “dose of warmth and […]

German Shepherd Rescued

May 22, 2020

A local organization called “Medical Mutts” rescues animals with potential and trains them to become service dogs for people with medical conditions like diabetes. That includes Sly, the German Shepherd. Sly was rescued after being left in the cold, starving, and frostbit with another dog who passed away in those conditions. Jennifer Cattet, the executive […]

A Pet Is Good For Emotional Health

May 22, 2020

During this current period of quarantine and social distancing, you may have found yourself worrying not only about your child’s physical health but their emotional health as well. You may have shied away from getting a family pet in the past because you weren’t sure if you were ready for a pet and you weren’t […]

Are Therapy Dogs Stressed

May 22, 2020

“I know that you think you are doing something good, but all of you people who are associated with therapy dog activities are actually engaged in a form of animal abuse!” That startling statement was made to me by a colleague who is a clinical psychologist. She went on to justify her conclusion, arguing, “I know […]

Maryland’s First Detection Dog

May 22, 2020

Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler on Thursday announced the addition of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office’s (HCSO) newest law enforcement canine, K-9 Sata. K-9 Sata is certified as an electronic storage detection (ESD) canine and derives his name from the Serial AT Attachment, a computer bus interface that connects mass storage devices and a […]