News

Emotional Support Dogs

December 9, 2020

In a rule change that could impact select veterans, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced that dogs — and no other species — will soon be the only service animals allowed on board U.S. flights. The updated policy eliminates the option of flying with animals previously categorized as emotional support. That means no horses, peacocks, […]

Piper The Therapy Dog

December 9, 2020

Citing recent community health, social and economic consequences related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Round Rock ISD on Monday introduced “Piper,” the school district police force’s behavioral therapy dog. “When children experience ‘life happens’ overload, they can express it through their behaviors,” the district wrote. “These behaviors’ impact can negatively affect their schoolwork, friendships, relationships at […]

Face Time With Pets

December 9, 2020

Christie Purks of Athens is finding a way to serve those socially isolated and lonely because of COVID-19. Without leaving the comforts of home, Purks and her 9-year-old mixed-breed dog, Cali, a Maltipoo, are putting smiles on the faces of seniors across the country. Purks is one of 1,000 volunteers for Pets Together, a free virtual […]

Cherry Eye In Dogs

December 9, 2020

Spotting a red bump in the corner of a pet’s eye is a concerning but not uncommon experience for many dog owners. Colloquially called “cherry eye,” this bump may be a prolapsed gland of the nictitans, also known as the third eyelid. Dr. Sean Collins, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of […]

Family Needs Service Dog

December 8, 2020

Five-year-old Deklan Gerred’s mom Brianna describes her son as compassionate and daring. “He’s excitable, crazy, funny, loving, curious,” she said. “The list goes on and on.” Deklan was diagnosed with autism when he was two. “He is nonverbal he does have sensory issues,” said Brianna. “Certain noises, bright lights, food textures, clothes textures, things like […]

Pets Are Stressed

December 8, 2020

By some estimates, more than half of people globally own pets, and that’s good news for their health, especially now. Researchers, and likely pet owners, know that having an animal companion has benefits for both physical health and mental health. During the pandemic, when many have been confined to their homes without friends and family […]

Service Training Group

December 8, 2020

The U.S. Department of Transportation has put an end to the growing number of travelers claiming mini horses, monkeys and other non-traditional “emotional support” animals should be allowed to travel on airplanes with their owners. The trend began several years ago and was pushed to the fore in 2018 when a woman attempted to board a flight out of Newark […]

Dog Assisted Therapy

December 8, 2020

A new study found that children and adolescents with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders showed reduced symptoms after dog-assisted therapy when administered alongside pharmacological treatment. The findings were published in Frontiers in Psychology. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) — a condition that arises from prenatal alcohol exposure — involves a range of cognitive, behavioral, sensory, and […]

Reunited With Service Dog

December 8, 2020

Three years after escaping from a fenced in yard in an unfamiliar city, Lola the black Labrador is back laying on the couch with her mom Debra Mejeur in Kalamazoo. Mejeur has been waiting for this day since Lola ran away in October 2017. After spending years navigating outside on her own and relying on the […]

Paws Of Comfort

December 8, 2020

The Southeastern Massachusetts Paws of Comfort Lions Club, officially chartered on Oct. 25, is “ready, able and willing” to go out and serve its community and district with their therapy dogs, according to co-founder Monique Tedino. The new group of the South Attleboro Village Lions, which has 23 members and 13 dogs, three of which […]