How You and Your Dog or Other Pets Can Become a Pet Therapy Team
You may have seen them in airports surrounded by harried travelers or in hospitals visiting patients. They make the rounds at nursing homes, crisis centers, schools, and any number of places people need a lift in spirit. We’re talking about dogs and their owners teaming up to bring smiles to the faces of those who are stressed or lonely. They’re generally referred to as pet therapy teams, and there’s no shortage of need for them across the country. Pet Therapy Programs If you are the owner of a dog who is gentle and...
6 Great Ways to Help Animal Shelters, Rescues, and Sanctuaries Year-Round
Many people are under the common misconception that the only way to help animal shelters and rescues is by donating money to support their efforts, but that’s not true. There are plenty of great ways to show your support in earnest that don’t include writing a check. With that in mind, we wanted to share with readers some of the many ways their good intentions can be realized beyond a once-a-year cash influx. Volunteer at Your Local Rescue One way you can help is by donating your time, not necessarily your money. In many ways,...
Black Cats and the Many Myths that Surround Them, Including Adoption
National Black Cat Day falls on October 27th. Every year around Halloween, rumors start to swirl, dredging up myths that black cats are bad luck and harbingers of dark things to come. One of the most common myths is that black cats are evil and difficult to find homes for. They opine that these felines are at risk of being “irresponsibly adopted” and that once the spooky season is over, they’ll be right back to where they came from: shelters and rescues. Photo: Pixabay/Virvoreanu-Laurentiu The Curse of the...
Ask Dr. Aziza: Why Your Dog Can’t Stop Itching and How to Relieve it
An itchy dog is a common occurrence in the vet clinic, but several things could be causing this discomfort. Let’s take a closer look at the top causes of itching and how we treat it to provide your dog with some itch relief. Reason #1: Fleas Fleas are a type of parasite that can cause severe itchiness and it’s the most common cause of non-stop itching. Some dogs are more sensitive to fleas than others, but all are affected to some degree. Flea preventatives are the best way to protect your pup from fleas and avoid the need for dog...
Puppy Attempts Her First “Quack Walk” On Family Farm
A little puppy got to experience his very first Quack Walk on her family’s farm and it’s too cute! The puppy lives on the Scofflaw Farm in Cedar Hill, Tennessee, a cruelty-free, no-kill family farm. Photo: YouTube/Scofflaw Farm Every morning, the family enjoys a Quack Walk, a leisurely stroll around the farm. The animals follow their human and the dogs who lead the pack as they walk around grassy fields and take in the morning air. When introducing a new animal to the mix, that animal has to learn the ropes. When a little Great...
Feisty Guard Dog Protects His Family And Home From Curious Black Bear
Small dogs have a reputation for being “yappy” and occasionally nippy. It’s not because they’re aggressive, but they may just be protective of their home and loved ones. A Schnauzer named Liebs is one such dog. Liebs may be small but he takes his duty as a guard dog very seriously. Photo: YouTube/USA Today The 12-year-old pooch lives with his owners in Duluth, Minnesota. Duluth, Minnesota is home to plenty of wildlife, including black bears. On one particular occasion, a curious black bear decided to pay Liebs’...
Student Rescues Senior Chihuahua with Alopecia, Takes Her from Scaredy Cat to Social Butterfly
When Charisma, a college student and rescue org volunteer, first met Hazel, the dog was in rough shape. She was missing lots of teeth and fur, she had scratch and bite marks all over her, and her skin was covered in itchy pustules. All the same, it was love at first sight. Charisma didn’t care a lick about what the tiny animal looked like or about what her medical needs might entail. She believed that all rescue dogs, no matter their age or health, “deserve the world.” Photo: Instagram/lil.witch.hazel Hazel was brought to OC...
Dog Friendly Apple Picking Do’s and Don’ts
Kristina Lotz Kristina Lotz has been a writer on all-things animal for over a decade. A former CPDT-KA dog trainer, she has competed in agility, herding and rally with her dogs. Now, she clicker trains her horse! Follow life on her farm @MeridaTheBitless. Source:...
Helping People by Helping Pets
Submission Guidelines Thank you for your interest in writing for Animal Wellness. As the #1 natural health magazine for pets in North America, we take pride in providing our readers with the information they need to make wise health care choices for their animal companions. Our publication embraces the entire holistic spectrum, from physical health issues to the emotional and spiritual well being of our animals. We welcome unsolicited articles and story outlines as long as they focus on holistic healing, whether physical, emotional or...
Top Dog Vitamins to Try in 2023
I take three steps when selecting a dog vitamin or supplement for one of my patients. The first is to identify a medical problem a nutraceutical, or nutritional supplement, can help. The second is understanding the science and studies supporting its use. The third is choosing a manufacturer or brand I trust. Nutraceuticals aren’t magic bullets or miracle cures, yet that’s how many are advertised. I view these treatments as an adjunct or “supplement” to a multimodal disease prevention and treatment approach. Some common...
