News

Most studies involving therapy dogs focus on patients. This one is a little different because it focuses on anxiety and stress relief for healthcare workers. NZ's healthcare system is in crisis and anything we can do to support our healthcare workers (and attract new ones) should be welcome!

In the September issue of NZ Dog World I discuss two studies about the impacts of dog ownership on health. One of these studies focuses on the health benefits of dog ownership and the other quantifies the savings to the healthcare system in the USA. With NZ's healthcare system under pressure, NZ could do more to take advantage of the health benefits and reduce costs.

Pet Night is part of Pet Week on Capitol Hill, a week-long series of virtual programming and in-person visits. Virtual sessions share key data about how pets are important for human health and quality of life and highlight the most pressing issues relating to pet ownership in America. Getting in front of legislators is important to the animal welfare and care agenda. We need something like this in New Zealand!

This month's quote is about talking and listening. It comes from one of my favourite authors, A A Milne, who wrote the Winnie the Pooh books

A new therapy for dogs with bladder cancer has received a US patent

In the August edition of NZ Dog World, I explain all of the steps we have taken to treat Sox's inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is a challenging disease to manage, a lifelong mission to find food ingredients, supplements and drugs that will support the dog's quality of life.

I've just finished reading The Teachings of Shirelle (Life Lessons from a Divine Knucklehead). A great dog memoir, written by a man who discovered a unique wisdom by watching Shirelle interact with the world

The quote of the month is from one of my favourite authors, James Herriot.

This article from Scientific American shares the result of a new study from the University of Bristol. What is interesting is that the dogs reacted to stress in people they did not know; more work needs to be done in this space to ensure the mental health of therapy and emotional support dogs working in high stress situations are given proper rest breaks, time for play, and recovery.

In the July issue of NZ Dog World, I research my art deco style brooch and find a wealth of jewellery that has featured dogs along the way