News

In Australia, social return on investment for programs that support people experiencing a crisis to help keep their companion animal is $8.21 for each $1 invested. That's a great return on investment and also good to see Australian facts and figures - as all too often the research on this topic is from USA. Australia is closer to home!

In the October issue of NZ Dog World, I cover how to make flooring choices for your home with your dog in mind.

Women using topical hormone replacement therapy drugs may accidentally expose their dogs (and children) to the hormones. Spayed dogs can go into heat. Read this update from the UK!

This is a post I have wanted to write for a long time. Dog owners need to know that some professionals can trade with a foundation qualification that was gained online only. I am not supportive of such qualifications for some very good reasons which are explained in this blog post.

The quote of the month is from author Kate DiCamillo

In this short film by Frank Films, the pest eradication programme on Banks Peninsula is profiled. The project includes some special dogs dedicated to sniffing out hedgehogs and feral cats.

Roughly 3.5 million military veterans suffer from PTSD, and while service dogs have been demonstrated to reduce the severity of PTSD, only 1% of those in need who seek a service dog receive one each year. For every vote for the Visible Impact Award , Dog Chow will donate $5 to the Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans (ASDPMV), up to $75,000, to help train more PTSD service dogs.

Bob Barker, long-time host of The Price is Right and animal activist, passed away in August at the age of 99. The quote of the month rightfully belongs to him, as he used his celebrity to help spread the message of spay and neuter.

Over the last 10 days, my thoughts have never been far from Lahaina, Maui. Today I packed a grab bag as part of emergency preparedness - and I hope you will too. Climate change impacts us and our pets; we must protect them.

This research comes out of the large Dog Aging Project in the USA. Social interactions can have a positive impact on health, but of course the types of social interactions will vary according to the dog. Reactive dogs will, understandably, not appreciate forced interactions.