Does your dog have what it takes to be a therapy dog?

A therapy dog can be a vital part of a sick person’s recovery process. More health care professionals and institutions are realizing the benefit that therapy dogs have with their patients. They help treat the elderly, severely ill and children. Not just any dog can be a therapy dog. Some are purebreds that didn’t quite meet dog show standards, while others are your average mutt or shelter dog. Both types can be very good therapy dogs if they display the following characteristics.

Temperament

The dog must be gentle and predictable. The handler must know how the dog will react in any situation. While a dog may be great with family, friends, and even children, if the dog cannot be trusted around total strangers, the dog may not be a good therapy dog. If you pay special attention to how your dog reacts to all situations, this can be a good indicator as to what type of therapy dog yours will be.

Age of Dog

Older dogs tend to be better therapy dogs because they are more mature. They are not as jumpy or easily excited as a puppy or younger dog. Usually therapy dogs are 3-5 years and older.

Special Certifications

If you feel your dog is ready to be a therapy dog, there are some certifications that may be required. A great certification is the AKC's Canine Good Citizen program. The AKC will put your dog through a series of tests and upon completion, the dog will be certified a good canine citizen. Some health care facilities require their own evaluation of the dog. Check with your local health care agency to obtain the specific requirements. Some general requirements can be found here: Therapy Dog Testing Requirements.

Therapy dogs are a great addition to healthcare services across the country. It is a choice only the owner knows is right for the dog. For more information about local programs, contact your local AKC chapter or inquire with your veterinarian.

Considerations with Pet Health Insurance

Pet insurance is becoming more like human healthcare insurance. There are deductibles, pre-existing condition clauses, major catastrophe clauses and more. With all these things, how do you choose the right company and plan? Many of the same principals apply to this as would in choosing a regular healthcare insurance plan.

Choose a reputable provider.

Do your research and ask your vet. Your Veterinarian will have some information that you may not be able to get on your own. The vet office likely deals with the different companies, so they will be able to steer you toward preferred programs.

Choose the Right Policy

Like regular insurance, pet insurance offers many policies, restrictions and other add-ons. Policies can cover emergency visits, prescriptions, routine visits and more. Do your research when purchasing a policy, because like regular insurance there are things to be aware of. Some policy premiums increase if your pet has a pre-existing condition or if you have an exotic pet. Another thing to consider is the age of your pet. Policies usually start when your pet is 8 weeks old and won’t cover pets over 10 years of age.

Cost of Policy

The cost of policies varies depending on type of pet, age of pet, pre-existing conditions and more. The average cost for dog insurance is between $22-$28 per month. The average cost for a cat is between $15-$18 per month. If you go with a plan that has a cheaper monthly rate, chances are the deductibles will be higher.

The main thing to remember is do your homework to find the best possible coverage or company. Through your research you may find that pet insurance is not right for you.

Top Reasons to Have Your Pet spayed or neutered.

If you have ever adopted a pet from a shelter, you know that there is no shortage of choices. You walked in and immediately went “awwwww, Look at that one, or that one.” Though these animals are cute, they are there for a reason. They were most likely dropped off because another dog or cat had a litter of unwanted pups or kittens. Each year more than 4 million pets are euthanized because there is nowhere for them to go. Besides controlling the pet population, there are a number of great reasons why you should get your pet spayed or neutered.

· Eliminate health risks – Male animals will not develop testicular cancer, and for female animals, the risk of breast or mammary cancer is greatly reduced.

· Prostate risk eliminated - Without the influence of testosterone from the testicles, prostatic problems are much less likely. Enlarged prostates can cause difficulty in urinating and also can lead to constipation.

· Reduce wandering – Neutered and spayed pets are less likely to wander away from home to find a mate or follow a scent. Less wandering means less chance for your pet to get into trouble.

· Reduce Aggressiveness – In tact animals are more likely to be aggressive toward other animals and worse yet, people.

· Less Territorial Markings – Neutered males and spayed females mark less than intact animals. This means less stains and odor in your home.

There are many more reasons to have your pet spayed or neutered, but the main reason is to control the pet population. Animals should not have to be euthanized because of something they can’t control. Help the pet population and do your part by taking care of your pet and having it spayed or neutered.

New Year’s Resolutions for the Health of Your Pet

With the New Year upon us, you may be noticing that your pet is slightly overweight. This would be a great New Year’s Resolution, get your pet in shape. There are many ways in which you can accomplish this goal. You can help your pet get in shape by being active with them, or if you are more the couch potato type, there are other things you can do.

For the Active

Walk your dog more often or take up jogging with them. The added activity will help you and your dog get in shape. Another benefit is a healthier and longer lifespan, for both of you! For a different option, seek out a dog-friendly park. These parks are popping up across the nation and offer a secure place to let your dog run and play. Many provide fresh water, toys and open space and are separated by dog size. Not only are these parks a great way to exercise your pet, but they can be a fun way to meet new people.

For the Less Active

A couple of things come to mind for the less-active pet owner. Evaluate the food you are feeding your dog or cat. There are many healthy food options out there that provide the needed nutrition, but with less calories. Speak with your vet or your local pet food dealer to find the right food for your pet. Another option is to find toys that can keep your pet active. These toys will keep your pets in better shape, as well as providing some entertainment for you. A great example for dogs is the automatic fetch machine. http://www.buygodoggo.com/seemovie.htm. If you are looking to get your cat in shape with a toy, try this one: http://www.thecatconnection.com/Da-Bird-Cat-Teaser.html. The cat teaser will keep your feline friend entertained for hours.

If you follow these steps, it is a sure way to start your New Year in a healthy and happy way. Your pet will thank you in the long run. Here’s wishing you a happy and healthy New Year!