Volunteer Barbara Hyland and her Greyhound, Penny, participated in the LA/SPCA's Care Cadet Camp. The VPP team gave an educational presentation to the young campers to explain to them exactly what therapy visits are all about and why they serve a very important purpose. Following their training, the Care Cadets will serve as volunteers at the shelter and may also make an appearance at an upcoming VPP evaluation.

A large group of VPP volunteers attended the LSU Camp Tiger May 21st at Jesuit High School. Camp Tiger was founded in 1985 by first-year students from the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans. Its mission is to give disadvantaged and challenged children an enjoyable summer camp experience. For the campers, this may be their only chance during the summer to socialize with other children without being singled out for their disability.

Volunteers who attended 2010 LSU Camp Tiger were:
Connie Back, Linda Bordelon, Kim Bradley, Leslie Davis, Delia Hardie, Frances Hecker, Barbara Hyland, Kathline Malone, Carolyn Saunders, Fay Schultz, Claire Sommers, Joy Sturtevant, and Donna and Greg West

The dangers:

It takes only minutes for a pet left in a vehicle on a warm day to succumb to heatstroke and suffocation. Most people don't realize how hot it can get in a parked car on a balmy day. However, on a 78 degree day, temperatures in a car parked in the shade can exceed 90 degrees -- and hit a scorching 160 degrees if parked in the sun!

Even when the outside air temperature is in the 60s, temperatures inside some vehicles can reach the danger zone on bright, sunny days. So many experts recommend not to leave pets or children in parked cars even for short periods if the temperature is in the 60s or higher.

Rolling down a window or parking in the shade doesn't guarantee protection either, since temperatures can still climb into the danger zone. And if the window is rolled down sufficiently, the pet can escape. Plus if a passer-by claims he or she was bitten through the car window, the pet owner will be liable.

Animals are not able to sweat like humans do. Dogs cool themselves by panting and by sweating through their paws. If they have only overheated air to breathe, animals can collapse, suffer brain damage and possibly die of heatstroke. Just 15 minutes can be enough for an animal's body temperature to climb from a normal 102.5 to deadly levels that will damage the nervous and cardiovascular systems, often leaving the animal comatose, dehydrated and at risk of permanent impairment or death.

Precautions:

* Leave your dog at home on warm days.

* On trips with your pet, bring plenty of fresh drinking water and bowl.

* Don't let dogs ride loose in pick-up truck beds. The hot metal can burn a dog's paws, the sun and flying debris can hurt the dog, the dog can accidentally be thrown out of the truck if the brakes are suddenly applied, and the dog can jump out if scared or upon seeing something interesting to chase. Instead, use a crate to create a safer space for the dog if you can't fit the dog inside the truck cab.

* If you see signs of heat exhaustion, which include restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, dark tongue, rapid pulse, fever, vomiting, glazed eyes, dizziness, or lack of coordination your dog should be taken to the vet. To lower body temperature gradually, give the animal water to drink, place a cold towel or ice pack on the head, neck and chest, and/or immerse the dog in cool (not cold) water. Call your veterinarian. If you see a pet in a vehicle on a hot day, take immediate action:

* Note the car make, model, color and tag number, then go to the nearest stores and ask the managers to page the owner.

* Call the police, which usually can respond much faster than can animal control departments. The police have the capability to enter the vehicle and rescue the pet. This link offers free downloadable fliers that can be used to educate and remind others not to leave their pets in hot cars.

source: http://mydogiscool.com