The Paw Street Journal
by Canine Assisted Therapy, Inc.
News From the World of Therapy Dogs                                  February 9, 2010
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Canine Assisted Therapy is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization and relies solely on donations from the community for support.  Your donation will help us to provide support, training, education and mentoring to those interested in dog therapy programs.  Please help us to continue our service to those in need by donating generously today.

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 C.A.T. Temperament and Personality Testing
Saturday, February 13th
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C.A.T. Continuing Education Seminar
Thursday, February 18th
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Thursday, February 25th
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TopChoose Wisely - How to Select a Good Groomer
Anna and Cosmo
by Danielle Gaudreau - Salon Bark

As many of us are true dog lovers, and sometimes take better care of our pet than ourselves, it is important to do your homework when choosing a grooming salon.
Unlike hair stylists, there are no licensing or training requirements to become a pet groomer. Unfortunately there is also no legislation to protect your furry child from negligence or lack of experience.

So here is some advice to help you choose a good grooming salon:

Word of Mouth!  Any salon can have a flashy website and great advertising, but they cannot buy word of mouth.  Be careful of salons that have lots of great reviews on the internet.  Some Salons offer clients incentives to write a good review or stoop as low as to writing their own under fake names.  Instead, ask your neighbors, friends or your veterinarian.

Once you have one or more recommendations, give them a visit before you book an appointment and ask to see the salon.  A reputable salon will not have any issues giving you a tour.  Ask to see the area where you pet will be  bathed, dried  and groomed.

Don't be afraid to ask questions:
'Where will my pet be kept while he is waiting to be groomed?' -  'What is your protocol in case of emergency?' - 'How will my pet be dried and will someone supervise my dog if you use cage dryers?' - 'What kind of training does the groomer have and is someone else handling my dog other than the groomer?'

Instinct!  Remember, if it does not feel right, don't ignore it.  Are the dogs in the salon barking like crazy and acting scared or nervous?  Does the place smell like a boys high school locker room?  Is the groomer smoking a cigarette and sounding like he/she just stepped  off the Deliverance movie set?  Just leave.

Once you have found the perfect salon and groomer, be honest. If your dog has a tendency to go from sweetie to killer at the sight of a brush, let the groomer know.  Does your furry child have health issues such as hip dysplasia, seizures, heart issues etc.? Tell your groomer, because the more they know about your baby, the better the experience will be for all involved.  And remember, once you have found a good salon and groomer, treat them with respect.  It is a tough job.  A nice word ( or a tip) can go a long way with your groomer.

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Dog Strollers  - Luxury or Necessity?
Anna and Cosmo
Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com

It is never ridiculous to think about your dog's welfare and safety.  Who would dare to disagree?

A lot of dog owners probably think that putting a dog inside a stroller is a useless idea, but they are definitely wrong.  They dismiss the fact that dog strollers can bring a lot of benefits and advantages for both pets and the owners in terms of transporting a dog from one place to another.

If you want to protect your dog from many possible dangers in the outside world, buying a stroller is a practical option to ensure the safety of your dog while providing huge amount of comfort and convenience.  You can also easily carry your senior pets or dogs with disabilities using this type of dog carrier.

Nobody wants to bring large dog with a fractured leg, right?  It is a very difficult endeavor and risky at the same time for the condition of your dog.  Caring for a disabled or injured dog will be a lot more manageable if you use a stroller.

Indeed, strollers for pets are not luxury items, most especially for physically challenged k9s.  Older dogs will definitely feel more comfortable whenever you put them inside a stroller.

For dog owners who love taking a long walk in the park or around the block, a pet stroller is more than a necessity.  If you are worried about your dog getting away or lost when you're walking in the streets, you can prevent such unlikely incidents from happening by using a dog stroller.  Dog strollers are also a healthy solution if you reside in an area where it isn't too safe to walk.  Many outdoorsy dog lovers have heralded the use of a dog stroller as a fantastic way of incorporating dogs into their workouts.

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Dear Georgia: How Do You Mend a Broken Heart?
Anna and Cosmo
Dear Georgia: My dog and I visit a facility every week. As we were leaving our facility after one of our visits, one of the residents began crying to me, "Please don't leave me!"  What was I to do?  - Broken Hearted

Dear Broken Heart: I wanted to ask an expert how to handle this situtuation so I have consulted our Continuing Education Facilitator and Licensed Mental Health Consultant, Laura A. Weber. This is her response:

"I am glad you asked this question because it is a situation that most volunteers will encounter - some on a regular basis. Sometimes volunteering of ourselves does hurt - and it is important to reach out for support.  The woman at your site was reaching out as well, and you will see more and more folks try to "connect" with you, the more available you are.

In general, I recommend a two-step process whenever we are in a situation where one of the residents seems sad, in need, in pain, in danger, etc.  First, we want to "check it out" with the support staff at the site - to be sure immediate professional attention is not warranted, and second, we want to provide consistent feedback that is honest and positive.

Remember, you must always know "who to go to", a contact person, at each site.  Once we have made that contact and are sure that this individual is not in need of professional attention - medical, social, emotional, etc., we can respond in a caring way.  If you are leaving, but have plans to be back, let the person know. If you are pretty sure you will not be back yourself, but are aware of others who volunteer, make that clear.  "I am so glad you enjoy our visits!  Blue and I do too - I will see you next week (or next month, etc.)".  "Isn't it wonderful when the dogs visit?  I am not sure when I will be back but I know another dog, like Blue, is coming next week (next month, soon, etc.)".  Get close enough to be heard, give the person your complete attention (make eye contact, get down on her level if she is in a chair, etc.) and smile warmly.  Repeat yourself if needed, but it will be your job to gently, firmly, end the conversation in an upbeat manner.

My recommendations for any conversations with facility residents are generally along these lines: supportive, positive and honest. Don't make promises.  Don't assume you (your dog) to be the only one who can be of support.  Do be consistent in your feedback.  Do approach the situation with a positive outlook and tone.

As you become more familiar with the needs, strengths, concerns of the groups of folks where you volunteer, you will become more confident in your communication.  This month (February) our Continuing Education at C.A.T. Dogs will be on special populations - specifically, those with Mental Health issues.  Communicating with individuals who are psychotic, depressed, anxious, etc. will be discussed at length.

Future topics include areas relevant to your question as well - specifically, concerns regarding Ethics & Boundaries,  Abuse & Neglect (Awareness and Reporting of), and Communication & Relationship Building.  In addition to general information, these seminars are also a good opportunity to discuss particular situations which may arise for a C.A.T. Dog volunteer."

Thank you for volunteering!

Laurie Weber
Laura A. Weber, M.S., LMHC
Mental Health Consultant. Counselor & Educator

Email your questions to DearGeorgia@catdogs.org

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