Children Experience Happy Healing Thanks to New Pet Center

The idea of a pet center inside a major hospital might sound like a far fetched idea right now, but we assure you that it is not! After all, who doesn’t feel better after a few sloppy, wet kisses and lots of furry hugs? And who among us hasn’t wished we could sneak a beloved pet into a hospital room to see an ailing friend or a family member? If you can relate to the idea of pets influencing good health and happy moods, then you’re going to love the story we’re about to share with you.

When most of us think of hospitals, we envision sterile rooms, sick patients and maybe even worried family members. With doctors and nurses hurrying about, a hospital is the last place we’d expect to find a fluffy pooch or a cuddly kitty, right? Well, furry little visitors are exactly what you can now find at Children’s Hospital in St. Louis! Thanks to a hefty donation from the kind folks at Purina, the hospital now offers a pet center where young patients can spend time with their furry best friends as they recover from various illnesses, treatments and surgeries. Pretty awesome, right?

 

How One Pet Center Became a Reality

 

Time and time again, studies have shown that pets help reduce stress, anxiety, depression and even help relieve physical pain. With this in mind, Jill Malan, who manages Child Life Services at Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, presented the idea of creating a pet center where patients and their families can visit with family pets while still remaining on hospital grounds and close to the medical attention they need. Malan’s idea gained steam and after traveling up the chain of command, the hospital’s foundation secured funding from Purina to the tune of $450,000 to make a brand new pet center happen!

Purina not only paid for the construction of the 300 square foot room, but it also helped pay for its staffing and had a say in the center’s design. A large room with lots of windows allowing natural light to flood inside, the pet center offers a bright and cheerful environment. Equipped with washable surfaces, bright colors and comfortable furnishings, the room is fully stocked with pet toys and treats for furry visitors and their loved ones. It’s even large enough to comfortably fit a hospital bed for patients who are unable to walk or be transported by wheelchair!

 

Imagine how excited these children will be as each can now enjoy playtime with their most beloved little fur buddies! We know in our hearts that this new pet center will be a success and that it will strengthen many children as they battle to overcome the various health issues that are interrupting their lives. To be able to have such a place where they can escape for fun, excitement, familiarity and love is just the most awesome thing in the world, don’t you agree?

 

Your Thoughts

Should every hospital have a pet center? We happen to think they should and we’d love to see this idea spread to hospitals everywhere. But we want to know what you think, so be sure to leave us a comment below and remember to share this post and spread the news about how the wonderful idea of a pet center at Children’s Hospital in St. Louis became a reality. Maybe, just maybe, more people will get behind the idea and make pet centers a standard at every hospital in the nation!

 

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HOMEMADE DOG TREATS: A Simple Way to Help Pets Cool Down

Homemade dog treats help your pets stay cool as the weather begins to heat up. Air conditioning and a steady supply of cool water are always necessary, but rising temperatures shouldn’t mean that your dog can’t still enjoy the great outdoors! In preparation for the warm and sunny days ahead, we thought we’d share some of our favorite DIY recipes to help keep your fur baby as cool and comfy as possible.  

Doggie Ice Cream

Source: http://allcreatures.tumblr.com/post/50576785398/lickypickystickyme-dog-this-sounds-like-good

Thanks to homemade dog treats like this one, Rover can enjoy a little comfort food made with love. And you don’t even have to be a master chef to make this one happen. I mean, who can’t mix bananas, yogurt and peanut butter together, right? Perhaps, the best part about this DIY treat is that you and your dog can enjoy the final concoction together!

(NOTE: Please read your peanut butter labels to avoid poisoning your dog with Xylitol!)

Giant Ice Lick

Source:

http://lifehacker.com/5920797/doggy-ice-lick-keeps-summer-heat-at-bay-for-outside-pets

Homemade dog treats like this one are as fun as they are practical. He’ll lick and lick his way to toys and scrumptious delights while hydrating and cooling down. Deliciously exciting, this uber-simple dog lick will help make your Fido the coolest pup on the block for sure!

Pupsicles

Source: http://www.lifeinmomma-tone.com/2011/07/pupsicles.html

We’ve shared some pretty tasty homemade dog treats on this blog before, but these pupsicles are not to be missed. Simple and easy enough to make every day, these are a must-have for doggie households!

 

Let Fetch! Pet Care Help Your Dogs Cool Down

When you prepare homemade dog treats for your fur baby, be sure to let our dog walkers and pet sitters know. Fetch! Pet Care sitters don’t mind feeding them to your love bug while you’re away. In fact, it is our pleasure to help keep your dogs cool and comfortable all summer long!

 

Love Homemade Dog Treats?

Have you tried any of these homemade dog treats before? How much does your pooch love them? Do you have any other DIY recipes to share with us? Tell us all about it in the comments section below. Remember to share these homemade dog treats on social media and with all of your friends, too!

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A Vet Explains: 5 Ways to Keep your Pet Happy and Healthy This Summer

Guest post by: Dr. Rachel Barrack. Dr. Barrack is a licensed veterinarian, certified veterinary acupuncturist, and certified veterinary Chinese herbalist with an integrative approach to healing. She draws upon her extensive training in both eastern and western veterinary medicine to treat and heal animals. To learn more about Dr. Rachel Barrack, please visit her website at animalacupuncture.com.

Summer time means outdoor barbeques, sunny days and more room for adventures with your loved ones – including your pet! From a walk around the neighborhood, to an active hike or an exciting road trip, there are several ways you and your pet can enjoy summer fun together.

Although the blazing summer heat can be tough for “us” to deal with, imagine having four legs and a full coat of fur. While you’re on your adventures with your pet, it’s important to take a few precautions first to ensure a happy and healthy pet – for a happy and healthy owner.

In addition to being the owner of my 9-year-old Chihuahua, Eloise, I am also a licensed veterinarian who specializes in veterinary acupuncture and Chinese herbology at Animal Acupuncture in New York City. Here are a few of my proven tips to keep your pet healthy and happy throughout the hot summer months:

 

At The Dog Park

Summer is the perfect season to bring your family to the park – pets included! But before you bring your furry loved ones along, make sure they play safely with other dogs and are calm in an environment with young children and animals.

Additionally, games like fetch are fun for everyone involved, but watch what you use. Dead branches and sticks are a common choice, but they can splinter and cause irritations and obstructions if ingested. Stick with a tennis ball or your pet’s favorite toy instead.

 

Summer Travel 

From beach trips to family BBQs, summer travel seems to be endless on the weekends. When traveling with your pet, make sure they are safe in the car. Never let your pet ride unsecured in the back of a pick-up truck or with the windows down too low. Bugs and dirt can fly into your animals’ eyes and ears causing irritation, and the breeze may cause dry eyes.

When making a pit stop along the way, never leave your pet unattended in your car. Temperatures can quickly escalate to dangerous temperatures resulting in heat stroke and even death for your pet.

Once arriving at your destination, it may be tempting to let your dog jump in the nearest pool or lake, but use caution. Not all dogs are natural swimmers and they should never be allowed to swim unattended.

If you end up at a delicious BBQ, it is tempting to share the food with your dog. But, food including onions, garlic, corn on the cob, and bones can be extremely harmful. It is best to stick with your pet’s usual diet rather than having them partake in the BBQ fest.

Summer Walks

There’s nothing like going on a walk with your pet to both get a little exercise and fresh air. However, the intensifying heat is something to be aware of. Make sure your pet doesn’t overheat when exercising, and always provide fresh, clean water to keep them well hydrated.

Be careful if you are walking your dog on asphalt or hot rocks, as the ground can heat up and result in painful blisters. It is also important to keep your pet well groomed to prevent skin irritation and to regulate their temperature.

 

The Outdoors

Camping is a fun summer activity that of course, can include your pets. But remember, summer season is bug season. Your pet should be on heatworm, flea, and tick preventatives, and always check your pet for ticks after walks in wooded areas and long grasses.

General Health and Well-Being

Every season is a reminder to schedule a check-up with your veterinarian to ensure your pet is in optimal health and all vaccinations are up to date. This is also a great time to consult your primary care veterinarian to see if acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy can benefit your pet. Chinese medicine is a great way to alleviate chronic conditions including allergies, arthritis, and anxiety — allowing you and your dog to have a great summer!

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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Dog Walking

If you are a new pet parent and just entering the wonderful world of dog walking, we know you have a lot of questions. Heck, even if you’ve been walking your pooch for ages, there’s still room to learn how to make the experience even better, right? Since we happen to know a thing or two about dog walking, we thought we’d share a few tips to help you get started in the right direction. Sound like fun? Well, let’s jump right into it then!

 

Why Dog Walking is So Important

You’ve got a grand backyard and your dog has plenty of toys to occupy her, so why is a walk still necessary? Well, dogs like to explore, hunt and discover new sights and smells as a part of their nature. A backyard romp is nice, but nothing beats a good long walk around the neighborhood.

Dog walking is also an important form of exercise for your dog (and you!), as well as a great way for you two to spend quality time together!

 

How Often Should Your Dog Be Walked?

We recommend walking your dog at least two times per day for a period of 20 minutes up to an hour or more each time. Depending upon your dog’s breed, weather conditions and her health, you may adjust the time and distance that you walk, but we do not recommend walking less than 20 minutes at a time twice per day.

 

Dog Walking Supplies

Basic dog walking supplies include:

A safe leash that is as comfortable for your dog as it is for you. Make sure it’s not too heavy, but that it is sturdy enough to allow you to control your dog’s movements with relative ease.

A poop bag to clean up after your dog.

For longer walks, be sure to take a water bottle (especially on warm days) and treats.

 

Your Dog’s Nose Leads Her

Dogs who are excited about being outdoors or in a new place will often move ahead of their owners on a walk. If your pooch does this, understand that she is not trying to lead you or establish dominance during your time together, but she is anxious to explore every scent that her little wet nose can find and she wants to hurry on to the next one as soon as she can.

In some cases, a dog leading the way just may be due to a need for more exercise. Again, take your dog walking often to help burn some of that anxious energy off. Use treats and rewards to help your dog learn to be patient and walk at a pace that is comfortable to you without pulling. With practice and time, she will understand that you are establishing a routine together and that she doesn’t have to smell the entire world at once!

 

Same Path Every Day?

Dog walking routines can get a little humdrum at times, so it’s nice to mix things up a little by choosing a different route or even making a game out of dog walking. While this can be exciting for you and your dog, remember that she also establishes a territory by sniffing around and marking a familiar path. So, when you want to try something different, feel free, but don’t think that you have to give your pup a new experience everyday. As long as she’s with you, getting good exercise and spending quality time, she’ll be happy wherever you walk!

 

More Dog Walking Questions?

Remember that Fetch! Pet Care is always here to answer your dog walking questions. And should you ever find you need someone to walk your dog for you, we’re happy to do that as well! The time has now come for you to share your best dog walking tips in the comment well below and remember to share this post with a few fellow dog lovers in your life, too!

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