How’s your assistance dog’s off-lead recall? Whistle is an amazing assistance dog and he spends a lot of his time working with me. However, I try to give him several times throughout the day and evening when he can spend some free time in the backyard relaxing and just being a dog.

When he and I were first working together, I really had a hard time getting him to come back to me whenever he was off-lead. He was thoroughly enjoying the sunshine and outdoor smells and was in no hurry to come back inside.

I tried to entice him by making it worth his while to return. I began offering him a tasty treat whenever he would come when I called. That strategy has been pretty successful. However, lately, it seems that when he goes out for his free time in the backyard, he is less anxious to come back inside when I call him.

I was curious if anyone else has this issue with their assistance dog. If so, how have dealt you with it?

I came across a helpful article in a recent issue of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine’s DOG Watch that I wanted to share with you regarding the importance of early detection of canine cancer.

Did you know that “it has been estimated that cancer is the cause of death in 50% of dogs over the age of 10 and that 25 to 30% of all dogs will be stricken with the disease at some point during their lives, regardless of their age”?

I don’t want to be an alarmist but I think we can definitely take some proactive steps to protect our assistance dogs. As we all know, the sooner a cancer is diagnosed, the better our dog’s chances that the cancer can be stopped and an assistance dog’s life can be saved or extended.

The folks at DOG Watch stress the importance of owner awareness to such physical symptoms as: “an open sore that won’t heal; an unusual lump or swollen area that doesn’t go away; mysterious bleeding from the mouth or anus; troubled breathing; difficulty in urinating or defecating; uncharacteristic lethargy; reluctance to exercise; sudden weight loss”. They also recommend that young dogs receive a yearly physical but dogs older than eight should have a physical at least twice a year.

Whistle is my third assistance dog. I have noticed that each of my assistance dogs’ health changed between the age of 5-6. After age 5, I began monitoring their health a little closer and regularly scheduling a physical exam with our vet every six months. The cost has been relatively low because he is just conducting a physical assessment in his office however it gives us a base line to monitor Whistle’s health as he becomes a senior working dog.

I routinely groom my assistance dog by brushing their fur at either the beginning or end of the day. Not only is this a good bonding exercise but it also gives me a chance to physically scan Whistle’s body for any lumps or bumps, changes in his skin or other physical signs of potential health concerns.

Dealing with health issues is never easy but I feel it is my responsibility to be vigilante with Whistle’s health care maintenance and overall wellness. Conducting routine exams at home with your assistance dog can be just what the doctor ordered!

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. (October 2011) “Early Detection of Canine Cancer”. DOG Watch. 15(10): 1.

On a recent trip to Olympia, Washington, I noticed as we settled into our hotel room, that Whistle was chewing on his back foot. My husband, Franz, and I got him on the bed to inspect his foot. To our surprise, there was a blister in between the pad of his back foot.

The blister looked pretty angry and Franz and I both felt we should get a vet to look at it just to be safe. We had busy outdoor vacation plans and we wanted to make sure Whistle was up for the week.

The next morning, I located a veterinarian’s office online, Hawks Prairie Veterinary Hospital (www.hawksprairieveterinaryhospital.com), which was close to our hotel. I called to make an appointment and fortunately, they were able to get us in right away.

The vet inspected Whistle’s foot. She and her assistant cleaned and debrided the area and shaved the hair from around the spot. The staff was so friendly and helpful. They prescribed a topical antibiotic cream and a solution to keep the area clean.

The vet also suggested that we consider purchasing Whistle a set of booties. She was concerned that perhaps the blister was the result of the summer time asphalt or a hot rock that got embedded in his paw. Whatever the cause, we wanted to make sure that Whistle’s foot would be protected, remain clean and heal properly.

She directed us to a wonderful local dog supply store, MudBay (www.mudbay.us), in close proximity to the clinic. We went over to check out their line of booties. The first pair we tried were very rigid and durable for all types of terrain. Whistle was bewildered about these foreign objects and he was behaving pretty dramatically.

We decided to try another brand, Ultra Paws Traction Dog Boots. These booties were much lighter and surprisingly Whistle adapted very quickly to them. With the encouragement of a few yummy treats, he was quickly walking around the store and hardly even acting like he was wearing booties.

Another bonus was the price. These booties were much cheaper than the original pair he tried. For about $20.00, we were on our way and Whistle’s feet were protected. From there, we were ready to continue on our vacation.

We began the beautiful drive from Olympia, Washington up to Mount Rainier National Park. We stopped in for lunch as we entered the park. I must say that I was not prepared for the response Whistle received regarding his booties. Literally everyone we encountered wanted to know why he was wearing them, where we got them, and how we convinced him to wear them.

I have been partnered with an assistance dog for almost 20 years and I am used to people’s curiosity. But this was a whole new experience.

Whistle glided throughout the entire trip with his new slippers. I am happy to report that his foot healed quickly and I will definitely continue using the booties during the summer for hot pavement and in the winter time to navigate on snow. Actually, I anticipate Whistle will be wearing his new booties quite often!

I love to travel. And, traveling with a disability has presented me with many interesting challenges and situations throughout the years. So, of course, traveling with an assistance dog has added additional scenarios that I have had to address.

During my most recent out-of-state travel excursions, my assistance dog, Whistle, had some minor medical issues that required professional attention. On one trip, he developed a deep cough that was diagnosed as tonsillitis. On the last trip, I noticed him chewing on his back paw. He had a blister in between the webbing of his pad.

My husband, Franz, and I found ourselves on each of these occasions in a hotel trying to locate a qualified veterinarian in an unknown community. I am happy to report that on both occasions Whistle received excellent care. And because of this excellent care, we were able to complete all of our planned travel activities. But, it was a stressful situation until we were able to find a vet clinic and get the medical care and medicine that he needed.

I did learn a couple of things that I wanted to share with you. First, from now on when I travel, I will do some additional planning by checking with my local vet to see if he knows of a vet in our travel destination. If not, then it’s up to me to do some research and create my own resource list.

By simply searching the Internet, I can determine if there is a 24-hour emergency clinic in close proximity to our hotel. It should also be pretty easy to identify one or two veterinarians in the area along with a local dog supply store. I can then compile this information onto a one-page resource list.

The resource list can easily be stored in a plastic sheet protector and filed in my travel folder along with airline tickets, rental vehicle information, etc. Using colored paper is another tip that will make the resource list easier to locate when I might be stressed. Keeping a copy available in a backpack or some other carry-on luggage for quick access is important. However, just to be on the safe side, I will probably place a second copy in my suitcase as a back-up.

It does add one extra task to the packing and planning process but it will give me a sense of calm knowing that I have this information available to me in case Whistle has an urgent medical need arise.

Another quick tip that I wanted to share with you occurred during our first trip this summer. After we had identified a vet and while we were driving to that local vet’s office, I contacted Whistle’s vet and asked his staff to fax Whistle’s medical information to the attending vet in this city. That was very helpful to the new vet and enabled him to quickly assess Whistle’s health needs and overall health.

If you are a traveler with an assistance dog, it is inevitable that your dog might need veterinarian care while you two are on a trip. With a little pre-planning, you can respond to any situation and keep your assistance dog happy and healthy and your travel plans on schedule!

Do you need a home makeover or do you know someone partnered with an assistance dog that does? I just got a call from the Casting Director with ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. She told me they were avidly looking for deserving families for this season’s show and they are particularly interested in working with a family with an assistance dog!

Here’s the info you need to know and what you need to do to apply:

What does it take to be picked for an Extreme Makeover?

The producers are in search of deserving families and deserving people – people who have amazing strength of character and who put their own needs aside to help others. Whether it’s a mom, a soldier, a teacher, or a fireman, they think deserving families are families who inspire those around them. In addition, the producers are looking for families whose houses need major alterations or repair—homes that present serious problems for the family and affect the family’s quality of life.

To be eligible:

A family must own their own single family home and be able to show producers how a makeover will make a huge difference in their lives.

Interested families or those who wish to nominate another family should:

E-mail a short description of their family story to CNPMediacasting@gmail.com

Nominations/submissions must include:

1. The names and ages of each member of the household
2. A description of the major challenges within the home.
3. Explanation of why this family is deserving, or a positive role model in their community.
4. Photos of the family and a photo of the home
5. Don’t forget to include a contact phone number.

The deadline: for nominations is August 25, 2011. BUT Don’t Delay! Please send story submissions as soon as possible! For more information on how to apply please visit their website.

Whistle and I can’t wait to see if you and your assistance dog are chosen for this amazing, once-in-a-lifetime adventure! You never know, Ty Pennington and his crew might just be getting ready to drive that famous bus into your neighborhood!!

I have always felt guilty that my assistance dogs have been the sole dog in our house with the exception of the times when there has been an overlap with my retired assistance dog. However during those times, my retired dogs have been older, physically challenged and uninterested in playing with a younger dog.

For the past five months now, Whistle has been the sole dog in our house after my retired dog, Morgan, passed away. Whistle is one of those dogs who is full of energy. After working with me all day, Whistle still demands to go for a long walk around the neighborhood. When we return, Whistle grabs his toy and insists that my husband, Franz, and I play retrieving games with his favorite toys until bedtime.

I really felt Whistle needed some canine interaction and I was considering taking him to the local dog park so he could have some social engagement with other dogs. However, I had heard from acquaintances of their experiences that made me reluctant to do so.

Seeking a more controlled situation, I asked a friend I know and trust who has a rescue dog similar to Whistle’s age and athletic drive to bring him over to my house for a play date with Whistle.
She brought him over to meet Whistle one Saturday afternoon. At first, they seemed a little awkward and too energetic, but with a little supervision, they became fast friends. Now the two look forward to seeing each other and they both get to run and play in a safe environment.
We decided to schedule some regular play dates so Whistle and his new friend, Bueno, could spend more time together. Now, when Bueno’s mom and dad want to travel or go on an outing, Bueno comes over for a visit.

It’s so nice to see Whistle run around and chase Bueno like an average dog. And, it is amazing to see Bueno, who has had no formal obedience training, try to sit by my wheelchair and act like my assistance dog!

It’s a match made in heaven for everyone involved!

In talking with Dr. Murt, he thought it was a good time to do some basic blood work along with his regular physical examination. To date, Whistle has been very healthy and I have not had the need to do a Complete Blood Count (CBC) and chemistry panel on him.

However, since he is over six now, Dr. Murt and I agreed that it was important to establish a baseline as a preventative measure. With his blood work information on file, Dr. Murt and his staff can refer to it as Whistle ages and his medical needs change.

Using a small amount of his blood, the laboratory was able to measure Whistle’s white blood cells, red cells, platelets and plasma. The chemistry panel focused on the chemical components in the blood. All of these ingredients provided Dr. Murt with an internal picture of Whistle’s overall health and wellness.

I am happy to report that Whistle’s blood work was normal. However, Dr. Murt did note that his cholesterol was slightly elevated and he had gained 5 pounds. The weight gain was a wake-up call for me to lay off some of the high fat treats that I had been giving Whistle lately.

It also reminded me that I need to be mindful about how much Whistle consumes each day. Even though Whistle is active and healthy now, how I monitor and care for him on a daily basis will have a tremendous impact on his working life span and his quality of life during his senior years.

Have you done any blood work on your assistance dog lately? Do you think this information will be helpful as your dog ages?

Whistle is my third service dog and I am still learning how to care for him to ensure that he has a long and healthy working life and retirement. I would love to hear what lessons you’ve learned.

I recently had the pleasure of visiting with veteran military dog handler, Larry Chilcoat on Working Like Dogs at www.PetLifeRadio.com. Larry, a member of the Vietnam Dog Handlers Association, stopped by to visit with me about the ongoing efforts to build a Military Working Dogs National Monument.

It is amazing the amount of work and dedication that a group of individuals led by John Burnham and Larry have contributed to erect the Military Working Dogs National Monument. Through their efforts, they have designed and secured a space for this national monument at Fort Belvoir, Virginia that will honor the heroic past, present and future United States military dog handlers and their incredible working dogs.

Larry explained the difference between a national monument (a living representation that can honor military dogs both past, present and future which requires Senate, Congressional and Presidential approval) and a memorial (a tombstone for people or dogs that are deceased). Larry and his team members gained a Congressional Sponsor in Congressman Walter B. Jones of North Carolina. With his help, they have completed the approval process which was signed into law by President Bush in 2008. Now, the group has to raise the more than $900,000 to pay for the construction and placement.

I could still hear the love in Larry’s voice as he talked about his 85-pound German shepherd, Military Police Dog, Gisha. He served with Gisha for one year in Vietnam and the impact this dog had on his life could be felt in the way he reminisced about her.

As Larry so eloquently said, she has lived in his heart for over 40 years.

Larry believes that he and other fellow veterans are now in a position to make a difference, to have a something permanent to honor these dogs for all time and to make a united statement that they are an important part of the U.S. Military. Larry said passionately, “The memories don’t go away, which is why it is so exciting to do something that will benefit a lot of handlers that don’t have this opportunity… we’ll put something out there for the nation to know what role these dogs play and how long they have sacrificed for our country and how many lives they’ve saved.”

These military working dogs do so much to save and to protect our country and the lives of their military handlers. The men and women who serve bravely beside their canine partners are the unsung heroes that provide us with the freedom we too often take for granted. Tentatively, a dedication date has been scheduled for Veteran’s Day 2012. If you would like to contribute a tax deductible donation to the Military Working Dogs National Monument, please visit their web site at www.jbmf.us. To hear more about the efforts to build this worthy Military Working Dogs National Monument, tune in to Working Like Dogs’ Episode 46 – War Dogs Remembered at www.petliferadio.com.

Toys are an important part of your assistance dog’s overall health and well-being. Having appropriate, engaging chew toys is important not only for entertainment but it can also support their dental health and ease anxiety.

I don’t know about you but when I got my first assistance dog, I did not have much experience with highly trained dogs and I was unsure about what were the best chew toys on the market.

Over the years, I have learned the hard way but I came across an article about chew toys this year in the Cornell University DOG Watch publication. The article provides an array of information about selecting the best chew toy.

As we all know, there are an endless variety of dog toys on the market but not all toys are right for your dog. Every dog has his or her own preference in toys. However, the key thing you need to keep in mind is safety first.

When choosing a toy best suited for your dog, you want to think about:

• Is your dog young or extremely active?
• Does he have any food allergies?
• What size is your dog?
• Is he a dedicated chewer or does he prefer to carry around a stuffed toy?

Most chew toys fall into the following categories:

• Rawhide
• Dental Chews
• Nylabones and Kongs
• Puzzle Toys
• Stuffed Toys and Rope Toys

Rawhides are just like it sounds, cured animal hide shaped into strips or bones. Most dogs love them and gobble them up. Be aware that rawhides soften when chewed and can become lodged in your dog’s throat. You need to be cautious and monitor your dog as they enjoy a rawhide.

Dental Chews can help to prevent periodontal disease by helping to clean your dog’s teeth and freshen their breath. They certainly do not replace brushing your dog’s teeth but they can play an important part in a healthy dental routine. CET chews, Hextra chews, DentaBones, and Greenies are just a few on the market.

Nylabones and Kongs – Nylabones are made from nylon, resins, hard-packed rubber and other synthetic materials. They are similar to regular bones but they won’t usually splinter or break as easily. Kongs are extremely durable toys made of hard rubber. You can even insert your dog’s favorite treat into some kongs such peanut butter, cream cheese, dog toothpaste, etc. Kongs stuffed with a special treat are great to encourage your dog to lick and chew. This oral stimulation will hopefully help them to relax and rest.

Puzzle Toys engage your dog’s mind, paws, nose and teeth. It will depend on your dog’s preference whether or not he appreciates the stimulation or if he simply gets frustrated and becomes uninterested.

Stuffed Toys and Rope Toys are best for gentler dogs. These types of stuffed toys can be very dangerous for dogs with a strong prey drive. Keep a close eye on the squeaker inside these types of toys. It can become a choking hazard for your dog. Rope toys can be fun but be sure to keep the ends knotted. If it becomes untied, your dog may shred and ingest it, resulting in digestive problems.

It is best to have a variety of all of these types of toys available for your dog. Whistle has to pick up his toys and store them in one of two toy boxes in our house. We regularly go through his toy boxes and donate any toys that he no longer seems interested in to our local animal shelter.

As Cornell University’s article stated, the two key things that I need to remember when selecting a chew toy for my assistance dog are:

• Everything in moderation…and with supervision.
• There is no substitute for human interaction.

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. (February 2011) “How to Choose the Best Chew Toy”. DOG Watch. 15(2): 1.

As many of you know, I lost my retired service dog, Morgan, on March 12, 2011. It continues to be a painful process for me as I am striving to come to terms with his absence.

I thought it was ironic that I received a call today from documentary filmmaker Amanda Micheli’s representative. Amanda is an Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker who is currently working on an HBO documentary regarding dog bereavement.

Amanda recently lost her dog of many years and as a result of her loss, she has embarked on a new documentary film exploring the bonds we share with our dogs. The documentary focuses on pet loss and bereavement from the perspective of the special role and meaning dogs have for their human counterparts.

Amanda filmed with Betty Carmack’s pet loss group at the SPCA in San Francisco, and she is now looking to speak to people in other parts of the country who are facing end-of-life decisions for their long-time friends. She is particularly interested in talking with someone who is in the process of losing their working dog in order to explore this unique human-animal relationship.

I know firsthand what a sensitive issue this is but I thought I would share it with you and see if anyone might be interested. If you are, please contact me and I will put you in touch with Amanda’s representative.