Welcome to the Week’s Review of Canine Social Media
Welcome to this Special Feature on the DoggieU K9 Blog for an update on this week’s dog-related social media from around the world. There are so many stories. Here we will share some of the best stories this week.
Enjoy & share them.
Veterinarians to Meet with Capitol Hill Lawmakers
Veterinary professionals from around the country are meeting with senators, representatives, and their staffs to highlight the importance of legislation that will help increase access to veterinary services in rural areas and reduce the spread of diseases that pose a threat to animal and public health.
- Members of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) who represent 48 states and 20 veterinary schools, will educate congressional offices about 2 important agenda items:
- 1) The need to pass the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) Enhancement Act, and 2) The Healthy Dog Importation Act.
- Loan Repayment Program
- According to Dr. José Arce, AVMA President,”The veterinary community stands united in advocating for Congress to help alleviate Veterinarian Shortage Situations in rural areas by assisting with the significant obstacle of student debt, and to ensure that dogs entering the country are healthy, thus reducing the potential for the spread of diseases that can endanger animal and public health. Expanding the VMLRP means increased access to veterinary services for rural populations across the country.
- The AVMA-endorsed VMLRP Enhancement Act would end federal taxation on VMLRP awards, thus enabling more veterinarians to participate in a program that offers up to $25,000 a year for student loan repayment in exchange for service in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-designated Veterinarian Shortage Situations. This would make the tax treatment of the awards the same as for the analogous program for physicians.
- Healthy Dog Importation Act
- By strengthening dog importation standards will decrease the chances of future disease outbreaks from the more than 1.2 million dogs imported into the U.S. each year. As veterinary constituents, we look forward to educating Congress about how vital the VMLRP Enhancement Act is to maintaining vibrant rural communities and the importance of strengthening our nation’s animal and public health infrastructure by passing the Healthy Dog Importation Act.”
- Under the AVMA-championed Healthy Dog Importation Act, the USDA and other federal agencies would receive the necessary resources to monitor and safeguard the health of dogs being brought into the U.S., while ensuring they do not endanger animal and human health.
- Co-chairs of the Congressional Veterinary Medicine Caucus, Reps. Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.) and Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), issued the following statements:”As the only veterinarian serving in Congress, I take issues of animal health and safety very seriously. I am proud to serve as co-chair of the Congressional Veterinary Medicine Caucus and will continue to champion efforts aimed at the health, welfare, and protection of animals,” said Rep Schrader. “I appreciate the work that AVMA is doing and look forward to meeting with them and other veterinary professionals during this year’s fly-in to discuss the importance of expanding access to veterinary services, mitigating the spread of zoonotic diseases, and working to get our bipartisan legislation, the Healthy Dog Importation Act, across the finish line.””The USDA continues to face a rural veterinarian shortage – we need a strong veterinary industry to ensure the health of livestock and pets across America,” said Rep. Johnson. “I’m grateful for the AVMA’s focus on animal health and dedication to veterinary services in rural states like South Dakota.”
Two New Important Dog Books Published at the End of Last Month
New Books Highlight New and Old
“The Dog Dilemma!” Helps Families Prepare for Pet Adoption
Screenwriter Peter Chiarelli is adding children’s book author to his credentials with the release of his first book, “The Dog Dilemma!”. Written for young readers, the book tells the story of a sister and brother duo, Amelia and Theo, and their quest to convince their parents that they’re ready for a family pet.
- My children and their pet adoption tactics inspired the book,” Chiarelli says. “Ultimately, I want readers to have a good laugh and be entertained, but also want to show them that pet adoption means you’re committing to a friend for life, and that comes with a great deal of responsibility, not just for the grownups, but for the kids as well.”
- Chiarelli hopes these lessons translate into fewer pets being returned to shelters from families who weren’t prepared to care for them. According to a 2020 study in the National Library of Medicine, the number of companion animals returned to animal shelters within the first six months of adoption in the U.S. is estimated to be anywhere from seven to 20%.
- All proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit no-kill animal shelters.
- Amazon’s description states, “Join two clever kids as they cook up a plot to convince their parents that they just really, really, REALLY have to adopt a pooch, in “The Dog Dilemma!” Amelia and her little brother Theo want a dog. Unfortunately, their parents don’t think they are ready for the responsibility. The Dog Dilemma! Amelia and Theo are on a mission to prove their parents wrong and convince them to add a furry 4-legged friend to the family. After all, how hard can taking care of a dog be? The Dog Dilemma is a heartwarming story of two siblings that set out to prove to their parents that they’re ready for the responsibility of caring for their new furry friend.”
[Link]
It’s Never Long Enough: A Practical Guide to Caring for Your Geriatric Dog and Geriatric Dog Health & Care Journal: A Complete Toolkit for the Geriatric Dog Caregiver help pet parents navigate a dog’s golden years
Written by Veterinarian And Senior Pet Healthcare Expert, Dr. Mary Gardner Guides Pet Parents Of Aging Dogs
Dr Gardner shares how pet parents can foster their dog’s health and happiness throughout the precious grey-muzzle years, all while managing the pressures and savoring the rewards of caregiving. Her companion workbook, Geriatric Dog Health & Care Journal: A Complete Toolkit for the Geriatric Dog Caregiver further guides families in tracking their dog’s attitude, activities, behavior, medical care, and joys of life as they share their furry companion’s voyage through their marvelous elder years.
“Senior dogs harbor a lifetime of their family’s love and care, and their advancing years bring a distinct set of responsibilities, challenges, and emotional strains. Families juggle tasks that involve alleviating pain, meeting special nutritional needs, creating a senior-dog-friendly home, and cleaning up frequent messes—along with learning to recognize and successfully manage their own caregiver-related stresses. Many pet parents struggle to manage their aging dog’s ailments, and they appreciate skilled support and specific guidance,” said Dr. Gardner.
This guide explains the aging process in dogs, prepares pet parents for what comes next, and coaches them on caring for their geriatric dog. You’ll learn:
- ways to extend and improve your dog’s later years,
- how to identify common ailments in elderly dogs,
- home hacks to manage daily living and care of your geriatric dog,
- warning signs that may need veterinary assistance,
- how to choose the best medical care for your situation,
- key questions to ask your veterinarian,
- helpful resources and product suggestions from affordable to high-tech,
- options for aftercare,
- resources for managing caregiver burnout and grief,
- ways to honor your dog and their impact on your life.
One truth remains: regardless of the time we have with our dogs, it’s never long enough.
[Link to Dr Gardner’s website]