Green Acres Kennel Shop

Are you interested in therapy dogs? Would you like to know the difference between a therapy dog and an assistance/service dog? Do you want to learn how your dog can become a therapy dog? If you answered yes, tune into the Woof Meow Show on Sunday May 16th at 8:30PM on WVOM 103.9FM and WVQM 101.3FM when Don and Kate will be talking about therapy dogs and what it take sto become a Therapy Dogs International therapy dog/handler team.

Before You Contribute to HSUS, Please Read This

Green Acres Kennel Shop is a huge believer in the mission of the Bangor Humane Society (BHS) and has been a supporter of BHS for many years. I have been privileged to have served on the Board of BHS since 1996 and know firsthand about its finances and the important role of donations from local supporters. Sadly the general public has some misconceptions about where BHS receives the funds it needs to operate. One of those misconceptions is that BHS receives significant funding from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). This is not unique to BHS but is a problem faced by animal shelters throughout the USA. According to an article in the May 2010 issue of Pet Age magazine a recent survey conducted by the Center for Consumer Freedom indicates that “Sixty-three percent of respondents to the poll believe that their local humane society is affiliated with HSUS. Furthermore, 59 percent think the organization ‘contributes most of its money’ to local animal organizations.” The article goes on to indicate that an analysis of HSUS financial statements indicated that HSUS contributed only 0.5% of its budget to shelters that actually care for and rehome animals. If you watch television you cannot miss the current HSUS commercial where they are asking people to donate $19 a month. Now I’m not denying that HSUS does some very good work, but if you really want to help local animals in need, please send your contributions to the Bangor Humane Society (http://www.bangorhumane.org/) instead. If you read my blog but are not local, contribute to your local animal shelter. Thanks!

Using a carrier/crate is the safest way to transport your cat from your home to any other location. Unfortunately most cats see their carrier infrequently and when they do see it, it often means a trip to the veterinarian where they may be restrained, poked and prodded. As a result, many cats see the carrier as a predictor of bad times so it’s very appearance triggers their anxiety. This often makes it difficult to get them in the crate, resulting in a struggle and even higher anxiety. When you do get where you are going the cat may be difficult to handle because they are so frightened. We suggest frequent exposure to the carrier when your cat is still a kitten. Remove the door from the carrier and set it on the floor somewhere the cat can access it. Do not try to coax the cat into the carrier, let them explore it if and when they are ready. Cats are naturally curious and most of them love to crawl into things. Just put an empty box on the floor sometime and see what happens. To make the carrier even more rewarding, put a small dish with a tablespoon of your cat’s favorite canned food at the back of the carrier. Now getting in the crate will be very rewarding. A week or so before your scheduled trip put the door back on the carrier but still leave it someplace where your cat can access it if they wish. Two days before your planned trip put some canned food or your cats favorite treat in the carrier at least once a day. Continue this for two days after your cat comes home in the carrier. You can use the same approach described above with a cat that already finds its carrier to be aversive. Just be patient as it will probably take much longer for your cat to start to see the carrier as safe. If you make no progress at all, you may want to try getting a different carrier.

Have you ever thought you would like to work with animals at a daycare, boarding kennel or pet care facility? If you answered yes, tune into the Woof Meow Show on Sunday May 9th at 8:30PM on WVOM 103.9FM and WVQM 101.3FM when Don and Kate while discuss what it's like to work at a daycare and boarding facility like Green Acres Kennel Shop. Don will also discuss the pros and cons of owning such a facility and the fact that doing so is as much of a lifestyle as it is a business.

Therapy Dogs International evaluator Don Hanson has scheduled two Therapy Dog tests. The first will be the morning of Saturday, May 29th at Green Acres Kennel Shop and the second will be on Saturday, June 5^th in Wells, ME.  There are a maximum of nine slots available for the test at Green Acres and twelve slots available for the test in Wells. Advanced registration is required for both tests. People may register for the Bangor test by stopping by Green Acres Kennel Shop or call them at 945-6841. The Wells test is being hosted by the Piscataqua Obedience Club. Registration is being handled by Julie Smith at (603) 234 6714. There is no rain date for either test. TDI Therapy Dogs and their handlers, when invited, may visit hospitals, nursing homes and other places to provide people with the opportunity to interact with a furry goodwill ambassador. The simple act of stroking a dog can be very therapeutic and brings great joy to people who no longer have dogs. It should be noted that a TDI Therapy Dog is not a service or assistance dog and does not have the same rights to access as people with disabilities and their service/assistance animals. The TDI test will evaluate the dog and handler and how well they work together. The dog must be at least one year of age. There is no minimum age for handlers, but handlers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult on visitations and the registration form must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.

• TDI will not register any dog that has bitten a human being.
• TDI will not register potential applicants who have their dogs registered with any type of Therapy Dog related program or organization other than TDI.
• TDI will not test or register deaf dogs.
• Dog owners are responsible for their dog and its actions while on the test site and must sign a TDI^® Evaluation Liability agreement prior to the start of the test.
• Dog/handler teams should carry their own liability insurance (homeowners/renters insurance) and will be asked if they have such insurance at time of registration.
• All dogs must be tested on a flat buckle collar or harness.
• While the dog and handler team are evaluated during a formal test, they are also being observed by the evaluator the entire time they can be seen by the evaluator. The dog should be under your control at this time as well.
• Applicants who wish to visit with more than one dog at the same time must be tested by a TDI evaluator with the dogs together.

For more information on Therapy Dogs, click on the “Therapy Dog” at the Green Acres web site, www.greenacreskennel.com, visit www.tdi-dog.org or checkout the article “What Is A Therapy Dog” at http://bit.ly/agoGyc