KSCO Pet Radio

PODCAST (22:07) -- Amanda Wight is Wildlife Protection Manager at the Humane Society of the United States. This was a return visit as her first appearance -- on a terribly windy Sunday -- was repeatedly interrupted by weather and traffic updates.

She discussed trophy hunting, wolves, bobcats, subsistence hunting, rattlesnake round-ups, and so on, and the HSUS position on hunting more generally.

I apologize to Amanda for being so ADD during our chat (on 3/29/20). She is great but there are so many topics that this was not my best interview.

Amanda was very patient, however, and did great. She's a hero and this is the kind of issue that separates HSUS from dog-and-cat-only humane groups. You need to hear these topics and support humane care for all animals.

Dr. Kelly Diehl, Morris Animal Foundation

PODCAST (11:26) -- If your cat suddenly loses control of its hind legs and is in severe pain, get her to the vet immediately. It's probably Feline Aortic Thromboembolism.

That's the advice from Morris Animal Foundation veterinary internist Dr. Kelly Diehl, who says a blood clot and heart disease may be responsible.

On the 3/22/20 KSCO Pet Radio, we discussed how a clot can lodge itself at the end of the aorta, where the blood flow to the legs "y"s off. Lost of circulation reduces or stops movement and, if not promptly corrected, can result in the feline's death.

Here is a link to a Feline Aortic Thromboembolism page with illustrations and lots of additional information about diagnosis and treatment.

Sadly, my experience with this symptom was with my beloved bottle-baby, Larry, who lost hind leg movement after a fight with cancer and had to be painlessly euthanized. He was 16 at the time.

Dr. Kelly Diehl, Morris Animal Foundation

PODCAST (19:46) -- The first-time seizure in a dog or cat is a true medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Why? Because seizures originate either inside the brain or someplace else in the body. Neither Is good and both can kill your pet.

One big danger is that "outside the brain" includes a world of toxic substances, including some infamous flea and tick killers used on pets. These toxins -- including plants -- can quickly kill the animal.

Dogs and cats don't have strokes the way people do. But seizures are still fairly common and, fortunately, help is often available often in the form of medications "tested on humans first."

That's my #1 takeaway from this discussion of seizures and epilepsy in dogs and cats with our friend, Dr. Kelly Diehl, a veterinary internist at Morris Animal Foundation.

Here is a page from their website that talks about seizure disorders in pets.

Here is good advice from AKC.com about what to do for a seizing dog.

Melanie Scherer of SNIP Bus

PODCAST (23:52) -- I was dreading what I might hear when the founder of the mobile low-cost spay/neuter SNIP Bus project appeared on the 3/15/20 program.

I was ready for Melanie Scherer to tell me that like much of the Monterey/Santa Cruz area the $25-a-pet SNIP Bus would be closed for as long as the coronavirus outbreak continues.

Fortunately, that is not Melanie's plan. And she will continue providing mobile spay and neutering during this crisis. That makes very good sense. Here's why:

* A typical day is 25 or 30 pets and owners spread over several hours.* The bus or trailer is parked outside and people can stay as far apart from one another.* SnipBus staff doesn't have to touch people and the patients are mostly in carriers, which can be sanitized as needed.* Vet techs have the infection-control thing down pretty well, so transmission risk between humans in minimal.* Pets don't catch or transmit COVID-19, so medical staff is not at risk.

Those are some of the things we discussed during the interview. Melanie's enthusiasm for the spay/neuter mission is infectious, just like COVID-19, but does much better for pets and the community.

The SNIP Bus, mobile spay/neuter clinic is a regular visitor to locations in the Monterey Bay area. Melanie also spoke about how SNIP came to be, what services it offers, and how spay/neuter is the only hope for getting feral populations under control.

The SNIP Bus is a KSCO Pet Radio Recommended Organization.

PODCAST (21:15) -- ODIE Pet Insurance is a small, family-run business that offers a variety of pet insurance products. I had a nice chat with Miles Thorson, managing partner of the firm, on the 3/15/20 edition of Pet Radio.

Our discussion was low-hype and I learned about pet insurance from the buyer and seller points of view. Pet insurance is becoming increasingly common and even necessary as the level (and expense) of care available to our pets continues to increase.

If you are even vaguely considering pet insurance -- and especially if it's not yet on your radar -- this is a good place to start.

PODCAST (22:51) -- We can all make a difference. Elementary-school teacher Diane Trull’s life-defining moment happened when her fourth-grade reading class saw a photo of a cardboard box overflowing with homeless puppies.

Trull was no stranger to rescuing abandoned animals. She and her husband Mark had made it their mission to find permanent homes for stray dogs and cats.

Now her young students were determined to save these lost pups and others like them. And at that moment, the Dalhart Animal Wellness Group and Sanctuary—known as DAWGS—was born.

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This podcast interview with Trull was taken from our 3/15/20 program.

How Trull and her fourth-graders started their own animal shelter is a story of dedication, commitment, and perseverance. In this eye-opening, deeply personal book, Trull describes the challenges they faced, from rescuing and caring for the animals to teaching children about compassion and responsibility, to facing local authorities determined to shut them down.

She shares inspiring stories about animals and animal lovers of all ages in this moving story of hope and compassion. DAWGS is a testament to how love and a strong measure of determination can offer second chances—one animal, one child, and one day at a time.

Reviews:

"Inspiring and passionate, this heart-stopping story tells how a teacher and her fourth-grade students became a force for good—one dog at a time. Every town needs a hero like Diane Trull and a sanctuary like DAWGS. This book is a reminder that, regardless of age, we all have the power to enhance the lives of animals and make the world a better place. Diane Trull and her class of nine-year-olds put the humane back in humanity."— Helen Brown, New York Times bestselling author of CLEO, BONO, and JONAH

"To read DAWGS is to have witnessed all that is best in humanity and much of what is pretty awful. From its inception, this rescue organization pitted children and their desire to save the city’s homeless dogs against the questionable ethics of a cynical and hidebound adult society that viewed these animals as so much trash. The children prevailed. Thousands of dogs were rescued. It is a testament to the courage of their teacher, Diane Trull, and her extraordinary family that, despite unbelievable challenges and outright hostility, she and her students persevered, and continue to do so. Read this story with tissues near at hand. Read this story and know that there is yet hope in hopeless places."— Susan Wilson, New York Times bestselling author of One Good Dog

"I loved DAWGS! Shining from every page is the kindness of Diane Trull and the dedication of her fourth-grade students. If only the whole world could be like those remarkable people. They will inspire you and warm your hearts."— Kristen von Kreisler, bestselling author of A Healing Justice

"Get ready to feel a lot. When you realize DAWGS is the only animal sanctuary in America that has been started and run by elementary school children, because they understood that the animals needed their help, it's pretty astonishing. The generous love Diane Trull, her husband Mark, and the children and staff at DAWGS have for these animals is so moving—and they do it out of pure love. Dogs needed to be saved and these special people took it upon themselves to do it.

PODCAST (25:37) -- Jamie Whittaker anwers our questions on the overpopulation of birds.  She discusses the roles that everyone plays in the world of aviculture. Breeders, Bird stores, Pet owners, Rescues, Sanctuaries, Avian veterinarians, Behaviorists…

Key consideration: Many birds will outlive their owners.

We also discuss conservation of macaws and other exotic species. This is an interesting podcast from the 3/8/20 edition of KSCO Pet Radio.

Dr. Martin Goldstein

PODCAST (36:20) -- Dogs are getting cancer, allergies and auto-immune diseases at a very high rate and their owners are searching for answers to improve their pet's health. The new documentary film, The Dog Doc, featuring Dr. Martin Goldstein, discusses alternatives for those pets whose vets have given up on them.

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#KSCO Pet Radio was fortunate to have Dr. Martin Goldstein, the extraordinary veterinarian who is featured in The Dog Doc, and Cindy Meehl, the director of The Dog Doc, on our show for 3/8/20.

This is an extraordinary interview, especially for those (like me) who are skeptical of holistic or integrative veterinary care. Dr. Marty offers common-sense solutions and is not some sort of new-age mystic vet.

The release date for this movie is March 13, 2020.

His book looks great and I have a copy on order.

Here is the trailer for the film: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=329025131143172

A non-drug solution for separation anxiety?

PODCAST (24:07) -- Dr. Judy Korman of Assisi Animal Health (calmerk9.com) discusses Canine Separation Anxiety and her company's product that is intended to calm anxious canines.

"Calmer Canine restores lasting calm to your anxious dog. It utilizes a specifically tuned micro-current signal, targeted at the anxiety-center in your dog’s brain. The device reaches the core of the problem and stimulates your dog’s natural ability to restore emotional balance — bringing your dog back to a calm state. The good news is separation anxiety is solvable."

Major benefits:

Drug-free. No prescription required.

Based on technology that is cleared by the FDA for the treatment of humans

Easy to use and comfortable for your dog

Treatment is sensation free without side effects

At-home treatments: 15-minute sessions, twice a day.

PODCAST (20:51) -- Lauren Christie of the GMR (Global Medical Response) directs of company therapy dogs program, which has as of today (2/3/20) has placed 28 canines into the company's various US operations.

GMR owns American Medical Response, the ambulace provider in Monterey County and many other locations. Elionora, who works at AMR in Stockton, became aware of the program and helped arrange the interview. (Disclaimer: Elionora is my wife)

During this podcast, recorded 3/1/20, we talk about all the topics below. plus how start a therapy dog or dogs-at-work program in your company. 

Hope, a 9-week old Goldendoodle, who calls AMR West Michigan (Grand Rapids, Holland, and Fennville, MI) home.

GMR Therapy Dog Team

Startup -- Program started in the AMR Amarillo (a Global Medical Response Solution) (Texas) location June 2016 as a pilot program with Saydee and Bodhi. The Team began adding additional dogs following Saydee and Bodhi’s first deployment in the wakes of the 2017 Route 91 Music Festival mass-shooting in Las Vegas, NV.

Formation -- The Team is composed of all standard-size hypoallergenic breeds, so far Goldendoodles, Labradoodles and a Sheepadoodle. The additions to the team always begin with puppies as they are more susceptible to training and learning the needs and stress levels of 1st responders. The dogs are trained to work higher levels of Therapy Dog encounters. Basic obedience training and exposure/experience training are key factors addressed while in-training and safeguard the dog’s prospects of passing the evaluations and becoming a successful Certified Therapy Dog in the 1st responder industry.

Evolution -- The AMR Therapy Dog Team evolved into the GMR Therapy Dog Team October 2019. The Team growth opportunity and services are now offered to all GMR Solutions: American Medical Response, LifeGuard, Med-Trans, AirEvac Lifeteam, Guardian Flight, REACH, AirMed and Rural Metro.

Vision -- The GMR Therapy Dog Team program’s vision is to support and address EMTs and Paramedics mental health needs. The team is an addition to the professional critical incident stress management teams GMR currently utilizes in small and large scale situations. The Team enhances debriefing gatherings where personnel can utilize the services of a trained and certified Therapy Dog to express and release the emotional stress they may carry or bottle-up after a difficult call.

Teddy passed the CGC evaluation and will certify very soon for his GMR Therapy Dog certification!! Great job Teddy!

Mission -- The Team’s mission is to be present for GMR personnel locally and nationally, answering the call when needed. Deployments range from mass-casualty incidents, natural disasters and more.

Future -- The future of the Team and Program is to add dogs to specific GMR Operations throughout the nation. They will respond promptly and effectively to comprehend and relieve the high level of stress EMTs and Paramedics may endure.

Current Team -- 01/15/2020: 11 Certified Dogs, 13 In-Training https://www.facebook.com/GMRTherapyDogs/