Bark n Wag 15 Minute Vet Talk

Through the telling of stories crafted to inspire love, understanding, and advocacy for wildlife, veterinarian and conservation photographer Rick LeCouteur's journey has evolved beyond clinics and teaching, into the enchanting realm of children's literature, including his upcoming children's book Nasty Names Are Hurtful: An Australian White Ibis in the City [November 12th, 2024]. Through his stories about animals, Rick seeks to cultivate in young readers a sense of curiosity, empathy, and responsibility toward the natural world.   Rick brings a unique perspective, blending expertise in conservation photography, digital art, wildlife expeditions, and a career as a veterinary neurosurgeon to create captivating stories that educate and inspire young readers. In interviews, articles, and expert commentary.  About Dr. Rick LeCouteur Based on a childhood spent immersed in the rustic charm of rural Australia, Rick's love for animals blossomed into a lifelong career as a veterinary educator, conservation photographer, and advocate for animal well-being. Currently, as director of education for a company dedicated to introducing people to the wonders of wildlife in remote locations, Rick shares his love and knowledge of animals with enthusiasts of all ages. Through the telling of stories crafted to inspire love, understanding, and advocacy for wildlife, Rick's journey has evolved beyond clinics and teaching, into the enchanting realm of children's literature. Through his stories about animals, Rick seeks to cultivate in young readers a sense of curiosity, empathy, and responsibility toward the natural world. Moreover, Rick's narratives serve as a clarion call for environmental stewardship in the face of climate challenges. Rick believes that by nurturing young minds with the mystery and fascination of animals, we can sow the seeds of compassion and a deep reverence for the delicate balance of life on our planet. Through his stories and illustrations, Rick hopes to kindle imagination in young hearts and to inspire a new generation of animal lovers and conservationists.   Richard A. LeCouteur, DVSc, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM(Neurology), Diplomate ECVN, FANZCVS (Hon. Causa), MRCVS Professor Emeritus, Neurology & Neurosurgery, University of California, Davis Author/Illustrator Website https://www.ricklecouteur.com Vet-Ex https://www.facebook.com/Veterinary-Expeditions-LLC-491712164350575/ https://www.veterinaryexpeditions.com Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-le-couteur-61294218/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ricklecouteur/  

You're listening to Bark and Wag's 15 Minute Vet Talk. Each week your host Polly Requa interviews veterinarians and individuals in the pet industry from across the nation answering pet questions. Bark and Wag podcast is produced weekly for your enjoyment and show notes can be found at barkandwag. com under the podcast tab. That's B A R K N W A G. com.  Please remember to subscribe to Bark and Wag 15 Minute Vet Talk. Thank you for listening to Bark and Wag 15 minute vet talk. Bark and Wag is dedicated to protecting our dogs through advocacy, education, and supporting like minded dog lovers by selling custom pet products. Bark and Wag is excited to announce our new partnership with a Colorado hemp farm to produce a line of CBD products for your pets. Bark and Wag has CBD pet tincture available in 300, 750, 1200, and 2400 milligrams. Bark and Wag CBD is pet safe, no THC. It's made in the USA and is CO2 extracted. Please check out Bark and Wag's website, barkinwag. com, that is B A R K the letter N W A G. com to see our line of CBD and awesome merchandise. We love pooch ideas for podcasts and merchandise, so anytime send an email to polly at barkinwag. com with your suggestions.  Welcome to Bark and Wag 15 minute vet talk. I'm your host, Polly Requa. Today we're talking to Shelby, executive director of Texas Humane Legislation Network. We're going to talk about registering to vote, looking up animal voting records in your state, scorecards. Welcome Shelby. Hi, Polly.  Thanks for being on the podcast. So tell us what should we be doing before November 5th?  Excellent question. I know that a lot of animal lovers out there don't really think tying their legislators to To animal issues is important, but it is incredibly important and I urge anybody that cares about animals, whether you are volunteering in the shelter all the time, whether you have your own 501 C3, your own rescue, whether you're a shelter professional. To get political for animals. And that means looking at your candidates and seeing what kind of voting history they have on animal welfare legislation.  So how do people do that?  You know, Polly, it's really simple.  So many States, I believe over 30 have C4 organizations dedicated to promoting the humane treatment of animals. through legislation and advocacy and it might be, it's,  Texas Humane Legislation is a perfect example, but in Missouri, in Minnesota, in Georgia, they all might have different names, but they essentially are telling you how previous legislative scorecards came out. And so all you have to Google is Legislation, animals, voters, and usually your state organization pops up. But in addition to that, Polly, Humane Society Legislative Fund, HSLF,  has a wonderful scorecard and Track record of congressional members that have voted on congressional bills, but I urge everyone to look at your own states as well. And so what is on a scorecard? I don't think I know about that. Sure. Well, and it's different in every state, right? For example, we don't call them scorecards. We just call them voting records, but it usually has the bills that relate to animal welfare in the previous legislative session, and it shows you how your legislator voted. And it's also a really good way to keep your elected officials honest. You know, when we were passing the Safe Outdoor Dogs Act here in Texas in 2023, I had a couple of C3s in a district say to me, Oh, we just thanked our legislator who came to one of our adoption events. And I said, Oh, who is that? They told me his name. I said, he did not vote for our bill. And they were shocked. And they said, well, his office told us he did. And I sent them the legislative record and they could not believe it. And they definitely called him out and, you know, had some words with him because of that. mistaken identity on a vote. So not only does it keep your legislators honest because they know that you are looking at their record on animal welfare bills.  Wow. Okay. And is there, are there any other tips that you can give the voters? You know, it's just so important not only to look up, a legislative, uh, record from a certain elected official, but let's say you don't have that. Let's say you have a race where you have no incumbents and that means, you know, any kind of previous voting history to review.  Everybody right now wants your vote. So there are town halls, there are public forums, whether it's in Zoom or any other manner, and you can ask them really important questions. For example, if you have an overpopulation situation in your town, and you have a potential city council member that's being elected, You can ask them, what do you think if our city passed a mandatory spay neuter ordinance? Or what do you think about making those who do not get their animal spayed or neutered to purchase a breeding permit, right? So this can go all the way up to your congressional, uh, elected officials and legislators like your senators and your congressmen. But most importantly, so many animal issues happen at the local level so it can go all the way down even to your city council members and your County commissioners. So again, if they don't have that background, feel free to start following them on Facebook. You know, do they have a pet? And guess what? Where did they get their pet from? Did they go ahead and adopt their animal from the local shelter? That would be something very attractive to me, right? Uh, does the person own, um, a breeding facility? Do they own a pet store that sells puppies? You know, all of these simple, um, kind of research tools can be done in five minutes to learn more about your candidate. So I urge everyone to take that time. If you are willing to spend hundreds of hours volunteering at your local shelter. Um, or you're in the sheltering profession. You definitely want to research these candidates.  And so you brought up a good, um, point. Are there certain questions if people are going to go to a town hall meeting to ask? I mean, obviously one is how do you feel about puppy mills? Like that needs to end.  Are there other questions? I mean, I know you just said a few, but, um, are there any  ones that should be brought up so that People would just automatically know, I'm not going to vote for you, or I will vote for you. Yeah, it's, it's a great question, Polly, and it really depends on where you are, but I'll give some more examples. How about, hey, do you own any pets? Where'd you, where, oh, you have three dogs? Where'd you get your dogs from? You know, um, well, I got all three at Petland. Okay. That might give your answer, um, you know, to your idea,  right? But in addition to that, I will give a quick example in a city here in Texas, what they have started to do is not pick up stray animals. And I definitely would ask a candidate for a city council position on that. How do you feel about that? Are you okay with dogs?  that are roaming around? Or do you think that that violates our stray law? Um, another example,  you know, what do you think? There was a recent dog fighting bust in East Texas. I would certainly ask that candidate. Do you think we need to strengthen? The dog fighting law, you know, so it really depends on the issues that your city, your County, your state face. But in Texas overpopulation is a crisis that is nonstop and it feel like it feels like there's no way out. So I definitely want to know if our elected officials are willing to put funding behind spay and neuter, um, programs and so forth. So again, look to your own. local issues, but it could be as easy as, you know, do you own a pet and where'd you get that pet from?  Okay, great. Well, this is, this is a great topic. And um, I appreciate you being on the podcast and I look forward to having you back. Thank you so much, Polly. And just remember  to always think that you can get political for animals. It is not intimidating. And just a couple of minutes, you can learn so much about your candidates and elected officials.  Great. Thank you for listening to Bark and Wag's 15 Minute Vet Talk. If you like what you just heard, we hope you'll pass along our web address www. barkandwag. com to your friends and other pet owners. Have a pressing question for a veterinarian? Ask your question at barkandwag. com under the podcast tab. This has been a KFR production. Join us next time for another edition of Bark and Wag's 15 Minute Vet Talk. 

Cow Hug Therapy  How The Animals at the Gentle Barn Taught Me about Life, Death, and Everything In Between.  Autographed copy of the inspirational story of the compassionate and wise animals of the Gentle Barn and how they became a therapeutic salve for countless guests — and mentors for all of us in how to live and die In Cow Hug Therapy, Ellie Laks, founder of the Gentle Barn Foundation, shares the extraordinary journey that started with her first teacher, Buddha — not the religious figure, but a rescued miniature Hereford cow. One evening Buddha wrapped her neck around an exhausted and upset Laks and transferred a singular form of healing and comfort with an incredible impact. Understanding that this was something to be shared with others, Laks developed Cow Hug Therapy, a groundbreaking approach to emotional healing that has proved effective for trauma, illness, disabilities, addiction, grief, and stress. Cow Hug Therapy is a colorful and compelling narrative of the healing mavens of the barnyard through the years and their individual stories of being rescued from trauma and treated with love and respect. These animals have transformed lives and ignited breakthroughs, newfound purpose, and freedom, including for a young mother who lost her baby, a suicidal teenager, a wounded serviceman, an open-heart surgery patient, and many more. Media outlets including ABC's Good Morning America, NBC's TODAY show, and The Atlantic magazine have featured numerous stories of the hopeless beginning to thrive at the Gentle Barn. A testament to empathy and the mission to heal animals, people, and the planet, Cow Hug Therapy captures a remarkable journey of transformation and serves as a beacon of hope for all seeking healing and connection. https://store.gentlebarn.org/products/autographed-copy-of-cow-hug-therapy-how-the-animals-at-the-gentle-barn-taught-me-about-life-death-and-everything-in-between   Make sure you buy this amazing book! 

"Putting animals and people together in a way that is healing for both" is the core mission of Shepherd's Rest Goat and Sheep Rescue. Through the Animal Assisted Therapy Program, we believe we can create an impact that echoes in the lives of our clients far beyond the boundaries of the rescue. Please visit https://www.shepherdsrestrescue.com

Cancer in dogs, the warning signs Cancer is a heart-breaking condition that affects too many people around the world. Unfortunately, it also impacts our beloved canine companions. As a dog owner, it's very important to be aware of some of the signs of cancer in dogs – just as it's essential to take heart from the fact that treatments for this disease are improving all the time. Let's take a closer look… Cancer in dogs Unfortunately, cancer is one of the most common illnesses in dogs. 50% of all dogs over the age of 10 are expected to be diagnosed with some form of cancer. This means that recognizing the warning signs is even more important when you have an aging hound on your hands. By being vigilant, and providing age-appropriate exercise, a nutritious diet, and mental stimulation, you're giving your dog the best shot at a long, active, and healthy life. The most common types of dog cancer Dogs and humans can actually develop the same forms of cancer. This list isn't exhaustive, but it should give you a rough idea of the types of cancer that often affect our canine companions: Skin cancer Blood cancer Bone cancer Cancers of the immune system – such as lymphoma Abdominal cancers Cancer of the uterus Mammary (breast) cancer – mainly found in female dogs Testicular cancer Anal cancer The causes of canine cancer The causes of cancer are complex, and that applies to both humans and dogs. For this reason, there isn't one definite cause. Cancer can be triggered by genetics, age, nutrition, and environmental factors. Fortunately, animal experts agree that canine cancer isn't caused by things like bumps and scrapes. Here's a look at some of the common causes of canine cancer: 1. Genetics As with humans, genes that cause cancer can be inherited. This means if your dog's parents developed cancer, your dog is at higher risk. Certain dog breeds are also more generically prone to certain illnesses, including cancer. Golden Retrievers, Boxers, and Rottweilers are considered at higher risk of developing cancer (and specific types of cancer) than other breeds, 2. Carcinogens Carcinogens are harmful substances or features of the environment that can cause cancer. They include second-hand smoke, insecticides used in agriculture, certain viruses, air pollution, and UV rays from the sun. Researchers have found that sun exposure is a significant factor in developing squamous cell carcinoma, a cancerous tumor that can be seen in almost every single domesticated pet breed. Animals with white fur or markings are more likely to develop this form of cancer. 3. Age Sadly, cancer is one of the leading causes of death in dogs over the age of 10, with 50% of older dogs developing the disease and approximately one in four dogs passing from it. However, the reasons for this are largely speculated. 4. The environment In humans, most cancers are related to environmental factors. This can include their diet, their exposure to UV light and various chemicals, and more. The same is likely true for canine cancer, too. Reducing your dog's exposure to environmental hazards – like smoke – is important in reducing their risk of developing cancer. What could help prevent your dog from getting cancer? One thing you could consider is spaying and neutering. Spaying or neutering your dog could prevent ovarian and testicular cancers from developing. Studies have also shown that spaying a female dog before her first or second heat may also help to reduce the risk of breast cancer developing. You should talk to your veterinarian about the best time for your dog to be spayed or neutered, according to their breed. Keeping your dog's mouth clean and healthy may also reduce the risk of oral cancer. As well as trying to reduce your dog's risk of cancer, you should educate yourself on the warning signs, so your veterinarian can catch and treat it early. What are the warning signs of cancer in dogs? Unfortunately, our four-pawed friends can't tell us when something's wrong. We need to be on the lookout for the warning signs of cancer and other diseases. The earlier it can be caught and treated, the better the outcomes tend to be. If you notice one or more of these potential warning signs, reach out to your veterinarian: 1. Tumors, lumps, or unusual growths Tumors are some of the most obvious signs of cancer, but not all tumors are cancerous. There are actually two types: Malignant tumors. This type is cancerous. They grow very quickly and spread around the bodily easily. Benign tumors. This type is not cancerous. They typically grow very slowly and don't tend to spread around the body. Usually, benign tumors are harmless. Problems only occur if the tumor gets in the way of other body parts or organs. You should also be on the lookout for swollen lymph nodes. Fortunately, they don't cause pain, but they can be a sign of lymphoma – which is a form of cancer commonly found in breeds like Golden Retrievers. Any unusual lumps or bumps on your dog should be examined by your vet – especially if their size, shape, or appearance changes. 2. Wounds that won't heal Just like with humans, any small wounds and lesions your dog gets should heal over time. If a wound doesn't seem to be healing – e.g., if you don't see signs of it scabbing over, or hair re-growing – you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. This can be a sign of cancer. 3. Abnormal bleeding Bleeding is a red flag in general. But it's especially concerning if you notice bloody eye discharge or bleeding from the nose – as this is a common sign of eye and skin cancers. Unusual bleeding from your dog's mouth is often the first sign of an oral tumor. It's important to be extra vigilant for these, since they often go undetected. Many owners believe bad breath and discharge from their dogs' mouths are a normal part of aging. But they're actually signs of a health problem, and you should always get your dog checked out by a veterinarian if you notice these signs. 4. Lameness If your dog starts limping, slowing down, or putting more weight on a certain limb, this could be an early sign of bone cancer – although it could also just be a sign of joint stiffness. To be on the safe side, arrange for a checkup with your veterinarian if you notice any issues with your dog's movement. 5. Sudden weight loss or gain Weight loss is frequently seen in dogs with cancer. Similarly, sudden weight gain in dogs can also be a sign of canine cancer. If you see any sudden changes in your dog's weight you should contact your veterinarian right away. 6. Lethargy and lack of enthusiasm to exercise As dogs get older, they naturally slow down and lose energy. It's an unfortunate fact, but there are things you can do to help them keep their energy levels and mobility up. Extreme lethargy, or a sudden, unexplained lack of energy, however, can be a sign of various conditions, including cancer. If your dog suddenly loses interest in going for walks, stops greeting you at the door, or doesn't want to play with their favorite toy, these are all red flags to investigate. Other warning signs include your dog sleeping too much or taking longer to respond to noises or commands. 7. Unusual bowel movements If you've had your dog for years, you probably know what's normal and what's not when it comes to their toilet habits. Unusual stool can be the first sign of many different illnesses. Take a look at this guide to find out what your dog's poo tells you. In particular, you should be on the lookout for bloody or black, tarry stools, or diarrhea – these are often a sign of ulcers, but can sometimes indicate mast cell tumors. What to do if your pet is showing warning signs If you spot any signs that your dog might have cancer, it's extremely important to contact your veterinarian straight away. They'll be able to run a number of tests including X-rays, ultrasounds, and blood tests, to figure out what's wrong. Early detection greatly helps your dog's chances of beating cancer. It can also make a major difference in treating various other issues that your dog may be dealing with. The good news? There's no two ways about it, a cancer diagnosis is heartbreaking. But it doesn't mean you should have to live in fear. Every single year, dogs are living longer and longer – which just goes to show how far pet care and veterinary medicine have advanced. In fact, nowadays there are more options than ever. Treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are readily available. And, as we mentioned before, early detection greatly improves your dog's chances of living a long, happy, healthy, and active life. Think your dog is showing any of these common signs of cancer? It's best to get in touch with your vet. And, if you're not doing so already, annual visits to the vet are essential.

Our Mission Shepherd's Rest Goat and Sheep Rescue exists to rescue, rehabilitate, and provide sanctuary for goats and sheep in need, to educate the public about goats and sheep as therapy animals, to provide qualified animal assisted therapy, and to train others to provide qualified animal assisted therapy with sheep and goats adopted through our program.  Our Promise Shepherd's Rest Goat and Sheep Rescue is committed to equal employment and volunteer opportunity without regard to age, ancestry, disability, national or ethnic origin, race, religious belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status. This policy applies to all areas of employment and volunteer participation, including recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, transfer, termination, layoff, compensation, benefits, social and recreational programs, all other conditions and privileges of employment in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Goat Yoga We hold classes Spring through Fall at our picturesque 100-year-old farm located in Pickrell, Nebraska, just a 30 minute drive south of Lincoln. Shepherd's Rest Goat & Sheep Rescue 426 West Cedar Road Pickrell, NE, 68422 402.580.5299 [email protected]

Leaving your beloved companion home while you're at work or travelling is hard enough; finding a trustworthy pet sitter shouldn't be. Faced with hectic schedules and long commutes—or even a pet who's dealing with separation anxiety—more people are hiring professional sitters to ensure their animals' health and happiness. But there's a lot to consider when choosing a sitter. Not only are they caring for valued family members, they're coming into your home. They should be trustworthy, professional, knowledgeable and able to handle emergencies. And your pet should feel comfortable around them. Here are some tips to help find that perfect sitter! Start online The internet (including neighborhood and community websites) is a great place to start. Professional pet-sitting associations such as the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and Pet Sitters International list members on their websites. Reading online reviews and even checking out candidates' Facebook pages can help narrow down your search. Seek firsthand recommendations Check the bulletin boards at local stores or your veterinarian's office for ads, then reach out to potential sitters for their references. You can also ask friends, relatives and neighbors for referrals. Or connect with your veterinarian and local humane societies, which may have employees who are part-time pet sitters. Just keep in mind that people with full-time jobs may not have the availability you need. Prepare for the interview Take some time to think through what you want to ask candidates before interviewing them via phone or video chat. Don't be afraid to have a long conversation; you can get a good sense of someone's personality and character that way. Here are some topics to consider: THE BASICS Find out how long they've been in business, what their level of experience is with your pets' species and what their backup plan is if something prevents them from coming to your house. FEES There's no point in moving forward if you can't afford their services. At the same time, don't just go with the cheapest rate; you want a qualified professional. SERVICES Ask what specific services they offer—are they comfortable administering medications? Do they have special training or certifications? Are they bonded and insured (which could protect you in certain situations, such as if your dog bites another person while on a walk with the sitter)? It can also be helpful to pose one or two emergency scenarios to see how candidates respond: What would they do if the air conditioning breaks on a hot day or your pet starts vomiting? Get ready for the meet-and-greet Before you book a pet-sitting date, you and your pets should meet the candidate. This will allow you to get to know the person better, flesh out special instructions and observe how they interact with your animal. You may even want to ask a candidate to do a trial walk to see how they handle your dog. Don't forget to ask for credentials such as references and copies of their bonding and license. You might also want to get a criminal background check. Accept that it might not work out The best screening in the world may not prevent you from hiring the wrong person. But you can take some simple steps to help determine whether the person is doing their job. For example: Ask your sitter to leave notes about each visit or share photos with you via text or email. If you have a doorbell camera, check whether your sitter comes at the agreed-upon times. Get a GPS for your dog's collar to ensure they're being walked every day. Still not sure whether your sitter is up to snuff? Here are some potential red flags to look for: Pee puddles, feces or vomit in the house. Untouched treats or toys you've left for the sitter to give to your pet during a visit. Failure to provide detailed reports of your pet's behavior. While it's good to be cautious when starting with someone new, keep in mind that most people who choose pet-sitting as a career are animal lovers. Over time, a sitter can become a trusted friend to you and your pet! For more information please contact Cat's Canines at [email protected] / 402-326-4595.  

Founded in 2020 by a group of animal advocates in Lincoln, Nebraska, Brave Animal Rescue is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) volunteer-based animal welfare organization dedicated to rescuing homeless kittens, cats, dogs, and puppies. By working with a network of volunteer advocates, foster caregivers, local veterinarians, and shelters, Brave Animal Rescue is able to help hundreds of animals every year by pulling animals from high-kill shelters, by working hands-on rescuing orphaned kittens, by aiding in local Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) efforts, and by helping those who are no longer able to care for their pets. We provide these animals with care and temporary homes until we are able to place them in permanent homes. Brave also aims to serve as a resource to our community by providing information about pet ownership, spaying and neutering, veterinary care, and TNR. The founders of Brave Animal Rescue are life-long animal advocates who have several years of experience working with other nonprofit animal groups throughout the Midwest. Through these experiences on the forefront of rescue, the founders quickly began to recognize a need in the community for a neonatal-focused rescue.  The vast majority of animals that are surrendered to animal shelters are under the age of 18 months old. According to The Humane Society of the United States, 80% of kittens are born outside. Without intervention, these kittens go on to procreate, get killed (by disease, vehicles, predators, etc.), or end up in shelters.  Unfortunately, kittens and puppies under 8 weeks old are the population most at-risk for being euthanized in shelters due to a lack of resources and foster homes. With a passion for newborn kittens and puppies, and drive to help the community, the founders of Brave Animal Rescue aim to end the cycle of unwanted companion animals through education, rescue, and spaying and neutering. CONTACT Brave Animal Rescue PO Box 21864 Lincoln, NE 68542 EMAIL [email protected]

WORK WITH ME   Cindy Myers Ambassador to Animals, Humans and Spirit   Welcome to YourEnergyHealer.com, your sanctuary for spiritual growth and healing. I'm Cindy Myers, a dedicated energy healer, intuitive guide, and passionate advocate for holistic wellness for you and your pets. Through my journey, I've been blessed to discover my calling in life—to assist others in navigating their own paths to healing and self-discovery.   At the heart of my practice, I am an experienced energy healer specializing in the ability to work with both humans and animals. I'm certified in the Emotion Code and Reiki, I earned a Master's Degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Depth Psychology from the prestigious Pacifica Graduate Institute. It was during this time of advanced study that I developed one of my passions of interpreting dreams and obtained invaluable mentoring and skills coaching individuals. I have a long history of people naturally drawn to me sharing their fears and life challenges. Many are amazed that I transformed from an engineer working for the Navy before transitioning to a life on an alpaca farm and working as an intuitive energy healer and animal communicator. But it was because of those huge life transitions throughout my life that provide the real life experience to guide you in your own personal growth. My intuitive abilities enable me to connect deeply with individuals, see beyond their fears and provide supportive guidance as they explore their inner worlds and unlock their full potential. My approach is rooted in compassion, empathy, and a profound belief in the interconnectedness of all beings.   My mission at YourEnergyHealer.com is to offer a comprehensive range of personalized healing services designed to nurture the mind, body, and spirit of not only individuals but also their beloved pets and animals. Recognizing the deep bond between humans and animals, I am committed to extending healing and balance to your furry and feathered companions. Whether you're seeking relief from physical ailments, emotional distress, or spiritual blockages for yourself or your animal friends, my goal is to facilitate a transformative experience that leads to profound and lasting change for all beings involved. By incorporating pets and animals into our healing journey, we honor the interconnectedness of all life and work towards holistic wellness for our entire family.   It wasn't until into my adulthood that I discovered I was an empath also known as a highly sensitive person or sensate intuitive. I struggled through my teens and young adulthood with terrible anxiety and depression. It was hard to get through day-to-day activities, especially through high school. I often think of those years as my "dark years." I was in deep pain that I didn't understand and didn't have the language to describe. It wasn't until fairly recently that I realized that not only was I suffering with my own anxiety and depression, but as an empath, I was picking up and absorbing all that teenaged angst of my classmates. I dreaded facing school each day. I somewhat grew out of this intense anxiety as I entered the workforce, I still battled anxiety. I knew something wasn't right but I had no idea where to begin figuring it out. Finally, I found my own mentor and guide. I learned to meditate and spirit guides began appearing. I began to understand my intuition and what it meant to be an empath. Instead of fearing it, I thought it would be incredible if I could use this "gift" to benefit others. Working with clients as part of my Master's Degree Curriculum honed my listening skills. It was discovering alpacas that trained me to become an animal communicator. I've since incorporated using alpacas to teach animal communication classes.   Because of those hard emotional times, it has become another mission of my life and practice to help others dealing with anxiety and depression. I found so many are also empathic intuitive individuals that don't realize how empathic they are. After a few simple questions, I help you to discover if you are an empath and what that means to you. And then the next level of work begins in providing you tools in handling that fact. It is actually possible and very doable to turn the challenges of being an empath into a superpower. But it is very important to learn how to protect yourself and how to be an empath.   I encourage you to go explore my services and events on this site. I tailor our sessions to your needs. I'm guided in those sessions not only by my spirit guides but I'm listening with my third ear to your higher self in knowing how best to support you. When you choose a service, you will receive a link to my online calendar. Select a time and provide me a good phone number to reach you and I'll call you at the appointed time. I do almost all my sessions over the phone for you or your pets. If you reside outside the United States, please let me know and we can use other methods to connect. I have clients all over the country and world.   Explore my events page too and you will find regularly scheduled Group Online Healing Circles where I provide you a guided meditation that promotes physical and emotional healing. You will also grow your authentic self during these impactful sessions. I also teach various course from dream workshops where you learn how to interpret your dreams, learn how to connect with your spirit guides, learn how to communicate with animals and much more.   I also write blogs regularly and you can read what my thoughts are on all these vast subjects of intuitive listening.   I'm so appreciative that I have combined all my passions in this business. I've taken my joy in writing and art to create several books which you can check out on my books page. I don't think I've had more fun than when I wrote and illustrated the toddler books. In all my books, I fold in important life lessons. In my memoir, I wrote about how I came to living on my alpaca farm in Oregon and how animals provided me many life lessons that make me a better "two-legged" (that's how they see us humans). My second book, 5 Steps to Animal Communication, provides you simple techniques to practice to develop your own intuitive skills with your pet(s). I incorporated lessons I learned working with children when I was studying to be a therapist to create my children's books. You can explore all my books on this website.   SERVICES OFFERED   – Energy Healing Sessions: Harness the power of universal energy to promote healing and balance. I like to say I'm a one-stop-shop providing wellbeing services for you and your pets. I invite you to explore both my animal and human services pages. If you have questions, I welcome your questions. Just reach out using my contact form and I'll get back to you quickly.   – Healing Circles/Meditation and Mindfulness Training: Learn techniques to calm your mind, reduce stress, and enhance spiritual awareness.   – Your Energy Healer Courses: Join our community for events focused on spiritual development and holistic wellness.   I always ask you when we begin our sessions with, "How can I help you today?"   What you receive is: Personalized Care: Every session is tailored to meet your unique needs and goals. Experienced Practitioner: Benefit from years of experience and ongoing learning in the field of energy healing. Supportive Community: Join a community of like-minded individuals on their journey to wellness. 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How to Manage a Dog Lunging on Leash By Stephanie Gibeault, MSc, CPDT Updated: Sep 22, 2021 | 5 Minutes How to Manage a Dog Lunging on Leash – American Kennel Club   Do you dread taking your dog for a walk because they lunge at other dogs, other people, or objects like cars or skateboards? Maybe they bark or growl too. Walking an out-of-control dog is both physically and emotionally exhausting. It's tempting to avoid walks altogether, but then your dog isn't getting the mental stimulation and physical exercise they need. So, what do you do? Read on for tips to manage and improve your dog's lunging behavior. Understand Why Dogs Lunge Dog experts often label dogs who lunge and bark during walks as "leash reactive." A reactive dog is one who becomes overly aroused by normal situations, and a leash reactive dog is one who behaves that way on leash. But what causes this behavior? There are three possible motivations for lunging. The least likely is aggression. Although rare, some dogs truly want to do harm. Fear is a far more common motivator. Using the "I'll get it before it gets me" strategy, dogs lunge to try to make the feared person, dog, or other object go away. Finally, your dog might be excited to approach the person, dog, or object, but because the leash is preventing that, they become frustrated and lose emotional control. You need to take all these motivations seriously, but it's important to understand which one is driving your dog. For example, if your dog is frustrated, lessons in emotional self-control come in handy. If your dog is fearful, building self-confidence is key. However, regardless of the reason for the lunging, some of the basic management tools and treatments are the same. Manage Your Dog's Behavior It's important to prevent your dog from lunging because every time they do, they're practicing the behavior and developing a self-reinforcing habit. And the firmer the habit, the harder it will be to change. But how do you prevent lunging? First, never punish your dog for this behavior. You will only exacerbate the problem. Your dog will associate the punishment with the other person, dog, or object which will strengthen their fear or jack up their frustration. Second, use the correct equipment for walking. A buckle collar can put a lot of pressure on your dog's throat when they lunge. A front-clip harness is a better choice. It will put the pressure on your dog's chest and help turn them back toward you when they spring forward. A head halter (also called a head harness) is another option for a leash-reactive dog. It loops around your dog's nose and allows you to control their head like the reins of a horse. However, many dogs need help adjusting to a halter and they can damage their necks if they hit the end of the leash with too much force. To prevent that, you can clip one leash to their buckle collar and another to their halter, so the collar leash takes the force during lunges and the halter leash gently turns your dog's head. Finally, be proactive. Plan your walks for times when your dog is unlikely to encounter any triggers (the people, dogs, or objects that cause the lunging to occur). That might be late at night or with the sunrise. Also choose the quietest route. And always be on the lookout for triggers so you can keep your dog far enough away that they don't react. That might mean taking evasive action like crossing the street or making a 180-degree turn. If you can distract your dog before they notice the trigger, even better. Constantly monitor the environment and your dog's body language so you can predict lunging before it occurs and act accordingly. Change Your Dog's Emotional Response Management will prevent your dog from practicing lunging, but it won't improve their behavior or ease their emotional state. For that, try desensitization and counterconditioning. This technique will change your dog's emotional response from negative to positive (in the case of fear-based or aggressive reactivity) or from out-of-control excitement to calm (in the case of frustration). The trick is to get your dog in the presence of their trigger but far enough away they don't react. This is known as below-threshold intensity. That could be 10 feet, or it could be 40. And different triggers might have different distances. Once you have your dog below threshold, pair the trigger with high-value rewards they would do anything for, like strips of meat, cubes of cheese, or a chance to play with their favorite toy. You want your dog to build a positive association between the wonderful goodies and the trigger. Start the process with your dog on leash. Wait for them to notice a trigger then immediately present a reward. When they glance at the trigger again, offer another reward. Continue as long as the trigger is present. With enough repetition, your dog will eventually glance at the trigger then turn right back in your direction, as if to say, "I saw it, now where's my treat?" This tells you that your dog has realized the trigger makes the reward happen, so the positive association is being formed. Now you can move a tiny bit closer to the trigger and repeat the process. The goal is to slowly reduce the distance between your dog and the trigger until they are within a few feet or less, all while keeping your dog under threshold. Then duplicate the entire procedure again with a new dog or person. Continue to repeat with as many examples of the trigger as necessary to convince your dog that their trigger makes great things happen. As a result, when they see any trigger, they will look to you for a reward instead of lunging. Try your best to control the environment during this process. You don't want a dog or stranger sneaking up and putting your dog over threshold. Instead, enlist the assistance of friends so you can coordinate a training plan using them or their dogs as the trigger. You can also try positioning your dog at a set distance from a pathway or street so you can predict passersby but control how far your dog is from them. Teach Your Dog an Incompatible Alternative Behavior You can also teach your dog to perform a behavior that is incompatible with lunging. For example, they can't lunge towards another dog and turn to look at you at the same time. If you heavily reward this alternative behavior, your dog will eventually choose to do it in place of lunging even when their trigger is close by. Some great choices include "Watch me" (where your dog looks at your face), "Touch" (where your dog targets something with their nose), or "Find it" (where you drop treats at your feet for your dog to find). These are easy to teach and easy for your dog to do even when they are emotionally aroused. And more importantly, they redirect your dog's gaze from the trigger to you. Whichever behavior you choose, make sure your dog loves to do it. Start training in a quiet environment without distractions and pile on the treats. This will show your dog how easy it is to get rewarded for the new task. Next, build distractions into your training. Then add the trigger at a below-threshold distance. When your dog looks at the trigger, ask for the replacement behavior. Shower them with treats when they obey. Finally, ask for the new behavior while slowly moving closer and closer to the trigger. If your dog reverts to lunging, you've moved too far, too fast. Eventually, rather than lunging, your dog will see the trigger as a cue to do the new behavior and earn a reward. Know When to Get Help For some dogs, you might be able to work through these techniques on your own and achieve great success in a matter of weeks. For other dogs, it's advisable to get help from an animal behaviorist or a professional dog trainer with leash reactivity experience. Your dog might also benefit from a consult with a veterinary behaviorist. If your dog is too worked up to learn, medication can control their arousal levels during training allowing them to make more progress. Lunging on leash can usually be modified into more polite and acceptable behavior. At the very least, you can minimize your dog's outbursts with good management. It takes patience and dedication to your dog and the training protocols, but walks can eventually be stress-free for both you and your dog.