THE KENNEL SPOTLIGHT An In-Depth Look at the Heart of the Professional Kennel Industry
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THE KENNEL SPOTLIGHT
An In-Depth Look at the Heart of the Professional Kennel Industry
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 $4.95
Volume 16, Issue 6
contents
8 HOW HOT IS TOO HOT? 18 HAZARDOUS
Important information about COOKOUT FOOD
heatstroke in dogs and what you FOR DOGS
can do to avoid this common
What foods should you avoid giving to
problem. your pups ? Find out here.
12 WORKING DOGS 26 VA GRANT
A look at the different types of
PROGRAM FOR PTSD
working dogs as we approach A new grant program could
Labor Day 2021. make it possible for military
veterans to receive help from
16 BIRDSEED IS FOR a service dog.
THE BIRDS
Contrary to what dogs might On the cover: A great big thank you to 6-year-old
think, birdseed is most Kenleigh Smith of Wheaton, MO, for our cover photo.
definitely for the birds.
Kenleigh and her 2-year-old miniature poodle Kylie
love to snuggle and play. Kenleigh's mom, Makayla
Smith, is the owner of K's Precious Poo's in Wheaton,
MO. Their website is kspreciouspoos.com.
editor's note
These are strange times, indeed. COVID-19 created a
world where the term "contactless" has become the
norm, a world where many are still afraid to hug or
shake hands. I, myself, don't like the "contactless"
world--we're losing the personal connections with
each other that we once took for granted, whether it's
with a waitress at a local restaurant, a grocery store
clerk, or a chat with a stranger at the park. I want to
believe things will get back to the way they were
before the pandemic, but with each passing day, I
fear that will never happen.
The advertising world has changed as well.
Understandably, many businesses have chosen only to
advertise online or through social media because they
feel they can reach more potential buyers. However,
did you know that your advertisement in The Kennel
Spotlight will reach a TARGETED audience of
thousands of customers? Did you know that every
reader of The Kennel Spotlight has a need for your
product or service? Did you know that a large portion
of our readership does not have television or the
internet and relies solely on the written word to
choose what they will buy and who they'll buy it from
both now and in the future?
I encourage you to consider supporting The Kennel
Spotlight with your advertising dollars. There are still a
lot of people who want to have "contact" with a real
magazine. They want to turn the pages and see your
ad and buy from your business. Believe me, you won't
be disappointed.
Email me at kennelspotlight67@gmail.com to find out
more. I look forward to making "contact" with you!
Mary Rogers
EDITOR IN CHIEF
4
HEATSTROKE IN DOGS
HOW HOT
IS TOO
HOT?
Adapted from
AKC.org
What Is Heatstroke?
Dogs are notoriously bad
When a dog’s internal body temperature
at dissipating body heat. goes above a normal temperature of 101.5
Watch for early signs of Fahrenheit (F), this is a fever and is called
heatstroke (also known as hyperthermia. When the body temperature
hyperthermia) in your dog is above 105F, the dog may be suffering from
to avoid serious heatstroke.
outcomes.
8
Dogs have only a couple of
ways to cool off: blood vessel
expansion and panting. When
dogs pant, they evaporate
moisture from their tongues,
nasal passages, and the lining
of their lungs, and this cools
them down as air passes over
the moist tissue. They also cool
off via vasodilation. Blood reached and how long the
vessels, especially in the ears animal is exposed,” says Dr.
and face, expand – bringing Jerry Klein, AKC chief veterinary
overheated blood closer to the officer.
surface to cool down.
Signs to Watch Out For
The bottom surfaces of paws Heatstroke in dogs is life
can sweat, but not enough to threatening and can also result
make a difference. “Heatstroke in very serious complications.
usually occurs when high There are early signs of
ambient temperature heatstroke that you can be alert
overcomes the dog’s ability to to that may help you remedy
dissipate heat. The degree of the condition before things get
damage is determined by how too serious. Early signs of
high a body temperature is heatstroke include:
9
heavy panting and rapid breathing, Weight: Overweight and obese
excessive drooling, dry mucous dogs are more likely to suffer.
membranes, bright red gums and Medical disorders:
tongue, skin hot to the touch, and a Hypothyroidism, cardiac disease,
higher heart rate. Affected dogs and laryngeal paralysis also
become hyperactive and may have contribute to heatstroke.
difficulty maintaining balance. Environment: The most common
As exposure to excessive heat goes on, cause of heatstroke in dogs is
the dog’s condition worsens and confinement in a closed
includes signs of shock: pale mucous automobile. The ambient
membranes with white or blue gums, temperature inside a closed car can
very rapid heart rate, and a drop in become dangerously high in a
blood pressure. The dog matter of minutes, and the results
hyperventilates, and dehydration can be fatal. Other causes of
becomes more severe. Pupils dilate, heatstroke can include being
the pulse becomes more irregular, and confined in an exercise pen without
the dog has muscle tremors; he may fresh water in direct sunlight and
become lethargic and unwilling to dogs left in cages for an extended
move; urinate or defecate period of time with cage driers on
uncontrollably; collapse and become them unchecked.
comatose. Water: Restricted access and not
drinking enough water causes
Why Does Heatstroke Occur? overheating.
Heatstroke generally occurs during the Acclimation: Sudden change to a
hottest part of the year, especially warmer climate can cause heat
when it is humid. Contributing factors stress.
include:
Breed: Heatstroke can be seen in How to Treat Heatstroke
all breeds, but may be more likely Heatstroke therapy involves
in longhaired and brachycephalic immediately trying to lower the dog’s
(short-nosed) breeds. body temperature. If you notice signs
Age: Very young dogs, as well as of heatstroke in your dog, it’s critical to
older dogs are more susceptible. stop any activity and help your dog
Physical fitness: Dogs that are out cool down by:
of shape are vulnerable when they Walking or carrying the dog to a
exert a great deal of energy in well ventilated, cool area.
excessively hot surroundings. .
10Spraying or sponging the dog with Prevention Is the Best Medicine
cool (not cold) or tepid water Immediate action and correct
especially on the underside. Do not treatment is so important because it
immerse the animal in cold water. can mean the difference between a
Using a fan to blow cool air on him. swift and complete recovery and long-
term complications. Some
If you have a rectal thermometer, you veterinarians also advise that once a
should take your dog’s temperature. dog has experienced heatstroke, it is
According to Dr. John Hamil, DVM, if more likely to reoccur.
the temperature is less than 105F, you Our dogs live to please us, and if we
should still consider this an emergency ask them to jog or hike or play catch,
and immediately take your dog to your they’ll do it with enthusiasm – even on
veterinarian. If the temperature is the hottest days. So it’s up to you to
higher than 105F, try to cool the dog keep the weather in mind and limit
down, and after a few minutes retake the time your dog exercises when the
the temperature. Don’t reduce the temperature soars. Choose cooler
temperature below 103F, because the times of day for play or training
temperature may descend to critical sessions. Always provide plenty of cool
levels. fresh water, shade, and frequent rest
Immediately take your dog to your periods when it’s hot. And never leave
veterinarian as soon as the your dog in the car – he may miss you,
temperature reaches 103F or if you are but he’ll be better off waiting for you
unable to reduce the temperature at home.
significantly. Severely affected dogs
require fluids, medication, support, .
and oxygen. Complications may not
occur immediately, so it’s important to
let your veterinarian determine the
type of follow-up treatment required.
11THE KENNEL SPOTLIGHT
Labor
Day
Dogs
7 TYPES OF WORKING DOGS AND THE JOBS
THEY DO
BY MARY ROGERS
This year, Labor Day 1894--it honors the to fight for benefits
will be celebrated hard work of all such as mandatory
Monday, September Americans, and it breaks, more sanitary
6. Typically the first began during the conditions, and fair
Monday in Industrial Revolution pay.
September, the Labor when many people
Day holiday signifies were forced to work 7 Riots and protests
the end of summer days a week, often for became the norm as
and the beginning of 12 hours a day, just to workers grew tired of
the school year, and make ends meet. unfair working
Americans tend to Sadly, some children conditions; they
spend the long worked these hours wanted to be heard.
weekend with friends, as well, and work As these protests
whether it means conditions were spread across the
going to the lake, substandard in many United States, the
enjoying a barbeque, areas. idea of a holiday for
camping, or taking a the working man
dip in the pool. As a result of these became closer to
poor working reality.
Labor Day became a conditions, labor
Federal holiday in unions were formed
12After a great deal of pressure to 1. SERVICE DOGS
do so, Congress passed an act Service Dogs are those who are
which made Labor Day a legal specifically trained to work with
holiday. On June 28, 1894, and help people with disabilities.
President Grover Cleveland Whether the disability is visual,
signed it into law. auditory, or has to do with
mobility, these dogs are trained
When we think about Labor Day, so that they can go anywhere.
we might not be thinking of how It's important to note that
certain dogs might need to be service dogs are not the same as
celebrated as well. Dogs are therapy dogs or emotional
playful companions and great for support dogs. Types of dogs that
snuggling, but some dog breeds make good service dogs include
have serious work to do. There German shepherds, standard
are many different types of poodles, golden retrievers, and
working dogs that can perform a labrador retrievers.
variety of tasks and duties and
deserve recognition on this 2. THERAPY DOGS
special holiday. Let's take a look Therapy dogs travel to schools,
at the 7 types of working dogs day care facilities, hospitals, and
and the jobs they do. nursing homes to work with sick
or injured people. Although any
type of dog could be a therapy
dog, socialization is the key to
success.
3. POLICE DOGS
Also referred to as K-9s, police dogs are trained to aid police officers in their
pursuit of suspects. They will attack anyone who attempts to avoid capture,
and sometimes police dogs are used to sniff out and detect illegal drugs. As
a rule, German shepherds and Belgian Malinois are the most commonly used
breeds for police work.
4. MILITARY DOGS
Similar to police dogs, military dogs perform duties for members of the Army,
Navy, Air Force, or Marines, They perform such things as search and rescue
missions, and they are trained as trackers, as well, Again, the German
shepherd is the most common type of military dog.
13WORKING
DOGS
(CONTINUED)
REFERENCES: HISTORY.COM AND THE SPRUCE PETS
5. DETECTION DOGS
Detection dogs include beagles, Labrador
retrievers, and golden retrievers. These
working dogs are trained using positive
reinforcement to sniff out a variety of
things, including explosives, illegal drugs,
human remains, and disease.
6. SEARCH AND RESCUE DOGS 7. HERDING DOGS
These special working dogs use their keen The final type of working dog
sense of smell and hearing to help find is the herding dog. These
people, particularly after an avalanche or dogs work with cattle and
some other kind of disaster. They are sheep and are truly "born for
specially trained to listen for sounds that the job" in that they belong
humans are unable to hear, and their to a certain breed made
tremendous sense of smell aids in the rescue specifically for herding.
process. The most common types of search These breeds include king
and rescue dogs are Labrador retrievers, shepherds, border collies,
golden retrievers, border collies, Leonbergers, and sheepdogs. Although
and German shepherds. they may require some
training, it comes naturally
to most herding dogs.
14Birdseed Is
For the Birds,
Contrary To
What Your
Dogs May
Think
By Harriet Meyers, AKC expert
16Like many dog owners, I have a dog who loves to requiring immediate attention from a
eat. Dog food, goose poop, birdseed – you name veterinarian.
it. Nothing very harmful in that, right? Some mixes of birdseed contain raisins or
Well, it turns out that birdseed should be saved for sultanas (a type of grape). Grapes and raisins are
the birds. And here’s why. known to be highly toxic to dogs.
The birdseed your dog is eating is most likely to
Aflatoxin Poisoning be found underneath the feeder, which means the
It’s not unusual for dogs to graze for birdseed dog is also likely to be eating bird feces. Bird
under a feeder. Birds are messy eaters, and many feces contain a variety of bacteria and parasites
seeds drop to the ground. A few choice tastes of that can be passed on to your dog – most often
birdseed that is fresh are not usually harmful to a salmonella. The resulting infections can cause
dog. minor or very serious attacks of diarrhea and
However, seeds that are old or become damp may vomiting.
breed mold and aflatoxin. And suddenly, they can
be very harmful for a dog to consume. The U.S. Feeding Birds, Not Dogs
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that, It turns out that bird feeders require a lot of
at high levels, aflatoxins can cause illness and regular maintenance – filling them with fresh,
even death in dogs. new seed and cleaning and sanitizing them often.
If you’re trying to feed the birds, but not your bird
Symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning in dogs include dog, take these precautions:
sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice Only use fresh seed, and always read the
(yellowish tint to the eyes or gums due to liver ingredients to be sure there’s nothing harmful
damage), and diarrhea, according to the FDA. The in the mix.
liver is the principal organ affected, and some Wash and sanitize your bird feeders often –
pets suffer liver damage without showing any ornithologists recommend at least every two
symptoms. weeks, more often during heavy use or wet
The Cornell University College of Veterinary weather.
Medicine reports, “Aflatoxin curtails the Clean up any birdseed that lands on the
production of cholesterol and many proteins that ground.
profoundly affect blood clotting. Physical exams Use screw-on trays under the feeders to keep
and blood tests are necessary to differentiate seeds from hitting the ground in the first
dogs that have been poisoned from those that place.
have not. Unfortunately, the latent onset of signs Create a barrier under the feeders or plant a
may require that an individual dog be evaluated dog-friendly bed of groundcover that makes
several times.” the seeds harder to find.
Teach your dog to “leave it.”
Birdseed Can Cause Other Problems Enjoy the beauty of birds without feeding
Dogs who gobble up a lot of seeds at one time them. Ornithologists tell us we often feed
may give themselves an upset stomach. They can birds during seasons when it is unnecessary
even cause a blockage in the intestinal tract that or even detrimental, for example in the spring
can lead to bloat – a very serious condition and summer.
17INFORMATION FROM
AKC.ORG
Hazardous
Cookout
Foods for
Dogs
With warmer weather comes the chance to
fire up the grill and enjoy a cookout. Dog
owners may be tempted to let their dog have a
taste of the delicious grilled foods. However,
many cookout foods are not safe for dogs to
eat. Here are a few tips on foods to watch out
for:
RAW MEAT--Raw steak or hamburger
patties can contain bacteria, such as
salmonella and E. coli that can be harmful to
dogs, as well as people.
HOT DOGS--Hot dogs often contain
ingredients that are not good for dogs, such
as sodium nitrate, which has been linked to
cancer; monosodium glutamate (MSG); and
sugars or artificial sweeteners.
TOPPINGS--Garlic and onions can cause
stomach upset in dogs, and sometimes have
even more serious side effects.
18CORN ON THE COB--Corn on the cob is a summertime staple, and
although a small amount of corn won’t hurt, you should not share your
corn on the cob with your dog. There is a risk that he will choke on it,
SALTY SNACKS--Potato chips, pretzels, peanuts, and popcorn – all
make nice portable snacks when you eat outside. But too much salt can
lead to sodium ion poisoning in dogs, causing vomiting, diarrhea,
tremors, fever, and seizures – and can even be fatal.
CHOCOLATE--Whether it’s eaten in ice cream, cake, or straight on,
chocolate is dangerous for dogs, and depending on the type and amount
of chocolate consumed and the weight of your dog, it could cause a
serious medical emergency.
ICE CREAM--Although it’s refreshing, ice
cream is a milk-based product, and dogs’
bodies are not designed to digest milk after
they are weaned as puppies.
ALCOHOL--An ice-cold beer, a mojito, or
margarita may sound refreshing, but don’t let
your pup dip into any alcoholic beverages.
CAFFEINE--Caffeine can be fatal for dogs.
This includes the beans and grounds for
coffee, hot tea and iced tea, sodas with cola,
energy drinks, and chocolate drinks.
LEFTOVERS--Most dogs will be attracted
to the grill, especially when you cook meat.
Don’t let them lick up the fat that drips
from the meat because it is rich in oils that
can cause pancreatitis.
BONES--What’s better than a nice juicy
grilled steak or barbecued ribs or chicken
wings? But sharing these with your dog is
a dangerous idea.
Story continued on page 30
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AK C.O RGADAPTED FROM THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB
VA GRANT
PROGRAM TO
PROVIDE
SERVICE DOGS
FOR VETERANS
WITH PTSD
Many of us say that our dogs are our best
friends, but for some people, they’re the key to a
better life as well.
For veterans, service dogs provide more than
just emotional support, especially for people
dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Specialized service dogs not only perform
specific tasks that not only help with these
conditions, but recent studies show that they
can also reduce the amount of medication some
veterans require for treatment and alleviate
their overall symptoms. That’s why U.S. Senator
Deborah Fischer has introduced a bill to fund
service dog programs for veterans diagnosed
with PTSD or TBI. This bill can effectively give
these veterans a new lease on life.
What Does the PAWS Bill Call For?
The Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers
Act of 2021 (PAWS) bill, S. 951, sets up a grant
program for service dog organizations that
provide trained dogs to veterans suffering from
PTSD or TBI. This bill and its companion bill,
H.R. 1022, establish a three-year pilot program
that’s administered by the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA).
26Organizations and trainers
accredited by Assistance Dogs
International (ADI) or the
International Guide Dog
Federation (IGDF) would receive
the grants—which are $25,000 or
less. Grants would also be
available for trainers and
programs whose dogs meet the
standards established by the
Association of Service Dog
Providers for Military Veterans,
which requires passing several
levels of AKC Canine Good Citizen
(CGC) tests, in addition to
performing tasks that help
mitigate the veteran’s specific
disability. To qualify for a grant,
organizations must also have staff
available who understand the
unique needs of veterans with
PTSD.
What Does the PAWS Grant Cover?
The grants provided by the PAWS
bill wouldn’t just cover the costs
MANY OF US SAY THAT
of training a dog for veterans with
PTSD or TBI. They would also pay
OUR DOGS ARE OUR BEST
for a lifetime of veterinary health
insurance for the dog, service dog
FRIENDS, BUT FOR SOME
hardware, and payment for travel
expenses needed for the veteran
PEOPLE, THEY'RE THE KEY
to acquire the dog. TO A BETTER LIFE AS
“This is a fantastic step forward in
helping veterans,” says Tom WELL.
Coleman, Executive Director of
Pawsitivity Service Dogs. “The VA
covers service dogs for vets with
other physical disabilities, but at
this time, they won’t cover service
dogs for PTSD.”
What’s Involved with Providing
Service Dogs for Veterans?
Finding or breeding, training,
testing, and pairing an
appropriate dog with a veteran is
a costly and time-consuming
process. According to Sheila
O’Brien, Chair of Assistance Dogs
International North America and
Special Advisor to America’s
VetDogs, training and care for
potential service dogs can rangefrom $30,000 to $50,000. Initial training strangers to help them socialize are all
can take close to two years and then the tasks that service dogs can perform,” says
veteran will need to continue training O’Brien. These tasks help them feel better
together with the dog, usually one to two and get them back out into the world.
times per week for up to another year or Additionally, those with TBI can suffer from
more. physical disabilities that service dogs can
“Training includes work on general assist with including balance issues,
manners, scent training with samples of mobility issues, and everyday tasks like
stress hormones collected from the veteran opening doors, retrieving items, and
to alert them when the client becomes pressing an emergency button to call for
anxious, public access training, and specific help. Service dogs can also alert veterans to
tasks that are tailored to the veteran,” says increased anxiety before the handler is
Michelle Nelson, CPDT-KA, Ph.D. of Paws aware and place their chin on a veteran’s
Assisting Veterans (PAVE). After pairing a leg, lap, or chest to ground them, says
dog with a veteran, PAVE offers lifelong Carolyn Barney CNWI, CPDT-KA Training
follow-up with unlimited training and Director at Operation Delta Dog.
advice. “We also do yearly home visits and
re-accreditation testing for all working How Have Service Dogs Changed the Lives
teams,” she says. of Veterans?
All veterans paired with service dogs must Service dogs are literally and figuratively
be receiving the care of a mental health opening doors for veterans, allowing them
professional and interview with the service to socialize, go back to work, and even
dog organization as well, says O’Brien. This travel. Unlike emotional support animals
helps them determine if the dog is the right who don’t go through the rigorous training
fit. Because the process is so involved and process that service dogs do, these dogs are
expensive, most organizations who rely on always well-behaved and allowed by law
donations have a waiting list for dogs that into most places that other dogs are not,
can last up to three years. This is why the like the workplace.
PAWS bill is so important, because it can
help them get more dogs to veterans who A veteran who America’s VetDogs paired
need them. with a service dog had his life changed
when that dog helped alleviate his night
How Do Service Dogs Help Veterans? terrors, balance issues, and hypervigilance.
“Service dogs are trained to perform tasks Never a fan of public speaking, he now
that directly mitigate a person’s regularly speaks on behalf of the
disabilities,” says O’Brien. This is in organization, says O’Brien.
accordance with the Americans With Another veteran, Peter Bannon, served as a
Disabilities Act (ADA). And these disabilities combat infantryman, including tours in both
include any “physical or mental impairment Iraq and Afghanistan. “Performing duties in
that substantially limits one or more major service to his country has left him with
life activity.” severe PTSD,” says Coleman. Pawsitivity
Veterans with PTSD suffer from a number of Service Dogs paired him with a black
conditions including hypervigilance, Labrador Retriever named Daniel. “Peter
depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and reports that, after training with Daniel, the
night terrors. “Turning on a light switch relationship has made it possible for him to
when entering a dark room, pulling the spend time in public and in his workplace
covers off of a bed or nudging the bed to with increased security and confidence.”
wake them during night terrors, standing in
front or back of them to give them space in
busy settings, and shaking hands with
28“ONE OF OUR EARLY VETERANS WHO
COULD BARELY COME TO A MEETING DUE
TO ANXIETY HAS BECOME A VETERAN
ADVOCATE AND PASSED LEGISLATURE IN
MASSACHUSETTS TO HELP VETERANS
NEEDING IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION
—OFTEN FOR SUICIDE—WHEN THE VA WAS
NOT AVAILABLE,” SAYS BARNEY.
Add a little bit of body text
29CONTINUED FROM
PAGE 19
Hazardous
What Should I Do If My Dog Eats Something Toxic?
If you think your pet has gotten into something
Cookout potentially toxic, call your veterinarian right away.
Food for When it happens outside of office hours or any time,
day or night, weekends, and holidays, you can call
Dogs AKC Reunite’s Pet Poison Helpline at 800-252-7894
for help.
What Human Foods Can My Dog Safely Eat?
Although dog foods might not be appealing to us,
most contain all of the nutrients dogs need to stay
healthy. However, there are many fresh summer fruits
and vegetables that are safe for you to share with
your dog, such as blueberries, cantaloupe, cucumbers,
and peas.
30The Kennel Spotlight
Publisher--Bob Hughes (417) 652-7540
bob@swaauction.com
Editor/Ad Sales--Mary Rogers (417) 847-7834
kennelspotlight67@gmail.com
The Kennel Spotlight is published by Southwest Publications, LLC
P.O. Box 534, Wheaton, MO 64874
Printing by Print Shop Plus
Contributing articles/information by: AKC, Revival Animal Health, Nestle/Purina Breeder
Enthusiast, HumaneWatch.org, and National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA).
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