When a dog suffers from injuries or chronic conditions affecting both legs, the impact on their mobility and quality of life can be significant. This is where bilateral braces come into play, offering support and stability to both limbs simultaneously. This article explores the benefits of bilateral braces for dogs, the conditions they address, and what to consider when choosing one for your canine companion.
Bilateral braces are designed to provide support and stability to both legs at the same time. They differ from single-limb braces, which focus on just one leg. These braces can be used for various conditions affecting the hips, knees, hocks (ankles), or a combination of these joints. They are typically custom-made or highly adjustable to ensure a proper fit and optimal support.
Double Brace can be beneficial for dogs with several conditions, including:
Using a double brace offers several advantages:
Bilateral braces come in various designs, depending on the specific needs of the dog. They can be categorized by the joints they support:
Selecting the right bilateral brace requires careful consideration and consultation with your veterinarian or a veterinary orthopedic specialist. Factors to consider include:
Bilateral braces can be a valuable tool for improving the mobility and quality of life for dogs with conditions affecting both legs. By providing support, reducing pain, and enhancing stability, these braces can help dogs stay active and enjoy their lives to the fullest. Consult with your veterinarian to determine if a bilateral brace is the right choice for your furry friend. For more information about our Posh Dog Knee Brace you can contact us via our contact form or visit our Facebook page.
Hi Guys! Nikki, Lead Veterinary Technician with Posh Dog Knee Braces here. Let’s discuss collagen more in depth, and how it helps our dog’s recovery from ligament injuries. Collagen is similar to glue, and can help to keep our body together. It gives support and structure to our skin, bones, ligaments, tendons, and yes cartilage that protects our joints.
There are over 28 types of collagen, however, only a few are important for supplementation. Type one collagen, which is the most abundant, is part our our tendons and ligaments. This form as a supplement comes from Cows, pigs, fish, and eggshells naturally. Type 1 provides support and strength, which is crucial for the repair and recovery of ligaments following injury (like a CCL/ACL tear or carpal injury).
Type 2 collagen makes up our cartilage. It is much less abundant in other tissues like tendons and ligaments, but does help maintaine our shock absorption in the knee, elbow, and hips. This supplement can help prevent cartilage degradation, especially after a joint injury. It is also found to really lower our bodies inflammation in joints, like with arthritis, by helping our body tolerate its own collagen and reducing the immune system’s desire to attack the joints and cartilage. This is found mostly in chicken cartilage (especially the sternum), and can be made at home or purchased as undenatured collagen (UC-II) supplements.
Lastly we have type 3 collagen, which works well with Type 1 in providing structural integrity and support, as well as flexibility and strength of connective tissues like tendons and ligaments.
If you are looking for a good overall benefit for the joints, it is best to get a supplement (or make your own) with all 3 types of collagen. If you want to make your own collagen at home, it is best to make organic chicken bone broth (or turkey), especially the sternum and bones containing cartilage like feet and wings. Beef bone broth mainly has type 1 and 3, not type 2. If you mix both beef and chicken, you can get a great variety of collagen types, including type 1, 2, and 3!
If purchasing Collagen, I would suggest looking for peptides, or hydrolyzed collagen. These are broken down and easier to digest, so that they are quickly absorbed. These are typically higher concentration of collagen compared to bone broth. Available in Type 1, 2, and 3. Easier to use, as you don’t have to cook your own bone broth.
In conclusion, collagen peptides are generally more convenient and concentrated for daily supplementation of collagen. They will also be absorbed faster, and more concentrated than bone broth. However, if you prever a more natural source of collagen, and budget friendly, bone broth may be better for you. It also contains more minerals, amino acids, and gut health support, but it is not as concentrated as peptides, so you may need to take more. Or, you can utilize both options for optimal gain.
Pain and inflammation you want Collagen type 2. Collagen 1 and 3 usually come from Bovine.
Contact us via our contact form with any questions, or visit us on Facebook!
Dog Compression therapy isn’t just for humans anymore! It’s increasingly being used in veterinary medicine to aid in healing, reduce pain, and improve mobility in dogs. This article explores the benefits of compression for canines, the various ways it’s used, and important considerations for pet owners.
Dog Compression therapy involves applying external pressure to a specific area of the body. This pressure can have several positive effects:
Compression therapy can be used to treat a variety of conditions in dogs, including:
Several methods are used to provide compression for dogs:
Dog Compression therapy is not appropriate for all conditions. It should be avoided in cases of:
Compression therapy can be a valuable tool in managing various conditions in dogs, offering pain relief, reducing swelling, and promoting healing. However, it’s crucial to work closely with your veterinarian to ensure it’s the right approach for your dog’s specific needs. With proper guidance and application, compression can help your canine companion stay comfortable and active. For more information about our Posh Dog Knee Brace you can contact us via our contact form or visit us on Facebook.
Hey guys, this is Nikki the lead Vet tech with Posh Dog Knee Braces. Today let’s talk about signs to look out for when your dog is having issues with mobility. One of the most common things we will see is limping or favoring a leg. There are many things that can cause limping, such as pain, weakness, and even numbness in the limb. This could come from the spine, hips, or a joint, so it’s always best to have a vet check out any consistent limping.
Another sign of weakening mobility is having a hard time getting up. If your dog does the boot scoot trying to stand each time, or seems to be really digging with those front legs, this could mean joint or muscle problems. Usually this is also a sign of osteoarthritis. Over time, especially if a certain joint is sore, they use them less and less frequently, thus causing weaker and weaker muscles. Especially those back legs. This is why a lot of hip arthritis dogs may end up needing something like a cart to help them walk eventually.
Stiffness or moving really slow can also be a warning of arthritis, weakened muscles,or neurological issue. Sometimes this will come with shaking or trembling. Dog’s do not typically shake or tremble from the cold, but they will shake if in pain.
Not wanting to play or jump anymore. If your dog stops at those stairs now and refuses to jump, they are not being stubborn. Perhaps there is something causing them pain when they use the steps, such as a back issue, limb pain, or muscle pain. You may need to get a temporary sling to use under their belly, to help them up and down the stairs.
Dragging toenails, or scraping them on the concrete. Sometimes this can be from numbness due to a neurologic issue, or pain/muscle weakness. Either way, make sure to let your vet know if your dog is showing any signs of dragging their feet or toes. Dog’s should naturally pick up those feet every time they step, but if there is pain or weakness, it becomes harder and harder. There are boots and braces that can be used to help prevent damage to their feet if this becomes an issue.
Again please let me know if you have any questions about weakening mobility! For more information please visit our Contact Page or Facebook Page.
Hey guys, this is Nikki the lead Vet tech with Posh Dog Knee Braces. Today let’s talk about signs that your dog may need a cart or a wheelchair. Unfortunately, just like us humans, sometimes our furry friends need a little extra help to get around. There are a lot of devices, such as our posh dog knee brace, that can be used with a limb injury such as a CCL tear, or even elbow and carpal issues, but sometimes that is just not enough.
Dog’s like to have their independence, just like we do. If you have a dog that used to be very active, loved to go outside for walks and enjoy playing, and now they are unable to really stand on their own, it may be time to consider a wheelchair. They are not as hard to put on as you would think, and most dogs will adapt to them quite fast.
I have worked with a few patients in wheelchairs, one had two legs that needed to be amputated due to cancer. She could fly in her little cart, go up and down stairs, there was no stopping her. Her attitude changed from depressed and unable to go play to immediately taking off in her cart. I have seen several great outcomes like this, and definitely feel carts are a great resource for patients that otherwise can’t walk.
Some patients with hip dysplasia may just be in too much pain to stand and walk. Those back leg’s have probably atrophied, and they are not strong enough to get up and go outside. Having a cart lets them have some of that freedom back, so that they can once again go outside, walk in the park, or even go to the bathroom without aid.
There are many great companies now that make carts and wheelchairs, be sure you do your research and find the right fit for you and your best friend. Wheelchairs can be anywhere from $100 to over $1000. Make sure you find a custom chair that is comfortable for your pup. I’m not a big fan of amazon braces or medical parts, so I would find someone that has great reviews, and good customer service like we do at Posh Dog Knee Brace
Again please let me know if you have any questions! You can contact us via our contact page or visit us on Facebook.
Hey guys, this is Nikki the lead Vet tech with Posh Dog Knee Braces. Today let’s talk about PROM and stretching, especially after an injury like CCL tears. So to explain better, let’s first dive into what happens when we injure a ligament. Those fibers are gone forever once torn. There is no surgery to re-attach them; they will be absorbed by our body. Then, our bodies do something quite amazing. They replace those collagen fibers of our ligament tissue with new collagen fibrous tissue, called scar tissue. So scar tissue can be a good thing, or it can be a bad thing.
Ever had a car accident or injury? Did the Dr. say to just rest for 6 months and never move that joint? I sure hope the answer was a big NO!! Letting scar tissue form, but not doing any stretches or PROM after an injury while scar tissue forms, will result in a joint recovering, sure, however, there will be no range of motion after. The joint will be stiff, the scar tissue hard and unforgiving.
I see these patients come in, months after the CCL injury, and their dog is stiff and sore still after the allotted recovery time. This is from lack of stretching those joints most likely. Scar tissue is strong stuff. Sometimes it takes surgery to remove scar tissue once it forms incorrectly, and we start over. The second time around, hopefully you would be doing the recommended stretches and PT.
When we do stretch and PROM after an injury, it not only tells our joints to produce lubrication to keep things healthy, it also makes those scar tissue fibers more elastic, and healthy. These patients have a much more comfortable long term success rate than those that do not do any PROM. They will have full function of their knee and joints, and much less discomfort long term.
Takeaway? Please follow our PROM and stretching recommendations when using the Posh Dog Knee Brace, or even the elbow and carpal braces. Find a physical therapist if you are unfamiliar with PROM, or uncomfortable doing it yourself. It is definitely in your pups best interests.
Again please let me know if you have any questions! You can contact us via our contact form or follow us on Facebook.
Hey guys, this is Nikki the lead Vet tech with Posh Dog Knee Braces. Today let’s talk about Prozac, and why we are seeing a rise in dog’s that need this. Well, first off, dogs can and do get anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, and sadly depression just like humans. Now you might say it is the owner’s fault, they need to just be there for the dog more, do training, etc. That is not necessarily true. More and more we are finding that some of these disorders in dogs, and humans, are genetically passed on.
You hear about rescue dogs, sadly we call them “covid dogs” because so many rescues were adopted during covid. 2020-2021 was a huge year for adoptions, which is great! The downside, when everyone went back to work, these poor adopted shelter dogs, who have probably got some back story baggage, are now alone again and feeling abandoned. Fast forward to 2022 and on, and we have some serious separation anxiety going on with our fur babies. They don’t understand that there was a pandemic that happened and you need to work. They have major abandonment issues, lack of training, and now are acting out.
This was a common occurrence, and still is, with some rescues and even purebred dogs. We don’t always know a dog’s story, how they were desensitized as a puppy or lack of. Sometimes without proper training and medication, these dogs are just simply miserable. They can act out, destroy things, urinate or poop inside, hide, lick everything, stop eating, restless, and develop compulsive behaviors. So many of these pups were sadly put down due to behaviors, biting family members, or destroying things.
Prozac is relatively safe to give long term, but the downfall is that it can take several weeks for you to see any difference. Don’t give up on your dog if they are showing signs of anxiety, even if it is hard. Prozac is one of the cheapest prescriptions, and can come in pill, capsule, or powder. You may even be able to get it compounded specifically for your dog, in a yummy flavor. My own dog is on Prozac, and it is less than $10/month to treat her.
In my experience, Prozac has really helped with some of the anxiety symptoms. Our dog has a genetic OCD and anxiety disorder, that kept her in fear of everything all day. She would put herself in a corner and stare at the wall for hours before Prozac. I am home with her all day, she sleeps with my children, is loved and given all the attention, on a great diet, exercised daily, has a dog best friend, but sometimes that is not enough. We tried supplements, plug ins, and even training therapies, but nothing worked. Until we started Prozac. It’s ok to help our fur babies when they need it!
Again please let me know if you have any questions! You can contact us via our contact form or visit our Facebook page for more information.
Today let’s talk about stress for our dog friends, and how to help your dog unstress. Sometimes dog’s will not outright tell us when something bothers them, instead they will give you clues or behaviors that may not be what we like. Sometimes dogs can come with some emotional baggage, both shelter pups as well as backyard breeder pups. Things like leaving them alone at home, going on vacations, changes to their routine, bringing home a cute new kitten or puppy (or human baby), even changing food can cause your dog stress.
There are much more options to consider to unstres your dog, but treating stress early on is the best thing you can do. Some bad behaviors or anxiety can turn into real issues that eventually need medical intervention, however, most of the time all it takes is a little love from you to pull them through. For more information you can contact us via our Facebook page or leave a message on our contact page.
Hey guys, this is Nikki the lead Vet tech with Posh Dog Knee Braces. Today let’s talk about signs that your dog has a wrist injury, sprain, or carpal hyperextension. First off, a sprain can sometimes be much more painful initially than other injuries. There can be swelling or redness, bruising, swollen paws, lameness, sensitive to the touch, general discomfort, and of course getting more cranky with mom and dad.
If you dog has begun showing signs of guarding a leg, or more irritable with people they normally love to be around, it may be time to have things checked out. Sometimes a splint or a brace is needed to help with pain and stopping movement of a joint to allow healing.
Sometimes damage to a joint can be mild, like a stretch or strain, but they can also be completely torn. This can happen with carpal hyperextension. Our ligaments are made of lots of little collagen fibers. Some breeds are predisposed to these fibers becoming brittle, like with degenerative joint disease, and breaking easy. Over time the more fibers that break, the more hyperextended we see the wrist become. Normally a dog should stand with a straight and upright front legs, ending at the paw.
Hyperextension makes it look like they are flatfooted, similar to a duck. Luckily we do have a brace to fix this issue, and help these patients get back into normal activities! Ask about our Posh Carpal braces.
Injuries can also cause wrist issues, such as allowing your dog to jump from high places. One of the most common is decking and vehicles. Jumping out of the back of a high pickup truck seems harmless, however, one wrong move and that wrist is toast. Think about if you jumped off a 6ft fence and landed over and over on your front legs. Eventually something will give or get injured.
We can also see fractures from this, or dislocations. Remember, our furry friends are just as able to be injured as we are, and it is our job to help protect them from themselves sometimes. Grabbing their harness to help them down the steps, car, deck, ect can save you thousands on injuries.
Again please let me know if you have any questions! Contact us via our contact page or visit our Facebook Page.
Hey guys, this is Nikki the lead Vet tech with Posh Dog Knee Braces. Today let’s talk about atrophy. What is atrophy and how can we prevent it? Atrophy happens rather fast for our furry best friends. It is when the muscles are not being used, be it from an injury or disease process, and we start having mobility issues. Injuries like a CCL tear can definitely cause atrophy in the thigh muscle rather fast, like a few weeks. This is why at Posh we provide physical therapy to do daily with your recovering dog.
Once atrophy has set in, it is really hard to get that muscle back. Bracing will help, as we are allowing a patient to fully weight bear with the brace on, and resume activities. The sooner we resume activities, the faster we can begin working those muscles. If you simply chose to do CM, with no physical therapy, your dog will have atrophy and a much higher chance of the second leg injuring. If walks are out of the question for you, then hydrotherapy should be an option, as you need to be doing some kind of activity to challenge that muscle.
If we leave muscles to atrophy for too long, we can end up with a patient that can no longer use that leg properly. You will have gait changes, trouble standing up, and difficulty walking normally without swinging the leg to overcompensate. There are many things you can do, even nutritionally, to help fight atrophy. Egg proteins, amino acids, whey protein, ect. You want to be sure your dog is getting adequate protein, as they will be working those muscles with the brace on.
Again please let me know if you have any questions you can contact us via our Facebook Page or send us an message via our contact page!
It’s said that you will never work a day in your life if you pursue your passion. And since dogs are considered a person’s best friend, we believe that working with dogs matches the definition of a vocation where you never have to work a day in your life. Bottom line: Working with dogs is healthy for you.
Take a moment to look at other ideal careers for dog lovers before committing to spending the next eight years of your life aiming to become a veterinarian (which is an extremely admirable career choice!). You never know what the future may bring.
For good reason, veterinarians must complete eight demanding years of education to become physicians of veterinary medicine! Animals cannot communicate their pain to a veterinarian, unlike humans, which makes a veterinarian’s job extremely difficult.
Veterinarians treat sick animals and ensure that pets are happy and healthy. Veterinarian work is immensely fulfilling, but it may also be emotionally taxing at times. You’ll need a strong background in the sciences as an undergraduate to become a veterinarian.
Unprepared for eight years of rigorous education? Within a few years of post-graduate study, veterinary technicians and vet assistants provide exceptional care for our four-legged friends. Taking care of animals is tough yet fulfilling work.
Veterinary assistants – Although there are numerous programs available through technical and community colleges to aid you in this career path, being a veterinary assistant does not require a degree or certification. Future advancement to a veterinary technician certification may be possible with this field of study with on-the-job training.
Vet tech – Programs for veterinary technicians usually last two years and offer a variety of specializations, including internal medicine and dentistry.
We are starting to think of our pets as part of the family. However, due to our hectic schedules and travels, we occasionally need to locate extra pet care. Dog walkers and pet caretakers can help with that.
Someone has to look after their cherished pet, whether the owner is leaving for a two-week vacation or the workweek. Dog walking, dog watching, dog daycare, and drop-in visits are available options.
Do you want something that takes less time? Think about going for a walk with your dog! It’s a fantastic method to workout for you and your dog(s), as well as a wonderful opportunity to see your city.
A profession as a dog trainer can be ideal for you if you have an abundance of patience that is just waiting to be used.
The secret to dog training is understanding a dog’s inner workings and knowing how to deal with them, whether you’re training an untrained dog one-on-one, teaching a puppy kindergarten class, or temperament evaluating rescue dogs for potential forever homes.
In order to maintain your accreditation, the Certified Pet Dog Trainer program requires 300 hours of coursework in addition to ongoing study.
You should also think about observing a respectable local trainer.
Service dogs make the lives of their owners safer, happier, and healthier.
Teaching people and dogs how to communicate with one another through service dog training is an incredibly beneficial endeavor. In addition to teaching a dog to do a task, training a service dog involves teaching the human partner how to collaborate with their dog and assist in retraining the canine and human team to new orders and duties.
You can research many national service dog organizations that train and place service animals, as well as find out more about volunteering, training as an apprentice, or participating in a service puppy raising program.
An animal behaviorist, often known as a dog behaviorist, examines the behaviors of dogs and looks for the factors that contribute to particular behaviors.
In order to identify—and address!—problem areas in a family’s relationship with their dog, dog behaviorists frequently visit homes, just like a psychologist or psychiatrist would with human patients.
There are programs in animal behavior at the master’s and doctoral levels. It’s advantageous to have a biology or psychology undergraduate degree.
K9 police canines are specially trained to assist law enforcement in locating missing persons and evidence from crime scenes, detect drugs and hazardous materials, and support and safeguard their police officer counterparts.
Being a K9 handler takes one to two years of experience in law enforcement as well as a passion for working with the public and animals. This is because police canines always attract a lot of attention when they are in uniform. The department offers on-the-job training for positions involving the handling of dogs.
An apprenticeship, or on-the-job training under an experienced groomer, is necessary for dog grooming. The National Dog Groomers Association of America offers certifications that you can obtain after you have a sense for the trade. In addition, the NDGAA provides pet groomers with industry conferences, competitions, and courses on various grooming techniques.
And by the way, Rover offers dog grooming jobs in Austin and Seattle! You’ll receive a $250 welcome incentive on top of an 80% commission.
Having your own dog daycare or working at one can be a good fit for you if you enjoy the notion of being surrounded by several dogs going about their business. It’s a good idea to be certified in pet CPR and first aid, and to have experience handling dogs and interacting with them, much like at human daycares.
Before you start, you should do some study on the issues of how much space you have, what amenities you want to offer, and local rules and regulations whether you intend to operate your own dog daycare out of your house or a facility you own. In addition, there’s a maximum number of dogs you can host in a secure and comfortable manner at once, as well as additional safety issues you should consider beforehand.
Playing and engaging with dogs all day long more than makes up for any initial planning or certification requirements.
Becoming a dog photographer, dog show handler, search-and-rescue dog handler, or owning or working in a pet business are just a few of the many bizarre occupations available to dog lovers.
And once more, search for a workplace that welcomes dogs if you’re not interested in pursuing a dog-centric job!
If you are interested in one of our braces please contact us via our contact form or visit our Facebook Page.
Living with dogs, particularly a new puppy, teaches you rapidly how quickly your house becomes one giant chew toy and how much, uh, mess (don’t judge) is left in every room. A inquisitive dog won’t take long to find socks and rubbish beneath the couch—oh, and look at all those interesting cords plugged in all over the place! A veritable gold mine for our dogs, who also happen to be highly dangerous.
Your house has additional opportunities to dog-proof each room. There are some unexpected dangers everywhere, from the living room and bedroom to the kitchen and laundry area. However, be at ease! Making small changes to your furnishings and décor can provide your dog plenty of comfortable space to unwind in.
Dogs are fluffy danger vacuums on four legs because they use their noses and mouths to explore their surroundings. You are more likely to see things that could unintentionally endanger your best buddy, a dog, if you literally consider things from their perspective.
I always advise considering your dog’s perspective when assessing a room in your house for safety; what is their height and where is their line of sight? You can find dangerous items that might catch your dog’s attention by evaluating your house from their height. You may be shocked to learn that your golden retriever can easily take your brand-new watch since it is perched just right on your bedside table. Little things that are easily accessible should be taken out and stored in secure places where your dog cannot get to them, like closets or drawers.
Your end table, your bed, and your rocking rocker. If your dog is a good climber and can jump up on things quickly, you might want to remove any potentially dangerous furnishings. Jump-activated chairs have the potential to hurt your dog as well as injury other objects in your house when they swing back. Dogs who follow their noses and will put their paws up on furniture might quickly become distracted by end tables with glass picture frames or breakable family treasures.
Does your dog enjoy a nice, cozy couch spot? Is he more comfortable curled up on a blanket? Dog proofing your house requires careful consideration of where those things should be placed. Never put blankets, dog beds, or rugs next to heaters, fireplaces, fans, or electrical cords or outlets since they can easily become harmful.
The kitchen, bathroom, and laundry rooms are typically the riskiest rooms in your house, but you should spend time in every room since they can all be dangerous. To help divide up spaces or keep your dog out of areas you don’t want them to enter, get some strong baby gates. Your dog will have lots of wonderful spots to rest and unwind once you’ve made these sections of your house safe.
There are a lot of things in kitchens that aren’t dog friendly, like food, medicine, and cleaning materials. Your dog has the greatest opportunity to discover and eat objects that are not appropriate for them. However, kitchens may make excellent doggie hangouts once they are dog-proofed.
Electrical cords, fireplaces, open windows, and recliner chairs are the most frequent issues in living rooms. Since your dog will probably spend the most time in this room with you, it is crucial to make sure it is secure for them.
A dog’s favorite spot to search for intriguing treats to sample and entertaining “toys” to try is usually the bathroom. The greatest method to exercise effective management is to keep cabinets closed, and even better, to keep the bathroom door closed.
Dogs are frequently kept in protected places like bedrooms. Make sure to take out anything that could choke your dog and don’t leave anything out that you’d prefer not to become a chew toy before using your bedroom as a place for them to unwind.
Curious dogs might encounter numerous hazards in laundry facilities. While some risks are more overt, others are more covert. When in doubt, keep the washing room off-limits.
Dogs should never be left unattended outside, but if you do allow your dog to go outside for bathroom breaks through a doggie door in the backyard, make sure the area is secure and safe. Dogs that are bored can easily escape through holes, loose posts, and unlatched gates; therefore, it is important to supervise them whenever they are near pools or play equipment.
Our dogs quickly locate comfortable places in any home and are excellent adapters when we assist them in doing so in a secure manner. For the sake of your dog and to make sure they are comfortable and safe when you are not there, make sure your home is dog-safe.
If you are interested in a Posh Dog Knee Brace contact us via our contact form or visit our Facebook Page.
Pets that support you emotionally and enhance your health are called therapy dogs. To help both yourself and other people, you can teach your dog to be a therapy dog.
Dogs used for therapy reside in homes. They can also visit a range of locations, such as schools, hospice homes, hospitals, retirement or assisted living facilities, and schools. They have been educated to tolerate being petted or hugged by strangers and to be kind and amiable. When kids pull at their fur or when grownups want the younger ones to sit on their laps, they are understanding and unfazed.
One kind of therapy animal is the therapy dog. Additional animals that can provide emotional support include horses, llamas, alpacas, cats, bunnies, and birds.
Although they’re not the same as therapy dogs, service dogs are something else entirely.
*The ADA does not protect therapy dogs, sometimes known as emotional support animals.
Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals, ADA National Network, 2014. They therefore lack the same rights as their owners to join them in restricted public areas unless prior authorization is granted. To offer some constructive comfort treatment, the therapy pet needs to be welcomed onto the property.
It is commonly recognized that therapy dogs can help with a variety of mental health issues and psychiatric problems.Interaction with therapy dogs and other companion animals is beneficial for patients with a variety of diagnoses, including depression, bipolar disorder, autism, ADHD, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and Alzheimer’s disease.
Therapy dogs can also assist with physical health issues that may be the cause of emotional difficulties. Empirical evidence indicates that individuals undergoing animal-assisted therapy may experience reduced pain during their convalescence following challenging surgery or a severe accident. According to studies, these connections can lower the stress hormone cortisol and raise the hormone that improves mood, oxytocin.
With a little instruction, any amiable breed of dog can become a therapy dog. Larger breeds are frequently utilized as therapy dogs, including Labradors, St. Bernards, standard poodles, and golden retrievers. On the other hand, when the patient and the dog are sharing a confined space, smaller breeds like Pomeranians and micro poodles make sense.
Although the breed may have some influence on the dog’s pleasant nature, the dog’s upbringing and even temperament development play a major role. Dogs are evaluated and studied for how they react to various stimuli, including unexpected grabs, loud or confusing noises, and even equipment like wheelchairs or canes, before they are approved as therapy animals.
Many internet directories are available if you would want additional information about how to find a therapy dog to aid you or a loved one. To identify people and organizations in your area, search for “therapy dog” along with the name of your town or city online.
Do an internet search for “therapy dog training” along with the name of your town or city to find out what options are available if you’re interested in finding out more about training your dog to be a therapy dog or visiting nursing homes or other facilities with your pet. Or just contact the facility of your choice by phone or email to find out about their admission policy.
For more information about therapy or our Posh Dog Knee Brace you can contact us via our contact form or Facebook Page.
A smart environment can help you keep your dog safe and happy. Beyond simply caring for their animals, pet owners have numerous other duties. As a result, they might not spend as much time as they would like with their fur babies.
However, you want to be able to check on your pets even when they’re not with you because you’re a conscientious pet owner. You want to guarantee that their requirements are satisfied and that they are safe and comfortable.
Thankfully, technology provides you an opportunity to accomplish these things.
You may make sure that your pet gets the care they need even when you are not at home by using certain gadgets, such as climate-controlled cars, cloud-managed webcams, and automatic feeding.
A smart environment is one in which electronic equipment such as computers collaborate to improve human comfort.
Technically speaking, these devices need to complete certain activities on their own and function well even with little assistance from humans.
A smart environment for pet owners also includes utilizing technology to simplify the task of providing for their animals.
Technologies That Are Pet-Friendly
More often than not, fascinating new technologies are introduced in the market. These days, several of these technologies are being utilized to develop pet-focused solutions that enhance the lives of both pets and pet owners.
It is easy to forget when it is time for your pet to eat when you are overworked and occupied. Pet feeders with intelligence offer a solution to this issue.
You may program smart feeders to automatically administer pet food according to a schedule. Even when you are not there, you can still feed your pet on schedule, every day. Just remember to restock it as soon as the feeder runs empty.
Security isn’t the only use for home cameras. They can also be used to observe or check on activities within your house.
Having security cameras in your home gives you the ability to visually check on your pet’s whereabouts and activities.
For instance, you might think your pet has a flea problem when you are gone from home. You can use your home cameras to watch your pet from a distance in this scenario.
Consider purchasing natural flea repellents for your pet, such as essential oils, from a pharmacy before you leave for your house if your pet is always scratching and itching.
There are numerous choices for installing cameras. However, having as little physical equipment at home as feasible (apart from the cameras themselves) may be desirable if we are talking about a smart environment.
With cloud-managed cameras, you can monitor your pets more intently and spend less time on deployment and maintenance because you won’t need cumbersome infrastructure like servers and video storage.
It should be simple to set up these cameras with little equipment. When combined with fast internet, you can see your pets from a distance even when you’re away on business.
Using wearable technology, you can keep an eye on your pet as well.
With GPS trackers, you can monitor your pet’s location. Because these gadgets are small and light, you can discreetly fasten them to your pet’s collar.
There are GPS trackers that let you set up “safe zones” for your pet. Let’s say your pet goes beyond the bounds of the zone. The gadget can then warn you of your pet’s whereabouts by sending you an alert.
A fitness tracker is an additional wearable gadget. These gadgets can measure your pet’s heart rate, distance covered, and caloric expenditure.
While your pet is receiving therapy or medicine, fitness trackers can be a useful tool. Fitness trackers have alert features just like GPS trackers.
Fitness trackers can also be used to arrange for your pet’s veterinarian visit, medication schedule, or to remind you to give your pet dietary supplements like glucosamine, fish oil, or plant extracts and oral tinctures for dogs.
Pets want playtime and entertainment as well. They could get fidgety if you’re not around to play with them.
You can communicate with your pets even when you’re not there to do so thanks to toys that are remotely connected. Your pets can hear you as they play with these toys since some of them have cameras and others have audio.
Among these toys are remote-controlled ball launchers that toss balls for dogs to recover and interactive cubes, which are compact, cube-shaped cameras that are pet-friendly.
Pet owners frequently bring their animals along in their cars, particularly when making a quick trip to the grocery store or a drive-thru restaurant.
Leaving your pets inside the car, however, could be risky because they could suffocate or suffer from heat stroke if left alone for an extended amount of time.
These days, some cars come equipped with a climate control system. Pets may remain cool and have adequate ventilation thanks to this feature, which maintains the interior temperature even when the owner is outside the vehicle.
These days, technology plays a big role in daily life. A smart environment not only benefits humans, but it also keeps dogs safe and comfortable.
However, you shouldn’t rely solely on technology to take care of your pets. Device malfunctions and lost internet connections are also possible.
Interaction between humans and animals cannot be replaced by technology. It is still preferable than having no way to check on your pet while you are gone from home.
As technology advances, gadgets will get even more dependable and contribute to the development of a closer relationship between you and your pet.
If you are interested in a Posh Dog Knee Brace contact us via our contact page or visit our Facebook page.
One of the key causes of dogs’ passion of chasing other animals is their prey drive. Our veterinarians can offer guidance on prey drive and safe ways to handle your dog.
For many dogs, prey drive is an instinctive behavior. Unfortunately, prey drive can occasionally result in issues, mishaps, or damage to your dog or other animals.
If your canine companion is constantly chasing squirrels or sprinting after birds when you go for walks, check out our tips on prey drive and how to keep your dog safe.
Animals with a prey drive have a hunting urge that enables them to capture food. When many dogs play, such chasing a ball, tugging games, or ripping up plush toys, you may have witnessed this. We may provide them with a secure outlet for their prey drive by encouraging these behaviors in them.
Some canines are more troubled by prey drive than others. “My dog has a high prey drive” refers to a person’s dog’s propensity to chase and catch animals such as mice, squirrels, or farm animals.
Breeds including Greyhounds, Lurchers, Collies, and Terriers are frequently known to have high prey drives. But any breed of dog can exhibit high prey drive, so it’s critical to recognize the warning signs and provide your dog with training to help curb their chasing tendency.
When near animals, exercise strict control over canines. Allowing your dog to harm or kill a farm animal is illegal, and both you and your dog may face harsh consequences. In the event that your dog is uncomfortable among sheep or other animals, you can:
In the event that your dog escapes the leash or that a farm animal pursues you:
If you are interested in more information about our Posh Dog Knee Brace you can send us a message via our contact page or visit our Facebook Page.