Theresa L. DePorter DVM, ECAWBM, DACVB

12/04/2025

“Don’t be a Beagle” 🤪

12/04/2025

Watch this dog recognize someone by scent.

11/30/2025

11/30/2025

11/30/2025

Sweden has begun training wild crows to collect litter — especially cigarette butts — in exchange for food rewards. A special machine recognizes when a crow drops a piece of trash inside. Once detected, the device releases a small snack, creating a cycle of motivated cleaning.
Crows are among the most intelligent birds on Earth, capable of recognizing faces, solving puzzles, and using tools. Researchers realized that instead of fighting urban litter alone, they could enlist these natural problem-solvers to work alongside humans. The results have been impressive: the birds efficiently gather trash in parks, plazas, and public walkways.
This approach could save cities millions in cleaning costs and reduce toxic cigarette waste, which is a major pollutant for soil and water ecosystems. It also opens the door to more cooperation between wildlife and urban environments, proving that sustainability doesn't always require high-tech machines — sometimes, nature already has the perfect helpers.
Sweden's crow workforce shows that environmental innovation can be as imaginative as it is effective.

11/25/2025

No. Shock Collars. Ever.

Shock collars cause more stress for dogs. They hurt. That’s why they “work”. If they didn’t hurt dogs wouldn’t stop. It’s not a “Nick”. It’s not a reminder. It’s not a gentle touch. It’s a shock.

And going forward we want no dogs to be shocked. Ever.

We want dogs to have a positive association with their triggers so they can learn it is OK. Shocking dogs only makes behaviors worse in the long run.

Don’t do it. Don’t fall for it. Don’t believe it doesn’t hurt.

It hurts and we want to stop.

This is a HUGE deal, as various hugely respected dog training certifying organizations all have come to an agreement on a position statement - leaving out one organization because they INSIST ON ONLY POSITIVE reinforcement and this one organization does not. Read the details which can hopefully begin to create an appropriate new normal for dog trainers in the link in comments

11/21/2025

FREE WEBINAR ON CHARISMATIC CREATURES

presents🦎 Clinical Medicine of Bearded Dragons 🦎

Register Today for the FREE LafeberVet webinar which is RACE-approved for 1 CE hour

📅 Wednesday, December 10
🕑 2 PM EST (UTC -5)
🎓 Presented by: Grayson Doss, DVM, DACZM - Clinical Associate Professor of Zoological Medicine, University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Veterinary Medicine
🔗 Register via the LafeberVet website https://lafeber.com/vet/clin-med-bearded-dragons/

This live, interactive session offers a practical review of bearded dragon medicine for veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

Register today.

Image courtesy LafeberVet

11/21/2025

11/19/2025

Go Green!

Go Chase!

Meet Chase, a very good boy and the newest member of MSU's comfort canine team.

Working alongside MSU Police and Public Safety Detective Sydnee Zienta, Chase supports Spartans, providing comfort and compassion to those navigating challenges such as medical leaves, conduct processes or personal distress.

“A student was deciding whether to go to Counseling and Psychiatric Services,” says Zienta. “With Chase’s help, she decided to go. We walked her there, stayed as she filled out her paperwork, and she later requested to see Chase a few more times. It left a lasting impression on her — and on us.”