HARP Reiki In-Your-Home Pet Services

25/08/2024

Today's Dog Training Myth of the Day: "Only tell them once!"

What if you ask a dog (whatever age, breed, s*x, background, training level) to do something, but there is no response?

Set aside the myth of "only tell them once." Good rule of thumb: if it were a toddler, what would you do? Probably wait a few beats, be sure you had the kid's attention, then ask again.

Just like us, dogs may not be tuned in 100% because they are busy having their own experience of life which may or may not include you at any moment.

If you *do* have the pup's attention, and they did hear you, next step is to consider that they do not understand and/or don't see the point!

I've often asked clients to stand on a chair and sing happy birthday. I've done it while they were trying to take notes. Result: no compliance, and they say usually say, "Sorry - I was focused on taking notes. What did you say?"

If they are paying attention to me but look at me as if I'm crazy, I ask, "Did you understand what I asked? You did? So why aren't you doing it?" Inevitably the answer is, "I don't want to" or "Why would I do that?" It helped them understand how their dogs might be responding.

So give your dogs the courtesy of clear communication, engage attention first, be sure there is understanding, and make it worthwhile for the dog to work with you. Respect, courtesy and taking responsibility for what we are communicating and how we are communicating -- those are all supportive of healthy dog/human relationships.

This does not mean repeating, Sit-sit-sit-sit-sit-sit which is not good communication no matter who you're talking to! 😊

If you want and need response to just one request (and this has great value!), you first have to teach understanding, understand that connection and attention must come first always, then develop the skill, tighten the criteria and make it worthwhile. Then practice!!!

05/08/2024

15/07/2024

🐶😺 Many pets have health problems caused by too much inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation can be a precursor for cancer or malignancy. Any disease syndrome that ends in "-itis" is inflammation: arthritis, hepatitis, cystitis, gastritis, myocarditis, dermatitis, etc. Allergies, kidney disease, and dementia (also known as cognitive dysfunction) are also caused by inflammation in the body.

Omega3: https://tinyurl.com/ys6yhms6
Bone broth: https://tinyurl.com/53s6a9z5
Mushrooms: https://tinyurl.com/yv938fx6

15/07/2024

The next book we'd like to showcase is "It's OK That You're Not OK" by Megan Devine.

This book really emphasizes the importance of you navigating the grief you feel at a pace, and in a way, that works for you. We live in a very "death phobic" society, and so when we do experience a loss, there is often pressure to return back to normal as quickly as possible. That pressure is antithetical to the normal healing process we must go through.

Additionally, when it comes to pet loss there is often a disenfranchisement of our grief that occurs. It's not uncommon to hear people say things like, "It's just a pet" or otherwise try to diminish the grief you may be feeling. It's unfortunate, but society places different "values" on different types of grief and that can leave you feeling alone, misunderstood, and having your feelings invalidated.

There is no need to gatekeep the grieving process. Grief is grief.

02/12/2023

At 11:00 Saturday, 12/2/23 St. Gabriel's will have a live stream of Roger Lehrer, Sr.'s Funeral.

26/11/2023

There have been reports of a new strain of canine respiratory disease circulating across the United States. Symptoms have included coughing, discharge from the eyes/nose, fever, lethargy and occasionally the development of pneumonia. This is not canine influenza or the other more common respiratory viruses/bacterial infections (Kennel Cough). Coughing can last for weeks (to months in some cases) and is not responsive to antibiotics.

We advise the following:
-If you are concerned about your dog contracting an infectious respiratory disease, limit your dog's contact with other dogs of unknown health status.
-Keep your dog away from sick dogs.
-Make sure your dog is vaccinated for the other strains of canine respiratory illness like Bordetella and Parainfluenza.

If your dog is showing symptoms:
-Keep them away from other dogs; no doggy day care, dog parks, boarding, groomers until they stop coughing for a minimum of 2 weeks.
-If your dog is coughing or has clear discharge from the eyes/nose but is still eating, drinking and has a normal energy level, supportive care at home is all that is recommended. Make sure they are staying hydrated and eating. A cool mist humidifier can be used. Any discharge can be gently wiped away with a damp cloth.
-If your dog is not eating well, not drinking, has green/yellow discharge from the eyes or nose, severe lethargy, has labored breathing, or symptoms are not resolving after 3-4 weeks then please contact our office to schedule an examination.
-We ask that you keep any symptomatic dog in your car to limit exposure to other dogs in the waiting area. We will es**rt you and your pet directly to a room.
-If your pet is in respiratory distress, please seek emergency care.

24/11/2023

Did you know that foxes are an indicator species and a keystone species? Let me explain what that means:

They are a keystone species because they help control populations of the animals they prey upon, especially rodents…

They are also an indicator species, because a healthy fox population indicates a healthy ecosystem.

Here are two foxes that we received and were unable to save. They had severe mange and their blood would not clot normally.

The one on the left was a female we received from Rowley Ma. We have her brothers and their blood also did not clot normally on intake.
A necropsy of their sister showed she had Bromadiolone in her system at her time of death. That’s rat poison.

The fox on the right was from Wilmington Ma. He didn’t make it one day with us. His blood took forever to clot. His necropsy revealed Brodifacoum, Bromadiolone, and Difethialone in his system. These are three different types of rat poison.

Both foxes were only 7 months old at their time of death…

My question to you is, if these guys are an indicater species of our environment - what are they trying to tell us?

What am I thankful for this thanksgiving? I’m thankful I don’t have to worry about my meal being poisoned. It’s a privilege some of our wildlife don’t have.

Please don’t let their stories go untold…

STOP USING RAT POISON.

24/11/2023

📣Friendly reminder, Garlic is not toxic!!

In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, garlic is indicated for Food Stagnation, cancer, diabetes, and asthma. It is used to Warm the Middle and promote both digestion and healthy intestinal flora. Most commonly, garlic is used for natural prevention of parasites like fleas and ticks.

Garlic can be beneficial for both dogs and cats in appropriate doses. I use fresh crushed cloves to get the full benefits of garlic.
🐱 For cats: 1/4 clove (crushed) daily, 3-4 days per week.
🐶 For dogs: 1/2 clove (crushed) per 20 pounds of body weight daily, with a maximum of 3 cloves. Best to take at least 1 day per week off.
*Please make sure to note the difference between a clove and a bulb/head of garlic.

Not recommended for puppies and kittens. Long term use is contraindicated in pets with vision issues. If your pet has a history of hemolytic anemia, it would be safer to avoid use of garlic in any form.

10/11/2023

🐶😺 Many pets have health problems caused by too much inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation can be a precursor for cancer or malignancy. Any disease syndrome that ends in "-itis" is inflammation: arthritis, hepatitis, cystitis, gastritis, myocarditis, dermatitis, etc. Allergies, kidney disease, and dementia (also known as cognitive dysfunction) are also caused by inflammation in the body.

Omega3 https://drjudymorgan.com/collections/omega-3
Bone broth: https://drjudymorgan.com/search?q=bone+broth&options%5Bprefix%5D=last
Mushrooms: https://drjudymorgan.com/search?q=mushrooms+&options%5Bprefix%5D=last

10/11/2023

An Oil That Supports Epileptic Dogs 🐶🥥

There’s vast amount of research on the amazing benefits of MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) for helping improve cognitive function 🧠 in both humans and animals, including dogs with cognitive dysfunction syndrome and epilepsy. 🐕

✔️ One study shows MCT oil may be beneficial for reducing seizures in epileptic dogs when combined with a low-carb diet. MCTs are also linked to significant improvements in the brain function of senior dogs. 🛡️

Read more about these study findings in today’s free blog post on our site: https://bit.ly/3Mtd2UZ

07/11/2023

Lexie was looking too adorable to not take her picture.
We were talking last week about her seizures. She has ideopathic epilepsy which means they can‘t find a cause. She has cluster seizures (more than 1 in 24 hours) although the current thinking is that it is actually 1 ongoing seizure.
Since joining us we have been able to reduce a good amount of her seizure medication and even tho she does still have seizures she is having less seizures and they are also decreasing in severity. With less medication she is more active and playful. She is under the care of an amazing vet and has bloodwork done a few times a year as warranted.
Please do not decrease your dogs seizure medication without the assistance of your veterinarian. Seizures can be fatal if continuous. I‘m sharing what we do here for those that are interested. Having been a human nurse for many years I can tell you that people have no recollection of what happens during a grand mal seizure. I feel strongly that dogs also do not recall the experience. The after seizue phase (post ictal phase) is characterized by agitation and sometimes blindness. We do not leave dogs who have a history of seizures alone, unsupervised with other dogs ever. Often dogs who are having a seizure are attacked by other dogs in the house.

So while seizures are hard to watch, do your best to stay calm, (video the event for your vet and time it as well) keep your dog safe and cool and have a pre-formulated plan from your vet should your dogs seizure last longer than a few minutes. Usually that involves rescue meds and if they don't work, an emergency room trip.

We go into this in great detail in the Integrative Approach to Hospice and Palliative Care course Dr. Judy Morgan's Naturally Healthy Pets and I created. This course is available on Dr. Judy’s website.

Here at Monkey's House Dog Hospice and Sanctuary, we use natural cleaners, natural products for fleas and ticks. We use a natural mosquito repellant and test for heart worm at least twice a year. We do not use pestacides on our lawn. We do add CocoTherapy™ Triplex MCT oil to her food, high quality DHA, CBD Dog Health full spectrum oil (Heal). She gets an amazing fresh food from AllProvide Pet Food, she is on Dr. Peter Dobias Liver Tune as well as Real Mushrooms Lions mane and Chinese herbs. Lexi gets a ton of exercise.

Dogs with focal seizures are something we can discuss at another time.

The pups are doing well.
Have a good evening.

03/11/2023

Dogs behave the way they do for many reasons. They do NOT do things deliberately to be stubborn or ‘naughty’, nor do they aim to assert control. Outdated mythologies and training methods have detrimental effects on well-being and strain the relationship between a dog and their caregiver.

🧬A dog's breed and genetic makeup can play a significant role in determining certain behavioural traits. Dogs have genetic predispositions and breed-specific tendencies that contribute to their behaviour.
Some breeds are predisposed to specific behaviours, such as herding, hunting, or guarding.

The environment in which a dog is raised and lives can profoundly impact their behaviour. Early socialisation, which involves exposing a puppy to a wide range of people, animals, and environments during their critical developmental period, is crucial for building confidence and shaping a dog's social behaviour to reduce fear or aggression.

Overstimulation can cause all kinds of unwanted behaviours as it overwhelms their senses and can lead to hyperactivity or erratic responses. For example, if a dog is exposed to loud noises, multiple people, and various stimuli all at once, or on a daily basis, they might exhibit excessive excitable behaviour, poor impulse control, become agitated and exhibit behaviours like jumping, barking, or pulling on the leash, as their senses are overwhelmed by the excessive input.

Previous experiences and learning consequences can influence a dog's behaviour. Traumatic experiences, in particular, can lead to fear, anxiety, or aggression.

How a dog is trained and educated by their caregiver or handler can significantly affect their behaviour. Consistent, positive reinforcement-based training can lead to desired behaviours, while harsh or inconsistent methods can result in confusion or fear.

A dog's health, including their physical and mental well-being, can influence their behaviour. Illness, pain, or discomfort can lead to changes in behaviour.

A dog's emotional state, including fear, anxiety, and excitement, can affect their behaviour. For example, a fearful dog may display unpredictable defensive reactive behaviours or might avoid any encounters and run away trying to hide. While a confident dog may exhibit playfulness and a relaxed demeanour.

A dog can become frustrated and destructive if their mental and physical needs are not met. This dog, full of pent-up energy and boredom, may become frustrated and exhibit poor impulse control. In their frustration, they might resort to destructive behaviours, such as chewing furniture, digging up the garden, or incessant barking. This destructive behaviour is often an expression of their frustration and an attempt to alleviate their built-up energy and mental stress.

The type of diet a dog receives can significantly influence their behaviour, with high-quality nutrition promoting better energy levels, mood, and overall well-being, while poor diet choices can lead to issues like irritability, hyperactivity, or digestive problems.

As dogs age, they may experience canine cognitive decline, which can manifest as changes in memory, learning, and behaviour. This condition can lead to increased confusion, disorientation, and altered social interactions in older dogs.

It is really important to understand that each dog is unique, and their behaviour can vary widely, even within the same breed. Dogs use body language, vocalizations, and other forms of communication to express their needs, emotions, and intentions. Understanding a dog's communication cues is essential for interpreting their behaviour.

12/10/2023

🤔🤔🤔

03/10/2023

❗Pumpkin Spice Is Pleasant to Smell, but Harmful to Pets❗

Air fresheners (both aerosol sprays and plug-ins), scented candles, wax melts, incense and other products may mask unpleasant odors and make your home smell delicious, but they also disperse airborne toxins ☠️. These include formaldehyde, naphthalene, phthalates and volatile organic compounds, which can cause a multitude of health issues in pets. ⚠️

Learn more about the health risks of air-scenting products to pets, along with pet-safe ways to keep your home smelling fresh and seasonal, in today’s free pet blog post on our website: https://bit.ly/46g0vfu

21/09/2023

Here are some interesting facts most people don’t know about wild baby bunnies:

Once disrupted, bunny nests CAN be put back together and often the mother will return.

Rabbits are one of the few animals that CAN NOT move their babies. They will not relocate their babies.

Rabbit nests CAN NOT be moved. The mother will not return.

Baby cottontails are extremely fragile and every attempt to keep them with their mother should be made. 🙏

They only need 3 -4 weeks with mom before they are old enough to live on their own

We are so happy that our rescue has been privileged enough able to grow so quickly. We now have a staff member that handles emails and another staff member that handles phone calls. Though, I am learning, there are some growing pains.

I realized yesterday, there was some information on our website, that was not entirely true. One of our staff was not aware that bunny nests should not be moved. In fact, there are websites out there that say they can.

We work with rehabilitators in Massachusetts that specialize in cottontails and they are our “go to” people for advice on rabbits. In their experience, mother rabbits do not return to nests that have been moved.

That is also our stance on this subject. Please make every effort to work around a bunny nest in your yard. They only need a few weeks.❤️

If you have dogs, you can always keep them on a leash, while near the nest. You can also cover the nest during the day with a laundry basket that is staked down. Just leave the nest uncovered at night and early in the morning. Mom only comes twice a day and that will give her enough time to feed them.

I sincerely apologize for the incorrect information anyone may have received from Newhouse regarding this subject. It’s something I am learning as we grow. There is so much to teach all of our staff and there is so much false information out there. We are correcting our website and I am going through it in its entirety today.

Thank you for understanding. Please share this information with friends and family. It could save a life…or several. ❤️

09/08/2023

For the first time, Oshkosh will be the host of the Pyrotechnics Guild International Conference August 12-18 at the Sunnyview Expo Center – 3.8 miles up Bowen St./Cty A from OAHS. According to their website: “Open shooting of consumer and display fireworks takes place nightly.” Explosions are expected to last well into the late night with an extended noise ordinance permit.

We know the effects of fireworks on animals
- both domestic and wildlife. Please be aware if you have pets and ensure they have identifying tags should they flee. Please also be aware of potential erratic wildlife activity as the area is home to several deer herds, native birds and various wildlife.

We will be doing everything possible to reduce the stress of the noise on our shelter guests.

If your animal does go missing, follow our page dedicated to posting found strays: Found Strays at the Oshkosh Area Humane Society

06/08/2023

PLEASE READ!

20/07/2023

Unfortunately it's foxtail season again 😞 Foxtail plants are a weed-type grass that can cause serious problems for animals!
Ear infections, nosebleeds/rhinitis, pyothorax, abscesses and tetanus are just SOME of the serious issues that can come from these little guys! If you notice your pet repeatedly sneezing, pawing at their ears, coughing or acting uncomfortable, these could be signs of a possible foxtail and should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

02/07/2023

25/05/2023

The easiest time to teach a dog to enjoy being handled is when they're a puppy. if you have a puppy now, or you know someone who does, PLEASE, take the time to proactively teach them to LOVE being held and handled by humans.

If your pup already seems comfortable being held and handled, don't take it for granted! Keep it up, and be sure to handle their entire body, using lots of food and praise to help them form a positive association. Don't forget to get your pup comfortable being handled by family and friends as well.

This will make it much easier to keep them safe and clean, and it will help them feel comfortable if they ever need to go to a groomer or get examined or cared for by a veterinarian. Dogs that are anxious about being handled will suffer much more if they ever need medical treatment for an illness or injury.

If you have an older dog who is already fearful or hand shy, you can definitely still teach them to enjoy being held and handled, but you'll need to proceed much more slowly and carefully, so you don't push them too far, too fast. If you take your time and use lots of treats you can build their confidence gradually, so that they can enjoy life more, with less anxiety.

Learn more here: https://dunbar.info/puppy-handling

If you have a puppy, or you know someone who does, we have an extra-special offer for you!

For the next few days, we're offering our Essential Puppy Training Course for 50% off AND we've just launched a new optional upgrade for our Essential Puppy Course Students. It's called the Premium Puppy Support Plan and it includes 3 months of personalized puppy training advice and assistance from us, the Dunbars, so you can give your pup the best education possible, make sure you and your pup are on the right track, and rapidly resolve any problems you might run into with your pup's training.

We're really excited to get to know some of our puppy students better, and have an opportunity to really help them train their pups with more personalized support.

If you know of anyone with a puppy, please tell them about this special offer!

Learn more here: https://dunbar.info/pup50

22/05/2023

It’s that time of year! We mainly get calls for dogs and cats but every once in a while we will get a turtle call! Our is dedicated to our turtle friends!

09/05/2023

📩 Dr. Judy's Friday 5

1️⃣ DIY Allergy Wash⁠
2️⃣ Hospice for Dogs⁠
3️⃣ The Natural Dog Expo
4️⃣ Canine Cancer Surge
5️⃣ Spirit & Willow, Naturally Healthy Pets of the Week

➡️ Read it here: https://tinyurl.com/ttbktax8

03/05/2023

It's dog anxiety awareness week! Did you know like us, your dog has an emotional capacity?

Spring brings a few added challenges to your pup's routine. Squirrels, construction, kids out and about, are just a few stressors. We will be posting an anxiety coping product every day this week. Stay tuned!

24/04/2023

Warning: small rant in defense of small birds that need big help from humans 💚🫵🏼
Most of you know me as a wellness veterinarian 👩‍⚕️, but I am also a wildlife biologist 👩🏻‍🌾 and licensed wildlife rehabilitator 🦅. This is one of my patients, who is sick because humans fed him cloudy, polluted nectar teeming with bacteria that eventually killed him 🧫😰.

I feel the same way about wildlife as I do domestic pets: it’s our responsibility to know enough to do no harm. When it comes to feeding wildlife, either do it right, or don’t do it at all. If you decide to feed hummingbirds, please do it correctly and responsibly, or you will kill them (and life is hard enough for our wild friends).

1. Do NOT use artificially colored store- bought hummingbird food 🛑❌. Commercial nectars have way too many preservatives, additives, chemical stabilizers and Red Dye #5 that’s harmful to their bodies 👎🏼.

Make your own nectar instead:

1 cup plain sugar + 4 cups boiling water (filter out the impurities)

(1:4 ratio means you can make smaller batches, like 1/4 cup sugar + 1 cup boiling water, if desired). Stir until sugar dissolves and let cool. Store in refrigerator and use up within a week.

❌ I love raw honey, but DON’T USE HONEY with hummingbirds 🍯👎🏼 (sugar is 50% fructose/50% glucose, honey is 40% fructose/30% glucose + other constituents, so it’s the wrong food matrix for them)

❌ I eat organic cane sugar, but DON’T USE ORGANIC SUGAR with hummingbirds👎🏼, it contains more minerals (like iron) that can bioaccumulate over time

2. Warm sugar water can quickly incubate incredible levels of pathogenic bacteria 🦠 and fungi that can infect and kill birds quickly 📈⚰️.The warmer the weather, the faster pathogenic microbes accumulate in nectar ☠️

Thoroughly disinfect and refill your hummingbird feeder twice a week in the spring. Above 85 degrees, clean and refill daily. (Yes, I said daily 😅) 🫗🧴🚰🧽🪣

Is this a complete pain? Yes. It’s also lifesaving and crucial, if you choose to feed hummingbirds. I spend 15 minutes a day taking care of my hummingbird feeders because I want the birds in my yard to not leave diseased and ill 🕊️.

I want to be a responsible steward of the wildlife in my yard. Please do the same, or simply enjoy them without feeding them. Plant hummingbird-friendly flowers 🌸. Better to keep them safe than inadvertently give them fatal food poisoning 💔.