Sweet Pea Research Paper

“An Evaluation of a Behavior Assessment to Determine the Suitability of Shelter Dogs for Rehoming” documents the problems with existing behavior tests in adoption shelters. This was an evaluation of 236 sheltered dogs. Only 130 of them passed, with 82 failing the test. Owners who adopted passing dogs reported that these tests didn’t predict responses to people effectively. Most tests focus on aggression. Shelter behavior assessments were shown as inadequate in this study. Typical behaviors for a dog in a shelter are not the same at a home. It also varies on owner acceptance of certain canine behaviors, so the definition of a “perfect” dog varies. Veterinary Medicine International argues, “... the shelter could relax the criteria for passing the behavioral assessment and successfully continue to rehome dogs” (A.T. Lisle et. al.). This study proves that assessments in shelters testing for adoptability are inaccurate and

There are between 45 to 55 million dogs per household in America (American Humane Association 2012). Furthermore, according to a national survey, the majority of dog owners chose to get a dog for the companionship as the major reason for having a dog (American Animal Hospital Association, 2004). After all, dogs are nonjudgmental, give unconditional love, can be trusted with our most intimate feelings and emotions, and are highly intelligent. These dog characteristics can significantly enhance the lives of thousands of youth and adults, especially those with disabilities and/or those who live in continuing care facilities. There are approximately 20,000 service dogs in the U.S., which includes 10,000 guide dogs (American Humane Association 2012)

One of the biggest dog busts of the century was in 2007. The man in charge’s name was Michael Vick, a quarterback football player in the NFL. Under the name “Bad Newz Kennels”, dogs were beaten, murdered, and gambled on. The dogs found alive were some of the most damaged possible. Missing parts of their jaws, lost eyesight, or non existent limbs, one would wonder why they kept going, striving for acceptance from their owner. These dogs, to the public seemed dangerous, after all they had killed their entire lives. However, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary was willing to take up the task of these gorgeous animals, ultimately saving their lives. The sanctuary took in 22 dogs, 10 of them, now adopted and living in homes of their own.Through rehabilitation the dogs were taught how to trust, interact and most importantly what love truly is with different trainers daily. Even the dogs who can not be adopted out are by any means not dangerous. Meryl, had been one of the dogs found who was deemed dangerous by the state, meaning she could not be adopted out to a home. Nonetheless, when walking into her kennel, dangerous is the last word you would use to describe her. One of her trainers remarks, "She really doesn't mind new people…. She's very happy and loving. I feel totally comfortable with her. I can grab and kiss her." As she embraces Meryl, "I am building a relationship, ...She needed to see that when

Trained dogs can be introduced to Frank to keep an eye on him to alert staff/carers if he wanders off the residential home and can reduce strains. This can be problematic if animals are not allowed on the premises of the residential home or other clients are allergic to animals. Similarly, Frank can visit the zoo with family/friends from the residential home when he has been risk assessed to use Zima frame or wheelchair and included in his care plan to promote recovery and social inclusion (Norman and Ryrie,

Our blessing isn’t just for us, but for the recovering owner. This duality makes the sacrifice of our time that much more special. The idea of sacrifice, and the concept of fostering has taught me to be more aware of other people. I have broadened my perspective of not what is just good for me, or good for my family, or even friends, but what is good for complete strangers and the world as a whole. I have learned that any good act can be rewarding even if it doesn’t have direct or clear benefits. While fostering this dog, whenever I was brought down by the inevitability of losing him, I pictured his owner overjoyed at seeing this tiny puppy.

Background: Sue Visser contacted me several months ago and purchased several #K9HERO pups. She then went around to 50 different landmarks in Guelph and took photos with #K9HRERO to help promote our “Where is #K9HERO now” Twitter Social Media Campaign. She then brought me a thumb drive with the 50 pics for us to use. As we chatted she told me about Rohan, a 7 years old boy she knew and that one of the dogs she bought was going to be a gift when she went to Sick Kids the next day where he is being treated for leukemia. At that time he was very sick and had been hospitalized for a longtime. Sue told me Rohan’s dream was to grow up and be a race car driver or K9 officer.

Medical professionals have recently seen the positive effects animals are able to provide to their patients with mental disabilities. The emotional support dog MA recognizes

The Sugar Plum Bear and I became friends. As we were walking through, what seemed like peppermint trees, we stumbled across the “Sugar Cookie Trail”. Both the bear and I looked at each other in confusion. As we walked across the delicious road, I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going, and ended up in what appeared to be frosting.

My registered Therapy Dog, Lucky, has been a member of Therapy Dog International since 2011. Under my training, Lucky has also passed his Canine Good Citizenship test. Lucky and I visit multiple facilities including assisted living establishments and elementary schools. Lucky has also been called upon for home visits with a local suffering form ALS. During our visit, our goal is to progress the humans physical, social, emotional, and cognitive function. The ability to communicate and find common interest with a variety of individuals has helped me to form lasting friendships while working with

Canines also help improve a person’s social and emotional health. In the 2009 New York Times Magazine, Melissa Fay Greene, writes about Karen Shirk in her article titled, “Wonder Dog”. Karen Shirk, a thirty-year-old woman diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a rare neuromuscular disease, noticed the change in herself and people around her. Strangers greeted the tubed up woman in the motorized chair whenever her dog, Ben, her German Shepard, was around. The despair she said she had once felt was now replaced with optimism and ambition. In present day, Karen Shirk is now CEO of her own facility, which she named 4 Paws For Ability, for cognitively impaired adults and children. In Lisa Field’s article “ 6 Ways Pets Can Improve Your Health”, Field’s

As we grow up in life, we often wonder what it would be like to have a pet. Some parents will go out to the far limits to get that one of a kind dog. Others will just tell their children that having an animal takes responsibility. Whether it is one or the other, we still have that thought in our head. In this paper, I want to look at one place where a child or parents can get that chance to make that dream of having a pet at home a reality. I welcome you to the humane society of San Diego. I often said to myself, this is where are the stray animals go. Not true, when you take a look some maybe stray but others come from a home that just plain got tired of them. Let me show you the journey of what the humane society of San Diego can do when it comes to looking at that pet to come home with you.

Michele Allen’s work has been a blessing to many dogs who could’ve been stuck in a shelter for the rest of their lives.

Otis is a Poodle Yorkie mix who works as a part of the Pete’s Pet Posse at Oklahoma State University. Of the thirty-three dogs in the program, he is one of the smallest – but also one of the happiest! Otis loves his job of providing pet therapy to all OSU students. At Pete’s Pete Posse events, he loves to greet each and every student enthusiastically and bring smiles to their faces. When students sit down in front of him, he will run into their laps and cheerfully encourage them to smile while giving them kisses. His mom Carol Jones works in the Biosystems and Ag Engineering Department, the majors of which are affectionately called BAE. BAE students, who are often stressed and overworked from engineering homework, will go to Dr. Carol Jones’

The Snap Pea Crisps are supposedly healthy but wait till you see what is in them. Companies always try to make their foods sound healthy but when you look and the nutrition label you will realize that they are not healthy at all. The one thing no one can change or hide is the nutrition label. “This product is highly processed. If you'll take a look at its ingredient list, you'll discover new words to add to your vocabulary. Many of theses ingredients are required to increase the shelf life of the product and improve the flavor that disappears when food is not fresh.” (fooducate) These products may help save the life span to the food but it does not help with your life at all. Some products actually cause your life to be shorter if you eat

Pet adoption brings myriad health benefits. One of these benefits is the loyal companionship of shelter animals. GAWS shelter’s acting chief executive, Mia Shaw states, “There are big positives for a person’s mental and physical wellbeing in adopting a pet – there are so many benefits to adopting a dog or cat, including companionship and friendship” (qtd. in Sum 19). These animals help human beings physically and mentally by providing another incentive to exercise, and by providing a steady companionship. These benefits could potentially save the lives of depressed people and improve the lives of incapacitated people. Inclusively, shelter animals reduce stress and other health-related issues. Rescue cat owner, Lisa Barley notes, “Not only will you benefit from the joys of a furry friend’s unconditional love, but a pet can have a positive impact on your health, from helping you stay physically active to reducing stress and lowering blood pressure” (48). Adopting a pet is much like obtaining a best friend, who will provide unconditional love and support when the person needs it the most. Furthermore, most of the shelter animals are caged for days or even months, resulting in being restricted from social environments. Consequently, these animals end up being friendlier when they are adopted and placed in a steady home, unlike the ones obtained