Author: Just-Do-Something

Today a woman reached out to me to tell me that she no longer wanted to be connected to our social media pages because of the pictures that we share as part of spreading the word about Animal Advocacy.

In the past, if someone would have approached me with that statement, it would have made me angry.

Today, it just made me sad.

There is an unbelievable number of people with caring, compassionate souls that simply cannot fathom the injustices done to animals.  For many of those people, although their heart is in the very right place, they cannot take the knowing that comes with being involved in Animal Advocacy and Welfare.

And because of this, the Animal Support community waxes and wanes in numbers. A lot.

Animal cruelty affects people in different ways.  It’s wonderful that for most, it compels and motivates others to move forward, to want to take action – to simply do something because now they are aware.

And for those same people, sometimes it’s good to simply take a break from the daily haunting images and information if only to regroup, take a breath, and re-energize before jumping in again. There is always someone right behind you doing today what you need to take a time-out from.

But, for those that make the decision to simply stop; to tune out and purposely avoid what is happening…every day we lose well intentioned people who simply cannot tolerate the reality of crimes against animals.

So, what does it take?

What does it really take to be able to go the distance, every day, expecting nothing in return except to save or better the life of an animal?

I say, It Just Takes You.

A Photo is Worth A Thousand HeARTs

Photographs are such unassuming, everyday additions to our living spaces, yet their boundaries can hold immeasurable meaning. In fact, a photograph is a quiet goldmine with the potential to both save a life and decorate a life, and few appreciate this more than the over 500 members of global artist community, HeARTs Speak.

Spanning 43 states and 13 countries, HeARTs Speak unites painters, photographers, sculptors, writers, graphic designers, and advocates who believe in the power of collaboration. By providing their time and professional services, pro-bono, to animal welfare organizations in their communities, they’re fuelling life-saving causes and equipping homeless pets with unforgettable portraits; portraits that afford them the first impression their lives often depend on.

Founded in 2010 by professional photographer Lisa Prince-Fishler, HeARTs Speak serves as her take on the ‘power in numbers’ concept. During Lisa’s early years photographing homeless pets for Animal Farm Foundation, she recognized the potential for a supportive, motivated network of individuals who could see beyond ego to work together for the greater good; through powerful, emotional, artistic mediums.

5 years on, the HeARTs Speak community is growing rapidly and making a noticeable impact on pet adoption statistics. Here are some especially eye-opening numbers:

Since becoming a HeARTs Speak member in 2012, Kaye Ness has photographed approximately 700-800 animals. KC Pet Project in Kansas, the shelter Kaye helps most regularly, has an intake of nearly 9,000 animals a year. Since 2006, KC Pet Project has gone from a 31.4% adoption rate to a remarkable 93.8% in 2013, and a large factor of this improvement is the quality photographs Kaye helps to provide.

Long Beach Animal Services, a government-run facility in California, attributes their 55% increase in adoption rates to the professional portraits provided by HeARTs Speak member, Sara Cozolino. Additionally, the number of animals transferred to other rescues has increased by 27% since Sara began helping the group in 2012.

Sherry Stinson, a long-time HeARTs Speak member, volunteers with Tulsa Animal Welfare. The shelter’s euthanasia rate when Sherry initially started was 65% of the over 12,000 animals admitted. However, during January and February of 2014, 78% of their dogs made it out alive.

HeARTs Speak also believes knowledge is for sharing, and while its network of members continues to expand, they can only cover so much ground.

With this in mind, HeARTs Speak launched the Perfect Exposure Project in 2013, first at New York City Animal Care & Control and then at Animal Care & Control of Philadelphia. The project equipped these high-intake shelters with professional photography equipment and training workshops, empowering staff and volunteers to provide the same top-notch photos that a HeARTs Speak member would. The project proved so impactful, that HeARTs Speak is working to make it available to more shelters i 2015,.

The cherry on top of each workshop was the Shelter Photography Field Guide; a 44-page go-to manual left with each shelter that handily summarizes everything taught throughout the Perfect Exposure Project. It’s jam-packed with photography tips, social media and marketing ideas, post-processing wisdom, and big-picture inspiration. The guide will be available for purchase in early 2015.

Through the clicking of shutters, the strokes of paintbrushes, and the scratching of pens on paper, HeARTs Speak members are working tirelessly every day to elevate companion animals to a place of love, acceptance, understanding, and respect. It is their ultimate hope that homeless pets will have the chance to occupy a space on a family photo wall, stretch out on a sofa, and bask in a patch of sunshine. And above all else, that they’ll know the great warmth of love in their lifetime.

Hannah Michalski is HeARTs Speak’s Communications Coordinator and best friend to a curmudgeonly but well-dressed guinea pig named Bret P. Michaels. She believes in the good in people, the quiet power of a photograph and above all else, the importance of caring for and cherishing our fellow living beings.

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The moment I read the words JUST DO SOMETHING, I knew this was the perfect space in which to write about ECAD – Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities – and its co-founders, Dale and Lu Picard. If ever there were two people who personify these three words, it is this husband and wife team who began ECAD twenty years ago this year in their two-car garage with a $15,000.00 grant from the Hartford CT Jaycees. With passion and total commitment they have developed an organization that is one of the most respected in its field, one that is known for placing expertly educated canines with the most difficult of cases, and for establishing Project HEALTM, a program designed specifically to meet the needs of Veterans.

‘Just do something’ is the thought Lu had when, in 1994, her dad suffered a stroke, and, unable to stand up much less walk by himself, he sank into a deep depression. Lu, who had always had a way with dogs, put the leash of the family dog, Juliet, into her dad’s hands. “Pull” she commanded Juliet. Within a short time, Juliet did just that and pulled Lu’s dad onto his feet. “Brace” came next. Lu’s dad and Juliet became a team, making it on their own, and his depression vanished. This is it, Lu thought: this is what I am here for. Dale’s background as a small business owner gave them the foundation they needed to start a company.

Their early success, and their reputation for the excellent education their Service Dogs received, brought them into contact with educators who were in the forefront of animal-human therapy. Again, the Picards thought, lets just do something that helps kids too. So, in 1997, with contracts from two alternative schools in Westchester County, they created the ECADemy Program. This program, part of the curriculum at participating schools, educates at-risk teens to educate the dogs in the eighty-nine commands they must know to be certified as Service or Assistance Dogs.

Dale, born and raised on a farm, knows how to use his hands and in quick order he turned his two-car garage into a kennel that could house a good many dogs. Thus was born the ECAD campus in Torrington CT and it is here that puppies still begin their “socialization” and basic training. It is also here that a well-attended annual Summer Camp takes place. The Picards began to purpose-breed their Golden Retrievers and Labradors in 1997 to insure that all the dogs placed would have the ideal temperament and work ethic necessary for a long career as a Service Dog. In 1997, they moved their main office to a facility on the campus in Children’s Village in Dobbs Ferry, NY. In 2009, ECAD inaugurated the Project HEALTM Program, specifically for Veterans of the Armed Services, many who have, in addition to physical injuries and amputations, the invisible disabilities of PTSD and TBI.

Each year, ECAD places a minimum of seventeen Service Dogs, as well as Facility Dogs in Hospitals, and Courtroom Dogs, such as the famous Rosie, who work with DAs in sensitive cases involving minors. With a goal to place more Service Dogs each year, ECAD has embarked on a Capital Campaign and is actively seeking property with an existing structure that will enable ECAD’s instructors to educate many more SDiT than is possible now. It is anticipated that the ECADemy Program will continue.

With care, and an eye toward fiscal responsibility necessary for a non-profit organization, the Picards have seen to it that ECAD could expand successfully. Dale is the CEO and Lu Director of Programs. The company has a staff of sixteen including instructors, kennel managers, marketing and fundraising personnel. There is a roster of volunteers and home handlers. Two major fundraising events are held each year, one in Westchester, and one in Greenwich CT, with smaller events taking place throughout the year. ECAD has received a four star rating from Charity Navigator for the past four consecutive years. ECAD applies for and receives significant grants each year.

ECAD is indeed a dream come true for the Picards. What is most important is that through their work, their determination to just do something, their dream became a reality for the many people with disabilities who lead better lives because they have an ECAD Service Dog by their side.

It has been my privilege to be part of the ECAD team as a contributing writer to the quarterly newsletter for almost five years. Frankly, I’ve had a lot of fun. But I also admit that I never fail to shed tears at every single graduation ceremony when I see the newly paired client and Service Dog, going home, together. In this, I am joined by Dale and Lu Picard.

– Patricia Robert
Patricia began working at ECAD in 2010 and has been contributing to the newsletter ever since, which she loves. She says “After a lifetime of working in “show business” (including 13 years as an executive at Radio City Music Hall) a wonderful stroke of fate brought me to ECAD. Every g time I am there I see a positive aspect of what is being accomplished. One day, as I was crossing the Children’s Village Campus, one of the student trainers called out my name and waved. I was on Cloud Nine, I felt like a celebrity.  I love seeing the faces of the clients during Team Training when they have their very own Service Dog and I love seeing how each dog just knows the person is theirs alone. A highlight of my time with ECAD will always be helping Rosie get her photo on the front page of the NY Times. She was the most accommodating and sweet natured celebrity I have ever known.”

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It’s 12:05 AM (EST), and today is my birthday.

Lord, thank you for giving me the compassion that motivates me to want to make a difference every day, for those that cannot speak for, or defend, themselves.

Thank you for giving me the strength to keep moving forward in my animal advocacy goals, no matter what the roadblocks.

Thank you for a healthy body and mind, that I can keep fighting the good fight, no matter what comes my way.

Thank you for opening my eyes and giving me life’s ups and downs, so I can see what truly matters in life.

Thank you for the loving support and encouragement of my wonderful family, friends, and fellow advocates.

Thank you for blessing me with a very understanding husband.

Thank you for another beginning of a year where I promise to continue to make a difference.

Happy Birthday to me.

The Middle Years

There comes a time – a short window of years – in the time of pet companionship where you can relax and enjoy your friend to the fullest. I’m describing the middle years, wherein your dog, cat or other pet is healthy, active, focused on you and her surroundings; a time without youthful destruction, adjustment, and insecurity; a time without illness, creeping infirmity, or heartbreaking imminent parting.

If a pet is acquired as a puppy or kitten, there is a long first year of care – medical, behavioral, and training. All first inoculations must be given and nutritious food for growth purchased. Toys and distractions must be acquired. Fences, leashes, litter boxes, and all pertinent supplies bought. Injuries caused by youthful exuberance addressed. Household routines must be taught so the pet can expect consistency in her life, which will culminate in higher self-confidence and less behavioral issues down the road. Daily interactive manners must be taught so the pet isn’t a nuisance–to you or the public. A constant eye to the pet’s behavior must be vigilant – for the safety of the baby as well as for your peace of mind.

If a pet is brought into your home as an adolescent, chances are she’s been relinquished/rejected by someone previously and for reasons you may never know. These reasons may include behavioral issues the previous family was unwilling or unable to deal with and that you find out about once you’re already attached to the little delinquent. Hence, the problems will fall on you so your time with the newcomer will consist of adjustment – getting to know each other and patiently teaching the pet what she needs to do and know to fit into your human life as seamlessly as possible. This requires the same diligence as working with a very young pet and, if done well, will eventually result in a pet that mirrors your own lifestyle as a quality companion.

Even if your pet joins you in her older years, there remain the past shadows of her previous life and lifestyle. Chances are her energy level will be less than younger pets, but behavioral issues may still pose challenges to your peacefulness together. Yet with time, perseverance, and patience in helping her learn her new lifestyle requirements with you, she’ll turn into your best friend–and usually in far less time than a younger pet can.

Babies can take a year or more to “fit in” and become devoted pals. Adolescents could take six months or more to learn, settle down, and not require exhausting observation and training. Oldsters may require only weeks or months to calm and contribute to your life. But finally, all will emerge into those “middle years” of life with you, however long or brief, wherein they are quality companions, best friends, and effortless contributors to your own quality of life.

The Good Years are the time when your dog is active but not infirm or crazy and uncontrollable–when she joyfully runs off on your walk, but happily returns when you call; when she can accompany you anywhere without the embarrassment of her peeing on your human friends’ carpet. The Good Years are the time when your cat no longer climbs drapes, shreds furniture, or sees your passing foot as pre – but is content to cuddle on your lap on a cold winter’s eve or sleep, softly purring, in the crook of your arm throughout the night.

The Good Years are the hallmark of your best times together – when your friends refer to you as “JaneandPuff” or “DickandFido.” Your pal is at your side when you need her, or waiting at home when you can’t be together – sleeping in the window, not tearing out door jams.  This is the time of purely maintenance veterinary visits, long countryside walks, ball games in the yard, reading in the sun with a furry ball warming your thigh. These years may include tragedy, sadness, and loss for you, but there is always an adoring gaze, a comforting paw, or a tender wet kiss to comfort you. Changes in your own life are easier because there is consistency for you at home – the never-ending dependence of a loyal and devoted creature who never holds grudges, never passes judgment on your worthiness, never complains about your idiosyncrasies. Rather, your every return is guaranteed to be an insane welcome by wagging tails, whines, yowls, and leg rubs. What more could a human ask from life?

The Good Years are brief – possibly longer with cats than dogs – but I call your attention to them with this blog post to say, “Pay attention! Slow down! Appreciate these sweet, golden, and all too temporary times.

As humans, we establish a life of flying through each day, month, year,  indeed, our entire lives–without looking at what blurs of beauty we’re racing past. The most beautiful of these blurring blips in time are our pets and our relationships with them. Don’t wake up one morning to a seizing dog or a kidney failing cat and wonder where the time went. BE AWARE.

The good years may be upon you now. Don’t ignore them or let them slip away without fulling savoring each minute with the little life that is dependent on your care, devotion, and attention; the little life that has made you the center of her universe, her heart, and her soul.

The Good Years are for you – the time your pet is best able to give herself to you. Don’t throw that precious gift away in the maddening rush of human distraction, ridiculous technology, and false priorities. The simple little creature who makes you her whole world deserves better.

By Sunny Weber
Animal Behaviorist, Animal Welfare Consultant, Humane Educator, Writer
sunny@sunnyweber.com

www.sunnyweber.com

www.linkedin.com/in/sunnyweberanimalwelfareconsult/

New Year’s Eve.  People have such good intentions this time of year when it comes to making those New Year’s resolutions.

“I will go to the gym every day and lose that weight.”

“I will donate 15% of my salary to a charity.”

“I will have less clutter at home.”

But often, the grander promises get pushed back, and before you know it, another whole year has passed and you find yourself making those same resolutions again.

This year, why not try something on a smaller scale, but possibly way more impacting – why not try “a little more”.

This new year, I will try:

“to be A Little More kinder.”

“to be A Little More gentler.”

“to be A Little More tolerant.”

“to be A Little More patient.”

“to be A Little More empathetic.”

“to be A Little More generous.”

“to be A Little More helpful.”

“to be A Little More.”

You just never know who YOU are making a difference for, when you just try a little more.

Just Do Something…a little more.

What will YOUR “little more” be this New Year?

1.  Interactive dog puzzles
Whether it’s due to old age or a disability, dogs need to keep their minds sharp and focused. Hagen Mind Games from SwellPets offers three games in one to stimulate a handicapped dog’s problem-solving skills. They’re fun too.

2.  Stroller

The Walkin’ Pet Stroller from HandicappedPets.com is great for transporting smaller dogs.

3.  Cart

DoggyRide has sturdy carts for bigger dogs that have trouble walking.

4.  Boots

Keep their paws warm all winter and protected with a new pair of boots from NeoPaws.

5.  Heated Beds

The Thermo Heated Dog Bed from SwellPets is a quilted bed that provides therapeutic benefits for dogs that are getting older.

6.  Suspenders and Diapers

If you can’t find a Christmas sweater that will pull over a dog wheelchair try a pair of colorful suspenders instead. The suspenders are actually made to keep doggie diapers safely in place.

7.  Personalized Dog Wheelchair License Plate

This is the perfect gift for the dog that has everything, and the proceeds are donated to the Handicapped Pets Foundation.

Reprinted from Lessons From a Paralyzed Dog; Sharon Seltzer is an animal writer, co-founder of the Heaven Can Wait Animal Society in Las Vegas and CEO of Lessons From A Paralyzed Dog. She is also the pet parent to pup Cody and three semi-feral cats; Spike, Sport and Tiger. She was the proud mom to Sophie and Shadow who passed away in 2013.

Elephants Wish They Could Forget

Along with a dozen other local animal rights advocates, I recently participated in a silent demonstration against the Ringling Brothers Circus. Our group gathered in front of Rochester’s Blue Cross Arena, in the chilly October evening, as hundreds of people trickled into the front doors. (I have been told that the crowds were much smaller than usual.) Our yellow signs had slogans such as “Animals are born to be wild,” “Elephants wish they could forget!” and “Boulder, CO Banned Animal Circuses.”

While standing in line with my yellow sign, I began to think about the evolutionary biologist Edward O. Wilson, who once said: ”Each culture has its own creation myth, the primary functions of which are to place the tribe that contrived it at the center of the universe, and to portray history as a noble epic.”

It occurred to me that most people cannot emotionally or spiritually consume the pain of these animals because they are not portrayed as being at the center of their noble epic. By and large, animals in our society are treated as resources, tools, pets, game, mascots, predators, and costumes. Rarely are animals seen as having intrinsic value with their own “special” center.

Unfortunately humanity suffers from a condition called aristocentrism. This is an unwarranted claim to superiority. In different ways we conclude that we are special, and insist that the cosmos have anointed us. We believe that our existence has the most special meaning of all, and that we have rare knowledge or a message to give to the rest of Creation. Inevitably this world view degenerates into an inordinate claim to superiority for oneself or one’s group. The word aristocentrism comes from the Greek words agathos, “good” and kentrikos, from kentron, “the center of a circle.”

The problem with aristocentrism is that it is based on an illusion. We are not the center of the universe. Our species is not the most important group in the cosmos. There are relationships between all living beings that make superiority impossible. That is precisely why Gandhi said: “The greatness of a nation can be judged by how its animals are treated.”

The way we view our place in the cosmos has a direct impact on the way we treat all other animals; and the way we treat all other animals determines the quality of our character as moral agents. In Gandhi’s view, the strong have an obligation to protect the weak. The fact that circus animals are kidnapped, caged, drugged, intimidated, beaten, and exploited means that people of freedom, sobriety, fearlessness, physical strength should come to their aid. By coming to their aid we are activating our best selves. But to truly be in solidarity with our fellow bio-companions means that we view them as having their own worth apart from our ability to appreciate and defend them.

In the Emotional Lives of Animals author Marc Bekoff proves that nonhuman creatures exhibit Charles Darwin’s six universal emotions (anger, happiness, sadness, disgust, fear, and surprise). He shows that wild and domestic species have a kaleidoscopic range of feelings, from embarrassment to awe, and that we dismiss them not only at their peril but our own. Bekoff writes, “It’s bad biology to argue against the existence of animal emotions. Scientific research in evolutionary biology, cognitive ethology, and social neuroscience supports the view that numerous and diverse animals have rich and deep emotional lives. Emotions have evolved as adaptations in numerous species, and they serve as a social glue to bond animals with one another.”

On reflection, one of the main reasons I chose to participate in the silent demonstration was to represent this primal wisdom that Bekoff writes about in his books. Elephants are one example. Just to acknowledge the suffering of elephants trapped in circuses is an act of resistance. Nearly all 60 Asian elephants incarcerated by Ringling were captured in the wild. Baby elephants suffer painful rope lesions when being pulled prematurely from their mothers. There is a chronic failure to test elephants for tuberculosis, unsanitary feeding practices, and a failure to maintain, clean, and repair their transport cages. There is an overall inability to provide adequate veterinary care. Elephants get pushed and prodded with bullhooks, and they are forced to perform whether they are healthy or sick. According to PETA, Ringling has admitted to chaining elephants by two legs, on a concrete floor, for 16 hours a day, which is a direct violation of the Endangered Species Act. They have also admitted to chaining elephants in boxcars an average of 26 straight hours (often 60 hours) when traveling. Treatment of animals like baby elephants has gotten so bad even corporate giants such as VISA, MasterCard, Denny’s, and Sears & Roebuck have ended their promotion of the circus.

Even though these beautiful creatures are not dependent on humans to guarantee them value and rights, we cannot be truly ourselves in any adequate manner without animals as miraculous as Asian elephants being free of confinement, harassment, torture, and murder. Asian elephants console others who are in distress using physical touches and vocalizations. They have been shown to demonstrate keen intelligence. Like people, they live in complex societies with family units at their core. For these reasons alone, we must put a stop to this slavery. Let’s prove that we are not a nation of cowards and killers but a community of friends working for the betterment of our race.

George Payne is the founder and director of Gandhi Earth Keepers International in Rochester, NY.
Visit www.gandhiearthkeepers.org

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Vacationers and their pets benefit from sitters.

“Have pets, won‘t travel”; is the reality for many people. Many pet owners never travel from home for more than a few days because the usual care options just don‘t work for them. Asking a family member or friend to take your pets is often a favor you can‘t ask for regularly. Kennels are not an option for most pet owners, who simply won‘t subject their loved ones to a caged stay of any duration.

Bringing pets along for travel is often not realistic for many pet owners, especially when there are old, large, or multiple pets involved.

The main problem with most care options is that they require the animals to be taken out of their home environment and daily routines. Being cared for by strangers is not usually a problem for animals, but it can be when it is also in a strange place (not home). Being in a strange environment is often stressful for animals when they are separated from their human family for several weeks or months.

I recently asked an animal expert for her view on the topic. “Dogs are creatures of habit and are generally very emotionally connected to their social group (i.e. their people),” says Francine Miller, a canine behavior specialist in San Diego, CA. “It is always preferable to keep them in their home environment and in their normal routine to minimize stress.”

Live-in dogsitters means less stress for your pets

There is also the stress, worry, or guilt experienced by the pet owners when they leave their pets. People want the best for their pets and they don‘t want their vacations to become guilt trips.

Fortunately, a growing number of pet owners are discovering the advantages of having pet-loving house sitters stay in their home while they travel. Having house sitters (the non-paid kind) care for you pets and home is really an ideal solution for pet owners, their pets, and the sitters, who are often pet owners themselves on vacation or retirement travel. Sitters care for homes, pets, and even larger animals such as horses and llamas. Sometimes they care for injured or dying pets and help avert robberies or home disasters related to gas leaks, power outages, etc.

The number of house sitting companies/websites has grown rapidly in recent years as pet owners look for better solutions and travelers seek richer experiences with lower costs. It‘s a global and growing trend that is changing how many people travel and make new friends.

“I would not be able to travel if I had no-one to come to my home to care for my pets,” wrote Rosalie Guttman of Chicago.”My cats have never been out of the house and one is claustrophobic and cannot be in a cage. I‘ve seen animals left in kennels and they don‘t look very happy.”

“We have not put our two pets in a kennel for many years,” wrote Nancy and Jerry Kamens of Arlington, Virginia, who now use house sitters. “Our dog does much better at home in familiar surroundings.”

“Cats are very territorial and taking them away from their home is rather distressing to them,” wrote Silvia Mariani, who lives in London, England. “Even a short trip to the vet becomes an ordeal, let alone separating them from their home for days or weeks”.

As I have heard from many pet owners, Silvia adds that she has remained friends with many sitters around the world. I‘ve also been invited to stay at their places – “all this makes house sitting a more personal, rewarding experience.”

These pet owners shared their experiences as part of a survey I recently conducted of the nearly 50,000 home owners registered on my house sitting website, www.housecarers.com.

Here is a fact that gives an idea of how large and global house sitting has become: in the past year, my members have posted sitting opportunities in at least 64 countries. The most popular countries for house sitting in order are the U.S., Australia, Canada, the UK, France, New Zealand, Spain, Costa Rica, Mexico, Italy, and South Africa. The popularity of house sitting is growing rapidly and the demand for house sits is often greater than the supply.

Many house sitting websites have popped up in recent years, but the key is to create a secure environment for both parties to make a personalized match. There are sitters who are paid for their help, but the growth is happening in the non-paid type. House/pet sitters on sites like ours mainly receive no money for caring for homes and pets – they receive only accommodation. House sitting is all about mutual benefit. And making new friends around the world.

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Ian White
Owner, Housecarers Worldwide House Sitting and Pet Sitting Directory