Dog lovers such as ourselves know that our dogs provide so much to us. I think we can agree that taking a dog into our family improves our overall health. But did you know that, now more than ever, Veterans of war suffering from PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury are being paired up with rescue dogs? Yes, it’s true. Shelter dogs, many that were slated for euthanasia, are bringing hope and healing to our Veterans. One such organization that unites shelter dogs and veterans is Stiggy’s Dogs.
Why? Many say that service dogs are an alternative form of treatment and it’s true. According to studies referenced by Stiggy’s Dogs, 82 percent of veterans that had the opportunity to work with a service dog showed a decrease or improvement in their overall symptoms. This included a decrease in the need for prescription medications in 40 percent of those studied. Fantastic, isn’t it? We think so too!
What’s cool about Stiggy’s Dogs? Well, each dog is individually trained for the veteran he’s being paired up with. In fact, he’s trained right alongside the veteran once they are matched. Additionally, the pairing is done at no cost to the veteran. Win-Win! Well then, who is Stiggy? Stiggy’s Dogs was founded by Jennifer Petre in memory of her nephew, Benjamin Phillip Castiglione “Doc Stiggy”. Doc Stiggy gave his life while serving in Afghanistan. Doc Stiggy is remembered by his marines as determined, professional and witty. However, his family remembers him as caring and loving towards his family and dogs. Jennifer Petre says “I am proud to honor Ben and determined to carry on his legacy of helping others through Stiggy’s Dogs.”
Would you like to learn more about Stiggy’s Dogs? Their website provides a wealth of information. Spread the word about this amazing organization. You never know who might be in need of an amazing rescued, service dog.
Has your dog reached senior citizen status yet? Is he moving slower than he used to? Sleeping more? As your dog transitions from the adult stage to senior status, that doesn’t mean his life is over. You should still consider your dog’s unique needs just as you did when he was a puppy and then an adult. There are some things you can do to make sure your dog lives out his golden years.
Take your dog to the vet. Just because your dog is old doesn’t mean his medical needs should not be addressed. Take your senior dog to the vet twice a year or as needed to ensure optimum health. Neglecting your dog’s routine examinations could potentially cost him his life.
Keep your dog moving. A senior dog should still be exercised. Exercise will help him maintain those strong bones and muscles that you have both worked at for years. An exercised dog will also feel relief from common signs of aging such as arthritis. By this point in your dog’s life, you know him pretty well so be sure to listen to him if he giving you the signs that he’s had enough exercise. Short bouts of exercise throughout the day are recommended. Avoid long, overly strenuous activities. If you are not sure if you are providing your senior with adequate exercise, speak with your vet for some guidelines to help you.
Make proper dietary changes. At this point in your dog’s life, you should really considering reducing the amount of calories that he takes in each day. A senior pet tends to burn less energy than puppies and adult dogs so you must adjust his diet accordingly. A high quality, high protein diet is still essential because protein will amongst other things keep his muscles strong. Talk to your vet about dietary supplements that will help slow the aging process.
Provide opportunities for your dog to be mentally stimulated. Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise at this point in your dog’s life. A senior dog will need interaction with you as one way to boost his brain and keep him sharp. Also, if he’s not being interacted with, he’ll be prone to depression and that’s no way for him to live out his golden years, now is it? Need some ideas? Toys and games that encourage strategizing on his part are the best. Continue to teach your old dog tricks. The old adage was completely wrong! Games like fetch and hide and seek will be exciting for him and will boost brain power. If he’s up to it, little obstacle courses are great too. Get creative and stimulate those senses!
Be compassionate with your senior dog. Shower that old dog with love! Be patient and remember, he can’t get around like he used to. Illness and other signs of aging, such as loss of hearing, can get in the way of your dog responding as quickly as he used to. If you think your dog is being disobedient in his senior years, cut him some slack as chances are he’s doing the best he can. He might even get a little grumpy. Give him his space. The puppy you loved is still inside that aging old dog and he just wants your love and approval.
Check Out Our Customized Pet Care services to see how we can help you with your senior dogs.
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