Pit bull rescued from famous dogfighting ring now helps cancer patients...
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - It’s a dog’s life. And for Leo it couldn’t be better.
Leo — rescued from heavy chains that confined him as one of the pit bulls in former NFL quarterback Michael Vick’s dogfighting ring — is a lover, not a fighter. He now happily frolics in a clown collar as he makes the rounds at the Camino Infusion Center, where he brings comfort to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Despite his training as a killer, Leo is a sweetheart as he visits his friends on the ward.
“He is wonderful, and all the patients love Leo,” said Paula Reed, the facility’s oncology director. “They really love his eyes and gentleness.”
Six months ago, Leo should have been dead.
When officers raided Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels in Smithfield, Va., last year, they found dogs, some injured and scarred, chained to buried car axles. Forensic experts discovered remains of dogs that had been shot with a .22-caliber pistol, electrocuted, drowned, hanged or slammed to the ground for lacking a desire to fight.
Vick, an All-Pro quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, was suspended indefinitely and is serving 23 months in federal prison after pleading guilty in August to bankrolling the dogfighting operation and helping to kill as many as eight dogs. Three co-defendants also pleaded guilty and were sentenced to prison.
About 50 dogs were rescued.
Animal advocates are divided over whether fighting dogs can be trusted to have new lives as pets or working dogs. One of the dogs seized at Bad Newz was put down as too aggressive, but the others were dispersed to sanctuaries and training facilities across the country.
An ‘incredible’ difference with patients...
One of them was Leo, who ended up in the care of Marthina McClay, a certified trainer and counselor in Los Gatos, near San Francisco. McClay is president of Our Pack, an advocacy group for pit bulls.
“He was a little like a caveman at a tea party,” McClay said. “He didn’t have a lot of training.”
But after five weeks of intense instruction and supervision, and more weeks of acclimation, Leo is now — with all due respect —a pussy cat. He loves putting his head on a patient’s lap and batting his big brown eyes.
“The difference that he’s had with our patients has been incredible — the smiles on their faces, the joy when they see him,” said Reed of the cancer center.
“Leo is a survivor and our patients are survivors, and I think they can relate to each other,” she said.
Leo also touches young people on probation at the Alternative Placement Academy in San Jose, where the young men seem to identify with the former tough guy.
“I think they saw this dog’s awful background, and it communicates to the kids that you can end up being what you want to be,” McClay said.
It’s the age-old story of second chances. By living his, Leo helps tear down entrenched stereotypes that pit bulls are irredeemable killers.
“Leo is definitely an ambassador to the breed,” McClay said. “The staff at various facilities will say, ‘I will never see pit bulls the same again.’”
By Marianne Favro of NBC affiliate KNTV of San Francisco and Alex Johnson of msnbc.com.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Dancing For Animals : Saturday Night Dance Party
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Intro Dance Class (West Coast Swing): 8:30–9:30 p.m.
Multi-Style Dance Party: 9:30 p.m.–Midnight
Studio 44 at Dance Times Square, 156 West 44th Street, 3rd Floor (between 6th Avenue and Broadway), Manhattan
Dance the night away in Manhattan's most beautiful studio while helping your fellow animals at the same time! Dancing for Animals is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds, via dancing activities, for animal welfare organizations, educating people about animal welfare issues, and inspiring volunteerism and community activity. They hold dance parties every other Saturday night, with all funds raised going to support their educational programs and to give financial support to animal organizations. Come early for an introductory class in a specific dance style, then dance the night away from Swing to Mambo to Foxtrot. Music for all dances played.
Admission is $10.
For more information, call Dancing for Animals at (212) 946-1824,
or visit the Dancing for Animals web site.
Intro Dance Class (West Coast Swing): 8:30–9:30 p.m.
Multi-Style Dance Party: 9:30 p.m.–Midnight
Studio 44 at Dance Times Square, 156 West 44th Street, 3rd Floor (between 6th Avenue and Broadway), Manhattan
Dance the night away in Manhattan's most beautiful studio while helping your fellow animals at the same time! Dancing for Animals is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds, via dancing activities, for animal welfare organizations, educating people about animal welfare issues, and inspiring volunteerism and community activity. They hold dance parties every other Saturday night, with all funds raised going to support their educational programs and to give financial support to animal organizations. Come early for an introductory class in a specific dance style, then dance the night away from Swing to Mambo to Foxtrot. Music for all dances played.
Admission is $10.
For more information, call Dancing for Animals at (212) 946-1824,
or visit the Dancing for Animals web site.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
No More Tears Rescue : Chinese Auction
Sunday, June 22, 2008
1:00–5:00 p.m.
St. Andrew's Church, 40 Old Mill Road, Staten Island
Raise money to rescue and rehabilitate puppy mill dogs. Join us for a fun afternoon winning beautiful gifts/baskets and treats for your dogs! Learn how you can help us stop puppy mills! Tasty desserts and beverages will be available.
Tickets are $25.
For more information or to reserve your tickets, contact Laura Amato at foundfreedom@nomoretearsrescue.com, or visit the No More Tears Rescue web site.
1:00–5:00 p.m.
St. Andrew's Church, 40 Old Mill Road, Staten Island
Raise money to rescue and rehabilitate puppy mill dogs. Join us for a fun afternoon winning beautiful gifts/baskets and treats for your dogs! Learn how you can help us stop puppy mills! Tasty desserts and beverages will be available.
Tickets are $25.
For more information or to reserve your tickets, contact Laura Amato at foundfreedom@nomoretearsrescue.com, or visit the No More Tears Rescue web site.
Friday, June 13, 2008
American Veterinary Medical Association Launches Podcast for Pet Owners
AVMA Animal Tracks will include discussions on pet health, veterinary medicine
SCHAUMBURG, Ill., May 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) announced today the launch of its first podcast, the Association's latest effort to inform the public about issues related to pet health, public health and veterinary medicine.AVMA Animal Tracks will feature AVMA staff interviewing veterinary experts from around the country and discussing topics such as pet health and safety tips, the threat of diseases that can spread from animals to humans and the surprising variety of roles veterinarians play in ensuring animal and human health across the globe.
The first podcast, featuring Dr. Kim May, assistant director of professional and public affairs at the AVMA, discusses summer pet safety tips. It can be found on the AVMA Web site at http://www.avma.org/news/info_rss.asp.
AVMA Animal Tracks will be available to download from the AVMA Web site and through an RSS feed. The podcasts will also be available through Apple's iTunes. Those with iTunes, which can be downloaded for free at http://www.apple.com/itunes/overview, can subscribe to AVMA Animal Tracks and receive new episodes as soon as they become available through a portable media player such as an iPod. While there will be no set schedule for releasing new podcasts, they should become available on at least a weekly basis, according to J.B. Hancock, AVMA communications director.
For more information on AVMA Animal Tracks, please contact Michael San Filippo, AVMA media relations assistant, at 847-285-687 (office), 847-732-6194 (cell) or msanfilippo@avma.org.
The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world, with more than 76,000 member veterinarians engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. AVMA members are dedicated to advancing the science and art of veterinary medicine, including its relationship to public health and agriculture. Visit the AVMA Web site at http://www.avma.org to learn more about veterinary medicine and animal care and to access up-to-date information on the association's issues, policies and activities.
Source: American Veterinary Medical Association
SCHAUMBURG, Ill., May 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) announced today the launch of its first podcast, the Association's latest effort to inform the public about issues related to pet health, public health and veterinary medicine.AVMA Animal Tracks will feature AVMA staff interviewing veterinary experts from around the country and discussing topics such as pet health and safety tips, the threat of diseases that can spread from animals to humans and the surprising variety of roles veterinarians play in ensuring animal and human health across the globe.
The first podcast, featuring Dr. Kim May, assistant director of professional and public affairs at the AVMA, discusses summer pet safety tips. It can be found on the AVMA Web site at http://www.avma.org/news/info_rss.asp.
AVMA Animal Tracks will be available to download from the AVMA Web site and through an RSS feed. The podcasts will also be available through Apple's iTunes. Those with iTunes, which can be downloaded for free at http://www.apple.com/itunes/overview, can subscribe to AVMA Animal Tracks and receive new episodes as soon as they become available through a portable media player such as an iPod. While there will be no set schedule for releasing new podcasts, they should become available on at least a weekly basis, according to J.B. Hancock, AVMA communications director.
For more information on AVMA Animal Tracks, please contact Michael San Filippo, AVMA media relations assistant, at 847-285-687 (office), 847-732-6194 (cell) or msanfilippo@avma.org.
The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world, with more than 76,000 member veterinarians engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. AVMA members are dedicated to advancing the science and art of veterinary medicine, including its relationship to public health and agriculture. Visit the AVMA Web site at http://www.avma.org to learn more about veterinary medicine and animal care and to access up-to-date information on the association's issues, policies and activities.
Source: American Veterinary Medical Association
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Caring for a Healthy Puppy
When you get a puppy, it’s a lot like having a new child. It is your responsibility to take care of it, protect it, and make sure it stays out of harm’s way. And just like a child, puppies and their immune systems are subject to plenty of diseases that we can help prevent by taking the right steps when we first bring our new puppies home.
VACCINES
Once you procure ownership of your puppy, immediately go to a veterinarian for an examination. Veterinarians can determine how healthy your brand new puppy is and what kind of vaccinations he/she needs. By looking at the puppy’s breeding/vaccination report, a vet can determine if the puppy does or does not need to receive any more vaccinations. If the puppy’s never been vaccinated it will most certainly receive the necessary vaccinations during that first visit. Most veterinarians use multivalent vaccines when vaccinating your puppy. Multivalent vaccines combine several different disease antigens into one shot so your puppy doesn’t have to receive several shots. Puppies receive vaccinations to prevent them from getting diseases at ages when they are most susceptible. Make sure to set a schedule with your veterinarian regarding when your puppy should come in for another vaccination (or “booster” shot).
SPAYING OR NEUTERING
If your puppy is not spayed or neutered, ask your veterinarian what might be a good time to have it done. Spaying a female dog prevents her from having unwanted puppies from the future. It also prevents the probability of disease, such as breast cancer and uterine infection. Male dogs that aren’t neutered are more at risk for testicular cancer and prostate disease. A male dog that isn’t neutered also tends to be more aggressive towards people and dogs alike. As a general rule of thumb, it is best to spay a female dog before her first heat cycle, and for a male dog it is normally best to have him neutered at 6 months. Regardless, check with your veterinarian to know the optimal time for either.
WORMS
Worms are parasites that can grow in your puppy’s intestines and feed off nutrients that pass through them. These are nutrients that your puppy needs. As soon as you can, bring your veterinarian a sample of your puppy’s stool. Your vet can examine it for worm eggs to determine if your puppy does in fact have them. If your pet does have worms, the veterinarian will be able to determine exactly what kind of species they are and give you the appropriate medicine or “wormer” to help get them out of your puppy’s system. Even if the puppy does not have worms, he/she can get them by exposure to another infected animal’s feces. Make sure to clean up feces left by your puppy every week and pick up after it on walks.
These are only some of the basic health issues to keep in mind when deciding to get a puppy. You should generally make sure to feed your pup well and exercise it to keep its health and immune system strong.
VACCINES
Once you procure ownership of your puppy, immediately go to a veterinarian for an examination. Veterinarians can determine how healthy your brand new puppy is and what kind of vaccinations he/she needs. By looking at the puppy’s breeding/vaccination report, a vet can determine if the puppy does or does not need to receive any more vaccinations. If the puppy’s never been vaccinated it will most certainly receive the necessary vaccinations during that first visit. Most veterinarians use multivalent vaccines when vaccinating your puppy. Multivalent vaccines combine several different disease antigens into one shot so your puppy doesn’t have to receive several shots. Puppies receive vaccinations to prevent them from getting diseases at ages when they are most susceptible. Make sure to set a schedule with your veterinarian regarding when your puppy should come in for another vaccination (or “booster” shot).
SPAYING OR NEUTERING
If your puppy is not spayed or neutered, ask your veterinarian what might be a good time to have it done. Spaying a female dog prevents her from having unwanted puppies from the future. It also prevents the probability of disease, such as breast cancer and uterine infection. Male dogs that aren’t neutered are more at risk for testicular cancer and prostate disease. A male dog that isn’t neutered also tends to be more aggressive towards people and dogs alike. As a general rule of thumb, it is best to spay a female dog before her first heat cycle, and for a male dog it is normally best to have him neutered at 6 months. Regardless, check with your veterinarian to know the optimal time for either.
WORMS
Worms are parasites that can grow in your puppy’s intestines and feed off nutrients that pass through them. These are nutrients that your puppy needs. As soon as you can, bring your veterinarian a sample of your puppy’s stool. Your vet can examine it for worm eggs to determine if your puppy does in fact have them. If your pet does have worms, the veterinarian will be able to determine exactly what kind of species they are and give you the appropriate medicine or “wormer” to help get them out of your puppy’s system. Even if the puppy does not have worms, he/she can get them by exposure to another infected animal’s feces. Make sure to clean up feces left by your puppy every week and pick up after it on walks.
These are only some of the basic health issues to keep in mind when deciding to get a puppy. You should generally make sure to feed your pup well and exercise it to keep its health and immune system strong.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Amber Alert for Pets?
There's a new service that offers to make automated calls to find your missing pet ... for a price. It's called findtoto.com, and several Western New Yorkers have already used it to report their missing pets. Here's how it works : you pay anywhere from $65 to $425, and the service sends robo-calls to a given number of your neighbors. For example, $65 gets you 250 calls; $425 gets you 5000 calls. But some neighbors who have received calls from findtoto.com aren't happy about it. They say it's just another robo-call, and they don't like it's attention-grabbing intro of an "alert".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
