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Pet Night on Capitol Hill

Posted on September 12, 2024 | Leave a comment
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) introduces the PAW Act during Pet Night on Capitol Hill

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), the Pet Food Institute (PFI) and the Pet Advocacy Network co-hosted Pet Night on Capitol Hill on 11 September 2024, paying special tribute to the important role of service animals for our nation’s disabled veterans, and celebrating the positive impact of pets in America. Pet Night on Capitol Hill brought together Members of Congress, congressional staff, and leaders in the pet care community to share programs and policies that protect human and animal well-being.

“Pet Night on Capitol Hill is more than just an evening spent with some incredible pets—it’s a chance to convey to Congress the vital message that policies and programs keeping people and pets together promote better health and well-being for all,” said Vic Mason, President of the World Pet Association (WPA) and presenting sponsor of Pet Night.

“HABRI is proud to co-host Pet Night on Capitol Hill, a night dedicated to honoring the human-animal bond and its positive impact on the well-being of individuals, families and communities, including our nation’s veterans who rely on the healing support of service dogs,” said Steven Feldman, President of HABRI.

At the event, attendees interacted with Pet Partners therapy animals, show cats provided by the Cat Fanciers’ Association, and adoptable puppies from Petco Love.

Veterans and their service dogs were recognized during the Ceremony for their service to our country, and the National Service Dog Memorial displayed a replica of the resin casting of “Sully”, President George H.W. Bush’s Service dog by Susan Bahary, which will be placed in the permanent collection of the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, TX.

The Animal Health Institute (AHI) honored the winners of the Cutest Pets on Capitol Hill contest, now in its sixteenth year, recognizing the most adorable animals belonging to Members of Congress and their staff.

Cutest Dog: Palmer
Owner: Joe Ballard
Office of Rep. Kelly Armstrong (ND)

Cutest Cat: Moony
Owner: Izzah Yousuf
Office of Rep. Al Green (TX-9)

Cutest Exotic: Froth
Owner: Larson Church
Office of Rep. Andrew Clyde (GA-9)

“I’m happy to once again partner with AHI to be a part of this event, which brings together members from both parties to share our mutual affection for our beloved pets. This event is also a fantastic reminder that ensuring our pets’ and animals’ health and safety is crucial for both their wellbeing and ours,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “That’s why in Congress, I’ve advocated for animal health through legislation like ADUFA to get new, innovative, and safe veterinary medications to market, and I am incredibly proud that this legislation was signed into law last September.”

“I’m honored to be a congressional judge for this year’s AHI Cutest Pets Contest,” said Rep. Cammack (R-FL-03). “Folks on the Hill know my office is home to our three pups who often greet guests and visitors, so we always appreciate the opportunity to support our furry friends! This year’s Pet Night is also special as we pay homage to the heroes and animals who have served our nation. I’m grateful to the Animal Health Institute for inviting me to participate in this year’s event.”

“The Animal Health Institute’s Cutest Pets on Capitol Hill is always a highlight, but there’s so much more to it than just cuteness – it’s all about the importance of pets in people’s lives,” said Alex Mathews, President and CEO of AHI. “The animal health industry serves not only to keep pets healthy, but also to keep families healthy and happy together, and we’re proud to celebrate this each year at Pet Night on Capitol Hill.”

HABRI’s “Human Animal Bond Leadership Award” was conferred upon Representative Claudia Tenney (NY-24) and Representative Deborah Ross (NC-02) for their sponsorship of the People and Animals Well-being (PAW) Act, a newly introduced bill that would allow people to use up to $1,000 of their Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for veterinary care or a pet health insurance policy for their pets. The bill would impose no limit on veterinary care for service animals, providing even more support for people with disabilities, including our nation’s veterans.

“Our pets and service animals are cherished members of our families, and it’s essential that owners have the ability to pay for quality care,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The PAW Act offers greater flexibility to pet owners by allowing them to use HSAs and FSAs for pet care expenses. This legislation will help veterans, and all pet owners afford veterinary care for their beloved pets and service animals.”

“The Pet Advocacy Network’s “Pets’ Best Friend” award was conferred upon three Members of Congress and Senators who have demonstrated a commitment to supporting pets and pet owners. Congressman Jake LaTurner of Kansas was jointly recognized by PAN and PFI, and Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson of Pennsylvania were recognized for their tireless service on behalf of companion animals and those who serve and support them.

“We were thrilled to recognize these Members of Congress with the Pets’ Best Friend award and to once again co-host this important celebration of pets and pet ownership in America,” said Pet Advocacy Network President and CEO Mike Bober.

“Just as complete and balanced nutrition is critical for pets, policies and programs that ensure healthy lives for people and pets are also important. Pet Night on Capitol Hill is a wonderful opportunity for the pet care community to showcase its longstanding commitment to the importance of service dogs for veterans, pets in classrooms for children, and the dire need for more pet-friendly housing, especially for domestic violence shelters,” said Dana Brooks, President & CEO of PFI.

Pet Night is part of Pet Week on Capitol Hill, a week-long series of virtual programming and in-person visits. Virtual sessions share key data about how pets are important for human health and quality of life and highlight the most pressing issues relating to pet ownership in America. All recorded sessions from Pet Week on Capitol Hill are now available to view on-demand at http://www.petnight.com

Source: Pet Business

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Doggy quote of the month for September

Posted on September 1, 2024 | Leave a comment

“Some people talk to animals. Not many listen though. That’s the problem.”

– A A Milne, author of Winnie the Pooh

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Novel, targeted canine cancer therapy receives US patent

Posted on August 24, 2024 | 2 comments
Photo: Maria Sbytova/Adobe Stock

FidoCure, the flagship brand of the One Health Company, has been granted a patent for a novel targeted therapy and biomarker for canine cancer by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The patent covers a new approach to treatment, using mutation profiling to better manage bladder cancer in dogs.1

The now-patented approach, driven by artificial intelligence (AI), considers real-world evidence from veterinary clinical data and uses it to determine the ideal methodology for therapeutic treatment. Early data reports suggest the new approach may be more efficacious compared to conventional treatment methods.1

“This patent acknowledges the uniqueness of our approach, which has consistently demonstrated that it can transform outcomes for pet dogs with cancer while improving the quality of life for the patients,” Christina Lopes, cofounder and CEO of the One Health Company and FidoCure, said in a news release.1 “Receiving a patent is an important milestone in our mission to increase access to lifesaving treatments for pet dogs with cancer.”

Each year, 6 million dogs in the US are affected by cancer, and many of them by bladder cancer.1 Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the tumor that affects the bladder, and Atlantic Veterinary Internal Medicine and Oncology (AVIMO) approximates that TCC is diagnosed in 80,000 dogs each year.2 Biologically speaking, canine cancer is relatively similar to human cancer, but, according to FidoCure, treatment and care for canine cancer is about 20 years behind humans.1

“Bladder cancer [treatment] in dogs is an unmet need,” Gerald Post, DVM, MEM, CACVIM, chief medical officer of One Health, said in a news release.1 “Traditional chemotherapy and radiation therapy are often ineffective, cause toxic side effects, and are expensive.”

The patent, No. 12036281-B2, protects FidoCure’s technology for 20 years following its priority date.1 Lopes, alongside her FidoCure cofounder Benjamin Lewis and other key team members, are named as inventors on the patent. The company currently has an additional 8 pending patents, covering novel therapeutics and biomarkers, and will be seeking approval from the FDA for their products in the near future, according to the release.1

FidoCure came together with the goal to improve outcomes for canine cancer patients. More specifically, the founders wanted to put an end to blanket chemotherapy and radiation treatments, regardless of cancer type, citing the use of target therapies in human oncology. They’ve since partnered with a board of medical and veterinary advisors with multidisciplinary knowledge, spanning the fields of human and canine oncology.3

Among the company’s achievements is the FidoCure Next Generation Sequencing Test, through which the results allow care providers to better customize treatment options using targeted therapies. In early 2022, FidoCure partnered with IDEXX, a company focused on global pet healthcare innovation, to provide access to the test to its’ veterinary clients throughout the US and Canada.4

References

  1. FidoCure Receives Patent for AI-Driven Drug Development, Accelerating a Novel Portfolio of Precision Therapeutic for Cancer. News release. FidoCure. August 13, 2024. Accessed August 15, 2024. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240813574729/en/FidoCure-Receives-Patent-for-AI-Driven-Drug-Development-Accelerating-a-Novel-Portfolio-of-Precision-Therapeutic-for-Cancer
  2. Understanding Bladder Cancer in Dogs. American Veterinary Internal Medicine and Oncology. Accessed August 15, 2024. https://avim.us/bladder-cancer-in-dogs/
  3. FidoCure. AI Driven Precision Medicine Platform for Canine Cancer. One Health Company. Accessed August 15, 2024. https://fidocure.com/
  4. One Health Company partners with IDEXX to enhance canine cancer care. dvm360. January 20, 2022. Accessed August 23, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/one-health-company-partners-with-idexx-to-enhance-canine-cancer-care

Source: MJH Life Sciences, DVM 360

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An Unexpected Way to Lower Your Dementia Risk: Pet Ownership

Posted on August 18, 2024 | 1 comment

What if reducing your dementia risk could be as simple as owning a dog? Several observational studies published last year suggest pet ownership could meaningfully reduce your risk among proving other emotional and physical benefits. Sixty-six percent of households in the United States own a pet, with dogs being the most popular companion. Pets can bring us joy, help alleviate stress, offer companionship, and even help us lead a more active lifestyle.

Researchers have now found an added benefit of being a pet owner — pets could stave off brain aging in humans. People who own pets are less lonely — a major risk factor for dementia. Now, scientists are interested in seeing whether people who owned cats or dogs had a lower risk of cognitive decline or dementia.

Owning a dog or cat could meaningfully reduce your risk of developing dementia, several observational studies published last year found, especially if you’re over the age of 50.

What does the science say about dementia, dogs and cats?

In 2023, Japanese researchers published a study that looked at 11,194 older adults to see whether owning dogs or cats provided a protective effect against dementia. 

Compared to those without pets, dog owners were 40 percent less likely to develop dementia over a four year period. Additionally, dog owners who were social or exercised regularly experienced an extra 20 percent decrease in dementia risk. The study didn’t find evidence that owning cats had a similar effect.

Chinese researchers published a similar study last year, also looking at the link between pet ownership and cognitive decline. The study’s participants received psychological tests to assess their memory, verbal fluency, and thinking eight years apart. The cohort was composed of 7,495 adults over the age of 50 living in the UK. 

Among individuals who were living alone, owning a cat or dog was associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline. However, older adults living with other people saw no significant benefit, which suggests that companionship from dogs or cats could offset some of the negative effects of living alone.

This field of research is still very new, and for people who have already developed Alzheimer’s or dementia, there isn’t a lot of research yet on how interactions with pets or trained therapy animals affect further cognitive decline. 

Despite the lack of concrete research on cognitive decline, many long-term care facilities have also started implementing animal-assisted therapy for their residents facilitated by certified handlers and trained dogs. Dogs can still improve their quality of life and have been shown to offer stress-reducing benefits. Spending time with a furry friend could ease agitation, aggression, depression, and even help residents cope with sundowning, emotional and behavioral issues that worsen as daytime fades.

While more research is needed to determine whether adopting pets can have a protective effect on the brains of isolated older adults, pet ownership can offer many benefits to your emotional and physical health.

Source: Being Patient – Alzheimer’s news, advice, stories & support

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Life Lessons from a Divine Knucklehead

Posted on August 14, 2024 | 1 comment

How many of us would love to write a book about our dogs, but lack the skill, time, resources or dedication to do so? Douglas Green has not only written about his dog, Shirelle, but has introduced a second edition of his book that was originally published in 2015.

The Teachings of Shirelle (Life Lessons from a Divine Knucklehead) is a memoir of a special dog.

The book is a series of chapters, all constituted of short passages, some only a paragraph in length and others 1-2 pages. It is written in the style of thoughts and, if you’re anything like me, you don’t think in lengthy chapters and so the pace is consistent with how I live my life.

It’s as if thoughts have popped into Douglas’ head as he remembers his life with Shirelle and he had to write quickly to capture the moment – the wisdom she shared in that moment.

As a bonus, the writing style makes this book uncomplicated – you can easily bookmark your place on your commute to work, or whenever you are too tired to keep reading.

“She wasn’t the smartest dog who ever lived, says Green in his Introduction. “She was fast and strong but not an award winner. She was beautiful but not a model for calendars. She was bright, except when she was an uncontrollable idiot.”

How many of us can relate?

As their lives together extend into years, Green develops a deep appreciation for Shirelle’s approach to life; a mirror through which he channels deeper wisdom. Shirelle is there through various relationships with women, and through career highlights such as directing a stage play called Sylvia which stars a dog as a central character that brings a husband and wife together and saves their marriage (you’ll have to read the book for more info on the play).

The worst part of the book is, understandably, the ending when Shirelle loses her battle with hemangiosarcoma and Green succumbs to that intense grief we feel when we lose a loved pet. But, then again, dog people know that our dogs lives are short. The ending isn’t a surprise, but inevitable when the main character is a dog.

Add to your reading list now and perhaps the Christmas shopping list for the dog lover in your life. And I will close with a passage from Green’s last Christmas card which featured Shirelle:

Love Thoughtlessly.

Relish the day.

If you’re not in awe,

You’re just not paying attention.

The publicist for the book, MindBuck Media, kindly sent me an advance review copy to enable me to read the book which went on sale on 9 July 2024. The views expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Kathleen Crisley, Fear-Free certified professional and specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and canine fitness,  The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand.

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Doggy quote of the month for August

Posted on July 31, 2024 | 1 comment

“If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.”

– James Herriot, British veterinary surgeon and author

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When Dogs Smell Your Stress, They Act Sad

Posted on July 28, 2024 | Leave a comment
Hailey Seelig/Getty Images

Humans and dogs have been close companions for perhaps 30,000 years, according to anthropological and DNA evidence. So it would make sense that dogs would be uniquely qualified to interpret human emotion. They have evolved to read verbal and visual cues from their owners, and previous research has shown that with their acute sense of smell, they can even detect the odor of stress in human sweat. Now researchers have found that not only can dogs smell stress—in this case represented by higher levels of the hormone cortisol—they also react to it emotionally.

For the new study, published Monday in Scientific Reports, scientists at the University of Bristol in England recruited 18 dogs of varying breeds, along with their owners. Eleven volunteers who were unfamiliar to the dogs were put through a stress test involving public speaking and arithmetic while samples of their underarm sweat were gathered on pieces of cloth. Next, the human participants underwent a relaxation exercise that included watching a nature video on a beanbag chair under dim lighting, after which new sweat samples were taken. Sweat samples from three of these volunteers were used in the study.

Participating canines were put into three groups and smelled sweat samples from one of the three volunteers. Prior to doing so, the dogs were trained to know that a food bowl at one location contained a treat and that a bowl at another location did not. During testing, bowls that did not contain a treat were sometimes placed in one of three “ambiguous” locations. In one testing session, when the dogs smelled the sample from a stressed volunteer, compared with the scent of a cloth without a sample, they were less likely to approach the bowl in one of the ambiguous locations, suggesting that they thought this bowl did not contain a treat. Previous research has shown that an expectation of a negative outcome reflects a down mood in dogs.

The results imply that when dogs are around stressed individuals, they’re more pessimistic about uncertain situations, whereas proximity to people with the relaxed odor does not have this effect, says Zoe Parr-Cortes, lead study author and a Ph.D. student at Bristol Veterinary School at the University of Bristol. “For thousands of years, dogs have learned to live with us, and a lot of their evolution has been alongside us. Both humans and dogs are social animals, and there’s an emotional contagion between us,” she says. “Being able to sense stress from another member of the pack was likely beneficial because it alerted them of a threat that another member of the group had already detected.”

The fact that the odor came from an individual who was unfamiliar to the dogs speaks to the importance of smell for the animals and to the way it affects emotions in such practical situations, says Katherine A. Houpt, a professor emeritus of behavioral medicine at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Houpt, who was not involved in the new study, suggests that the smell of stress may have reduced the dogs’ hunger because it’s known to impact appetite. “It might not be that it’s changing their decision-making but more that it’s changing their motivation for food,” she says. “It makes sense because when you’re super stressed, you’re not quite as interested in that candy bar.”

This research, Houpt adds, shows that dogs have empathy based on smell in addition to visual and verbal cues. And when you’re stressed, that could translate into behaviors that your dog doesn’t normally display, she says. What’s more, it leaves us to wonder how stress impacts the animals under the more intense weight of an anxious owner. “If the dogs are responding to more mild stress like this, I’d be interested to see how they responded to something more serious like an impending tornado, losing your job or failing a test,” Houpt says. “One would expect the dog to be even more attuned to an actual threat.”

Source: Scientific American

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Mutual Rescue™ surviving cancer

Posted on July 14, 2024 | 1 comment

When Meridel adopted Sadie, little did she know that they both would both have cancer in common.

The latest Mutual Rescue video tells their story. Cancer is a devastating diagnosis to receive, be it for a human or animal. I particularly like that Meridel talks about the love hormone – oxytocin – in this piece. There’s documented evidence about how the stroking of a dog results in release of this hormone in both the owner and the dog.

You can’t get more mutual than that!

Mutual Rescue™ is a trademarked initiative of the Humane Society Silicon Valley.  Aimed at changing the way people think of animal welfare and adoption, each year the Society asks for submissions from people to share their story about a special connection they have made with an animal.

Kathleen Crisley, Fear-Free certified professional and specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and canine fitness,  The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand.

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Doggy quote of the month for July

Posted on June 30, 2024 | 1 comment

“Dogs are the leaders of the planet. If you see two life forms, one of them’s making a poop, the other one’s carrying it for him, who would you assume is in charge.”

– Jerry Seinfeld, comedian and actor

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Breaking: Inotiv to pay historic $35 million in case involving thousands of beagles

Posted on June 21, 2024 | 1 comment

The U.S. Department of Justice just announced that Inotiv will pay more than $35 million, including an $11 million fine for violating the Animal Welfare Act, the largest in the Act’s history, because of violations that occurred at a facility that bred dogs for use in animal testing in Cumberland, Virginia. Inotiv is the parent company of Envigo RMS, which owned the breeding facility. As a result of these violations and a federal investigation, during 2022, our team removed more than 4,000 beagles in a monumental effort. 

Our teams coordinated the placement of these dogs with our invaluable shelter and rescue partners so they could become loving and loved companion animals. It was an incredible honor to lead this effort in helping these dogs start new lives, assisting with their transfer and care, and celebrating as one beagle after another—thousands of them―were adopted into loving homes.  

The resolution stems from the investigation the DOJ carried out at the Envigo facility, which included executing a criminal search warrant in May 2022. At that time, our team assisted federal authorities with removing nearly 450 dogs and puppies in “acute distress” from the facility, which had been cited for numerous violations of the Animal Welfare Act. Our shelter and rescue partners stepped up to find loving homes for these dogs in addition to the thousands of beagles who we helped to remove from the facility later that year.  

Government inspectors also found that beagles there were being killed instead of receiving veterinary care for easily treated conditions; nursing mother beagles were being denied food; and the food that they did receive contained maggots, mold and feces. Over an eight-week period, 25 beagle puppies died from cold exposure. Several dogs suffered injuries when they were attacked by other dogs in overcrowded conditions. Records examined by the DOJ revealed persistent negligence in providing appropriate veterinary care to animals in need. 

Here’s how the $35 million breaks down: In addition to paying the fine for violations of the Animal Welfare Act, Inotiv/Envigo agreed to pay an additional $11 million in fines for violating the Clean Water Act, and $13.5 million in support for animal welfare and environmental projects, law enforcement expenses and facilities improvements; the latter figures includes approximately $1.9 million that Inotiv has agreed to pay to the Humane Society of the United States for our team’s role during the investigation.  

We are relieved that another result of the plea agreement is that no Inotiv entities, including Envigo, will breed or sell dogs. 

While ensuring the safety and ultimate adoption of the animals in distress at this site was our priority, we also never lost sight of the underlying problems that led to the investigation at Inotiv/Envigo. For dogs born into facilities like Envigo’s, the day they leave is often the beginning of even more suffering in laboratories, as we saw in an undercover investigation that took place over seven months in 2021. An HSUS investigator at one of Inotiv’s contract animal testing laboratories in Indiana documented dogs continuing to be given doses of toxic substances even when they were vomiting, shaking, unable to stand and had high fevers and labored breathing. The 250 dogs at the facility spent their days confined, were subjected to painful injections and multiple blood draws, and were force-fed substances through stomach tubes. Most of them were killed at the end of the experiments, a typical practice for drug testing. 

An estimated 45,000 dogs are used in experiments each year in the U.S., and tens of thousands more are held in laboratory breeding facilities. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: The only way to ensure a more humane future for dogs and other animals used in testing labs is to replace animal testing with advanced technological alternatives. We continue to urge Inotiv and the others in the testing industry to implement humane replacements.  

The case also shows how, when federal agencies work together, animals can benefit. Historically, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has been designated to enforce the Animal Welfare Act; however, the DOJ also has authority to issue injunctions. Recently, responding to increasing public demand for accountability and oversight, the DOJ has intervened in several significant cases, including complaints it brought against big cat exhibitors Jeffrey and Lauren Lowe and a licensed dog breeder in Iowa with at least 100 violations in just six months. 

We have been working to secure passage of the Better Collaboration, Accountability, and Regulatory Enforcement (CARE) for Animals Act, which would strengthen the DOJ’s enforcement powers under the Animal Welfare Act, giving the agency more enforcement tools, such as the ability to pursue license revocations, civil penalties and, where appropriate, the use of seizure/forfeiture in cases in which animals are suffering because of evident animal welfare violations. (It would have been natural for the House Agriculture Committee to incorporate the Better CARE for Animals Act into its Farm Bill package, which traditionally has included such measures, but it didn’t, so we’ll keep advocating for its passage in the Congress where it already enjoys substantial support.)

The transfer of those thousands of beagles from Envigo was already a historic moment in our collective fight against animal cruelty. This settlement is historic in its own distinctive way as it underscores that there is a tremendous cost for animal cruelty and our society is increasingly becoming one that will not tolerate the mistreatment of animals. That is certainly something to celebrate. 

Source: The Humane Society of the United States

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