Entries by Marie Gilmore

Students raise petition for in-training service dogs in dorms

Students are discussing the topic of having dogs and service animals in training on campus, arguing they should be allowed in Ohio University residence halls. The current policy states animal pets are generally not permitted within OU buildings or vehicles, with some exceptions. An exception is made for service or assistance animals, and although service animals in […]

Study Shows That Dogs Can Smell Trauma

Dogs have served as man’s best friend for thousands of years. They have been guardians, herders, hunters, and beloved companions for generations upon generations. In modern times, they are often considered part of the family. However, there are still some dogs with jobs to do, from emotional support dogs to airport-sniffing dogs. Some dogs are service […]

How therapy dogs bring healing to Western Pa. funeral homes

Seeing a dog in a funeral home is not what most people might expect — but Judy Ryave McGuire, director of aftercare and community outreach for Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. in Shadyside, and Laney, a 6-year-old goldendoodle, are a therapy team who provide comfort at funerals. “Laney just knows how to comfort people just by […]

Firefighter and Therapy Dog: A Bond Beyond Duty

At Charlotte Firehouse 27, a unique partnership has become a beacon of hope and mental health awareness. Firefighter Matthew Wiatrowski and his therapy dog, Phoenix, are not just colleagues in service; they are a testament to Charlotte Fire Department‘s commitment to mental health and the transformative power of the K9 Therapy Program. Matthew Wiatrowski, originally from […]

Why Pets Are Good for Your Mental Health

Most pet owners would agree that spending time with furry family members is a joyful and healing experience. And while there’s no shortage of anecdotal evidence that our pets make us happy, there is a growing body of research that helps explain how they benefit our mental health and overall wellness, also known as the […]

Cats mourn the loss of other pets, similar to human grief

For pet owners, a pet is not just an animal, but a part of the family. This emotional bond is deep and enduring, mixing joy, love, and sometimes pain – because, let’s face it – losing a pet is heart-wrenching. We often consider our grief as humans, but what happens to the other pets like […]

Animal Chronicles: Heartworm disease in our pets

You may have heard of heartworms, but what exactly are they and what health problems can they cause in pets? Heartworms are exactly that: long worms (up to 14 inches, in fact) that, in adulthood, live in the heart and pulmonary arteries of an infected dog. These are very different than other types of parasitic […]

Six ways to get more joy with your dog

These simple exercises can foster a deeper connection with your pet and improve your mental health By Stacey Colino March 9, 2024 at 11:11 a.m. EST The human-dog connection runs deep. Dogs are so tuned in to their people that they catch their human’s yawns — even if they simply hear the yawn rather than see it. “The […]

THERAPY DOGS BRING SMILES; REDUCE CADET STRESS

By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Cadet 3rd Class Nicolina Brown said she loves Go Team Therapy Crisis and Airport Dogs so much that she has a perfect answer whenever she’s late meeting friends. “I say, ‘you can’t blame me; there was a dog,’” Brown said. For 12 years, […]