Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
May 2017
Tri-State Area Pet News
service dogs for local veterans coping with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and related challenges. Since January
2013, shes been doing just that.
Overseen by a Board of Directors and staffed by a part-time Executive Director, Photos by Kirsta Davey www.kirstadaveyphotography.com
part-time Operations Coordinator, full-time Training Director, and many dedicated
Oh theyre cute, alright, but before you fall in love with the first available kitten If you arent aware of the big fe-
you hear about, make sure you know how to enter into this long-term commitment line picture, here it is; There are
well informed. Little and new as they are, kittens can come with lots of baggage. too many cats. Cat overpopulation
If you adopt a kitten from a shelter, many potential problems have already been causes a great deal of suffering for
eliminated. Before you adopt a shelter kitten, shelters in our area will have al- felines; we see it every day at An-
ready tested the kittens (or their mothers) for FIV and Feline Leukemia, and imal Dreams, and shelters see it
started a series of vaccines to protect the kitten from distemper and other feline too. If you are adopting an unfixed
diseases. The kitten will have been treated for parasites and spayed or neutered. kitten, be part of the solution and
Shelters and their foster volunteers will have done their best to socialize the kit- get it spayed or neutered. Even
ten so theyre prepared for their new life as a house cat. Shelter staff will be able those who intend to keep the cat
to tell you any medical or behavioral issues you should be aware of as a new inside will find that a cat in heat,
owner. The adoption fee for a kitten is well worth all of this. Theres simply no or a male cat looking for love will get out and board the cat-populating train. If
such thing as a free kitten if you intend to care for it properly. Start-up vet costs you can afford to take the kitten to your vet to be fixed, do so; its a great way to
would easily be double or triple the adoption fee if you took the kitten to your own establish a lifelong relationship between your new feline and your vet. If you cant
vet. afford that, call Berkshire Humane Society and ask about their Catsnip program.
If you have found out about a kitten that needs a home from social media or a Dakin Spay and Neuter Clinic also offers a low-cost spay and neuter program.
friend, youll probably want to know a few things before you make a decision to If you adopt a kitten, you can expect to have this new companion in your life for
adopt it. 15 or so years. Take your time and make sure its a good experience for you and
First, kittens should be with their mothers for at least eight weeks. This is so the new feline you are welcoming into your family.
mom can continue to nurture, feed, and teach them. If theres no mom in the pic-
ture for the full eight weeks, its best for kitten siblings to stay with each other for Carol Lew
some of those same reasons. Kittens who have this good foundation have a much Animal DREAMS
animal life
better chance of growing up to be healthy, well-adjusted cats. Go on line and find TNR Coordinator
a picture of what an eight-week-old kitten looks like. Make sure the kitten you are
considering looks at least eight weeks old. If you bring a scale, weigh the kitten;
at eight weeks old, it should weigh about two pounds. Not all people who are
finding homes for kittens know their age, and not all of them are honest about the
kittens in their charge.
If you adopt a kitten from someone, ask if they have had the mother cat tested
for FIV and Feline Leukemia. Testing the mother is the most reliable way to de-
termine if the kittens have either of these diseases. Testing the kitten is not com-
pletely reliable until they are over six months old. If the owner of the mother cat
hasnt had her tested, youll be taking a bit of a risk. The risk is greater if you al-
ready have felines.
If a kitten hasnt gotten the right kind of care early on, they may need to be Celebrating Our 20th Year!
Your pet. Our purpose.
nursed back to health with the help of your veterinarian. There are many issues Publisher/Owner
including anemia from fleabites, upper respiratory infection, parasites, viruses, Kim Arre-Gerber aladvertising@aol.com
and inadequate nutrition. Its a kind thing to take on a kitten that isnt the picture
of health, but only if you plan to seek veterinary help to get the kitten back on
Contributing Writers
track.
Iris Bass Fran Martino Carol Lew Yoanna Y. Maitre Kathy Heinz
Kittens need socialization. Its important to know how much interaction the kit-
Karen Karlberg Rebecca Stanard Leea Foran
ten has had with people in the first eight weeks of their lives. If they havent had Circulation Fred Speyrer & Martha Chiorgno
regular human contact between the ages of four and eight weeks, it will be much Cover photo contributed4
harder to socialize them after that. You may have visions of a kitten running up
to you begging to play, or curled up purring on your lap. A kitten who was not so-
Mailing Address: 9 County Court, Pittsfield, MA 01201
cialized during those four crucial weeks may be skittish around people well into
www.animallifeonline.com
adulthood. Those kittens also need homes, but make sure you have realistic ex-
A Paw Print Division of Animal Laughter Studio. All original content copyright 2017 Animal Life.
May is a great month. It is the beginning of warmer weather, from a reliable venue, preferably your veterinarian. Fake products are often
longer days, blooming flowers, and a time to recognize our four available on the internet and can be quite harmful despite what is advertised. She
relayed it is very difficult to detect the real product from the imitation one. She
legged friends. The American Veterinary Medical Association shared with me how she had a hard time seeing the difference on a couple of prod-
has designated May 7 through May 13 as National Pet Week and ucts despite close securitization; it was an extremely subtle difference between the
National Be Kind to Animals Week. Petco and Blue Buffalo genuine product and the bogus product. BUYERS BEWARE!!
have named May as National Pet Cancer Awareness Month. It is
Yearly examinations are highly recommended to ensure optimal health just as in
human health. It is much less costly to treat an illness diagnosed early as well as
only fitting that a gentle nudge be given on the importance of obtain more favorable outcomes. Preventative diagnostics at a certain age will
medical care for our furry friends. optimize early detection. That is why Dr. Carey suggests baseline blood tests be-
ginning at age 7. Around age 10, radiographs are encouraged.
Our pets give us so much love and companion- According to The Veterinary Cancer Society the leading cause of death in 47%
ship with no expectation of anything in return. of canines is cancer and in cats it is 32%. The most common cancers in dogs are
These fur children motivate us to get up and go, osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, bladder, breast, and mast cell. Most common fe-
listen to our problems without passing judgment, line cancers are: lymphoma, soft tissue sarcoma, and squamous cell. According
and sometimes assist us in making new friends. In to Dr. Carey, not only does early detection have better outcomes , it gives the
return, we need to ensure they get proper medical owner time to come to terms with the diagnosis and make decisions that are best
care to promote THEIR optimal wellness. for both the pet and the owner.
Dr. Kathleen Carey, one of the veterinarians ex- The National Canine Cancer Foundation has listed 10 waning signs to report to
traordinaire at Berkshire Veterinary Hospital, was your veterinarian:
more than happy to share some of her knowledge
on pet care with me. Dr. Careys love of animals Abnormal swelling that persists
and desire to care for them began at a young age. Sores that do not heal
Her mother is a strong advocate for all animals as Weight loss
well as a wildlife rehabilitation specialist. They Loss of appetite
shared their home with all sorts of animals which Bleeding / discharge from body opening
included dogs, goats, rabbits, exotics, and horses Offensive odor
Dr. Kathleen Carey
to name a few. Difficulty chewing or swallowing
Dr. Carey graduated from University of Con- Loss of stamina/ hesitant with exercise
necticut and Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine. Her areas of interest are quite Persistent lameness
diverse and consist of: canine, reptile, feline, and ruminants. While in Veterinary Difficulty breathing, urinating, defecating
school, she volunteered with rescue groups and fostered many a dog. She cur-
rently is a proud owner of rescue dogs. I feel grateful to not only know her but With regular veterinary care, our pets will remain free of preventable illness and
have her as the provider of care for my animals. Her philosophy on animal wel- live a long healthy life. The Center for Disease Control has also stated that good
fare is enduring; domestic species rely on us for all care to promote a quality of hygiene and hand washing will go a long way in preventing the spread of any po-
life. tential zoonotic disease. By following these suggestions, you and your pet will
Dr. Carey emphasizes preventative medicine starting in the puppy stage. Puppy enjoy a long happy life together.
series of vaccinations will promote wellness and prevent potentially fatal disease.
Solid nutrition is necessary for proper mind and body development. She relayed Happy Tails Until Next Month!
one does not need to purchase the most expensive food as most of the commer-
cial foods certified AAFCO are adequate. Special foods and diets are on an indi- Kathy Mikaniewicz Hynes, RN BSN is a veteran AirForce Flight Nurse and has done
vidual basis. research on the Human-Animal Bond as well as used her rescue dogs as work partners .
She is the owner/operator of Got Spots : an organization to promote optimal wellness
Another aspect in preventative care is parasite management. The most common
through the human-animal bond. The organization is pending 501c status. She is presently
parasites are fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms. There are different methods to pre- employed as a psychiatric nurse for the Veteran Administration and a substitute nurse
vent vermin infestation. Your veterinarian is the best person to advice on which and teacher for the City of Pittsfield.
type is best for your pet. Dr. Carey recommends getting the product you choose
413-446-0684 Reliable
Insured & Bonded
References
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Breathes there a cat who will just roll over and snore at the sound or appearance
of a bird, insect, or mouse? Even the most well-nourished feline will likely track
a potential meal in motion, although our domesticated friends no longer need the
protein sources of their wild ancestors.
Such was demonstrated by five-year-old Angel when I visited Purradise on April
19. A handsome gray tuxedo with a perfect upside-down heart of a white muzzle,
he had a clear agenda when released from his condo into the Sunshine Spa. First,
he batted at a mechanical wand hidden beneath a crackly cloth, grabbing its col-
orful plastic tip numerous times despite the random timing of its spins. Then, bird
activity at the rooms two outside feeders drew his attention, as did a larger bird
he spotted hopping on the grass below the sill. And although a landlubber from
kittenhood, he also enjoyed tossing and recapturing a fish-shaped toy I offered him Angel, on avian alert. Photos 2017 Sheila Heflin.
while he was midway up a carpeted cat tree.
In your own home, there are many ways to engage your cats ancient hunting in-
Avoid high-rise syndrome, wherever your windows
stincts. Toy mice or other stuffed animals are oft a favorite plaything (just be sure
It is not true that cats always land on their feet. It can take only a few inches of
they, or such attachments as whiskers, are not so small, flimsy, or fine as to be ed-
raised windowor an ill-fitting or torn screenfor a cat to get through and be
ible); likewise, wand-style dangling toys (take care that Kitty doesnt ingest the
hurt from any height. A sad example: when I lived midway up a three-story NYC
object or cord, and put the toy away when not in use). Sturdy battery-powered or
brownstone, the lady downstairs found the upstairs tenants cat in her backyard
wind-up wheeled toys sold for either cats or young children are great to chase.
with a broken legafter it had dived through a barely open window (she took it
Even a humble crumpled piece of paper or a drinking straw can launch many a
to the vet herself, as its owners were away at work).
thrilling game of pounce, bat, and release. Placing a ball or other object inside a
Think of it this way: Screening your windows (inexpensive, horizontally sliding
large paper bag (cut off any handles first) or open carton for Kitty to play Whack-
screens that fit snugly into the inner frame of an open window can be found by
a-Mole also keeps those senses and paws alert at little or no expense. Some cats
any hardware store) costs far less than emergency vet bills...or Kittys life.
delight in carrying or hiding toys as they would in the wild to keep prey from ri-
Plus, they keep out flying insects, to everyones comfort!
vals; learn Kittys favorite stashing places and mix it up by adding a new toy or
two to the collection or rotating how many toys are available at one time, to keep
This series follows the special human-feline bond at Purradise, the Berkshire Humane
the fun fresh. Society Cat Adoption Center at 301 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230 (413-
Wherever you live, help Kitty safely birdwatch by creating a glassed or screened 717-4244), berkshirehumane.org. Open Wed., Fri., & Sat. 104 p.m.; Thurs. 10 a.m.6
view (please see box) of surrounding foliage that attract birds or of feeders hung p.m.; and Sun. noon4 p.m.
outside. Add a sturdy surface where Kitty can sit if sills are narrow. Securely lid-
ded fish tanks can also provide hours of entertainment without harm to the fish. Iris Bass, coauthor of the Cat Lovers Daily Companion, shares her Lee home
And see whether Kitty likes nature videos of birds or other animals, easily with five shelter cats.
accessed on television or the Internet, or borrowed from the library...perhaps even
those silly cat or dog videos that have you rolling on the floor!
If your home is invaded by undesirable prey, please use only nontoxic, non-
snapping means to eliminate them (those blue antimouse crystals can be deadly
to pets; a snap trap could cripple a curious cat). Some natural, safe solutions: keep
summertime ants out of pets food dishes by placing each dish in a slightly larger
bowl filled with water (I squirt in a little peppermint-scented soap, which ants
dont like); peppermint (herb, oil, or soap), used along moldings, cracks, and pipe
entry points, is also a good mouse preventative, as are those plug-in electronic giz-
mos that do not affect cats. Be sure to swat visiting bees or wasps quickly, before
Kitty can swallow them live or be stung (again, see box).
If your pet does take down a mouse or other living creature, remember to say
thank you as you release or otherwise dispose of it, as a scolding or show of dis-
gust will only confuse your proud hunter. After all, Kitty is simply doing what cats
have been wired to do for centuries to guarantee their own survival...so, why stop
now!
I took my dog to my veterinarian last week and when the vet tech
Training Services walked into the room my dog growled at her. She said my dog was
acting alpha and I need to be more in charge. Is this true and if so how
do I be more in charge?
For appointment and/or
Upcoming Class Schedule Dogs will growl to let us know they are at the limit of their tolerance in a situation.
call Like a smoke detector or tornado siren, we dont love hearing it but we know we
have been warned to take immediate action to prevent some kind of disaster--and
518-764-1320 for that we should be very grateful.
Fear, not dominance is a much more likely rea-
son for your dogs growl. Past experience, antic-
ipation of pain, odors and sounds that enhance
stress hormones and the body language and
Susan & George Clark, ABCDT sadsam12@hotmail.com www.foryourpetshealth.com
feel safer. Make extra visits to the office when you dont have an appointment and
Certified Dog Behavior Consultant
Certified Tellington TTouch Practitioner II
Training for Real Life Needs
give out lots of treats or bring his favorite toy to play with so your dog begins to
AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
Amer Red Cross Pet First Aid Instructor 413-445-8843
feel more relaxed there.
With 36 Years of
www.trainingforanimals.com
Many times people interpret a dogs growl as a sign of protecting you when a
Teaching Experience
stranger is approaching. This might be the case for certain dogs who have been
I believe that training should bring a smile to your face & a wag to your tail. I will never use
trained to protect or have a genetic predisposition for protection. If so, then the pro-
force or intimidation to train your dog. Positive reinforcement and up-to-date scientifically
based behavior modification programs bring positive results and lasting change. Leea
tection dog should have both verbal and body language cues from you that tell him
the situation is safe and there is no need to protect you. But more often the dog is
Shepherd to others involved in the situation that will help to diffuse the tension. This might
include creating more distance, using a tone of voice that conveys safety and con-
fidence to your dog, and asking someone to stop doing something that concerns
your dog, like reaching out to touch him.
Kennel Leea Foran, CDBC, CPTA-KA is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and
Behavior consultant, Certified Tellington TTouch Practitioner Level 2 and owner
of Foranimals, LLC in Lenox, MA.
Since 1972
Stonewood
Specializing in the behavior and transition
problems of shelter and rescue dogs.
Training & Certification for
Kennels
Therapy Dogs International
Home of:
Select AKC Champions 2000 Canadian Grand Victrix
United States Top Ten Police K-9 Unit Service Dogs
AKC Obedience, Agility and Herding titleholders NADAC & Where quality puppies come to life.
Charlene Marchand Spring litter of beautiful German Shepherd puppies born and
nurtured in Becket, MA will be ready to go home the end of May.
413-446-8261
North Chatham, NY 518-766-3804
Charlene Marchand is a syndicated columnist for training, behavior, and health issues. She is
actively involved in canine rescue and sheltering, and is the co-creator and trainer for Columbia
County Sheriffs highly acclaimed A New Leash On Life Cell Dog Program.
I
The Plight of the
Birds and the Bees
The State of North American Birds Report 2016,
cites that nearly a third of the United States bird species
are endangered, threatened or in significant decline.
I started out to write an article about the first bee to be added to the Endangered The report is based on the first-ever conservation assessment for all 1,154 native
Species List, but things did not go as planned. As I sat on my deck Friday morn- bird species that occur in Canada, the continental United States, and Mexico. Of
ing, drinking my morning coffee and enjoying the glorious sunshine, I found my- these species, 432 qualified for the Watch List, indicating species of highest con-
self sidetracked from the subject of bees as a new wildlife plight began to servation concern based on high vulnerability scores across multiple factors. Bird
formulate in my head instead. The cause of my distraction came from watching populations are a critical indicator of the health of our environment; they are like
a pair of American Robins gathering mud and straw to build a nest. I watched the canary in the coal mine, detect life threatening changes in the environment for
them gather the sticky mud, the delicate grass and then use an elaborate se- them and ourselves.
ries of stops at several perches along their route to the nest high up in Another important piece of legislation, the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty
a White Pine tree. I watched this entertaining game of hide & seek Act (MBTA), prohibits the harming of just about all native birds,
by the pair, and concluded that the robins were making sure along with their nests and eggs, the MBTA, along with The En-
they were not being followed by the Grackles and Jays in the dangered Species Act (ESA), are an essential safety net for mi-
area. These predatory birds could push the robins out of gratory birds, songbirds and waterfowl, in the United States,
their nest and take it over for themselves. Canada & Mexico. The ESA has been the ultimate safety net
A female robin will choose the nest sites, which are usu- for over three decades for bird species speeding toward ex-
ally on one or more horizontal branches hidden in or just tinction in the United States.
below a layer of dense leaves. Nests are typically in the I hope you have gained a new appreciation for American
lower half of a tree, but they can be built high in a treetop Robins, after reading about the skill needed to create just
like my robins have built theirs. American Robins will also one nest in hopes of perpetuating their gene pool. You may
build a nest in gutters, eaves, on outdoor light fixtures, and also be wondering, why I consider the activity of robins
other strange structures. The females build the nest from building a nest, comparable the plight of an endangered bee.
the inside out, pressing dead grass and twigs into a cup shape Simple, they both have the odds stacked against them.
using the wrist of one wing. Other materials include paper, Next, month, I will continue the discuss about the demise of
feathers, rootlets, or moss in addition to grass and twigs. Once the bees and other pollinators and the proposals that congress is now
cup is formed, she reinforces the nest using soft mud gathered from acting on that would weaken the fundamental protections of the En-
worm castings to make a heavy, sturdy nest. She then lines the nest with fine dangered Species Act. In closing, you might not be able to save all the
dry grass. The finished nest is 6-8 inches across and 3-6 inches high. I am truly wildlife in your environment, but if you can do a little bit to improve the situation
amazed at the skill and intrinsic knowledge that a robin possesses in order to be for even one species, it will make a difference. More birds will come back the
able to perform these high level tasks. next year, when you make even slight changes now. By saving birds and other
A female American Robin can produce up to three successful broods in one year. wildlife species from extinction, we are also helping the well-being of our own
Unfortunately, only 40 percent of nests will successfully produce young robins. species too. Because, I for one do not want to live in a world without birds.
Of those, only 25 percent of the fledged robins will survive to November. From Karen Karlberg
November, only about half of the robins still alive, will survive to the next year. Karen Karlberg resides in Becket MA with her menagerie of rescued barnyard &
The average population of robins, turns over every six years, although some lucky domestic animals and her husband Mark. She is actively involved in conserva-
robins can live to be 14 years old. It is an uncertain future at best for this and other tion efforts as a citizen scientist, town official, and an accomplished
pairs of robins offspring. artisan and nature photographer www.kattailphoto.com
You may not know that robins eat diverse types of food depending on the time
of day: more earthworms in the morning and more fruit later in the day. Because
the robin forages largely on lawns, they are vulnerable to pesticide poisoning and %UHH]\1RRN
can be an important indicator of chemical pollution in our own environment. Pes-
ticides, especially one class containing neonicotinoids, is known to be a con- 3HW&UHPDWRULXP/WG
tributing factor for declining bee populations and for migratory and songbird
populations as well. So, think twice about using chemicals on your lawns and in
your gardens. The robins and other wildlife will benefit from this one change.
:KHUH\RXUIHHOLQJVDUHXQGHUVWRRGDQG
Pesticides affect millions of birds worldwide, both in the water and on land. After
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U.S. law banned DDT in 1972, the country's peregrine falcon, bald eagle, osprey,
and brown pelican populations rebounded. But DDT has not gone away. This
(VWDEOLVKHGLQ
organochlorine pesticide, is still used to control mosquitoes and other pests in
many tropical countries and it persists in soil and water even in places where its
use was discontinued 30 years ago. In 2000, 120 countries signed a pesticide treaty
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The State of North American Birds Report 2016, cites that nearly a third of the
United States bird species are endangered, threatened or in significant decline.
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Each branch of the military has working dogs. All working dogs, no mat
Texas. The exception to that are the Special Operation Units, such as the G
Dog Detachment at Fort Bragg, North Carolina which is the home of Joint S
82nd Airborne.
I have had the honor and privilege to interview SSg Jon Silvey for this
handler/trainer. He is stationed at Ft. Bragg but deploys all over the world.
The U.S. Armys 550th MWD unit receives their dogs from Lackland A
teams of buyers. Some of the Malanois pups are gotten through a special b
and Belgian Malanois. The other somewhat common breeds acquired are fr
The Malanois and Shepards are raised by volunteer foster families in th
Lackland. Once their training is complete, they are shipped to their duty sta
This is a military occupation specialty. The 31K has already completed their
The dogs are trained as single purpose or dual purpose. A single purpose d
cialized Search Dogs {SSD}. They are gotten out of Europe at 12 months of
a half months. The training is in 3 phases: rapport, obedience, and detection
their natural skill for hunting and work well off lead. There are a few of thes
mainly the Marines and Coast Guard that utilize the single purpose dog.
The SSD trainers work with 2 dogs at a time if one should become sick, inju
The dual purpose dog is the Belgian Malanois and the German Shepard.
They are trained as either Patrol Explosive Detector Dogs {PEDD} or Patro
days in detection are complete, they are shipped to their duty station where
The third type of specialized training is the Patrol Explosive Detector Dog
and Kennel Master decide which teams will move on to Fort Leonard Wood
Turbo and SSg Jon Silvey of schooling. The PEDD/E dog is the replacement for the Specialized Searc
to assist the dog and handler in completing the assigned mission
The dog-handler teams are deployed worldwide as well as state side. So
duty such as in Bagram and Kandahar, Afghanistan. It is most common for t
relax by doing center line drills, fetch, and obedience exercises. Injured and
fort is made to send him/her back to the states.
The dogs serve approximately eight to nine years. Once the dog is retired
adoption at the kennel of their duty station. If there is no interest in adoption
through Lackland AFB. SSgt Silvey noted there is usually a wait list for the
some dogs have PTSD or cannot be with certain age groups, such as children
have been spayed prior to beginning their military career.
SSg Silvey has adopted both of his canine partners. He adopted his first
2014. Unfortunately he had to be euthanized on July nineteen 2015 due to lym
pointer. He worked with him since 2013. He is now living happy and peace
The core values of duty, honor, respect, integrity, courage, and loyalty no
ber our military heroes, we think of the working dogs also. I wish everyone
out them, we would not be the LAND OF THE FREE. It is not an entitlem
to you tube and listen to Lee Greenwood Proud to Be American-Bless the
tter what branch of service, are trained at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio,
Green Beret. This article is concentrated on the U.S. Army 550th Military Working
Special Operations, US Army Forces Command, Army Reserve Command, and the
informative story. SSg Silvey is an experienced combat veteran, and senior canine
ir Force Base. The dogs are purchased as puppies from Europe by specially trained
breeding program at Lackland AFB. The predominant breeds are German Shepards
rom the hunting group, which include the Labrador and Pointer.
he San Antonio, Texas area for 18 months. They then enter Dog Training School at
ations and paired with their handler. The handler is known in the military as a 31K.
r three and a half month course as a handler.
dog is the hunting breed, such as the Labrador and Pointer. They are known as Spe-
f age and begin their training at Lackland AFB at that time. Their training is five and
. Their skill is finding explosives. They are more easily trained for that function due
se dogs remaining in the Army as the Army has moved to the dual purpose dog. It is
ome duty stations have special kennels for the working dogs to stay in when not on
the handler to keep his dog with him. When not on duty, the dog gets to destress and
sick dogs are given veterinary care. If a dog should die in the line of duty, every ef-
d the handler has first choice to adopt. If he opts not to adopt, the dog is offered for
n, the dog is listed for adoption out of the area. Applicants apply to adopt a Hero dog
e dogs. Prior to adoption, a screening process is done to ensure proper placement as
n. In addition, all vetting is made current including the neuter of male dogs. Females
dog, Turbo, a black lab. Turbo served in Afghanistan as an SSD. He came home in
mphoma. Just last month, SSg Silvey retired his partner, Fido, a German shorthaired
fully with him and his family in North Carolina.
ot only apply to the handler but the canine as well. I hope the next time we remem-
would say a prayer for those who serve in the military or have served because with-
ment; it is a privilege to be living in this country. I ask all who read this story to go
USA.
or making this story and pictures possible: SSG Jon Silvey of the 550th MWD
the 550th MWD Detachment Ft.Bragg; Major Douglas Ray of USSOCOM at
and Robert Chief Rubio USAF AETC 37 TRW.
Lizzy designs each curriculum fresh from session to member, the campers explored trails looking for signs
session, carefully curating the activities for age and of wildlife. They were rewarded with animal tracks
maturity level of the students. and scat, a giant snapping turtle, a tangle of mating
My goal as a humane educator is to teach children snakes, and gelatinous sacks of salamander eggs near
about empathy, compassion, and mindfulness using an- the waters edge.
imal welfare and education, said Lizzy. Coyote poop has
School Break Camp Humane is the spring session of fur, said Viggo,
My goal as a humane educator is to teach
children about empathy, compassion, and
Camp Humane, BHSs summer-long signature educa- commenting on
tion program designed to give kids hands-on experi- what he learned
ence with animals, both wild and domestic. Tuition
covers all activities, admission and transportation for
that day.
One of the favorite mindfulness using animal welfare and education
local field trips, art supplies, and a Camp Humane t- activities among
shirt that the kids color themselves. the campers was
Along with a classroom pet these campers enjoyed canine agility training. Throughout the week, the
the company of Macey, a black rabbit Lizzy organ- campers met with Lisa Corbett, BHSs lead instructor
izes daily lessons with animal experts. This group was of Family Dog School. Over the course of three
visited by a local farmer who brought in a baby goat. classes, Lisa taught the campers how to use treats and
A woman who keeps chickens introduced one of her positive reinforcement to teach Keaton one of the
prized hens. BHS staff taught the campers how to more active shelter dogs how to jump over a pole,
safely and kindly interact with resident dogs and cats, run through a tunnel, sit on top of a platform, and
and at the start of each day, the campers took turns walk along a narrow set of end-to-end planks.
reading out loud to the shelter animals. Campers took turns giving Keaton a command and
Reading to the kittens was my favorite part of camp, rewarding him with a treat. By the end of the third
shared a camper named Holly. class, Keaton had learned the commands and corre-
Midway through the week, the campers had a lot to sponding skills, even showing off by walking along
share about their experience thus far. the planks without instruction. At one point, having
I was really surprised how soft the chicken was, said successfully leapt, tunneled, and landed on the plat-
Riley. The other kids chime in with facts they have form, the campers cheered and clapped, sending
learned. Wombats poop squares. Macey has a dewlap, Keaton into an exhilarated run around the room. See-
which is a storage of fat on female rabbits. Rabbits ing an animal respond to their positive attention gave
cant throw up on their own. People have spleens. the campers a boost of confidence. Their faces were
Regarding dog body language, Viggo shared, Dogs as bright as Keatons happy dash around the obedi-
are stressed when their ears go back, and they yawn ence room.
and lick their lips. Dog training was my favorite part, shared Remi.
Every animal we meet, every craft we dream up, The rest of the group concurred.
every game we play, and lesson we learn, said Lizzy, I know these children will make a difference in our
revolves around the idea of honoring animals. We world when they grow up, said Lizzy. I have faith
draw connections between them and humans, and we in their love of animals - that will show them the way!
discuss our responsibilities and the repercussions when Learn more about Camp Humane at www.berkshirehu-
they are neglected. mane.org/childrens-activities-at-bhs/camp-humane/
Animals can sense your mood, added Viggo. So
they will be in the mood you are in. Elizabeth Nelson
If you like animals, shared Graham, [camp] is good Marketing Communications Manager
because you get to play with cats, dogs, bunnies, and Berkshire Humane Society
other animals. enelson@berkshirehumane.org
Congratulations, Karen!
Karen Karlberg is the 2016 recipient of the
Berkshire County League of Sportsmen Silvio O Conte Lifetime Achievement Award.
The plaque states: Presented for your life long efforts in the preservation of the woodlands and waters of Berkshire
County, presented Saturday April 15, 2017. Karen Karlberg of Becket, MA was selected to receive the Lifetime
Achievement Award in part because of her significant involvement with the ASERP (Atlantic Salmon Rearing
Program) at Becket Washington School. She continued her assistance with the schools Trout in the Classroom
program also.
Karlberg is the 2005 recipient of the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimiteds highest award; the Crooked Staff.
The award is presented to the person who best represents the ideals of TU; being the conserving, protecting and
restoring of North Americas cold water fisheries and their watersheds.
Karen is involved with the Westfield and Housatonic river clean-ups and invasive eradication projects. She serves
on the Westfield Wild and Scenic Committee and helps with trail creation and clean-up projects. She taught fly-fish-
ing to children during HVA events and educates youth about macro-invertebrates. Karen also works with The Nature
Conservancy and BEAT doing on-the-ground wildlife tracking and assessments for vital survey projects.
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