Obesity in Pets and Kids

Obesity in Pets and Kids

DH DeForge, VMD  08March2014

“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” - Joshua J. Marine

It is amazing when reviewing the Center for Disease Control and Prevention-- Fact Sheet on Childhood Obesity-- to see a mirror reflection of Obesity in Pets.  Take a moment to read the CDC's comments on what is happening to our children's overweight problem and what long term effects it can have as these young children become adolescents and then adults.

Childhood Obesity Facts-CDC

• Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years.1, 2
• The percentage of children aged 6–11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2012. Similarly, the percentage of adolescents aged 12–19 years who were obese increased from 5% to nearly 21% over the same period.1, 2
• In 2012, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese.1
• Overweight is defined as having excess body weight for a particular height from fat, muscle, bone, water, or a combination of these factors.3 Obesity is defined as having excess body fat.4
• Overweight and obesity are the result of “caloric imbalance”—too few calories expended for the amount of calories consumed—and are affected by various genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors.5,6

Health Effects of Childhood Obesity

Immediate health effects:Childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term effects on health and well-being.

• Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. In a population-based sample of 5- to 17-year-olds, 70% of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.7
• Obese adolescents are more likely to have prediabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels indicate a high risk for development of diabetes.8,9
• Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem.5,6,10

Long-term health effects:

• Children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be obese as adults11-14 and are therefore more at risk for adult health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.6  One study showed that children who became obese as early as age 2 were more likely to be obese as adults.12
• Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk for many types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, pancreas, gall bladder, thyroid, ovary, cervix, and prostate, as well as multiple myeloma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.15

Prevention

• Healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical activity, can lower the risk of becoming obese and developing related diseases.6
• The dietary and physical activity behaviors of children and adolescents are influenced by many sectors of society, including families, communities, schools, child care settings, medical care providers, faith-based institutions, government agencies, the media, and the food and beverage industries and entertainment industries.
• Schools play a particularly critical role by establishing a safe and supportive environment with policies and practices that support healthy behaviors. Schools also provide opportunities for students to learn about and practice healthy eating and physical activity behaviors.

References

1. Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Kit BK, Flegal KM. Prevalence of childhood and adult obesity in the United States, 2011-2012. Journal of the American Medical Association 2014;311(8):806-814.
2. National Center for Health Statistics. Health, United States, 2011: With Special Features on Socioeconomic Status and Health. Hyattsville, MD; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2012.
3. National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Disease and Conditions Index: What Are Overweight and Obesity? Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health; 2010.
4. Krebs NF, Himes JH, Jacobson D, Nicklas TA, Guilday P, Styne D. Assessment of child and adolescent overweight and obesity. Pediatrics 2007;120:S193–S228.
5. Daniels SR, Arnett DK, Eckel RH, et al. Overweight in children and adolescents: pathophysiology, consequences, prevention, and treatment. Circulation 2005;111;1999–2002.
6. Office of the Surgeon General. The Surgeon General's Vision for a Healthy and Fit Nation.  [pdf 840K]. Rockville, MD, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2010.
7. Freedman DS, Zuguo M, Srinivasan SR, Berenson GS, Dietz WH. Cardiovascular risk factors and excess adiposity among overweight children and adolescents: the Bogalusa Heart Study. Journal of Pediatrics 2007;150(1):12–17.
8. Li C, Ford ES, Zhao G, Mokdad AH. Prevalence of pre-diabetes and its association with clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors and hyperinsulinemia among US adolescents: NHANES 2005–2006.Diabetes Care 2009;32:342–347.
9. CDC. National diabetes fact sheet: national estimates and general information on diabetes and prediabetes in the United States, 2011  [pdf 2.7M].  Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
10. Dietz WH. Overweight in childhood and adolescence. New England Journal of Medicine2004;350:855-857.
11. Guo SS, Chumlea WC. Tracking of body mass index in children in relation to overweight in adulthood. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1999;70:S145–148.
12. Freedman DS, Kettel L, Serdula MK, Dietz WH, Srinivasan SR, Berenson GS. The relation of childhood BMI to adult adiposity: the Bogalusa Heart Study. Pediatrics2005;115:22–27.
13. Freedman D, Wang J, Thornton JC, et al. Classification of body fatness by body mass index-for-age categories among children. Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine 2009;163:801–811.
14. Freedman DS, Khan LK, Dietz WH, Srinivasan SA, Berenson GS. Relationship of childhood obesity to coronary heart disease risk factors in adulthood: the Bogalusa Heart Study. Pediatrics2001;108:712–718.
15. Kushi LH, Byers T, Doyle C, Bandera EV, McCullough M, Gansler T, et al. American Cancer Society guidelines on nutrition and physical activity for cancer prevention: reducing the risk of cancer with healthy food choices and physical activity. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians 2006;56:254–281.

Data from many sources indicate that the minimum percentage of overweight and obese pets in today's society is approximately 30%.  

Dr. Deborah Linder, DVM, DACVN from Tufts University reflects that a more recent study-see resource in NAVC Clinician's Brief Feb 2014..reported that up to 63% of cats are overweight or obese.

In this same publication, Dr. Linder lists the Top Five Health Effects of Obesity [i.e. Clinical Consequences] in our overweight companions.

For Dogs:

1. Poor Quality & Quantity of Life
2. Osteoarthritis
3. Intervertebral Disk Disease
4. Subclinical Conditions
5. Cardio-Respiratory Effects

For Cats:

1. Diabetes
2. Urinary Disease
3. Osteoarthritis
4. Subclinical Conditions
5. Poor Quality & Quantity of Life

If one compares the childhood obesity data to the pet obesity data, the clinical consequences are very similar.  

The development of cardiopulmonary disease and hypertension occurs in both groups and so does Diabetes.  Dr. Linder comments: "In cats, diabetes is the clinical consequence with the strongest correlation to obesity.  Not only is obesity a risk factor for diabetes, but weight loss is a mainstay of treatment for diabetic cats and increases the likelihood of remission."  The correlation between bone and joint problems in both overweight/obese humans and pets is also parallel.  

I feel that the overweight problems in pets starts when they are very young. Pets who became obese as teenage puppies and kittens are more likely to be obese as adults.  There is no data available that I can quote about this reflection but it is a reflection based on my forty years of clinical companion animal practice experience.

The CDC states the following about the Prevention of Obesity in Kids: "Healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical activity, can lower the risk of becoming obese and developing related diseases."

There is a parallel to our pets but also an exclusion.  We can readily exercise our dogs and cats and we certainly can correctly monitor calorie intake in consultation with your Local Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

The exclusion concerns exercise in the cat.  If a cat does not want to exercise it will not exercise.  If a cat wants to sleep it will sleep twenty hours per day and eat the other four.  Mark Twain writes:  

“Of all God's creatures, there is only one that cannot be made slave of the leash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve the man, but it would deteriorate the cat.” 
― Mark Twain

Dr. Linder concludes: The veterinarian "discussing the potentially severe consequences of obesity and the benefits of weight loss for improving quality of life and alleviating pain and suffering may help lessen owner concerns about implementing weight management."

Post-Script from Dr. DeForge:

The important post-script is to never try to manage weight loss in any pet's seriously overweight condition by yourself.  If weight reduction is done quickly or without the guidance of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, it can lead to grave consequences for your pet. Clinical Lab Exams must be completed to find out if the weight gain is a consequence of calories or some other medical problem. Let your veterinarian be your guide.  Cases as seen in the cat and dog picture in this blog should be referred to a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition to manage with the pet owner.

Supplement Reading:
CHOW HOUNDS-Why Our Dogs are Getting Fatter-A Vet's Plan to Save their Lives-Dr. Ernie Ward-[DVM] available on Amazon.com

Please address comments concerning this blog to Dr. Don DeForge at:
DoctorDeForge@yahoo.com
08March2014

Dentistry in Companion Animals-Living Healthy

Dentistry in Companion Animals-Living Healthy

Anesthesia Free Dental Care is: NO DENTAL CARE!

DH DeFORGE,VMD

Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry

The purpose of Dentistry in Companion Animals is to preserve a quality of life and remove pain.  As pet advocates, veterinarians and pet owners, must work as a team to assure that no animal lives in pain.  The Human-Animal Bond has this as its focal point.  The companion animal provides unconditional love and the pet advocate returns this love with compassionate care for a life time.

Veterinary dentistry has two important components.  The first is prevention of disease and the other is diagnostics to discover and remove those factors that can lead to pain and discomfort.  To achieve both of these objectives a thorough intra-oral exam with dental x-rays is needed under general inhalation anesthesia.  This anesthesia should be gas inhalation anesthesia.

To properly clean the teeth and prevent disease sub-gingivally [i.e. below the gum-line], root planing is necessary under general inhalation anesthesia.  If root planing is attempted without anesthesia, the patient can move causing pain or result in the the creation of a periodontal pocket.  I have witnessed, over the years, many human dentists and human hygienists who have attempted to clean their dogs and cats teeth at home without anesthesia with terrible results.  The patients, their beloved pets, present with advanced periodontal disease.  There is no effective periodontal care in companion animals with the pet awake.  It is impossible to take quality diagnostic digital oral x-rays with the patient awake.  Slight movement will distort the radiograph leading to an erroneous diagnosis.  The bisecting angle technique which is needed for the x-ray visualization of all of the canine teeth, incisors, and maxillary dentition is impossible to project without the patient being anesthetized.

The argument that it is better to do a sub-par teeth cleaning with the animal awake than to perform no teeth cleaning at all is fruitless.  Advocates of non-anesthesia dentistry state that the cost of the anesthesia and the risk of anesthesia makes clients refuse dentistry.  Both discussions do not hold water.  Will a client refuse to repair an ACL rupture in their pet's knee because of the cost of anesthesia?  Will a client refuse to have a bladder cystotomy to remove cystic calculi [i.e. bladder stones] because they fear anesthesia.  The answer is no in both cases.

Client education is the key to the acceptance and completion of proper veterinary dentistry under general inhalation anesthesia. Thorough pre-anesthesia testing is a requisite to allow the client to know the condition of their pets cardio-pulmonary systems [i.e. heart and lung function] prior to utilizing anesthesia.  Veterinarians have to step up to the plate and take an hour in the exam room to explain why the older pet needs more than just blood work for anesthesia.  The necessity, prior to anesthesia in aged or sick pets, for Chest X-rays; the ECG; blood pressure; and possibly an Echocardiogram must be reviewed and explained.  

Safety is the issue! This testing does alter the cost of the total procedure.  Very few clients will turn down a procedure because testing allows greater safety.  Veterinary medicine is an inexact science.  There are no guarantees with any procedure[s].  The greater we can expand the safety net with pre-anesthesia testing the less risk is involved.  Everyone wants less risk! 

Cat dentistry to check for the very painful cat resorptive lesions can only be done under general anesthesia.  Cat stomtatitis and dog stomatitis both need dental x-rays and biopsy for diagnosis and treatment. Dogs commonly have periodontal disease; endodontic disease; fractured teeth; and painful mouths that need dental x-rays under anesthesia to identify. The American Animal Hospital Association-2013 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats outlines the importance of dental-x-rays. The guidelines state "that full mouth dental x-rays are necessary for accurate evaluation and oral diagnosis."

Read the guidelines at aahanet.org/Public Documents/Dental_Guidelines.pdf 

We have teeth cleanings on ourselves without anesthesia.  We have oral x-rays on ourselves without anesthesia.The companion animal is different. We tolerate having this done. If we cannot, we are given local anesthetics. Sometimes humans need IV and gas anesthetics for periodontal diagnostics and treatment.  Local anesthetics on an awake animal patient are not possible to administer. The positioning that we accept after dialogue with the dentist or hygienist is part of the "human" condition.  To force conditions that are non-applicable on the animal companion we love, is a violation of the Human-Animal Bond.

Non-anesthesia dentistry can produce aesthetic crown appearance but it is not dentistry.

A client once came to me with their dog, that had experienced ten years of non-anesthesia dentistry, who stopped eating at home. After a series of tests to eliminate other causes of inappetance proved negative, general anesthesia was utilized to achieve dental x-rays.  Twenty seven "hopeless teeth" were identified with radiographic changes representative of end stage periodontitis.  With informed consent, these teeth were removed.  The patient did excellently post surgery.  Unfortunately, 27 teeth were lost that would not have been lost with the proper exams and treatment under general inhalation anesthesia from puppyhood to the time of geriatric presentation.

Veterinarians must become better trained in periodontal diagnostics and oral radiology or seek out those individuals [i.e. veterinary dentists] who are trained to provide preventive and diagnostic oral care.  Once a patient undergoes veterinary diagnostics and treatment under general inhalation anesthesia [Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment] there must a a detailed homecare program to assist in the prevention of recurrence. Follow-up out-patient exams to monitor the progress of the homecare program is essential.  

Anesthesia Free Dentistry is NO Dental Care!  Do not get trapped into believing it will help your pet.  Please read below the American Veterinary Dental College Position Paper on Dental Scaling Without Anesthesia. 

AVDC Position Statement:

Dental Scaling Without Anesthesia

In the United States and Canada, only licensed veterinarians can practice veterinary medicine. Veterinary medicine includes veterinary surgery, medicine and dentistry. Anyone providing dental services other than a licensed veterinarian, or a supervised and trained veterinary technician, is practicing veterinary medicine without a license and is subject to criminal charges.

This page addresses dental scaling procedures performed on pets without anesthesia, often by individuals untrained in veterinary dental techniques. Although the term Anesthesia-Free Dentistry has been used in this context, AVDC prefers to use the more accurate term Non-Professional Dental Scaling (NPDS) to describe this combination.

Owners of pets naturally are concerned when anesthesia is required for their pet. However, performing NPDS on an unanesthetized pet is inappropriate for the following reasons:

1. Dental tartar is firmly adhered to the surface of the teeth. Scaling to remove tartar is accomplished using ultrasonic and sonic power scalers, plus hand instruments that must have a sharp working edge to be used effectively. Even slight head movement by the patient could result in injury to the oral tissues of the patient, and the operator may be bitten when the patient reacts.

2. Professional dental scaling includes scaling the surfaces of the teeth both above and below the gingival margin (gum line), followed by dental polishing. The most critical part of a dental scaling procedure is scaling the tooth surfaces that are within the gingival pocket (the subgingival space between the gum and the root), where periodontal disease is active. Because the patient cooperates, dental scaling of human teeth performed by a professional trained in the procedures can be completed successfully without anesthesia. However, access to the subgingival area of every tooth is impossible in an unanesthetized canine or feline patient. Removal of dental tartar on the visible surfaces of the teeth has little effect on a pet's health, and provides a false sense of accomplishment. The effect is purely cosmetic.

3. Inhalation anesthesia using a cuffed endotracheal tube provides three important advantages... the cooperation of the patient with a procedure it does not understand, elimination of pain resulting from examination and treatment of affected dental tissues during the procedure, and protection of the airway and lungs from accidental aspiration.

4. A complete oral examination, which is an important part of a professional dental scaling procedure, is not possible in an unanesthetized patient. The surfaces of the teeth facing the tongue cannot be examined, and areas of disease and discomfort are likely to be missed.

Safe use of an anesthetic or sedative in a dog or cat requires evaluation of the general health and size of the patient to determine the appropriate drug and dose, and continual monitoring of the patient.

Veterinarians are trained in all of these procedures. Prescribing or administering anesthetic or sedative drugs by a non-veterinarian can be very dangerous, and is illegal. Although anesthesia will never be 100% risk-free, modern anesthetic and patient evaluation techniques used in veterinary hospitals minimize the risks, and millions of dental scaling procedures are safely performed each year in veterinary hospitals.

To minimize the need for professional dental scaling procedures and to maintain optimal oral health, AVDC recommends daily dental home care from an early age in dogs and cats. This should include brushing or use of other effective techniques to retard accumulation of dental plaque, such as dental diets and chew materials. This, combined with periodic examination of the patient by a veterinarian and with dental scaling under anesthesia when indicated, will optimize life-long oral health for dogs and cats. For information on effective oral hygiene products for dogs and cats, visit the Veterinary Oral Health Council web site (www.VOHC.org).

For general information on performance of dental procedures on veterinary patients, read the AVDC Position Statement onVeterinary Dental Healthcare Providers. 

INAUGURAL LEO AWARD-The Family of Man-Human and Animal Welfare

INAUGURAL LEO AWARD

Human and Animal Welfare
The Family of Man

Presented to Dr. Alice Villalobos

February 01, 2014

DH DeForge, VMD

     How many people pass through this world performing acts of kindness with compassion for man and animal that are never acknowledged.  We honor athletes, politicians, the arts, academic achievement, and a few true heroes every year.  What about the unsung hero who has never composed a song that everyone recognizes; the person who has never won a World Series, Super Bowl, Stanley Cup, World Cup, NBA Championship etc; or the person who has not found fame as a Senator, Congressperson, or President.  Today, this deficit is being answered with the initiation of the Inaugural LEO AWARD! 

   This award is named after two different Leo's who have walked this earth with kindness and humility serving others.  You can read the mini-biographies of Dr. Leo Bustad and Dr. Leo Buscaglia below:

A Biography: Dr. Leo K. Bustad-1920-1998

A Stanwood, WA native, Leo K. Bustad was born January 10, 1920. He earned a bachelor's degree in Agriculture (1941), a master's degree in animal nutrition (1948), and a DVM (1949), all from WSU.

He received a PhD in physiology in 1960 from the University of Washington School of Medicine, where earlier he completed a postdoctoral fellowship from the National Science Foundation.  As dean from 1973-83, Bustad is credited with rebuilding the veterinary program from one on provisional accreditation status to one of the most respected in the country. In 1985, the $11.3 million Veterinary Science Building was dedicated in his honor.

Also in 1985, Bustad received the WSU Regents' Distinguished Alumnus Award - the 20th alumnus to be recognized with the university's highest honor.  Bustad spent a majority of his adult life devoted to work on the human-animal bond and became known as a pioneer in Human-Animal Bond theory and application.  To most, Leo Bustad has been recognized at "The Father of the Human-Animal Bond."

Under the leadership of Michael McCulloch, MD, William McCulloch, DVM, and others, the Delta Foundation was established in 1977 in Portland, Oregon. In 1979, Bustad and Linda Hines founded the People-Pet Partnership at WSU, the first university-based community service program on the Human-Animal Bond. They joined forces with the McCullochs, and in 1981 the Delta Foundation became the Delta Society, headquartered at WSU.

Bustad was named first Chair of this now international nonprofit association, which at its onset focused much energy on work to understand the quality of the relationship between pet owners, pets, and care givers (hence the "delta" name based on this triangle). 

Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award:
Named for the late Leo K. Bustad, DVM, PhD, a former dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University and a past president of the Pet Partners (formerly Delta Society), this award was developed to recognize the outstanding work of veterinarians in preserving and protecting human-animal relationships. The Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award is co-sponsored by the AVMA, Pet Partners, and Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.

A Biography: Dr. Leo Buscaglia-1924-1998

Born in Los Angeles, California----- Felice Leonardo Buscaglia was the youngest of four children of Italian immigrants.  He was born Roman Catholic and influenced by Buddhism in his adult life.
He received his bachelor's master's, and doctorate degrees from USC and later became a faculty member at the same school.

His life was influenced by one of his students.  While teaching in the Department of Special Education at USC in the 1960's, one of his students committed suicide. He called her one of the sets of "kind eyeballs" he always looked for in an auditorium.....because her responses showed that at least one student was hearing what he said. The news that she had killed herself changed Leo's life. He said after her death, "What are we doing stuffing facts into people and forgetting they are human beings."

This loss led him to initiate a course at USC labeled Love 1A.  There were no grades. What was shared in that popular weekly class became a book with the simple title, LOVE.  Buscaglia said he never taught the course but facilitated the class.  He said many times that he learned more in that class than anyone else.

The class became so popular that PBS asked for him to record his lectures in front of live audiences for television.  He was lumped into the category of motivational speakers but was much more than that.  He changed peoples lives and gave them a new perspective on caring, loving, and sharing. His one book led to his writing many other books.  At one time, five of his books were on the NY Times Best Sellers List simultaneously.

Buscaglia was once described as a teacher whose classroom became the world. Eleven million copies of his books were sold in the United Stages by the time of his death from a heart attack in 1998.  Leo once said, "he never imagined Italians would need an American to remind them of the importance of food, family, sharing, and love of life," because he had been given these gifts from his Italian parents!  His study of love brought him to a better understanding of life.  

Dr. Buscaglia has affected my own life and although I never met him I did correspond with him. He always answered in hand written responses.  His one statement that has guided my life is the following: "It's not enough to have lived.  We should determine to live for something. May I suggest that it be creating joy for others; sharing what we have for the betterment of personkind; bringing hope to the lost and love to the lonely. Only you will be able to discover, realize, develop, and actualize your uniqueness and when you do it's your duty to then give it away."

The LEO AWARD is not presented as a plaque; it is not presented on television or at a festival of stars.  It is a PEOPLES AWARD.  It is given as a gift; it is a form of love; and it comes from deep inside those who have been honored to have met, read, or heard the recipient[s] speak.  The LEO AWARD is a statement that recognizes the recipient[s] as a disciple[s] of Leo Bustad and Leo Buscaglia.  Nothing less and nothing more!

         Dr. Leo Bustad

                                                Dr. Leo Buscaglia

The first recipient of the Leo Award is Dr. Alice Villalobos!  Alice Villalobos was the 2005-2006 President of the American Association of Human-Animal Bond Veterinarians.  She was Founder and Director of Coast Pet Clinic/Animal Cancer Center, a multi-specialty facility in Hermosa Beach, CA which provided an internship program, emergency and oncology services, including radiation therapy, to the greater Los Angeles area. After 24 years, Villalobos partnered her facility with Veterinary Centers of America. Dr. Villalobos is Director of Pawspice-the first Animal Hospice- in Hermosa Beach and Animal Oncology Consultation Service in Woodland Hills, CA. 

She is a founding member of the Veterinary Cancer Society, the Association of Veterinary Family Practice and the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care. Alice is the orginator of the Peter Zippi Memorial Fund which has assisted in placing thousands of animals into quality homes of love.  She received the UC Davis Alumni Achievement Award and the Leo Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian Award for her pioneering role in bringing oncology services to companion animal practice. 

With forty years of experience in the cancer care of animals, she is still very active lecturing at regional and national meetings. Dr. Villalobos is President Emeritus of the Society of Veterinary Medical Ethics and the author of Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology-Honoring the Human-Animal Bond. It is my honor to know her and, once again, honor her accomplishments as the first recipient of the LEO AWARD on 01Feb2014.  

Many who do not know Dr. Villalobos will ask why Alice has she been chosen to receive the Inaugural Leo Award. To those, I can only save it is more than deserving.  The LEO AWARD will not be given only to those in animal care. This award is about The Family of Man!  Leo Bustad and Leo Buscaglia would be good friends if they were with us today.  To honor their accomplishments, the LEO AWARD has been created to stimulate others to not just talk about change but make positive change.  Dr. Alice Villalobos represents such selflessness.  To her this day we say: Thank You!

With Dr. Alice Villalobos, his oncologist.
Magellan had Multiple Myeloma or bone marrow cancer.
He is 14 years, 5 months old in this photo.

                                            

Magellan had Multipne marrow cancer.

He is 14 years, 5 months old in this photo.

Inaugural Leo Award-01Feb2014

Recipient: Dr. Alice Villalobos-Animal Oncologist and Humanitarian

Questions: Contact Dr. Don DeForge at: DoctorDeForge@yahoo.com

If you would like to nominate an individual[s] fro the Leo Award please write to this same address. Your nomination[s] will be welcomed.

Caring-Compassion-And Concern-The Human-Animal Bond

Caring-Concern-Compassion

The Human-Animal Bond

Carrying the Torch

DH DeForge, VMD 19January2014

A Biography of the Father of the Human-Animal Bond- Dr.Leo K. Bustad

A Stanwood, WA native, Leo K. Bustad was born January 10, 1920. He earned a bachelor's degree in Agriculture (1941), a master's degree in animal nutrition (1948), and a DVM (1949), all from WSU.

He received a PhD in physiology in 1960 from the University of Washington School of Medicine, where earlier he completed a postdoctoral fellowship from the National Science Foundation.  As dean from 1973-83, Bustad is credited with rebuilding the veterinary program from one on provisional accreditation status to one of the most respected in the country. In 1985, the $11.3 million Veterinary Science Building was dedicated in his honor.

Also in 1985, Bustad received the WSU Regents' Distinguished Alumnus Award - the 20th alumnus to be recognized with the university's highest honor.  Bustad spent a majority of his adult life devoted to work on the human-animal bond and became known as a pioneer in human-animal bond theory and application.

Under the leadership of Michael McCulloch, MD, William McCulloch, DVM, and others, the Delta Foundation was established in 1977 in Portland, Oregon. In 1979, Bustad and Linda Hines founded the People-Pet Partnership at WSU, the first university-based community service program on the human-animal bond. They joined forces with the McCullochs, and in 1981 the Delta Foundation became the Delta Society, headquartered at WSU.

Bustad was named first Chair of this now international nonprofit association, which at its onset focused much energy on work to understand the quality of the relationship between pet owners, pets, and care givers (hence the "delta" name based on this triangle).

In addition to serving as Chair of Delta Society from 1980 to 1990, Bustad authored two books: Animals, Aging and the Aged, 1980; and Compassion: Our Last Great Hope, 1990. He co-authored Learning and Living Together: Building the Human-Animal Bond. an elementary school curriculum.  He also was author or co-author of more than 200 articles and reports, many of which focused on the human-animal bond. His work in the field of human-animal interactions resulted in the creation of many programs nationally and internationally that bring people and pets together.

Comments from Dr. DeForge:

I never met Dr. Bustad but I read all that he wrote and consider him a mentor.  Is it possible to be speaking about a man born in 1920-----94 years ago----- and still be amazed and excited about what he left behind.  Our society is "I" centered and most people would not care about the Delta Society or People-Pet-Partnerships.  I do and I am blessed to know many others who cherish either knowing or emulating his excellent work within the Human-Animal Bond.

In the next few months, I am going to recognize leaders in the Human-Animal Bond and tell their stories within the words of this blog.  We can continue to honor Dr. Bustad by helping those who cherish the Human-Animal-Bond or discover a way to construct our own contribution.

This month we will look at Canine Angels and The Human-Animal-Bond!

See Inclusions below from the Canine Angels Website:

Free service dogs for disabled veterans

Our nonprofit rescues dogs from shelters and trains them to become service dogs – accomplished assistance animals that can perform dozens of tasks – for disabled American veterans and first responders. President and founder Rick Kaplan donates all his time and dog training expertise. That’s at least 60 hours during a slow week, if you don’t count round-the-clock dog training.

Founded in 2011, Canine Angels has already teamed more than a dozen veterans with service dogs that are helping them reclaim their independence. Our veterans have experienced relief from PTSD, night terrors, fear of crowds, irritability and anger. They are able to rejoin family activities again, with a little help from their Canine Angels.

The military coin shown here was presented to Rick by a grateful veteran whose Canine Angel, Tomo, has helped ease his PTSD symptoms. As Rick will tell you, freedom is not free. The sacrifices of our military men and women have made every privilege and choice we enjoy possible. It’s a debt we can never fully repay, but Canine Angels intends to help every dog and every veteran we possibly can.

Rick Kaplan relaxes Diamond, a service dog in training.

Photo by Jan Igoe

Fully trained service dogs are valued around $20,000. But our Angels are free to eligible veterans and first responders. They’re all heroes in our book.

Their mission was to keep us free. Ours is to give them the freedom to enjoy life again.

On behalf of all our dogs and veterans, thank you for your support!

Canine Angels founder Rick Kaplan relaxes with his pack of service dogs.

Can I get a dog if I’m not a veteran?

Yes. You are welcome and encouraged to apply. However, our charitable mission is providing free service dogs to veterans and first responders, as we have promised our supporters. We have placed several dogs with non-veterans who have paid for the training privately or through insurance. Please contact Rick@CanineAngelsServiceDogs.org for more information.

Are my donations tax-deductible?  

Yes. Canine Angels is a 501(c)3 public charity registered with the state of South Carolina. You can donate through our website (you don’t need your own PayPal account), or by check. Every contribution, no matter how small helps us. You can also hire Rick to train your dog. All private lesson fees go directly to Canine Angels and are tax deductible. Receipts are provided.

I’m a disabled veteran, but my injuries are not combat-related. Does that count?

Absolutely. All veterans are eligible to apply, regardless of where, when and how they sustained physical or psychological injury. We have placed service dogs with veterans from WWII to the War on Terror (OEF and OIF) . They range in age from 22 to 97.

Can you train my dog to be a service dog?

Yes, in many cases. To determine whether your pet has what it takes, we will give the dog a comprehensive 2-hour evaluation for a $200 donation. If we determine that you and the dog have potential as a united working team, we will guide you through the application process.  

Can you help veterans outside the Carolinas?

Presently, we serve disabled veterans on the Grand Strand, from Georgetown, SC, to Wilmington, NC. That’s about an hour drive from our home base in North Myrtle Beach in either direction. Funding and geography are limitations, since our veterans and their dogs receive continuous training after placement for as long as needed. When possible, we make an effort to accommodate veterans from beyond our area when they can travel to us for ongoing training and support.

Will Canine Angels do a presentation for my organization?

Gladly. We’re always happy to visit church groups, schools and organizations. Donations are always welcome, but there is no charge. That’s part of our community service. Please contact us atInfo@CanineAngelsServiceDogs.org to arrange a date. 

 What breeds make the best service dogs?  

In a perfect world, we would breed Labs, Golden Retreivers and Shepherds, which are known for their ability to learn, work and perform tasks. But Canine Angels doesn’t breed dogs; we rescue them. We don’t discount any breed or mix, except for some giant breeds whose life span is too short to make service work viable. Pedigree or mix, big or small, we assess the dog’s temperament, health, and willingness to learn, work and obey.

Are females easier to train than males? 

No. Success as a service or therapy dog has zero to do with gender.   

Can you train a puppy?

We prefer to start training dogs for service work at about 1 year old. Canine Angels has made exceptions for some extraordinary pups we discovered in bad situations, but that’s not the norm. Since we don’t have the luxury of breeding dogs for our purposes, we make faster progress with dogs that are past the unfocused puppy phase.

Which dogs are not candidates?

We look for animals that are heartworm negative and have complete medical records. We do not train dogs that display any hint of aggression. But we do work with dogs that been unjustly labeled, only because humans have failed to understand their signals, needs and triggers. Some behaviors are easily fixed, while others are deal breakers. The hardest truth we’ve faced is that we can’t save every dog.

Commentary by Dr. DeForge continued:

Dr. Leo Buscaglia writes: "Don't waste your precious time asking, "Why isn't the world a better place......it will only be time wasted."  The question to ask is......"How can I make it better?"  To that there is an answer.

Rick Kaplan, the Founder of Canine Angels, along with his group of volunteers is doing just that.  Helping one veteran and first-responder at a time. He brings them hope, happiness, and a willingness to continue after suffering physically and mentally.  Leo Bustad lives inside of Rick Kaplan. Rick knows about the suffering of the veteran/first-responder and has implemented an action center to help our veteran heroes through the Human-Animal Bond.  Rick's Canine Angels are beacons of hope and vehicles of giving.  These canine companions provide unconditional love.  

Stop and think about that for a moment.  How many examples of unconditional love did you run across this past week.  Listen to the news each night....for every positive report there are 1000 negative reports about killings, rape, robbery, suicide, bullyism, and hate.

This is my blog challenge to you starting today.  After you finish your professional time and "fun" time with the family sit down and go to this website.  http://www.canineangelsservicedogs.org

Find out about Canine Angels and then consider a donation to a group who gives selflessly of themselves to help our veterans.  If Dr. Bustad were in this room with me today, I know that he would say Canine Angels is a new look at the Peopl-Pet -Partnership/Delta Society that I was blessed to create with my friends.  He would call Rick Kaplan and congratulate him and he would make other calls to help this organization so it will never cease to function. Whether it be Leo Bustad, Don DeForge, or Rick Kaplan......we are all finite.  The Human-Animal-Bond has no ending as long as there are individuals who care to support People-Pet-Partnerships around the world.  Make a donation today to Canine Angels....do it for all who believe in the importance of The Human-Animal Bond.

Dr. Don DeForge

http://www.AnimalDocAmMultiMedia.blogspot.com

Address questions and comments to DoctorDeForge@yahoo.com

19Jan2014

Mr. Rogers: A 2014 Tribute-DeForge

Mr. Rogers: A 2014 Tribute

Happy New Year Wishes for 2014 from 

Animal Doc AM Multi-Media

Dr. Don DeForge

I truly wanted my first Animal Doc AM Multi-Media Blog of 2014 to be energizing, engaging, and very special.  I reviewed many ideas and studied the life of many individuals who have made an impact on the lives of others. 

My special friend, Kevin Fitzgerald, helped me by sending to me quotes from Mr. Rogers. Mr. Rogers, in early television, became a part of the life of every child as they grew and sought knowledge.  

Today's young adults still have a memory of a career that ended for him at the beginning of a New Millennium.  What a fitting time when we see all that he accomplished over his career.  

My favorite statement from Mr. Rogers is one that I have lived by and continue to seek through my own journey.....as faithfully as I can......"You rarely have time for everything you want in this life, so you need to make choices; and hopefully your choices can come from a deep sense of who you are."-Fred Rogers

So as we begin 2014 take a few moments and journey down memory lane with me and read some of Mr. Roger's famous quotes from his show.  Let us begin 2014 by believing as he said each morning...."It is a BEAUTIFUL day in this neighborhood!"

God bless,

Happy New Year

Dr. Don DeForge-Animal Doc AM Multi-Media

01Jan2014

"You rarely have time for everything you want in this life, so you need to make choices. And hopefully your choices can come from a deep sense of who you are."

             

Fred Rogers - Biography

Fred McFeely Rogers was born on March 20, 1928 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, 40 miles east of Pittsburgh. Rogers earned his bachelor's degree in music composition at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida in 1951. Immediately upon graduation, he was hired by NBC television in New York as an assistant producer for The Voice of Firestone and later as floor director for The Lucky Strike Hit Parade, The Kate Smith Hour, and the NBC Opera Theatre. Rogers was married in 1952 to Joanne Byrd, a concert pianist and fellow Rollins graduate.

Educational Television

Fred Rogers receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In November, 1953, at the request of WQED Pittsburgh, the nation's first community-sponsored educational television station, Rogers moved back to Pennsylvania. The station was not yet on the air, and Rogers was asked to develop the first program schedule. One of the first programs he produced was THE CHILDREN'S CORNER. It was a daily, live, hour-long visit with music and puppets and host Josie Carey. Rogers served as puppeteer, composer, and organist. In 1955, THE CHILDREN'S CORNER won the Sylvania Award for the best locally produced children's program in the country. It was on THE CHILDREN'S CORNER that several regulars of today's MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD made their first appearances -- among them, Daniel Striped Tiger. X the Owl, King Friday XIII, Henrietta Pussycat, and Lady Elaine Fairchilde.

During off-duty hours, Rogers attended both the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Child Development. He graduated from the Seminary and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1963 with a charge to continue his work with children and families through the mass media. Later that year, Rogers was invited to create a program for the CBC program in Canada, which the head of children's programming there dubbed MISTER ROGERS. It was on this series that Rogers made his on-camera debut as the program's host. When he and his wife and two sons returned to Pittsburgh in 1966, he incorporated segments of the CBC into a new series which was distributed by the Eastern Educational Network. This series was called MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD. In 1968 it was made available for national distribution through the National Educational Television (NET) which later became Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

Lifetime of Achievement

In 1968, Rogers was appointed Chairman of the Forum on Mass Media and C

- See more at: http://www.fredrogers.org/fred-rogers/bio/#sthash.mSVcXv6v.dpuf

Emmys for programming

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood won four Emmy awards, and Rogers himself was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1997 Daytime Emmys as described by Esquire's Tom Junod:

Mister Rogers went onstage to accept the award — and there, in front of all the soap opera stars and talk show sinceratrons, in front of all the jutting man-tanned jaws and jutting saltwater bosoms, he made his small bow and said into the microphone, "All of us have special ones who have loved us into being. Would you just take, along with me, ten seconds to think of the people who have helped you become who you are. Ten seconds of silence."

And then he lifted his wrist, looked at the audience, looked at his watch, and said, "I'll watch the time." There was, at first, a small whoop from the crowd, a giddy, strangled hiccup of laughter, as people realized that he wasn't kidding, that Mister Rogers was not some convenient eunuch, but rather a man, an authority figure who actually expected them to do what he asked. And so they did. One second, two seconds, three seconds — and now the jaws clenched, and the bosoms heaved, and the mascara ran, and the tears fell upon the beglittered gathering like rain leaking down a crystal chandelier. And Mister Rogers finally looked up from his watch and said softly "May God be with you," to all his vanquished children.

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