So I first started this blog because it was required for the class that I was taking in high school, called WISE. It was a really cool class, where basically all I had to do was choose a topic that I was really interested in and do research and any type of volunteering or internship that related to it. So I chose animals, because what I want to do in life is work with animals, specifically by becoming a veterinarian.
Well, now WISE is over, as well as high school, and I have started college. I have just started studying animal science at the university of Massachusetts, and I am going into the pre-vet path. So even though my WISE class is over, and I am no longer required to write and publish blog posts for a grade, I thought I would still do it. It was nice being able to write down my thoughts about some of the experiences I have had, as well as my opinions on certain topics.
So some of my posts will probably be a little random, and I probably won't be able to post as often as I would like to because I ended up having all hard classes this semester, but if anyone is reading this blog, I hope you enjoy!
Friday, September 30, 2011
Pitbulls
Pitbulls are one of the most famous dog breeds in the united states. Unfortunately, they have a bad reputation. Many people think that pitbulls are viscous dogs, and possibly the meanest dog breed out there. There are also many myths concerning pitbulls, such as they have a jaw that locks shut and won't let anything go after they have bitten something, they will turn on their owner, and their brain will swell up and cause them to go insane when they get angry, which is one myth that was even once associated with Dobermans. Another myth is that they are mean dogs and that they are only good for fighting. But none of these myths are true.
Although, pitbulls have been breed to be fighting dogs in the past, that does not mean that it is their true nature or that that is all they are good for. With proper training, any dog can be a good and obedient dog. There is also no evidence that says a pitbull's jaw can lock shut, it is exactly the same as any other dog's jaw. There is also no way for a dog's brain to swell up and cause it to go insane. There is no possible way for that to happen to any dog!
Many people also get confused and think that there is only one pitbull breed, but in reality there are several breeds that people call "pitbulls." Some of these breeds are the American Pitbull Terrior, the American Staffordshire Terrior, and the Staffordshire bull terrior. Each of which, has their own seperate characteristics that make them unique. I think people need to be more informed about the so called "dangerous dog breeds," and learn that with proper training, any dog has the ability to be a good dog.
Although, pitbulls have been breed to be fighting dogs in the past, that does not mean that it is their true nature or that that is all they are good for. With proper training, any dog can be a good and obedient dog. There is also no evidence that says a pitbull's jaw can lock shut, it is exactly the same as any other dog's jaw. There is also no way for a dog's brain to swell up and cause it to go insane. There is no possible way for that to happen to any dog!
Many people also get confused and think that there is only one pitbull breed, but in reality there are several breeds that people call "pitbulls." Some of these breeds are the American Pitbull Terrior, the American Staffordshire Terrior, and the Staffordshire bull terrior. Each of which, has their own seperate characteristics that make them unique. I think people need to be more informed about the so called "dangerous dog breeds," and learn that with proper training, any dog has the ability to be a good dog.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
New Place To Volunteer
This week I found a new place to volunteer. It's at the Weston animal Hospital. I had never even noticed that it was there. Of course, I never really go to that area so it would make sense that I've never seen it before, but still, I've never heard about it. I was so exited when I found it. It looked really nice inside and it seemed to be a really clean place.
Once I went in, I asked them if they took volunteers or if they offered any internships. They said yes and gave me an application to fill out. Since I am still not seventeen yet, I cannot do an internship, so I applied to volunteer. After I finished filling out the application, the manager interviewed me for a few minutes. When we were done, she said that I could go volunteer. I was so surprised because at other places where I have applied to volunteer, after I filled out an application, all they would say was that they would call me back. I still haven't even heard back from some of the places that I applied for, so I was super excited to hear that I could just call in and go volunteer.
I'm still not sure when I'll go volunteer yet, but I think I'm going to call some time this week and see if I can volunteer this weekend. The manager said that the best time to volunteer would be in the morning and when the kennel manager is there. So Hopefully she will be there during the weekend.
Once I went in, I asked them if they took volunteers or if they offered any internships. They said yes and gave me an application to fill out. Since I am still not seventeen yet, I cannot do an internship, so I applied to volunteer. After I finished filling out the application, the manager interviewed me for a few minutes. When we were done, she said that I could go volunteer. I was so surprised because at other places where I have applied to volunteer, after I filled out an application, all they would say was that they would call me back. I still haven't even heard back from some of the places that I applied for, so I was super excited to hear that I could just call in and go volunteer.
I'm still not sure when I'll go volunteer yet, but I think I'm going to call some time this week and see if I can volunteer this weekend. The manager said that the best time to volunteer would be in the morning and when the kennel manager is there. So Hopefully she will be there during the weekend.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Fostering
On Saturday at the Humane Society of Greater Miami there is going to be a fostering class. I have been wanting to foster a dog for a long time and now that my sister has moved out and will be taking her dog with her, I thought this would be the perfect time to try and convince my parents to let me foster a dog. I already have one dog and since he is an older dog, and older dogs usually tend to be calmer, I feel like he I can trust him being around new dogs. I know that he is also going to get lonely without my sister's dog being around.
The reason why I waited until my sister's dog left, was because she is only about five years old and she is the type of dog breed that can become very hyper. Many of the dogs that need fostering are ones that are very stressed out from being in the shelter around so many dogs that are always barking, and need a break. So I feel like my sister's dog might be too much for the dogs to handle being around. I'm so excited to go and learn about what it is to be an animal foster, hopefully I'll be able to foster a dog or puppy soon.
The reason why I waited until my sister's dog left, was because she is only about five years old and she is the type of dog breed that can become very hyper. Many of the dogs that need fostering are ones that are very stressed out from being in the shelter around so many dogs that are always barking, and need a break. So I feel like my sister's dog might be too much for the dogs to handle being around. I'm so excited to go and learn about what it is to be an animal foster, hopefully I'll be able to foster a dog or puppy soon.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Interview
This week was very exciting! I got to interview a holistic veterinarian. It was pretty hard to find one, especially because there aren't that many around south Florida. I had to search online to find some holistic veterinarians, and many of them were located further up north. After I found a few, I had to make some phone calls to see if they would even let me interview them. I had a little trouble with that because, there were a few that would not answer when I called. I wasn't sure if it was because I was calling after office hours, and since didn't have their website, I couldn't even check for their office hours. But finally, i found one place that answered when I called. When she answered, I asked the woman if I would be able to interview the holistic veterinarian at the clinic. Then, the next day I got a call back from the clinic and the they said that I could schedule a day to go in and interview the veterinarian. So I had scheduled to go interview the vet for Tuesday the following week.
Unfortunately, as Tuesday approached, I had to reschedule. My father's best friend's mother had passed away that Tuesday morning and my dad had to help his best friend with funerals arrangements. Because my dad was gone, and everyone else in my family is gone during the day, I had no way of getting to the interview. So then, I had to call and reschedule the interview for the next Tuesday. Finally, when Tuesday had arrived, I was able to go to the interview. I was sooo excited to ask Dr. Keller my questions.
Dr. Keller provided me with some very useful information and advice. Some of the things she told me were, that I should get as much experience as I can with all types of animals, not only small animals. She had said that not having enough experience was the only reason that she had not gotten into medical school the first time she applied, because she had never been told that knowing about all types of animals was so important. She also said that getting a minor in psychology was a good thing to do, because it is important to know how to deal with the animal's owners. Some of the modalities that she used were Chinese herbs, acupuncture, and chiropractics.
Dr. Keller was very sweet and seemed to really love her job, and care for the animals. I would definitely recommend her to anyone who is looking for a holistic veterinarian.
Unfortunately, as Tuesday approached, I had to reschedule. My father's best friend's mother had passed away that Tuesday morning and my dad had to help his best friend with funerals arrangements. Because my dad was gone, and everyone else in my family is gone during the day, I had no way of getting to the interview. So then, I had to call and reschedule the interview for the next Tuesday. Finally, when Tuesday had arrived, I was able to go to the interview. I was sooo excited to ask Dr. Keller my questions.
Dr. Keller provided me with some very useful information and advice. Some of the things she told me were, that I should get as much experience as I can with all types of animals, not only small animals. She had said that not having enough experience was the only reason that she had not gotten into medical school the first time she applied, because she had never been told that knowing about all types of animals was so important. She also said that getting a minor in psychology was a good thing to do, because it is important to know how to deal with the animal's owners. Some of the modalities that she used were Chinese herbs, acupuncture, and chiropractics.
Dr. Keller was very sweet and seemed to really love her job, and care for the animals. I would definitely recommend her to anyone who is looking for a holistic veterinarian.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Cat Declawing and Dog Debarking
The other day I was watching a movie, and in it there was a dog that had been debarked. Although the movie did not portray it as a good thing to do to dogs, they didn't show that it was actually a bad thing to do to animals.
Many dogs every year are debarked because their owners think they bark too much, or are too loud. De barking is when, by a surgical procedure, a small amount of tissue in a dog's vocal chords is removed. Since a dog's vocal chords are not being removed is still has the ability to bark, just at a lower volume. What a lot of people don't know is that debarking a dog is not a good thing too do. In some cases, scar tissue can build up and cause problems with the dog's breathing. There is also a reason why a dog barks. It's to let us know how they are feeling, whether to tell us if they are happy, frustrated, or scared, they don't bark continuous for no reason. Debarking a dog is just a quick solution that ignores the reason for why a dog is barking so much, in the first place.
I have also seen cats that were declawed while volunteering. Now I know that declawing cats is more common than debarking a dog, but it is also a practice that is not good to do. When a cat is declawed, a surgical procedure is done, where a cat's claws are removed, including the cells responsible for the nail's growth. A cat's claws are very useful and important. They use them to greet their owner, mark their territory, and express their emotions. After being declawed, some cats may choose to start biting. In some instances they may also become more aggressive, because they can no longer defend themselves as well. Cats may also have trouble climbing, jumping, and cleaning themselves. Personally, I think that people should just clip their cat's nails instead of when they get too sharp, instead of declawing.
Many dogs every year are debarked because their owners think they bark too much, or are too loud. De barking is when, by a surgical procedure, a small amount of tissue in a dog's vocal chords is removed. Since a dog's vocal chords are not being removed is still has the ability to bark, just at a lower volume. What a lot of people don't know is that debarking a dog is not a good thing too do. In some cases, scar tissue can build up and cause problems with the dog's breathing. There is also a reason why a dog barks. It's to let us know how they are feeling, whether to tell us if they are happy, frustrated, or scared, they don't bark continuous for no reason. Debarking a dog is just a quick solution that ignores the reason for why a dog is barking so much, in the first place.
I have also seen cats that were declawed while volunteering. Now I know that declawing cats is more common than debarking a dog, but it is also a practice that is not good to do. When a cat is declawed, a surgical procedure is done, where a cat's claws are removed, including the cells responsible for the nail's growth. A cat's claws are very useful and important. They use them to greet their owner, mark their territory, and express their emotions. After being declawed, some cats may choose to start biting. In some instances they may also become more aggressive, because they can no longer defend themselves as well. Cats may also have trouble climbing, jumping, and cleaning themselves. Personally, I think that people should just clip their cat's nails instead of when they get too sharp, instead of declawing.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Acupuncture for Animals
Usually when you think of acupuncture, you would think of it being done on people, not animals. But acupunture on animals is a lot more common than you would think. I never even thought about it until I was doing research on holistic veterinarians.
Acupuncture is used on animals to trigger a physiological response when treating any type of disease or problem. In acupuncture, small guage needles are stuck into the body at specific points on the body. Although is is uncertain where this practice originated, many people believe it has come from asia. It is also said that the father of veterinary acupuncture is Shun Yang from China.
Acupuncture is based on having a continuous circulation of energy throughout your body, called your Qi (pronounced chee). Any interruption will cause an imbalance, which is when acupuncture comes in to rebalance your Qi.
If you decide to have acupuncture done on your pet, with a properly trained clinician, your pet will not appear to have any discomfort. Depending on the reason for the acupuncture, your pet will have about eight sessions or more to make sure the procedure was effective. But improvements could be seen after the first session.
Acupuncture is used on animals to trigger a physiological response when treating any type of disease or problem. In acupuncture, small guage needles are stuck into the body at specific points on the body. Although is is uncertain where this practice originated, many people believe it has come from asia. It is also said that the father of veterinary acupuncture is Shun Yang from China.
Acupuncture is based on having a continuous circulation of energy throughout your body, called your Qi (pronounced chee). Any interruption will cause an imbalance, which is when acupuncture comes in to rebalance your Qi.
If you decide to have acupuncture done on your pet, with a properly trained clinician, your pet will not appear to have any discomfort. Depending on the reason for the acupuncture, your pet will have about eight sessions or more to make sure the procedure was effective. But improvements could be seen after the first session.
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