Dr. Amanda Florsheim presents tips and tricks to club members.
Lorraine Wilson
Dr. Amanda Florsheim, our guest speaker at the June 8 meeting, explained some of the reasons animals develop fear of storms, called Stormphobia, along with some of the solutions. This condition can develop suddenly due to a traumatic event or a particularly loud storm. Dr. Florsheim outlined several solutions, such as creating a safe space, using white noise, closing curtains, leaving lights on, and considering medication. However, she noted that medication can be challenging due to the unpredictability of Texas weather. Thundershirts are another possibility, along with Calming Care supplements by Purina Pro Plan, available at most local pet stores without a prescription.
Dr. Florsheim also provided tips on selecting a good dog trainer. She emphasized the importance of verifying the trainer’s credentials and suggested asking any potential trainer these three key questions: 1. Do you use food when you train? 2. What training tools do you commonly use? 3. What do you recommend clients do when their dog growls at someone? The answers help identify trainers who follow positive training fundamentals.
Dr. Florsheim shared numerous cases from her practice and offered practical solutions, keeping the audience engaged with her humor. The club members certainly appreciated her return visit. Our sincere thanks to Rebecca Laschinger for reaching out to Dr. Florsheim.
The next meeting on Saturday, July 13, features Krista Doyle, owner of North Texas Canine Massage and Aquatics. Krista will talk about the benefits of massage for canines, which include relaxing tired or overworked muscles, easing the strain caused by inactivity and prevents or delays muscular atrophy related to forced inactivity, aids in rehabilitation post injuries and surgeries, increases circulation, maintains and restores flexibility of joints and muscles, strengthens the immune system, enhances detoxification, improves behavioral issues and socialization, enhances body awareness, provides an opportunity for caretaker to examine pet, enhances bonding and relationship with humans, and provides comfort.
In August Dr. Joanne Boone from Full Circle Mobile Vet will be our guest speaker. Dr. Boone provides in-home veterinary care, including veterinary medical acupuncture, cold laser therapy, and at-home euthanasia. This should give members insight into alternative therapies for your canine companions.
The Sept. 14 meeting will be a field trip to the Linda McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center and the pet food pantry. In April Happy Tails held a pet food drive, and Robson residents generously donated 2,772 pounds of pet food which, in turn, was donated to Denton Animal Support Foundation (DASF) for the pet food pantry. Further details and sign-ups will be sent to members beforehand.
Happy Tails Dog Club meetings are held the second Saturday of each month in the CATC building, Room 103, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Membership dues are $10 per household. Further information about Happy Tails Dog Club can be found on our website at www.rrhappytailsdogclub.weebly.com.