Attacks On Mail Carriers
Can you picture a member of your family attacking a mail carrier? Of course not, but it happened 5,803 times last year across the nation. Twenty Seven of those here in Maine.
Nashua, NH, Letter Carrier Melissa Fascione recalls being bitten recently. “I asked the customer to put the dog inside and she replied it’s OK, he’s friendly.” Fascione reported. “It’s not that the dog is bad,” said Fascione. “People just need to understand that the dog is just doing what they think is their job.” She realizes now that any dog, even the tamer ones, will bite if they believe their turf or family is threatened.
When a dog attacks a letter carrier, the dog owner could be held liable for all medical expenses, repayment of lost work hours, replacement of the uniform and other costs, which can run into thousands of dollars. The Postal Service places the safety of its employees as a top priority and dedicates a week each year to Dog Bite Awareness.
Door Delivery: If a carrier delivers mail or packages to your front door, place your dog in a separate room and close that door before opening the front door. Some dogs burst through screen doors or plate-glass windows to attack visitors. Dog owners should keep the family pet secured. Parents should remind their children and other family members not to take mail directly from carriers in the presence of the family pet, as the dog may view the person handing mail to a family member as a threatening gesture.
Electronic Fencing: Carriers may assume, when they see no physical fence around a property, the property is animal-free. This can be a dangerous mistake. Postal Service officials request that you keep your dog restrained or inside when the mail is delivered. Although the electronic fence may keep your dog from wandering, it does not protect your Postal Service carrier, who must enter your property to deliver the mail. Even homes with curbside mailboxes may have oversize packages or signature-needed items that require the carrier to approach a doorstep and cross the boundaries of the electronic fence. This poses a serious risk to carrier safety.
Dog in Yard: Make sure your dog is properly restrained on a leash away from where your mail carrier is delivering the mail. Mail delivery service can be interrupted at an address or neighborhood the carrier deems unsafe because of an unrestrained dog. When service is interrupted at an address or neighborhood, all parties involved will have to pick mail up at their local Post Office. Service will be restored once assurance has been given that the animal will be confined during regular delivery hours.
Tracking: Dog owners who have access to postal features such as Informed Delivery notifications (informeddelivery.usps.com) for letter mail and package tracking are urged to use this as a way to gauge when the carrier is on their way and to ensure dogs are properly restrained. Expecting a postal package delivery on Sunday? Postal Service officials urge dog owners to restrain their animals on Sundays as well, as more residences are receiving deliveries throughout the weekend.
Service Dog Handler
While they may be cute, they have a very important job to do.
One Joplin service dog handler wants the community to know the do’s and don’t when you see a service dog out with their owner.
Amber Chrystler, Service Dog Handler, said, “My service dogs are actually called psychiatric service dogs so they are different from emotional support dogs. They actaully do more than just comfort and emotional support.”
Amber Chrystler and her two service dogs, Clark and Kent, help her complete tasks in her day to day life.
Chrystler says the jobs of these animals aren’t always understood.
“Clark does deep pressure therapy, he does what’s called crowd control, and that’s when I’m in line and people get really close and it makes me uncomfortable so he’ll do blocks and covers and he’ll stand in front and behind me.”
Businesses are not allowed to refuse service to those with service animals, however there are some questions they may ask.
“Is this dog a service dog due to a disability, and then what work or task is it trained to perform.”
And businesses like Blue Moon Boutique in Joplin are already very familiar with allowing service dogs into their store.
Branden Clark, Co-Owner, Blue Moon Boutique, said, “Make sure employees always know, and typically they do. And just make sure everybody is informed and educated about it.”
Knowing those guidelines are especially important for people like Chrystler, as she needs to bring her dogs everywhere she goes.
“I really think it is important especially because a lot of people unfortunately do fake service dogs and that’s a legitimate concern I have and I run into daily. So, that would be my thing, I think they all need to be educated,” said Chrystler.
Chrystler adds never pet or distract a service animal while they are working with their owner.
Chrystler also runs a Facebook page aimed at informing the public on service animals, called Show Me Your Service Dog.
Trained Facility Dog
Norfolk Police welcomed a new recruit on Wednesday; meet Lilly from Mutts with a Mission!
Lilly is joining the Norfolk Police Department as their first certified law enforcement facility dog after having trained two years in Portsmouth with the non-profit. The organization is accredited with Assistance Dogs International and specializes in training dogs to serve the needs of veterans, wounded warriors and first responders.
Mutts with a Mission selected Lilly specifically for the Norfolk Police Department due to her sweet temperament and sociable demeanor.
“There’s nothing like the support of a dog following a difficult day,” said Chief Larry D. Boone. “As a former K-9 officer, I enjoyed the companionship of a full-time partner. I look forward to seeing my officers experience that same joy and the benefits it will have on their well-being.”
Lilly has now been brought onto the force to help officers and staff members throughout the department following stressful situations, counseling sessions, interviews, and roll calls as a facility dog.
Officer John Hines, Lilly’s handler, is part of the Peer Support Unit and trained with her for two months at Mutts with a Mission. Lilly will work alongside Officer Hines everywhere he goes during his daily duties and will live with him full-time. Officials say Lilly currently knows 40 commands and has adjusted well to her family of 800 plus officers and professional staff members.
German Shepherds
German Shepherd dogs are one of the world’s most popular breeds. They are beautiful and courageous and it’s easy to see why. Here are five unusual facts about these great dogs:
One – The very first Seeing Eye Dog was a female German Shepherd named Buddy from the 1920’s. Because of her, the Service Dog Movement was born, which helped thousands of adults and children.
Two – German Shepherds are naturally heroic. There are many documented stories of these great dogs putting themselves in danger to save their owner’s or their owner’s family, including jumping into rough water to save drowning children and throwing themselves between venomous snakes and a person who was about to get bitten.
Three – German Shepherds love to work. These dogs are happiest and most content when they have a job to do. They excel at herding, at rescue work and as K-9 police animals.
Helping Guide Dog Teams
In this time when so many of our social rituals have changed to accommodate the new rules of a global pandemic, one thing remains a constant: the need to remember to always use your powers of observation and offer a comfortable “physical distance” around a guide dog and his human handler when they are out in a public setting. Guide dogs are the eyes of their handler–they are trained to lead the way safely and securely. But we can’t expect guide dogs to understand the current physical distancing practice of maintaining 6-foot clearances.
Guide dogs are trained to be decision makers. Even under stressful situations the intent of the dogs’ presence is to protect their handlers from harmful situations involving clearances around obstacles and navigating over dangerous under footings. When another party is in too close proximity, it can distract the dog from its tasks. Just as we humans like our space, guide dogs need space as well to perform their duties. Our wonderful guide dogs are specifically trained to make safe choices in public settings. This includes on stairways, elevators, and escalators; in supermarket aisles; around restaurant tables and along sidewalks. The long-standing message of being a careful observer applies when you are in the same vicinity as the guide dog team—especially when locating, entering, or exiting doorways. Remember that the dog knows to lead his handler with safe clearance, but he does not know how to create a 6-foot gap. I believe the guide dog’s presence should tell the story and that we humans must observe and react with care. The responsibility for recommended physical spacing in the presence of a working team should fall to the sighted party. Please decide when it is necessary to make the adjustment for 6-feet of distance between you, and do it in a casual manner. When you see a guide dog team approaching, be observant and add a small amount of space between you as needed. There is no reason for exaggeration, but it’s easy to add a little physical separation to comply with safety practices. A slight movement one way or another will help a lot. We each do it every day in our people-to-people encounters.
And please do this with subtlety and tact. The blind person approaching you does not want to feel awkward or to be put on the spot. Nor do they want to be given preferential treatment. Blindness in and of itself can be the cause of social isolation and often results in loneliness and distancing from life and human interaction. We are in no way suggesting that you avoid engaging with a visually impaired person–just not when that can interfere with their safety and health.
We are all having to make adjustments to adhere to the new protocols and safety measures designed to flatten the curve of Covid-19 in our daily lives. Thank you for being sensitive about giving our life-changing guide dogs a little more space in theirs.
Therapy Dog Running For Award
Raider, a 4-year-old English Labrador who works with the Corona Police Department, has advanced to the semifinals of the 2020 American Humane Hero Dog Awards.
Raider is one of three dogs in the nation to vie for the title of the nation’s top therapy dog of the year and compete with six other dogs for the top title of American Hero Dog at the annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards event, according to a news release.
Raider, a trained facility dog from Canine Companions for Independence in Oceanside, is the Corona Police Department’s first facility dog and his primary focus is to assist those impacted by traumatic events and crime, according to the news release.
During his time with the Corona Police Department, Raider has been involved in more than 350 public events and more than 100 trauma victim assists, and has had direct interactions with approximately 45,000 people.
Raider was the first dog in Riverside County to assist a victim in court, according to the news release, and since his first court case, he has assisted in seven court cases in Riverside County.
His partnership with the Riverside County district attorney’s office has also led to the victim advocates office obtaining a grant for two courtroom dogs.
Raider gained recognition in 2018 with his assistance to the Turpin children, whose parents pleaded guilty to counts including torture and false imprisonment, and he worked almost two years with those children.
Raider is also a regional resource as a member of the Riverside County Crisis Response Team and he was deployed to the Borderline Grill shooting in 2018 and the Saugus High School shooting in 2019, according to the news release.
Raider is one of 21 dogs in seven categories chosen by the American public to advance to the semifinals from a field of 408.
Therapy Dog Teams
Therapy dogs lined up to greet workers at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center on Thursday.
A group of therapy dog teams from the Alliance of Therapy Dogs gathered with proper social distancing to show support for the hospital workers as their shifts changed.
The support teams lined up with signs of encouragement.
“We are still thinking about them, and we are really happy and thankful for all that they are still doing for our communities,” said Denise Fitzgerald, a tester for the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center has made it a practice to use therapy dogs to offer emotional support and much needed distractions for patients.
Dog Wash
A new small business in Lexington picked just the wrong time to open right as the pandemic hit but is now hoping business will start picking back up.
Fetch Self-Service Dog Wash and Boutique is the brainchild of Monica Cauble.
She spent a year planning the county’s only self-service dog wash where when you’re done washing your dog, they clean up after you.
She opened Fetch on March 1, and it has been slow during the pandemic.
She had not yet built her customer base up and many people were taking care of their dogs at home.
Now, she’s hoping as everyone is out more, they’ll take advantage of the dog wash instead of making that mess at home.
“Once you’re finished, we clean up. You don’t have to worry about all the dog hair in your bathtub, you don’t have to worry about all of the shaking dog and all the water,” Cauble said.
Fetch is located at 206 W. Center St. in Lexington near the intersection of Courtney Street about a block from the county courthouse.
They’re open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
There is no appointment necessary.
Teaching Your Dog To Enjoy The Water
For some dogs, paradise is trip to the beach or a day spent splashing around in the backyard pool. But not all dogs love the water.
“Some dogs don’t even like to get their paws wet, let alone go in water,” says Russell Hartstein, certified dog trainer and CEO of Fun Paw Care in Los Angeles. “The bottom line is it always comes down to a dog’s preferences.”
You may never get your dog to love the water, but if you have a pool in your backyard or live near a body of water, it’s a good idea to try and teach your dog how to be comfortable in the water. You may even have to teach your dog how to swim because surprisingly, not all dogs instinctually know how to do the doggie paddle.
But if you can get your dog to swim, you should.
“Swimming has almost the exact same benefits for dog as it does for humans,” says Hartstein. It’s good cardiovascular exercise. It reduces stress. It burns off excess energy.
Swimming is joint-friendly. “It benefits arthritic dogs and helps with dogs who have issues with bones, joints and cartilage.”
It’s also beneficial for senior dogs because swimming is therapeutic. Water supports the dog’s body and makes moving easier. It can relieve pain by strengthening cartilage, joints, and muscles, and improving circulation.
If your dog is overweight, swimming is a perfect exercise. It is easy on their joints, burns calories, and improves the metabolism without the risk of injury.
To encourage your dog to enjoy the water, it’s important to create a positive associations with it. (Make sure you consult with a professional dog trainer or veterinarian before heading into the water.)
Introducing your dog to water should be a natural experience. When dogs see people in the water or kids who are playing in the pool, dogs often wants to be part of the fun, and that can positively influence a dog’s behavior, says Hartstein.
Put a life jacket on your dog before you work with him in a pool. Make sure it’s sized right for your dog. (For instance, if you have a bulldog, choose a jacket that is designed to keep the head above water.) Look for a life jacket with a float front and handle.
Don’t ever force your dog into the water. Never drag him in or throw him in. That method, called “flooding,” is not recommended, says Hartstein. “Unfortunately, I see dog parents along ocean and lake edges pulling their dog in the water, and clearly the dog is petrified,” he says. “That will backfire in a big way. There is a lot of emotional fallout. We have to respect the autonomy of the animal and just allow them to make their own decisions.”
If your dog is afraid of water, it’s best to start with a pool or a quiet lake or pond. Oceans and rivers with waves and currents are much more intimidating to a dog who’s fearful, and the intense stimulation of hot sand, noise and other people at a beach can be overwhelming.
Show your dog how to get into and out of your pool — but don’t expect him to use the ladder! If you don’t have a shallow side with a gentle slope or steps, invest in a pool ramp.
When your dog is in the water, hold him underneath his body, talk in a high pitch voice and show him that it’s okay, says Hartstein. “Use very high value food treats and reward your dog every time he comes closer to the water or dips a paw in.”
Try walking him in a shallow pool while you hold onto his belly, and then guide him to the steps or ramp to get out. Each time, give your dog a treat.
When the dog is more comfortable, try tossing a ball into the pool or a floatable dog toy. Or put it right at the water’s edge and then keep on progressively throwing it deeper and deeper.
If you have another dog who loves the water, or can invite over some water pups, they can often encourage your dog to relax and learn to love swimming.
Even if your dog loves the water and takes any opportunity to leap into the pool, that doesn’t automatically mean your dog is safe. In fact, there are breeds that are often physically unable to keep their head above water. Unfortunately, if an individual dog loves water, the fact that he will sink like a stone won’t deter him from leaping into the pool.
Some of these breeds include:
Bulldogs.Their large heads, limited range of motion, big heavy chests and breathing problems make bulldogs sink like a rock.
Basset Hounds. Short legs, dense bones and low heavy body shape causes them to sink to the bottom.
Pugs. They can sometimes swim, but their heavy, barrel-shaped body and short snouts make swimming difficult.
Dachshunds. This breed can also sometimes swim, but their long backs, short necks and short legs make swimming difficult.
Pekingese. The flat, brachycephalic facial structure and short legs make swimming risky.
Scottish Terrier. Short legs and a heavy body make this breed sink in water.
If you have any of these breeds, or any of the brachycephalic breeds in general, you must be extremely careful. When your dog is running around on your property, use a doggy life vest — or keep your dog on a leash, says Hartstein.
If you have a pool, the safest option is to install a fence around it, and keep it secured. Use a pool cover in the off season. There are also pool monitors that will alert you when you’re inside your home if your dog breaks the surface of the water.
Always supervise your dog around water, and be extra careful around natural bodies of water. Lakes, river and ponds can grow toxic blue-green algae growth, which is deadly for dogs. Stagnant water can be home to dangerous water parasites. Other dangers include water snakes, sharp objects like glass or metal, and heat stroke.
Stay safe and always consult with your veterinarian or trainer before you take your dog for a swim.
Pet Supplies Plus
Pet Supplies Plus will open a location at 172 Tri City Plaza June 19.
The store will include a professional grooming salon, self-service dog wash stations, curbside pickup, same day home delivery, and carry-out service in which team members carry heavy items to neighbors’ cars.
The store is owned and operated by local entrepreneur Dominick Zarcone Jr. Zarcone, a Wisconsin native, received his master’s degree in advertising and digital studies, with emphasis in humanistic buying behavior, from Boston University and has worked in corporate America for the past 10 years.
This is his first store, and he plans to expand in the future. Zarcone plans to will partner with local animal shelters, rescue organizations, and nonprofits to host year-round adoption events, fundraisers and pet food drives.
