Bark n Wag 15 Minute Vet Talk Polly ReQua

Cow Hug Therapy 
How The Animals at the Gentle Barn Taught Me about Life, Death, and Everything In Between. 
Autographed copy of the inspirational story of the compassionate and wise animals of the Gentle Barn and how they became a therapeutic salve for countless guests — and mentors for all of us in how to live and die

In Cow Hug Therapy, Ellie Laks, founder of the Gentle Barn Foundation, shares the extraordinary journey that started with her first teacher, Buddha — not the religious figure, but a rescued miniature Hereford cow. One evening Buddha wrapped her neck around an exhausted and upset Laks and transferred a singular form of healing and comfort with an incredible impact. Understanding that this was something to be shared with others, Laks developed Cow Hug Therapy, a groundbreaking approach to emotional healing that has proved effective for trauma, illness, disabilities, addiction, grief, and stress.

Cow Hug Therapy is a colorful and compelling narrative of the healing mavens of the barnyard through the years and their individual stories of being rescued from trauma and treated with love and respect. These animals have transformed lives and ignited breakthroughs, newfound purpose, and freedom, including for a young mother who lost her baby, a suicidal teenager, a wounded serviceman, an open-heart surgery patient, and many more.

Media outlets including ABC’s Good Morning America, NBC’s TODAY show, and The Atlantic magazine have featured numerous stories of the hopeless beginning to thrive at the Gentle Barn. A testament to empathy and the mission to heal animals, people, and the planet, Cow Hug Therapy captures a remarkable journey of transformation and serves as a beacon of hope for all seeking healing and connection.
https://store.gentlebarn.org/products/autographed-copy-of-cow-hug-therapy-how-the-animals-at-the-gentle-barn-taught-me-about-life-death-and-everything-in-between
 
Make sure you buy this amazing book! 

“Putting animals and people together in a way that is healing for both” is the core mission of Shepherd’s Rest Goat and Sheep Rescue. Through the Animal Assisted Therapy Program, we believe we can create an impact that echoes in the lives of our clients far beyond the boundaries of the rescue.
Please visit https://www.shepherdsrestrescue.com

Cancer in dogs, the warning signs
Cancer is a heart-breaking condition that affects too many people around the world. Unfortunately, it also impacts our beloved canine companions.
As a dog owner, it’s very important to be aware of some of the signs of cancer in dogs – just as it’s essential to take heart from the fact that treatments for this disease are improving all the time.
Let’s take a closer look…
Cancer in dogs Unfortunately, cancer is one of the most common illnesses in dogs. 50% of all dogs over the age of 10 are expected to be diagnosed with some form of cancer. This means that recognizing the warning signs is even more important when you have an aging hound on your hands.
By being vigilant, and providing age-appropriate exercise, a nutritious diet, and mental stimulation, you’re giving your dog the best shot at a long, active, and healthy life.
The most common types of dog cancer Dogs and humans can actually develop the same forms of cancer. This list isn’t exhaustive, but it should give you a rough idea of the types of cancer that often affect our canine companions:
Skin cancer Blood cancer Bone cancer Cancers of the immune system – such as lymphoma Abdominal cancers Cancer of the uterus Mammary (breast) cancer – mainly found in female dogs Testicular cancer Anal cancer
The causes of canine cancer The causes of cancer are complex, and that applies to both humans and dogs. For this reason, there isn’t one definite cause. Cancer can be triggered by genetics, age, nutrition, and environmental factors.
Fortunately, animal experts agree that canine cancer isn’t caused by things like bumps and scrapes.
Here’s a look at some of the common causes of canine cancer:
1. Genetics As with humans, genes that cause cancer can be inherited. This means if your dog’s parents developed cancer, your dog is at higher risk. Certain dog breeds are also more generically prone to certain illnesses, including cancer. Golden Retrievers, Boxers, and Rottweilers are considered at higher risk of developing cancer (and specific types of cancer) than other breeds,
2. Carcinogens Carcinogens are harmful substances or features of the environment that can cause cancer. They include second-hand smoke, insecticides used in agriculture, certain viruses, air pollution, and UV rays from the sun.
Researchers have found that sun exposure is a significant factor in developing squamous cell carcinoma, a cancerous tumor that can be seen in almost every single domesticated pet breed. Animals with white fur or markings are more likely to develop this form of cancer.
3. Age Sadly, cancer is one of the leading causes of death in dogs over the age of 10, with 50% of older dogs developing the disease and approximately one in four dogs passing from it. However, the reasons for this are largely speculated.
4. The environment In humans, most cancers are related to environmental factors. This can include their diet, their exposure to UV light and various chemicals, and more. The same is likely true for canine cancer, too.
Reducing your dog’s exposure to environmental hazards – like smoke – is important in reducing their risk of developing cancer.

What could help prevent your dog from getting cancer? One thing you could consider is spaying and neutering. Spaying or neutering your dog could prevent ovarian and testicular cancers from developing. Studies have also shown that spaying a female dog before her first or second heat may also help to reduce the risk of breast cancer developing. You should talk to your veterinarian about the best time for your dog to be spayed or neutered, according to their breed.
Keeping your dog’s mouth clean and healthy may also reduce the risk of oral cancer.
As well as trying to reduce your dog’s risk of cancer, you should educate yourself on the warning signs, so your veterinarian can catch and treat it early.
What are the warning signs of cancer in dogs? Unfortunately, o

Our Mission Shepherd’s Rest Goat and Sheep Rescue exists to rescue, rehabilitate, and provide sanctuary for goats and sheep in need, to educate the public about goats and sheep as therapy animals, to provide qualified animal assisted therapy, and to train others to provide qualified animal assisted therapy with sheep and goats adopted through our program.
 Our Promise
Shepherd’s Rest Goat and Sheep Rescue is committed to equal employment and volunteer opportunity without regard to age, ancestry, disability, national or ethnic origin, race, religious belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status.

This policy applies to all areas of employment and volunteer participation, including recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, transfer, termination, layoff, compensation, benefits, social and recreational programs, all other conditions and privileges of employment in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
Goat Yoga We hold classes Spring through Fall at our picturesque 100-year-old farm located in Pickrell, Nebraska, just a 30 minute drive south of Lincoln.
Shepherd's Rest Goat & Sheep Rescue
426 West Cedar Road
Pickrell, NE, 68422
402.580.5299
shepherdsrestrescue@gmail.com

Leaving your beloved companion home while you’re at work or travelling is hard enough; finding a trustworthy pet sitter shouldn’t be. Faced with hectic schedules and long commutes—or even a pet who’s dealing with separation anxiety—more people are hiring professional sitters to ensure their animals’ health and happiness. But there’s a lot to consider when choosing a sitter.
Not only are they caring for valued family members, they’re coming into your home. They should be trustworthy, professional, knowledgeable and able to handle emergencies. And your pet should feel comfortable around them.
Here are some tips to help find that perfect sitter!


Start online The internet (including neighborhood and community websites) is a great place to start. Professional pet-sitting associations such as the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and Pet Sitters International list members on their websites. Reading online reviews and even checking out candidates’ Facebook pages can help narrow down your search.
Seek firsthand recommendations Check the bulletin boards at local stores or your veterinarian’s office for ads, then reach out to potential sitters for their references. You can also ask friends, relatives and neighbors for referrals. Or connect with your veterinarian and local humane societies, which may have employees who are part-time pet sitters. Just keep in mind that people with full-time jobs may not have the availability you need.




Prepare for the interview Take some time to think through what you want to ask candidates before interviewing them via phone or video chat. Don’t be afraid to have a long conversation; you can get a good sense of someone’s personality and character that way. Here are some topics to consider:
THE BASICS Find out how long they’ve been in business, what their level of experience is with your pets’ species and what their backup plan is if something prevents them from coming to your house.
FEES There’s no point in moving forward if you can’t afford their services. At the same time, don’t just go with the cheapest rate; you want a qualified professional.
SERVICES Ask what specific services they offer—are they comfortable administering medications? Do they have special training or certifications? Are they bonded and insured (which could protect you in certain situations, such as if your dog bites another person while on a walk with the sitter)?
It can also be helpful to pose one or two emergency scenarios to see how candidates respond: What would they do if the air conditioning breaks on a hot day or your pet starts vomiting?




Get ready for the meet-and-greet Before you book a pet-sitting date, you and your pets should meet the candidate. This will allow you to get to know the person better, flesh out special instructions and observe how they interact with your animal. You may even want to ask a candidate to do a trial walk to see how they handle your dog.
Don’t forget to ask for credentials such as references and copies of their bonding and license. You might also want to get a criminal background check.
Accept that it might not work out The best screening in the world may not prevent you from hiring the wrong person. But you can take some simple steps to help determine whether the person is doing their job.
For example:
Ask your sitter to leave notes about each visit or share photos with you via text or email. If you have a doorbell camera, check whether your sitter comes at the agreed-upon times. Get a GPS for your dog’s collar to ensure they’re being walked every day. Still not sure whether your sitter is up to snuff? Here are some potential red flags to look for:
Pee puddles, feces or vomit in the house. Untouched treats or toys you’ve left for the sitter to give to your pet during a visit. Failure to provide detailed reports of your pet’s behavior. While it’s good to be cautious when sta

Founded in 2020 by a group of animal advocates in Lincoln, Nebraska, Brave Animal Rescue is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) volunteer-based animal welfare organization dedicated to rescuing homeless kittens, cats, dogs, and puppies. By working with a network of volunteer advocates, foster caregivers, local veterinarians, and shelters, Brave Animal Rescue is able to help hundreds of animals every year by pulling animals from high-kill shelters, by working hands-on rescuing orphaned kittens, by aiding in local Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) efforts, and by helping those who are no longer able to care for their pets. We provide these animals with care and temporary homes until we are able to place them in permanent homes. Brave also aims to serve as a resource to our community by providing information about pet ownership, spaying and neutering, veterinary care, and TNR.
The founders of Brave Animal Rescue are life-long animal advocates who have several years of experience working with other nonprofit animal groups throughout the Midwest. Through these experiences on the forefront of rescue, the founders quickly began to recognize a need in the community for a neonatal-focused rescue.  The vast majority of animals that are surrendered to animal shelters are under the age of 18 months old. According to The Humane Society of the United States, 80% of kittens are born outside. Without intervention, these kittens go on to procreate, get killed (by disease, vehicles, predators, etc.), or end up in shelters.  Unfortunately, kittens and puppies under 8 weeks old are the population most at-risk for being euthanized in shelters due to a lack of resources and foster homes. With a passion for newborn kittens and puppies, and drive to help the community, the founders of Brave Animal Rescue aim to end the cycle of unwanted companion animals through education, rescue, and spaying and neutering.
CONTACT
Brave Animal Rescue
PO Box 21864
Lincoln, NE 68542






EMAIL
BraveAnimalRescue@gmail.com