It’s well established that a therapy pet can be both a useful medical device and a soothing companion. Therapy pets have become more common, aiding people with everything from PTSD to diabetes. Many people could benefit from a therapy pet. However, wait lists are long, and the training is time-consuming and expensive. Often, therapy dogs are purebreds. But, rescue dogs are still capable of becoming certified.

We love the story of Jake, a rescued Pit Bull previously considered unadoptable, who found new life as a therapy pet. However, most of these pets don’t have histories as rough as that of Mara, a rescued mixed breed. Mara is working as a therapy dog – just as the court finds her previous owner guilty of animal abuse.

Therapy pet survives house of horrors

Mara is a therapy dog for children with special needs. She works to help children improve their confidence and feel comfortable socializing. This pup’s cheerful demeanor would never lead you to believe she had survived abuse. However, Mara has had to overcome horrific mistreatment in her past.

An affidavit obtained by NBC 5 said a witness called the police at about midnight on July 10, 2022, and reported seeing a man outside of the Keller Library throwing things at a medium-sized dog. When the police arrived, they heard the dog whining and a man shouting. The officer then saw the man, who was on a playground, pick up the dog.

He then slammed her down first onto a nearby car, then onto the ground. According to the affidavit, the man then lifted the dog off of the ground by her leash and strung her over the monkey bars. When the officers approached, the man finally released the dog.

Justice is being served

Animal control officers took custody of the dog. According to court documents, caretakers determined that Mara had scarring from previous injuries. Additionally, the nails on her back paws had been forcefully removed.

Now, around a year from Mara’s rescue, her abuser is finally held accountable.  On April 27, a Tarrant County court found Arin Bright, Mara’s previous owner, guilty of animal cruelty. Sentencing for the case is still underway.

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Dog walking is a part of life with a furry friend, but it can hold surprising dangers. Whether you live in an urban area with the chaos of traffic and other dogs, or out in the countryside with coyotes and mountain lions, it’s likely you and your dog face potential hazards. Some of these hazards may result from your dog themselves. A study by researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that traumatic brain injuries were the most common injury related to walking a leashed dog from 2001 to 2020. The researchers found that an estimated 422,659 adults sought treatment in U.S. emergency rooms for injuries resulting from leash-dependent dog walking from 2001 to 2020. This doesn’t mean that dog walking is inherently dangerous, or that you should be afraid. Instead, learn how to safely walk your dog and prevent potential accidents. Our safety tips for dog walking will help keep you and your pet in one piece!

Good leash manners

It may seem silly, but leash manners can prevent injury for both you and your dog. One of the most straightforward safety tips for dog walking is simply to work on leash training. You are susceptible to injury by being pulled over or tripped by an excitable dog who, of course, doesn’t mean you any harm. But if you are to drop the leash, your dog could make a grand escape, or face the dangers of traffic.

Dogs aren’t born with the knowledge of good leash manners. So, make the effort to teach them. Ideally, your dog should also learn commands like “heel” and “stay,” which can be convenient during daily commotion. You may find the best success when pairing your leash training with a harness or a device such as a Gentle Leader, which can redirect your dog from unwanted pulling behavior.

Awareness of your surroundings

Yes, some of your dog’s safety is on your shoulders, too! If you’re frequently a distracted dog walker, you’re at a higher risk of a safety incident than an attentive walker. Set aside a time to walk your dog when you won’t need to worry about answering phone calls or text messages. If you’re more focused on your screen than your dog, you’re giving your dog more opportunities to get into trouble and putting you both in harm’s way. It’s important to be aware of your surroundings when walking, even in a familiar area. Some people may accidentally walk into traffic when distracted by their smartphones. Don’t put yourself or your dog in that kind of danger. However, it’s a good idea to keep your phone in your pocket in case of an emergency. Additionally, it’s a good idea to have your local emergency vet’s number on hand for whatever life may throw at you and your dog.

Respect wildlife

We’ve all seen the aww-worthy videos of pet dogs playing with wild creatures like wolves or deer. While this may seem cute, it’s often disruptive to the wildlife involved, and dangerous for your dogs. Wild animals can pose a threat to your dog. Even if they aren’t behaving aggressively, they can carry illnesses that can impact both you and your pet. Keep a safe distance from wild animals when walking your pet. And in areas where large predators are common, use supervision even in fenced-in yards.

Socialization is key

One of the best ways to prevent mishaps with your dog is by exposing them to as much stimuli as you can, preferably at a young age. Dogs are likely to become spooked (possibly encouraging them to try to pull free) if they hear an unfamiliar noise on a walk. If you had extremely sensitive hearing and had never encountered a motorcycle before, you’d probably be scared, too! Expose your dog to many different people and places so they can grow accustomed to the hustle and bustle of life. This also reduces the risk of reactivity later on, which can make safely walking your dog a challenge.

Looking for more safety tips to keep your canine companion in good health? Check out our guide to safety at the dog park. And for those who love to stay prepared, we have a guide for doggie first aid kits.

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Unfortunately, domestic violence calls are known to correlate with various other types of abuse. 71% of women in domestic violence shelters report their abuser threatened, injured or killed a pet. The fear of violence against a dear pet can make victims feel trapped in violent situations. During a domestic violence call in Jefferson County, Alabama, authorities found a gravely abused dog.

Abused dog discovered during domestic violence call

On April 22, deputies responded to a domestic violence incident, according to AL News. During the call, deputies found a small dog that was suffering from skin and fur loss. The dog was also severely malnourished. Sheriff’s Lt. Joni Money said the abused dog appeared to be the victim of long-term neglect. Greater Birmingham Humane Society took the dog in. Money said it is unknown if the dog will survive the injuries. Thankfully, the human victim was not seriously injured. Investigators determined the suspect in the domestic violence incident was also the suspect in the dog’s abuse.

“Heinous acts such as this, will not be ignored,” said Sheriff Mark Pettway regarding the case. “We are proud of the partnership we have built with The Greater Birmingham Humane Society and we will continue to work together to stop the abuse and neglect of defenseless animals.”

If you want to help with this ongoing case, you can donate to The Greater Birmingham Humane Society at www.gbhs.org/donate. While it’s still unclear if the abused dog will recover, the Humane Society hopes to help with veterinary intervention.

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For most of us, losing a dog is our worst nightmare – but most of our runaway pets don’t get into serious trouble. Typically, owners of lost dogs’ biggest worries are busy streets and predators.

But one adventurous hound managed to fall over fifty feet into a cave during a brief escape. Thankfully, the hound dog rescued from the cave returned safely home.

Hound dog rescued after steep drop

Shaker the hound sometimes tries to find adventure on his own. Shaker left home in pursuit of a raccoon’s trail, and his owners lost sight of him. The dog’s owner, Jacob Reed, called rescuers after finding Shaker and realizing he couldn’t move. It’s estimated that Shaker’s fall was between fifty and seventy-five feet. Officials said the dog miraculously did not suffer any injuries in the fall. Rescuers used trees as anchors to slowly rappel down to Shaker. Volunteer fire department members were responsible for the hound dog’s rescue.

“We got him home, gave him some water, and fed him, and he was pouncing around like nothing even happened,” Reed told Fox News. “Put him on a treadmill and making sure everything was working good and he was as good as he was before we left.”

Shaker may be an adventurous pup, but we predict he won’t be so eager to leave home in the future. Somehow, his case isn’t the worst we’ve seen – Nanuq, the one-year old-dog who managed to strand himself on Alaskan sea ice, may have taken the cake for most dangerous doggie rescue.

Preventing dog escapes

Thankfully, the dog involved in this scary situation wasn’t injured. However, he was lucky to escape without harm. While most of us may not live by deep caves, our dogs can still get themselves into sticky situations on their own. Train your dog to walk politely on the leash to prevent pulling free. Likewise, in unfenced areas, your pup should always be leashed!

Additionally, collar and microchip your dog to improve your chances of recovery. If they do escape, having your current contact information on them will improve their chances of returning home.

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When you think of sniffer dogs, your first thought is likely canines trained to sniff out drugs. But sniffer dogs can be trained for many more purposes to help humans. Sniffer dogs have been trained to scent out everything from pangolins to endangered orchids. Now, sniffer dogs are helping researchers fight against the invasive lantern fly.

Sniffer dogs fight back against invasive species

Spotted lanternflies first arrived in the U.S. from China in 2014. Since then, they’ve spread quite a bit. Lanternflies are now common in 14 U.S. states. This has created a growing problem for farmers, whose crops are damaged by the flies. “It poses a major threat for our grape growers, where it’s already caused tens of millions of dollars of damage,” Michael Raupp, professor at the University of Maryland’s Department of Entomology, told TODAY.

Now, sniffer dog teams from Virginia Tech and Texas Tech are working to fight against lanternflies. Researchers decided that the dogs are most effective when the flies have yet to hatch. The sniffer dog teams are trained to sniff out lanternfly nests, so they can be destroyed before causing any damage.

“We think what the dog and handler teams might be really useful for is preventing further spread so that they can go through and check a winery, check the vineyards and make sure there are no egg masses,” Erica Feuerbacher, Ph.D., from the Virginia Tech’s Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences told TODAY.

While the program is new in development, we can hope that these amazing dogs are able to halt ecological destruction.

Dogs using their noses in conservation

We applaud the dogs involved for sniffing out lanternflies – while they likely have no concept of the impact that they’re making, it’s nonetheless an important one. Dogs and conservation don’t often go paw-in-paw. In fact, our pets have carbon ‘paw prints’, and can be ecologically destructive.

But some individuals are making changes with their dogs. Similarly to the dogs in this story, sniffer dogs in Hawaii are trained to sniff out invasive plants. And a different set of fly-sniffing dogs is working to prevent fruit fly outbreaks in Australia. We hope to see more canine conservationists making a difference in our future!

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In an increasingly digital landscape, new innovations are making dogs’ lives better. Sometimes technology clashes with dog ownership – after all, we’ve all lamented a distracted dog walker using their phone. But the latest developments in apps can also improve your dog ownership skills. Check out our roundup of the ten best apps for dog owners as of 2023.

10. Pet First Aid

Developed by the American Red Cross, the Pet First Aid app aims to help dog (and other pet) owners keep their companions safe. The app will give you step-by-step instructions on how to handle any dog-related emergency. It also locates the nearest animal hospitals to ensure your dog gets the care needed in an emergency. If you’re on the move, you can also use this app to help locate pet-friendly hotels. The app also allows you to track vet visits, create pet profiles, and identify toxic foods for dogs.

9. 11pets

11pets advertises itself as an app with 50+ pet care features. The app is designed for not only dog owners, but animal rescue workers & dog groomers. The app allows you to track healthcare information for multiple animals and communicate with professionals about pet care. This app can categorize everything from your pet’s food brand & amount to scheduling nail trims. The app itself is free, but offers a Premium version with more features.

8. PetCoach

Gone are the days of frantically Googling your pet’s symptoms in an attempt to diagnose them while you wait for a vet appointment. PetCoach connects owners to veterinarians, nutritionists, and other pet professionals in order to answer any questions you have regarding their care. For nervous dog owners who sweat even the smallest sneeze, PetCoach can provide peace of mind.

7. iKibble

iKibble is a quick and easy way to be sure the snack your dog just grabbed off the counter won’t make them sick. (Unfortunately, this free app is only available for iOS users.) iKibble categorizes pretty much any food you could think of and provides an answer as to whether or not it’s safe for your dog to eat. If your dog tends to get into anything you leave unattended, iKibble will save time and keep you from stressing over your dog’s last unplanned meal.

6. Rover

One of the most popular apps for a modern-day dog owner, Rover connects users to local dog walkers. The app is primarily focused on dog walkers, but also offers dog boarding along with a new endeavor – GoodPup dog training. If you’ve got your dog’s walks handled, but you could use the extra cash, Rover allows you to register as a walker.

5. Wag

The Wag app puts dog trainers, boarders, and walkers all at your fingertips. Wag allows you to receive services ranging from a simple visit to let your dog out to a dog training session. You can hire a walker on demand, or pre-schedule a walk. Wag also can connect you with pet insurance providers & veterinarians to keep your dog healthy.

4. Puppr

The Puppr app was developed by trainer Sara Carson, offering 70+ dog training lessons at your fingertips. Dog training can be expensive and hard to fit into a busy schedule. So, the Puppr app allows you to control when you train & what you want to train for free. Puppr offers everything from basic obedience to advanced tricks, so even the most well-behaved canine might have something to learn.

3. DOGO

The perfect cross between a traditional training program and a mobile app, the DOGO app allows you to train your dog through your own direction, but receive feedback from a network of professional dog trainers. You can even upload clips of your dog’s training progress in order to get input from trainers on how you can improve.

2. Dogs ‘n’ Parks

The perfect app for active dogs and cautious owners, Dogs ‘n’ Parks offers a whole new dog park experience. The app locates dog parks near you, allows you to read others’ reviews and post your own feedback, and even connect with other local dog owners for pup playdates.

1. Sniffspot

One of the fastest-rising dog apps is Sniffspot. Sniffspot hosts a network of private properties that you can rent in order to let your dog play somewhere new. This app is perfect for reactive dog owners looking for interesting but safe locations for their dog. You can even sort spots by stimuli present – for example, you can choose a spot where you won’t be able to see any other dogs or people. You can also rent out your own (qualifying) backyard to other dog owners for some side income.

Not sure where to start when downloading dog care apps? Check out our rankings of the best dog-walking apps.

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Mila the Beagle had a harder life than most of our pets. Mila spent most of her life at Envigo dog breeding facility in Virginia. The facility closed last year following a federal investigation. After the closure, 3,776 beagles were left with uncertain futures. One of these dogs was Mila. Thankfully for her, she was adopted by Virginia State Senator Creigh Deeds, a longtime Beagle lover. Then, shortly after adjusting to her new home (her first time touching grass or having a dog bed) she disappeared. Thankfully, Mila has been returned home to her new family, much to their relief.

Beagle goes missing at campaign photo shoot

On April 4th, Deeds was in Charlottesville for a photo shoot for campaign materials. Mila was planned to be a part 0f the photo shoot. For the first part of the evening she was outside, on a leash, under the care of a campaign intern. Then, she bolted. Deeds hypothesizes that the unfamiliar intern confused and scared Mila, leading to her stint as a runaway.

“I was foolish to leave her with someone she didn’t know in a neighborhood she didn’t know,” Deeds said to Cardinal News. “Instead of making money calls, I was in the woods looking for that dog.”

Lost Beagle reunited with politician and family

After several weeks of frantic efforts to find Mila that involved putting up signage, trail cams, and reaching out to a dog expert, the lost Beagle was finally located. Mila was found in a different Charlottesville neighborhood on April 17, where she was cornered on a porch until Deeds could collect her.

“I called her name – and she came right to me,” he said. “I knew she was just scared and confused and panicked. In the end, she was just worn out. She walked up to me and I held her as long as I could — until I started picking the ticks off her.”

We’re thankful that this story has a happy ending, both for Mila and the rest of the Deeds family. You can bolster your chances of finding your own pet if they become lost by keeping a current picture (to show others their description). Also, keep current identification on your dog’s collar. And always microchip your pet. Check out our lost dog guide for additional tips on recovering a runaway canine.

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Now more than ever, dog owners want to do the best thing for their pets. This has led to vast shifts in the pet industry, targeting health of pets over cost-effectiveness. The demand for organic dog grooming products has exploded in the past few years. For some owners, it’s a matter of catering to their dogs’ allergies. For some, it’s based in doing the best you can for the environment. Additionally, more owners are concerned about the potential health impacts of chemical-based grooming products on our sensitive furry friends.

Why are chemical-based dog grooming products harmful?

Chances are, your dog has never had a reaction to chemical-based grooming products. They’re common in the pet market, and for years were the only options widely available. However, that doesn’t mean that these products are never harmful. Many dog shampoos and conditioners have bases that can be harsh on your pet’s skin and coat. That doesn’t necessarily make them bad for an occasional bath. But, repeated use for dogs who love to get in the dirt can be detrimental over time, leading owners towards gentler alternatives.

Some ingredients that have been determined as harmful for humans have yet to be banned in pet cosmetic products. This means that, while the chances of the product being harmful are pretty much guaranteed, it’s perfectly legal to use on animals. This includes BHA, a common pet shampoo preservative. This ingredient has been classified as a potential human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Additionally, artificial fragrances can be bothersome to pets. While they may smell pleasant to us, overpoweringly scented grooming products can disturb a dog’s sensitive sense of smell and lead to allergy-like symptoms including sneezing.

There’s also the risk of your dog’s grooming products disturbing your local environment. Some common ingredients, like petroleum products, can pollute waterways.

Benefits of organic dog grooming products

Organic dog grooming products are less likely to contain ingredients not deemed safe for human use (although it’s always a good idea to check the ingredients of any product you purchase for your pet). It’s important to do some research into the brands you buy from. A lack of regulation in the pet grooming industry means that a product can contain a high proportion of processed and potentially toxic chemicals, and still be labeled as organic.

Often, dog grooming products made with harsh chemicals can do damage to your pet’s coat over time. Dogs naturally produce oils that keep their coats in good shape. While not bathing your dog enough can lead to a buildup of these oils, which isn’t ideal, bathing them too frequently or with harsh products can dry out their coat. Using soothing organic products can reduce the risk of dry skin or a dull coat.

Dogs also commonly have sensitive skin that doesn’t accommodate artificial products as well as ours does. Using a trusted brand of organic dog grooming products reduces the risk of skin irritation from an artificial source.

Your choice of dog shampoo also impacts the environment. Using organic dog shampoos and conditioners has environmental benefits through the strict regulatory standards for organic farmers. Avoiding products with potentially harmful ingredients also reassures you that you are not rinsing toxic residue down the drain when you bathe your dog.

Some pet shampoo brands, such as Hartz, have been under fire for many years due to making dogs sick, yet remains on the market. Just because a chemical-heavy brand is well-known doesn’t mean it’s the best option for your dog.

How to choose the right clean dog grooming products

It’s important to examine the organic dog grooming products you wish to use before you bring them home. Some owners aren’t familiar with the definitions of “natural” and “organic” in the pet grooming world, which can lead to confusion surrounding the best products to buy.

To be classified as natural, ingredients must be processed by a small range of methods. These methods include physical extraction techniques such as extrusion or filtration or microbiological or enzymatic methods. These processing methods ensure maintenance of the products’ original properties. The use of the word “natural” in products is regulated differently around the world. In some countries, the term can be used on product packaging even if a minimal amount of natural ingredients make up the final product. Look for a company that has obtained some sort of certification; for example, Doglyness, a popular natural pet brand, is certified by the ECOGEA Institute.

Organic ingredients must be produced without the use of certain chemicals such as pesticides or growth hormones. The intent of growing crops organically is to reduce environmental impact from farming along with keeping harmful components out of consumers’ products. Organic farming faces more heavy regulations; if a product claims that it is organic, the brand will have had to abide by a strict set of guidelines in order to advertise this on their packaging.

Become familiar with terms for harmful products in pet shampoos. Ideally, any product should be free of BHA or sodium laurel sulfate (SLS). You may want to ask for vet recommendations for organic products. If you have questions about an ingredient in your pet products, your vet may also be able to give you guidance on the product’s safety.

Now that you know all about clean grooming products, check out our guide to bathing your dog!

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Bringing your dog along to your favorite restaurant is fun, but it can also be a huge subject of debate. Many worry about the potential health impacts of dogs around food. Additionally, with rising numbers of people faking their dog’s service animal abilities just to eat out with them, some restaurants are inherently suspicious of pet owners’ motives. But, the FDA has officially changed guidance for restaurants in order to allow dogs to eat outdoors.

FDA says your dog can join you for outdoor dining

In an update to the 2022 FDA Food Code, the FDA stated that its health rules “allow for pet dogs in outdoor dining areas, where approved.” This does not change all rules regarding dogs and outdoor dining. Dogs still aren’t allowed indoors, or anywhere where food is prepared. (This rule does not apply to registered service dogs.)

According to the FDA’s rules, if a restaurant opens its doors to dogs, it must do so for all breeds. They aren’t allowed to welcome in a Labrador but decline your Pit Bull’s attendance.

However, this doesn’t mean your dog is welcome everywhere. Restaurants are still able to choose whether or not they want to welcome dogs altogether into their establishment.

“This was FDA’s effort to suggest that there’s not a concern about overall food sanitation and safety if you have a pet dog in an outdoor area,” says Whitt Steineker, a food-and-beverage lawyer at the firm of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, of the new guidance. “This isn’t FDA saying that restaurants ‘must’ do something or that they ‘cannot’ do something, because it still is the restaurant’s decision.”

Dining outdoors with your dog

If you do plan to bring your dog to a restaurant, be sure they’ll be a good representative of dog foodies! Brush up on basic commands before visiting a restaurant with your dog. You may want to groom them so they look their best. For reactive or anxious dogs, restaurants can be overwhelming, so consider a different activity for these pups. Hyperactive puppies may also be disruptive to other diners, so be sure you can handle their energy while you eat!

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There’s a new, old dog on the block: the Retro Pug. Sometimes known as the Retromop, this throwback dog breed is growing in popularity. But, many aren’t familiar with the breed or why their unique appearance is desirable. There are plenty of good things to love about the Retro Pug — so much so that you may choose them over the modern-day iteration of the breed.

What’s the difference between Retro Pugs and regular Pugs?

The Pug has been bred for centuries, and in that time, they’ve undergone a lot of changes. Today, the Pug’s face is extremely short, often accompanied by their trademark snorting, wheezing breaths. However, past versions of the breed had a slightly longer snout. They can still be recognized as the same breed we have today, but with fewer issues breathing and a more defined snout. The goal of breeding the Retro Pug was to develop a healthier dog that looks more similar to the “old” Pug.

Retro Pugs are Pugs that have been crossbred out to other breeds in order to develop a longer snout. Commonly, the Retro Pug has ancestry from the Jack Russell Terrier. Some breeders also use the Beagle, or both breeds, for Retro Pug breeding programs. It’s rare that your dog will be a direct cross between a Pug and another breed; more likely, your dog will have had a separate breed as a great-grandparent. Still, the Retro Pug does not qualify as a “purebred” Pug, so you won’t be able to enter them in AKC competitions.

Retro Pugs are slightly larger than average Pugs. Retro Pugs tend to have larger, floppy ears. They also have pronounced snouts that allow them to breathe easier. They can also be found in more colors than fawn and black, the only colors allowed in the Pug’s breed standard, as they are in technicality a mixed breed.

Are Retro Pugs healthier than regular Pugs?

In short, yes, Retro Pugs will be healthier than regular Pugs. Of course, every dog is different, and individual Retro Pugs may not live as long as an average Pug. Some Retro Pugs have been known to exceed 18 years of age. But Retro Pugs won’t face as many of the issues associated with brachycephalic (short-snouted) breeds. In Pugs, this often presents as struggling to take breaths, dental issues, wheezing, and eye problems due to a lack of space in the skull. You’re unlikely to find these issues as prevalently in a Retro Pug. You can likely expect a Retro Pug to have a healthier, longer life than the Pug, with fewer vet visits related to breed-specific issues.

Retro Pugs do often come along with a hefty price tag. If you want a healthy Pug in your life, but can’t afford a Retro Pug, consider adopting a Pug mix from a shelter or rescue.

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