New Business! Natural Canine Behavior Rehabilitation Specialist through United K9 Professionals

After over a year of training, I became certified as a Natural Canine Behavior Rehabilitation Specialist (TM)  through United K9 Professionals. I can now help change the lives of dogs with behavioral issues such as:

-excessive barking

-growling

-humping

-jumping on guests

-bumping

-blocking

-counter-surfing

-and more!

This means the world to me because dogs should not be heavily medicated, returned to shelters, or worse...euthanized because of fixable behavioral issues. Through this service, I am able to save not only the lives of dogs, but their owners who are at their wits end. 

Natural Canine Behavior Rehabilitation (TM) uses dog psychology to explain WHY the dogs are acting out, and HOW to fix the problem through reclaiming leadership, establishing rules/respect, and addressing the dog's psychological and physical health. Specialists come right to your home and help teach you the fundamentals to a stable dog.

This is very different from obedience training. There are no clickers, cookies, or choker chains. The owner simply sets boundaries of what are acceptable and unacceptable behaviors, enabling your dog to be an independent thinker rather than having to command the dog to elicit the behavior you desire. Through Merlin's Kids, we use this technique to rehabilitate and train shelter dogs into service dogs because service dogs need to instinctually know what to do without being commanded to do so.

If you or someone you know could benefit from my services, please contact me here. We are running a 50% OFF special during the holiday season, and also offer gift certificates! There is a LIFETIME GUARANTEE policy, which means FREE UNLIMITED follow-ups for your dog's life. Please spread the word and help me save lives.

Proceeds from my visit not only help a family rehabilitate their dog, but also assist another family in acquiring a free service dog for their child with special needs or disabled war veteran. Your dollars are TAX DEDUCTIBLE. 

Check out my Thumbtack profile!

What a Difference a Year Makes

I finally understand the phrase "What a difference a year makes."

Today was my anniversary of volunteering for Merlin's Kids!

A year ago, I contacted Janice Wolfe, a behaviorist to help rehabilitate my problem dog, Atticus Finch. She mentioned that she was looking for an intern, so I applied for the job. Who knew that I would become a Natural Canine Behavior Rehabilitation Specialist through United K9 Professionals or teach therapy and service dog classes, or shear alpaca, or touch the lives of children with special needs through Merlin's Kids and so much more!

My previous entry shares just a couple of the amazing children I met. I finally get why they call children with special needs "special needs" because society needs to realize just how special these children truly are.

I have never met a young boy quite like Lex, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy but leads a secret life of being an alpaca whisperer.

Or Hunter, an autistic boy who became a bar mitzvah last weekend. Mazel Tov Hunter, Toby and family! I am SO PROUD of you!

How about Prince Aidan, who used to not be able to get ready for school or even eat on his own and is now making honor roll! How Aidan has transformed in the past year is astounding.

                              

I can go on and on about these remarkable children. Needless to say, my whole perspective about the special needs community has changed. I encourage those who have not been exposed to children with autism and other special needs to explore it. Go volunteer. These kids will change your life. Next time you see a child in a public place having a melt down, you may begin to understand the complexities of WHY they are having that meltdown, what a service dog could do to avoid or lessen that meltdown, and how you, as a passerby, can have empathy and kindness instead of disgust and anger. 

Here are just a couple of highlights from my year at Merlin's Kids and United K9 Professionals (not in chronological or any sensical order): 

Attending the Westminster Dog Show

Whelping puppies at 4AM on Thanksgiving

Shearing Alpaca (not one of my happiest moments, but it was unforgettable!)

Teaching Heart of Niagra Rescue how dogs view too much restraint at a vet clinic (similar to being abducted by aliens. I was the "dog," to the left you have the vet tech drawing my blood and to the right you have the 300lb vet tech cutting off my airways to subdue me from biting her. And you wonder why your pet hates going to the vet...) 

We also performed this demonstration at Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, when we lectured through the Animal Behavior Club. Luckily other vet students were used as volunteers that time. Having Janice speak to the future of veterinary medicine was so exciting. We had over 70 students attend that lecture. That is 70 veterinarians who won't have to euthanize dogs for behavioral issues! 

And being a guest on "For the Love of DoG," a radio show that gives weekly behavior tips to dog owners every Friday at 7PM Eastern time. I also received a few shoutouts on "From Shelter Dog to Service Dog," a weekly radio show that teaches people therapy/service dog techniques every Tuesday at 7PM Eastern time. 

I'd just like to just give my mentor, Janice Wolfe, a shout out for inspiring me to pursue the path I am on, for supporting me in this endeavor, and just teaching me maybe 5% of what she's learned in life, which is quite a lot! 

I am so blessed to have been handed this opportunity and encourage you to experience the joy that I have had. If you are interested in volunteering, interning, or fostering through Merlin's Kids, please contact me so I can hook you up with the right people and the right opportunity. 

Although I focused most of my post on Merlin's Kids and United K9 Professionals because of my "volunteeriversary," I also was blessed by some other phenomenal experiences. Holistic Pet Care reaffirmed my passion to pursue veterinary medicine. Planting trees in the Negev Desert strengthened my Zionism and reminded me how important it is to be human and help humanity, even if you are entering an animal profession.

(If you scroll down there a few more cute pictures)

Merlin's Kids, saving 2 lives at once

Hello, internet! Happy Holidays!

In May, I graduated North Carolina State University and chose to take a gap year to further my life experience before entering a committed relationship with veterinary school. (Which I have recently been accepted into. Thank you to all my family, friends, and mentors who have supported me through my pre-veterinary career!) I wanted to do something BIG with my gap year. Make a difference. Live my year and life by the theme song "I Was Here" by Lady Antebellum. For those unfamiliar with it, here is the song/video:

I have been so blessed to be given the most amazing gift- the opportunity to rescue dogs and train them to become service dogs for special needs children and disabled war veterans. I intern for Merlin's Kids, a non-profit organization who provides free service dogs to those in need. I facilitate periodic training classes for therapy and service dogs. I care for several dogs and livestock who will be used for therapy and service. I have met some of the most amazing volunteers and children in the short two months I have been serving this organization.

Let me tell you a little bit about Shawn. Shawn is six-years-old and has autism. He loves helping me feed the livestock. In fact, he's much better at throwing the hay over the fence than I am. I seem to get hay everywhere, down my shirt, in my hair, up my nose. He seems to get it perfectly every time. He is also great at math and makes it difficult for this college graduate to keep up with him. The other day, we were eating Cheese-itz. Not only did he improve his counting skills, but also learned how to share, as he generously gave me some of the Cheese-itz. Next time he comes on the farm, I will make sure to have Cheese-itz with me.

Shawn feeding the alpaca.

Let me tell you about Leo. Leo is seven-years-old and has cerebral palsy. Most of his life, he is confined to his wheelchair. A couple weeks ago, we worked with Leo to see if we could find the right service dog for him. Leo has such a gentle spirit and kind soul. He was more concerned with making sure his wheelchair did not accidentally bump Chaca than worrying about his own needs. What a good kid!

Chaca is checking in. She instinctually wrapped around Leo every time that he stopped in order to make sure he was safe. Chaca has not yet been trained to do this, but she has been remarkably quick with figuring out Leo's needs.

The real miracle was at the end of Leo's evaluation. Thanks to Chaca, Leo was able to brace himself and mom was able to let go, knowing that Chaca was there for her baby boy. She arched her back, again, something she was not yet trained to do, and instinctually supported his weight. 

For kids like Leo and Shawn, and for dogs like Chaca, this is why I do what I do. For more information on how to help us help animals help children, please visit www.merlinskids.org. If you would like to make a donation or make a difference, please email me or Janice Wolfe. All donations are 100% tax deductible. What better way to show your holiday spirit than by making a donation in honor of a loved one or in sponsorship of a child. 

The Miracle Wedding

Although not animal related, I think it's appropriate that I blog about this.

Stacy Lawrence, a close family friend and CEO of Make An Impression, invited me to serve as her assistant for the Rothberg and Kaplan wedding. I was only given about 48 hours notice, but I had the Why Not? attitude. Why not help a friend? Why not attend a wedding that was planned in 14 days? Why not meet a bride who has survived Stage IV cancer, has started her own charity, ComedyCures, and has moved across the US from California? Why not be able to network with people from Israel, California, Philidelphia, and locally?  Why not be part of an Orthodox Jewish wedding?

The Hora!

This is a segment of the Hora, a traditional Jewish dance in celebrating a special event. 

Jews know how to party and this could have gone on all night. What a blast!

The Bride and Groom next to their groom's cake. Made by Grandma's Kitchen!

So back to this 14 days business. In Orthodox tradition, a man and woman should not live together until they are married. Phil (the groom) moved to the east coast for work, and Saranne (the bride) moved to be here with him. They agreed that the best place to raise Phil's kids would be here. School was starting soon. It was important to have the wedding during this month not only to ease the kids' transitions, but also because this was a very spiritual month for Phil, as it is the Jewish new year. So, they wanted to make this happen.

The handsome, lucky groom, Phil Kaplan!

The lovely bride, Saranne Rothberg (now Saranne Kaplan!) and her Daughter, Lorielle, holding the dress.

They sent out "save the date" E-vites to family and friends at midnight a few weeks ago, and received 100 "yes" RSVPs by 6am the following day! Saranne's 19-year-old daughter, Lorielle (who has an incredible singing career ahead of her) has been instrumental in the creativity and planning the entire event. They literally did not sleep for 14 days straight to make everything happen.

So back to this cancer and chairty thing. When diagnosed, Saranne used laughter as medicine to heal her through her difficult time. She was then inspired to create her charity, ComedyCures, to share laughter to cancer patients across the nation. WOW! When I heard that this was the person I would be working for, it reminded me of the Relay For Life conference I had back in July, where Sarah Thomas from Ireland pulled together a Relay For Life in less than 12 weeks.
















As a result of her community involvement, infectious personality, and love of life and everyone in her life, Saranne created a web of friends, colleagues, family, and shul members who all dove in to help her and Phil's special day. Although meeting everyone for the first time, the warmth, love, and support they clearly had for Saranne and Phil radiated beyond the tight-knit community, and was trickled to the workers- the catering staff, security, the DJ, Klesmer band (who flew in from California just for the wedding!) planners/coordinators, and everyone else involved.

It gets even better. Saranne is meticulous and thinks about everything- even all types of weather.

Placecards were fans since the ceremony was 
in their backyard and it was warm out.

The giveaways were umbrellas, which had a logo (designed by Lorielle) with the word "witness" on it. Everyone who came was a witness that it was possible. I was a witness that it was possible.

And, the umbrellas came in handy when it began to rain.

Woah, Way Behind. I guess it's Catch Up Time

Hello, internet!

I realize I've been way behind on blogs, like 3 months behind. It must have just been an overwhelming semester.

The intern program was a semi-success. The interns were really great at being there when I needed them, and were able to help me in my travels. They learned quickly and I hope they achieved their goals.
(I wish I could have educated them more, but they became so independent that they needed me less and less.)

Although I didn't foster any piglets, here's a super cute picture of one of my interns with a baby pig. Enjoy!

Anyway, I began rehabbing with the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine Turtle Rescue Team. After Kroger, I worked with BB, a blind Eastern Painted Turtle. I was able to increase her weight over 30%, which was much needed! She found a loving home and will serve as an educational animal.

BB, Eastern Painted Turtle

My neighbors stumbled upon a Red Eared Slider, who my creative intern named Dee Dee. They found her in a sealed sterlite container with inedible food in the middle of the woods. She must have been a pet and was probably left there to die. The kids rung my doorbell late in the evening and said "We found this and figured you'd know what to do." Of course, being the gentle soul that I am, I took her in without hesitation. We then found her a loving home a few weeks later.

Dee Dee, Red Eared Slider

For awhile I was fostering snakes too. We had some of the amino acids as well as others. Unfortunately I had to move out of the town home, so they went back to the Reptile Rescue of the Carolinas and are on their way to find forever homes.

I currently reside with my parents, Lester, Locke, and Atticus (our Doberman, failed foster) with occasional visits from my sister's cat, Doc. For now, I will focus on the welfare and enrichment for my pets, but who knows where fate will bring me.