Dogs can help law enforcement with their work

Police dogs have saved many lives with their unique skills and bravery. They are loyal, watchful, and protective of their police officer counterparts and are often deemed an important and irreplaceable part of many police departments.

Police dogs today are trained in specific areas, including: tracking criminal suspects or missing persons; detecting a specific substance such as explosives, drugs or illegal wildlife; maintaining order and crowd control; or finding injured or trapped people; and even finding dead bodies.

Dogs can smell diseases in people

Dogs have a very powerful sense of smell and use their noses to “see” the world. Their noses are so powerful that they can notice small changes in how we smell, meaning they can sniff out signs of disease.

Dogs can be trained to help with practical tasks that many people with disabilities find difficult or impossible to do, such as:

• Opening and closing doors
• Helping with dressing and undressing
• Retrieving items such as mobile telephones or dropped articles like keys or a bag
• Loading and emptying the washing machine
• Pressing a pedestrian crossing button
• Reaching up to shop-counters with items such as a wallet

Dogs can help guide the visually impaired

Guide dogs help visually impaired people feel more confident and independent as they go about their daily routine. They help their companions by helping them walk safely in public places, guiding them around objects and people, avoiding trip hazards, and locating shop doors and crossings. These dependable dogs spend up to two years training to learn their jobs perfectly!

Dogs can help the hearing impaired

Hearing dogs are raised similarly to guide dogs for the blind. Their job is to alert hearing impaired people to various sounds. They can stop their person from stepping off the curb if there is a car coming, physically alert to alarms, door bells/knocks, and other noises that could be relevant to the person.

Dogs can help with psychiatric challenges

Dogs can be trained to help people coping with various mental health issues. PTSD dogs for example help those suffering post traumatic stress disorder. They may be trained to walk ahead of their person or turn on the lights in a room before the person enters.

All kind of animals can provide all kinds of therapy for people

A variety of animals can work as therapy animals with the most common being dogs and cats, rabbits, horses, and donkeys. We’ve even heard of therapy pigs and mini horses! There are several therapy approaches in which animals can be involved, Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) or Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI).

The exact type of animal therapy can vary greatly depending on what condition the person has, the type of animal, and what kind of therapy they provide. For example, therapeutic visitation animals are often pets that are trained and taken to hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and other locations, to provide comfort and joy for people living away from home due to mental or physical illnesses. Animal assisted therapy animals often work with physical and occupational therapists in a rehabilitation setting. Facility therapy animals are often dedicated to a specific nursing home or assisted living facility to assist residents with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other mental illnesses.

Animals assisting with therapy is built on the premise of the human-animal-bond (what we call #PetPower). Interacting with animals truly has many benefits on our physical and mental health! I think we can all agree that assistance animals are pure #PetPower! If you are able to, consider supporting your local assistance animal organisation. And if you want to learn more about how assistance animals are trained, read this.

 Pre- trip preparation:

• When booking accommodation make sure you look for a pet-friendly hotel or rental house
• Make sure that vaccinations and parasite protection are up-to-date, and your pet has been microchipped and has their ID tag
• Take a first aid kit for emergencies and any other necessary medication and medical records

Travelling by car:

• Make sure your pet is comfortable and used to riding in the car
• Use a restraint or carrier to keep the pet safe while driving
• Never leave your pet alone in a parked car, even if it is not hot outside
• Take a break at least every four hours, just like we do dogs need to go to the bathroom
• Ensure you have enough water available during the journey
• Avoid overheating at all times

Traveling by plane:

• Check the airline’s pet travel policies to ensure they can actually fly with you, and if they can be in the cabin or have to be in the hold
• Also check for specific breeds allowed onboard, as Brachycephalic dogs and cats for instance are often not allowed on some airlines, due to the higher risk of respiratory distress during the flight

If you are unable to take your dog or cat with you when traveling, there are several options to ensure they are well cared for while you are away… 

• Professional pet sitters can look after your dogs or cats in your home so they feel at ease in their usual habitat
• There are also nice kennels or catteries that offer comfortable accommodation, a social environment and supervision by trained people. In this case it’s often advisable to organise a ‘trial’ stay for few days before the holiday, to make sure your pet will be happy there.
• Family and friends can also help out and sometimes your pet will be most comfortable with people they know.

Check out the FECAVA Summer advice here.

Europe’s New Facts & Figures

Recently released data from one of the Pet Alliance partners, FEDIAF, the European association representing the Pet Food Industry, has confirmed that over 50% of Europeans now benefit from the companionship of a furry friend.  This is an amazing figure, very reassuring but perhaps not so surprising for pet lovers at the Pet Alliance!

Europe’s Companion League

Among the diverse array of pets, cats reign supreme in Europe. With a population of 129 million, they are the most popular companion animals, found in 27% of households. Dogs follow closely, with 106 million in 25% of European homes. These numbers reflect the deep affection Europeans have for their furry friends.

Reasons for Ownership

The Pet Alliance is delighted to see that so many Europeans benefit from ownership.  We are also not surprised that the benefits are scientifically proven!  Here are a few reasons why we choose to add pets to our families:

1. Companionship is a key motive as pets bring joy to our lives, provide emotional support and reduce feelings of loneliness. A study conducted among 6000 people during lockdown, investigated links between pet ownership, mental health and loneliness.  The results overwhelmingly confirmed that pets helped them cope better. Studies have also looked at the benefits of other animals such as fish and research has shown that they can help improve mood and encourage relaxation. 
2. Pets encourage physical activity and social interaction.  They also contribute to a sense of community. In January 2024, research from the University of Western Australia among 600 children confirmed that girls who have a dog spent almost an hour more being active per day, suggesting dog ownership could help curb childhood obesity. Additionally, a study of 2600 pet owners across Australia and the US confirmed that pet owners were more likely to get to know people in their neighbourhood.

3. Owning a pet also teaches responsibility and instils empathy among children. There is lots of excellent research on the benefits of pets for children. A huge study of 31,453 children in Japan – with 36% owning a pet – confirmed that pet ownership was associated with better emotional expression in later childhood. Pets can also boost chidlren’s positive emotions and reduce anxiety. 

A Future with Pets

Overall, pet ownership enriches the lives and enhances the wellbeing of adults and children across Europe. As households continues to embrace the companionship of pets, we are confident that the growing bond between humans and their pets will foster a healthier, happier society.

Summer is a fun season because it’s the perfect time to get out and enjoy activities with our pets. It’s the perfect time for outdoor activities and adventures with our furry friends.

Dogs are known to cool down differently than people do – dogs pant to keep cool and sweat through their paws, cats clean and lick themselves as a method to cool down with their saliva.

• Provide enough water: fresh drinking water should always be available. Water can also be provided by way of ice cubes, be creative and make an ice-pop for your dog or cat as a fun treat or toy.
• Provide access to cool places, shade and shelter. There are special cooling mats for pets, but simple cooling tricks such as popping a plastic water bottle in the freezer for them can also help.
• It might seem like a good idea to be outside in the fresh air, but  in the hottest moments of the day, beaches or open parks are not always a good idea as there is no shade.
• Avoid intensive exercise during the day. Dogs suffer faster from heat than people, so schedule exercises in the early morning or late evening. Dogs often do not know their own limits and will keep on playing fetch with a ball until they overheat.
•  Brush your dog or cat regularly, but do not shave them! Their fur is a protection against the cold but also against the heat, as it works as an isolating layer.
• Short-haired breeds can get sunburned, so use a pet-safe sunscreen. Not sure if your pet needs sunscreen? Ask your vet! Be extra careful if your cat has white ear tips as there is a link between sunburn and malignant tumours in cats. In these cats the use of sunscreen is a must.
• Pay extra attention to their paws! A hot pavement can burn your pet’s paws, so it’s always better walk on the grass or in the shade.
• Pay extra attention to hygiene. Warm weather makes Bacteria and Algae grow rapidly. So be careful with water in puddles or ponds. And don’t leave open pet food packs outside the refrigerator for too long. Always remember to thoroughly clean their food and water bowls daily..
• In summer we also see more parasites like ticks and fleas: ask your veterinarian to advise you on the best protection products for your pets as they are the experts.
• Lastly, but very importantly: NEVER leave pets alone in parked cars, even when you leave the window cracked open! The inside of a car can quickly reach dangerously high temperatures. If you see a pet in a closed vehicle, try to contact the owner of the car or the police to save the pet.

Prevention and early diagnostics

Regular veterinary check-ups are essential for keeping your pet happy and healthy. These visits help prevent diseases and detect any issues in their early stages. Not only does early detection lead to better outcomes for our beloved pets, but it also means less financial costs, reduced stress, and smoother treatment processes for both pets and their owners. Vaccinations, parasite prevention, routine deworming, dental checks and physical exams are important components of preventing diseases. Regular veterinary checks can also lower your animal’s stress when visiting a vet.

Vaccination

For both cats and dogs vaccination is key in preventing life-threatening diseases. Vaccines are separated into core (strongly recommended), non-core (optional) and not recommended vaccines. Core vaccines are considered vaccines that all dogs throughout the world must receive, at recommended intervals.

For dogs, core vaccines typically include protection against:
• Canine distemper virus (CDV)
• Canine adenovirus (CAV; types 1 and 2)
• Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) and its variants

Core vaccines for cats include:
• Feline panleukopenia (FPV),
• Feline herpesvirus (FHV-1)
• Feline calicivirus (FCV)
Additionally, rabies vaccination is considered a core vaccine for cats and dogs in many regions and is often a necessity if you want to travel with your dog or cat. For more information consult your vet to ensure your animal buddy gets the necessary protection.

Regular check-ups could save you money

Annual check-ups and preventive care are essential for keeping pets healthy, but also could save you money. Routine examinations can identify concerns before they worsen, potentially sparing you from expensive treatments down the line. More information here.

Less stressful vet visit

Most pets feel anxious during vet visits, and some may even show aggression due to fear. Using treats before and during check-ups can create a positive association with the experience. “Happy visits” at the clinic can put your pet at ease, making vet trips a more positive experience. Don’t hesitate to consult with your vet for more tips on easing your pet’s stress during visits and check out these useful tips.
Afterall, regular vet check-ups are essential for your pet’s health, detecting issues early, save you money in the long run and allow you to spend longer quality time with your companion. So why wait, book your next check-up now!