News
PetSmart reopens its grooming shops
April 13, 2020

PetSmart has reopened hundreds of its grooming shops across the country, claiming they provide an essential service that should be available to the public during the coronavirus lockdown. The huge pet supply chain initially closed its grooming operations as governors imposed lockdown orders in all but a handful of states, but last week — placing […]
A plan for your animals
April 13, 2020

Even with everything going on in the world right now, a lot of people are still putting off creating a plan for if they should become incapable of taking care of their animals. In 2019, a survey of 2,000 Americans conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Brookdale Senior Living found that three out of every five […]
Guidelines and Resources For Pet Owners
April 13, 2020

Before we get into Service Dog Handlers and Coronavirus, let’s clear up a few things about how COVID-19 is different from the flu. The COVID-19 situation is changing rapidly. Since this disease new, people do not have immunity to it and a functional vaccine could be several months or more away. Doctors and scientists are […]
Maryville woman trains dogs
April 13, 2020

For Shannon Thurston, dogs have been part of her life since she was brought home from the hospital as a newborn back in 1970. Her family dog, a German shepherd named Bobo, was by her side every day until he died when Thurston was 6. He taught her about friendship and unconditional love, she said. […]
service dog training
April 13, 2020

Eric Caron, a retired guidance counselor who has been blind since birth, recently moved to a new home. He noticed his guide dog, a yellow Labrador retriever named Ryan, had trouble leading him across a busy intersection he must cross regularly. Caron knew what that meant: It was time to retire Ryan, a near-senior citizen […]
Protecting Dog’s during lockdown
April 13, 2020

The Freedom Project has quickly adapted to the coronavirus movement restrictions which saw the country thrust into lockdown and non-essential services forced to close. Outreach projects manager at Dogs Trust, Amy Hyde, said: “It is really common that dogs are used as a tool to coerce someone, we see dogs who are physically injured as […]
Pet therapy
April 13, 2020

Therapy Animal Coalition is putting together a virtual project where pet owners and therapy animal teams can submit inspirational videos for people in isolation. Furry family companions are being called to the screen to help heal those who need it now more than ever. With stay-at-home rules set in place due to the spread of […]
Pets during lockdown
April 13, 2020

Devanshi Shah, founder and CEO of Pet Connect, tells us why pets are, perhaps, better companions than humans during such times. A sense of purpose: The problem for office-goers is a lack of mission in daily life. Watching TV all day is the surest way to feel directionless. Having a pet, on the other hand, […]
Puppy prices go up due to COVID-19
April 13, 2020

Prices for pedigree puppies are soaring amid the Covid-19 crisis; Golden Retrievers up to $6,000, a French Bulldog pup at $10,000. Spike in demand for furry friends is an open invitation for a few dodgy operators to line their pockets with “non-refundable” deposits and profiteers to cash in. Sandi Keane reports on the poor governance by […]
Shelter helps pet owners
April 13, 2020

The Iowa City Animal Shelter is providing food and care services for pet owners during the COVID-19 pandemic with the help of the community, offering ways to keep pets happy and healthy. Iowa City Animal Shelter Director Chris Whitmore said her staff has organized a food bank at the shelter to provide food for dog, […]