Second Chance: Pet Power

07 Oct Second Chance: Pet Power

Dear Pet Lovers,

This week’s Second Chance Pet Column is being written specifically to you because you know the secret power of pets. You don’t need to review all the scientific evidence that proves the mere presence of an animal can increase your lifespan, lower risk of heart disease, reduce anxieties, stress and depression, boost self-confidence, etc. etc.

Electra

But because you know all that without reading reams of scientific blah blahs, we are inviting you to join us in sharing this power with others. Yeah – Second Chance is bringing the Pet Power Program back to our region.

My name is Electra. I am a 12-week Terrier-somethingorother with the powerful cuddly sweet disposition that makes all tension in your body slip away when you hold me. What if you could bottle this kind of power? Until someone figures out how, you can simply take me to people who most need a  release. That is what Second Chance is preparing to do. (And you are invited to join in the fun.)

The October 2015 issue of National Geographic has a short article about how college campuses around the U.S. and the world are now arranging “pet therapy” sessions for their students to help spread cheer and fight stress, particularly around exam time. With research to prove that such sessions decrease blood pressure and stress-hormone levels while increasing “happiness hormones,” pets are also a fun and healthy way to promote well-being.

Similarly, Second Chance’s Pet Power Program brings the power of the pet out into our communities, into schools, to senior living facilities, health care facilities – wherever there is a need. And you can be involved in a variety of ways.

If you have a pet that would work well as a “therapy animal” or if you want to bring a shelter pet out into the world, either way, you will gain when and however you get involved.

And for facilities that require a certified therapy pet, Second Chance is offering training for you and your dog to achieve the necessary level of expertise. (And the initial course is free if you adopt a Second Chance dog like me.)

So contact Second Chance today to learn more about this exciting opportunity of harnessing the power of the pet.

Two more pet-lovers opportunities:

• It is National Adopt-a-Dog Month and Second Chance is offering 25% off dog adoptions.
• October 24^th our dear friends at Chow Down Pet Supply in Montrose are hosting the Third Annual Howl-O-Ween Hustle 5K fun run/1 mile fun walk (10 AM at River Bottom Park). If you don’t have a dog you can bring a shelter dog like me!  To add to the fun there are big prizes ($500 for first place!) for the best person/canine team costume. I have this great idea for an alien invasion of Earth costume if anyone wants to be my partner – I could really use the $500…

And in closing, for the feline pet lover – felines can make great therapy pets too. Take Clifford for example, he is a calm two-year-old, good-looking dude whose purpose in life is to be held and  purr away your angst.  Clifford is available for adoption now…

Clifford

Editor’s note: It’s no secret. The Telluride region is dog heaven. Well, pet heaven. Unless you are one of our furry friends who gets caught in the maw of neglect and abuse. Then heaven is on hold until Second Chance Humane Society comes to the rescue. Second Chance is the region’s nonprofit dedicated to saving animals’ lives and promoting responsible pet parenting and human-animal bond. In her weekly blog, executive director Kelly Goodin profiles at least one, generally two of the many animals now living at the no-kill shelter, Angel Ridge Shelter, a dog and a cat, hoping to find them loving permanent homes. The column is sponsored by Ted Hoff of Cottonwood Ranch & Kennel, who from time to time exercises his skills as a dog whisperer, partnering with Kelly and her staff to help train a particularly challenging animal.

Ted Hoff &  Magnificent Mae

By the by, there is no better place to park your pup than Cottonwood whenever you head out of town (for locals) or are heading to town and staying somewhere that does not allow pets. Consider joining Ted’s Very Important Dog (VID) Club for added benies. (Details on Ted’s website.)