Prepare Your Pup for Spring

PUPcast

Summer in Florida is almost here! Johnny C. of Ace50 Media and Nancy Bown, CPDT-KA and founder, discuss precautions to put in place for your pup in warm weather this spring. Tips include keeping a collapsible water bowl on hand for dog walks and avoiding hot pavement whenever possible. Be aware of your dog’s surroundings as spring critters are emerging, including snakes, ticks, and fleas. It may also be the start of allergy season for your dog. Listen to the Pupcast for a full list of recommendations and tips!

The Leading Women in Animal Welfare

PUPcast

Celebrating Women’s History Month, founder Nancy Bown, CPDT-KA, and Pupcast host Johnny at Ace50 Media talk about inspiring women in our community who have positively impacted the well-being of animals. These animal advocates lead non-profits and businesses that have made a tremendous difference in the health and welfare of the dogs in the Panhandle region of Florida.

Fireworks Are Your Dog’s Worst Nightmare

PUPcast

Many dogs experience anxiety during fireworks displays. In this Pupcast episode, Nancy Bown, CPDT-KA, and Johnny C. discuss ways to help your dogs cope with the stress of fireworks. If you do lose your terrified dog during a display, Nancy covers the resources and methods you can employ to help recover your lost dog.

Beat the Heat

PUPcast

Nancy Bown, CPDT-KA, and Johnny C. provide some tips and tricks and recommended games for dog owners to employ to help their dogs beat the heat. 

Therapy Dogs Help Improve Child Literacy

PUPcast

In the first of the animal-assisted therapy podcasts, Nancy Bown, CPDT-KA, and Johnny C. interview Jim Cole, who is a member of the Intermountain Therapy Animals. Dog-Harmony is associated with Intermountain Therapy Animals and hosts therapy dog training and evaluation sessions.

Cole describes his own experience working with his therapy dog, Logan, at schools to help young children overcome emotional distress and literacy issues with repeat visits. Children can experience joy by having a dog present and become interested in reading. Over time, the children become more confident as their literacy skills improve as a result of the human connection with the dog and its handler.

Bown and Cole employ positive, reward-based training methods when working with dogs that have the right disposition for therapy animal work. They remind us that training a therapy dog, ideally from a young age, requires a commitment to develop a bond and a resilient dog over a long period.