Acupuncture: is it for your dog?

If you are looking for a different way to treat your animal’s maladies, you might check out acupuncture. When our adorable Labrador, Baby, developed arthritis, we took her to an acupuncturist for help. The acupuncturist was a certified veterinarian who also did acupuncture. Baby did benefit from the treatments, and we were excited about the results.

Acupuncture is an ancient art dating back 7,000 years. One of the earliest records of animal acupuncture was about 3,000 years ago in India for the treatment of elephants. The father of veterinary acupuncture is considered to be Shun Yang (480 BC) from China.

Favorable acupuncture results have been seen in the treatment for many canine conditions including cardiovascular disorders, respiratory conditions, dermatological disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, arthritis and reproductive problems.

The needles used in acupuncture are so tiny that they are hardly noticeable during treatment. I know from personal experience that the pain from the needles is nonexistent. In fact I have darling photos of Baby with needles planted in her head and paws.

Deciding if your dog should be treated with acupuncture depends on the dog and the condition afflicting him. When we realized that Baby wasn’t responding to traditional treatment, we decided to try something different. She really did improve after treatment. So, acupuncture may be an avenue for you to explore for your dog and yourself.

WHO’S WHO

Diane Peters is one of our wonderful volunteers who takes time each day to walk dogs, socialize cats and fundraiser for our shelter. A big Paws Up to Diane for her dedication to CAPS.

We would also like to thank Mary Spires who has been a terrific help in the office and walking dogs. You rock! These two folks embody the spirit of CAPS.

WHO’S NEW AT THE CAPS’ ZOO?

Cider is a nine-year-old shepherd mix. We are desperate to find folks who will sponsor him in the coming months. He is battling skin cancer, kidney disease and arthritis. His special prescription food is quite costly. Cider is a sweet boy and is blessed to be able to spend his life with the wonderful folks at CAPS. Please find it in your heart to send a donation to help him. Any donation will be appreciated and we would really be thrilled if someone would send a monthly sponsorship. Cider will thank you forever.

CAPS’ NEWS AND EVENTS

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the death of Dave Sherman who was Buster’s dad. He will be greatly missed by the dog park gang and Buster. Buster was adopted at CAPS and became Dave’s BFF (best furry friend). Dave’s brother will care for Buster.

CAPS will be at Walmart tomorrow along with Ki and Tucker at our Kissin’ Booth. Please come by and give our boys a big hug and kiss. We have caps, short-sleeved t-shirts, hoodies and sweatshirts so please check them out before or after greeting our canine volunteers. You can also pre-order the 2017 Happy Endings Calendar

Did you miss the photo shoot for the Happy Endings calendar at Bark in the Park? No problem, you are going to have two other opportunities for it at Flower Tree Nursery on July 23 and 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $20 or a 30 pound bag of dog food. You will receive a 5x7 print, and your pet will be featured in the calendar.

CAPS’ annual garage sale will be on Aug. 5 and 6. We need your gently used appliances, furniture, tennis rackets, treadmills, clothing and miscellaneous items. If you have items to donate, call Rita Hand at 423-6346 or 427-3376. Please leave a message if necessary, and Rita will return your call as soon as she can. You can also drop them off at our storage units located at 1105 Taylor Place (Spring Valley Rentals), units S52 and S53. Someone will be there from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday mornings.

Flower Tree Nursery is raffling a 15-gallon tree of your choice. The raffle tickets are available at Flower Tree, and they are $1 for one ticket and $5 for six tickets. Be sure to get your tickets soon. The drawing date will be Sept. 6, and the winner doesn’t have to be present to win.

CAPS’ mailing address is P.O. Box 5128, Fallon, NV 89406. CAPS’ phone number is 775-423-7500. Please visit the CAPS website (www.capsnv.org) and Facebook page (Churchill Animal Protection Society). Be sure to “Like” CAPS on Facebook because we are really likable.

Do you have questions, comments or a great story? Contact me jkwmil@outlook.com.

Kathleen Williams-Miller, a CAPS volunteer, contributed this week’s column.