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How Pets Heal Hearts and Brighten Lives: The Science of Their Amazing Impact

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By Guest Blogger, Cindy Aldridge

cindy@ourdogfriends.org

Pet ownership is more than just a source of joy—it’s a gateway to better health and a more fulfilling life. From reducing stress levels to promoting physical activity, the bond between humans and their pets profoundly impacts overall well-being. This article explores how pets contribute to a healthier, happier lifestyle, showcasing their unique role in enriching our lives.

The Mutual Benefits of Pet Interaction

Spending time with pets like dogs and cats can be a delightful way to unwind and reduce stress. Engaging in regular playtime and maintaining a consistent routine with your furry friend can help lower cortisol levels, a key stress hormone. This benefits your health and positively impacts your pet’s well-being, as your stress can affect them, too. Consider working from home occasionally or arranging for a pet sitter if your pet shows signs of stress. These steps can create a more harmonious environment, enhancing your and your pet’s health and happiness.

Boosting Your Immune System with Pet Companionship

Owning a pet can be a delightful way to boost your immune system. Sharing your home with a pet, especially a dog, exposes you to various microbes that can strengthen your body’s defenses. Research indicates that children raised with pets often develop a more diverse gut microbiome, which is associated with a lower risk of asthma and allergies. This aligns with the hygiene hypothesis, suggesting that early exposure to microbes can help the immune system manage allergens more effectively.

The Mental Health Benefits of Pet Care Routines

Establishing a routine through feeding, grooming, and exercising your pet provides structure and instills a sense of purpose and accomplishment. This routine can be particularly beneficial for those facing mental health challenges, as it encourages regular physical activity and fosters a stable environment. The bond you form with your pet through non-verbal communication can uplift your mood and alleviate anxiety. Studies suggest that over 60% of dog owners achieve recommended exercise levels, highlighting the physical benefits of pet ownership.

How Therapy Animals Help with Mental Health

Therapy animals have increasingly become a vital component of mental health care, offering comfort and support to individuals facing challenges such as PTSD and autism. Their calming presence can significantly enhance social skills, reduce anxiety, and promote emotional stability across diverse groups. For example, equine-assisted therapy involves interactions with horses and is particularly effective in building trust and facilitating emotional healing. Additionally, service dogs are trained to address specific needs, such as providing mobility support or detecting health issues like low blood sugar, enhancing independence and quality of life.

The Health Benefits of Pet Ownership

Delving into the science of the human-animal bond reveals its significant impact on health and well-being. Engaging with pets can lower blood pressure and ease anxiety, mainly due to releasing hormones like oxytocin and dopamine, which foster happiness and relaxation. The companionship of a pet can alleviate loneliness and depression, enhancing your overall quality of life. Understanding these dynamics lets you appreciate how pets contribute to a healthier, more fulfilling life.  

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Pets are more than just companions; they are catalysts for improved health and happiness. Their presence can transform daily routines, offering emotional support and fostering a sense of purpose. As we continue to explore the profound connections between humans and animals, it becomes clear that pets play an integral role in enhancing our lives. Embrace the unique benefits they bring, and let these bonds enrich your journey toward well-being.

Discover the fascinating world of canine intelligence and groundbreaking research at Susan Bulanda’s Blog, (website) sbulanda.com where passion for pets meets scientific exploration!

Susan Bulanda’s The Business of Dog Training Earns Spot as DWAA Finalist

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by guest blogger Anthony Raymond Michalski

Ms. Bulanda’s The Business of Dog Training Named DWAA Writing Competition Finalist

Wilkes-Barre, PA, January 8, 2025 – Kallisti Publishing is proud to announce that Susan Bulanda’s The Business of Dog Training: How to Succeed as a Professional Dog Trainer has been recognized as a finalist in the 2024 Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA) Writing Competition in the Reference category. This prestigious honor underscores the book’s value as an essential resource for professional dog trainers.

The recognition comes as the DWAA prepares to host its first in-person awards banquet in five years on February 8, 2025, at the historic Hotel New Yorker in New York City. The event, held during Westminster Week, celebrates the accomplishments of writers, journalists, and creators dedicated to the world of dogs. Finalists in each category are eligible to win the coveted Maxwell Medallion, the DWAA’s highest honor, which is awarded by an independent panel of judges.

Written by veteran dog trainer and educator Susan Bulanda, The Business of Dog Training offers readers essential insights on building and growing a successful dog training business, covering everything from business management and marketing to advanced training techniques. “I’ve dedicated my career to helping people and their dogs thrive together,” said Bulanda. “This book is my way of giving trainers the tools they need to succeed not just with dogs, but in the business world too. It’s an honor to see it recognized by the DWAA.”

Founded in 1935, the Dog Writers Association of America is the premier organization for professionals in dog-related media, recognizing excellence and fostering a community that shares a passion for canine companionship.

For more information about The Business of Dog Training or to schedule an interview with Susan Bulanda, please contact Anthony Raymond at Kallisti Publishing Inc.

Kallisti Publishing Inc. makes the “Books You Need to Succeed” — personal development, inspirational, and business books that expand the mind, generate ideas, and grow profits and is the home to prestigious authors who are leaders and experts in their field. Kallisti Publishing Inc. is located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and sells traditional books and ebooks through distributors and retailers, direct to the reader, and in bulk to companies and organizations.

Press Contact:   

Anthony Raymond Michalski
ph (570) 825-3598 • editor@kallistipublishing.com • http://www.KallistiPublishing.com

Sit, Stay, Prosper: How Dog Training Became a Big Business

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by guest blogger, Kallisti Publishing

The next time you pass a well-behaved dog walking serenely on a leash, tail wagging in perfect harmony with its owner, take a moment to appreciate the silent partner in that picture-perfect moment: the dog trainer. Behind every happy canine and relieved pet parent, there’s likely a professional who taught Fido how to sit, stay, and maybe even stop chewing the couch cushions.

Dog training has quietly grown from a charming pastime into a booming industry that combines passion, practicality, and profit. As Americans pour billions of dollars annually into their pets, the demand for professional trainers has skyrocketed. For those who love dogs and want to make a career out of that affection, it’s never been a better time to enter the field.

“Dogs are family now,” says Susan Bulanda, a veteran trainer, internationally recognized canine behavior expert, and author of The Business of Dog Training: How to Succeed as a Professional Dog Trainer (Kallisti Publishing, 2024). “People are investing in their pets like never before, and that includes making sure they’re well-trained and happy. This shift has created incredible opportunities for trainers.”

A Pawsitively Booming Industry

Gone are the days when dog training was little more than a niche service. Today, the industry offers a dazzling array of opportunities. Trainers can specialize in everything from puppy socialization and basic obedience to advanced fields like agility sports, therapy dog certification, and service dog training.

Jessica Ramirez, a trainer based in Austin, Texas, discovered this firsthand. “When I started during the pandemic, I thought I’d stick to basic obedience classes,” she says. “But the demand kept growing—puppy owners wanted socialization, working professionals needed help with separation anxiety, and a surprising number of people wanted their dogs to learn fun tricks.”

Ramirez now runs a six-figure business with three employees, offering services that range from one-on-one consultations to group classes and even virtual training. “It’s incredible how many options there are,” she adds. “This isn’t just a job—it’s a lifestyle.”

And it’s a lucrative one. The American Pet Products Association (APPA) reports that spending on pet services, including training, reached over $11 billion in 2023. With 65 million American households owning at least one dog, this number is only expected to grow.

Why Now?

The rise of the dog training industry can be traced to several factors. For one, the pandemic prompted a nationwide “puppy boom.” Millions of Americans adopted pets, often for the first time, and quickly realized they needed help teaching their new companions how to behave.

“Pandemic puppies changed everything,” says Andrew Mitchell, a Denver-based trainer who left his corporate marketing job to pursue his passion for working with dogs. “Suddenly, people were home all day with these energetic animals and had no idea how to handle them. That’s when trainers became essential.”

Urbanization is another driver. As more people move into cities and apartments, the importance of having a well-behaved dog grows. “A barking or aggressive dog can strain relationships with neighbors,” says Bulanda. “Training ensures harmony in these close-quarters living situations.”

Moreover, dogs are no longer seen as just pets—they’re companions, family members, even emotional support systems. “Training isn’t about control anymore,” Bulanda adds. “It’s about communication. People want to connect with their dogs, and trainers help make that possible.”

The Joys and Challenges of Training

Despite the industry’s many rewards, dog training isn’t without its challenges. Trainers must master both canine behavior and human psychology. “Training a dog is often the easy part,” says Mitchell. “The harder part is teaching the owners. You need to be patient, empathetic, and a great communicator.”

For Ramirez, the emotional rewards outweigh the challenges. She recalls working with a rescue dog named Daisy who had a deep fear of loud noises. “Her owners were ready to give up,” Ramirez says. “But after weeks of gradual training, Daisy became a completely different dog—confident and calm. Seeing that transformation is why I do this.”

Bulanda agrees. “Training changes lives—for the dog and the family. It’s one of the most meaningful careers you can have.”

How to Get Started

Starting a dog training business is surprisingly accessible. Most trainers begin with a certification from organizations like the International Association of Canine Professionals or the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. These programs teach foundational skills, from reading canine body language to implementing training techniques.

For those serious about building a career, resources like Bulanda’s The Business of Dog Training offer valuable guidance. The book provides practical advice on everything from understanding dog behavior to marketing services and managing a business. Drawing on decades of experience, Bulanda outlines the path to becoming a successful trainer in an increasingly competitive field.

“You don’t need a huge investment to start,” she says. “A few basic tools, some education, and a lot of dedication can go a long way.”

The Future of Dog Training

The industry’s growth shows no signs of slowing down. As more Americans embrace the human-animal bond, the demand for skilled trainers will only increase. This expansion opens the door for innovation, such as virtual training programs, mobile apps, and training packages tailored to specific breeds or behavioral issues.

“Dogs are incredibly adaptable, and so is this industry,” says Mitchell. “There’s always room for new ideas and approaches.”

For those considering a career change or looking for a side hustle, dog training offers a unique blend of profitability and purpose. It’s a career that allows people to work with animals, help others, and build a business—all while enjoying the companionship of man’s best friend.

“Dogs bring joy, loyalty, and love into our lives,” Bulanda reflects. “As trainers, we have the privilege of helping them thrive while creating lasting bonds with their owners. It’s a career filled with heart, and it’s one I’d recommend to anyone who loves dogs and wants to make a difference.”

A Career That Changes Lives

Whether you’re looking to leave behind the corporate grind or turn your passion for animals into a thriving business, dog training offers endless opportunities. With the right skills, a willingness to learn, and resources like The Business of Dog Training, you can build a career that’s not only financially rewarding but emotionally fulfilling.

So, the next time you see a dog sitting calmly at its owner’s feet or walking politely on a leash, remember: that’s the work of a trainer. And it might just be your next great career move.

New research about overeating

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UCLA psychologists have discovered a circuit in the brain of mice that makes them crave food and seek it out, even when they are not hungry. What is interesting about this discovery is that when the group of cells is stimulated, the mice seek fatty and pleasurable foods such as chocolate instead of healthier foods such as carrots.

The area of the brain where the cells are located is called the periaqueductal gray which is in the brainstem. When these cells are stimulated, the mice are so driven to eat that they will endure foot shocks to get to the food. The opposite occurs when the researchers inject a virus that produces a protein that reduces the cells activity even hungry mice foraged less.

“Like mice, humans also possess vgat PAG cells in the brainstem. It could be that if this circuit is overactive in a person, they might feel more rewarded by eating or crave food when not hungry. Conversely, if this circuit is not active enough, they could have less pleasure associated with eating, potentially contributing to anorexia. If found in humans, the food-seeking circuit could become the treatment target for some kinds of eating disorders.”

Sue’s Note: If mice have this cluster of cells, it stands to reason that other animals have it as well. Could this be why some of our pets overeat and some have low appetites?

Journal Reference:

  1. Fernando M. C. V. Reis, Sandra Maesta-Pereira, Matthias Ollivier, Peter J. Schuette, Ekayana Sethi, Blake A. Miranda, Emily Iniguez, Meghmik Chakerian, Eric Vaughn, Megha Sehgal, Darren C. T. Nguyen, Faith T. H. Yuan, Anita Torossian, Juliane M. Ikebara, Alexandre H. Kihara, Alcino J. Silva, Jonathan C. Kao, Baljit S. Khakh, Avishek Adhikari. Control of feeding by a bottom-up midbrain-subthalamic pathway. Nature Communications, 2024; 15 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46430-5

Cite This Page:

University of California – Los Angeles. “Craving snacks after a meal? It might be food-seeking neurons, not an overactive appetite.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 20 March 2024. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/03/240320122517.htm>.

Heart murmurs in dogs

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Researchers at the University of Cambridge have perfected an algorithm that can accurately detect heart murmurs in dogs. A heart murmur is the main indicator of cardiac disease such as mitral valve disease. About one in thirty dogs develop this, especially small dogs such as the King Charles Spaniels. The algorithm was originally designed for use on humans, but the team was able to adjust the program to detect and grade heart murmurs in dogs.

In humans, mitral valve disease can only be corrected by surgery, but medication is available for dogs. This program will allow the general practitioner veterinarian to accurately determine if a dog has heart disease earlier and treat the dog, increasing its quality of life and longevity.   

Journal Reference:

  1. Andrew McDonald, Jose Novo Matos, Joel Silva, Catheryn Partington, Eve J. Y. Lo, Virginia Luis Fuentes, Lara Barron, Penny Watson, Anurag Agarwal. A machine‐learning algorithm to grade heart murmurs and stage preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2024; DOI: 10.1111/jvim.17224

Cite This Page:

University of Cambridge. “AI algorithm accurately detects heart disease in dogs.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 28 October 2024. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241028211501.htm>.

Dogs understand words from a soundboard

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A new study investigated whether dogs understand the words on a soundboard or if they were responding to cues from their owners. The study was conducted by researchers at the University of California San Diego as well as other institutions and have proven that dogs who are trained with soundboard buttons can comprehend specific words and will perform contextually appropriate responses. The study was led by Federico Rossano who is an associate professor in the Department of Cognitive Science at UC San Diego and is head of the comparative Cognition Lab. This study was the first empirical study from the world’s largest longitudinal or panel study of button-trained pets.

The way the study was conducted removed bias, owner cues, and showed that the dogs truly did understand the words on the sound board. One of the more important findings is that it shows the complexities of dog cognition and communication.

Sue’s Note: Since I first started training dogs and working as a behaviorist, we have come a long way in understanding how intelligent dogs (and other animals) are. One of the key lessons that we as pet owners must keep in mind, is that dogs are much smarter than previously thought and understand much more than most people give them credit for. This is important to keep in mind when training any animal. What you do and how you do it is critical in building your relationship with your dog or other pet and having them understand what you are teaching them or want them to do. This is why it is very important to use the same word for a specific command. For example, do not use the word DOWN to tell your dog to get off you or furniture and then say the same word to tell your dog to lie down.

Journal Reference:

  1. Amalia P. M. Bastos, Ashley Evenson, Patrick M. Wood, Zachary N. Houghton, Lucas Naranjo, Gabriella E. Smith, Alexandria Cairo-Evans, Lisa Korpos, Jack Terwilliger, Sarita Raghunath, Cassandra Paul, Hairou Hou, Federico Rossano. How do soundboard-trained dogs respond to human button presses? An investigation into word comprehension. PLOS ONE, 2024; 19 (8): e0307189 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307189

Cite This Page:

University of California – San Diego. “Dogs understand words from soundboard buttons.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 28 August 2024. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240828154926.htm>.

The origin of dogs in the United States is still a topic of research

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It is believed that by 1492 until the present day, the indigenous lines of dogs in America were replaced by the dogs from Europe. Therefore, researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Iowa decided to study the remains of dogs that lived in Jamestown, Virginia because there were enough specimens to study.

They knew that prior to the introduction of European dogs, there were a lot of Indigenous dogs in the United States and that many of them disappeared. The researchers wanted to try and determine if they were culled, was it competition with European dogs or was their demise due to disease.

The team studied 22 remains that spanned the years from 1607 to 1619. What they found was that the body size of the dogs ranged between 22 – 39 lbs., about the size of a modern Beagle. The remains indicate that some of the dogs were eaten, which implies that the colonists did not have enough food. At least six of the dogs were of Indigenous North American ancestry suggesting that the colonists and Indigenous tribes traded dogs and were not overly concerned with interbreeding. The study also indicates that the Indigenous dogs were not immediately eradicated when Europeans arrived in North America.

Sue’s Note: The Carolina Dog is considered the last wild dog in North America.

Carolina Dog

Journal Reference:

  1. Ariane E. Thomas, Matthew E. Hill, Leah Stricker, Michael Lavin, David Givens, Alida de Flamingh, Kelsey E. Witt, Ripan S. Malhi, Andrew Kitchen. The Dogs of Tsenacomoco: Ancient DNA Reveals the Presence of Local Dogs at Jamestown Colony in the Early Seventeenth Century. American Antiquity, 2024; 1 DOI: 10.1017/aaq.2024.25

Cite This Page:

Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “Ancient DNA reveals Indigenous dog lineages found at Jamestown, Virginia.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 16 August 2024. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240816173937.htm>.

When did dogs come to America?

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Researchers were sequencing DNA from a collection of hundreds of bones excavated years before in Southeast Alaska by researchers including Timothy Heaton, PhD, professor of earth sciences at the University of South Dakota when they discovered a dog bone. Charlotte Lindqvist, an evolutionary biologist from University at Buffalo, was studying how Ice Age climatic changes impacted animals’ survival and movements in Southeast Alaska.

Lindqvist originally thought that the bone was from a bear but quickly realized that it was a dog bone. This gave them evidence about early human migration through that area and possibly how dogs first arrived in America.

Researchers analyzed the dog’s mitochondrial genome and concluded that the animal belonged to a lineage of dogs whose evolutionary history diverged from that of Siberian dogs as early as 16,700 years ago.

This discovery showed the the dog had a marine diet and supports the hypothesis that the first dog and human migration occurred through the Northwest Pacific coastal route.

Journal Reference:

  1. Flavio Augusto da Silva Coelho, Stephanie Gill, Crystal M. Tomlin, Timothy H. Heaton, Charlotte Lindqvist. An early dog from southeast Alaska supports a coastal route for the first dog migration into the Americas. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 2021; 288 (1945): 20203103 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.3103

Cite This Page:

University at Buffalo. “How did dogs get to the Americas? An ancient bone fragment holds clues.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 23 February 2021. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210223192442.htm>.

God’s Creatures a Biblical View of Animals

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As a Christian and an animal behavior consultant, I am always asked questions about God’s relationship with animals. Does God care about them? Does God talk to them? Can they be evil? Surprisingly, the Bible gives us the answers to these and many more questions. Often people are surprised to learn that animals have been part of Biblical miracles. God’s Creatures covers fifteen different topics that involve animals, all questions that I have been asked.

Everything in this book is backed by Scripture and has been reviewed by two theologians for accuracy. When I wrote this book, I compared critical English words with the original Greek to ensure that the translation was accurate to the English meaning. And of course, the most often and the most controversial question that I have been asked is, do animals go to Heaven? This question is covered in the book. Even if you are not a Christian, I am sure you will find the references to scientific studies and the topics in God’s Creatures interesting. God’s Creatures is a great Bible study for churches or Sunday school. It is written so that children can read and understand what it says. Offering a Bible study about animals is a good way to reach out to the members of your community. You can order the book from my website, www.sbulanda.com, on Amazon or from the publisher, www.Caladach.com.

Dogs help people relieve stress

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Researchers at the University of South Korea have studied the benefits people have from interacting with dogs. Although is this not new information, they researched further to see if different activities produced a different reaction in people. They had people play, walk, groom and massage dogs while studying their brainwaves. They found that the people who walked or played with dogs had an increase in relaxed wakefulness. The participants who groomed, played and massaged a dog had a heightened level of concentration. They also observed that the subjects felt a significant drop in the feeling of fatigue, depression and stress after interacting with dogs.

Sue’s Note: I would think that the same results would be found when people interact with other animals that they enjoy. This study supports the use of therapy animals in all situations.

Journal Reference:

  1. Onyoo Yoo, YuTong Wu, Jin Soo Han, Sin-Ae Park. Psychophysiological and emotional effects of human–Dog interactions by activity type: An electroencephalogram study. PLOS ONE, 2024; 19 (3): e0298384 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298384

Cite This Page:

PLOS. “Interactions with dogs can increase brainwaves associated with stress relief and heightened concentration.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 13 March 2024. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/03/240313185025.htm>.