Humans rely on their eyes more than any other sense. Dogs, however, are different. In cases of gradual blindness in canines, many owners don't even realize their dogs are losing their vision. This is because dogs use their sense of smell and hearing to navigate their world just as much, if not more, than sight. […]

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, does not discriminate. Factors outside one’s control can lead to this anxiety disorder, which affects millions of people — including some of the brave men and women who serve in our military armed forces. During their years of service, military personnel are at a greater risk of exposure to highly traumatic […]

On a microscopic level, your dog’s body is an ecosystem of tiny organisms, such as bacteria and fungi. These minute creatures, or microbes, may seem gross, but many of them are essential for good health. This is particularly true in your dog’s digestive system. For example, the microbiota (community of microbes) in the gut aids […]

As more military veterans have returned from war zones, there is an increased awareness of PTSD. PTSD, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a severe anxiety disorder that results from experiencing an extremely traumatic event such as war (explosions), death, accidents, brutality, or extreme weather and massive destruction (buildings falling, roofs caving in). Most people know that […]

  Just like the humans who care for them, dogs are susceptible to numerous age-related issues, which can result in a decline in function. Things like memory, awareness, sight, and hearing can deteriorate as a result of aging. But unlike their owners, dogs can’t easily express what’s going on inside their bodies; they need an […]

Is your dog suddenly fearful of noises that were never a problem before? A new study suggests that before you look for a behavioral solution, you should make sure there isn't an underlying medical cause. The study, which was published in February 2018 in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, looked at two groups of dogs that […]

Humans aren’t the only members of the workforce!  The American Kennel Club (AKC®) celebrates the evolution of our canine coworkers – what jobs they were originally bred to perform and what work you can see them doing now.  Dogs go above and beyond each and every day, not only as beloved family pets, but as […]

College can be an extremely stressful time for many students, and that stress can be a barrier to academic success. In addition, college students tend to face challenges to their emotional well-being, such as loneliness and depression. To help improve student mental health, some universities have started animal-assisted stress reduction programs, where animals and their […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recently organized a relief effort to aid the working canines serving in Iraq after receiving word from a military veterinary technician serving overseas that "rest and relaxation" supplies were greatly needed. While the dogs are provided for in terms of basic care, many were without recreational toys and treats, which […]

Including your dog in festive holiday celebrations is all part of the fun of the season; however, your dog might not be feeling the same holiday spirit as you. At the end of the year, things don't look, sound, or even smell like they usually do, and that can cause canine confusion and anxiety. Problem […]