Healthcare Traveler - March 2009 - (Page 8)

Paws for Thought E N S U R I N G P E T H E A LT H AT H O M E A N D O N T H E R O A D De-stress yourself and your pet If I had to use one word to sum up the collective nature of the country right now, it would be “stressed.” When you share your life with a muchloved pet, the animal may be the first to sense your stress and react to it. Kim Kilmer T he stress humans experience may come from many directions, but when it hits, the results are usually the same. Our bodies tense up, we develop short temperaments with anyone or anything in our paths, and we just are not ourselves. When their owners are stressed, some pets choose to give them a wide birth, while others cling close in quiet, consistent support. If you have a pet that is recognizing your stress, good for you! That means you have a great relationship. find optimum enrichment in a short amount of time. Instead of picking what flavor of coffee you’ll drink, think of which enrichment exercise you’ll have the time to enjoy. I devised a plan that incorporates a low-tech filing system. First, gather 20 index cards, one file box, and four dividers. Choose a box that suits your décor so you’ll be more likely to leave it visible and available. Label the dividers “5-minute activities,” “10-minute activities,” “20-minute activities,” and “30minute activities.” (You can also set up a list on your computer, but I find this version to be more effective.) Defusing stress Once you are intuitive enough to recognize and admit to yourself that you are stressed, you can take steps, with the help of your pet, to defuse the situation. To begin with, convince yourself to engage in a pleasurable activity so stress can be set aside for the moment. Next, choose a “coffee break” for your stress. A number of exercises have been developed so that you can Choosing activities For each segment of time, choose both active and quiet activities. These can range from spending 5 minutes brushing a kitty to 5 minutes of harddriving fetch for a ball-crazed canine. When determining what to do, make sure your choices meet select criteria. You both must enjoy the activity, whether it is an old familiar routine or Ask Kim I am going to be traveling by automobile from Connecticut to North Carolina with two cats. One is 15 years old and the other is 6 years old. This will be their first travel assignment with me. We’re going from a 12-room house to 855 square feet. Any ideas on sedation or suggestions for the transition? They do not like riding in the car or being in the carrier. Thanks. — Maxine You can get just about any animal used to travel by taking frequent, short car rides before your trip. Most cats only see a carrier when headed to the vet, which may make the experience a little less than pleasant. Consult with your vet about any type of sedation and/or homeopathic remedies that may calm the kitties. It is essential to know their medical history prior to using sedating meds. Also, be sure to bring along familiar toys, litter, food, and treats to smooth the transition. Keep them inside and spend time with each before leaving them alone. 8 Healthcare Traveler March 2009 a new skill you’ve wanted to try. You must have or make the dedicated time to engage in the activity. And you must spend a few quiet moments with your pet before starting the activity and once it is complete. Remember, the activities should not add more stress but defuse it. Fortunately, the possibilities for activities are endless. Here is a list to get you started: Share a treat. Whip up a healthy treat that you both can enjoy like frozen vanilla yogurt with a mashed banana for the pups or fresh tuna for the kitties. The preparation and sharing of the treat should fit within the time frame. Obviously, make sure it is healthy for both of you and appropriate for the type of pet that you have. If you are concerned about your pet’s potential allergic reaction to any of the ingredients, ask your veterinarian before making the concoction. Find a new brush. Take long, soothing strokes that travel the length of your pet’s body. Once you have completed brushing, sit quietly for a moment to enjoy the bond. If you want to take that bond a step further, save the fur and find a craftsperson who can weave it into a treasure. Teach your pet a new trick. Make the trick something unique and fun to suit you and your pet, and use clicker training methods to ensure a positive outcome. Any pet can learn through behavior-shaping techniques, so once www.healthcaretraveler.com http://www.healthcaretraveler.com

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Healthcare Traveler - March 2009 Editor’s Desk Contents Paws for Thought Field Notes Company Corner In a Flash Rural ORs Balancing Act Clinical Highlights Drug Update On Assignment Cityscape Name It Tax Facts Big Deals Advertisers’ Index Going the Distance Contest Rules Allied Corner Classifieds Tales from the Road

Healthcare Traveler - March 2009

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