The Thyroid Epidemic

Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM, enlightens audiences on  “The Canine Thyroid Epidemic:   What and Why? “ at the 2012 IACP Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida      April 19-21, 2012

The last 15 years has seen thyroid dysfunction and disease increase at such an alarming rate that it has reached near epidemic proportions. This has been accompanied by a parallel increase in the incidence of heritable autoimmune thyroiditis in purebred and the newer hybrid breeds of dogs.

Many veterinarians are unaware of how to properly test and diagnose their patients in order to identify the early   stages of this disease process, so it is no surprise that most pet owners and many dog breeders do not know how to spot the clinical or behavioral signs of early canine thyroid disease. This confusion amongst veterinary clinicians and pet owners sets up a “perfect storm” of misunderstanding, misdiagnosis and mistreatment (or lack of treatment) of canine thyroid disorders, and the patients suffer or continue to be bred to create more affected offspring.

Dr. Dodds’ seminar will educate attendees on the function and importance of the thyroid in canine health in addition to the identification of the clinical signs and symptoms of canine thyroid disorders.  Most thyroid problems are treatable with the right medical diagnosis and care.  More importantly, a well-informed owner can often minimize the chance of the disorder occurring in the first place…..so be sure to come and learn how you can impact positively the diagnosis, treatment and early  intervention  of this disease.

Jean Dodds received the D.V.M. degree with honors in 1964 from the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Toronto.  From 1965-1986, she was a member of many national and international committees on hematology, animal models of human disease, veterinary medicine, and laboratory animal science.  Dr. Dodds was a grantee of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH) and has over 150 research publications.  She has received numerous awards such as 1974 Outstanding Woman Veterinarian of the Year, AVMA Annual Meeting, 1977 Outstanding Service to the Veterinary Profession from the American Animal Hospital Association, 1978 and 1990 received the Gaines Fido Award as Dogdom's Woman of the Year, 1994 Holistic Veterinarian of the Year Award from the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, and is an active member of numerous professional societies. Dr. Dodds is an inventor on numerous patents.   She is a founder and active contributor of the nonprofit organization Hemopet.

Hemopet began in 1986 and its range of nonprofit services and educational activities include:

· Providing canine blood components, blood bank supplies, and related services

· Adopting retired Greyhound blood donors as companions through Pet Life-Line 

· Contributing to the social needs of the less fortunate in our society by volunteer and interactive programs with the  Greyhounds 

· Consulting in clinical pathology through Hemolife

· Teaching, animal health care professionals, companion animal fanciers, and pet owners on hematology and blood banking, immunology, endocrinology, nutrition and holistic medicine, nationwide and overseas

There is  No Single Magic Wand  - Martin Deeley (The Dog Whisperers Whisperer)

Founding Member IACP.  Executive Director IACP.  IACP International Hall of Fame

Florida Dog Trainers, Owner.  International School for Dog Trainers, Owner.

Creator of E-Touch Training Method

"Should there be any pendulum between total positive and total pressure?  Should we pigeonhole canine professionals and criticize them by saying they only use one magic wand?” 

 

In his presentation, Martin will give reasons for the birth of the IACP. He will explain how the founding members were committed to the belief that all methods and approaches to dog training, as well as approaches in other canine professions, remain available. Martin will evaluate the narrow approaches and the radical movements that expound them, whether it be all positive or predominantly pressure.  He will put into plain words how one must develop resourcefulness, instead of the one equipment    approach. Martin will use his own experiences, both with dogs and with the public, to explain the benefits of being versatile, as well as some of the pitfalls. He will look at the current trends in the canine world and ask the question, "Should there be any pendulum between total positive and total pressure? Should we pigeonhole canine professionals and criticize them by saying they only use one magic wand?” 

 

Martin is an internationally recognized and respected canine professional with over 30 years’ experience working with and training dogs and dog trainers.  Martin has written three books on dog training, all of which are bestsellers in the United Kingdom, and contributed to Cesar Milan’s last two books on dog and puppy training.  He writes articles regularly for leading canine oriented magazines in the U.S. and England and is the only journalist ever permitted to interview Queen Elizabeth (an article that was syndicated worldwide).  He has produced over 20 training videos and is invited to run workshops all over the world.  Martin was 2007 Gundog Trainer of the Year in the United Kingdom and still actively commentates on the dogs and international competitions in the United Kingdom for the CLA Game Fair to an audience of over 150,000. 

 

Already a busy enough person but one with a big heart for helping and mentoring canine professionals, Martin was a founder of the IACP and has been an active contributor on the Board and to the membership since it’s inception (including past-President and continuing Executive Director).  He and his wife, Pat Trichter, own and operate Florida Dog Trainers and also the International School for Dog Trainers - both successful businesses educating dogs and their owners, and trainers of all ages.

 

The IACP is honored to also have Martin as the Keynote Speaker, opening the Conference and celebrating the 12th Anniversary of the IACP.

 

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 Get “Pack to Basics”!

 

The Leader of the IACP Pack (CHAD MACKIN, IACP President), presents his popular “Pack to Basics: Advanced Socialization Solutions for Difficult Dogs”

 

The key to Pack To Basics is to use the dog's naturally strong social behavior to reduce stress and fear; build confidence and language skills, allowing for many common behavior problems to slip away. This is an approach like no other!

 

Pack to Basics is a comprehensive approach to canine socialization, specifically geared towards dogs with known socialization issues.  It includes everything from the initial evaluation to pre-training dogs before they can enter the social arena and preparing the questionable dogs to safely enter the socialization classes.

The program is an advanced socialization process that focuses on the dogs that are typically excluded from doggie day-cares and other socialization venues. Because of this fact, Pack to Basics offers us an opportunity to help dogs that otherwise might not be able to ever run with other dogs.

Our Pack to Basics classes are revolutionary in their approach and in their results. By allowing dogs with difficulties getting along with other dogs to interact with the right kinds of dogs, they learn not merely to control their aggressive behavior, but to actually enjoy being with other dogs.

 

Chad began training dogs professionally in March of 1993. Since then, he has travelled across the country to learn from the very best trainers available anywhere the best ways to communicate with dogs and their owners.   After 18 years, he is a recognized leader in the area of dog socialization and behavior modification. He teaches several workshops for professional trainers each year on dog training and socialization. Students travel from as far away as Ireland and Singapore to study with him.   Don’t miss YOUR opportunity!

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Canine Massage Therapy, Tips to Safely Massage Your Best Furry Friend

 

Jenifer Funk

BME, LMT, NMT, CCMT, NCTMB

 

This workshop will cover indications/contraindications for canine massage ? canine body language ? palpation exercises ? basic canine massage therapy strokes ? gait analysis ? massage therapy for all stages of dogs' lives and activity levels.

 

Participants will watch a canine massage demonstration and get to practice various palpation exercises and techniques on their own dogs during the workshop.

 

Jenifer Funk received a Bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1991 and is a graduate of the Sarasota School of Massage Therapy.  She was a licensed educator in the State of Wisconsin for 16 years, and is currently a certified educator in the State of Florida.  She has been a licensed massage therapist and bodyworker in both Florida and Wisconsin since 2002, a massage school instructor since 2004, and a massage school administrator from 2003-2010.   

 

In addition to teaching at the Florida College of Natural Health,  Jennifer owns and operates her own business, Abundant Life Massage.  Abundant Life Massage offers one of the only "100 hour - hands on" canine massage therapy certification programs in the nation that has been designed by a licensed educator/licensed massage therapist.  In her private practice, Jenifer specializes in Oncology Massage with her human clients and holds advanced certifications in Neuromuscular Therapy, Canine (Dog) Massage, Raindrop Technique, and Bamboo-Fusion.

 

Before becoming a massage therapist, Jenifer enjoyed being a middle school and high school band director in Wisconsin for 11 years.   She has been training dogs since she was 9 years old, has trained two dogs to competition level in agility.  Jenifer says she learned the most about canine body language from working in a doggie daycare for over a year.  She is the proud companion of two vizslas and you will frequently see them in a very relaxed state as canine massage demonstration dogs at Abundant Life Massage events.

 

Jenifer’s passion is to help people and their "best furry friends" achieve an abundant life through massage therapy and massage education and we are honored to have her share her knowledge and techniques with our attendees at the 2012 IACP Annual Conference!

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        When Good People Think Strange Things

 

Patrick Burns “Terrierman”

 

Dogs are in trouble because so many good people think strange things about canine evolution, form, function, health, evaluation, and training. 

 

How did so many dogs get into trouble, and what do strange ideas about dogs have to do with the world of canine dysfunction?

 

   Strange Ideas About Origins 

   Strange Ideas About Evolution

   Strange Chestnuts from the Show Ring

   Strange Celebrations of Defect and Deformity

   Strange Evaluations of Health

   Strange Evaluations of Work

   Strange Ideas by Dog Buyers

   Strange Ideas by Shelter Operators

   Strange Beliefs About Training

 

How are dogs doing now, and why is there some glimmer of hope on the horizon?  

 

Where are dogs going, and should we -- as advocates for dogs -- be helping dogs go down that path?

 

Patrick will explore canine history, how dogs are produced and sold today, and how the future of dogs may be shaped by a contentious debate that is ongoing right now in the Mother Church of pedigree dogs.

 

Patrick Burns has had terriers for more than 45 years and is a passionate defender of working dogs in general, and working terriers in particular.  A resident of Virginia, he is a monthly columnist for Dogs Today in the U.K. and has also written for other canine publications, as well as appeared on ABC's Nightline to talk about the need to protect pedigree dogs from both inbreeding and exaggerated and contrived standards.  Patrick is author of American Working Terriers, and his web site and associated blog (Terrierman's Daily Dose) are widely read, and pull few punches.  Most weekends Patrick can be found hunting in the fields and forests of Virginia and Maryland.  Patrick is one of 11 dog trainers featured in Cesar Millan's latest book, Cesar's Rules.