Sometimes just meeting the basic necessities can be the greatest gift of all.

Along with a safe place to live, a reliable source of food is the most vital of needs. Unfortunately, too many in this country live with food insecurity, going day-to-day without knowing when – or if – their next meal will come.

In times of hardship, individuals step forward to lend a helping hand. No other small group of dedicated people is more devoted to helping their neighbors than Community Sharing. It’s our foundation’s great pleasure to assist them in achieving their goals. More...

No matter how much we adore our companion animals, there’s no denying that they come with responsibilities. Keeping your dog’s coat clean not only helps to support skin health, a luxurious, odor-free coat can actually improve your quality of life, too.

Not all of us are able to get to our professional groomer every time we really need to, so this episode of Pet Talk is all about techniques to wash your dog’s coat at home … in between regular groomer visits.

With help from her beautiful, blond assistant, Alma, Dr. Sarah offers a quick overview of the basics of home bathing, to leave your dog’s coat lustrous, clean and smelling spectacular.

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For most of us, the meal of the year is quickly fading from memory. While families, friends and neighbors gathered together last Thursday for Thanksgiving, others were slowly picking up the pieces of their lives after Hurricane Sandy, the largest Atlantic storm on record. Pummeling the East Coast beginning on October 29th, the death toll of the 1,000-mile-wide superstorm is estimated to be 113 human lives. Not tallied, and possibly unknowable, are the numbers of companion animals lost in the wake of this devastating weather event. More...

The inclusion of animals in medical settings is nothing new – in fact, dogs and other animals have been visiting hospitals and other medical care facilities for over 150 years. The benefits of using therapy dogs in facilities where comfort and affection may be in short supply have become strikingly evident in recent years – and the need for these canine volunteers has grown exponentially. In fact, many people have asked me what character traits make for a good therapy dog. Since it’s a wonderful way to help someone in need, I’m glad to use this forum to discuss what makes a good therapy dog and give you an introduction to getting your dog started in this most noble of vocations. More...

“Oh the weather outside is frightful” … so be careful out there! Winter will soon wrap her cold, sleety arms around much of the country. We want to remind everybody to take special precautions to keep their fur kids safe and healthy. In this episode of Pet Talk, staff veterinarian Dr. Sarah devotes time to the crucial topic of cold-weather safety. And that goes double for those of you with a puppy romping around in that wintry mix.

Yes, even though spring and summer are prime periods for bringing a new pup into the family fold, there is a corps of dedicated pet parents who believe the holiday season is the perfect time to adopt a new dog. What better way to celebrate the season of giving and caring than by embracing the responsibility of a new companion animal, right?

We’re pleased to report that Dr. Sarah has some seriously helpful tips for all of our readers, new and established pet parents alike. We’re covering some new territory on outdoor safety, as well as reissuing some practical tips from a couple of seasons ago … it’s our version of the best-of-the-best info for winter pet care, with a dash of old-school puppy safety thrown in for good measure. Hopefully, this brief video will put your mind at ease, demonstrating just how simple it is to keep wee pups, and old dogs, safe throughout the chilly winter.

In this thrilling episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah peers into her crystal ball and treats pet parents to some special tricks to help fur-kids have a happy and healthy Halloween. Our staff veterinarian offers some timely tips on keeping your pets’ paws off potentially hazardous candies. Further, Dr. Sarah conjures up the perfect spell to keep your furry friends from unexpectedly venturing out among the other creatures of the night! And, since tasty treats are central to All Hallow’s Eve, Dr. Sarah reveals some healthier options made especially with your four-footers’ nutritional needs and well-being in mind. In the brief video, you’ll learn all sorts of helpful tricks for taking the fear out of your Halloween celebration!

One of the most amazing things about canines is the astounding range of sizes and shapes they come in. From Saint Bernards to Chihuahuas - and everything in between – there’s a dizzying array of physical variations. This explosion of varieties has happened extraordinarily quickly in terms of evolutionary timescales due to relentless selective breeding by humans and, as a result of our genetic meddling, the dog is now the physically most diverse land animal on the planet.

With the multitude of shapes and sizes in the canine kingdom, you may be surprised to note that only six or seven locations in a dog’s genetic code can explain about 80% of the differences in height and weight among dog breeds. In comparison, in studies on humans, like those conducted by Carlos Bustamente, professor of genetics at Stanford, differences in height and weight in humans are controlled by hundreds if not thousands of genetic variations. More...

On behalf of the Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation, it is our privilege to announce the gift of yet another financial award. This month’s featured group is Animal Friends Humane Society, a non-profit based in Boerne, TX. Saving canine lives since 2000, this impressive little group was established with the goal of serving a small part of the greater San Antonio area where over 50,000 dogs and cats are euthanized annually. During the last 12 years, they’ve continued to grow and foster their own place in the community. More...

According to pet parents, one of the more common cat behavioral problems is aggression between cats in a multi-cat household. The source of the explosive behavior could be due to any of several reasons, including incompatible personalities, territorial competition or overcrowding. Cats normally establish a hierarchy among themselves, but the tricky thing is it can be fairly unpredictable and can change suddenly: cats that have gotten along for a long time may experience an abrupt falling out, leaving pet parents mystified. More...

Think back to when you chose which dog to share your life with … did grooming requirements weigh heavily on your decision-making? Chances are, probably not. It’s important that you have some understanding of your dog’s grooming needs from the get-go. You don’t want to wait until she’s uncomfortable or you are frustrated before acting. Some pet parents postpone grooming duties until the coat builds up foul odors, or when shedding is so prevalent that dog-hair tumbleweeds are rolling across the floor. But, with the helpful information provided in this short video, that’s all about to change. With assistance from her beautiful, blond assistant, Alma, Dr. Sarah offers a concise review of the basics of home grooming.