Want to get healthy? Get a dog Want to get healthy? Get a dog
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • FLORIDA
  • WAYS TO HELP
    • DONATE
    • CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS
    • ORGANIZE EVENTS
    • SHOPPING REWARDS
  • MEDIA
  • CONTACT
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • FLORIDA
  • WAYS TO HELP
    • DONATE
    • CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS
    • ORGANIZE EVENTS
    • SHOPPING REWARDS
  • MEDIA
  • CONTACT
  •  

September 2015

Want to get healthy? Get a dog
We’ve all experienced that warm, happy feeling when hanging out with a dog. But can pet ownership directly improve our health?

Emily and Garth

A Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School explores just that. In Get Healthy, Get a Dog, medical editors Elizabeth Pegg Frates, M.D. and Lisa Moses, V.M.D. reveal the many ways that dogs can improve the lives of humans.

Although a direct causal relationship isn’t proven, a growing body of evidence suggests that having a dog can decrease cardiovascular disease, help people handle stress, and reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.

From the report:

There are many reasons why dogs are called humans’ best friends: not only do they offer unparalleled companionship, but a growing body of research shows they also boost human health. Owning a dog can prompt you to be more physically active — have leash, will walk. It can also:

  • help you be calmer, more mindful, and more present in your life
  • make kids more active, secure, and responsible
  • improve the lives of older individuals
  • make you more social and less isolated

Just petting a dog can reduce the petter’s blood pressure and heart rate (while having a positive effect on the dog as well).

The report also helps readers determine how much exercise your dog may need, points out resources for determining best dog breeds for certain owners and lifestyles, and offers suggestions on volunteering at and adopting from animal shelters.

But while the health and emotional benefits can be good for what ails you, it’s important not to adopt a dog for the primary purpose of decreasing heart disease. Weigh all factors to make sure your lifestyle fits pet ownership. After all, a sedentary and overweight pet owner can lead to a sedentary and overweight dog.

Read More
Rescue, reward, and Reese: a shelter dog adoption story

On November 22, 2014, Sheryl Handley volunteered to walk shelter dogs at our first Tails of the Trail outreach event. That could have been the beginning and end to this story, but that day at Cheatham County Animal Control (CCAC) changed the future for one rescue dog and the couple who adopted him. 

We spoke with Sheryl recently about her experience these first six months after adoption.

Tell us about your first encounter with Reese.

I met Reese at the inaugural Tails of the Trail (TOTT) event with Cheatham County. Though I had been paired with another dog, I very clearly remember a fun-loving and still full of energy pup wagging his tail and licking the face of another volunteer after the hike at Hidden Lake State Park. Meanwhile, the sweet little dog I had walked was feeling a bit worn out but still grateful to be in the sunshine and fresh air. None of us were in any hurry to bring the dogs back to the shelter, so we hung out at the trailhead chatting and playing with the pups.

Little did I know that five months later I would be adopting that bouncy black and white dog named Reese.

[av_gallery ids=’551,552,550′ style=’thumbnails’ preview_size=’portfolio’ crop_big_preview_thumbnail=’avia-gallery-big-crop-thumb’ thumb_size=’portfolio’ columns=’3′ imagelink=’lightbox’ lazyload=’avia_lazyload’]

 

What was it that tugged you toward adopting him? Was it difficult convincing your husband?

Honestly, I didn’t think that I wanted to adopt a dog (or maybe I was just kidding myself). My husband sent me a text message “DON’T GET ATTACHED” while I was out on that first TOTT event.

But I did get attached. I continued to volunteer walking dogs at CCAC on my own. I loved the idea that I could do what I enjoy the most, that is exercising outdoors but now have an additional purpose of enriching the lives of dogs in need. I had convinced myself that this was the perfect world: volunteering provided the affection and companionship of pets without any of the responsibility!

How did you end up adopting him then?

It was just a matter of time. I studied up on dog ownership…what it takes to be a responsible pet owner…how much it costs in both time and money…what breeds to consider…having a puppy versus adopting an older dog.

But in the end, it was actually my husband who chose Reese. Since he was apprehensive about having a dog join our world, I knew that if I was going to adopt, it was very important that he picked the dog. He’s a big mountain biker so I sort of tricked him into walking dogs at CCAC on the way back from biking at Montgomery Bell State Park.

After a few visits he, too, became a fan of Reese. And because Reese was a pitbull terrier and also heartworm positive, we felt that his chances of being adopted from a rural, low traffic facility were limited. After all, Reese had been picked up as a stray and held at CCAC for over eight months.

What challenges did you encounter?

For me the biggest challenge is one that is all too familiar, time management. I promised that I would be the primary care taker and house cleaner. You can’t rely on others (your partner, children, or roommates) to assume responsibility for your pet, so I had to change my routine so my dog could have his routine. That means waking up early to feed and walk Reese and leaving right after work to head home to feed and walk him. I’ve had to switch up my social life and workout routine, but now I have many more doggy friends and find myself choosing dog-friendly activities and places. It’s sort of like having a permanent toddler in your life. Sometimes I wish Reese would grow up so he could take care of me when I get old!

What special things have you learned about Reese or yourself?

I’ve learned that there is nothing more gleeful than a pittie smile! My dog is always delighted to see me. It’s an instant pick me up when things in life may be less than perfect.

Likewise, Reese is always there to cheer me on in my greatest moments, too! He’s just a very happy boy and his emotions shine through in his facial expressions and body language.

Dogs are extremely good at communicating with humans and each other. It’s really important to learn how to read them. I’m betting that many “problems” occur because people aren’t being perceptive to what their pet is trying to tell them.

Advice for shelter volunteers or future adoptive families?

Bringing a dog into your home is a huge commitment. You have to consider: How does this animal fit into my life now? Am I willing to keep this commitment for the next ten years or more?

Volunteering provided me with the opportunity to learn about dogs and what kind of dog would best suit my lifestyle. I got the chance to not only bond with so many different dogs but also to connect with other volunteers and the wonderful staff at Cheatham County Animal Control.

I can’t emphasize enough how important it is for the shelter dogs to be socialized and exercised and what a rewarding experience it is to get involved! I still visit CCAC when I can and help out. I am so grateful that Tails of the Trail opened up a whole new world of adventure to me.

 

Thank you to Sheryl and Paul for their story, photos, and most especially for allowing Reese to rescue them.


 

Read More
Raise money for your favorite animal shelter just by walking

Walk for a Dog logoWant to raise money for your favorite shelter or rescue just by doing something you already do? Our friends at Middle Tennessee Boxer Rescue recently hipped us to the Walk for a Dog app by WoofTrax. Download the app for Android or iOS and launch it on your smartphone when you start walking, hiking, or running with (or without) your dog.

Walk for a Dog screen shot (Android)

You choose the shelter or rescue organization to receive the credit for your walk, and periodically WoofTrax will send money directly to that organization. I’ve just started using the app, and one of our shelter partners Cheatham County Animal Control was not listed. They’ve contacted WoofTrax and hopefully will be in the app’s beneficiary list shortly.

The WoofTrax website says they’ve “raised over $120,000 for our shelter and rescue partners” in the last year. We’ll be checking with our partners to make sure they’re reaping the benefits of us using this app.

We’re urging Tails of the Trail volunteers and leaders to download and use the app, and if you can deal with the ad-supported interface, it’s a very simple way to get a few more bucks to your favorite shelter or rescue operation.

Read More
Tails of the Trail expands to Chattanooga

On August 23, we launched the Tails of the Trail program in Chattanooga with a partnership with Pet Placement Center. Our first Tails event outside of Nashville drew member volunteers from Chattanooga Hiking Meetup along with four of us from Nashville.

[av_gallery ids=’509,495,488′ style=’thumbnails’ preview_size=’portfolio’ crop_big_preview_thumbnail=’avia-gallery-big-crop-thumb’ thumb_size=’portfolio’ columns=’3′ imagelink=’lightbox’ lazyload=’avia_lazyload’]

Despite the rain in the area that morning, we still made it out to Greenway Farm in Hixson to hike eight of the dogs housed at PPC. Volunteers were treated to human goodies from Juice Bar and Puffy Muffin and took home organic dog treats from Axle Bites.

We also gained three new event hosts from Chattanooga Hiking Meetup and are partnering with Pet Placement Center again for a Tails of the Trail hike on September 27!

Read More

Recent Posts

  • Woof On! Nashville
  • VIP Clarksville – Taste of the South, Oct. 2018
  • WCTV Pet Watch
  • Channel 5 News
  • Tennessee Crossroads

Recent Comments

  • Becky on Sammy’s Story
  • Lottie on Celebrating Tracy! by David Battle
  • Animals Life NET on Guest blogger Sarah shares her passion for helping animals
  • Kelly Stewart on Giving back: Brookdale seniors create “pawsitive” dog treats for Nashville music event in partnership with Tails of the Trail®
  • Susan on Roc adopted thanks to PupFest: An Irish Faire

Archives

  • January 2020
  • October 2018
  • August 2018
  • March 2018
  • October 2017
  • June 2017
  • April 2017
  • February 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Blog
  • Events
  • Featured
  • Food
  • Foster
  • Health
  • Legal
  • Media
  • Research
  • Sponsors
  • Technology
  • Toolkit
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
© TAILS OF THE TRAIL. WEBSITE BY WebDesignCharlotte.net
humans hiking homeless hounds