Veterinarian’s book offers help for neurotic pets
A dog who ate wine glasses, a parrot who plucked feathers and a cat who became anorexic after the other cat in his household died are just some of the real-life animals featured in a new book, “Pets on the Couch” (Simon and Schuster, $26), by Nicholas Dodman.
The subtitle says it all: “Neurotic Dogs, Compulsive Cats, Anxious Birds and the New Science of Animal Psychiatry.”
The troubled pets were lucky to be patients at the Animal Behavior Clinic, which was founded by the veterinarian in 1986 at Tufts University, near Boston. He’s also a veterinary behaviorist and a researcher.
This book pushes his concept of “One Medicine, the profound recognition that humans and other animals share the same neurochemistry, and that our minds and emotions work in similar ways,” according to the news release from the publisher.
“I have an ulterior motive for writing the book,” Dr. Dodman said in a telephone interview. “It’s to educate people to the fact that animals have feelings and emotions similar to our own.”
The concept has been a tough sell in scientific circles. He believes animals experience love, jealousy, fear, anxiety and depression. And he thinks some psychological and behavior problems can be treated with the same drugs given to people, including Prozac.
Unfortunately, he said, only a dozen of the approximately 30 veterinary schools in North America regularly teach students about clinical animal behavior.
Dr. Dodman noted that drugs are never his first course of action and are prescribed in only a small portion of the cases he treats. With new patients, he spends at least an hour and 20 minutes with the owner, discussing solutions that include diet, exercise and behavior modification. He said his aim is to save lives because bad behavior is a leading cause of euthanization.
“Pets on the Couch” is filled with wonderful stories about his patients, his own pets and his mother. The dedication page says: “For my mother, Gwen Dodman, who showed me how to love and care for all animals.” The stories about her interactions with wild birds are amazing and touching.
Reading some of his other books, especially “The Well Adjusted Dog” and my personal favorite, “Puppy’s First Steps,” may keep you and your dog off the psychiatric couch. Many of the tips in the puppy book also apply to adult dogs.
Dr. Dodman loves cats, too. They’re included in “Pets on the
Couch” and have their own book, “The Cat Who Cried for Help.”
Mutts at Seven Springs
Mutts on the Mountain, which is scheduled next Saturday, gives dogs and their people the chance to run the ski courses while going up, over and through obstacles at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset County.
Hundreds of dogs ran the 5-kilometer course last year. This year, a 1-mile course has been added for smaller dogs. The courses include “worm hole” tunnels, 6-inch and 18-inch hurdles, a maze of sprinklers, and a “hydrant serpentine” to make sure everyone gets muddy. The first heats start at 9 a.m. and the last at 10:30 a.m.
Participants can also use the mountain doggy park and attend a Doggie Goggle After Party. All dogs must be leashed, wear collars with ID tag and arrive with proof of rabies vaccinations.
The cost is $55 for the 5K for one dog and one person over the age of 18, and $25 for a second runner, age 13 and older, with the same dog. It’s $45 for the 1-mile course and $20 for a second runner. The online registration deadline is Thursday at www.7springs.com/events/mutts-on-the-mountain.
Dog documentary
Law enforcement and military dogs will star in “K-9,” a documentary that is being produced and directed by big-time filmmakers.
The producer is Thomas Tull, chairman and CEO of Legendary Pictures. His executive producer credits include “Unbroken,” “Straight Outta Compton” and “The Dark Knight Rises.” “K-9” will be directed by Jonathan Hock and Greg Kohs, who have each won 10 Emmys.
The film, whose release date is not known, was first reported in the Aug. 16 edition of Variety.
“In the action and sports documentaries I’ve directed, the key for me has always been to unlock the larger meaning behind the action by illuminating the humanity of the characters,” Mr. Hock told Variety. “With half of our characters in this film being dogs, that’s a challenge than has been doubled for us.”
“‘K-9’ is an action-adventure, a love story and a war story all rolled into one,” he said, noting that the documentary will highlight “the love, courage and sacrifice” of the dogs.