Euthanasia Options | Wednesday, June 8 @ 1:00 PM EST
About the webinar: No one ever wants to make the decision to say goodbye to their dog. But understanding your options on euthanasia vs natural passing and when best to make that decision will be helpful during this time. Join this session to learn about the options, how best to plan for euthanasia and ask Dr. Mary questions related to end of life. Sign up today!
About the presenter: Dr. Mary Gardner has a special place in her heart for the skinny, wobbly, grey-muzzled pets. Passionate about geriatric care, she is a veterinarian and co-founder of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, a nationwide practice whose 200+ veterinarians provide in-home hospice, euthanasia and end-of-life care.
She is a published author and co-editor of the textbook “Treatment and Care for the Geriatric Veterinary Patient” and in January 2022 will publish her book for dog owners “It’s never long enough: A practical guide for caring for your senior dog”.
She travels the world speaking about geriatric medicine, assessing quality of life, veterinary hospice, euthanasia and caregiver burden. A 2008 University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine graduate, she was awarded the Angel award for the recognition of the human-animal bond. She also received the Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Florida in 2016. And in 2020 won VM Speaker of the Year – a very high achievement in the veterinary space.
Canine Vestibular Disease: A Common Senior Dog Malady
About the webinar: Symptoms of vestibular disease can not only be frightening for dogs and their owners, but they can often be mistaken for signs of a seizure or stroke. Grey Muzzle Advisory Board Member Dr. Julie Buzby, DVM discusses this relatively common condition in senior dogs and explains why the prognosis is good for most dogs who suffer from it. If you share your home and heart with a senior dog, don't miss this free webinar. 
About the presenter: As an integrative veterinarian, Dr. Julie Buzby seeks to blend the best of Western medicine, alternative therapies and creative tools for maximum wellness in her patients, the majority of whom have grey muzzles. After years of frustration watching her patients struggle on hard floors, she developed Dr. Buzby’s ToeGrips for dogs, assistive devices which enable instant traction and confident mobility. Dr. Buzby is passionate about educating clients on a multimodal approach to improving the quality of lives for senior and special needs dogs.
Acupuncture 101
About the webinar: Acupuncture 101 - How this ancient modality can help our senior pets live life to the fullest! We will discuss what acupuncture is, how it works & what diseases it can treat. I will discuss what an acupuncture treatment looks like & what to expect following treatments. We will also discuss some basic acupuncture massage techniques for older pets and other general holistic tips to keep your senior pet happy & healthy.
Dr. Sowers attended the Chi Institute in 2017 and received specialized training in Animal Acupuncture, Tui-na (Chinese medical massage) & Food Therapy. She has a passion for integrative medicine & tries to incorporate natural healing into her treatment plans as often as possible, and also has a special interest in using essential oils in pets.
Dr. Sowers opened Kindred Souls Mobile Veterinary Services in 2018 which exclusively practices traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. She also works part time at Riversong Veterinary Clinic, an integrative clinic in Brevard, NC.
In her spare time, Dr. Sowers enjoys hiking, dancing, seeing live music & visiting the many art galleries in the area. She also regularly practices yoga, meditation & Qi gong.
What is Pet Hospice?
About the webinar: Veterinary hospice care is a unique case approach centered around education, preparation, and support for the pet and the client. But most people think that hospice is about giving up or prolonging suffering when it is quite the opposite. Learn more about hospice and how it can help your pet live well until they die.
She is a published author and co-editor of the textbook “Treatment and Care for the Geriatric Veterinary Patient” and in January 2022 will publish her book for dog owners “It’s never long enough: A practical guide for caring for your senior dog”.
She travels the world speaking about geriatric medicine, assessing quality of life, veterinary hospice, euthanasia and caregiver burden. A 2008 University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine graduate, she was awarded the Angel award for the recognition of the human-animal bond. She also received the Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Florida in 2016. And in 2020 won VM Speaker of the Year – a very high achievement in the veterinary space.
Get to Know Your Senior Dog from Head-to-Tail
About the webinar: Our dogs can't tell us when something is wrong. By getting to know our furry best friend from head-to-tail, you can more readily detect a problem early and intervene. Denise Fleck (aka The Pet Safety Crusader) and Grey Muzzle's Board President will provide step-by-step instructions to perform an at-home examination of your dog.
About the presenter: Denise Fleck is an award-winning author and animal care instructor who developed the curriculum for her Pet First-Aid & CPCR and Pet Disaster Preparedness Classes after training with dozens of schools and organizations, practicing, attending seminars and practicing some more. Known as The Pet Safety Crusader™, Denise has personally taught more than 30,000 humans animal life-saving skills and has appeared on Animal Planet's Groomer Has It and Pit Boss, A&E's Kirstie Alley's Big Life, CBS-TV's The Doctors, CNN Headline News, PBS-TV's Lassie's Pet Vet and KTLA Los Angeles as well as on radio and in magazines. She is President of the Board of the Grey Muzzle Organization as her soft spot lies with caring for senior pets.
Tips to Care for Your Senior Dog
About the webinar: Senior pets may have a number of issues including discomfort, chronic inflammation and even increased anxiety. Dr. Heidi will talk about how to recognize when some of these issues are happening, when to seek medical help and advice, and additional things you can do to improve their quality of life.
About the presenter: Dr. Heidi Lobprise graduated from Texas A & M University in 1983 and became a board certified veterinary dentist in 1993. In 2003, she joined the Veterinary Specialty Team of Pfizer Animal Health, and in 2010, she became the Senior Technical Manager for Virbac Corporation. In 2014, Dr. Lobprise returned to dental specialty practice in Flower Mound, Texas. She is the author/co-author of three dental texts, including the second edition of Five Minute Veterinary Consult – Clinical Companion Small Animal Dentistry, has written many chapters and articles and has lectured internationally.
She helped organize, and was the first president of, the International Veterinary Senior Care Society, whose mission is to provide resources targeting the complete health care needs of senior pets to the veterinarian, their team, and clients. She has supported her interest in senior pet care through organizing and giving lectures, providing articles for publication and contributing a chapter to the upcoming “Treatment and Care of the Veterinary Geriatric Patient."
Keeping Your Senior Pets Moving
About the webinar: Mobility issues is one of the most common ailments older dogs struggle with. Dr Mary will discuss common causes, ways to help prevent mobility issues and also ways to support your dog (and you) manage their daily life if they do struggle getting around!
About the presenter: Dr. Mary Gardner has a special place in her heart for the skinny, wobbly, grey-muzzled pets. Passionate about geriatric care, she is a veterinarian and co-founder of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, a nationwide practice whose 200+ veterinarians provide in-home hospice, euthanasia and end-of-life care.
She is a published author and co-editor of the textbook “Treatment and Care for the Geriatric Veterinary Patient” and in January 2022 will publish her book for dog owners “It’s never long enough: A practical guide for caring for your senior dog”.
She travels the world speaking about geriatric medicine, assessing quality of life, veterinary hospice, euthanasia and caregiver burden. A 2008 University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine graduate, she was awarded the Angel award for the recognition of the human-animal bond. She also received the Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Florida in 2016. And in 2020 won VM Speaker of the Year – a very high achievement in the veterinary space.
Laryngeal Paralysis in Dogs
About the webinar: Laryngeal paralysis in dogs (also known as "Lar Par" or "GOLPP") can result in a true veterinary emergency. Every senior dog parent should be aware of this serious and under-discussed condition and know how to recognize it. By sharing the real-life story of a Labrador Retriever diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis, integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby reveals the signs, symptoms, and treatment options for dogs with Lar Par. Don't miss this important information!About the presenter: As an integrative veterinarian, Dr. Julie Buzby seeks to blend the best of Western medicine, alternative therapies and creative tools for maximum wellness in her patients, the majority of whom have grey muzzles. After years of frustration watching her patients struggle on hard floors, she developed Dr. Buzby’s ToeGrips for dogs, assistive devices which enable instant traction and confident mobility. Dr. Buzby is passionate about educating clients on a multimodal approach to improving the quality of lives for senior and special needs dogs.
Seasonal Changes and Your Senior Dog
About the webinar: As we roll into Autumn, the days get shorter, temperatures drop and many humans begin to hibernate, or just lose their get up and go! Known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), no one knows for sure if our senior dogs are experiencing the same moodiness, since we share much of the same brain chemistry, or if they are mimicking our emotions and lethargy. Regardless, dogs may not be getting as much outdoor time, and even an older canine needs his exercise. Denise Fleck (aka The Pet Safety Crusader) and Grey Muzzle's Board President will discuss ways to engage pets during the darker days and prevent them from becoming four-legged couch potatoes! Diet, exercise, lighting, safety and protective gear will all be discussed.About the presenter: Denise Fleck is an award-winning author and animal care instructor who developed the curriculum for her Pet First-Aid & CPCR and Pet Disaster Preparedness Classes after training with dozens of schools and organizations, practicing, attending seminars and practicing some more. Known as The Pet Safety Crusader™, Denise has personally taught more than 15,000 humans animal life-saving skills and has appeared on Animal Planet’s Groomer Has It and Pit Boss, A&E’s Kirstie Alley’s Big Life, CBS-TV’s The Doctors, CNN Headline News, PBS-TV’s Lassie’s Pet Vet and KTLA Los Angeles as well as on radio and in magazines. She is President of the Board of the Grey Muzzle Organization as her soft spot lies with caring for senior pets.
Reiki for our Senior Animal Friends
About the presenter: Beth Shemo is an Advanced Proficiency Healing Touch for Animals Practitioner and Reiki Master Practitioner. Her exploration into energy medicine began with Reiki in 1997, and she received Reiki Master Certification in 1999. When a health issue developed in one of her dogs, Beth sought out holistic options and found a wonderful holistic veterinarian who restored her dog’s health and vitality. Beth was fortunate to work with this vet for several years as a veterinary assistant and Healing Touch for Animals Practitioner where she furthered her training in Healing Touch for Animals (HTA), Healing Touch, Color Therapy, Aromatherapy, and Craniosacral Therapy for Animals. In her private practice, Spirit Wolf Energetics, LLC, Beth’s mission is to improve the health and vitality of animals, both domestic and wild, through the use of safe and gentle energy medicine techniques. She also enjoys providing complimentary healing sessions for the amazing animals at the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center and Teller County Regional Animal Shelter.
A Better Understanding of Seizures and Senior Pets
About the presenter: A highly regarded neurologist and neurosurgeon, Dr. Jim Cook has more than 40 years of experience in the field. He received his PhD in Neurophysiology from the University of Georgia after earning his DVM from The Ohio State University. Board-certified for more than 35 years, he has a special interest in spinal surgery and MRI interpretation. Dr. Cook has authored and co-authored more than 30 referred veterinary and human journal articles, textbook chapters, and research abstracts in some of the world’s most well-respected industry publications. He has also presented on a wide range of topics on local, state, national, and international stages. Dr. Cook currently practices at Specialists in Companion Animal Neurology in Clearwater, FL where he works in partnership with each patient’s primary care veterinarian to diagnose and treat dogs and cats with neurological disease.
Progressive Preventative Medicine: Increasing your pet’s longevity and quality of life
About the presenter: Dr. Wolchinsky has worked at Rocky Gorge Animal Hospital in Laurel, MD since 1987. He enjoys all aspects of canine and feline medicine but has special interests in internal medicine, cardiology, diagnostic imaging, and many other cutting-edge advances. In 2017, Dr. Wolchinsky received Boehringer Ingelheim's first VETMEDIN Cardiology Pioneer Award in recognition of all the veterinarians and specialists who care for dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF) and help those dogs have the opportunity for better days and longer lives. Dr. Wolchinsky is the Laurel City Veterinarian as well as an Advisory Board Member for Grey Muzzle.
A Better Understanding of Neurological Disease in Senior Dogs
Compassion Fatigue: What Animal Caregivers Need to Know
Responsible Aromatherapy™ for the Senior Dog
Two Paws Up for Senior Dogs!
Television producer and Grey Muzzle Advisory Board Member Michael Levitt welcomed television personality and everyone’s favorite BFF Ross Mathews and Hallmark Channel’s Pet Expert Larissa Wohl to discuss their love of senior dogs and advocacy to help these furry friends.
Hear their behind the scenes stories of working together on The American Rescue Dog Show, Fox’s Cause for Paws, and other rescue themed programming. You can imagine when making television shows with lots of celebrities and over 100 rescue dogs, things don’t always go as planned.
Senior Dog Massage with Pam Holt
About the webinar: Our beloved dogs are thankfully living longer than ever these days. With that blessing comes age-related issues like arthritis, causing reduced mobility and range of motion. Organ function decreases with age also, making alternatives to drugs desirable so as to not further tax the kidneys and liver. Massage is something we can all do with our own two loving hands. We can actively participate in our dogs' healing with effective massage, Tellington Touch (TTouch) and acupressure techniques, which will provide endless benefits for your best friend while strengthening the precious bond you cherish with them. We can also reap health benefits ourselves as well by giving a massage, like lowering our blood pressure. We can gather invaluable information by knowing what feels normal on our dogs, so we can more quickly find abnormalities should they arise in the future.
The Joys of Senior Dog Rescue: An Interview with David Rosenfelt
About the webinar: 'When you have two dogs, getting a third is a big deal. But when you have 26 and you get a call saying that a golden retriever is going to be put down at 3 o’clock, you take a 27th.' That’s a quote from David Rosenfelt, a mystery novelist and all-around great guy who, together with his wife Debbie Myers, helped find homes for more than 4,000 dogs facing the end at crowded animal shelters. Laura Coffey interviews Rosenfelt all about the joys of senior dog rescue. Coffey asked Rosenfelt to recount his many years in animal rescue and describe his epic cross-country move with 25 mostly geriatric rescue dogs and 11 volunteers in three RVs. (Rosenfelt chronicled that fur-raising adventure in his 2013 book Dogtripping!) Coffey and Rosenfelt also announced the kickoff of Grey Muzzle’s #AdoptedASeniorDog social media contest.
Grey Muzzles Gone Wide: Feeding Strategies to Avoid and Treat Weight Gain in Older Dogs
About the webinar: According to the latest estimates, over 56% of US pet dogs are overweight or have obesity, totaling over 50 million dogs. A recent pet parent survey found that almost half (47%) of American dog owners have a dog age 7 or older. That means we continue to see an increase in older, overweight dogs in this country. That also means more dogs are at risk for preventable weight-related diseases such as arthritis, kidney failure, high blood pressure, and cancer. “Grey muzzles gone wide” is inadvertently putting millions of senior dogs in danger. Luckily, there are so many things dog parents can do to help keep their pooch at a healthy body condition. Dr. Ernie Ward shared the reasons why we continue to see an increase in overweight dogs around the world, the consequences of a few extra pounds on your dog’s health and longevity, and the latest research on effective weight loss techniques.
Dr. Julie Buzby: Saying Goodbye to Your Dog with Grace and Peace
About the webinar: Grieving the loss of a dog after euthanasia is every shade of difficult. After listening to a dear friend express the guilt she felt following her dog’s euthanasia, integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby's new passion project is helping people find peace in their heart after saying goodbye to a best friend. This webinar covered: How Can I Be Sure It’s Time to Euthanize My Dog; How Can I Prepare for My Dog’s Euthanasia Appointment; and What About the Overwhelming Guilt and Grief. Dr. Buzby also shared her own personal story of losing her beloved dog Luke. Presenter's Note: This webinar covers sensitive topics that may trigger strong emotions. Please keep self-care top of mind while listening to this presentation.
Keeping Your Senior Dog Safe: Summertime Pet Safety Tips
Can You Trust Your Pet? Of course, with a Pet Trust!
About the webinar: This presentation focuses on including your pets as part of your estate plan using a Pet Trust. Pet Trusts ensure no loved pet ever ends up alone, afraid, in a shelter or euthanized. Pets are treasured members of our family; yet they don’t have the ability to care for themselves if something happens to us. If a pet parent becomes disabled or dies, a Pet Trust can provide the resources to a named Pet Caregiver under the supervision of a Pet Trustee to ensure loving, lifetime care. Pet Trusts come in different shapes and sizes. Which one is best for you will depend on what you want for your loved pet. Should your pet stay in your home while a Pet Caregiver moves in and provides care? Should your loved pet be placed with an alternate Forever Family who will never replace you, but can provide continued care? Or, perhaps your pet would be best served in a pet community like a sanctuary or perpetual care organization. The decision is yours. Join us to learn more about how you can ensure that your loved pet remains in a loving home.
Peggy is the author of All My Children Wear Fur Coats – How to Leave a Legacy to Your Pet, an informative and inspirational guide for pet owners who want to include their pets as part of their estate plans. She has also co-authored a dozen other books and speaks at the local, regional and national levels on estate planning and elder law topics including pet planning, special needs planning and planning for unmarried couples and same sex partners. Peggy has been featured on CNN Financial News, the Wall Street Journal and the Orlando Sentinel for her dedication to pet planning. She is also highly regarded for her workshops on gratitude marketing, life balance and law office management.
Q&A With Victoria Stilwell, World-Renowned Dog Trainer
About the webinar: Join us for a special Q&A session with Grey Muzzle Advisory Board Member and world-renowned dog trainer, Victoria Stilwell! She will be answering all your dog training and behavior questions live. She'll also share tips on how you can enrich your senior dog’s life. Catch the playback of the Q&A here.
Appearing frequently in the worldwide media, Stilwell is widely recognized as a leader in the field of animal behavior, is the Editor-In-Chief of Positively.com and the CEO of Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training – the world’s premier global network of positive reinforcement dog trainers.
Dr. Tamara Shearer: Early Recognition and Support of Cancer Patients Utilizing a Integrative, Proactive Approach
About the webinar: Being proactive with home evaluations for cancer between veterinary visits improves the odds of a better outcome or extended quality of life for a patient. Tips on what to look for at home will be discussed in the lecture. A review of common supportive care methods that can complement conventional care or can act only as palliative support will also be discussed.
Dr. Shearer helped develop the International Animal Hospice and Palliative Care Certification Program that provides over 100 hours of continuing education on hospice and palliative care. She also contributed to the development of the Chi Institute’s TCVM Palliative and End-of Life course. In addition to the development of courses, she has lectured at major national and international veterinary meetings.
Dr. Shearer is the practice owner of Shearer Pet Health Services and Smoky Mountain Integrative Veterinary Clinic where she focuses on rehabilitation, pain management, hospice care and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine for her patients. She has won numerous awards, authored and edited several books, been featured in national media and served as president for several veterinary associations.
Dr. Sheilah Robertson: New and Integrated Approaches to Comfort
About the webinar: The future of pain management for older pets (and people) is looking bright. Integrating drug and non-drug treatments into a pain management plan can turn a good plan into a great one. By using more than one type of treatment, we can often decrease the unwanted side effects of drugs. There are simple techniques such as massage that take little time, money or expertise and can all be done in the comfort of the pet’s home. There is also a lot of research being done to target very specific areas of the body, such as the joints and nerves, so that other important organs (like the kidneys) are not affected. Join us for an informative presentation all about new and integrated approaches to comfort for our pets.
Dr. Marty Becker: Q & A with "America's Veterinarian"
About the webinar: Ever wonder about your dog's mental health? Feeding the mind is just as important as feeding the body. Join us for a Q&A with "America's Veterinarian" Dr. Marty Becker to learn more about in-home enrichment and how to make trips to the vet less stressful (dare we say fun?). Dr. Becker will walk us through his Fear Free initiative, how it was founded and its goals, and take questions from the audience.
Dr. Mary Gardner: Assessing Quality of Life and Deciding When to Say Goodbye
About the webinar: Assessing the quality of life of a family pet is a delicate balance between managing emotions, the progression of the disease, and the happiness of the pet. These key issues are not always in harmony and it is the job of the entire care team to manage and balance each of these. Learn the components of assessing quality of life, the things to look out for, and tools to help evaluate your pet’s condition and determine when to say goodbye.
She is a published author and co-editor of the textbook “Treatment and Care for the Geriatric Veterinary Patient.” She travels the world speaking about geriatric medicine, assessing quality of life, veterinary hospice, euthanasia and caregiver burden. A 2008 University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine graduate, she was awarded the Angel award for the recognition of the human-animal bond. She also received the Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Florida in 2016.
Dr. Heidi Lobprise: Dental Disease in Older Dogs
About the webinar: Studies have shown that older dogs have a higher incidence of dental disease (periodontal disease). This is an active infection in the oral cavity that can also impact the overall health of your pets. In this webinar, Dr. Lobprise will explain how with good pre-operative exams and personalized anesthetic protocols, the risks of anesthesia can be minimized for these patients—and will also share how the benefits of resolving these oral infections sometimes are so profound that dogs start acting like puppies again after treatment! Note: You must enter your name and email address to view the recording.
She helped organize, and was the first president of, the International Veterinary Senior Care Society, whose mission is to provide resources targeting the complete health care needs of senior pets to the veterinarian, their team, and clients. She has supported her interest in senior pet care through organizing and giving lectures, providing articles for publication and contributing a chapter to the upcoming “Treatment and Care of the Veterinary Geriatric Patient."
Sunny Weber: How to Help Your Anxious Senior Dog
About the webinar: Sunny Weber, author, speaker and behaviorist, shares information on how to help your fearful older dog.
Denise Fleck: Holiday Pet Safety Tips with Denise Fleck, Pet Crusader
About the webinar: Knowing what to do in the first few moments of an injury can mean the difference between life and death for your four-legged friend
Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton of Hamilton Law and Mediation: Four Easy Steps to Prepare a Plan to Care for Your Beloved Animal Companions If You Cannot
About the webinar: Have you ever asked yourself: If I don’t get home, what will happen to my dog? If something happens to me, where would my bird go? Who could care for my sick cat if I didn’t get home? How do I find someone to take my horse? When you ask yourself these questions, you realize you really have no plan. Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton of Hamilton Law and Mediation gives you four easy steps to follow, so you can create a plan for your pets if you are unable to care for them.
Denise Fleck: Pet Safety and Disaster Preparedness for Your Senior Dog
About the webinar: Learn from the Pet Safety Crusader and expert Denise Fleck--author, radio show host and Grey Muzzle President. Be the best pet parent you can be by preparing for the worst. Learn tips and get advice on how to protect your senior dog in the most challenging situations.
Amy Shever: How To Plan For The Possibility That Your Pets Might Outlive You
About the webinar: Thousands of companion animals are surrendered to US shelters each year simply because their humans passed away or became ill and had never made plans for the continued care of their pets. In this session, Amy Shever of 2nd Chance 4 Pets and Jenny Kachnic of The Grey Muzzle Organization outline what options are available to ensure "lifetime care" for pets and how you and your organization can help pet owners plan for the continued care of their pets.