Veterinarians and dog agility: United States Dog Agility Assn.® reports on the mutually beneficial relationship
News Release
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Betty Weibel
216-956-4034 / bw@yp-pr.com
Photos Available Upon Request
Chagrin Falls, Ohio—July 2021—The Summer issue of OVERview Magazine, a quarterly publication of the United States Dog Agility Association® (USDAA®) features a salute to veterinarians who are active in the sport of dog agility. In conducting interviews for the article, USDAA noted a trend in these veterinarians who discovered the benefits of the sport, not only for bonding with their pets, but their own personal stress relief. The full story with photos is here.
The recent pandemic saw a record number of pet adoptions, which meant a record number of animals needing care from already overwhelmed veterinarians.
“We have definitely seen a surge since the pandemic; I have never seen so many newly adopted puppies and dogs,” explained Ellen Reinke, DVM, Milwaukee, Wisc. “I also got a ‘pandemic puppy,’ so I definitely understand why people took the leap this year.”
Reinke noted that the pandemic may have one bright spot for pet owners. “I think a lot of people noted more subtle changes in their pets’ health while they were working from home, which helped to catch diseases earlier.”
Karen Selbert, DVM, Waukesha, Wisc., agreed. “Problem-solving is essentially our job and learning how to do it under pandemic constraints has been the biggest challenge of my career. Suddenly we have all these new pets and patients with needs that can’t be met in a traditional face-to-face fashion.”
After a tough day on the job, these and many other vets appreciate the opportunity to relieve tension by training or practicing agility with their own canine pals.
Dog agility is a competitive sport in which a handler directs a dog over an obstacle course, using voice and hand signals. Dogs maneuver through a timed course designed to test agility as they jump over hurdles, race through tunnels, traverse ramps and more. It is the handler’s challenge to give the necessary guidance and encouragement to direct the dog without the use of a leash.
The canine antidote
“Even though we work with animals all day, I don’t know any vets who go home to an empty house without pets. I never get tired of seeing my dogs after work and training,” said Reinke. “I think competing in agility makes me a better vet. I am more aware of less common orthopedic injuries, and I focus a lot of my energy into conditioning and rehabilitation of my own dogs.”
Selbert agreed. “By having active canine athletes as teammates and pets, I’ve learned so much more about learning theory, dog behavior, sports medicine and conditioning. Agility has made me a far better DVM. I can’t wait to get home and be with my own dogs each night! I might not have the energy to train like I should, but I definitely look forward to their companionship no matter what,” she said.
Kathy Wells, DVM, of Southfield, Mich., added, “Finding work/life balance is a huge challenge in the veterinary profession to begin with. I never realized how much I relied on agility to maintain my sanity and help me to be able to handle the strain of this job, until it was absent from my life.”
Heather Venkat, DVM, of Surprise, Ariz., echoed the universal vet-stress antidote. “At the end of the workday, I always want to spend more time with my dogs. They help me relax if it was a particularly difficult day. Playing agility with my dogs is great exercise and a stress reliever all around!”
A competitive edge?
If competing in agility provides veterinarians with added insight when treating sporting dogs, does their professional knowledge provide any advantages in the competition arena?
“I think it helps me keep my dogs in peak performance condition, because I’m informed about the importance of proper nutrition, conditioning and safety in dogs sports. People that love dogs, like vets, are typically people that like to spend time connecting with their dogs in sports like agility,” said Maria Badamo, DVM, of Midlothian, Texas.
“Most handlers I've met, trained, and competed with, and a lot of seasoned agility handlers know a great deal about proper warm-ups, cool-downs, age-appropriate exercises, and common injuries to look out for,” Venkat said, commenting on the high level of awareness of agility participants.
Many vets have also learned the importance of separating work from their sport when they attend competitions. Julie Harbo, DVM, of Phoenix, Ariz., explained, “I have had to set boundaries on giving medical advice and treatment at trials – otherwise it would be just like work. I try to separate my work life from my playtime with my dogs. I do offer my help to my clients at trials because their dogs have become my own, but I don’t examine or treat non-clients. I tell people that if they come looking for me when at a trial, it is probably time to go home and/or to an ER.”
The United States Dog Agility Association, Inc. counts numerous veterinarians among its competitors and many more as fans, and has reported on the human benefits of the sport in the past. Launched in 1986, USDAA® is the world's largest independent authority for the sport of dog agility, dedicated to promoting it as a recreational, family sport that fosters responsible pet ownership. With more than 45,000 registered competitors and more than 200 different breeds of dogs, USDAA represents nearly 200 affiliated groups conducting events throughout the world. Today, USDAA advances the sport nationally and internationally, as well as virtually through its USDAA@Home!SM program, and by ensuring the future of the sport through its Intercollegiate Dog Agility AssociationSM (IDAASM). For more visit www.usdaa.com.