Animal Wellness Center at Concord Farm

11/19/2025

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11/14/2025

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New peer-reviewed study, and the first scientific proof, shows dogs sleep better when they’re close to the people they love. Researchers found dogs took longer to relax, tossing and turning more and had poorer sleep quality when their human was gone. Your presence helps them relax, fall asleep faster, and rest more deeply especially in new or stressful environments.

The study found:
• Dogs fell asleep faster when their owner was in the room.
• They slept more deeply (more time in non-REM or “deep” sleep).
• Their sleep was more efficient — meaning less tossing and turning.
• When the owner was gone, dogs took longer to relax and had poorer sleep quality.
• These results suggest that dogs feel safer and more relaxed when near their humans, even during sleep.

10/15/2025

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Over the weekend, personnel from Fire Station 19, Dulles South, responded to a vehicle crash and were directed to a dog that was inside one of the involved vehicles and assumed to have sustained injuries from the crash. She was in obvious distress and very lethargic. As a result, E619 and TW619 retrieved the pet oxygen masks carried on BC603’s vehicle, applied oxygen, and comforted the dog while Humane Law Enforcement from Loudoun County Animal Services responded to the scene. Humane Law Enforcement transported the dog and owner to a local vet for treatment, where she is expected to make a full recovery.

Did you know various Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System units carry pet oxygen masks as part of their equipment? These masks were donated several years ago and are specifically designed to form a tight seal around a pet’s muzzle, allowing us to provide life-saving care to our furry friends during emergencies.

Loudoun Career Fire Fighters Association - IAFF Local 3756
Volunteering with the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System

10/04/2025

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Ted Kerasote, the author of the well-known dog books, Pukka’s Promise and Merle’s Door, has established a fund at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s School of Veterinary Medicine to financially support research into the causes and treatment of late-onset laryngeal paralysis. Ted’s Labrador Retriever, Pukka, who lived to the age of 16+, finally succumbed to the syndrome, which manifests with compromised breathing, regurgitation, and hind-end weakness.

Also known as GOLPP (Geriatric Onset Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy), this progressive syndrome affects an estimated two-million medium and large North American dogs, both mixed-breed and purebred, with Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Newfoundlands, Borzois, Greyhounds, and German Shepherds being particularly susceptible.

Any donation, no matter its size, will help accelerate the discovery of a genetic test identifying dogs at risk for GOLPP and the development of effective treatments for those suffering from it.
Donations can be made through this link:
https://secure.supportuw.org/give/?campaign=CA1030624&id=a1JVQ000004uGcT2AU&custom=vet13.

10/02/2025

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I remember seeing a quote once, and I have no idea who said it, but it hit me like a train.
It said, "To the animals. May we be forgiven. "
It has always stayed with me.

What also stays with me is how one person and their soul's calling can change the world and those who inhabit it.
RIP Jane Goodall - what an extraordinary footprint you have left on this earth.

Photo by Michael 'Nick' Nichols
www.teallach.com

09/25/2025

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Bobcat Kittens Update

Last night we welcomed a new litter of bobcat kittens into our care. Today, they had their first round of medical checks, including stool tests for intestinal parasites — thankfully, all came back negative! 🙌

However, these little ones are very thin and struggling to regulate their body temperature, so they’re being kept warm with external heat sources to help support them as they stabilize. 💛

Our smallest kitten — the runt of the litter — is having a tougher time. While his siblings weigh between 500–700g, he’s only 380g and has actually lost a bit of weight overnight. We ran bloodwork and found that he’s anemic, though not severely enough to require a transfusion. Still, this condition can leave him very weak.

To support him, he’s currently on IV fluids, being syringe-fed, and receiving Vitamin B12 and B-complex vitamins to boost his strength. ❤️‍🩹

🩺 Fourth-year Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine Student Meagan will be monitoring him closely and administering treatments overnight. We are doing everything we can — but he’s still very fragile.

🙏 Please send your thoughts, prayers, and healing energy for this little one. He’s a fighter, and with your support and our dedicated team, we’re hoping for a strong recovery.