Animals 4 God

Animals 4 God A ministry of New Song UMC, Surprise, AZ
Our mission is to share the Love of God through animals

Animals 4 God is a new ministry at New Song United Methodist Church. We are a group of animal lovers committed to meet the needs of our congregation and our community. Scripture reminds us that human beings are given dominion over all the animals of the earth, meaning that God has challenged us to take care of them. Scripture also tells us that God expects that we will care for one another wheneve

r and wherever possible. With these directives in mind, Animals 4 God is striving to serve God by providing grief support for those who have suffered the loss of a pet, hosting pet blessings, sharing our pets with residents of nursing homes, hospitals, and hospice. Additionally we hope to support local area humane societies by holding fund raisers for pet supplies and well as other services and events.

Animals 4 God has started the Reading Program again! It is the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at New Song UMC. C...
03/15/2022

Animals 4 God has started the Reading Program again! It is the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at New Song UMC. Children come and read to our dogs. This improves their reading and they love and are loved by our dogs.

Zoey passed her evaluation and was able to attend the Reading Program on March 8th. To say Zoey was extremely happy is an understatement! We had 22 children there! We had four dogs there, too. Next month I will try to get some pics of the others.

Our Animals 4 God Reading Program began again on March 8th. We had 22 children, four (4) dogs, and twelve (12) adults th...
03/11/2022

Our Animals 4 God Reading Program began again on March 8th. We had 22 children, four (4) dogs, and twelve (12) adults there.

Our Zoey passed her evaluation and therefore was allowed to have the children read to her. To say she was happy, is an understatement!

Animals 4 God would like to share some “reasons” your dog may sleep on its back. We know our pets find some pretty goofy...
03/11/2022

Animals 4 God would like to share some “reasons” your dog may sleep on its back. We know our pets find some pretty goofy positions to sleep in, but his “sleeping style isn’t just a personal preference” (Waynick, Liz). “How your dog sleeps can reveal a lot about their health and personality” (Waynick, Liz).

Since dogs “only have sweat glands in their paw pads, they can’t regulate their body temperature like humans can by sweating” (Waynick. Liz). Therefore, to cool off during the humid, hot months of summer, dogs need to create ways to stay cool. “Most dogs have a thinner hair coat on their belly. By sleeping on his back and exposing his sparsely furred abdomen, in combination with vasodilation (dilation of the blood vessels) allows for your dog’s blood to flow towards his skin where it is cooler and away from his inner body where it is warmer” (Waynick, Liz).

Sleeping on his back also allows for “maximum paw pad exposure” (Waynick, Liz). By exposing their paw pads to the air they “actually allow for thermoregulation via sweating” (Waynick, Liz).

Overheating is possible for any dog in muggy, hot weather, but there are some age groups and breeds that the danger is higher. Older dogs and puppies, in particular” are not able to thermoregulate as well as healthy adult dogs. Therefore, the danger of overheating is higher. Dogs that are overweight are more at risk, too. He is not able to cool off with the extra fur, as well.

Your dog may also sleep on his back if he has any arthritis. This helps him to relax his muscles completely, and stops him from putting any extra pressure or tension on the joints and muscles.

Sleeping on his back also is letting you know he feels totally secure and safe in his neighboring area. Exposing his belly is “an incredibly vulnerable position (Waynick, Liz). Because back sleeping leaves his abominable organs unprotected, it is extremely rare to see a wild dog or outside dog sleeping this way.

NOTE: Never wake a dog that is sleeping, if you don’t have to. “Typically dogs only sleep when they want to relax, so let him enjoy his nap. If you do have to wake your dog up for some reason, do so gently and with care. If you dog is woken suddenly, he may be confused and even a little startled, enough to defensively snap. Dogs can sleep in some pretty quirky, sometimes uncomfortable looking positions. Most of the time the position they choose to sleep in isn’t as clinically significant as one may think” (Waynick, Liz).

CAN YOU HELP?...
We are passionate about bringing the healing effect of dogs’ unconditional love into the lives of people in the community, especially those who are home-bound or in a medical facility. Becoming a therapy dog team involves a bit of work beforehand, but the effort is well worth it. If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a Dog/Handler team for therapy work, please contact us at: [email protected].

Interested in becoming a part of our ministry? You don’t have to own a pet or even be a member of New Song to join. You just need to have a desire to serve God by planning and participating in activities which involve enriching the lives of others by sharing our pets. We also strive to do God’s will as He challenges us to care for all the animals of the Earth by hosting educational activities with guest speakers and organizing collection events to donate to area shelters. We meet at the church on the fourth Saturday of the month at 9:00 a.m.

Waynick Liz, (2021, October 20), Whys is My Dog Sleeping on Their Back? Retrieved January 9, 2022 from

Dogs can sleep in some quirky positions. What does it mean when they sleep on their back, though?

This is just a little early, but here is February's article!Happy Valentine’s Day from Animals 4 God! We hope you have h...
01/18/2022

This is just a little early, but here is February's article!

Happy Valentine’s Day from Animals 4 God! We hope you have had a good start to your new year and the rest of the year will be even better!

This month, I would like to share a few safety tips for those of us who have dogs. The first tip is about “Toxins.” Most of us dog parents know that chocolate is poison for our dogs, but did you know onions are, too? “Unfortunately, there are many things your dog may eat or touch that are poisonous. There are tons of toxic food, plants, chemicals and other substances that can endanger your dog. Learn which ones are most likely to poison your dog” (Stregowski, Jenna), and take care to not expose them to your fur-baby.

Water Safety: “Not all dogs can (or will) swim” (Stregowski, Jenna). There are some breeds that know how to swim instinctively, such as Goldens and Labradors. “Some dogs can’t swim and need to be taught. Don’t assume your dog knows how to swim, no matter the breed” (Stregowski, Jenna). There are also some dogs that hate or are afraid of water, and will not even attempt to try. So, if your dog won’t go into the water, don’t push it, he is just not interested.

Summer and Winter Weather: Most of us in the Valley are aware of how dangerous the heat can be for our dogs. We should know not to leave our dog alone in the car for any amount of time, or outside for extended amounts of time. Dogs do get sunburn, heat stroke, and dehydrated. These, at the least will make your dog uncomfortable, but they can also be fatal.

Winter in the Valley is not a huge concern, as our temperatures do not usually drop below freezing, but colder temps can still be dangerous for our dogs. Be certain to keep an eye on your pupper no matter the weather – just to keep them safe.

CAN YOU HELP?...
We are passionate about bringing the healing effect of dogs’ unconditional love into the lives of people in the community, especially those who are home-bound or in a medical facility. Becoming a therapy dog team involves a bit of work beforehand, but the effort is well worth it. If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a Dog/Handler team for therapy work, please contact us at: [email protected].

Interested in becoming a part of our ministry? You don’t have to own a pet or even be a member of New Song to join. You just need to have a desire to serve God by planning and participating in activities which involve enriching the lives of others by sharing our pets. We also strive to do God’s will as He challenges us to care for all the animals of the Earth by hosting educational activities with guest speakers and organizing collection events to donate to area shelters. We meet at the church on the fourth Saturday of the month at 9:00 a.m.

Stregowski, Jenna, (2019, June 26), 10 Safety Tips for Dog Owners, Retrieved January 9, 2022 from

All loving dog owners want to keep their dogs safe so learn about various hazards in your dog's world and find out how to keep your dog out of harm's way.

And here is January's:Animals 4 God wishes you a happy and prosperous New Year!This month we are writing about “why your...
01/18/2022

And here is January's:

Animals 4 God wishes you a happy and prosperous New Year!

This month we are writing about “why your dog eats grass.” Most of us in the West Valley don’t have much grass to worry about, but we (me, in particular) do have weeds that sprout up after a rain. I have noticed our dog, Zoey, eating these weeds. When I first noticed her doing this, it caused me to wonder why she does it. So, here are some possible reasons.

“Many dogs have a condition knows as pica, which means they eat things that aren’t food, including dirt, f***s, toys, and grass. Most experts agree, however, that grass eating is normal canine behavior and that this type of pica usually doesn’t cause too many, if any, problems. So why grass” (Shojai, Amy)?

One reason may be that “grass tastes good. It may be that your dog simply likes the texture and flavor of grass. It is also possible the “grass may provide fiber or traces of vitamins and minerals that aren’t adequately provided in commercial dog food” (Shojai, Amy).

Another reason is your dog is trying to make himself vomit. Eating grass doesn’t always induce vomiting, but if your dog doesn’t feel well, he may eat grass as a “natural emetic to stimulate vomiting” (Shojai, Amy).

A third possibility is your dog is bored, and eating grass gives him “something to do. Quite often, this happens with dogs that don’t get enough exercise, particularly young dogs and puppies that have an abundance of pent-up energy to burn” (Shojai, Amy).

“Occasional grass eating isn’t a cause for concern. If your dog is partaking of grass because of boredom or a nutritional deficiency, you can make simple changes to add some “spice” to your pup’s life and food bowl. However, there are times when you’ll need to stop this behavior cold for your dog’s safety and other times when it may be a sign that your pup is seriously ill” (Shojai, Amy).

“Warning: If your dog grazes repeatedly for more than two (2) days in a row and vomits every time, this is a signal that you should take your dog to the vet. A chronic upset tummy should be checked out as soon as possible to rule out intestinal parasites, like roundworms, or something more serious like parvovirus or kidney disease(Shojai, Amy).

CAN YOU HELP?...
We are passionate about bringing the healing effect of dogs’ unconditional love into the lives of people in the community, especially those who are home-bound or in a medical facility. Becoming a therapy dog team involves a bit of work beforehand, but the effort is well worth it. If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a Dog/Handler team for therapy work, please contact us at: [email protected].

Interested in becoming a part of our ministry? You don’t have to own a pet or even be a member of New Song to join. You just need to have a desire to serve God by planning and participating in activities which involve enriching the lives of others by sharing our pets. We also strive to do God’s will as He challenges us to care for all the animals of the Earth by hosting educational activities with guest speakers and organizing collection events to donate to area shelters. We meet at the church on the fourth Saturday of the month at 9:00 a.m.

Shojai, Amy, (2021, June 15) How to Stop Your Dog from Eating Grass, Retrieved October 25, 2021 from

It's OK for your dog to indulge in a little grass unless it's a new behavior, the dog vomits repeatedly, or other symptoms accompany eating grass.

As usual, I am behind. This is December's Newsletter article:Animals 4 God is pleased to share the number of animals tha...
01/18/2022

As usual, I am behind. This is December's Newsletter article:

Animals 4 God is pleased to share the number of animals that were blessed at the Annual Pet Blessing on November 14th. We had three (3) dogs, one (1) kitten, one (1) Guinea pig, and one (1) rabbit. We also had 15 adults.

We hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful and would also like to wish you a very Merry Christmas!

As I am sure you are aware of how expensive it is to take your pet to the vet, so this month I want to see if I can explain the reasons for this. For the most part, “veterinarians are not in it for the money. If all they cared about was money, they would have gone into another field, like human medicine or dentistry. It is extremely difficult to get into vet school” (Stregowski, Jenna). Therefore, you can “trust that your vet became a vet because she really wanted to work with animals” (Stregowski, Jenna).

Considering that a vet goes to school for the same amount of time as a med student, and the cost of that schooling is similar. “However, the average salary for veterinarians is less than half of what medical doctors make” (Stregowski, Jenna).

We must also consider their expenses. They must hire well-trained and skilled staff, as well as have equipment, supplies, and facility costs. Also, it is a business and they need to show a profit to keep their business thriving.

There are ways to save money on vet care, though. You can look for a non-profit or low cost vet. You should also talk with your vet in advance to see if she offers any discounts. “Most vets will do anything possible to work within your budget” (Stregowski, Jenna).

You might also consider purchasing a pet insurance policy. There are several policies available on the Internet, so you might start looking there.

The main thing is to do your research to find a good vet you can trust. When all is said and done, “you must simply to what is best for your dog” (Stregowski, Jenna).

CAN YOU HELP?...
We are passionate about bringing the healing effect of dogs’ unconditional love into the lives of people in the community, especially those who are home-bound or in a medical facility. Becoming a therapy dog team involves a bit of work beforehand, but the effort is well worth it. If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a Dog/Handler team for therapy work, please contact us at: [email protected].

Interested in becoming a part of our ministry? You don’t have to own a pet or even be a member of New Song to join. You just need to have a desire to serve God by planning and participating in activities which involve enriching the lives of others by sharing our pets. We also strive to do God’s will as He challenges us to care for all the animals of the Earth by hosting educational activities with guest speakers and organizing collection events to donate to area shelters. We meet at the church on the fourth Saturday of the month at 9:00 a.m.

Stregowski, Jenna, (2021, January 13) Understanding the Costs of Veterinarian Care, Retrieved October 9.2021 from

Why are veterinarians so expensive? Is veterinary care that pricey, or are people underestimating its value? Learn the truth about vet bills.

We are so very blessed and thankful this year. Happy Thanksgiving to all!Zoey graduated Intermediate Education last nigh...
11/25/2021

We are so very blessed and thankful this year. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Zoey graduated Intermediate Education last night. As you can tell from the picture, she was extremely excited. Aron, her trainer, gave her a Christmas toy that Zoey completely destroyed at home -- but she did get the squeaker!

Also, at our Pet Blessing on the 14th, we had 3 dogs, 1 kitten, 1 rabbit, and one guinea pig blessed. It was incredible!

This is November's Newsletter article.Animals 4 God would like to invite all of you with a pet of any kind, to come to t...
11/05/2021

This is November's Newsletter article.
Animals 4 God would like to invite all of you with a pet of any kind, to come to the Annual Pet Blessing on November 14th at 12:15 p.m. Your pets should be leashed, crated or caged to ensure everyone’s safety.

As almost everyone knows, the bond between dogs and humans is awesome! We show our love for our furry family members by giving belly rubs, ear scratches, head pats, and so on. Most of our pets love being petted, and some, like our Zoey, insist on it. However, have you ever wondered why your dog loves being petted so much?

Well, it would seem dogs are more than happy to communicate with us on our own terms, accepting things that they might not accept from peers of their own species, such as hugs and sustained direct eye contact” (Mueller, Laura).

Also, dogs have formed “a chemical bond with us. When we pet, snuggle, or otherwise interact with them, both of us experience a surge in oxytocin, also known as the love hormone” (Mueller, Laura).

But it is not 100% science-based, either. Most dogs simply like to be petted.

There are some dogs that do not like to be petted. This may be because of their personality or they “may be recovering from some sort of trauma and may feel stressed or defensive when a human touches them. It could also be the case that your dog is simply relaxing and isn’t in the mood for pets at a specific moment” (Mueller, Laura).

There are plenty of ways to bond with your dog, so don’t take it personally if he/she doesn’t want to be petted at times.

According to Laura Mueller, there are signs your dog may not want to be petted, and these include:
• Moving or leaning their body away from you
• Tucking their tail
• Pinning their ears back
• Continually yawning or licking their lips
• Growling or snapping at you

If you want to pet a dog that isn’t yours, always get permission from the dog’s caregiver first and approach the dog from the side. Allow the dog to sniff your hand, with the palm facing down, and the top of the head should be avoided.

CAN YOU HELP?...
We are passionate about bringing the healing effect of dogs’ unconditional love into the lives of people in the community, especially those who are home-bound or in a medical facility. Becoming a therapy dog team involves a bit of work beforehand, but the effort is well worth it. If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a Dog/Handler team for therapy work, please contact us at: [email protected].

Interested in becoming a part of our ministry? You don’t have to own a pet or even be a member of New Song to join. You just need to have a desire to serve God by planning and participating in activities which involve enriching the lives of others by sharing our pets. We also strive to do God’s will as He challenges us to care for all the animals of the Earth by hosting educational activities with guest speakers and organizing collection events to donate to area shelters. We meet at the church on the fourth Saturday of the month at 9:00 a.m.

Mueller, Laura, (2021, August 27) Why Dogs Like Being Pet, Retrieved September 14, 2021 from

Why do some dogs like being pet and others don't? Here's what to know about petting dogs, plus some quick tips on how to pet a dog that isn't yours.

October Newsletter article:Animals 4 God has some sad news thanks to the COVID numbers going up again. Our Reading Progr...
10/09/2021

October Newsletter article:

Animals 4 God has some sad news thanks to the COVID numbers going up again. Our Reading Program is back on hold. We plan to begin again just as soon as the numbers will allow us to do so safely.

However, we do have some wonderful news! Zoey passed her first set of training classes! And after having been gone for nine (9) weeks, Scott is home from the hospital. One of my biggest worries was that Zoey, who loves to jump, would jump on Scott and knock him down, and we would be back in the ER. I am amazed and thrilled to say that Zoey was an absolute angel when Scott came home. This was a true test of her training, and thank God, it paid off!

This month, Animal 4 God is going to focus a little bit on foods that are not safe for your pets to eat. Some of these, I am sure you are aware of, but a couple were surprises to me.

The first is grapes and raisins. These “are toxic to both cats and dogs and can lead to acute kidney failure and even death (Kucera, Tabitha). It seems that the dried versions may cause more severe symptoms if eaten.

The second is Caffeine – Coffee, Tea, and Sodas. “Research suggests caffeine is lethal at 70 mg per 1 pound of body weight” (Kucera, Tabitha). This means that four (4) teaspoons of instant coffee, which contains 60 mg. of caffeine, can be fatal for a five (5) pound dog.

Number three (3) is Chocolate and Cocoa. “Chocolate is toxic because it contains a chemical called theobromine, as well as caffeine. Theobromine is is the predominant toxin in chocolate and is very similar to caffeine” (Kucera, Tabitha). And one (1) very important thing to remember is that the “darker the chocolate, the larger amount of theobromine…it contains” (Kucera, Tabitha).

A fourth thing that is toxic to our dogs is Xylitol. This is common sugar substitute, and can be fatal even in small amounts. It is often found in toothpaste, vitamin supplements, sugar-free chewing gum, “a small handful of peanut butter brands and other ‘low sugar’ or sugar-free products” (Kucera, Tabitha). It can cause liver damage to dogs, and people and cats do not experience this problem.

This next one surprised me, but it is onions and garlic. This also includes chives, leeks, and other plants of the Allium species. This includes fresh, powdered, or dried forms, and are toxic to both cats and dgos.

More toxic than onions if raw garlic, whether powder or fresh.

“Cats and Japanese breeds of dogs (Akita, Shiba Inu) are even more sensitive to the effects of these plants.

Foods that are SAFE for our pets are “apples, peas, green beans, carrots, sweet potatoes, zucchini, summer squash, Easy Chese, peanut butter (without xylitol), white rice, plain boiled chicken, and cucumbers” (Kucera, Tabitha). Our Zoey loves chicken and cheese, but turns her nose up at peanut butter, apples and carrots.

So, if you think your pet may have consumed any of the “toxic” foods, call the Pet Poison Helpline and your vet immediately. “These toxicities can be treated, but it’s important to seek medical attention as early as possible” (Kucera, Tabitha).

CAN YOU HELP?...
We are passionate about bringing the healing effect of dogs’ unconditional love into the lives of people in the community, especially those who are home-bound or in a medical facility. Becoming a therapy dog team involves a bit of work beforehand, but the effort is well worth it. If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a Dog/Handler team for therapy work, please contact us at: [email protected].

Interested in becoming a part of our ministry? You don’t have to own a pet or even be a member of New Song to join. You just need to have a desire to serve God by planning and participating in activities which involve enriching the lives of others by sharing our pets. We also strive to do God’s will as He challenges us to care for all the animals of the Earth by hosting educational activities with guest speakers and organizing collection events to donate to area shelters. We meet at the church on the fourth Saturday of the month at 9:00 a.m.

Kucera RFT, CCBC, KPA-CT, Tabitha (2020, May 27) 5 Common Foods in Your Pantry that are not Safe for Your Pets, Retrieved July 16, 2021 from

One potato chip is not going to hurt your pet, but there are other foods that can. Learn which to avoid and some safe foods that can be used as treats.

As usual, I am behind. Here is September's Newsletter article:Most of us “dog parents” know the importance of exercising...
10/09/2021

As usual, I am behind. Here is September's Newsletter article:

Most of us “dog parents” know the importance of exercising our dog’s bodies both mentally and physically. “Not only is it better for the dog’s general well being, but it can also help reduce the chances of problem behaviors arising as a result of boredom or frustration” (Johnstone, Gemma).

One of the simplest ways of enriching behaviors is allowing your dog to sniff. They have a powerful sense of smell, so allowing them to sniff on your walks will make them more stimulated and they will then be more tired and relaxed at the end of the walk.

Don’t Underestimate the Power of Your Dog’s Nose: Dogs’ sense of smell could be up to 100,000 times more powerful than our own. “Their sense of smell is crucial for communicating, exploring, and evaluating” (Johnstone, Gemma).

Many of us, when we walk our dogs, prefer to “power walk” them on a short leash or take them to a dog park to tire them out. However, this does not make for a very interesting walk, and “can be over stimulating or stressful” (Johnstone, Gemma) for our dogs. “By picking a more peaceful walking route, with grass and other non-road surfaces, and allowing your dog to be off leash (or at least a longer leash) and following their noses, you can be offering a much more beneficial experience” (Johnstone, Gemma).

Allowing your dog to “sniff” can make him feel better and make him feel more tired. Your dog’s “natural sniffing behavior is a calm and generally relaxing” (Johnstone, Gemma) behavior. It “it also a vital part of how your dog communicates” (Johnstone, Gemma). While you may get frustrated every time your dog sniffs a lamp post, “they are usually just checking out the scent marks of another dog in the neighborhood. These scents will allow them to tell if the dog is a male or female, if it is one they are familiar with, and whether they are in the near vicinity or not” (Johnstone, Gemma).

I have noticed that when I walk Zoey, if it is a new area, she will sniff every single plant, stone, and tree. However, when we return to that area a second time, she struts right on past those things, unless she happens to smell something different, such as a cat that has crossed the path. I do know that Zoey loves to “work her nose,” and, unless I have a firm hold of her leash, will pull me wherever her nose takes her!

CAN YOU HELP?...
We are passionate about bringing the healing effect of dogs’ unconditional love into the lives of people in the community, especially those who are home-bound or in a medical facility. Becoming a therapy dog team involves a bit of work beforehand, but the effort is well worth it. If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a Dog/Handler team for therapy work, please contact us at: [email protected].

Interested in becoming a part of our ministry? You don’t have to own a pet or even be a member of New Song to join. You just need to have a desire to serve God by planning and participating in activities which involve enriching the lives of others by sharing our pets. We also strive to do God’s will as He challenges us to care for all the animals of the Earth by hosting educational activities with guest speakers and organizing collection events to donate to area shelters. We meet at the church on the fourth Saturday of the month at 9:00 a.m.

Johnstone, Gemma (2021, June 25). Why You Should Let Your Dog Sniff on Their Walk, Retrieved July 20, 2021 from

Giving your dog the opportunity to sniff when on a walk is important in terms of enrichment, stimulation, and promoting naturally relaxing behavior.

Zoey graduated from the Beginner Education Class today. I am so proud of her! It was difficult getting a good picture of...
08/21/2021

Zoey graduated from the Beginner Education Class today. I am so proud of her! It was difficult getting a good picture of her as she just wanted the cap off!

She has three more classes to go to be certified as a Therapy Dog, but I am not going to enroll her in the second one until Scott is home.

And finally, August:Animals 4 God is pleased to tell you that the Reading Program is beginning again on September 14, at...
08/21/2021

And finally, August:

Animals 4 God is pleased to tell you that the Reading Program is beginning again on September 14, at 6:00 p.m. This is a program where children read aloud to our dogs. The dogs don’t judge or criticize their reading and absolutely love the children. More importantly, this has been shown to improve the children’s reading skills. So bring your children and grandchildren so they can read to our dogs!

Also, if you think your dog has the potential to join the Reading Program, we would love to have him/her! Your dog will have to pass an evaluation to make sure the children and the dogs will be safe, but if your dog knows the basic commands, it is a fairly easy evaluation. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected], and we will get back to you.

Most of us “dog parents” know the importance of exercising our dog’s bodies both mentally and physically. “Not only is it better for the dog’s general well being, but it can also help reduce the chances of problem behaviors arising as a result of boredom or frustration” (Johnstone, Gemma).

One of the simplest ways of enriching behaviors is allowing your dog to sniff. They have a powerful sense of smell, so allowing them to sniff on your walks will make them more stimulated and they will then be more tired and relaxed at the end of the walk.

Don’t Underestimate the Power of Your Dog’s Nose: Dogs’ sense of smell could be up to 100,000 times more powerful than our own. “Their sense of smell is crucial for communicating, exploring, and evaluating” (Johnstone, Gemma).

Many of us, when we walk our dogs, prefer to “power walk” them on a short leash or take them to a dog park to tire them out. However, this does not make for a very interesting walk, and “can be over stimulating or stressful” (Johnstone, Gemma) for our dogs. “By picking a more peaceful walking route, with grass and other non-road surfaces, and allowing your dog to be off leash (or at least a longer leash) and following their noses, you can be offering a much more beneficial experience” (Johnstone, Gemma).

Allowing your dog to “sniff” can make him feel better and make him feel more tired. Your dog’s “natural sniffing behavior is a calm and generally relaxing” (Johnstone, Gemma) behavior. It “it also a vital part of how your dog communicates” (Johnstone, Gemma). While you may get frustrated every time your dog sniffs a lamp post, “they are usually just checking out the scent marks of another dog in the neighborhood. These scents will allow them to tell if the dog is a male or female, if it is one they are familiar with, and whether they are in the near vicinity or not” (Johnstone, Gemma).

I have noticed that when I walk Zoey, if it is a new area, she will sniff every single plant, stone, and tree. However, when we return to that area a second time, she struts right on past those things, unless she happens to smell something different, such as a cat that has crossed the path. I do know that Zoey loves to “work her nose,” and, unless I have a firm hold of her leash, will pull me wherever her nose takes her!

CAN YOU HELP?...
We are passionate about bringing the healing effect of dogs’ unconditional love into the lives of people in the community, especially those who are home-bound or in a medical facility. Becoming a therapy dog team involves a bit of work beforehand, but the effort is well worth it. If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a Dog/Handler team for therapy work, please contact us at: [email protected].

Interested in becoming a part of our ministry? You don’t have to own a pet or even be a member of New Song to join. You just need to have a desire to serve God by planning and participating in activities which involve enriching the lives of others by sharing our pets. We also strive to do God’s will as He challenges us to care for all the animals of the Earth by hosting educational activities with guest speakers and organizing collection events to donate to area shelters. We meet at the church on the fourth Saturday of the month at 9:00 a.m.

Johnstone, Gemma (2021, June 25). Why You Should Let Your Dog Sniff on Their Walk, Retrieved July 20, 2021 from

Giving your dog the opportunity to sniff when on a walk is important in terms of enrichment, stimulation, and promoting naturally relaxing behavior.

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