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Expecting a baby is an exciting time, but it's also a huge adjustment for every member of the family, including your dog. Taking the time to plan ahead-before the baby comes-can make the transition smoother and help everyone feel more comfortable. Why You Should Prepare Your Dog Before the Baby Arrives Dogs thrive on routine. When a newborn comes home, schedules change, visitors stop by more often, and unfamiliar sights, smells, and sounds become part of everyday life. Prepar

As summer winds down and families prepare for a new school year in Roanoke and surround areas, daily routines change dramatically. Many parents return to work, children head back to classrooms, and after-school activities quickly fill the calendar. In the middle of all this, many dogs suddenly find themselves spending much longer periods alone. Hiring a professional dog walker can make a huge difference in your dog’s physical health, emotional well-being, and overall behavior

One of the most common questions plaguing every dog owner is, "How much should I feed my dog?" There’s so simple answer because every dog is different. Feeding the right amount is one of the most important things you can do to keep your dog healthy, maintain a proper weight, and help them live a long, happy life. There are various kinds of dog food for our dogs now-raw, frozen human-grade, and kibble. For the purposes of this blog, we’ll stick to kibble, which is what most d

When you’re out enjoying a walk or relaxing in the yard, a bee sting can happen in an instant—and for dog owners, it can be a scary experience. The good news is that most bee stings are minor and can be managed at home if you know what to look for and how to respond. Dogs are naturally curious, which often leads them to sniff or snap at buzzing insects. Because of this, stings commonly occur on the face, muzzle, or paws. According to the Animal Emergency Service, the first th

Cancer in humans-and pets-can take an emotional as well as financial toll. But there is an organization that can help provide grants for pets with cancer. I interviewed Amanda from Fetch-A-Cure. A transcript is below the video. Hi, I'm Beverly from the Well-Trained Dog and Pet Care, and joining me today is Amanda from Fetch a Cure. Now, we've talked about the Animal Cancer Care and Research Center here in Roanoke. We've also talked with Jackson's owner, and he's a three-tim

Cancer can be a devastating diagnosis but it doesn't always have to be. I interview a Roanoke resident who's dog has had-and is now living-with cancer. A transcript is below the interview. Hi, I'm Beverly with the Well-Trained Dog and Pet Care, and my guest today is Ashley Reichelmann from Roanoke. She is Jackson's owner, and Jackson is a pet-sitting client of ours. He is also a three-time cancer survivor, and we want to talk about their journey through cancer and how the An

Decades ago, we never heard of dogs dying from cancer, but now it's an almost everyday occurrence. But there is ground-breaking research going on right here in the Roanoke Valley. I spoke with Joanne Tuhey from the Virginia Tech Animal Cancer Care and Research Center about their work with cancer patients. A transcript follows the interview. Hi, it's Beverly with the Well-Trained Dog and Pet Care, and my guest today is Dr. Joanne Tuohy. She is with the Virginia Tech Animal C

No one expected the pandemic or its aftermath. Many people were stuck at home and dog adoption skyrocketed during that time. But what was the affect of the pandemic on our pets? My interview is with Courtney Sexton, researcher at Virginia Tech. A transcript follows the video. Hi, it's Beverly from the Well-Trained Dog and Pet Care. Thanks for joining us today. And my guest is Courtney Sexton from the Virginia, Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. And we're going to tal

It's inevitable. . .our pets never live as long as we would like and they eventually pass from a disease, accident, or old age. How can we navigate the grief and keep our pet's memory alive? I conducted a video interview with Augusta O'Reilly, a clinical veterinary social worker. The transcript is below the video. Hi, it's Beverly from the Well-Trained Dog and Pet Care, and September is National Pet Memorial Month. Joining me today is Augusta O'Reilly, a licensed clinical ve