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LIFE+DOG Featuring Courtney Zavala!

We love writing for LIFE+DOG Magazine!  Especially when we get to talk about great friends like Courtney!  So proud to know so many great animal lovers throughout Houston...and beyond!  Visit www.LifeandDog.com to see more great profiles and stories highlighting those who serve as shining examples of "Modern Living with Man's Best Friend!"

Courtney Zavala
Anchor, KPRC-TV Local 2

If you and your dog spend weekend mornings watching TV, chances are you get your news from the clever and cordial Courtney Zavala.  As the weekend morning news anchor at KPRC Local 2, she brings just the right blend of seriousness and humor to her newscasts, making it the perfect show to sip your coffee to and catch up on what’s happening in the world.  She has covered everything from hurricanes to hold-ups but has a particular place in her heart for stories that inspire and educate others to do good.  Her heartfelt dedication to her craft radiates throughout her newscasts and stories, keeping her viewers coming back for more each weekend.

Courtney is not only a popular television personality, she is a mother to her son, Conner and her pug, Duke, and she will soon be welcoming her second son with husband, Orlando.  Duke is the third Pug that has served as the family’s canine companion, following Mugsy and Simba.  Everyone in the family enjoys the comic relief and laughter that Duke evokes. “When he was a little puppy he would literally kick the back door of our house wide open and run full-speed across the yard to chase a bird,” she says with a grin. “He actually still does this, quite regularly.  I can tell you there are not many birds wanting to hang around our yard.”  According to his proud mama, Duke doesn’t realize his size and thinks he’s bigger and tougher than any other dog, which made it uniquely appropriate that Courtney designed a “Bad to the Bone” collar for SNAP’s (Spay-Neuter Assistance Program, Inc.) Collars for a Cause auction.  When they’re not walking Duke at the park, the family enjoys getting outside and having fun playing tennis, riding bikes, and enjoying all the outdoor spaces the city has to offer. Working out is an every day event for Courtney, who loves going to Boot Camp classes to relieve stress.

Courtney has become quite a passionate advocate for Houston’s animal population, primarily focusing her efforts on spay/neuter education and awareness by volunteering her time and talent to help promote the free and low-cost spay/neuter and wellness services offered by SNAP.  She is also passionate about using vegan-certified beauty and wellness products, like her favorite, Arbonne.  “I was shocked when I learned what was in many lotions, shampoos, and cosmetics.  Arbonne’s formulas are never tested on animals and do not contain animal-derived ingredients or animal by-products.  Plus, my skin has never looked better!”

Courtney is one of the most approachable and genuinely friendly people in Houston. She is always out and about in the community with her family, attending charity events, shopping at the Elaine Turner store, attending a yoga class, or at the park with Duke.  “Houston is such an amazing place to live and work.  Everyone is outgoing and there is a genuine sense of community. We wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

To see more great community and national profiles, visit www.LifeandDog.com!

All Images by Kim Hartz Photography!

 

 

Canine Health Institute - Redefining Rehabilitation and Wellness!

I recently had the opportunity to take a tour and visit with a patient at Canine Health Institute, one of Houston's most unique and needed animal treatment centers!  A longtime fan of the Institute and it's founders, Dr. Jeffrey and Vickey Kozak, Isabella and I were excited to see the team in action, treating a pup in need!  

The Canine Health Institute offers many pain management and rehabilitation programs to enhance and supplement services available at your primary care veterinarian. From canine acupuncture to weight management, they work with your veterinarian to create a program that is customized for your four-legged friend. Their expert staff delivers the highest quality service in a state-of-the-art facility designed to make you and your pooch feel comfortable immediately. 

A sampling of their services includes:

Acupuncture

Chiropractic

Cryotherapy

Conditioning

Heat Therapy

Hydro-Therapy Underwater Treadmill

Land Treadmill

Laser Therapy

Massage

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

Therapeutic Ultrasound

Weight Management

Stem Cell Therapy

Interventional Pain Management

Diagnostic Imaging

For me, seeing is always believing so I was thrilled to be able to visit when they were treating a patient named Annie, a 3 year old Dachshund.  On the morning of April 25, 2009, Annie jumped off the bed and her owners noticed her walking funny.  By 4:00 pm that afternoon, she was unable to walk.  They took her to an emergency clinic where she was found to have lost all motor function and pain sensation to her rear limbs.  Annie’s owners then took her to Texas A&M Veterinary Teaching Hospital for further evaluation.  Annie was diagnosed with intervertebral disc rupture and had surgery to remove the extruded disc material.  Unfortunately Annie did not regain pain sensation or motor function after surgery.  She spent a week recovering in the hospital and beginning a rehab program.  Upon discharge from the hospital, her owners were warned that Annie had a poor prognosis for full return of function and might end up needing a cart. 

 

Annie began rehab at Canine Health Institute at May 11, 2009.  At that time, she had no motor function or pain sensation in her rear limbs.  They began a 3 day a week program of range of motion, massage, and E-stim to help maintain her muscle mass and stimulate movement.   Her owners also worked on assisted standing exercises at home as well as range of motion exercises.  After about two weeks of rehab, they started practicing assisted standing exercises in the water where she was able to stand without as much help.  Annie began weekly acupuncture sessions on May 25, 2009.  By June 1, 2009, Annie had started to wag her tail and would occasionally move her left rear leg a little to try to reposition herself.  By the next week, Annie was able to stand in the water without support and started trying to drag herself.  On June 15, 2009, Annie began really trying to move her limbs, mainly her left rear limb, when walking her with a sling so they discontinued the use of E-stim during her sessions.  Later that week, they were able to turn on the treadmill in the underwater treadmill.  Annie was able to move her rear limbs while supported with a sling and an assistant helping to position her paws.  By June 24, 2009, Annie was starting to really lift her body weight with her left rear limb and continued to improve in the underwater treadmill.  Later that week, she was able to walk in the underwater treadmill without assistance.  By July 6, 2009, Annie was able to walk by herself on land.  She was very wobbly and occasionally fell but she was able to walk!  Annie continues to gain strength every day and will continue to participate in rehab sessions and acupuncture treatment.

Annie is one of the many success stories from patients of the Canine Health Institute!  If you ever are in need of any of these services, look no further than the Canine Health Institute.  In addition, stay tuned to Houston Dog Blog for any upcoming community events held at the Institute...they frequently host community events (SNAP, PetSet, etc) and adoption events!  Make sure you drop by and say hi! Check out the video of Annie doing her thing!  Special thanks to Jeff and Vickey Kozak for inviting us, as well as the amazing Dr. Adrianne Brode, Annie’s awesome vet (seen in the video)!

Houston Dog Blog Exclusive: Annise Parker, the Mayor for Houston's Animals and their Human Companions!

I am not one to talk much about politics.  I feel that everyone has the right to their own opinions and values.  I have to say though, that for the first time in a long while, I am passionate about a candidate for office.  I know many criticize our current Mayor, but I have always respected him.  From the beginning of his term he has done a lot of good.  I do have a problem with the way he is handling animal welfare issues, but overall I like him and REALLY like his staff.   This far in his term, it is unlikely that he will place an emphasis on issues at the City’s Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care (BARC).  Rather than dwell on that, I say we all celebrate that a candidate like Annise Parker has a great chance of becoming Houston’s next Mayor!  She will not only be a champion for the animal community, but will be one of Houston’s most inclusive and diverse leaders.   For 11 years, Annise Parker has been serving Houston, first as a City Councilwoman and most recently as our Controller.  She has done an amazing job and has proven that she is ready to lead our city!  We recently had the chance to sit down and talk with our favorite Mayoral Candidate, Annise Parker.  Long time fans and supporters of Parker, we were excited to get her take on a few issues that are important to Houston’s four-legged community and their caretakers.  Our chat came just after Parker and her camp released their plan to improve Houston’s Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care (BARC), which I recently posted.  I think its a great start!  Rome was not built in a day and BARC will not be fixed overnight.  But let’s get it done as fast as possible -- and I think she will.

A devoted human to her dog Dancer and her cats, Parker is the best choice for Houston’s animals!  Below is a Q&A that we conducted as well as a video of some of Annise’s responses to the questions we asked.  I hope that you will join me when the time comes to vote.  Make sure you visit their website at AnniseParker.com and become a fan on their Facebook page!  Click below to read the Q&A and view a video of Annise addressing some of our questions.

A Behind the Scenes Look at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary!

My friend Laura Welch, SNAP's Development Director, recently took a unique trip to Utah to visit the famed Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.  The facility has been featured on Oprah and was the focus of Dogtown on the National Geographic Channel...the location where the dogs involved in the Michael Vick scandal were sent. Laura is one of the most amazing animal champions I know!  It is impossible to list all that she does for dogs and cats in need!  Anyhoo...she was lucky enough to go to BF for a week and offered to share some of her experience with us here! 

Laura's trip to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary:

"Working for SNAP, I hear about all the wonderful animal programs throughout the country.  Everything I heard about the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah made me want to take a trip there.  I finally had the chance last week.  From Houston, we flew into Las Vegas and rented a car.  The sanctuary is located in Kanab, Utah which is about a four hour drive from Vegas.

Once we arrived, we went straight to the Welcome Center.  The staff there is so friendly.   We met one of the volunteer coordinators who told us about all of the options for volunteering.  Volunteers can walk dogs, play with cats, help clean, etc.  We signed up for the guided tour and to volunteer at Dog Town.

After checking in, we headed out to the Dog Town headquarters.  Since we were staying in one of the cabins on the sanctuary property, we signed up to have a “sleep over” with one of the adoptable dogs.  Renny was our sleep over dog and we had so much fun.  Renny is a two year old mix breed that was rescued from death row at a shelter in Los Angeles.  She had recently been spayed and is now practicing for her forever home. The staff provided us with toys, a water bowl, a blanket and treats for the evening.  All of the cabins have dog doors to help with house-training.

The sleep over program is used to socialize the dogs and prepare them for adoption.  The next day when we took Renny back to Dog Town, we completed an evaluation form.  The staff uses the information to work with Renny until she is adopted.  She is so full of love and will make a great companion for a lucky person. I know we were lucky for getting to meet her!  Overall, the trip was as amazing as it looks like it is on TV and the web." - Laura