What is an Emotional Support Animal?
Kael Laselva

As society becomes more and more aware of mental and physical disabilities/conditions, the number of different types of treatment continue to rise. One of the fastest growing methods of assisting those who suffer from mental illnesses/disabilities, relies on the joy that animals bring to the world. Emotional support animals, commonly referred to as “ESA’s”, have gained massive popularity over recent years, even influencing policy and law changes throughout the United States. In 2011, there were around 2,000 legally registered Emotional Support animals, with that number growing up to around 200,000 in 2022.  Now the questions arise, what does an ESA do, and what are the benefits of officially registering your animal as one? 

What animals can be ESA’s?
Any animal that is considered legal and domesticated can qualify to be an Emotional Support Animal. There are emotional support Alpacas, Pigs, Mice, Dogs, Cats, etc.. 

What does an Emotional Support Animal do?
The main “responsibility” of an ESA is to… provide emotional support, as implied in the name. However, to be more specific, emotional support animals provide companionship, relieve loneliness, and aid in the battle against certain phobias and fears. ESA’s are different to Service Animals however, in the sense of not being trained/able to perform physical tasks for people with disabilities. While an ESA can help someone who is disabled with their mental well-being, they are often not qualified to physically aid said person.

Who is qualified to own an ESA?
It is relatively easy to register an animal as an ESA, however, you are required to meet certain conditions in order to qualify. According to the UMass Chan Medical School website, “the owner must be considered to have a qualifying mental health or psychiatric disability by a licensed medical professional”. Some of these “qualifying mental health” conditions include: Anxiety, depression, OCD, panic attacks, eating disorders, phobias, ptsd, autism, ADHD, and other symptoms. 

What legal benefits do ESA’s have compared to regular animals? 
Emotional Support Animals are partially covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, granting some basic protections such as housing and air travel. However, unlike Service Animals, most private spaces are not legally required to allow ESA’s onto their property, even after being presented with a doctor’s letter, yet are often influenced into doing so by local animal activist groups.

If you suffer from any of the aforementioned mental challenges, you are qualified to own an Emotional Support Animal. These fur babies have saved thousands of lives since their integration into modern psychiatric treatment, while also brightening up the lives of many. If you believe you are in need of emotional support and have interest in registering your pet as an ESA, contact your family/local medical professional for an evaluation.

Three BEST Dog Breeds for Apartment Living
By Kael Laselva

Dogs bring joy and happiness to everyone’s lives, and nobody should be deprived of the opportunity to experience their unconditional love and affection; However, a good number of people have never been able to own an animal because of their living conditions. Although apartment living is not necessarily optimal for most dogs, there are a good amount that can lead happy and healthy lives within said conditions. Here are the three best dog breeds for an apartment lifestyle.

French Bulldog

This breed of pup has adapted to close-quarters living for hundreds of years, as their country of origin, France, is notorious for its vertical and space-efficient housing. The Frenchy is a very friendly dog who does great around children and requires a relatively small amount of exercise. The only issue with owning a French Bulldog, is that they have a tendency to snore. This is because of a genetic defect caused by generations of overbreeding, similar to pugs and other short-nosed canines, so if you have a hard time sleeping around noise, maybe steer away from this furbaby.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the best behaved canine breeds in the world, making them very easy to house-train, and adapt quickly to living in a smaller and more confined area. However, as is the case with most (if not all) dogs, they require an adequate amount of play and exercise on a day to day basis. Being able to control your pup’s energy output to the best of your ability is very important when it comes to living in an apartment. This breed of dog is great around children because of its relaxed temperament and calm demeanor, as well as other animals and pets. 

Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is one of the most common dog breeds in vertical cities such as New York, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. There are many reasons for its immense popularity, ranging from its very small stature to its adorable little face. According to an article by HillsPet,  these pups weigh in at an average of 12 pounds, making them perfect for apartment living (https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/dog-breeds/bichon-frise?lightboxfired=true#) .

This furry companion is mild tempered, very easy to take care of, and very receptive to complex commands (also making this breed one of the best for dog shows and competitions). Although the Bichon Frise has many upsides, it is a very high-maintenance dog compared to the other two on this list. The Bichon requires a great amount of grooming, and around 40 minutes of exercise daily, however if you are willing to invest some extra time into your furbaby, it can be a perfect fit for you and your apartment.

Famous Dogs in War
By Kael Laselva

As we approach Independence Day, it is very important to acknowledge and appreciate those whose efforts continue to preserve our freedom. Not all heroes wear capes, or helmets, or boots, or even clothes, some only sport a collar and a tag. Throughout American history, there have been many brothers in paws who have served alongside our military; however, not all dogs are cut from the same cloth. Here are some of the most renowned pups who fought for our country.

Sergeant Stubby- 

Maybe the most famous war dog of them all, Sergeant Stubby, served in 17 battles of World War 1 from 1917-1918. He passed away in 1926, at the age of 10; however, he had a very successful career during the short time he was with us. Stubby saved soldiers from mustard gas attacks, as well as found and comforted the wounded, amongst other heroic deeds. This furry soldier was officially given the rank of Sergeant in April of 1918.

Chips-

Chips is the most decorated dog from WWII, trained as a sentry canine for the United States Army. This pup was a mix between a German shepherd and a collie, and lived to be 16 years old. He was one of four dogs assigned to the 3rd infantry division, and was eventually awarded the Purple Heart, Silver Star, and Distinguished Service Cross. According to an article written by Tara Ross, documenting the historical career of the hero dog, Chips traveled the world with the US Army, with excursions in North Africa, Italy, and France(https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-chips-dog).

Lucca-

Lucca was a German Shepherd/ Belgian Malinois mix employed by the Marine Corps for 6 years of total service, used to detect bombs, ammunition, and other threats. This brave fur baby completed over 400 missions throughout her career, and during those missions, none of her human allies were ever harmed. This dog’s resume consists of 3 combat tours in Afghanistan, along with countless patrols. She retired in 2012, and was adopted by her handler Cpl. Juan M Rodriguez, and lived out the rest of her years under his care. She unfortunately passed in 2018.

Cities with the largest dog populations
By Kael Laselva

Dogs are everywhere. Being the world’s most popular pet, you can expect to see dogs everywhere you look; However, your city might not be as densely populated with canines as you may think, at least when compared to other areas of the world. Now the question arises, “What metric should be used when determining which cities are the most dog-crazy?”. Well, instead of using dogs per square foot, or total canine population in general, the following list is ranked based on the dog to human ratio (D:H) as a “per 100”  statistic (number of dogs for every 100 humans), leveling out the playing field as much as possible. The numbers used in this article were researched by “Protect My Paws” statisticians, (https://protectmypaws.com/best-cities-for-dog-lovers-in-the-world/) 

5. San Francisco, USA

Maybe the “Golden City” was truly named after the sheer mass of Golden retrievers that reside within it. This city in California houses 26.5 dogs per 100 humans. According to an article written by the American Kennel Club, the French Bulldog is the most popular breed in San Francisco as of 2022 (https://www.sfexaminer.com/culture/sf-loves-french-bulldogs-according-to-american-kennel-club/article_02154c58-c364-11ed-945e-db0d844cf1f3.html#).

4. San Diego

Have you ever wondered where the “San” in San Diego comes from? Well, based on its Spanish and Latin roots, it translates to the word “Saint”, and although the city was named after its founder, it makes sense that it would be home to the 4th highest number of angels per person in the world. Although these angels may be fluffy and slobbery, they are still very much saints. San Diego sits at number 4 with a ratio of 36.1 dogs for every 100 humans.

3. Havana, Cuba

At our number three spot for where dogs are the most PUPular, is the capital of Cuba. Although Havana has a ratio of 40.6 D: 100 H, that statistic is a bit misleading when it comes to identifying which cities have the most dogs as PETS. Havana has one of the world's highest stray dog populations, similar to many other Caribbean and Latin countries. 

2. Bern, Switzerland

The city of Bern, Switzerland, has medieval architectural design traits and patterns recognized to be from as far back as the 12th century, specifically present in the “old town” section of the city known as Altstadt. This rustic, European city is home to a very abundant population of canines, placing second on our list with a whopping 47.7:100 dog to human ratio. The most popular dog breed among the Swiss people is the Chihuahua, according to an article by authors at “I am Expat” (https://www.iamexpat.ch/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/most-popular-dog-names-and-breeds-switzerland-revealed#:~:text=Most%20popular%20dog%20breeds%20in,Labrador%20Retriever%20%2D%2025.081) 

1. Houston, Texas

Maybe what they say is really true… everything is bigger in Texas, including the dog population! The staple American city of Houston is home to an immense number of canines, making it the world's most dog-crazy city according to the metric being used. As of 2021, if the number of humans and dogs both counted towards the total population, the pups would make up over a THIRD of it, having around 52.1 dogs for every 100 humans. 

As a kid, everyone loves their birthday… I mean, it is the one day of the year that everything is actually about YOU. The warm feeling of receiving attention, the excitement you get when opening your presents, the happiness one feels while their company sings them happy birthday, these are all emotions that everyone deserves to experience, and not just people either. Here are three PAWFECT ways that you can celebrate your dog’s special day.

3. Doggy Day Out

    One way to bring fun and variety to your dog’s birthday is to take them on a drive to the places they love. You could take them to the dog park to socialize, on a walk in nature, or a big store that allows animals… practically anything that allows for them to release some of that pent up energy. After they eventually tire out and require a refresher, hit a drive through on your way back home and get a pup cup! Dairy Queen, Starbucks, Sonic, Scooters, and many more places offer yummy treats for your furry friend. 

2. Doggy Play Date

    If your dog is a social individual, this is a great option to keep them busy on their birthday! Invite one of your other paw parents and their fur baby over for a nice day of fun and games. Set up toys and activities and let them go crazy (under supervision). However, be sure both your pup and their friend are properly trained before doing this.

1. Pawsome Party

    Who doesn’t love a party? Put up some decorations, invite your favorite people and pups, and make your furry friend feel like the only dog in the entire world. Gifts, decorations, and more can be purchased at houseoffurbaby.com. You can have your pup unwrap  their presents as long as they are properly supervised. (Tip: Sneaking some dog treats or food into the wrapping paper will incentivize your pet to unwrap it!)