Canine Health Improvement

By: Danielle Roller

Societal Factors

Increase in the # of dogs

2002 over 36% households have 1 or more 60 million dogs2007 71 million dogs

Improving our own health as well as our animals(Keeping track of intake of food & amount of physical activity)

Trends1.) Pet health

2.) Pet Services

3.) Pet companions

4.) Organic, natural and functional foods

5.) Animal obesity

6.) Calorie Counting Revolution in U.S.

Pet HealthDoggie dental careDentabones for plaqueDental doggy biscuitsCranberries for urinary tractMental health issues

Pet Services2003- $31 billion spent on

pets2007- $41 billion$14 billion spend on pet

foodPet food industry = 87%

market sharePet Hotels Limo Rides

Day cruises

Personal Spa treatmentsShoppers

CompanionsImprove mental & physical

healthSpeed up recoveries in illnessLower stressFamily bonding

Healthier foods

In 2001, Organic food industry $9.3 billion

Increasing fresh fruits & vegetable pigments in animal foods

(beets & cranberries)

Canine Obesity23% to 41% obese or overweightInfluential factors:

AgeBreed GenderNeuter statusFood type:Concurrent diseasesGeographyLifestyle

German, A. (2006), Armstrong, (2006)

Calorie Counting Revolution

Explosion of devises that count calories burn and eat in a day

1.) Pedometers running & walking2.) Body Bug 5 sensors for measurement3.) Bio Trainer measures every direction of movement

Mendosa, David (2005)

Canine CalometerMeasure amount of calories burned in a day

based on activity level as well as calories consumed from food

Clips onto the collarSmall & easy to useOwner will adjust food accordingly/activity level

accordingly

Canine Nutrition Specialist

for Canines and Canine OwnersLocation: New Hope Animal Hospital, Durham

North CarolinaAssist in formulating diets for canines based on calories

burned on the Canine Calometer to improve performance and health as well as meeting the canine

owners needs. Studies nutritional needs as well as physical activity recommendations for canines according to their age and breed. Understanding of the brands and

types of foods that are beneficial and detrimental to certain breeds.

Day to day dutiesDesign & evaluate diets of the animals based on

own knowledge and what Canine Calometer says a week after first appointment with new customer.

Diets assigned will be evaluated based on the nutritional value and amount to be given.

Providing advise to dog owners on the type and amount of food dog should consume.

Implement and communicate a physical activity plan for the dog based on what first weeks of activity looks like.

Day-to-day dutiesMeet a week later with canine owner and will evaluate

diet and physical activity based on results and set up follow up meetings accordingly.

Study nutritional needs of the dogs seen based on their age, breed, and activity levels.

Displays interpersonal & leadership skillsDiets created will implement performance & healthDemonstrate and provide safe exercise recommendations

for canine to the owner that accommodate to canines needs and owners ability for performance.

Minimum Education Requirements

Completed bachelors degree in Animal ScienceStrong Scientific BackgroundCompleted GRE scoresAnimal Science/Nutrition Exam with 80 or higherAmerican Registry of Professional Canine

Specialists (ARPCS) Certification (renewal of membership per year)

Canine Animal Nutrition Certification (CANC)

CompetenciesUse standardized nutrition language for canine owners

who have different backgrounds when assessing the nutritional status of canines, planning and implementing diets and physical activity recommendations, and formulating goals.(SP 3.1. a & c.)

Develop and demonstrate effective communication skills by using visuals and oral prints to increase knowledge of the canine owner and enforce clarity. (SP 3.2)

Provide professional information and ideas to the canine owner based on own professional knowledge and results from devise used. (Canine Calometer). (SP 2.12)

Competencies Use appropriate evidence and data to justify

recommendations and services given to canine owner. (SP 1.3.)

Conduct feasibility studies on food products and physical activity recommendations while taking into consideration the costs and benefits based on type of canine, and status of the owner. (SP 4.8)

ClosingAnimal related jobs:

Veterinarians Professional dog walkers Vet assistants Animal Scientists Technicians Animal nutritionist Animal behaviorists Wildlife rehabilitator Alternative medicine vets Human educator Animal Therapist Lobbyist/lawyer Zoologist

Bibliography Armstrong, J., Kirk, C., Klausner, J., and Lund., E. (2006).

Prevalence and risk factors for obesity in adult dogs from private US veterinary practices. Intern J Appl Res Vet Med. 4.(2)Retrieved

Oct 6, 2011 from http://www.jarvm.com/articles/Vol4Iss2/Lund.pdf.

Barnes, N. A market analysis of the US pet food industry to determine new opportunities for the cranberry industry.University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Retrieved Oct 11, 2011 from http://www1.umassd.edu/cbr/studies/cranbpetfood.pdf.

German, A. (2006). The growing problem of obesity in dogs and cats. American Society for Nutrition. Retrieved Oct 6, 2011 from

http://jn.nutrition.org/content/136/7/1940S. Mendosa, David (2005). The calorie counting revolution. Retrieved

Oct 6, 2011 from www.prod.campuscruiser.com