paws4claws.com Kicks Off Paws N'Doodles Show & Tail Contest to Benefit American Humane Association's Pets and Women's Shelters (PAWS)® Program

/PRNewswire/ -- To celebrate the launch of its online social and e-commerce networking community for pet lovers, paws4claws.com is holding the Paws N'Doodles Show & Tail Contest. The contest, which solicits the best short story about a pet accompanied by a doodle illustrating it, will benefit American Humane's Pets and Women's Shelters (PAWS) Program, which promotes on-site housing of pets at domestic violence shelters.

paws4claws.com created the contest to help the PAWS Program raise awareness about the lack of domestic violence shelters that accommodate abused women with pets, and to help fund those accommodations at more shelters across the U.S. All net proceeds from the contest will go to the PAWS Program.

American Humane, the leading organization raising awareness about The Link® between animal abuse and other forms of violence, launched the PAWS Program in 2008. Because there are few options for safely housing pets from abusive homes, domestic violence victims often feel they have little choice but to stay and subject themselves, their children and their pets to further violence. In fact, up to 85 percent of women entering domestic violence shelters reported that a partner had threatened, injured or killed the family pet, according to a 1997 study.

How to Enter the Paws N'Doodles Show &Tail Contest

Entering the contest is simple and can be done online. Take a high-quality digital photograph or scan of your doodle, and save it in JPEG or PDF format. Save your story as a Word document or a PDF. Then fill out the Paws N'Doodles online entry form at http://www.wizehive.com/paws4claws.html and attach your artwork and story. The deadline for entries is midnight on Sept. 26, 2010.

Contest Entry Fee

The fee for a single entry in the Paws N'Doodles Show & Tail Contest is $5.00 U.S. per entry. You may submit as many entries as you wish, but each single entry must be accompanied by the corresponding $5.00 U.S. entry fee and a separate entry form. All entry fees will be donated to the PAWS Program.

First Prize

The first-prize winner will receive $500, and his/her artwork will be featured as the cover art of the Paws N'Doodles Show and Tail book to be published in 2011 to raise funds for the PAWS Program. A matching $500 donation with a framed copy of the first-prize doodle and short story will be presented to American Humane for the PAWS Program.

Voting

Entries will be posted at www.paws4claws.com, and viewers can vote online for their favorite entries beginning Aug. 15, 2010, through midnight on October 22, 2010.

For more contest rules, as well as second and third place and honorable-mention prize information, visit www.paws4claws.com.

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Safeguard Your Pet From Cold-Weather Dangers

(NAPSI)-While they may enjoy frolicking in fresh snowfall, dogs, cats and other pets can often experience danger in the colder months. To protect your pet from sore paws and worse, watch out for these symptoms:

• First, if your pet ever walks across a sidewalk freshly treated with an ice-melting product, he might start to limp, whine or even hop and favor one leg over the other. The problem could be a burning sensation from the heat produced by moist particles of calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, common ingredients in ice-melter products.

• Second, your pet may also experience a strong cooling sensation because the slush left behind after deicing may actually feel colder than the snow or ice before it melted.

• Third, if your pet eats snow treated with traditional ice-melting chemicals, he may experience some inflammation in the digestive tract.

• Fourth, some ice-melting crystals are large enough to become lodged in your pet's foot pads, causing irritation and discomfort.

What To Do

One way to give your pet relief is to check for and remove ice--melter crystals from paws after a walk. Rinse the paws thoroughly in lukewarm tap water and then gently run your finger in between foot pads to remove any lodged crystals. Using a soft towel or cloth, wipe off any remaining residue on paws.

To minimize the harmful effects of ice-melting products, you can use a pet-friendly ice melter from Morton Salt.

Because it's made of smaller granular crystals, it's less likely to become lodged in a paw. Also, it does not contain large amounts of calcium chloride or magnesium chloride, which, when moist, may cause a strong burning or cooling sensation, and it contains additives with a higher ingestion tolerance than rock salt.

What's more, unlike other safety blends that may only work in temperatures above 25° F, Morton® Safe-T-Plus® Eco Safe™ Ice Melt performs well in temperatures as low as -5° F.

Learn More

For more information on pet-friendly ice-melting products, visit mortonsalt.com, call (888) 644-9147 or write to Morton Salt, 123 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606.

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Telling A Pet’s “Tail”

(NAPSI)-It seems that owning a pet might keep your health from going to the dogs.

Pet owners tend to have lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels than non-pet owners, and they have higher heart-attack survival rates, too, according to the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association.

Add to that lower levels of depression, loneliness and emotional problems in pet owners than non-pet owners and you might soon see the true value of a four-footed friend.

It’s a fact not lost on Kimber, a graduate student who brings her dog Kujo to visit disabled adults and children.

“We don’t even make it to the building before they all run out very excited and say, ‘The dogs are here, the dogs are here!’” she says. “One boy, who is about 7, almost never speaks because of his autism. But when we’re there, he calls out ‘Dog, dog, dog!’ and claps his hands. It makes such a difference in him.”

Kimber shares her story on the PowerofPaws.com Web site. It’s part of a new national initiative created by Milk-Bone, Meow Mix, Kibbles ‘n Bits, Pup-Peroni and Snausages to educate consumers about the mutual benefits that both pets and “pet parents” enjoy. One goal is to make pets more accessible to those who need daily assistance or a loving friend. The site offers inspiring testimonials from pet parents, as well.

“Our goal is to help people get active, reduce stress and live healthier lives together with their pets,” explains Dr. Bonnie Bergin, who created the concept of the Service Dog in 1975 and is a partner in the Power of Paws program. “It’s as easy as taking your dog for a walk. You’ll walk farther with your pet than you would if you were walking alone.”

Additionally, site visitors can tell their own heartwarming pet “tail.” Each story triggers a $1 donation on the teller’s behalf to organizations across the country, such as Bergin University of Canine Studies and the Animal Medical Center, which help people in need experience the benefits of pet companionship.

So what are some additional reasons to love your pets?

Nutrition For The Soul

When you show pets affection in the form of gentle words, caressing hands and simply by acceptance of them, they respond in kind.

Healthy Relationships

Walking your dog can be a great way for you and your dog to get some exercise. The American Heart Association says just two brisk 15-minute walks with your dog each day satisfy the standard for aerobic exercise.

Self-Worth

Studies show that self-esteem is enhanced in children who own pets and that pets can help children with attention deficit disorder (ADD) learn to concentrate.

For more information, visit www.powerofpaws.com.

A new Web site lets people share their favorite pet stories.

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New Initiative Unleashes the Power of Paws™

AAG Note: Kudos to Canine Assistants in Alpharetta for being a part of this adventure. We think it's great.

BUSINESS WIRE --Pets and people getting healthy together. That’s the heart of a new national initiative called Power of Paws™ that educates consumers about the mutual health benefits that both pets and pet parents enjoy and motivates them to spend time together and connect.

“Studies show there are significant physical, mental, and emotional benefits for both pets and pet parents,” said Bill Pearce, chief marketing officer for Del Monte Foods, the lead program partner. “It’s as easy as taking your dog for a walk. Researchers say you’ll walk farther with your pet than you would if you were walking alone – an activity that benefits you both. Our family of brands, including Milk-Bone, Meow Mix, Kibbles ‘n Bits, Pup-Peroni, and Snausages have always been focused on enriching the lives of pets and pet parents by encouraging them to enjoy active lifestyles together. We are very pleased to join with multiple pet partners to unleash the Power of Paws. We’re excited to hear from consumers as they share the impact pets and people make in each other’s lives.”

Research Proves the Benefits of the Pet/Human Bond

New research is proving the physical and emotional benefits of pet ownership for adults, seniors and even children.

• Studies have indicated that pet parents have lower blood pressure and plasma triglycerides than non-pet owners.
• Heart patients are nearly five times more likely to survive a heart attack if they own a pet.
• Just two brisk 15-minute walks with a dog each day satisfies the standard for aerobic exercise for humans and pets. Daily exercise can lengthen a dog’s life.
• Other research has connected pet ownership with better psychological health and enhanced self-esteem and social interaction.

Power of Paws™ Supports New Discovery Health Documentary Premiering Sunday, July 20, 2008

Educating consumers about the health benefits of pets is a key component of the Power of Paws™ program. That’s why Power of Paws™ is supporting a new show called “Pets and People: The Power of the Health Connection” premiering Sunday, July 20 at 9 a.m. ET on Discovery Health. Hosted by Animal Planet’s Jeff Corwin, the documentary explores the impact pets have on blood pressure, how assistance and therapy dogs can help wounded veterans and autistic children and the unwavering social support pets give their owners without asking for anything in return except love and affection. Encore airings of the show are scheduled through September on these dates and times: Sunday, July 27 at 8 a.m. ET; Saturday, August 9 at 8 a.m. ET; Saturday, August 16 at 9 a.m. ET; Saturday, August 30 at 9 a.m. ET; and Saturday, September 6 at 9 a.m. ET.

Consumers Invited to “Tell their Tail” and Raise Money for Power of Paws™ Partners

Power of Paws™ is celebrating the power of the pet/human bond by making pets more accessible to those who need daily assistance or a loving friend. That’s why Bergin University of Canine Studies in Santa Rosa, CA, Animal Medical Center in New York City, Animal Friends in Pittsburgh, PA and Canine Assistants in Alpharetta, GA have joined this effort.

“The Power of Paws partners know that pets and people are better together,” said Lisa Henriksen, Del Monte’s vice president of innovation and business development. “Whether it’s outreach and education, bringing pets to those in need or improving animal health, we’re proud to help launch the Power of Paws initiative so people across the country can learn about and experience the mutual benefits of pet companionship.”

It seems that every pet parent has a story to tell about the way their doting dog or cuddly cat makes their life more fulfilling and enhances their physical, mental and emotional health. Now consumers can watch more than 100 inspiring video testimonials about pets that have helped their owners get healthier, recover/cope with an illness, deal with grief or live independently by visiting www.powerofpaws.com. These heartfelt stories told by diverse people from across the nation share one common thread: each person’s life is better and healthier because of a pet.

More devoted pet parents can “tell their tail” by logging on to www.powerofpaws.com. For every eligible person who signs up to share their story, request a Power of Paws™ DVD and brochure or receive a Power of Paws™ newsletter, the Power of Paws™ brand partners will donate $1 to the initiative’s charity partners (up to $225,000). Visit www.powerofpaws.com for the terms and conditions of this offer.

Pets are “Paws-itive” for Kids and Seniors

Kids and seniors often benefit most from their relationships with dogs and cats:

• Reading books to pets make kids more self-confident and improves their reading skills.
• Kids who suffer from attention deficit disorder (ADD) learn to concentrate by focusing on a pet.
• Children who own pets score significantly higher on empathy and pro-social orientation scales than non-owners.
• Kids ages 11-16 with pets have better ability to understand non-verbal communications.
• Autistic children reap the rewards of daily interaction with their furry friend. A pet helps facilitate social interactions plus it creates an emotional and educational “bridge” between a child and other people by becoming a modality for communication.
• Seniors who have pets visit physicians 21 percent less often than those who do not have pets.
• Elderly pet parents are less likely to feel lonely.

Pets Enjoy Health Benefits Too

Dogs and cats enjoy health benefits as a result of their relationship with their pet parents:

• Studies show that 30 percent of dogs and 25 percent of cats are overweight which contributes to a shorter lifespan and an increased risk of arthritis, cancer, diabetes and other health concerns.
• Walking is a great way for your pet to get exercise and achieve ideal weight. Studies show that dogs and cats who maintain their weight live a longer life.
• Pets thrive with daily physical and mental stimulation from their owners because it builds confidence and trust.
• Food and treats are great ways for owners to connect and bond with their pets.