Barking Bulletin

In today’s challenging economic times, most of us are spending less to save more. But saving money doesn’t mean you need to skimp on caring for your pet. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) ‘Cost of Dog Ownership’ survey, each year the average dog owner spends approximately $2,500 on maintenance fees such as food and veterinary care.

Following are some ideas to help keep canine costs down, without compromising the quality of your pet’s health and well being.

Check out local newspapers, fliers and pet publications for discounts, promotions, coupons and free samples. When shopping for your dog, try to buy items in wholesale or bulk quantities, especially when they are on sale. Many pet stores offer specials or frequent buyer discounts, while some food vendors provide coupons for customer loyalty, large quantities or new product brands.

Ask if your veterinarian offers any types of discounts on services, products or food. If your dog needs a prescription for an illness or ongoing condition, ask about generic brands and shop around first for the best competitive price. See if they offer pharmaceutical promotional samples, which can reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs

If you own a newly registered AKC puppy, the AKC offers some great registration benefits, including a free introductory veterinarian office visit and a complimentary 60-day trial* of pet health insurance. They also provide valuable information in a variety of areas, including canine health research, search-and-rescue services and responsible dog ownership.

Prepare for the Unexpected
Along with maintaining good canine health and regular veterinary check-ups, there are other things you can do to save money. Make certain you ‘dog-proof’ your home and keep hazardous items out of reach. Keeping your dog indoors or on a leash can help prevent illnesses and injuries — and avoid unnecessary medical expenses.

Even when you’re careful, dogs can get away. A gate may blow open or some other accident can occur at any time. Your dog could wind up lost, costing you both time and money to try to recover him. Make certain your dog wears an identification tag with your name, address and phone number at all times. Consider having your dog microchipped, which is one way to permanently identify and help recover your dog should he become lost. You might also want to enroll in the AKC Companion Animal Recovery service. They maintain a large database of microchipped pets.

As careful as you might be, sometimes the unexpected or unthinkable happens. Wonderful advances in veterinary care often means that decisions about what is affordable can weigh heavily on pet owners. One solution for budget-minded owners is pet healthcare insurance. As the word spreads about affordable pet healthcare insurance, more and more pet owners are enrolling in plans that fit their needs. Pet insurance options can help provide a way to manage veterinary expenses while giving your pet affordable medical care.

The AKC Pet Healthcare Plans offer quality and affordable coverage for as little as pennies a day. You can choose from our Accident or Essential plans that can cover unexpected illnesses or injuries, or plans that also offer Wellness coverage. The Wellness plans cover flea, tick and heartworm prevention, as well as an annual check-up, annual dental cleaning and vaccinations. The Wellness Plus Plan offers additional coverage for spaying and neutering, vaccine titers and emergency boarding (if you are hospitalized). For more details on our plans and a no-obligation quote, visit www.akcpethealthcare.com or call toll-free 1.866.725.2747. It’s time well spent when you consider the protection it provides for both you and your pets.

Take a bite out of your pet care costs. Learn how to buy shrewdly, focus on prevention, avoid unnecessary items or procedures and keep your dog healthy. These habits can help enable you to significantly cut your expenses and survive economic downturns — while keeping your dog healthy and happy!

*The 60-Day Trial Plan is provided by the master policy issued to the Association of American Pet Owners. Activation required. Administered by PetPartners, Inc. Underwritten by Markel Insurance Company, 4600 Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060, rated A “Excellent” by A.M. Best Company. Not available in all states and only available to US residents. Eligibility restrictions apply. Contact PetPartners, Inc. for terms and conditions Must be activated within 28 days of AKC Certificate Issued date. Visit www.akcphp.com/trial or call toll free at 1-866-725-2747.

The warmer weather is here along with those pesky little fleas. Fleas can be present year round but prefer warm and moist environments. There are over 2000 species of fleas worldwide. In the U.S. alone there are over 200 different types. The cat flea (ctenocephalides felis) and the dog Flea (ctenocehalides canis) are the two most common types. The cat flea, surprisingly, is the type that is most commonly found in the US. The dog flea is not commonly found in the US; it is native to Europe. The cat flea, however, does not discriminate between dogs and cats; both are fair game to this pesky little creature.

• This flea is capable of jumping 14 to 16 inches and will bite humans as well.
• Female fleas can lay eggs 48 hours after biting your pet.
• Fleas in rare cases do carry disease and if swallowed can cause tapeworms.

What can be done to prevent these little creatures and what are the signs that your pet has fleas?

Symptoms of fleas

Each pet will react differently when carrying fleas, so you might see any combination of the following signs:

• Your pet scratching and biting at its skin more often
• Red inflamed lumps, skin lesions, ulcers and loss of coat due to the increased scratching and biting
• Excessive grooming or licking is soothing behavior
• Look for flea feces (aka flea dirt) in your pet’s coat and in your pet’s favorite sleeping places. Flea feces appear to look like a small piece of dirt. If you take this dirt and rub it between your fingers with some water and it turns red, you have your proof. Flea feces contain dried blood.

Treatment and Prevention of Fleas

Listed below are some common preventive steps, along with some flea treatments, should the fleas “fall through the cracks” of the prevention. There are a variety of different methods available today. It’s best to discuss all your options with your veterinarian first. Below are some commonly used methods:

Topical Treatments: These treatments are available through your veterinarian. Generally, they are highly effective and applied between the dog’s shoulder blades once a month.

Oral Medication: Pills are normally prescribed by your veterinarian and given orally to your pet once a month.

Flea Shampoo/Bathing/Dips: Flea shampoo can be purchased over the counter and/or from your veterinarian; it is highly recommended that you follow your veterinarian’s advice when purchasing these shampoos. Regular baths by you and or a groomer can help treat and prevent fleas from spreading. Most flea dips are performed at the veterinary office and are generally done once fleas are discovered on your pet.

When trying to decide which flea treatment and prevention program is best for you and your pet, please speak with your veterinarian. The AKC Pet Healthcare plan understands that monthly flea prevention adds up and we have two plans that offer flea preventative benefits, the Wellness Plan and Wellness Plus Plan. Please visit our website at www.akcpethealthcare.com or contact customer service at 1.866.725.2747.

At some point we all wonder what our dogs are trying to tell us. Luckily, if you work at it, the non-verbal body language they use will help you at least understand how they are feeling. This skill is very useful in a variety of situations such as when your dog meets new “friends”, visit new places and try new activities; or if you work with dogs, volunteer with a rescue group or regularly attend dog events.

Dogs use basic body postures to express their feelings to other dogs they encounter. Most dogs learn this language from puppyhood. As humans we rely heavily on verbal communication and often do not see the clues or signals our dogs are giving us. Some of the basic signals that dogs use are:

Alert — The dog stands up erect on all four feet with weight balanced over all four legs or balanced slightly over the front feet. The ears are projected toward the sound or sight that has caught their attention. Easily aroused dogs might vocalize as well. The dog will hold their tail straight out or slightly elevated. Some dogs will open their mouth slightly. When a fearful dog has been alerted they may give warning barks and bounce on stiffened front legs to give a more threatening appearance.

Playful — When dogs are feeling playful they will often invite others to play with them. This invitation is known as the “Play Bow”. The dog will sink down on its front legs with the elbows close to the floor while keeping its hind quarters elevated. The dog will usually have its tail relaxed, elevated and wagging. Often the dog will “bounce” or “pounce” into the “Play Bow”. The dog may also offer a preferred toy to try to initiate a play session.

Happy — The happy greeting is unmistakable. The dog is wildly wagging its tail back and forth or even in circles. The dog may bark or whine. Some dogs will offer the canine “smile” where they actually draw back their lips and expose their front teeth. You can tell this is truly a “happy” signal by looking at the dog’s body. The fur along their back is smooth, they are often prancing from one front foot to the other and the tail is elevated and wagging.

Anxious — An anxious dog tries to appear smaller and less threatening. They will crouch down with their eyes or even their head turned away. The pupils will be dilated. The dog will avoid the threat or stressor by leaning away or circling. The ears are usually carried low and either to the side or back. The dog will usually have the tail low and may offer a tentative wag of the tail while holding it down between their hocks. An anxious dog may lick their lips, yawn or even give a whole body shake seeming to try to “shake off” the stress they are feeling.

Fearful — An anxious dog may progress to fearful if cornered or if their stress level continues to rise. Fearful dogs may growl, the ears may go flat back on the head or may come sharply forward as the dog heightens its level of alertness to the stressor. The fearful dog may exhibit signs of submission. A fearful dog will often avert their gaze and lean away from the source of stress. The tail is usually tucked completely under the dog close to the belly. Some fearful dogs will also appear to “chatter” repeatedly shallowly opening and closing their mouth.

Submissive — A submissive dog will usually lower its body closer to the ground and may even roll over exposing its belly and may even urinate. The dog usually holds their tail low and will wag it in short rapid movements. The dog will raise its muzzle and lick its lips or if it is being submissive towards another dog will lick the dominant dog’s muzzle.

Aggressive — An aggressive dog is one to watch closely. This dog will stand erect and appear to rise on its toes. The dog’s weight will be balanced over the front feet. The dog’s eyes are wide, the whites may show and the pupils will likely be dilated. The ears will be sharply forward or may be flattened back against the dog’s head. As the stress or threat approaches the dog may raise its hackles (raising the fur along the top of its neck and back). The aggressive dog will draw its lips up and expose its teeth and may growl. The dog will hold its tail high and may wag it in short tense bursts.

Now when you are interacting with dogs you can build and test your body-language interpreting skills; and remember that the behaviors are open for interpretation.

Humans and dogs alike can suffer from sunburn; long term exposure can result in skin damage and skin cancers. Like humans certain factors make some dogs more prone:

• dogs with white or light colored coats
• dogs with a very short coat or no coat at all
• dogs that have suffered coat loss from allergies or other medical conditions
• and of course dogs that are outside during the hottest part of the day.

What steps can you take to prevent your dog from getting a sunburn?

1) Keep your dog inside in a cool room, or if they are outside, in a well shaded area or adequate shelter during the hottest parts of the days.

2) Use sunscreen on the parts of his body susceptible to sunburn. These parts include: nose, ends of the ears, around the mouth, eyelids and the underside or your dog- belly, groin and inside the legs; these areas are particularly at risk. Make sure you use a pet sunscreen because products for human use can contain ingredients that are toxic to your dog. Remember to regularly reapply the sunscreen. Pay particular attention to areas where little coat is covering and where the skin pigmentation is low or light in color.

3) Believe it or not, there are bodysuits designed to protect your dog from UV rays as well. It’s best to ask your veterinarian about which bodysuit is best suited for your particular dog. They can be a good option if your dog is continually out in the sun or you live in higher temperature regions.

4) If during the summer months you have your dog groomed, think about leaving his coat a bit longer so the coat offers some protection. Talk to your dog’s groomer or veterinarian about clipping your dog, some dog breed’s coat’s are designed to insulate the dog from the sun’s heat. If you clip too much off your dogs coat, you may be doing more harm than good.

Summer is just around the corner, so make sure that you and your dog stay happy and healthy during summer months. If you do happen to see any signs of sunburn such as red skin, fur loss and/or sores, please contact your local veterinarian and make sure you seek medical advice.

By Mychelle Blake
Mychelle Blake, MSW, CDBC a certified dog-behavior consultant.

PetPartners, Inc the provider of the AKC Pet Healthcare Plan thought the readers of the Barking Bulletin would find the article as interesting as we did. Mychelle Blake the author, graciously agreed to let us reprint the original article in our current edition. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

To subscribe to Family Dog please go to: www.akc.org/pubs/index.cfm

As a dog trainer, I often hear owners saying they were surprised to find out how a dog would change their lives. Alisa, from Greenville, South Carolina, tells of her experience with her new puppy, Moka, a Flat-Coated Retriever: “The one thing I forgot about having a puppy is how much time they take initially. She is a puppy, so I knew we would have to train her, and I knew we would have to watch her, but I forgot that I have to watch her closely until she learns what is allowed and what is not allowed. It’s like having another baby!”

Sometimes new owners find that the dog they’ve taken on is a mismatch for their lifestyle. Jeannie Loeb, from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, says excess energy posed a problem. “I found myself having to wake before dawn every morning to walk the dog (not at a leisurely pace!) for about an hour. Then my husband and four children would take the dog for a walk during the evenings. And yet, this was not enough exercise for her and so she was getting into all sorts of mischief at home.”
But don’t despair. With preparation, consistency, and a plan, you can mold a well-mannered pup and brush up on the etiquette of older dogs. Start now! Every interaction with your dog is a training opportunity.

Getting Started

When beginning training, it’s a good idea to sit down and write out a plan. Tracking daily interactions with your dog can help you to see how you are progressing with basic manners. If you live in a multiperson household, it can assist with one of the key issues to watch out for in training-consistency!

Take your written plan and post it in a common area of your household where everyone can see it-on your refrigerator, on the family computer, or even above your dog’s bed or crate. Make sure all family members enter their data in the chart. It’s also important to take the time each day to discuss progress, such as at the dinner table, or while you walk the dog together as a family at night.

1. Invest in a good set of baby gates and use them to keep your puppy from getting into trouble in your house.
2. Get a variety of toys for your puppy, but only leave four to five down at any time. Rotate them regularly so your puppy doesn’t get bored and try to play with inappropriate objects-like your shoes!
3. Begin crate training. Aside from helping with house training, having a dog who is comfortable in a crate can be a real asset. Crate-trained dogs are less stressed when they need to be confined due to an illness or during transport.
4. Start looking for training classes now, especially those leading to the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy® or AKC’s Canine Good Citizen® program awards. You may find a listing of CGC evaluators and S.T.A.R. Puppy trainers at www.akc.org. Also, check the APDT website’s trainer-search feature at apdt.com.
5. For multiperson households, create a “cue chart,” listing all of the behaviors you are trying to teach and the corresponding cue words. That way everyone stays on the same page and your puppy will learn faster!
6. Use your dog’s bed or crate as part of his training regimen-you can train him to do a “go to bed” or “crate” cue by bringing him to his bed or crate and rewarding him for staying. This is a useful behavior to have when visitors come over, or when you want to eat a meal at the dinner table without your puppy underfoot.
7. Have you “puppy proofed” your home? If you have, it’s time for a recheck! Review your puppy’s access to your household furniture and goods often, as things may change when the puppy gets bigger and more active.
8. Socialization Tip: Visit your veterinary clinic often with your puppy to help him learn that it’s a great place to be. Bring a handful of treats or a favorite toy with you, and have the puppy meet the staff.
9. Food-stuffed toys are a great way to keep your puppy occupied while you are busy. Fill the toys with kibble and other treats, or even regularly feed him his breakfast and dinner through these toys.
10. Reinforce the four-on-the-floor rule! While it’s cute now for a little puppy to jump up on people, this will quickly get annoying as he gets bigger, especially with medium and large breeds.
11. Get your puppy used to being handled right away! Gently play with his paws, ears, tail, head, and body while rewarding him with treats or getting to play with a favorite toy. A dog who is comfortable being handled will find veterinary and grooming visits much less stressful.
12. If you have children in the house, make sure they understand how to play properly with the puppy; don’t allow any “roughhousing,” which can increase mouthy and nippy behavior.
13. Socialization Tip: Visit dog-friendly stores with your puppy. Some businesses that typically allow dogs include home improvement stores, garden nurseries, and of course, pet-supply stores.
14. Teach your dog the “name game”-call your dog’s name in a happy, excited tone of voice and reward him when he looks at you. Wait until he is no longer paying attention, and repeat. This game teaches your dog to pay attention to his name.
15. Vary the rewards. Every dog is different, so have the family make a list of what your dog enjoys-try to use a mix of food and non-food rewards, such as toys, praise, brushing, or getting to go outside. Every dog’s list of “favorites” will be unique.
16. Socialization Tip: Many coffee shops and restaurants with outdoor areas allow you to sit out with your dog. So enjoy an outing and latte with your pup.
17. Use feeding times to train the sit and wait commands. Ask your puppy to sit before you place his food bowl down, and ask him to wait before you allow him to walk over to the bowl to begin eating.
18. Choose a marker signal. A marker can be a sound, like the one a clicker makes, or a word such as Yes! Pair this signal with a treat, toy, or other reward. Eventually when you phase out the reward item, the dog will understand that the marker signal means he did something right.
19. Start teaching your puppy to walk on leash right away-without the leash! Practice in your backyard off-leash by keeping some treats in your hand by your leg, and rewarding your puppy for walking close to you. Gradually work up to hiding the treats and rewarding your puppy for voluntarily following you closely.
20. Get your children involved with tricks training. Tricks are fun and low stress since they are not among the critical skills a dog needs to know.
21. Socialization Tip: Visit local parks where you know children will be. Even if you have children, the more children your puppy is exposed to, the better. Find parks with a variety of people, sights, and sounds for your puppy to get used to.
22. Make sure everyone is aware of attention-seeking behaviors, such as whining, jumping up, barking, pawing, licking, nudging, pushing, and even stealing. Your whole family, particularly children, should be aware of these behaviors and know to ignore them.
23. Are there toddlers in the home? Teach your puppy to do a down-stay whenever your toddler is in a high chair. You can even teach your toddler to give the hand signal for down or sit and toss the puppy a treat.
24. Teach your puppy to target your hand and teach this to your children as well-this way the dog learns that when he greets people, he is positioning his head by their hands, rather than by their heads.
25. Socialization Tip: Choose puppy classes over dog parks. You don’t have control over the kinds of dogs at a dog park, and young puppies might find the activity overwhelming. Another alternative is to find friends who have dogs with good temperaments and arrange play dates.
26. Encourage your puppy to learn to settle. If there is nap time in your household for the children, it should be nap time for the dog as well. Offer the puppy a food-stuffed toy or a chew in the crate or on a dog bed. This reinforces calm, quiet behavior.
27. Housetraining troubles? Make sure you are monitoring your puppy’s intake of food and water, and exercise schedule. Most puppies eliminate right after they eat, play, and wake up.
28. Is your puppy getting enough exercise? Every puppy has different needs so research the energy levels of your dog’s breed or breed mix. In addition to walking, exercise may include throwing a toy in the backyard and teaching fetch.
29. Cement the “recall” or come command through games. Play “round-robin recalls” by having different members of the family call your puppy and as the puppy comes to them and is rewarded, have the next person call, and so on. You can also play “hide and seek” in your house or yard and reward your dog for finding you.
30. Once your dog is doing well with practicing behaviors like sit, stay, and down, take him outside in areas with more distractions to practice these skills. This will help to “proof” these behaviors.
31. Good job! Treat yourself and your puppy by having fun time to build your relationship-go on a hike, play fetch in a park, or visit the pet store to get a new toy and a social visit.

For more training tips,check out the public education section of the AKC website www.akc.org/public_education/ and the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen® program website, akc.org/events/cgc.

Our dogs are living healthier and longer lives due to advances in veterinary medicine, such as vaccines, heartworm testing and better technology in place to diagnosis illness. However, even with these advances, dental disease is still a common issue in dogs today often leading to more serious health issues such as Endocarditis (heart valve infection) and Pyelonphritis (serve kidney infection)?

What are common dental issues in dogs?

1. Plaque: Caused by food particles and bacteria collecting along the gumline.
2. Tarter: If plaque is not removed, minerals in the salvia combine with plaque and form tarter (or Calculus) which adheres strongly to the teeth. Tarter will cause inflammation in gums commonly referred to as gingivitis. Signs of this can be seen with reddening of the gums below and around the teeth and causes bad breath.
3. Periodontal Disease: If the tartar is not removed, it builds up under the gums. It separates the gums from the teeth to form “pockets” and encourages even more bacterial growth. At this point the damage is irreversible, and called periodontal disease. It can be very painful and can lead to loose teeth, abscesses, bone loss or infection. As bacterial growth continues to increase, the bacteria may enter the bloodstream, causing infection of the heart valves (endocarditis), liver and kidneys.

What steps can be done to prevent dental issues in dogs?
1. Annual visits to your veterinarian generally include an oral exam that check for the following:

• Dogs face and head for asymmetry, swelling or discharge.
• Outside surfaces of the teeth and gums and the “bite”.
• Inner surfaces of the teeth and gums and the tongue, palates, oral mucosa, tonsils, and ventral tongue area.
• Palpate and assess size, shape and consistency of the salivary glands and the lymph nodes in the neck.

2. Veterinarian dental cleaning as advised. Dental cleanings generally include:

• Anesthetizing your dog.
• Taking radiographs (x-rays) to assess the health of all of the teeth and bones of the mouth.
• Flushing the mouth with a solution to kill the bacteria.
• Cleaning the teeth with handheld and ultrasonic scalers. All calculus is removed from above and below the gumline. This is extremely important and can only be done if the animal is under anesthesia.
• Using a disclosing solution to show any areas of remaining calculus which are then removed.
• Polishing the teeth to remove microscopic scratches.
• Inspecting each tooth and the gum around it for any signs of disease.
• Flushing the mouth, again, with an antibacterial solution.
• Optionally, applying a dental agent to retard plaque build-up.
• Recording any abnormalities or additional procedures on a dental chart.
• Determining the best follow-up and home dental care program for your dog.

3. Daily home dental care which includes:

• Brushing of teeth daily to weekly depending on your dogs diet, chewing habits, and breed.  Ask your veternarian for the brushing regimen that best suits your dog.
• Check for warning signs such as bad breath and redness around gums
• Chew toys which aid in the elimination of plaque and tarter build up. A list of chew toys can be found on The Veterinary Oral Health’s Council website.

PetPartners, Inc the provider of the AKC Pet Healthcare Plan encourages pet owners to speak with their veterinarian about dental care needs for their pets. Dental care is a vital part of keeping your dog happy and healthy. The AKC Pet Healthcare Plan offers the Wellness and Wellness Plus plan that have superior dental cleaning benefits to help prevent dental disease. Please visit our website for more information at www.akcpethealthcare.com.

Regardless of age or breed, all dogs have an activity they enjoy to the exclusion of all others. The goal as a responsible dog owner is to find that activity and allow our dogs the chance to participate in that activity regularly. Before you embark on the long and occasionally twisted path of dog activities there are some requirements that should be met.

Remember the mantra “A tired puppy is a good puppy.” The saying applies to adult dogs as well. This is often the most under-utilized tool for dog owners. Regular and age appropriate exercise is far more beneficial than most owners realize. The routine walks for “elimination”, while beneficial, do not meet the exercise requirements of most dogs. Simply charging down the sidewalk while pulling at the end of the leash usually results in a frustrated dog and owner. Games and activities that encourage your dog to think and solve problems as well as physical activity produce much calmer and more relaxed dogs.

The next element in this journey is socialization and basic obedience. Before you can expect to participate in an activity that involves other dogs, animals, equipment and people it is very important to safely expose your dog to new situations. In addition to learning basic commands, puppy kindergarten and beginner obedience classes are wonderful places for socializing your dog in a safe supervised situation. These classes are very helpful because the trainer will be able to observe and help with any behavior/training issues you may be experiencing either in class or at home.

Once you have begun socializing and basic obedience training with your dog, you can investigate local clubs and training facilities to see what activities are available. Below are some of the activities you could expect to find:

For more information on these events go to the AKC website www.akc.org/events.

Many facilities offer Obedience, Rally, Agility, AKC’s Canine Good Citizen® program, Flyball and Pet Therapy to name a few. When deciding which activity to pursue, consider what your dog was bred to do. It is also important to find the activity your dog enjoys and a trainer that you both connect with. Some dogs are confident outgoing and easy to work, others may be shy or soft and shut down if too much pressure is used, and other dogs are strong and stubborn. Working with a trainer that can adapt their style to your dog will make the journey a joy.

John Spurling, Founder and Chairman of PetPartners, Inc., provider of the AKC Pet Healthcare Plan, was recognized in February by The American Kennel Club Humane Fund for his generous support to promote responsible pet ownership.

Mr. Spurling was honored recently at a special dinner event on February 11 at The 21 Club in New York City, along with American Kennel Club executives and special guests. An after show party was held following a performance of Broadway’s Spider Man Turn Off the Dark, where Spurling received a special award plaque.

The AKC Humane Fund, Inc. is a non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to promote the joy and value of responsible pet ownership. Through education, outreach and grant-making, the AKC Humane Fund strives to unite a broad spectrum of animal lovers toward a common goal. Through its programs, the AKC Humane Fund:

• Helps support Parent Club Rescue activities designed to place dogs dogs that have lost their homes
• Assists human-services organization that permit domestic abuse victims to enter and stay in shelters with their pets
• Provides resources to programs that educate adults and children about responsible dog ownership including The Awards for Canine Excellence and the Library at the American Kennel Club

“As the status of dogs in society rises, the more we want to protect them,” said AKC President & CEO Dennis Sprung. “We are proud to honor John Spurling for giving dog owners peace of mind, knowing that they can afford excellent medical treatment to guard their beloved family pet against the growing cost of unavoidable accidents and unexpected illness.”

For over 30 years, Spurling has established a worldwide presence in helping pet owners plan for the healthcare needs of their pets. PetPartners is the only pet insurance provider in the U.S. exclusively endorsed by the American Kennel Club and the Cat Fanciers’ Association.

In addition to founding PetPartners, Spurling has enjoyed a career in the advertising and insurance industries in East Africa, The U.K. and the U.S. In the U.K., he holds the title of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). Besides Spurling’s business interests, he has been a very active leader and fundraiser for many charitable organizations in the U.K. They include The Outward Bound Trust, The Animal Health Trust, The Kennel Club Charitable Trust, National Coaching Foundation, and The Lord’s Taverners, a charity dedicated to the promotion of cricket among young people. In addition, Spurling also serves as a Director and major fundraiser for The London Marathon. In 1999 he was credited for raising the largest single amount of money that had ever been collected by one individual for that event.