Full Show Notes for this Episode.
Introduction Timestamps: 00:02 – 01:32
Segment 1: 01:35 – 03:56
To start this episode, I’ll tell you another creature feature – short, true stories about animals. Do you remember the part in the movie, The Wizard of OZ when Toto and Dorothy are swept away in their house by a tornado? If you think a dog being carried away is only fiction, wait till you hear this.
Segment 2: 03:59 – 32:07
Then, I’ve got news. More stories about Rocket!! After a stay-at-home order, due to the pandemic, Rocket, the NutriSource Pet Food’s sponsored, M Health Fairview – University of Minnesota – Masonic Children’s Hospital dog, is back at his job – helping children and families again deal with all the aspects of a hospital stay. His partner and handler, Anna Dressel, tells the stories of how Rocket keeps surprising her with the profound ways he affects others, what he particularly excels at in helping children and all about his third birthday celebration. See the photos below, that accompany the stories.
Segment 3: 32:10 – 43:31
What can you do to create good mental welfare for your cat? Follow the guideline: Don’t stimulate the emotions of RAGE, FEAR or GRIEF in them if you can help it and do stimulate SEEKING and PLAY as much as possible. These are core emotion systems in the brains of both you and your pets. Today, I’ll explain how FEAR affects cats and what you can do to keep your cat from feeling it so much.
Additional Resources for the show.
Source for the story about Sadie and the Tornado – Amazing but True Dog Tales by Bruce Nash and Allan Zullo, compiled by Muriel MacFarlane
Anna Dressel and Rocket.
Stories about Rocket helping people when they needed it the most – Episode 65.
My conversation with Canine Assistants, the organization that raised and educated Rocket. Episode 66
M Health Fairview – University of Minnesota – Masonic Children’s Hospital website.
NutriSource Pet Foods website.
Source for story about reducing fear in cats – Animals Make Us Human by Temple Grandin and Catherine Johnson.
Hear about the core emotions you share with your pets in episode 74.
How to increase the SEEKING emotion in cats – episode 77.
My conversation with Dr. Sarah Ellis, about cat carriers. Episode 43
The Trainable Cat by John Bradshaw and Sarah Ellis.
Here are photos of Rocket that illustrate some parts of the stories that Anna tells in the episode plus other new ones.
1. By quietly laying in the laps of children allowing himself to be petted, Rocket offers comfort and solace.
2. Rocket interacts with children in the ways in which they seem to need it.
3. Here is Rocket’s second handler, Amy Wynia that Anna spoke about.
4. Rocket offers his support to other staff at the hospital. Here two nurses take a break for a few minutes to have a little Rocket time.
5. One of the special skills that Rocket really excels in is being able to sense and respond to patients in pain.
6. Another one of Rocket’s, particular talents is motivating children to take their walks. Many times, the children will hold the leash themselves.
7. Here is the silly, affectionate body position that Rocket will show to people he likes. Anna and Amy call it the “Rocket Fold.”.
8. Rocket normally will not allow himself to be dressed in Halloween costumes when he is at home, but as you can hear in one of Anna’s stories, he agreed to be dressed up by one of the kids at the hospital. Here he is in his “dog-ter” costume.
9. On the occasion of his 3rd birthday. He figures if this doctor can wear a stupid hat, so can he.
10. All the birthday partying pooped him out. Nice balloon. Chasing squirrels is one of his favorite things to do when not at work.
11. Here is the playground at the hospital where he romps in view of some of the children. Rocket wants to be one of the springy, boing-y animals.
12. Anna and Rocket back inside sharing a bit of affection.
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