www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rK4yV9Mquo

Dr. Ernie Ward joins CNN’ s Josh Levs to discuss the 2011 National Pet Obesity Awareness Day survey results and overweight dogs and cats. Dr. Ernie Ward also answers iReporter questions and gives advice to “Dodger,” a dog whose owner reports he needs to lose 20 pounds. (original air date February 4-5, 2012)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=45PBFnC3iNI

Veterinarian and author of “Chow Hounds: Why Our Dogs Are Getting Fatter” Dr. Ernie Ward stopped by Orlando’s Fox 35 “Good Day” to talk about overweight pets, the pet obesity epidemic and how you can help your dog or cat shed pounds.  original air date January 18, 2012 

Read more: http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/good_day/011812-project-pet-slim-down#ixzz1l3IyJDJe

www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1Lu1RN0Y70

Dr. Ernie Ward contributes to a Good Morning America segment on dog weight loss camps and the pet obesity epidemic. Dr. Ernie Ward and the GMA crew visit the Morris Animal Inn in Morristown, New Jersey to discuss overweight dogs and cats and the concept of a canine weight loss camp. Dr. Ernie also wrote an article “Seven Secrets to Keep Your Pet Slim” for the GMA and ABC News website in support of this televised segment. You can read Dr. Ward’s article here.

original air date January 26, 2012

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvNoZXveh7c

Dr. Ernie Ward and Dr. Lisa Young discuss the importance of regular veterinary examinations and preventive care for your pet on Lifetime’s “The Balancing Act.”  Dr. Ernie reviews heartworm disease, how it is spread by mosquitoes and what you can do to prevent this deadly disease in your dog or cat. Both veterinarians express their concern that many pet owners often fail to recognize the early signs of illness and what every pet owner should look for. original air date August 16, 2011

Additional information: http://www.thebalancingact.com/story/?id=3079

Do dogs get embarrassed wearing silly props or if they get a bad haircut? Dr. Ernie Ward thinks so.

Dr. Ernie Ward

I recently got a bad haircut. I was embarrassed. In fact, it happened the day before I hosted the annual Calabash Christmas Tree lighting and parade. I wasn’t happy but I soldiered on.

The reason I mention this is because of a complaint I heard from a client recently. She had taken her dog to her groomer (not ours, thankfully) and reported that its hair was cut so short her pooch acted embarrassed. She told me how her dog came home and hid under the bed after her haircut. She wouldn’t come out for several hours, even when her husband came home. Do dogs get embarrassed if they have a “bad hair” day? I’d never really given it much thought.

Turns out some canine behavior researchers have. Dr. Marc Bekoff, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado, has observed dogs for thousands of hours in his career. He concludes that dogs do have feelings of embarrassment, shyness and humiliation. Another researcher, neurobiologist Dr. Frederick Range at the University of Vienna, agrees. His studies demonstrate that dogs have other secondary emotions such as jealousy, guilt and empathy. I’m guessing Markoff and Range would definitely agree with my client that her dog was embarrassed by the bad haircut.

Not every animal behavior expert agrees. In fact, most say researchers such as Markoff and Range are off their rocker (you don’t want to know what they say about me). The traditional notion is dogs only experience “instant-reaction” emotions such as fear, joy, sadness and anger. Established thought would state embarrassment is far beyond the emotional reach of dogs. I’d love for them to meet my menagerie and still believe that. Not only do my dogs feel secondary emotions, they’re also capable of being downright silly. Study that, superstar know-it-all experts.

In my own experience posing as “Santa Paws” for nineteen years and witnessing an almost endless parade of dressed-up and dolled-up dogs and cats, I can tell you some pets are clearly

Dr Ernie Ward aka "Santa Paws" and two potentially embarrassed dogs.

unhappy with what mom and dad are doing to them. These are pets I’ve seen since baby teeth days that suddenly act very strangely when a pair of faux antlers is perched atop their heads. They dive for cover, bolt out of the room or cover their face. Some even turn nasty. Let me tell you, most dogs and cats aren’t as fond as you are of the little elf costumes and Santa hats.

At the other end of the spectrum are the ham-it-up-hounds. These dogs L-O-V-E to dress up and prance around. They’re the Lady Gaga’s of the canine culture without the other odd behaviors. That’s another study for our big-shots to ponder.

I believe most of us intuitively know that dogs and cats have feelings. To me, those feelings include some form of embarrassment. So talk to your groomer and give them details on exactly what your dog wants from its next haircut. If your dog gets embarrassed, you have no one to blame but yourself. And don’t forget to toss out those antlers…

2012 NAVC

Once again I am honored to be lecturing to my veterinary colleagues and friends at the North American Veterinary Conference in sunny Orlando, Florida. This is my tenth or eleventh presentation year and I couldn’t be more excited about my topics. NAVC is a special conference for me in that I have the opportunity to meet many of my international veterinary colleagues as well as get the latest cutting-edge information in medicine and surgery.

 If you’re at NAVC, send me a message on my Facebook page here. I’ll be posting pictures and updates during NAVC so if you’re not following me there or on Twitter, please do.

Here is my schedule of events at NAVC:

Saturday: 9:15 am Crystal Ballroom J1, Marriott VBMA Student Conference Keynote Presentation

So very glad my schedule was able to allow me to present at VBMA again this year. It’s been four or five years since my last VBMA meeting and I’m really looking forward to it. I’m giving a talk titled “The Five Frequencies” that deals with creating and sustaining a successful, meaningful life and career.

Sunday: 1-800 PetMeds: Working with the Veterinarian - 5:30-6:45 PM Tampa Room, Gaylord

Oh boy! Talk about a hot-topic! We’ll be meeting reps from 1800PetMeds Express to discuss, well, everything. The back-story is that PetMeds signed up to be a corporate sponsor of NAVC. Vets became outraged, posted nasty notes on Facebook and PetMeds withdrew. NAVC asked them to discuss their position at NAVC and they agreed. I respect them for that. It’s a bit like walking voluntarily into the lion’s den. There will be lots of time for audience questions and comments. I expect this to be a lively discussion and many headlines will be made. Dr. Doug Mader will be joining me onstage with PetMeds. I’m pretty sure I can outrun Dr. Mader and the PetMeds folks if it comes to blows…

Monday: Technology Summit –  1:45 pm – Grand Ballroom 8, Marriott

I lecture at 1:45 pm but I’ll be there all day. My lecture is followed by a roundtable discussion. For the past five years I’ve been giving these “using technology in your practice” and “social media” presentations. This year Vetstreet.com decided to dedicate an entire day to this topic. Expect an upbeat,  hip atmosphere and loads of exciting info. And lots of goodies.

Unless you’re still using a typewriter and index card medical records, this is one day at NAVC you don’t want to miss.

Tuesday: Human-Animal Bond Seminar – keynote presentation – 9:55 am – Gaylord, Sun A

Building a Better Bond: The Triad of Trust – Vets, Pets and Parents?

My friends at Elanco want to help vets help more pets. They’ve put together an entire day of real-life, cutting-edge presenters to help you with a variety of pet issues, especially behavior issues. I am so honored to kick this day off. Well, it was supposed to be the kickoff lecture  but another speaker had a conflict so I’ll kick it after the first lecture. My lecture is full of goodness, practical tips and some interesting pet parent info and what it means for the future of veterinary medicine. 9:55 am at Gaylord, Room Sun A.

Hope to see you in Orlando. Next up…Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas February 18-21, 2012.

2012 North American Veterinary Conference – Jan 14-18

Orlando, Florida

Dr. Ernie Ward will be presenting at these events at the 2012 NAVC.

Saturday – VBMA Student Conference - Keynote presentation – 9:55 am - Crystal Ballroom J1, Marriott

Sunday – PetMeds Express Discussion Panel – Tampa Room, Gaylord - 5:30 – 6:45 pm

Monday – Technology Summit – 1:45 pm – lecture followed by roundtable discussion – Grand Ballroom 8, Marriott – Dr. Ward will be at the summit for the entire day.

Tuesday – Human-Animal Bond Seminar – keynote presentation – 9:55 am

2012 Western Veterinary Conference – Feb 19-23 – Las Vegas, Nevada

Dr. Ward will be giving two special presentations at WVC this year. Follow updates on times and locations at Facebook.com/DrErnieWard

Dr. Ward will be speaking at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine’s 49th Annual Veterinary Conference and Alumni Reunion in Athens, Georgia. The scientific sessions will be on Friday, March 23 from 8:10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.