October is National Pet Wellness month, an educational campaign sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association and Fort Dodge Animal Health, and the perfect opportunity to spend a little time asking the questions and getting the answers about nutrition and diet for your pets.  Education is key, and since it’s first year in 2004, thousands of veterinary clinics across the country participate annually.

Dogs who are rejected from the blood sport of fighting usually end up abandoned or in shelters, as was the case with pit bull mix, “Six.” After being burned with acid and left for dead, Six spent a year in the shelter system. Six was rescued by New York based animal rescue organizations, Guardians of Rescue and Save-A-Pet Animal Rescue, to be trained as a service dog. Sadly, his health has taken a turn for the worst, and the rescue groups are looking to the community for help.

America loves trends, and the latest one that is sweeping the nation involves dogs. In particular, it is an issue that pits service dogs against dogs who haven’t had such professional training and are claiming to be one. Fake service dogs are a trend that many businesses are finding has become increasingly popular. It’s also a trend that is causing undue stress to the many veterans who really do need service dogs to help them deal with such issues as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“Many veterans benefit from having a trained service dog with them, if they suffer from issues such as PTSD,” explains Robert Misseri, president of Guardians of Rescue. “Yet they are now being faced with additional stress because of people who are creating a rash of fake service dogs, leaving businesses unsure which are really true service dogs.”