Ontario, Canada -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/19/2010 -- Trent Consultants News Transplanted neurons grown from embryonic stem cells can fully integrate into the brains of young animals, according to new research in the Jan. 20 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience.

Trent Consultants News: es Weimann, PhD, of Stanford Medical School focused on cells that transmit information from the brain's cortex, some of which are responsible for muscle control. It is these neurons that are lost or damaged in spinal cord injuries and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). "These stem cell-derived neurons can grow nerve fibers between the brain's cerebral cortex and the spinal cord, so this study confirms the use of stem cells for therapeutic goals," Weimann said.

To integrate new cells into a brain successfully, the researchers first had to condition unspecialized cells to become specific cells in the brain's cortex. Cells that were precursors to cortical neurons were grown in a Petri dish until they displayed many of the same characteristics as mature neurons. The young neurons were then transplanted into the brains of newborn mice -- specifically, into regions of the cortex responsible for vision, touch, and movement.

Until now, making these proper cellular connections has been a fundamental problem in nervous system transplant therapy. In this case, the maturing neurons extended to the appropriate brain structures, and, just as importantly, avoided inappropriate areas. For example, cells transplanted into the visual cortex reached two deep brain structures called the superior colliculus and the pons, but not to the spinal cord; cells placed into the motor area of the cortex stretched into the spinal cord but avoided the colliculus.

"The authors show that appropriate connectivity for one important class of projection neurons can be obtained in newborn animals," said Mahendra Rao, MD, PhD, an expert in stem cell biology at Life Technology, who was unaffiliated with the study.

The researchers also compared two methods used to grow transplantable cells, only one of which produced the desired results. "The authors provide a protocol for how to get the right kind of neurons to show appropriate connectivity," Rao said. "It's a huge advance in the practical use of these cells."

Researchers will now explore whether the same results can be achieved in adult animals and, ultimately, humans. Weimann and his colleagues also hope to understand how the transplanted cells "knew" to connect in precisely the right way, and whether they can generate the right behaviors, such as vision and movement.

The research was supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the Roman Reed Spinal Cord Injury Research Fund, and The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Society for Neuroscience (2010, January 24). Neurons developed from stem cells successfully wired with other brain regions in animals. ScienceDaily. Retrieved January 24, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com¬ /releases/2010/01/100119172751.htm

Trent Consultants News: Trent Consultants Psychology Clinic. Dedicated to the study, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. Trent Consultants has a variety of programs for parents who want to give their children a headstart in life. Trent Consultants website http://www.trentconsultants.org Email: childcare@trentconsultants.org

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Ontario, Canada -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/29/2010 -- Trent Consultants Korea Dog Care: Previous studies in the field have indicated that East Asia is where the wolf was tamed and became the dog. It was not possible to be more precise than that. But now researchers at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm have managed to zero in on man's best friend.

"For the first time ... it is possible to provide a detailed picture of the dog, with its birthplace, point in time, and how many wolves were tamed," says Peter Savolainen, a biology researcher at KTH.

Together with Swedish colleagues and a Chinese research team, he has made a number of new discoveries about the history of the dog.

These discoveries are presented in an article in the scientific journal Molecular Biology and Evolution, where it is claimed that the dog appeared 16,000 years ago, in Asia, south of the Yangtze River in China.

This is a considerably more specific date and birthplace than had previously been put forward.

"Our earlier findings from 2002 have not been fully accepted, but with our new data there will be greater acceptance. The picture provides much more detail," says Peter Savolainen.

The time for the emergence of the dog conforms well with when the population in this part of the world went from being hunters and gatherers to being farmers, which was 10,000 to 12,000 years ago.

According to Peter Savolainen, the research indicates that the dog has a single geographic origin but descends from a large number of animals. At least several hundred tamed wolves, probably even more.

"The fact that there were so many wolves indicates that this was an important, major part of the culture," says Peter Savolainen.

He adds that the research findings provide several exciting theories. For example, the original dogs, unlike their later descendents in Europe, which were used as herders and guard dogs, probably ended their lives in the stomachs of humans. Adapted from materials provided by Swedish Research Council.

Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training is all about helping pet owners enhance their relationships with their pets. Our professional pet-care services includes boarding, grooming, training, now available in Korea. When you're at work, your dog can be playing and getting the attention he needs at Trent Consultants. Dogs that come for day care have opportunities to play throughout the day in one of our three fenced outdoor play areas with our doggie playgroups. You can visit us at http://www.trentconsultant.com. Email us info@trentconsultant.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Ontario, Canada -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/28/2010 -- Trent Consultants Korea Dog Care: Young children are especially vulnerable to severe dog bites in the head and neck areas, and there is a correlation between cases of dog bites and rising temperatures, according to new research published in the March 2009 issue of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

In an evaluation of 84 cases of dog bites in children over an eight-year period, the authors found that most injuries were caused by family pets (27%), with a high frequency of injuries occurring during the summer months. While the reason for this is unknown, the authors suggest it may be because of children spending time outdoors playing with dogs in the warmer temperatures, or due to a general increase in the irritability of dogs during the warmer months.

The most common sites of bites to the head and neck were the cheeks (34%), lips (21%), and nose and ears (both 8%). Sixty-four percent suffered wounds in more than one location, with the average wound size 7.15 cm. Pit bulls were the breed most commonly cited as the cause for the attack.

The authors believe that by implementing more accurate and timely reporting of dog bites to local health authorities, medical professionals can be educated on how to identify trends and develop prevention strategies. The authors recommend a system for uniform data collection to include the circumstances of the dog bite (signs of provocation, adequacy of child supervision, breed of dog, sex of animal, spay/neuter status, history of prior aggression of the dog, dog restraint, time of event, patients previous histories of dog bites, length of dog ownership, location where dog bite injury occurred, disposition of dog afterwards, and vaccination profile rabies/tetanus). Furthermore, families should be made aware of the increased likelihood of dog bite injuries during the summer months.

It is estimated that 1 percent of all emergency room visits can be attributed to dog bite injuries, including 44,000 annual cases of facial injuries in the United States alone. Adapted from materials provided by American Academy of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery

Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training is all about helping pet owners enhance their relationships with their pets. Our professional pet-care services includes boarding, grooming, training, now available in Korea. When you're at work, your dog can be playing and getting the attention he needs at Trent Consultants. Dogs that come for day care have opportunities to play throughout the day in one of our three fenced outdoor play areas with our doggie playgroups. You can visit us at http://www.trentconsultant.com. Email us info@trentconsultant.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Ontario, Canada -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/27/2010 -- Trent Consultants Korea Dog Care: If you and your child are romping in the park or enjoying a stroll on a warm spring day and a dog approaches, be ultra vigilant.

Children, warm weather, and dogs, even family dogs, don't mix well, according to a study conducted by pediatric otolaryngologists from the University at Buffalo's School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Results show that young children are especially vulnerable to severe dog bites in the head and neck areas, and that there is a correlation between cases of dog bites and rising temperatures.

"A dog is man's best friend, but could be a child's worst companion," notes Philomena M. Behar, M.D., UB clinical assistant professor of otolaryngology and the study's corresponding author.

"Children are particularly vulnerable to severe dog bite injuries on the head and neck, and the injuries can be extensive and a risk to life, especially in young children," she says.

"Youngsters don't understand the need to distance themselves from danger. They may even look like prey, especially as they run around, and children usually can't outrun the dog or defend themselves."

The study appears in the March 2009 issue of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

The authors reviewed charts of the 84 children up to 19 years old who were treated for dog bites at Women and Children's Hospital in Buffalo from1999 – 2007.
Results show that the average age of injured children was six years. One-third of the bites occurred on the cheeks, 21 percent on the lips, and eight percent each on the nose and ears, results showed.

Sixty-four percent of the patients suffered more than one facial wound, and 40 percent of the total injuries had to be repaired in the operating room under general anesthesia.

Dog bites increased as the weather warmed, the researchers found, and a family pet was the culprit in 27 percent of the injuries.

Pit bull terriers were the breed most commonly reported or identified as the attacker, because of their notoriety. However, Behar notes that the breed of dog often wasn't known or wasn't recorded.

"Doctors, nurses and others involved in treating the injuries need to be educated to collect precise information," she emphasizes. "It's very useful to know the specifics: Was the dog provoked and was the child supervised adequately?"

Health care providers should collect as much information as possible, including breed and sex of the dog, spay or neuter status, history of aggression, ownership and owner's use of restraint, time of the incident, the child's past history of dog bites, location of the incident and the dog's vaccination history.
"This information is important to be able to identify trends and develop and promote prevention strategies," says Behar.

Angelo Monroy, M.D., of the UB Department of Otolaryngology, is first author on the study. Additional authors, all UB otolaryngologists affiliated with Women and Children's Hospital, are Mark Nagy, M.D., Christopher Poje, M.D., Michael Pizzuto, M.D., and Linda Brodsky, M.D.. Nagy and Brodsky also are members of the UB Department of Pediatrics.

Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training is all about helping pet owners enhance their relationships with their pets. Our professional pet-care services includes boarding, grooming, training, now available in Korea. When you're at work, your dog can be playing and getting the attention he needs at Trent Consultants. Dogs that come for day care have opportunities to play throughout the day in one of our three fenced outdoor play areas with our doggie playgroups. You can visit us at http://www.trentconsultant.com. Email us info@trentconsultant.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Trent Consultants News: Lowers blood pressure, encourages exercise, improves psychological health— these may sound like the effects of a miracle drug, but they are actually among the benefits of owning a four-legged, furry pet.

Ontario, Canada -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/26/2010 -- This fall, the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction (ReCHAI) will explore the many ways animals benefit people of all ages during the International Society for Anthrozoology and Human-Animal Interaction Conference in Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 20-25.

"Research in this field is providing new evidence on the positive impact pets have in our lives," said Rebecca Johnson, associate professor in the MU Sinclair School of Nursing, the College of Veterinary Medicine and director of ReCHAI. "This conference will provide a unique opportunity to connect international experts working in human-animal interaction research with those already working in the health and veterinary medicine fields. A wonderful array of presentations will show how beneficial animals can be in the lives of children, families and older adults."

Earlier this year, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), co-hosted two workshops with The WALTHAM® Centre for Pet Nutrition, a division of Mars Incorporated, bringing together leading experts to discuss the benefits of human-animal interaction in childhood. With support from a grant from NICHD and sponsorship from WALTHAM®, the conference will continue this discussion.

Marty Becker, known as "America's Veterinarian" and a veterinary contributor to ABC's "Good Morning America" for more than 12 years, will give a special presentation at the conference called "The Power of Love: the science and the soul behind that affection-connection we call The Bond."

Other conference discussions will include ways that human-animal interaction benefits humans and animals, new facets of human-animal interaction, and ways to apply new human-animal interaction knowledge to their fields. Some of the presentations will highlight the special role of companion animals in facilitating reading and physical activity in children and adults.

"Pets are of great importance to people, especially during hard economic times," Johnson said. "Pets provide unconditional love and acceptance and may be part of answers to societal problems, such as inactivity and obesity."

ReCHAI sponsors several projects that attempt to further the understanding and value of the relationship between humans and animals. In 2008, ReCHAI sponsored the "Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound and Stay Fit for Seniors." In the preliminary program, a group of older adults were matched with shelter dogs, while another group of older adults were partnered with a human walk buddy. For 12 weeks, participants were encouraged to walk on an outdoor trail for one hour, five times a week. At the end of the program, researchers measured how much the older adults' activity levels improved.

"The older people who walked their dogs improved their walking capabilities by 28 percent," Johnson said. "They had more confidence walking on the trail, and they increased their speed. The older people who walked with humans only had a 4 percent increase in their walking capabilities. The human walking buddies tended to discourage each other and used excuses such as the weather being too hot."

NICHD is interested in building upon existing research and spurring more studies involving children and adolescents.

"The few studies that have been conducted suggest that pet ownership may have multiple health and emotional benefits for both children and adults," said James Griffin, a scientist at NICHD. "But there has been relatively little rigorous research documenting these benefits and examining how and why they occur. By providing support for this conference and additional research studies, we hope to generate some answers."

The Human-Animal Interaction Conference will bring together people around the world working on similar projects as ReCHAI, Johnson said. These people include nurses, physicians, veterinarians, social workers, psychologists, physical and occupational therapists, and activity directors.

"Today, pets are in more than 60 percent of American homes," said Charlotte McKenney, assistant director of ReCHAI. "Research involving human-animal interaction can be extremely beneficial. More people are incorporating pets into their leisure time, such as making them part of their exercise routines, taking them to dog parks and bringing them to family events." Adapted from materials provided by University of Missouri-Columbia.

Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training is all about helping pet owners enhance their relationships with their pets. Our professional pet-care services includes boarding, grooming, training, now available in Korea. When you're at work, your dog can be playing and getting the attention he needs at Trent Consultants. Dogs that come for day care have opportunities to play throughout the day in one of our three fenced outdoor play areas with our doggie playgroups. You can visit us at http://www.trentconsultant.com. Email us info@trentconsultant.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Ontario, Canada -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/25/2010 -- Trent Consultants News - Scam Alert A Seoul district court on Friday ruled that his cloning technology is different from procedures patented by the Seoul National University.

RNL Bio, which bought the patent from the university, filed a lawsuit against the Sooam Biotech Research Center led by Hwang a year ago after Hwang's team produced cloned dogs for a foreign biotech company.

"The court accepted that Sooam's technology is a new invention, which is different from the existing technique bought by RNL Bio from the Seoul National University," Hwang's colleague Hyun Sang-Hwan told AFP.

An RNL Bio official said the company was considering an appeal.

A team of researchers at the Seoul National University produced the world's first cloned dog, an Afghan hound named Snuppy, in 2005, under Hwang's stewardship.

But Hwang was later fired by the university after his landmark studies on cloned human stem cells in 2004 and 2005 were exposed as fraudulent.

Hwang has no claim over the university's dog cloning technology as South Korean law states that intellectual property developed by a government-run institution belongs to the state.

Prosecutors here last month demanded a four-year jail term for Hwang, who is on trial for fraud, embezzlement and ethical breaches in connection with the fraudulent research. From 2009 AFP. Copyrighted.

Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training is all about helping pet owners enhance their relationships with their pets. Our professional pet-care services includes boarding, grooming, training, now available in Korea. When you're at work, your dog can be playing and getting the attention he needs at Trent Consultants. Dogs that come for day care have opportunities to play throughout the day in one of our three fenced outdoor play areas with our doggie playgroups. You can visit us at http://www.trentconsultant.com. Email us info@trentconsultant.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

There is a company called Global Pet Relocators that claims to be handling pet relocations. These people are scam artists, so do not send them any money.

Ontario, Canada -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/22/2010 -- Many times they will advertise bull dog or yorkshire puppies for sale or free to good homes. They will request small amounts of money and keep asking for money for you to retrieve your "pet."

There is no pet.

Trent Consultants News: Please do not fall for this scam. You can read more about these scams by Googling "puppy scams."

"I almost fell victim to their scam to adopt a yorkie puppy. Please be careful of them they will do anything to get money from you. After talking to a man on the phone who said he was based in Africa but he would transport the puppy from Washington to New york (where I live) i just needed to western union him some money. Please don't give them anything!!!!" from an Anonymous response from blog.dogtime.com.

"I recently almost fell for the same scam! I was surfing the internet the other day and came across this woman saying she had a female 12 wk old english bull dog puppy for that shes giving away for free! On the site it said her location is where I live so i didnt think anything suspicious by it. So, i email her and ask why she is giving her away free. She says that they had to move to East Bay Limbe, Cameroon, Africa, and that she and her husband are botanists there. She said shes expecting her first child, and the weather in cameroon is not well for english bull dogs. She gave this whole background of why she likes english bull dogs saying her grandfather was a dog lover and gave her her first dog who was the puppies mother who just happend to die a few months ago. She said the puppy came with all the papers, vaccinations, and was champion blood line. She then says that she needed us to pay for the shipping here and they would ship the puppy, and at the airport when we pick up the puppy, named kelly, we would have to pay another fee. This was all a scam. Its rediculous how they have they're whole story down and try to scam people out of their money. The more questions you ask them the more you will notice that its not for real. They always would answer with a statement that they had already, as if prerehearsed. They used globalpetrelocation.com. Its alll a scam! Please do not fall for their crap. Its ridiculous." from an Anonymous response from blog.dogtime.com.

You can read blogs.dogtime.com/pet-relocation-blog/2009/02/scam-alert-global-pet-relocators for other posts.
Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training is all about helping pet owners enhance their relationships with their pets. Our professional pet-care services includes boarding, grooming, training, now available in Korea. When you're at work, your dog can be playing and getting the attention he needs at Trent Consultants. Dogs that come for day care have opportunities to play throughout the day in one of our three fenced outdoor play areas with our doggie playgroups. You can visit us at http://www.trentconsultant.com. Email us info@trentconsultant.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Trent Consultants News: Adults who use pet therapy while recovering from total joint-replacement surgery require 50 percent less pain medication than those who do not.

Ontario, Canada -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/05/2009 -- Trent Consultants News: Adults who use pet therapy while recovering from total joint-replacement surgery require 50 percent less pain medication than those who do not. These findings were presented at the 18th Annual Conference of the International Society of Anthrozoology and the First Human Animal Interaction Conference (HAI) in Kansas City, Mo.
"Evidence suggests that animal-assisted therapy (AAT) can have a positive effect on a patient's psychosocial, emotional and physical well being," said Julia Havey, RN, study presenter and senior systems analyst, Department of Medical Center Information Systems, Loyola University Health System (LUHS). "These data further support these benefits and build the case for expanding the use of pet therapy in recovery."

Trent Consultants News: Animal lover Havey, and colleague Frances Vlasses, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, began raising puppies to become assistance dogs more than a decade ago through a program called Canine Companions for Independence (CCI). The non-profit organization provides highly trained assistance dogs to people with physical and developmental disabilities free of charge.

"As nurses, we are committed to improving the quality of life for others," said Vlasses, associate professor & chair of Health Systems Management and Policy, Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing. "This service experience has provided us with a unique way to combine our love for animals with care for people with special needs.
In addition to the financial obligations that go along with raising a puppy, Havey and Vlasses take the dogs to class and teach them house and public etiquette until they are old enough to enter a formal training program.

"You might see our four-legged friends around Loyola's campus from time to time," said Havey, RN, senior systems analyst, Department of Medical Center Information Systems, LUHS. "Part of our responsibility as volunteers is to acclimate these dogs to people. The Loyola community has so graciously supported this training and the use of service dogs on campus."

When the dogs are approximately 15 months of age, Havey and Vlasses return them to CCI's regional training center for six to nine months where they are trained to be one of four types of assistance dogs.

Service dogs are trained to assist with physical tasks and provide social support to their partners. These dogs learn 40 commands to enhance the independence of people with ailments ranging from spinal cord injuries to multiple sclerosis.
Facility dogs are trained to work with a professional in a visitation, education or health-care setting. They can perform more than 40 commands designed to motivate, rehabilitate or soothe clients with special needs.

Skilled companion dogs are trained to work with an adult or child with a disability under the guidance of a facilitator. Disabilities served include cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, autism and Down's syndrome. A skilled companion also can serve as a social bridge to people who are not used to relating to a person with disabilities.

Hearing dogs are trained to recognize and alert partners to various sounds, such as a doorbell, alarm clock or smoke alarm. The average service life of each dog is eight years. After that time, the dog retires to live out its golden years as a pet.

Havey and Vlasses believe that animal-assisted therapy will ultimately become a standard of care for healing. The pair will continue to advocate for this therapeutic option through public speaking engagements and philanthropic work. Adapted from materials provided by Loyola University Health System.

Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training is all about helping pet owners enhance their relationships with their pets. Our professional pet-care services includes boarding, grooming, training, now available in Korea. When you're at work, your dog can be playing and getting the attention he needs at Trent Consultants. Dogs that come for day care have opportunities to play throughout the day in one of our three fenced outdoor play areas with our doggie playgroups. You can visit us at http://www.trentconsultant.com. Email us info@trentconsultant.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Ontario, Canada -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/04/2009 -- Trent Consultants News: The American Physiological Society (APS) announced today that it has endorsed the recommendation of a National Academy of Sciences* (NAS) report calling for the identification of new suppliers to replace Class B dealers as providers of random source dogs and cats for medical research.

"Class B" is a broad category of licensure required by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that applies to individuals who buy and sell animals that they do not breed and raise themselves. There are currently about a dozen Class B dealers who provide dogs and cats for medical and veterinary research and training and the development of veterinary drugs. The APS says that "immediate actions" are needed to identify or develop new suppliers of random source dogs and cats so that these activities may continue without disruption. A statement adopted by the APS Council on October 26, 2009 (http://www.the-aps.org/pa/resources/policyStmnts/paPolicyStmnts_dogscats.htm) underscores the importance of dogs and cats as research subjects: "These animals remain critical for health research to alleviate serious and life-threatening conditions that afflict humans and animals," the statement said.

Background

Most of the dogs and cats needed for research are specifically bred for that purpose, but some non-purpose bred or "random source" animals are also needed because these animals exhibit traits that are difficult to replicate in purpose-bred animals. Very old animals or ones with pre-existing health conditions, and exposure to viruses, allergens, or parasites may be needed to study age-related conditions or diseases that cannot be artificially induced. At one time local animal control facilities were willing to make such animals available for research, but nearly two dozen states and many municipalities -- including many where the affected research is being done -- now have laws prohibiting that practice.

The APS statement points out that the NAS report, Scientific and Humane Issues in the Use of Random Source Dogs and Cats in Research, "found strong evidence of an ongoing need for random source dogs and cats in several important areas of biomedical research." At the same time, the NAS report also found evidence that a small number of USDA-licensed Class B dog and cat dealers had a history of recurrent Animal Welfare Act violations. The NAS panel, which was charged with examining the use of random source dogs and cats in research funded by the National Institutes of Health, recommended that NIH-funded researchers obtain random source dogs and cats from other suppliers. It offered as alternatives purchasing animals from commercial breeders (licensed by USDA as "Class A" dealers), animal control facilities, and hobby breeders. It also suggested that researchers obtain animals from individuals willing to donate them for research. However, the panel recognized that in some cases these alternate suppliers may be unable to provide the animals needed so it also suggested that "additional effort" by the NIH was needed to identify and/or develop new mechanisms to replace the animals currently supplied by Class B dealers.

Other needs for random source dogs and cats

The APS noted that the NAS panel had only focused on NIH-funded biomedical research and "did not address other needs for random source dogs and cats, such as the development and testing of animal health products and medical devices, medical research funded by entities other than the NIH, and medical and veterinary training." Consequently, the APS recommends that, "in addition to whatever steps NIH may take to meet the needs of its funded investigators, other provisions must be made to ensure that needs for random source dogs and cats in other fields can also be met."

*NRC (National Research Council) Scientific and Humane Issues in the Use of Random Source Dogs and Cats in Research. Washington, DC: National Academies Press, 2009. URL: http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12641

Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training is all about helping pet owners enhance their relationships with their pets. Our professional pet-care services includes boarding, grooming, training, now available in Korea. When you're at work, your dog can be playing and getting the attention he needs at Trent Consultants. Dogs that come for day care have opportunities to play throughout the day in one of our three fenced outdoor play areas with our doggie playgroups. You can visit us at http://www.trentconsultant.com. Email us info@trentconsultant.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Ontario Canada -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/03/2009 -- Trent Consultants News: A Spanish researcher has analysed the preferences of wolves from the north east of the Iberian Peninsula to demonstrate that, in reality, their favourite prey are roe deer, deer and wild boar, ahead of domestic ruminants (sheep, goats, cows and horses).

Wolves (Canis lupus) have been pursued by humans for centuries due to their supposed "addiction" to livestock. However, the study by Isabel Barja, sole author and researcher at the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid [Autonomous University of Madrid], demonstrates that in the Macizo Central Orensano [mountain range in the Ourense region] (Galicia) wolves prefer wild hoofed animals to livestock in spite of the latter being available in the study area.

The researcher, who identified the food type of wolves through their faeces, emphasises that "in 87.1% of cases the carcasses of wild hoofed animals appeared, while domestic animals were only found in 11.3%, and, to a lesser extent, the remains of carnivorous animals, such as badgers, dogs, cats and rabbits were found."

The study, which has recently been published in Wildlife Biology, reflects how roe deer are the main prey, consumed during all seasons of the year and particularly during the summer (52%) and spring (26.2%). Analysis of 593 wolf excrement samples, collected between May 1998 and October 2002, revealed that 62.8% of prey was roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), 12.6% deer (Cervus elaphus) and 10% wild boar (Sus scrofa). The consumption of domestic sheep and goats only represented 7.7% and 2.9%, respectively.

The fact that livestock remains are present in excrement samples of wolves is justified by their scavenging activity in the studied area. "Furthermore, while the study was being conducted, no attacks on livestock herds were reported," the biologist states.

One of the most important aspects to emerge from the analysis of the diet of wolves is that consumption of wild and domestic hoofed animals does not depend on their availability, that is, the abundance of prey species. The wolf prefers roe deer, deer and wild boar ahead of livestock, "in spite of the fact that both food types can be found in large quantities," Barja adds.

The results of the study confirm that wolves do not feed on the most easily captured prey, such as domestic hoofed animals; rather they prefer to consume wild animals. It would, however, be inaccurate to categorise the wolf as an opportunist species in the study area.

"In areas with a low density and diversity of wild hoofed animals where wolves feed on domestic animals, an increase in the number of wild prey, livestock vigilance and limited access to carcasses could force wolves to specialise in the consumption of wild prey and transmit this behaviour to their offspring. Without doubt, this would help to minimise conflict between humans and wolves, and would support the conservation of canidae," the researcher concludes. Adapted from materials provided by FECYT - Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training is all about helping pet owners enhance their relationships with their pets. Our professional pet-care services includes boarding, grooming, training, now available in Korea. When you're at work, your dog can be playing and getting the attention he needs at Trent Consultants. Dogs that come for day care have opportunities to play throughout the day in one of our three fenced outdoor play areas with our doggie playgroups. You can visit us at http://www.trentconsultant.com. Email us info@trentconsultant.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Ontario, Canada -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/01/2009 -- Trent Consultants News: SEOUL - Disgraced South Korean scientist Hwang Woo-Suk has won a copyright battle over dog-cloning techniques his colleagues said Saturday.

A Seoul district court on Friday ruled that his cloning technology is different from procedures patented by the Seoul National University.

RNL Bio, which bought the patent from the university, filed a lawsuit against the Sooam Biotech Research Center led by Hwang a year ago after Hwang's team produced cloned dogs for a foreign biotech company.

"The court accepted that Sooam's technology is a new invention, which is different from the existing technique bought by RNL Bio from the Seoul National University," Hwang's colleague Hyun Sang-Hwan told AFP.

An RNL Bio official said the company was considering an appeal.

A team of researchers at the Seoul National University produced the world's first cloned dog, an Afghan hound named Snuppy, in 2005, under Hwang's stewardship.

But Hwang was later fired by the university after his landmark studies on cloned human stem cells in 2004 and 2005 were exposed as fraudulent.

Hwang has no claim over the university's dog cloning technology as South Korean law states that intellectual property developed by a government-run institution belongs to the state.

Prosecutors here last month demanded a four-year jail term for Hwang, who is on trial for fraud, embezzlement and ethical breaches in connection with the fraudulent research.

Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training is all about helping pet owners enhance their relationships with their pets. Our professional pet-care services includes boarding, grooming, training, now available in Korea. When you're at work, your dog can be playing and getting the attention he needs at Trent Consultants. Dogs that come for day care have opportunities to play throughout the day in one of our three fenced outdoor play areas with our doggie playgroups. You can visit us at http://www.trentconsultant.com. Email us info@trentconsultant.com.

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Ontario, Canada -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/01/2009 -- Trent Consultants News: Cloning a Chow Chow is expected to be easier and perhaps as much as 50 percent less costly, a South Korean biotech firm said on Thursday as it unveiled a new cloning technology.

Trent Consultants News: But pet owners -- who have to shell out $100,000 or more to clone a pet dog -- will still have to pay tens of thousands of dollars if they want to clone their beloved dogs and should be prepared for long waits because most commercial canine cloning is for working animals including sniffer dogs at airports.

RNL Bio said it has developed a new method to clone dogs using stem cells derived from fat tissue that greatly increases the likelihood of success.

It added the new technology can also help in studying treatments of genetic disorders in canines that have similarities to human illnesses including diabetes.

"If we fully develop this technology, dog cloning will be much easier than now. We can reduce the cost for cloning," said Ra Jeongchan, the chief executive of Seoul-based RNL Bio.

Ra, which is applying for a patent, said two cloned beagle puppies were born in the past week using this method which could reduce the cost of cloning a pet dog to about $50,000 within three years.

Canines are considered one of the more difficult mammals to clone because of their reproductive cycle that includes difficult-to-predict ovulations.

Scores of dogs have been cloned using so-called somatic cell nuclear transfer, a technique for hollowing out the nucleus of a donor egg and injecting it with the donor's genetic material, which is typically skin tissue taken from the ear.

Ra said stem cells from fat tissue are far easier to reprogram and there is about a 20 percent chance a manipulated cell will result in a clone, an improvement over the previous method where the success rate was in the single digits.
South Korea's Customs Service said it paid about 60 million won ($43,840) to clone sniffer dogs with RNL, which is affiliated with Seoul National University (SNU) and cloned the dogs at a reduced cost for the government.

The SNU lab was once led by disgraced scientist Hwang Woo-suk, who is now standing trial on charges of fraud and embezzlement. Hwang now has his own lab called Sooam Biotech Research Foundation that also clones dogs commercially.

(Additional reporting by Shin Ae-lin; Editing by Sugita Katyal)

Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training is all about helping pet owners enhance their relationships with their pets. Our professional pet-care services includes boarding, grooming, training, now available in Korea. When you're at work, your dog can be playing and getting the attention he needs at Trent Consultants. Dogs that come for day care have opportunities to play throughout the day in one of our three fenced outdoor play areas with our doggie playgroups. You can visit us at http://www.trentconsultant.com. Email us info@trentconsultant.com.

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Ontario, Canada -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/30/2009 -- Trent Consultants News: By Dan Vergano, USA TODAY. Scientists have cloned man's best friend for the first time, creating a genetic duplicate of a 3-year-old male Afghan hound, South Korean scientists reported Wenesday.

Trent Consultants News: The puppy was born in April to its surrogate mom, a Labrador retriever. His name: Snuppy, short for Seoul National University puppy.

The team of scientists there that cloned the dog, led by Hwang Woo Suk, is the same one that first cloned human embryonic stem cells last year. Their achievement is reported in the journal Nature.

Researchers have cloned other animals, but dog cloning has posed a particular challenge. And the difficulties have alarmed some animal advocates and researchers.

The team created 1,095 embryos cloned from ear-skin cells of the hound and transferred them over two years into 123 female dogs. Only three pregnancies resulted: One ended in miscarriage, one puppy died after 22 days of pneumonia, and the last produced Snuppy.

Because dogs, unlike other mammals, ovulate immature eggs, the team had to remove eggs surgically from anesthetized dogs in heat. Only mature eggs are amenable to cloning, in which a skin cell is inserted into a hollowed-out egg, and the resulting combination is jolted with electricity to begin dividing like a normal embryo.

The "primary goal is to advance medical, including veterinary medical, understanding of disease causes and to accelerate stem cell research to the clinic," report co-author Gerald Schatten of the University of Pittsburgh says.
Dog cloning has been controversial because it has long been the goal of some who want to replace beloved pets that way. Genetic Savings & Clone, a California firm that sells cloned cats for $32,000, heralded the advance in a statement. "We expect to provide cloning services to the owners of exceptional dogs around the world."

Company officials said they expect to commercially clone a dog within a year using eggs collected from spaying procedures at veterinary clinics.

But biologist Martin Stephens of the U.S. Humane Society says, "We do have grave concerns." He notes that millions of dogs await adoption in the nation's animal shelters.

"Neither (the) results, nor we, support pet cloning," Schatten says.
The American Anti-Vivisection Society, an animal rights group, released a statement calling for the regulation of pet cloning, saying, "The sole surviving puppy faces an uncertain future, as other cloned animals have been plagued by health complications resulting in their premature deaths."

The cloner of Dolly the sheep renewed a demand for a worldwide ban on human reproductive cloning.

"Successful cloning of an increasing number of species confirms the general impression that it would be possible to clone any mammalian species, including humans," said Ian Wilmut to The Associated Press. The reproductive biologist at the University of Edinburgh produced Dolly nearly a decade ago.

Dolly died prematurely in 2003 after developing cancer and arthritis.

The dog cloning team tried to distance its work from commercial cloning. "This is to advance stem cell science and medicine, not to make dogs by this unnatural method," Schatten said to the AP.

Other scientists praised the South Korean team. "I think it's incredible, just a statement of perseverance on their part, says Mark Westhusin of Texas A&M University.

Like Dolly and other predecessors, Snuppy was created using a method called somatic cell nuclear transfer, or SCNT.
Scientists transfer genetic material from the nucleus of a donor adult cell to an egg whose nucleus — with its genetic material — has been removed. The reconstructed egg holding the DNA from the donor cell is treated with chemicals or electric current to stimulate cell division.

Once the cloned embryo reaches a suitable stage, it is transferred to the uterus of a surrogate where it continues to develop until birth.

Dog eggs are problematic because they are released from the ovary earlier than in other mammals. This time, the researchers waited and collected more mature unfertilized eggs from the donors' fallopian tubes.

Snuppy was delivered by Caesarean section from his surrogate mother, a yellow Labrador retriever.

Schatten said the Afghan hound's genetic profile is relatively pure and easy to distinguish compared to dogs with more muddled backgrounds. But dog experts said the researchers' choice of breed choice was disquieting.

"The Afghan hound is not a particularly intelligent dog, but it is beautiful," said psychologist Stanley Coren to the AP. Coren is the author of the best-selling manual "The Intelligence of Dogs." He ranked the Afghan hound last among 119 breeds in temperament and trainability.

"Many people who opt for the cloning technique are more interested in fashionable looks," he said to the AP. "Whenever we breed dogs for looks and ignore behavior, we have suffered." The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training is all about helping pet owners enhance their relationships with their pets. Our professional pet-care services includes boarding, grooming, training, now available in Korea. When you're at work, your dog can be playing and getting the attention he needs at Trent Consultants. Dogs that come for day care have opportunities to play throughout the day in one of our three fenced outdoor play areas with our doggie playgroups. You can visit us at http://www.trentconsultant.com. Email us info@trentconsultant.com.

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Ontario, Canada -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/22/2009 -- Trent Consultants News: You might watch your daily calorie intake or glance over nutritional information on food packages, but do you do the same for your pet?

Dr. Susan Nelson, a veterinarian and assistant professor of clinical sciences at Kansas State University, said there are several guidelines to follow when feeding your pet to ensure that it maintains good health.

Just like human food packages, many cat and dog food packages contain nutritional information, Nelson said. Packages often list the kilocalories, protein, fat, carbohydrates and fiber per cup. In recent years, manufacturers started listing some nutritional information, including calorie content, for dog and cat treats.

Nelson said these plumper pets are not only benefitting from improvements in pet food quality, but also from the increased calorie content caused by the higher fat content of many premium diets. But does that call for owners to start counting calories for their pets?

Calories from treats should be no more than 10 percent of your pet's diet. If owners want to count their pet's calories, Nelson said, veterinarians can make diet calculations for dogs and cats. The overall recommendation for the amount of food to feed your pet is based on several factors, including the type of food you are feeding your pet, your pet's metabolism and how much exercise it gets.

Nelson said if you want to compare different pet food brands' nutritional information, you have to look at the nutritional content calculations based on the dry matter content. Often, this is not listed on the bag, so you might have to look online or call the company to find the information.

To determine if a pet is too heavy or light, Nelson said owners should look at several factors. You should not be able to see the animal's ribs, but you should be able to feel them easily with a thin layer of fat over them. When you look at the animal from the side, its tummy should tuck up at the flank area and not hang in a straight line.

If you look over the top of a dog, you should see an hourglass shape where it's broad at the shoulders, narrow at the waist and broader at the hips. If the dog starts to thicken out, you should cut back on its calories and/or have it exercise more.

There are breeds of dogs and cats that have high metabolisms and have trouble putting weight on, Nelson said. For these pets, there are pet foods that have higher fat contents because it gives the food more calories. If the pet is extremely overweight, it might need diet food along with other recommendations. These foods are lower in calories, nutritionally complete and often contain extra fiber, which helps make the animal feel full. Conversely, if you feed the animal much less of their regular food, your pet is not going to get enough of the nutrients it needs.

Nelson said many people do not realize how many calories they're feeding their pet because they don't account for table scraps or treats. These hidden calories can add up significantly over the day and be the main contributor to obesity. Putting your pet on a diet requires attention and effort from the whole family, she said. If you have a small child, inside pets are going to eat everything the child drops, and those calories will add up.

Adapted from materials provided by Kansas State University, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training is all about helping pet owners enhance their relationships with their pets. Our professional pet-care services includes boarding, grooming, training, now available in Korea. When you're at work, your dog can be playing and getting the attention he needs at Trent Consultants. Dogs that come for day care have opportunities to play throughout the day in one of our three fenced outdoor play areas with our doggie playgroups. You can visit us at http://www.trentconsultant.com. Email us info@trentconsultant.com.

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Ontario, Canada -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/22/2009 -- Trent Consultants News: Although most wolves in Yellowstone National Park live to be nearly six years old, their ability to kill prey peaks when they are two to three, according to a study led by Dan MacNulty and recently published online by Ecology Letters.

The study will appear in the journal's December print issue.

The finding challenges a long-held belief that wolves are successful predators for their entire adult lives. It now appears that like human athletes, they are only at the top of their game for about 25 percent of that time. It also shows that physiology can limit predation.

"Wolves are not perfect predators," says MacNulty, a postdoctoral researcher in the College of Biological Sciences' Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior. "They lack physical characteristics to kill prey swiftly, so they rely on athletic ability and endurance, which diminishes with age. They're like 100-meter sprinters. They need to be in top condition to perform."

By comparison, mountain lions, with their short snouts, powerful muscles and retractable claws, are designed to kill, MacNulty says. Not surprisingly, they live and hunt alone.

In Yellowstone, wolves, who hunt in packs, depend on elk for survival. The finding is timely because the park's elk population is shrinking and wolves are being blamed. Wolves were hunted out of the area in the 1930s and re-introduced in 1995. But the study shows there isn't a strong correlation between the number of wolves in the park and the number of elk killed.

MacNulty says that number fluctuates based on the age structure of the wolf population at any given time. The higher the proportion of wolves over age three, the lower the rate at which they kill elk. For every 10 percent rise in the proportion of wolves older than three, the kill rate declined 10 to 15 percent. He notes that the drop in the elk population is also attributable to drought and to Grizzly Bears.

"Wolves are not the sole factor limiting Yellowstone's elk population," MacNulty says.

When older wolves can no longer hunt successfully, younger wolves share their kill with them, in what MacNulty describes as a lupine version of Social Security. While a high ratio of old-to-young wolves may benefit elk, it could strain the wolf population because there aren't enough workers to support retirees.

Montana legalized hunting wolves after they were removed from the endangered species list in 2007. Although hunting is prohibited in the park, packs wander beyond it boundaries and radio-marked wolves have been killed. MacNulty says hunting won't put the species at risk, but it actually skews the population towards younger wolves, which could mean more deaths, not fewer, for the elk.

MacNulty became a field biologist at Yellowstone after graduating from the University of Colorado in 1995, the year wolves were reintroduced, and focused his doctoral studies on their predatory behavior. He has continued tracking Yellowstone's wolves as a University of Minnesota postdoctoral researcher for Craig Packer, the world's foremost authority on lions.

MacNulty's next step is to create mathematical models to study the long-term effects of fluctuations in the age structure of Yellowstone's wolf population on the elk population. His collaborators include Douglas Smith (Yellowstone Center for Resources); John Vucetich, Michigan Technological University) David Mech (US Geological Survey); Daniel Stahler (Yellowstone Center for Resources) and Craig Packer (University of Minnesota).
Adapted from materials provided by University of Minnesota.

Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training is all about helping pet owners enhance their relationships with their pets. Our professional pet-care services includes boarding, grooming, training, now available in Korea. When you're at work, your dog can be playing and getting the attention he needs at Trent Consultants. Dogs that come for day care have opportunities to play throughout the day in one of our three fenced outdoor play areas with our doggie playgroups. You can visit us at http://www.trentconsultant.com. Email us info@trentconsultant.com.

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Ontario, Canada-- (SBWIRE) -- 11/22/2009 -- Trent Consultants News: In Defense of Animals (IDA) has learned that two million South Korean dogs are electrocuted, strangled, or bludgeoned to death each year. Then they're boiled, skinned, browned by a torch, chopped up and eaten. All of this cruelty and suffering is enough to make you sick.

Where do the dogs come from?

Most are homeless dogs, captured by butchers and sold in open markets.

The tragic reality is that authorities are giving the dog meat trade their silent blessing by turning a blind eye to this outrageous bloodbath even though Korean law forbids the sale and consumption of dog meat. The country's Animal Protection Law, which was passed in 1991 considers dogs to be "domestic pets.

Let me assure you the eating of dog meat isn't based on any deeply rooted Korean tradition. Koreans have only eaten dogs when poverty has been widespread, as was the case during World War II. Even in those hard times, dogs were treated as companion animals.

Now, however -- with the unspoken blessing of the government, greedy, unscrupulous dog traders in South Korea propagate the myth that canine meat increases male sexual prowess and general health. This illegal industry has organized itself well. It bribes government officials and police, hires thugs to intimidate animal welfare campaigners, and persuades newspapers to extol the "virtues" of dog meat.

Although the vast majority of Koreans don't eat dog meat, official figures indicate there are at least 6,484 stores nationwide dealing in this horrific trade.

"It's inconceivable to me that a being we consider 'man's best friend' could be so brutally killed, skinned, and butchered." --Elliot M. Katz, DVM

"I asked about the eating of dogs and was told over an over that it didn't happen anymore. You can imagine my shock and horror upon getting lost in one of the huge markets in downtown Taegu. I looked down and saw the head of a dog with its legs stuffed in its mouth. I saw limbs that were skinned. Everywhere I turned there were dogs in cages. The smell was overwhelming. That market, that sweltering hot August day, was what I envisioned hell to be like." –An American teacher in South Korea

The fate of the innocent...

In spite of a 1991 law which prohibits consumption of dogs and cats, a flourishing industry exists within the markets of Korea. Illegal and unsanitary dog farms are hidden away in the countryside where breeders raise their stock for butchers.

Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training is all about helping pet owners enhance their relationships with their pets. Our professional pet-care services includes boarding, grooming, training, now available in Korea. When you're at work, your dog can be playing and getting the attention he needs at Trent Consultants. Dogs that come for day care have opportunities to play throughout the day in one of our three fenced outdoor play areas with our doggie playgroups. You can visit us at http://www.trentconsultant.com. Email us info@trentconsultant.com.

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Ontario, Canada -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/22/2009 -- Trent Consultants News: Your compassionate attention can help stop animal cruelty and strengthen the Animal Protection Law in Korea.

A series of shocking cruelties to animals, which are unparalleled and unprecedented to date, were recently reported in Korea. We therefore urge the Korean government to strengthen the Korean Animal Protection Law so that these cruelties can be prevented from happening again. Korea remains one of the few places in the world where dog meat is still eaten.

The horrific conditions in which dogs are raised for meat on farms - as documented in Incheon City - are tragically all too common in Korea, as is also the case with pet breeding farms.Worse still, the proposed amendment to the Animal Protection Law, which is still far behind general global standards, fails to include basic provisions to prevent cruelty to animals. While the Korean Government's economic development efforts are consistently substantial, it does virtually nothing to prevent cruelty to animals. The amended bill falls short of even Taiwan's Animal Protection Law, which was revised 10 years ago. Major shortcomings of the proposed bill are as follows: The bill does not stipulate systemic measures to provide immediate and temporary protection to abused animals from abusers. It must be ensured that maltreated animals are removed from abusers and given immediate refuge by reputable animal organizations. In Legalizing seizure of abused animals would ensure that animal protection workers in Korea will no longer be forced to risk their freedom and safety by rescuing abused animals. In the proposed bill, the definition of "Animal Cruelty" does not meet internationally accepted definitions and criteria for that term. It is vague and only limited to inflicting pains and injuries on animals without good cause. Anticruelty laws in the bill are too broadly worded and do not provide a list of specific conduct to be outlawed. The bill also fails to list and define provisions of "Animal Neglect," which is generally defined as failure to provide adequate care and medical attention, resulting in substantial harm to animals.

The bill does not prescribe the participation of animal protection groups in an Animal Ethics Committee. Scientific ethics in Korea have reached the crisis stage, as evidenced by the scandal involving Dr. Hwang Woo-Suk. The Korean government must take steps to prevent cruelty to laboratory animals by introducing an Animal Ethics Committee that will enhance the transparency and accountability of the research process. According to the current bill, establishing an Animal Ethics Committee is not compulsory. Researchers, in conducting experiments using animals, are not required to receive any education regarding humane care and use of laboratory animals. Also, the bill does not state any punishment clauses for cruelty violations in relation to animal testing. The current bill does not include provisions for educational programs and welfare policies for the proper care of animal companions. The Korean government must provide adequate programs to educate guardians on responsible animal care so that they fully understand their responsibilities toward their companion animals when they register for licenses.[5] The bill must stipulate compulsory humane slaughter of farm animals. Currently, the amended bill does not even ban burying farm animals alive. Monitoring and enforcing humane handling and slaughter regulations are internationally recognized practices. A national animal welfare committee must be established, as in many other countries, requiring the participation of non-governmental organizations. While the Korean government calls itself the "participation government," there are no channels available in which non-governmental organizations can participate and present their ideas regarding animal welfare policies.

Current policies resort to bureaucratic decision making, which leads to a dearth of expert advice and democratic approaches.[7] The Korean Government's insistence on keeping dog meat consumption legal instead of banning it is disappointing. The Korean Government must initiate policies to stop the dog meat trade, not only to address short-term sanitary concerns but also in recognition of the intrinsic value of animal life that has universally been acknowledged.Until Korea's Animal Protection Law is updated to match global standards and dog meat consumption is forbidden, Korea will remain a nation stuck in the dark ages and be ineligible to host the Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games. We urge the Korean Government to strengthen the country's Animal Protection Law so that it is commensurate with the country's international stature.

What You Can Do

Take Action: Urge Korean Prime Minister to Strengthen Animal Protection Law

Write to the South Korean government and ask that they amend the Animal Protection Law as described above.

The Honorable Ambassador Duk-soo Han, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, 2320 Massachusetts Ave.
Washington, D.C. 20008, Tel: (202)939-5600, Fax: (202)797-0595, E-mail: korinfo@koreaemb.org

Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training is all about helping pet owners enhance their relationships with their pets. Our professional pet-care services includes boarding, grooming, training, now available in Korea. When you're at work, your dog can be playing and getting the attention he needs at Trent Consultants. Dogs that come for day care have opportunities to play throughout the day in one of our three fenced outdoor play areas with our doggie playgroups. You can visit us at http://www.trentconsultant.com. Email us info@trentconsultant.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Ontario, Canada -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/22/2009 -- Trent Consultants News: Livestock Industry Act classifies dogs as livestock under Article 2 – despite protest this went through. However, dogs are not viewed as livestock according to Processing of Livestock Products Act, thus dogs are not to be slaughtered, processed and consumed as food. The Ministry of Environment included dogs as livestock in 'the Act related to the management and the use of excretion' on September 2007. In August 2008, The Ministry said it would categorize dogs as livestock to regulate the sanitation practices of large-scale dog breeders. The central and local governments have refrained from putting dogs on a par with cattle, chickens and other livestock as it means an official recognition of dog meat as food. Under the some part of current laws, it is theoretically illegal to butcher dogs and trade their meat. However, as dogs are not currently listed as livestock, there are no legal grounds to regulate dog meat restaurants and those who breed dogs for human consumption.

It is therefore unclear whether eating dogs is illegal or not in Korea. Each ministry enforces different laws that are conflicting. It gives no clear-cut answer to the question of whether dogmeat sales are illegal. Korea has no rule directly regulating dogmeat.

In early 2008, the Seoul metropolitan government has decided that production and sale of dog meat needs to be regulated as a public health measure, as the current ambiguity has led to unhygienic and unsafe slaughter and distribution of dog meat. It therefore wants to revise the Processing of Livestock Products Act to include dogs as livestock. This will result in making the sale of dog meat a legitimate activity, allowing any shop to stock canned dog, dog sausage, dog ham and similar products, and any restaurant to serve steamed dog meat, dog ribs, steamed dog legs and other items made from dogs. It is thought that this might have been the reason for the authorities to promote the legalization of dog meat.

Seoul Municipality's recent move on issuing a Dog Meat Hygiene Management Policy is an example that demonstrates the government's intention to legalize dog eating Korea. Public hearings were planned to be held in May 2008 to discuss amendments to the Livestock Products Processing Law before it goes forward for parliamentary deliberations. The hearing plan has been cancelled and the city said that it would only conduct the sanitary inspection over the existing dogmeat selling restaurants. The city unofficially said that it is the sanitary inspection per se, nothing more than that.

But one should be aware that the city never stated that the inspection has nothing to do with its attempt to propose amendments. The proposed amendments to the Livestock Products Processing Law are intended to regulate the hygienic component of dog slaughter for food, not the humane component. This is not going to stop the abuse of dogs while they are raised and butchered for food. It may help to prevent some of the cruel activities in street markets – such as the beating of dogs in public. However, Korea's Animal Protection Law already states that animal mistreatment shall be punished, and cruelty to dogs on the streets is currently covered under this law. If dogs are considered to be livestock, the number of dogs subjected to cruelty will increase drastically, as they will suffer from the same institutionalized abuse that cows, chickens and pigs currently face. From http://www.carekorea.wordpress.com/2009/04/07/dog-farmfor-meat/

Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training is all about helping pet owners enhance their relationships with their pets. Our professional pet-care services includes boarding, grooming, training, now available in Korea. When you're at work, your dog can be playing and getting the attention he needs at Trent Consultants. Dogs that come for day care have opportunities to play throughout the day in one of our three fenced outdoor play areas with our doggie playgroups. You can visit us at http://www.trentconsultant.com. Email us info@trentconsultant.com.

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Ontario, Canada -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/03/2009 -- Trent Consultants News: Korean government's agreement to resume US beef imports has drawn concerns from public regarding the high risk of mad cow disease. Millions of Koreans gathered together every weekend and rallied in against of the government's decision to import US beef. Considering the situation and the public's awareness on the problem of factory farming and mad cow disease, CARE decided to approach the dog meat issue in a different way.

CARE is approaching the public in the new name "Green People" which is the name of sub-group formed by vegetarian members of our organization, rather than as the "CARE", the animal protection group. This is a high time for us to let Korean public know the problems of mad cow disease, factory farming, and animal welfare in current farming practices, as the public seem to be very receptive and very interested in these issues.

CARE has realized that the best strategy regarding dog meat issue is to let the public know that dog meat farming can cause serious problems just like beef farming. CARE (Green People) so far held protests three times at the public US beef protest rallies.

At the first rally, we educated the people about the general issues of farming practices in South Korea. And at the following rally, we focused on associating dog meat with mad cow disease. We explained the public that dog meat is not safe from the mad cow disease due to cross-infection risk. We emphasized that the cross-infection risk exists in dog meat because the dogs are fed with dog food made from US beef and beef by-products. In Korea most of dog food is imported from US and it is consumed by both pet dogs and dogs raised for the meat.

The reception from the public was overwhelmingly positive!

The campaigns were so successful that CARE will continue to approach the public in this way. The third protest was held this Saturday and we further raised the issue of cross-infection risks of mad cow disease by consuming dog meat. Now the effect is already showing. Below is a summary of a new article published on June 5.

"Due to the strong opposition by the Korean citizens towards government's decision to resume the US beef imports, Korean department of agriculture, fisheries and forestry is now showing reluctance to approve the Dog Meat Hygiene Management Policy proposed by Seoul city. The official said that Seoul city was going to submit the "Dog Meat Hygiene Management Policy" proposal to the government by May this year, however, because of the anti-US beef movement and public's strong adverse reaction to the government's decision, the Seoul city is now considering revoking the proposal." From http://www.carekorea.wordpress.com

Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training is all about helping pet owners enhance their relationships with their pets. Our professional pet-care services includes boarding, grooming, training, now available in Korea. When you're at work, your dog can be playing and getting the attention he needs at Trent Consultants. Dogs that come for day care have opportunities to play throughout the day in one of our three fenced outdoor play areas with our doggie playgroups. You can visit us at http://www.trentconsultant.com. Email us info@trentconsultant.com.

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Ontario, Canada -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/16/2009 -- Trent Consultants Tips: The Korea Jindo Dog is a breed of dog originating in Korea. The Jindo is a hunting dog, originally from Jindo Island. Although relatively unknown outside Korea, it is celebrated in its native land for its unwavering loyalty to its master.

Appearance: The Jindo is a medium-sized, double-coated spitz-type dog, with prick ears. The body is either square or slightly longer than tall. Identifying and separating the Jindo from mixes and other breeds is often done by close examination of this feature.

It has been divided into two body types: Tonggol or Gyupgae and Hudu or Heutgae. The former is very muscular and shorter in body, with a depth of chest equal to one-half the height at the withers and a shorter loin, while the latter is more slender with somewhat less depth of chest and a slightly longer loin, resulting in a height to length ratio of 10:11. Typically, males are larger with heavier heads and females have more fox-like features.

These two types are gradually being blended into a third type called Gakgol, which retains the length of body of the Hudu style and the depth of chest of the Tonggol style. "The topline inclines very slightly downward from well-developed withers to a strong back with a slight but definite arch over the loin, which blends into a slightly sloping croup. The ribs are moderately sprung out from the spine, then curving down and inward to form a body that would be nearly oval if viewed in cross-section. The loin is muscular but narrower than the rib cage and with a moderate tuck-up. The chest is deep and moderately broad. When viewed from the side, the lowest point of the chest is immediately behind the elbow. The forechest should extend in a shallow oval shape in front of the forelegs but the sternum should not be excessively pointed.

Maturity: May reach full size by 5 months, but takes 2 years to physically and emotionally mature.
Height: At maturity, desirable height for male dogs should be 19 1/2 to 21 inches and 18 1/2 to 20 inches for females.
Weight: In good condition, males should be 35-45 lb. and 30-40 lb. for a female.

Tail: There are two types: ring tail, rolled on its back; erect tail, straight up.

Eyes: Gingko nut-shaped yellowish brown eyes with clear pupils. Jindos with reddish eyes are considered better hunters.
Hair: Coat is of medium length, coarse with a thick undercoat. Jindos shed twice a year.

Color: Korean law currently only recognizes white Jindos and red (tan) Jindos, thus they are the most popular colors.

Some Jindo Island residents have valued black, black/tan and red/white Jindos for being good hunters over the years.

The UKC recognizes five different coat colors: white, fawn, gray, black and tan, and brindle (tiger pattern).

Temperament: The Korean Jindo Dog is well known for its unwavering loyalty. Because of this there is a misunderstanding that a Jindo will be loyal only to its first owner or the owner when young. However, there are many examples of older Jindos being adopted out of shelters in the United States and becoming very loyal friends to their new owners.

They are highly active and are not meant to be indoor-only dogs. Jindo dogs need reasonable space to roam and run. Jindos require a lot of care and attention. They are also known to be escape artists and high jumpers and climbers. If kept in a yard, the fencing must be at least six feet high.

Because the Jindo is an active and intelligent dog, it requires frequent interaction with people or another dog in the family. If left alone by itself for a long stretch, it finds its own entertainment. A Jindo may climb over a fence or wall, dig the ground, or tear up the house if confined indoors. Worse still, a mistreated or badly trained Jindo may roam around the neighborhood and attack neighbors' pets and threaten people.

For this reason many Jindo dogs are found in animal shelters. Also because the breed is not well known, there are many good Jindo dogs available for adoption. With Jindos, establishing the hierarchy (humans above dogs) with care and affection is essential. It is important to socialize Jindos at a very early age. As with humans, Jindos will test boundaries to establish themselves at the top of dog hierarchies--a true alpha dog--due to the way in which the breed evolved. This may result in dog aggression in the unsocialized Jindo.

History: It is said that Jindo Dogs descended from Mongolian battle dogs that were left on Korea's Jindo Island after the 13th-century Mongol invasion of Korea. The Korean King surrendered but some of his armies withdrew to Jindo Island, off the southern coast of Korea, where they continued to fight. This is known as the Sambyeolcho Rebellion. The soldiers' dogs ended up isolated on Jindo Island, where they developed a very pure strain. http://www.heydogs.com

Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training is all about helping pet owners enhance their relationships with their pets. Our professional pet-care services includes boarding, grooming, training, now available in Korea. When you're at work, your dog can be playing and getting the attention he needs at Trent Consultants. Dogs that come for day care have opportunities to play throughout the day in one of our three fenced outdoor play areas with our doggie playgroups. You can visit us at http://www.trentconsultant.com. Email us info@trentconsultant.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Ontario, Canada -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/16/2009 -- Trent Consultants Korea's Useful Tips How To Stop Barking Dogs: A dog who barks a lot is really annoying if it becomes nonstop barking. Dog training helps train the dog and also teach the owner how to handle his pet. This is one of the main objective of Trent Consultants Korea to give the dog proper training and a happy and healthy existence. If you take your dog out and give him lots of training he'll be a lot less do its barking. If the dog is tired the tendency is that he will sleep and wont bark! Because the dog don't have the energy to bark anymore.

Step 1: The dog's main way of communicating with humans is through barking. He may have something he wants to let you know. If the dog continues to bark try a NO, or STOP control command. And when he followed you, give him something that's a reward for him so it's both appreciated.

Step 2: Having your dog something to chew and spends his time chewing it. It can be a toy or a hard bone, he will definitely stop barking if his mouth is full.

Other traditional steps on How to Stop Your Dogs Bark tips will be available on our website in a couple of days. Trent Consultants in Korea will be featuring useful tips for your dog care and other training you can use to spend time and get along with pet during your free time. You can email us at info@trentconsultant.com if you want to have these tips emaile to you.

Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training is all about helping pet owners enhance their relationships with their pets. Our professional pet-care services includes boarding, grooming, training, now available in Korea. When you're at work, your dog can be playing and getting the attention he needs at Trent Consultants. Dogs that come for day care have opportunities to play throughout the day in one of our three fenced outdoor play areas with our doggie playgroups. You can visit us at http://www.trentconsultant.com. Email us info@trentconsultant.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Ontario, Canada -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/16/2009 -- We are excited to announce our new branch opening in Korea!!
Hyun Sil Kim: New Korea Branch Owner

Trent Consultants News: Hyun Sil Kim will be the owner of the Korean branch of Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training. She became interested in the pet care industry because of her love of all animals and to provide a much needed service to the community.

Kim's background has always been a care-provider in the medical field and a business-owner. She continues to further her education by reading pet journals and keeping up-to-date with the latest information available in the pet-sitting industry.

This is a business of love and she believes that success comes from what we love to do. Trent Consultants branch in Korea will be open last quarter of this year.

Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training is all about helping pet owners enhance their relationships with their pets. Our professional pet-care services includes boarding, grooming, training, now available in Korea. When you're at work, your dog can be playing and getting the attention he needs at Trent Consultants. Dogs that come for day care have opportunities to play throughout the day in one of our three fenced outdoor play areas with our doggie playgroups. You can visit us at http://www.trentconsultant.com. Email us info@trentconsultant.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Ontario, Canada -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/16/2009 -- Hyun Sil Kim is the proud owner of the Korean branch of Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training. For twenty-five years she have been fortunate enough to make my living as a professional trainer. Kim enjoyed the dogs and the people she have met and worked with on which some of them have become very close friends.

Kim were asked in an interview if she will give away her professional training secrets to help her community.
"Actually, there are no secrets" Kim said. "The origin for dog training is actually an open knowledge. The information about how a dog learns, is accessible to anyone willing and love to do the research. What the beginner trainer can't readily reproduced is the skill and approach that comes with a serious time of working and spending with all different kinds of dogs".

"No secret. Just the love of dogs. If there will be training tips, I will be happy to share. It's my humble attempt to give something back to the community that has given so much to me" Kim said.

Kim's background has always been a care-provider in the medical field and a business-owner. She continues to further her education by reading pet journals and keeping up-to-date with the latest information available in the pet-sitting industry.

For more information, please watch out on the grand opening of the Trent Consultants Korea branch -you might find something useful. You might find something interesting.

All advice and observations contained on the website are solely own opinions of the Trent Consultants dog trainers, not necessarily held by anyone else, in any other place, at any other time. Email Trent Consultants if you have different opinions on the content of the website, maybe Trent can learn something from you too.

Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training is all about helping pet owners enhance their relationships with their pets. Our professional pet-care services includes boarding, grooming, training, now available in Korea. When you're at work, your dog can be playing and getting the attention he needs at Trent Consultants. Dogs that come for day care have opportunities to play throughout the day in one of our three fenced outdoor play areas with our doggie playgroups. You can visit us at http://www.trentconsultant.com. Email us info@trentconsultant.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Ontario, Canada -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/03/2009 -- Six cloned Labrador retrievers are now using their olfactory prowess to help officials find drugs and explosives at airports and harbors across South Korea. The dogs—which all share the name "Toppy," a combination of "tomorrow" and "puppy"—became the world's first working cloned sniffer dogs when they reported for duty last Thursday, according to BBC News.

Thanks to a highly successful drug-detecting donor dog from Canada and 16 months of training, the new class of recruits, customs officials hope, will increase performance and decrease costs.

"They have a superior nature. They are active and excel in accepting the training," Kim Nak-seung, a trainer at the Customs Service-affiliated dog training center told MSNBC in April.

Fewer than 10 percent of naturally born dogs are typically qualified to become professional sniffers, based on a behavior test and rigorous physical training. All seven dogs in the cloned litter passed the test, and only one puppy didn't complete the training—due to an injury.

Scientists from Seoul National University helped clone the Toppys, as well as the world's first cloned canine in 2005, an Afghan Hound named Snuppy. (That institution was also home to the work of Woo Suk Hwang, who fabricated spectacular results on human embryonic stem cells; Snuppy turned out to be a genuine success.)

But dog duplication extends beyond South Korea. Last month marked the arrival of five cloned German Shepherd puppies from a 9/11 hero named Trakr. "His many remarkable capabilities were proven beyond all doubt on our nation's darkest hour—and we view the work of cloning him as a great honor," Lou Hawthorne, CEO of BioArts International, told The New York Daily News. Trakr helped locate the last human survivor at Ground Zero, according to BioArts, which held a contest to pick a clone-worthy dog last year and subsequently did the cloning.

"If the clone has Trakr's abilities, then of course we'll put him into service as a detection dog," James Symington, the deceased Trakr's former master, told the Daily News after learning that part of his dog would "live on."

Animal rights groups, including the Humane Society and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), caution against the cloning of companion animals. They note potential physiological problems that can result from cloning, as well as the pet overpopulation problem.

But what if the genetic duplicates are working to keep people safe? Would they still be opposed?


"We are against the cloning process regardless of the use," responds Kathleen Conlee, director of program management for animal research issues at the Humane Society. "No cloned dog or cat has lived long enough to know all the long-term ramifications." By Lynne Peeples From http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=cloned-dogs-sniff-out-contraband-in-2009-07-20

Trent Consultants Dog Care and Training is all about helping pet owners enhance their relationships with their pets. Our professional pet-care services includes boarding, grooming, training, now available in Korea. When you're at work, your dog can be playing and getting the attention he needs at Trent Consultants. Dogs that come for day care have opportunities to play throughout the day in one of our three fenced outdoor play areas with our doggie playgroups. You can visit us at http://ww.trentconsultant.com. Email us info@trentconsultant.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm