Dog's Powerful Healing Effects

Dogs are great companies, but have been known to be more than just that. Watch this powerful story from the folks at ABC News about how this dog saved two soldiers lives. Preview article below or watch full video and story here.

One Dog’s Powerful Healing Effects on Two Wounded Veterans

ABC News’ Kelly Hagan and Sabrina Peduto report:

Justin Lansford and his longtime girlfriend, Carol Balmes, love doting on their golden retriever, Gabe. But there is much more to this four-legged friend than meets the eye.

“The less I use my wheelchair, the more I need his help in smaller tasks and the more he is there,” Lansford, a U.S. Army veteran, told ABC News’ Lara Spencer. “It has been very comforting to know that.”

Lansford, of Silver Spring, Md., was severely injured during deployment when he was struck by an improvised explosive device.

“I was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division and we were in eastern Afghanistan in early 2012,” he said. “We struck an IED and it flipped my truck completely. I had bilaterally severed femurs which resulted in the amputation of my left leg.”

While recovering at Walter Reade National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Lansford was introduced to Gabe through the Warrior Canine Connection, a nonprofit that pairs support dogs with wounded troops.

See full story here.

"Fanwood's K-9 Resorts EmBARKs Upon a Big 2014"

Check out this article secured in The Alternative Press on Thursday, March 13th, 2014 about the history of K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel and their plans for the future. Preview the article below or read full story here.

"Fanwood's K-9 Resorts EmBARKs Upon a Big 2014"

BY: John Mooney

FANWOOD, NJ - K-9 Resorts, Fanwood’s luxury hotel for dogs, is emBARKing a bold growth plan for 2014.


The company, which specializes in overnight boarding (from one night to two months), is adding franchise locations from Boston to Virginia in the near future. Pet owners turn to K-9 when they go on business trips or leisure travel and when they plan home construction projects. The company also offers “doggie daycare” that includes play groups so that pets can expend energy, exercise and socialize in a cage-free environment.

“Dogs are social animals that need exercise and stimulation. Doggie Daycare is the best way to provide both,” says co-founder Jason Parker, who started the business with his older brother, Steven. “It is important for puppies to socialize. People want their dogs to be social. It’s critical for them to start at a young age.”

Read full story here.

Prepare Your Dog for the Warmer Season

It's starting to get warmer out and your dogs will start to lose their winter coat soon. It is essential to properly prepare them for this warmer weather. Thanks to the folks at the examiner.com we can provide you with tips for preparing your friends for the new season. Read full article here or preview below.

"Tips on grooming and preparing your dog for the warmer season"

BY: Susan Lee

Wherever you live across the country, you are anticipating the beauty of spring and the onset of warmer weather. Along with those changes comes the increase of insects and parasites which can be a real annoyance when it comes to your dogs. For their health and protection, you will want to take the necessary steps to prevent any parasitic infestation that could affect your dog. The friendly staff at your local Rockford area Petsmart or Petco as listed below (or one closest to your home) can help you with all your grooming and parasitic needs to help your dog through the warmer season.

And although bathing and grooming your pet is a year-round responsibility, you and the dogs will be spending more time outdoors when weather permits. In early spring, it is advisable that you bring your dog in for a heartworm test, which is a blood test, in order to begin a heartworm preventative program. Chewable heartworm tablets are administered once monthly although you can opt for the six-month Pro-Hart vaccination if your dog is less than eight years old.

Some more advanced heartworm medications also work to prevent fleas and ticks; otherwise, liquid flea and tick preventatives are available in tube form which is applied at the neck area between the shoulder blades on your dog. Your veterinarian can best advise you on the most effective flea, tick and heartworm preventative medications.

Read full article here.

Sochi Dogs Still Need to be Rescued

Interested in adopting a dog? The Olympic torch has officially been extinguished, but stray dogs are still out there. Thanks to the folks at The Examiner we can learn more about what can be done for these helpless pups. Preview the article below or read the full article here.

"Olympic flames extinquished but Sochi stray dogs still need to be rescued"

Although the flames of the Sochi Olympic torch have been extinguished, the stray dogs of the city are still in dire need of rescue. Stepping up for her first two rescue pooches from Sochi on Saturday, was actress Katherine Heigl and her mother who joined up with Ali Fedotowsky, an Olympic news correspondent, reported Celebrity Yahoo.com as they waited at LAX for two rescued puppies to arrive.

Fedotowsky, a former Bachelorette contestant, visited the most popular shelter on the outskirts of Sochi called Povodog, funded by billionaire Oleg Deripaska, who admits he may even adopt one of the strays in the near future as soon as his children choose their perfect new pooch.

Read full article here.

Keep Your Dog Busy

Have your dogs started to get antsy for green grass and the warmer weather? Thanks to the folks at Gizmodo we are able to provide you with the 6 best toys to keep your dog really busy. This will keep them out of your hair for a little while just in time for it to get nice out! Preview the article below or read the full article here.

"The 6 Best Toys to Keep Your Dog Really Busy"

BY: ANNA JANE GROSSMAN

The Kong

The granddaddy of all work-to-eat toys, the Kong is a chew toy made of nearly indestructible rubber. It was originally based on a part of a Volkswagen bus' suspension device that the creator's German Shepherd found particularly irresistible. Kongs can be stuffed with a wide variety of yummies. Kong sells especially shaped treats and different things you can squeeze inside, but you can stuff it with whatever your dogs' weakness might be: cream cheese, Cheez Whiz, wet dog food, peanut butter, liverwurst, frozen blueberries, hamburger meat. Yummers.

There used to be a great product that operated on a timer and dispensed Kongs at intervals, so you could stuff four of them and then leave for the day and your dog would get them doled out at neat intervals. The product was discontinued a few years ago, but you can occasionally find a used one on Ebay, and they're well worth the $100 or so that they usually sell for. Search the ‘Bay for Dogopolis KongTime Automatic Dog Toy Dispenser.

Find the rest of the toys here.

Keep Pets Safe in the Extreme Cold

Don't take your dog out into the elements without being educated! Read these 6 tips for the extreme cold and how to keep your friends safe as we move towards the end of winter. Read full article here or begin below.

"6 Pet Safety Tips for the Extreme Cold"

By: Joanna Prisco

As much of the country continue to endure snow, sleet and ice, it's important to remember that four-legged friends require special care when the temperature drops.

Dr. George Melillo, Northeast regional medical director for Banfield Pet Hospital, which operates 800 locations throughout the U.S., shared with ABC News his tips for taking care of pets in extreme cold.

Keep a Cap on Playtime Even if Fido loves running through the fluffy piles of snow, extended exposure to the cold can be damaging to a pet's health. "It is recommended not to leave pets outside when the temperature drops below freezing," said Melillo. "Pets that are left outside for too long can suffer from hypothermia and frostbite."

Not only that, but extremities, such as ear tips, paws and the end of the tail are particularly susceptible to cold injuries, he said. For this reason, limit the time your pet spends in the cold. To determine how long is too long, keep a close eye on your dog to make sure they look comfortable. "Some dogs can stay outside longer than others," said Melillo. "For example, breeds such as Malamutes fare much better in cold weather than Chihuahuas."

Don't Go Shaving "Dogs with longer coats will be warmer in winter, so it is advised not to shave a dog's coat down to the skin," Melillo told ABC News. So no matter now cute Buffy looks when freshly shorn, it's best to wait until spring.

Read full article here. 

Franchisee Profile: Bill Ippolito

Bill Ippolito is a New Jersey native with a background in medicine. Having been a physicians assistant for the past 10 years, Bill has now transitioned into the corporate world, where he has decided to open a K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Bill is lifelong dog owner and new a dad.

How did you learn about the brand?
My girlfriend’s (Larisa Citsay- who will be helping me run the business) brother is friends with Jason and Steven Parker, the co-founders of K-9 Resorts. Their entrepreneurial accomplishments at such a young age really inspired me to invest in opening my own K-9 Resorts.

What was appealing to you about joining a franchise system?
I am currently a physicians assistant so the business world is somewhat new to me. I knew as a franchisee owner, I would get great help with the process and have instant support on day one and well into the future.

What makes your business different?
K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel is a very well organized and clean facility. Cleanliness is very important for pet owners. K-9 Resorts doesn’t have a distinct pet odor, is incredibly clean and runs efficiently. It is the perfect option for people who need a safe, comfortable place to leave their pets. K-9 Resorts is also a very young franchise, and I am very confident that it will be successful. I thought it would be best to get in early and help them grow.

I have also been a physicians assistant for the past 10 years and decided to do something I was truly passionate about. The career change is an exciting adventure.

What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now?
Well, acquiring the funds was a little bit of a challenge, and I actually had to liquidate some of my retirement assets to help with the money for the down payment on a loan. It would have taken too long if I didn’t use this money to aid in the process. Finding a location took some time and research. I looked at the competitors, the population and the distribution of wealth in the community. Monmouth County seemed like the perfect fit.

What are your expansion or development plans?
Once we open this location, I would love to be able to open a second location in the near future. I am confident in success of this business.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?
I love dogs. I grew up with a yellow lab and now I have a 5 year old Rottweiler. I am also a new dad! I have a 9 month old son, who consumes a lot of my time. I also enjoy exercising, sports and cars.