What truly sets service dogs apart is the intensive, specialized training that transforms them into life-changing partners.

There's a moment sometimes - usually on an ordinary Tuesday or a lazy Sunday morning - when I look at Chester curled up against my side or Fernando sprawled across the couch like he owns the place, and I feel an overwhelming wave of gratitude.

I have always been grateful that my job has also been my passion.

The other night I lay in bed worrying when a cold wet nose suddenly pressed against my hand.

Dogs can’t tell us how they’re feeling. And for that reason, many people aren’t aware how often pain and physical discomfort can influence their dog’s behavior. 

When we think about canine health and wellness, three key issues immediately come to mind: (1) a dog’s physical health, (2) a dog’s longevity, and (3) a dog’s mental health.

The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) recently published plans for a major maintenance project on North Point Isabel.

“What are some important things that dogs need every day?” I opened my volunteer training session at Berkeley Animal Control with this simple question, and hands shot up around the room.

Like most dog folks, you probably use food rewards as part of your pup’s training. And of course, you can always simply hand your dog a little treat, but what’s the fun in that?

As a Search and Rescue K9 handler, I need to feed my dog like the canine athlete he is. 

It’s been over 40 years since I first started teaching off-leash puppy socialization and training classes and introduced the use of food lures and food rewards to the world of dog training.

Sixty percent of adults in the U.S. do not have $1,000 set aside for an emergency of any kind, let alone a vet bill.

In a world where anxiety, isolation, and stress increasingly weigh on young shoulders, a welcome alternative is stepping up to offer assistance and reassurance - on four legs with a wagging tail.

We all want our dogs to get along with others. But the reality is, not all dogs like all other dogs—and that’s perfectly normal.

During the cold, drenching winter storms, a Good Samaritan found the emaciated gray Pit Bull and rushed him to SPCA Monterey County.

The “30 Over 35” campaign isn’t just about waiving a fee. It’s about rewriting the narrative around big dogs.

Have you ever noticed how much fun it is to anticipate something good?

On a Tuesday morning this past February, students set aside their usual routines to welcome two special guests: Heather Franco from East Bay SPCA and Elsa, a petite, white-and-tan dog with bouncy charm and expressive eyebrows.

Heroes don’t always wear capes. Polly, a senior rescue dog with incredible instincts, has defied the odds with a journey that is anything but ordinary.

This isn’t a story about your normal working dog. And maybe not everyone will consider what our boy did to be work, but Wyatt had a job to do and he did it well.