Canine Triumph Over Prejudice

Thursday September 20, 2012

Dogs shows continue to draw crowds

Wheel Power
By ANTHONY THANASAYAN

Dog shows remain ever popular and continue to draw crowds wherever they are held.

I HAD a terrific time at the Malaysian Kennel Association’s international championship dog show which was held at a shopping mall in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, last weekend.

I found myself in the company of more than 300 dogs and about 1,500 people.

There were four events running concurrently over two days. Five judges from Sweden, Australia, India, the Philippines and Singapore presided over the occasion.
All the canines were vying to be selected for at least two upcoming prestigious dog competitions in the United States and Britain.

The writer poses with (from left) Chan Oi Keng, owner of Bosnia the Rottweiler, Malaysian Kennel Association president Larry Yuen, and Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin, Department of Veterinary Services Director-General.

The showcase was launched by Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin, Director-General of the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS).

I was invited by the organisers in my capacity as chairman of the Canine Advisory Team of the Petaling Jaya City Council. I was also there as president of Petpositive, an animal-assisted therapy society for people with disabilities and the elderly.

I was thrilled to be invited. As I mingled with the crowd, a few people approached me and told me they were inspired to see me there in my wheelchair – that my disability didn’t stop me from having fun.

What an encouraging remark. This sure beats asking a disabled person what is “wrong” with them at first meeting, which some people annoyingly do.

Why should anything be “wrong” with anyone just because he or she sits in a wheelchair? How does someone continue a conversation with a person after such a remark?

As for the canine participants, they were waggy tails all the way.

Curious at first, probably on coming in contact with a “chair on wheels” for the first time, they quickly settled down with generous licks of understanding.

I was surrounded by scores of German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Dobermans, and even Bull Terriers which our society has unfairly tagged under the “dangerous” and “banned dogs” list and I emerged without even a scratch.

Taking to the press after the launch, Dr Abdul Aziz brought home the point that dogs were never the problem; the real issue was errant owners.

He stressed that more people, especially the disabled and the elderly, should explore the use of canines for animal-assisted therapy. He said that DVS is fully behind such a move.

Dr Abdul Aziz said the elderly, infirm and disabled have greatly benefited from having pets which helped them achieve a higher quality of life.

However, he was quick to point out that every dog, no matter what size or breed, comes with a heavy responsibility. No one should think of owning a dog if he or she is not prepared for the hard work that comes along with it.

Dr Abdul Aziz said that whilst the use of dogs should be encouraged for health benefits, no one should keep dogs purely to protect their home without showing them love and care.

“Keeping a dog should never be done on impulse. They may look cute and cuddly at first but it is not at all like buying a fish from the pet store,” he warned.

After the press conference, I followed the DG and the organisers around the performance rings and the exhibition area to meet the canine participants and their owners.

It was there that we met Bosnia, a huge and magnificent Rottweiler which belonged to Chan Oi Keng. We couldn’t resist patting and playing with the Rottie.

Indeed, it was an insightful day for everyone. Not only did the canines come out champs, it was a day when awareness triumphed over ignorance and prejudice.

PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 150,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!

DVS In Full Support Of Animal-Assisted Therapy

PETPOSITIVE BARKING NEWS!

Pix by Marcus Foo: MKA's Larry Addresses Crowd 

DATELINE KUALA LUMPUR

The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) fully supports the role of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in the lives of Malaysians with disabilities and the elderly in the country.

This was expressed strongly to PET+BLOGSPOT by the Director-General of the DVS Dato' Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin last Saturday.

Pix by Marcus: During the press conference.

Speaking at a press conference (PC) organised by the Malaysian Kennel Association at their dog championships event over the weekend, Dr Aziz added, "The appreciation and use of AAT in Malaysia was long overdue."

"Animal-Assisted Therapy is the highest form of service that animals, especially dogs and cats, can render to human beings.

Dr Aziz making a salient point

"We must remember that all of us are only growing older. Dogs like the many breeds in MKA's event can play a positive role in helping us all grow old gracefully through their unique interaction," said Dr Aziz after launching the two-day prestigious MKA canine championships.

After the PC, the DVS Chief who is based in Putrajaya, together with MKA's president Larry Yuen and PETPOSITIVE'S Anthony Thanasayan took a stroll around the area meeting up with pet owners and their dogs.

The VIPs met up with two-year old Rottweiler Macedonia Bosnia Endy belonging to Chan Oi Keng.

The MKA event which was sponsored by Eukanuba saw as many as 1,500 human participants and 300 canines.

(For more, see Wheel Power in The Star this Thursday. Look out also in NST Streets this week which also covered the story.)          

 
PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 150,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!

Best Dog To Represent Malaysia In Florida in December

PETPOSITIVE NEWSFLASH!

The Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or PETPOSITIVE will be at this weekend's dog show called "Eukanuba World Challenge Malaysia".

One lucky canine among several dozens will be picked at this final qualifying round to represent Malaysia at the 2012 Eukanuba World Challenge in Orlando Florida on December 15 & 16 this year. 

The Malaysian event will be held from tomorrow until Sunday at the Galaxy Ampang Shopping Centre, Level 3, Jalan Dagang 5, Taman Dagang in Ampang. Times on both days are from 9am until 5pm.

Petpositive will be there only for tomorrow from 9am until 2pm. Please come by and meet out President Anthony Thanasayan to find out about animal-assisted therapy as well as what local councils are doing to help animals.

Call him at +6 012 220 3146.

See you there!     

Tomorrow event is organised by the Malaysian Kennel Association.
 
PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 150,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!

WHEEL POWER: My Doggie Adventure Week

WEEKEND VIEW #1

IT’S amazing at what one can do even if you are in a wheelchair.  

And greater still, the wonderful people out there who simply refuse to see handicaps in front of them.

These human gems – who don’t have disabilities themselves – would much rather focus on the abilities of each individual person they come in contact with in their daily lives to offer the best support possible for people with disabilities.

Last week was an occasion with loads of lessons about this personally for me – as I got down to tackle one of my most favourite issues next to disability: Dogs!

After a three-month “temporary absence” as councillor for the city of Petaling Jaya (MBPJ), I managed to get our once-a-month Canine Advisory Team (CAT) where I serve as chairman going again on Monday.

CAT is a special committee primarily to look into issues of canines in the city and come up with effective and more importantly humane methods in solving them.  

It was a terrific start as the meeting was packed with representatives not only from MBPJ but other local councils as well.

They came from virtually every corner of the state: Sabak Bernam, Sepang, Kuala Selangor, Selayang, Subang Jaya, Shah Alam and Klang.

The all-important Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) from Selangor was also with us, along with the Malaysian Small Animal Veterinary Association made up of private veterinarians. 

Of course, animal welfare NGOs and individuals who were pet lovers were also present.

Unusually, we had two students from University Malaya who were doing a research on animal-assisted therapy in Malaysia. They were given last minute invites.

The three-hour meeting was a blast. We managed to cover an incredible number of topics in such a “relatively short” time span.

A main focus was for the need to have dog parks so that pets can have access to regular exercise. It was pointed out that not only human beings found it extremely therapeutic for healthy living to walk in the park but dogs do too.

Canines that are confined at home or in a cage would be better adjusted socially and be less of a nuisance problem to local councils if they had a park to go to for regular exercise and exposure.

CAT decided to set up a committee at once to identify suitable areas to start a “test-case park” where owners who brought their dogs would be responsible for their pets. This means keeping them on a leash all the time and promptly picking up after them.

On Wednesday it was another CAT meeting, this time with the Klang Municipality (MPK) where I also serve as chairman.

I met up with the Health Director Zulkifli Abbas to talk about the special launching of their local pound later this year.

MPK’s pound is set to become the nation’s first to follow to the letter the guidelines set by the DVS in Putrajaya on pound management.

          

In doing so, it is hoped that MPK’s pound will be a model to all other pounds in the country for its effectiveness and care for the animals during their stay.

Incidentally, the MPK pound and PJ dog park, will be wheelchair-friendly, to allow people with disabilities to also participate.

On Friday the close to 90 year old Malaysian Kennel Association and Petpositive – where I serve as president – met up with the Director-General Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin of the DVS in Putrajaya to express our concern about targeting dogs instead of irresponsible pet owners who are really to blame when canines misbehave.

The positive outcome of that meeting is that the DVS will be coming up with a dog owner’s guidebook in October of this year that will have all the necessary and accurate facts in choosing a dog and bringing it up responsibly.

The chief message: No bad dogs; only bad owners. Syabas DVS!

My “dog adventure” week ended on Saturday with another triumphant note on responsible pet ownership. I was invited to a dog seminar where MKA educated an audience of dog lovers on how to bring up their pets responsibly.

During the questions from the floor, someone insinuated that the recent dog mauling case of an elderly jogger in Subang Jaya was because he must have provoked the animal.

The statement alleged and implied as if what transpired from the incident was “okay” when a dog is provoked.

My response from Petpositive was to point out to him that no matter how much we loved dogs, no one should condone an animal attack especially when a death had occurred.

Every person has the right to a safe environment outside their houses – more so if they are disabled, elderly or children. Dogs do and always should be used for positive purposes such as for therapy and healing – never for violence, injury or harm.

As a councillor I reiterated: No dogs should be let outside its compound without being accompanied by its owner – no matter how “well trained” owners claim they are.  

  

A problem dog is the result of an irresponsible owner. 

THE END  

PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 150,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!

Brilliant Dog Awareness By MKA

From PETPOSITIVE FACEBOOK: 

A BIG THANK U to PETPOSITIVE volunteer Nicholas Foo (above) for helping me out yesterday at the Dog Seminar in the Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya on the same day. 

Nick came over to my house to help me dress up and tagged along with me to the event which was put together by YB Hannah Yeoh and the Malaysian Kennel Association from Kuala Lumpur.

About 60 persons attended the two hour event. It was extremely education and MPSJ needs credit for hosting the plenty of food-for-thought gathering.

The MKA's presentations were brilliant covering dog behaviour, dog training and responsible pet ownership.

The seminar was attended by dog lovers, NGOs, dog breeders and trainers.

Nick thought it was a very informative event and currently has all the pictures which he should upload soon. (Hey Nick, please get on with it; or I'll have to report you to your younger bro Marcus who also administrates this page!)

Happy Doggy Awareness All!
aNtPET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 150,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!

Dogs Not The Problem; Irresponsbile Owners Are Says DVS

PETPOSITIVE NEWSFLASH!

DATELINE PUTRAJAYA:

A NEW DOG GUIDEBOOK  is in the pipeline by the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) to raise awareness about dogs and responsible pet ownership in the country.

This was decided in a meeting here in the DVS' headquarters this afternoon after the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (PETPOSITIVE) and the Malaysian Kennel Association (MKA) met with the Department's Director-General Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz bin Jamaluddin earlier this afternoon.

The guidebook which is targeted at dog owners and local councils will be jointly launched by the DVS and the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) during the World Animal Day celebrations in October of this year. 

Petpositive and MKA have been tasked to come up with a contents-draft in a special committee organised by the DVS. 

"Dogs are not the problem and banning or restricting certain breeds will not solve the problem of irresponsible pet owners in the country," said Datuk Aziz during the meeting which was also attended by several experts from the DVS.

"The booklet will serve as a helpful guide to first-time and regular dog owners on how to appreciate the needs of their pets better," added Aziz.

"It will also serve as an indispensable tool for local councils to understand dogs and their behaviour and welfare when they deal with them.

Dr Aziz said the guidebook will include aspects of animal-assisted therapy as well. 

He also has plans to use some of the helpful tips of renowned animal whisperer Cesar Milan as an aid for pet owners who don't know much about training their dogs.

"The DVS dog guidebook will arm the reader with accurate information about canines and not disinformation that will only cause fear and misunderstanding over dogs." Concluded Datuk Aziz.

A workshop will be held within the next three months before the guidebook is launched to commemorate World Animal Day on October 4th, 2012.  


PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 150,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!

PETPOSITIVE Meets DVS Over Banned Dog Breeds

PETPOSITIVE NEWSFLASH!

DATELINE PUTRAJAYA:

The Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (PETPOSITIVE) and the Malaysian Kennel Association (MKA) are meeting the Department of Veterinary Services right about now here to discuss the issue of breed-specific legislation. 

Both NGOs are here to express their doubts and strong concern about a booklet that the DVS had released last year listing down what the government body considers to be banned and restricted canine breeds in an attempt to create more responsible ownership of pets in the country. 

On the contrary, the animal NGOs argue that such a list will only create further misinformation about the breeds and will improve the business of illegal dog breeders who use such dogs for protection.

MKA on its part will be presenting its facts on how banning breeds had failed to lessen dog attacks in overseas countries. They will also show how other means of pet owner education will be more effective in society. 

Anthony Thanasayan who will be representing Petpositive and the Canine Advisory Teams of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and the Klang Municipality (MPK) will put his points across that creating fear in people is not the best way to educate residents and pet lovers.

Petpositive and MKA will be speaking to the Director-General of the Department of Veterinary Services, Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin.  (Left)

Said Thanasayan, "Datuk Dr Aziz is so far the most approachable and understanding of the previous DGs and we are confident of taking our message through to him in the interest of all animals in the country."  

Stay with  PET+BLOGSPOT for the outcome of today's meeting.

PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 150,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!

PETPOSITIVE At Pet Expo In Mid Valley Mega Mall Tomorrow

PET+NEWS:

Our President Anthony Thanasayan who is also Chairman of the Canine Advisory Teams (CAT) of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and Klang municipality (MPK) will be present in tomorrow's major pet event in Mid Valley Megamall.

Please come up to him and have a chat about your animal concerns as he hopes to spread the news of animal-assisted therapy to the public. 

He will also be happy to hear your views about the local council and animals and answer some of your questions about it.

You can find him at the Malaysian Kennel Association's section and events.

You may also call Anthony at +6 012 220 3146.

Here are some information taken from the MKA's webpage about their activities tomorrow: 

 

332ND SWEEPSTAKES COMPETITION

Date: Saturday, 16/06/2012

Venue: Exhibition Hall, Mid Valley Mega Mall

Address: Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia

Registration Closed

Judges	Sweepstakes Categories
Mr. Derrick Seow (Malaysia)	Puppy Sweepstakes
Mr. Mackay Low (Malaysia)	Junior Sweepstakes
Dr. S.R. Dev (Malaysia)	Intermediate Sweepstakes
Mr. Sim Swee Lin (Malaysia)	Malaysian Bred Sweepstakes

Please click on the following link to download the file:-

• 332nd Sweepstakes Competition Entry Form
• Midvalley Rules and Regulations Form

332ND MKA ALL BREEDS CHAMPIONSHIP DOG SHOW

Date: Saturday, 16/06/2012

Venue: Exhibition Hall, Mid Valley Mega Mall

Address: Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia

Registration Closed

Judges	Group
Mrs. Kathleen Hardwick (New Zealand)	Minor Puppy & Grp 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & BIS GEN. SPECS.
Mr. Nicholas Tan (Malaysia)	Group 7

Please click on the following link to download the file:-

• 332nd ABC Entry Form
• Midvalley Rules and Regulations Form

PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 150,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!

PETPOSITIVE To Join MKA In MPSJ Meeting Over Dog Attack

PET+NEWSFLASH!

The Kuala Lumpur-based Malaysian Kennel Association (MKA) will be having a meeting later in the week with the Subang Jaya municipality (MPSJ). 

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the incident of a dog attack last month that left an elderly jogger dead in Subang Jaya.

MPSJ had announced that they would be seeking the views of all stakeholders before deciding to respond on what it will do over the matter.  

Since MKA is one of the oldest animal nongovernmental organisation in the country MKA would like to proffer their views particularly about dog breeds in the country. 

It's president, Larry Yuen who has also served as an international judge at well-known dog shows will be presenting MPSJ with the best ideas of dealing with irresponsible pet owners.

The almost 100-year old organisation which champions dog breeds in the country is expected to point out that "banning" or "restricting" dog breeds like working dogs is not the way to solve problems of dog attacks.

Speaking to PET+BLOGSPOT last week, Mr Yuen told us that he will show the local council how such efforts had failed in overseas countries.

PETPOSITIVE will be joining MKA at the meeting.

The meeting was initiated by MKA.

For more see HERE

PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 150,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!