2023_NorthStarVets_Pets_Digital_Issue

YOUR TRUSTED SOURCE FOR KEEPING PETS HAPPY AND HEALTHY
Explore NJ
35 FUN THINGS TO DO
WITH YOUR PET
Amazing but True!
SUCCESS
STORIES
Reason to Smile
Having a Pet
Can Make
You Happier
Relieving Your Dog’s
Elbow Osteoarthritis
With Our NEW Synovetin
OA ® Injection PAGE 23

Award Winning:
Doggie Daycare
Luxury Boarding
5-Star Experience, Love & Fun Included!
Welcome to your home away from home,
PREPARE TO BE PAW-PERED!
Find the location
closest to you online
or at k9resorts.com/locations
k9resorts.com @k9resorts
New Jersey Locations in:
Fanwood Cherry Hill Middletown East Brunswick Hillsborough Madison Hamilton Fairfield Roxbury Emerson

YOUR TRUSTED SOURCE FOR KEEPING PETS HAPPY AND HEALTHY
CONTENTS
2 Welcome Letter
Dr. Daniel Stobie, Founder and
Chief Medical Officer, NorthStar VETS®
12
3 Real Pets, Real People
Explore the wild world of exotics pets; Following
their noses; NorthStar VETS® success stories;
meet the New Jerseyan who walked around the
world with his dog; and more.
12 35 Fun Things to Do With Your Pet in NJ
Explore the Garden State this season—and bring
your pet along for the journey.
20 Holiday Gifts for Pets and Pet Lovers
Holiday shopping just got a whole lot more fun.
22 A Path Toward Healing
Pets can benefit immensely from physical
rehabilitation.
Happy, Healthy Pets
24 Spotlight on Specialty Medicine
Innovative treatments and techniques at
NorthStar VETS®.
26 Pets Can Make You Happier
Reduce stress, improve your well-being—and gain
one very sweet cuddle buddy.
27 Comprehensive Cancer Care
NorthStar VETS® offers treatment plans to suit
every type of animal and diagnosis.
30
22
Nibbles & Bits
28 Holiday Meals: What You Need to Know
Having a dog in the house can complicate the
festivities—and requires planning on your part.
PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK
30 Bakeries Worth Barking About
Trust us when we say your pet will thank you.
32 NorthStar VETS ® Client Testimonials
Clients share their experiences and express their
gratitude to NorthStar VETS®.
3
Pet Perspective 1

WELCOME
Dr. Daniel Stobie
Veterinary Emergency Trauma & Specialty Centers
Veterinary Emergency Trauma & Specialty Centers
315 Robbinsville-Allentown Road
Robbinsville, NJ 08691
2834 Route 73N, Maple Shade, NJ 08052
507 Route 70, Brick, NJ 08723
609-259-8300
Produced for NorthStar VETS ®
by 62 Media Group
62 Elm Street, 3rd floor
Morristown, NJ 07960-4110
973-539-8230
• FREE Pet Emergency Care Handbook
Download at northstarvets.com/ebook
I
was recently asked why I chose to become a doctor. The truth is,
I’ve always wanted to be a veterinarian; I can’t remember wanting
to do anything else. Since I was a child, I’ve had a deep love
and affinity for animals (constantly bringing home stray kittens,
injured birds and, even once, a snake). I loved biology and science and
had a strong fascination with medicine and how the body works—veterinary
medicine just seemed to meld all of my interests and passions
into one perfect career.
I started my first practice in 2000, Veterinary Surgical and Diagnostic
Specialists (VSDS), as a mobile veterinarian performing surgeries
and ultrasounds at local hospitals. In 2003, our Clarksburg, NJ
hospital was established, offering 24/7 emergency veterinary care. Staff
and additional services with board-certified specialists were added over
the years to help sick pets. In 2009, a book titled Finding Your Own
North Star by Martha Beck inspired my veterinary journey and marked
the beginning of a new era. In 2010, VSDS officially became NorthStar
VETS®—VETS is an acronym for Veterinary Emergency and Trauma
Specialty Center.
I envisioned NorthStar VETS® hosptial as a facility where patients
could receive comprehensive veteriary care all under one roof. In 2011,
a state-of-the-art, 33,000-square-foot hospital was built in Robbinsville,
NJ (Mercer County). In 2015, we opened our first satellite location
in Maple Shade, NJ to meet the growing needs of sick animals in
Burlington County. To service pet parents at the Jersey Shore, a second
satellite location expanded our reach in Brick, NJ in 2020.
The NorthStar VETS® team understands and promotes the human-animal
bond, doing everything in their power to give pets
and their parents as much time together as possible. Revolutionary
procedures, innovative therapies and improved techniques allow us to
elevate the standard of care for our patients. I enjoy helping sick animals,
getting them well and reuniting them with their family. The most
rewarding part of my day is interacting with pets and their people. I
wouldn’t be able to do any of this without our exceptional staff. We are
so grateful to be able to do what we love every day—working together
to create something that I think is truly special.
For over 20 years, NorthStar VETS® has been your trusted source
for keeping pets happy and healthy. We hope you enjoy this issue of Pet
Perspective magazine and its amazing true client stories, interesting pet
parent articles and expert advice from our veterinary team. We thank
you for the trust you place in us each and every day—as it truly is a pleasure
to serve you.
Daniel Stobie
DVM, MS, DACVS
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
2 NorthStarVETS ® .com

RealPets,
RealPeople
■ Amazing real pet stories ■ Adorable photos ■ Tips & tricks
The Wild World of Exotic Pets
CARING FOR REPTILES, RABBITS, BIRDS, RODENTS AND EVEN SKUNKS
PET PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK
A PET SKUNK THAT escaped from
home and was badly attacked by another
animal, requiring stitches and a drain.
A chinchilla that became insulin-resistant
and would not eat, requiring a
two-week stay in the hospital.
Cases like these are all in a day’s
work for Dr. Matthew Grootenboer, a
veterinarian in the Exotics Department
at NorthStar VETS®.
Dr. Grootenboer works with all types
of exotic pets, from small mammals—including
ferrets, rabbits and rodents—to
those as unique as kinkajous, skunks
and sloths, plus a variety of birds and
reptiles, from bearded
dragons to
150-pound sulcata tortoises.
“Exotic pets are fantastic companions.
They are fun and rewarding and
full of more personality than some
people give them credit for,” says Dr.
Grootenboer. “They aren’t really all that
hard to care for, but you need to get the
right information early.”
The first thing to remember: Conduct
research, but don’t trust everything you
read on the Internet. “You’ll read conflicting
ideas and become confused,”
says Dr. Grootenboer.
Once you decide which pet to bring
into your life, make sure to purchase
all supplies (environment, food, toys)
prior to taking your new pal home.
Set up an appointment with a
veterinarian who specializes in
exotics to discuss your pet’s
future care.
“I’m not joking when I
say most of the diseases
Mathew
Grootenboer,
VMD
we see are very preventable
and caused
by a lack of some
essential nutrient or
aspect of husbandry
(animal care),” he says.
“For example, a very
common problem in
reptiles is metabolic
bone disease caused by a deficiency
in calcium and/or vitamin D. Reptiles
require exposure to UVB light from the
sun or the correct type of UV lamp in
order to produce vitamin D precursors
in their skin. ...People find it cute to let
their reptiles free roam their house, but
then those reptiles wouldn’t be getting
enough light!”
For children, some good beginner
exotic pets include rabbits, ferrets,
rats, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils,
mice, smaller parrots, bearded
dragons, leopard geckos and turtles.
“I say this because, in general, these
animals would be more handleable,
tamer, and less likely to injure a child,”
explains Dr. Grootenboer.
He notes that parents or caregivers
should always discuss proper care with
a child before allowing the young person
to be in charge of an exotic pet.
“Thinking a rabbit is somehow easier
to care for than a dog or cat just because
it is smaller is the kind of mistake
that leads to disaster, so parents should
still supervise their children and help
them care for their exotic pets,” he says.
As for animals that should not be
kept as pets, Dr. Grootenboer emphasizes
that people should never adopt
wildlife, noting strict laws protecting
species, as well as dangers such as
disease.
Pet Perspective 3

REAL PETS, REAL PEOPLE
DOGS AT WORK
Clockwise: (From left)
Fagen, a Belgian malinois,
Dia and Peat, both American
field labradors; Peat
works with handler Arden
Blumenthal; Dia points
out a spotted lanternfly
egg mass on a pine tree
to handler Joshua Beese.
Following Their Noses
NJ CONSERVATIONISTS ARE USING DOGS TO SNIFF OUT INVASIVE SPECIES IN OUR FORESTS.
MOST PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR with dogs
using their sense of smell to help find
missing people, to detect drugs or even
bombs. But dogs can also be used to sniff
out certain plants, animals and fungi, which
is a big help to conservation experts and
ecologists right here in New Jersey.
Meet Dia, Fagen, and Peat. The three
dogs, along with their handlers, Arden
Blumenthal and Joshua Beese, make up the
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference’s
(NYNJTC) Conservation Dogs Program.
The dogs’ noses help keep forests in New
Jersey and New York safe by sniffing out
invasive species like oak wilt, kudzu, Scotch
broom and the spotted lanternfly.
But it’s not just invasive plant and insect
species the dogs can find. With the dogs’
help, the program keeps tabs on the small
whorled pogonia (New Jersey’s rarest
orchid species), some protected turtle
species, and the movements of bobcats in
the region.
Dia, an American field labrador, proved
herself in a big way on a project to identify
slender false brome in the Lower Hudson
Valley. “To sum it up, Dia found more plants
than we knew about,” Blumenthal says.
Fagen, a Belgian malinois, is a trained
search and rescue dog and “the most handsome
doggo in the Northeast,” according to
his official bio. Fagen joined the team in
2019.
Peat, also an American field labrador, is
the newest sniffer. A Christmas puppy born
on December 25, 2020, he primarily works
with Blumenthal. “He’s goofy; he’s still figuring
out where his limbs are,” she says. “He’s a
big cuddler, he loves food and he loves toys.”
Peat’s first project, at 9 months old, was to
sniff out growths of Scotch broom.
Training a dog to detect a plant or insect
involves much the same process as training
a dog for other scenarios, like finding missing
people. Plants and insects have distinctive
scents, often undetectable to human
noses. The dogs are rewarded with toys and
interactions—or, as Blumenthal describes
it, the game of “I smell X, I get toy.”
Dogs are not subject to the same inherent
biases that humans might be, Blumenthal
says. Humans might end up relying
on what maps and data have already told
them, “whereas dogs are more unbiased
searchers; they’re going to follow their
noses,” she says.
Until May of this year, the team concentrated
on finding egg masses of spotted lanternflies,
an invasive insect species that has
troubled New Jersey’s trees and agriculture
in the last few years.
To learn more about the program, visit
nynjtc.org. —Erin Roll
PHOTOGRAPHS: COURTESY OF NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE
4 NorthStarVETS ® .com

REAL PETS, REAL PEOPLE
SUCCESSSTORIES
Meet Some Truly
Amazing Pets and Vets
Rusty
Ducky
DUCKY, A 6-YEAR-OLD LABRA-
DOR RETRIEVER, was diagnosed
with bilateral hip dysplasia and
osteoarthritis (OA). Back in 2019,
he had a left total hip replacement
performed by the NorthStar VETS®
Surgery team, as part of the BFX
Centerline® total hip replacement
clinical trial in conjunction with
BioMedtrix. Recently, Ducky came
back to have his right hip replaced
with a BioMedtrix hybrid system.
We’re happy to report that little
Ducky was walking pain free one
week after surgery. He had to put
in some extra hours of physical
therapy and rehab so that he could
serve as best man (or should we say
best dog) in his parents’ wedding
ceremony in August.
Way to go, Ducky!
FIVE-MONTH-OLD RUSTY had a very
loud heart murmur, the result of severe
valvular pulmonic stenosis. Pulmonic
stenosis is one of the most common
congenital heart diseases in dogs, where
the pulmonic valve (the valve between the
right ventricle and the main artery leading
to the lungs) fails to open completely. This
causes narrowing (stenosis), which can
lead to fatal consequences if the disease is
severe and untreated.
Cardiologist Hyeon Woo Jeong determined
that Rusty would require a balloon
valvuloplasty. This minimally invasive
procedure involves inserting a balloon
catheter through the jugular vein, feeding
it down into the heart across the pulmonic
valve, and inflating the balloon to open the
fused valve.
Through the excellent and careful
teamwork of the NorthStar VETS® Cardiac
Intervention team, Rusty’s procedure
was successful. The
reduction of pressure
gradient was about 50
percent, which is the
general target (meaning
that his right ventricle
only has to work half as
hard as it used to in order
to maintain normal
lung blood pressure).
After an overnight stay, Rusty was his
Hyeon Woo
Jeong, DVM,
DACVIM
playful and affectionate self the next day.
His pulmonic stenosis is now considered
moderate. As long as his valve stays open
by a three-month recheck, this lovable
boy is expected to live a happy life!
Jett
ELEVEN-MONTH-OLD JETT was
rescued from a shelter in Texas
as a pup. He was found at just 3
months old, emaciated and with a
badly infected right rear leg. A local
veterinarian amputated the infected
leg and gave Jett the proper medical
care he needed. When Jett was
healthy enough for transport, he was
fostered and eventually adopted here
in New Jersey.
Recently, Jett’s remaining rear leg
became painful and weak—he couldn’t
stand or run and play normally. His
mom took him to an orthopedic
veterinarian, who determined that Jett
needed more advanced surgery and
referred them to NorthStar VETS®.
Since Jett is a three-legged dog, the
veterinarian highly recommended Dr.
Daniel Stobie for his skill and expertise
with delicate cases.
The NorthStar VETS® Orthopedic
team performed radiographs and a CT
scan. Jett needed a total hip replacement.
A 3D-printed bone model of
Jett’s pelvis aided in the planning of
the surgery, and Dr. Stobie and the
Total Hip team used a BioMedtrix
BFX lateral bolt system to replace the
hip joint.
After surgery, Jett recovered in the
hospital and was cleared for take-off a
few days later. We are happy to report
that this cuddly, loving boy can now
enjoy a pain-free life with his family!
Pet Perspective 5

REAL PETS, REAL PEOPLE
A WALK
AROUND
THE WORLD
New Jerseyan Tom Turcich and his four-legged companion,
Savannah, spent seven years walking 25 miles a day in their
record-breaking journey around the globe.
PHOTOS: (IMAGE) CREDIT; (IMAGE) CREDIT; (IMAGE) CREDIT
6 NorthStarVETS ® .com

REAL PETS, REAL PEOPLE
PHOTOGRAPHS: COURTESY OF TOM TURCICH
A
dream come true—that’s
how a young, healthy
dog might feel about the
prospect of taking an eighthour,
25-mile walk each
day for seven years.
In the case of a buff-colored beauty
named Savannah, she not only got to fulfill
that dream, but, in doing so, set a world
record as the first known canine to complete
a trot around the globe—which she
did with Haddon Township resident Tom
Turcich, who had adopted Savannah.
Savannah might also be considered one
of the luckiest dogs ever. Found abandoned
in puppyhood in a Texas ditch, she was
taken to a nearby animal shelter where she
was promptly placed on a euthanasia list
due to her imperfect health.
But the Lone Star State happens to be
home to a no-kill shelter called Austin Pets
Alive! (APA!), which routinely takes in
unwanted animals from overcrowded rescue
organizations and finds them loving homes.
Soon after Savannah’s arrival at APA!,
Tom, a 26-year-old adventurer from
Camden County, showed up miles from
his native Garden State, seeking a dog for
companionship and protection as he continued
his long-planned worldwide trek.
He’d walked for about five months before
reaching Austin, where he immediately
bonded with this easygoing, affectionate,
highly intelligent rescue pup.
No one, of course, knew her background,
but Tom says she’s “just a mutt with all
sorts of breeds.”
He says he named her Savannah for
three reasons: his love for that Southern
city, her color (like that of an African
savanna), and because he “just liked the
sound of it!”
APA! had already spayed her, but she
and Tom spent about three more weeks in
Austin so he could have her vaccinated and
treated by a veterinarian for her mange,
cough and upper respiratory infection.
When Tom and Savannah embarked on
their walk together, he pushed the pooch
in a baby carriage until she was old enough
to keep up with him. The carriage also included
essentials for the duo such as a tent,
camera, laptop, water and food.
Tom Turcich became the tenth person
on record to circle the globe on foot. His
25,000-mile adventure with Savannah
covered six continents and 38 countries.
His motivation? Tragic accidents had
claimed the lives of two dear friends, Ann
Marie Lynch and Shannon Newell, both from
his Haddon Township hometown. Their
untimely deaths when the three were teens
drove home to Tom the realization that “I
could die at any moment myself, and I want
to experience the world before leaving it.”
Setting out with a positive outlook on
humanity, Tom discovered that the vast
majority of people around the world are
loving and compassionate, quick to lend a
hand and slow to anger.
“Thousands of people worldwide helped
Savannah and me,” he says. “We were
offered places to sleep, meals, interesting
conversation, encouragement and moral
support, among many other kindnesses. I
always kept in mind that I was a guest in
other people’s countries. For that, I was
repaid many times over.”
This is not to imply that Tom and
Savannah didn’t encounter their fair share
of challenges. He says they were held up at
knifepoint in Panama, and they nearly froze
RESTING FEET (& PAWS) Tom Turcich and Savannah in
Angoulême, France, during their walk around the world.
while camping in South America.
Both man and dog also nearly lost their
lives to illnesses developed during their
travels. In Scotland, Tom began suffering
from severe abdominal pain that required
hospitalization in London and forced him
to return home for a month to recover
from what turned out to be a bacterial
infection.
“My doctors never figured out what it
was,” he notes. “I was close to death before
the right antibiotics were found to treat
the infection.”
For Savannah, a bite from a Peruvian
tick resulted in a bleeding disorder. “We
were a five-hour cab drive away from
a veterinarian when her nose started
bleeding,” Tom recalls. “We had to cross
a desert and finally reached the vet
hospital in northern Chile. They knew
right away what it was, something called
canine ehrlichiosis, a common reaction
to a certain type of tick. The vet put Savannah
on an antibiotic and B vitamins
to get her platelets back up.”
But nothing stopped Tom and Savannah
from completing their travels.
“I never seriously considered ending the
walk,” he says.
Over the seven-year journey, Tom
wore out 45 pairs of Brooks Cascadia
trail shoes donated by the company,
which mailed the shoes to predetermined
sites. Bob Mehmet, president and CEO
of Philadelphia Signs, headquartered in
Palmyra, Burlington County, was Tom’s
primary sponsor for the trip.
Surrounded by family, friends and
other supporters, Tom and Savannah
triumphantly crossed the Benjamin
Franklin Bridge from Philly to New
Jersey in May of 2022, arriving home.
An enthusiastic crowd greeted them at
an outdoors welcome-home celebration
at the Tap Room & Grill in Tom’s
hometown.
After a couple of months together
with relieved family and friends, the duo
moved to Seattle to be with Tom’s girlfriend,
Bonnie Snyder, a medical student
Tom had met there in September 2021
on his way home from Kyrgyzstan.
Meeting Bonnie was another dream
come true for Tom. “The effects of denying
myself close bonds for six years was
beginning to warp me,” he wrote in his
journal.
The trio, plus Bonnie’s dog Cleo (a
black version of Savannah, Tom points
out) currently live in Cincinnati, where
she is a medical resident planning a
career as a physician in a hospital emergency
room.
As Tom works on a book and gives
public talks arranged by his agent, a
documentary television series on his
walk around the world is also in the
works.
Tom is content to forgo 25-mile-a-day
walks from now on, but Savannah would
“still love to walk that far,” her human
bestie says. “But our limit these days
is about four miles. Savannah is eight
now, 56 in human years, so maybe she’s
enjoying slowing down.”
—Barbara Leap
Pet Perspective 7

REAL PETS, REAL PEOPLE
Become Part of an
Orthopedic Clinical Trial
HELP YOUR PET AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE GREATER GOOD!
Help your own pet—and
contribute to research
that could find cures and
solutions for other animals,
too—by getting involved in
a veterinary clinical trial.
A clinical trial is a research study that
investigates whether a new medical
treatment offers effective therapy for
certain conditions—including whether the
new treatment is better than the current
standard therapy. Studies can help experts
in the field find better ways to diagnose,
prevent and treat diseases.
When participating in a clinical trial,
treatments are often available at a
reduced cost.
NorthStar VETS® is working with 12-
24 dogs for a clinical trial to evaluate the
effectiveness of an innovative surgical
procedure called BFX Centerline®—a
total hip replacement technique. North-
Star VETS® Founder and Chief Medical
Officer Dr. Daniel Stobie has successfully
performed this procedure on eight dogs
and is ready to study it further.
Traditionally, a total hip replacement
involves reaming the femoral canal and
using implants that are impacted or
cemented into the femur. While these
procedures are successful, there is an
increased risk of femur fracture with
reaming.
The new Centerline® total hip replacement
system replaces the femoral
head, and the implant is placed without
reaming or the use of bone cement. It
uses biological fixation (BFX), which is
biologically compatible (minimizing adverse
reactions), and encourages bone
growth into the implant for stability. It
also avoids complications related to
the use of cement, such as loosening
or infection. Participation in this study
includes anesthesia, surgery, post-op
rehabilitation, inpatient hospitalization,
around-the-clock nursing care and routine
follow-up visits.
Another clinical trial in the works
is studying surgery to correct canine
patellar luxation, a common orthopedic
condition in dogs affecting the knees,
usually in smaller dog breeds.
NorthStar VETS® is working with 12-24
small-breed dogs in this clinical trial to
evaluate the effectiveness of an innovative
surgical procedure called dome
trochleoplasty which corrects canine
patellar luxation.
If you are interested in having your pet
evaluated for participation in a study, or
to learn more, call 609-259-8300 or email
info@northstarvets.com.
8 NorthStarVETS ® .com

SUPPORT
SYSTEM
Veterinary oncologist
Dr. Renee
Alsarraf battled
cancer at the
same time as her
boxer, Newton.
Healing Power
A MONTCLAIR ONCOLOGY VETERINARIAN REVEALS THE LESSONS SHE LEARNED ABOUT HER
OWN CANCER DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DOGS SHE TREATED.
PHOTOGRAPH: COURTESY OF JOSEPH FRAZZ
Montclair-based veterinary
oncologist Dr.
Renee Alsarraf has
been in practice since
1991, treating pets with
cancer. But when she was diagnosed
with metastatic cancer herself in 2018,
she realized how much her own patients
could help her.
In her book, Sit, Stay, Heal: What Dogs
Can Teach Us About Living Well, Alsarraf
writes about the dogs she has treated in her
career and what she’s learned from them to
help her on her own journey. Her own dog,
Newton, was diagnosed with cancer only
months after her own diagnosis.
What made you want to become a
veterinarian?
I have wanted to be a veterinarian since
age 7, and I have never wavered. But even
looking back at photos of myself when I
was a little younger, I always gravitated
toward animals. I felt that not only did I
understand them, but that they understood
me, and they made me feel whole.
They made me feel happy.
You knew when you were a child what
career path you wanted to follow?
Yes, and people would try to talk me
out of becoming a veterinarian. I would
hear that it was easier to get into medical
school than veterinary school, or a horrible
one—that I would make more money as a
human doctor. But I never wavered. It was
really a calling.
How did you end up specializing in
veterinary oncology?
Oddly, I have always been drawn to it. In
part, I wondered if it was sort of a genetic
thing, since my father was a human
medical oncologist. I always thought
perhaps there was a link there, except that
he never brought his work home with him,
meaning he never talked about it. Then,
the summer after my sophomore year of
veterinary school, I did an externship for
six weeks in New York City at the Animal
Medical Center. I applied for oncology. I
was incredibly fortunate to get it. And that
externship changed my life. I knew then
that I wanted to treat cancer patients. Even
though the topic seems so sad, and it is a
very trying and draining job, I absolutely
love it. It fills me right back up to be able to
give a pet family another holiday or maybe
a few more summers, and to really get to
know that family.
Which animals do you treat?
I treat dogs, cats, birds, bunny rabbits,
ferrets. They can all have cancer. You don’t
really hear much about this, but even dinosaurs
had a fair amount of cancer. They
had a type of bone cancer called osteosarcoma.
They also got leukemia. Cancer has
truly been around since the dawn of time.
I read that when you were at Michigan
State, you organized a pet-loss
support group. Can you talk about the
loss people experience when they
have a pet that dies? I’m not sure people
realize how great that loss can be.
Oh my gosh, not at all. I was a senior veterinary
student following around a senior clinician,
and I would see these families who
were so sad (about their pets), and it wasn’t
necessarily cancer. It could have been old age
or kidney disease or heart disease. And they
Pet Perspective 9

REAL PETS, REAL PEOPLE
had nowhere to go with that. And especially
at that time, it really wasn’t socially acceptable
to take days off for this, even though
you’re saying goodbye to your beloved fourlegged
friend or mourning the loss of your
pet. Thankfully, as society has progressed,
it’s more understood and it’s more supported.
And that is why I wanted to start a petloss
support group. We met twice a month.
I was able to get enough donations to hire
a therapist who specialized in bereavement.
Before I left at the end of my
senior year, I was able to get a
lot more donations to keep it
going, because I feared that,
once I left the university, it
would fold. And I am told
that it is still in existence today.
One of the things I
always try to think about,
or at least acknowledge, is
that we all want our pets
to live a whole lot longer
than they do, but that’s
just not their natural life
span. But I firmly, firmly
believe that dogs, and
this could apply to other
animals as well, but my book is about
dogs—that dogs are placed in our lives at
just the right moment, when we perhaps
need to learn a lesson or perhaps need help.
And a lot of times we maybe don’t even
realize that there is something missing. I
believe that dogs have this magical quality,
and I know that I have been blessed by
having a few or many dogs in my life that
have all taught me different things.
What lessons have you learned about
life and loss from your dog?
I believe the overriding lesson of the entire
book is that dogs are not just incredible
support or companions, but I think that
they are fantastic guides for when we
struggle. And we all struggle at times with
so many different things. ...One of the
things I learned about dogs is that they are
pack animals, and that’s how they survive
in the wild. They do better because they’re
together. They need each other to help
hunt for food, and they rely on each other
for security. They even lay on each other
for warmth. If you remember a couple of
Christmases ago, the gift was the weighted
blanket. So everyone rushed to the mall
to get the weighted blanket—but dogs are
their own weighted blanket. And if you’ve
ever had a really hard day and come home,
maybe you’re sitting on the sofa and your
dog is lying alongside you or, even better,
is lying on you—it is just the best feeling.
And I think if we take that viewpoint
even a step further, it’s that we as people
are better off as pack animals rather than
“…dogs are placed in our lives at just the
right moment when we perhaps need to
learn a lesson or perhaps need help.”
trying to exist
just individually
or alone. And that
we truly are better
together.
Other lessons:
Dogs are not judgmental...and
dogs
live in the moment.
They mirror for us
what mindfulness
should be. Dogs
show us the sanctity
of self-care. ...You
know, the proverbial,
'Dogs lick their own
wounds.' Clearly, we
shouldn’t do that
for ourselves, but we
should tend to ourselves if we have sore
muscles, or—I know for me, when I was
going through chemotherapy, I still tried
to do things instead of resting and letting
my body heal.
How did your dog and the other dogs
that you’ve treated help you deal with
your own diagnosis of cancer?
They set the bar higher for me. They were
actually my recovery role models. I think
that, a lot of times, animals, especially
dogs and cats, are better patients than we
are. What I’ve tried to allow dogs to show
me, and cats as well, is that because they
live in the moment, they don’t fret. Before
I would go to the cancer treatment center,
I would fret about the what ifs. Am I going
to get sick? How sick is sick? Will I lose
my hair? Will the nurse be able to put a
catheter in me? And when a dog is going
into the veterinary clinic, they’re pulling
on the edge of the leash. They are eager to
sniff anything or look for a biscuit. I know
that when we treat dogs with chemotherapy,
after they’re done, they hop right up
and they’re looking for a treat or to be
scratched behind the ear. But not me. I
would lament that it took the nurse two
tries to get the catheter in me and worry
about what was going to happen the next
time. And I believe that all that negative
energy just circled in my head, and circles
in all of our heads, but it only serves to
bring us down. Dogs and other animals
don’t have that. They use their energy for
positive thoughts, and I think that’s so
much healthier.
Can pets help with healing?
Absolutely! Just take a look at how dogs
are used for people with PTSD after
they have come back from being in the
military service. Just the act of having a
dog or a cat, something warm who loves
you right back, that you take care of, is so
helpful. Because even though we feel we’re
responsible for them, they feel they’re
100 percent responsible for us. We know
that people who have fish tanks and look
at fish in the tank have an increased level
of endorphins. And this goes for having
any pet, not just having a fish tank—they
have decreased levels of cortisol, which is
a stress hormone. They have warmer skin
temperatures because it helps dilate their
blood vessels. They tend to be happier.
Dogs have been shown to help people and
children with autism and ADHD. There
was even a study where children with
diabetes that had a pet and helped take
care of the pet then took better care of
themselves. Dogs and pets in general just
make us happier. And they have therapy
dogs on college campuses to help students
experiencing stress during exam time.
How did your dog help you get better?
I’d been battling cancer, and then, one day,
I was on the sofa convalescing from my
treatment and feeling lousy, and I reached
out for my dog, Newton, a boxer who was
my diligent nurse mate. He never left my
side. He didn’t care if I was in my pajamas
from four days ago or had chicken soup
stains on the front. He always saw me for
me. I reached down one day to pet him, and
I felt an enlarged lymph node. It turned out
that he had lymphoma, which is the most
common cancer that we see in dogs. We
get pets because we want a companion...
but we never think that our four-legged
companion is going to be going through
chemotherapy simultaneously. And that’s
what happened. But in the beginning, he
just kicked cancer’s rear end. He would
come home after his treatment and race to
his food bowl, eager. He was a role model
for my recovery. —Jacqueline Mroz
10 NorthStarVETS ® .com

REAL PETS, REAL PEOPLE
SAFETY TIPS
HALLOWEEN
COSTUMES
Sure, it’s cute to dress up
your pet on Halloween, but
is it safe? Here are five tips
for making sure your pooch
not only looks great, but
has a great time with you on
Halloween.
1. Tune into your pet’s body
language. You know your pet
best, and if their head is down,
they’re pawing at their costume,
or are exhibiting other signs of
discomfort or distress, they are
likely uncomfortable.
2. Put comfort first. A pet costume
should be lightweight
and comfortable. It should not
constrict the head or neck, or
restrict movement, hearing,
eyesight or breathing.
3. Prevent choking. Inspect the
costume prior to wearing for
any small parts or pieces that
could be a choking hazard for
your pet.
Made-to-order veterinary medications to meet your pet’s specific needs
Proud Provider of Epicur Pharma’s manufactured products
Precision Compounding - Nationwide.
800-754-5222 | stokespharmacy.com
6000 Commerce Pkwy, Suite A, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
®
4. Do a test run. Don’t make Halloween
the first time your pet
wears their costume. Try on the
costume in the days leading up
to Halloween to make sure your
pet is comfortable, happy, and
ready to have a barkin’ good
time.
5. If all else fails, accessorize.
If you determine that a full
costume isn’t right for your pet,
pick out a festive bandanna or
a collar charm to get into the
Halloween spirit.
PHOTOGRAPH: SHUTTERSTOCK
Morristown
Montville
Warren
(coming soon)
973-539-0377 973-263-9060
COME. STAY. PLAY.
MorrisAnimalInn.com
Pet Perspective 11

12 NorthStarVETS.com ®
PHOTOS: (IMAGE) CREDIT; (IMAGE) CREDIT; (IMAGE) CREDIT

5
3 WITH YOUR PET IN NJ
O
T S G N I H T N U FF F
D O O O
Explore the
Garden State
this season—and bring
your pet along for
the journey.
PHOTOGRAPHS: (DOG) SHUTTERSTOCK; (MORRIS ANIMAL INN) COURTESY OF MORRIS ANIMAL INN
1
GO APPLE OR PUMPKIN PICKING
Apple and pumpkin picking are favorite fall
activities for humans and—if you choose one of
these places to visit—dogs, too. Pooches are permitted
at farms including Ort Farms in Long Valley,
Hacklebarney Farm in Chester, Red Wagon
Farm in Manalapan and Ward’s Pumpkin Patch
in Ridgewood. Most of these spots restrict where
dogs are allowed on their property, so check each
farm’s website or give them a call before visiting.
Ort Farms: 25 Bartley Road, Long Valley, 908-876-3351,
ortfarms.com; Hacklebarney Farm: 104 State Park Road,
Chester, 908-879-6593, hacklebarneyfarm.com; Red
Wagon Farm: 437 State Route 33, Manalapan, redwagonfarmnj.com;
Ward’s Pumpkin Patch: 552 Route 17 N.,
Ridgewood, 201-523-0918, wardspumpkinpatch.com
2
GIVE YOUR PET A VACATION
If you’re going on a humans-only trip, why not
also give your dog or cat a vacation while you’re
away? Morris Animal Inn is any pet’s ultimate
home away from home, with top-notch accommodations
and care, plus activities and features like
kitty-chaser games, a dog-grooming salon and
spa, group play for pups, one-on-one playtime
with staff, and splish-splash sessions.
120 Sand Springs Road, Morristown, 973-241-7412;
117 Boonton Avenue, Montville, 973-263-9060; 75 Stirling
Road, Warren, 908-755-0227; morrisanimalinn.com
3
BE PART OF THE PACK
Take your dog on a safe, structured, weekly
pack walk around the New Brunswick area with
NB Pack Walks. Among the group’s past outings
are the Rutgers University Ecological Preserve,
Cheesequake State Park and Davidson Mill Pond
County Park. For the monthly schedule, join the
group’s Facebook page, and for a peek at previous
walks, head to Instagram. —Monica Cardoza
facebook.com/groups/nbpackwalks;
instagram.com/nbpackwalks
MORRIS
ANIMAL INN
Pet Perspective 13

4
TAKE A WALKING TOUR
New Jersey is rich in history. Free, downloadable,
self-guided walking tours are a great
way to discover the state with your pet. In Hoboken,
a 32-stop tour takes two to three hours.
Morristown’s 1.5-mile walk includes 27 stops.
Mountain Lakes’ 2-mile audio tour conveniently
starts at the train station. Too cold to walk? Choose
a driving tour from eight scenic byways. —MC
Hoboken, hobokenmuseum.com; Moristown,
morristourism.org; Mountain Lakes, mtnlakes.org;
Scenic byways, njscenicbyways.com)
5
HIT UP YAPPY HOUR
If you like happy hour, you’ll love Yappy
Hour at Wonder Bar in Asbury Park. The regular
event, which runs through fall, features a large,
fenced-in space, activities and water for the canine
guests, and cocktails and socializing for the
human ones. $10 per person.
1213 Ocean Avenue N., Asbury Park, 732-455-3767;
wonderbarasburypark.com
6
MAKE AN IMPRESSION
A glassblowing studio might not be the first
place that comes to mind as a pet-friendly space,
but the folks at Hot Sand in Asbury Park are a
dog-loving bunch. Bring Fido in for the studio’s Hot
Paws activity, where you’ll capture your dog’s paw
print in a mold that artists will turn into a glass keepsake.
At-home kits are also available. —Shelby Vittek
550 Cookman Avenue #103, Asbury Park,
732-927-5475; hotsandap.com
7
VISIT THE ULTIMATE DOG PARK
There are dog parks, and then there is
Timber Creek Dog Park. Covering an expansive
9 acres, this off-leash, fenced-in park in Blackwood
has it all: wooded and hilly nature trails,
shaded areas and a dog fountain for cooling off,
and a pond where pups can swim. It’s a great
place to practice off-leash training or to just let
your pooch run off their endless supply of energy
among friends. —SV
236 Taylor Avenue and Chews Landing Road,
Blackwood; camdencounty.com
PAW PRINT
ART AT HOT
SAND
8
GET PICTURE-PERFECT
Have a professional “pawtrait” taken of your
pet at your home or favorite outdoor spot. These
pet photographers creatively celebrate the bond
between you and your four-legged family member.
Bundle of Paws Photography in Robbinsville
specializes in dogs, cats and horses. Good Doggy
Photography in Holmdel is a dog photographer
specializing in studio portraits. With Best New
Jersey Pet Photography in Rochelle Park, pets are
photographed in local parks or at your home. With
Wooftastic Portraits, dog portraits are taken at a
designated location. —MC
Bundle of Paws Photography, bundleofpawsphotography.com;
Good Doggy Photography, gooddoggyphotography.com;
Best New Jersey Pet Photography,
pets.davideric.com; Wooftastic Portraits,
wooftasticportraits.com
9
BEST NEW JERSEY PET
PHOTOGRAPHY
GET ACTIVE TOGETHER
Can you and your dog overcome obstacles?
Find out at Kim Seiter Dog Agility. Agility
involves directing your dog to negotiate a series of
obstacles while running. It’s a fun and active way to
bond with your pet. One important guideline: Your
pooch must be dog- and people-friendly. —MC
209 Oak Ridge Road, Newfoundland;
kimseiterdogagility.com
(ANIMAL BODYWORK) COURTESY OF PRISM INTEGRATIVE HEALTH; (CAT) SHUTTERSTOCK
14 NorthStarVETS ® .com

10
GET CLEANED UP
There will be no muddy prints on your
car seats when you stop at a car wash featuring
a climate-controlled, self-serve, indoor pet wash
kiosk, like Rise and Shine Car Wash or White
Horse Car Wash & Pet Wash. Shampoo and conditioner
provided. No appointment needed. —MC
Rise and Shine: 131 Cross Keys Road, Berlin, 856-767-
7757, riseandshinecarwash.com; White Horse Car
Wash & Pet Wash: 18 White Horse Road, Voorhees,
856-627-2722, whitehorsecarwash.com
11
RIDE THE FERRY
If you're planning an excursion on the
Cape May-Lewes Ferry, take the ride between
Cape May and Lewes, Delaware, with your pet!
They are allowed on exterior decks, provided
they are leashed.
cmlf.com
12
BOOK A MASSAGE
Put your dog or horse in the capable
hands of Animal Bodywork & Aromatherapy’s
Heather Wallace, a certified equine and canine
sports massage therapist. Small animals are seen
in Keyport, while visits to barns 30-plus miles from
central Jersey may be subject to a travel fee and a
minimum number of horses. —MC
732-784-7195; animalbodywork.com
ANIMAL
BODYWORK &
AROMATHERAPY
13
MEOW YOUR WAY TO FUN
Want to adopt a cat? Get a feel for life
with a feline at a cat lounge. Rahway Kitty Hall
features cats ready for adoption from Angel Paws,
and Catsbury Park is an adoption center where
visitors can play with cats. Both charge admission
and require reservations. —R.C. Staab
Rahway Kitty Hall: 209 W. Main Street, Rahway,
732-208-4184, rahwaykittyhall.com; Catsbury Park:
901 3rd Avenue, Asbury Park, catsburypark.com
14
TREAT YOUR PET
No matter the season, ice cream is a treat
(for humans and dogs!). At Salty Paws, buy your
pooch a cool one in flavors like maple bacon or
pumpkin. Salty Paws also sells doggie baked goods.
276 96th Street, Stone Harbor, 609-961-3598;
saltypawsstoneharbor.com
15
WALK THE BOARDWALK
In the summer, pets are not allowed on
the six major Jersey Shore boardwalks—but that
changes in the fall. After October 1, take your pet to
Atlantic City to stroll the oldest, longest (at 4 miles)
and most famous boardwalk in the United States.
You can also hang out at a restaurant on the boards
in Asbury Park, or enjoy the tranquil off-season at
the Ocean City boardwalk. —RCS
Pet Perspective 15

SPOTLIGHT ON THE BEACHES
BRING YOUR DOG
TO THE SHORE!
17
TAKE A TRIP TOGETHER
Self-proclaimed “dog daddies” Brant
Shih and Dearrick Knupp know how special it can
be to travel with your pups. So when they opened
Fox & Bear Lodge in July 2021, making it a
pet-friendly place was a top priority. Well-behaved
dogs under 85 pounds are welcome (max
two per reservation) and receive a puffy bed to
sleep on, feeding bowls, a chewing toy, organic
dog treats and eco-friendly clean-up bags. —SV
967 McAfee Glenwood Road, Glenwood,
917-267-8184; foxandbearlodge.com
WILDWOOD
DOG PARK
16
HIT THE SURF AND SAND
By October 1, almost every town
along the Jersey Shore loosens its restrictions,
and leashed dogs are welcome on the beach.
For a tranquil walk with dogs unaccustomed
to the ocean, seek out the bayside
beaches of Sandy Hook in the Gateway National
Recreation Area, with coves, walkways
and an occasional kite surfer. On either side of
the Barnegat Inlet, dogs are welcome.
Island Beach State Park has a particularly
wide peninsula at the southern tip, and Barnegat
Light State Park on Long Beach Island
welcomes dogs along their long jetty and
beach. A truly wonderful, scenic place in South
Jersey is Longport Dog Beach, a long stretch of
uninhabited beach with great views.
Looking for beaches with lots of other pets?
In Asbury Park, the North Beach area has a designated
beach where dogs may roam off leash,
and it’s often a fun scene. In the northern part of
Brigantine beyond the town’s boardwalk, dogs
are permitted year-round.
Just off the Wildwood boardwalk at Maple
Avenue, a giant fire hydrant is the centerpiece
of a fenced dog park. Fresh water and clean-up
bags are available. Leashed dogs are welcome
at the beach a few hundred feet from the park.
In Cape May, hit the beach, and then, with
your pet, enjoy sunset at Sunset Beach.
Contact each beach or check online for dates
and hours that dogs are allowed on the beach
and any other restrictions. —RCS
18
GO DOG SLEDDING
Dog sledding in New Jersey? Yes,
it’s true! The Jersey Sands Sled Dog Racing
Association meets regularly in Brendan T. Byrne
State Forest to train and have fun. The best part?
Anyone with an interest can bring their dog and
is welcome to join. Equipment is available to borrow,
and meet-up dates are posted on Facebook.
facebook.com/jssdra
19
EXPLORE A MUSEUM
No need to leave your pet outside at
historic Hangar #1 at the Cape May Airport. The
Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum
welcomes pets on leash as their owners marvel
at more than 26 aircraft, from a Russian MiG-15
jet fighter to helicopters and World War II aircraft.
There’s even a Coast Guard patrol boat.
500 Forrestal Road, Cape May, 609-886-8787;
usnasw.org
20
SHOP TILL YOU DROP
With more than 50 stores, the poochfriendly
West End Garage in Cape May has an
incredible variety of artwork, jewelry and gifts,
including Bully Bows, which sells funky collars for
your pet. —RCS
484 W. Perry Street, Cape May, 609-770-8261;
caperesorts.com
BULLY BOWS
SELLS DOG
COLLARS.
16 NorthStarVETS ® .com

22
GO WHALE WATCHING
Jersey Shore Whale Watch invites
well-behaved dogs accustomed to ocean boat rides
to join their parents on weekdays aboard the Jersey
Girl as it sails out to sea looking for humpback
whales and dolphins. Through December, the boat
leaves from Belmar Marina on a three-hour trip with
commentary from a naturalist. Passengers are guaranteed
to see a whale or they return for free. —RCS
jerseyshorewhalewatchingtour.com
21
ENJOY A SLICE OF HISTORY
With more than 60 restaurants and
shops surrounding a beautiful lake, Historic
Smithville is a charming yet bustling spot that is
perfect for people with pets to explore. Each fall
weekend features themed events, including the
Costume Pet Parade on October 21. The holidays
begin in earnest on Saturday, November 25, and
include a plethora of events. —RCS
historicsmithville.com
PET PARADE
AT HISTORIC
SMITHVILLE
23
HIT THE TRAILS
Holmdel Park, a 664-acre park in the
heart of central Jersey, is home to more than 10
miles of trails, ranging from easy to challenging.
Hit the paved half-mile loop connecting the Pond
View and Forest Edge sectors for a relaxed walk.
Another must-visit spot is the lovely David C.
Shaw Arboretum, with 22 acres of ornamental
trees and shrubs. Afterward, enjoy lunch in a picnic
area. Leashes required. —Olivia Beach
44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel;
monmouthcountyparks.com
24
EXPLORE SOME MORE
Henry Hudson Trail has something
for everyone. A former railroad right-of-way, this
paved, flat trail spans 24 miles. The southern
portion takes people and pooches from Marlboro
to Freehold through woods and fields, while
PHOTOSGRAPHS: (DOG PARK) COURTESY OF GREATER WILDWOODS TOURISM IMPROVEMENT & DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY;
(FOX & BEAR) COURTESY OF RENEE ASH PHOTOGRAPHY
FOX & BEAR LODGE OFFERS
PET-FRIENDLY AMENITIES.
Pet Perspective 17

the northern part spreads from Aberdeen to the
Atlantic Highlands, with 14 miles of shoreline views.
Dogs must be leashed. —OB
monmouthcountyparks.com
25
KICK BACK AT A WINERY
What's better than visiting a winery on
a crisp fall day? Bringing your dog along for the
fun. As the name suggests, Working Dog Winery
is pooch friendly, as long as dogs stay outside in
the lawn area. Water is provided for canine visitors,
while people, of course, have a variety of delicious
wines from which to choose.
610 Perrineville Road, Hightstown, 609-371-6000;
workingdogwinerynj.com
26
ENJOY A NIGHT OUT
Have you been itching to try one of
celebrity chef David Burke’s restaurants, but
don't want to leave your dog at home? Burke’s
Red Horse, Fox & Falcon and the GOAT now offer
Yappy Hour, a dog-friendly happy hour, on their
patios. Pets can enjoy water bowls while pet parents
lap up happy-hour food and drink specials.
The event is set to take place through the end of
fall, weather permitting. —Olivia Bardo
Red Horse: 26 Ridge Road, Rumson, 732-576-3400,
redhorsebydb.com; Fox & Falcon: 19 Valley Street,
South Orange, 973-419-6773, thefoxandfalconbydb.
com; The GOAT: 1411 Route 36, Union Beach,
732-264-5222, thegoatbydb.com
27
GRAB A BREW OR TWO
Departed Soles Brewery in Jersey City
not only has great beer (many of which are gluten
free), but it welcomes dogs. Their only caveat?
“We just hold them to the same standards as our
human friends (clean, don't make a mess and not
too loud).” Leashes required.
150 Bay Street, #2A Jersey City, 201-479-8578;
departedsoles.com
28
GO CAMPING
A number of New Jersey state parks
welcome pets to select campgrounds, with an
additional $5 fee per night. Cheesequake State
Park, Bass River State Forest and Round Valley Recreational
Area allow pets (with restrictions) and are
open year-round. Domestic dogs and cats are the
only animals allowed outdoors on park grounds,
with a maximum of two pets per camping permit.
njportal.com/dep/njoutdoors
29
K9 Resorts, an award-winning, luxury dog boarding
and daycare featuring state-of-the-art facilities,
a loving staff, cage-free boarding and top-notch
customer service. There are locations all over the
state, including in Madison, Fanwood, Hamilton
and Middletown, so wherever you live, there is a
K9 Resort for your pooch.
k9resorts.com
LIVE THE LUXE LIFE
Give your pooch a taste of the luxe life at
30
ENJOY MOVIE MAGIC
When it's just too cold to venture outside,
host a movie marathon at home featuring
dog-centric movies (think Benji, A Dog’s Journey,
A Dog’s Purpose, Lady and the Tramp, Homeward
Bound and As Good as it Gets). Invite your friends
and family to come with their pups. Offer treats
and bowls of water for the dogs and popcorn for
the humans. —Barbara Leap
YAPPY HOUR
AT RED HORSE
IN RUMSON
18 NorthStarVETS ® .com

PHOTOGRAPHS: (RED HORSE) COURTESY OF DAVID BURKE HOSITALITY;
(ST. HUBERT'S) COURTESY OF ST. HUBERT'S ANIMAL WELFARE CENTER
31
TAKE A CLASS
As the St. Hubert’s Training and Behavior
Center puts it, “A good education may be
the most valuable gift you can ever give your canine
companion.” So take a class with your dog to
improve their behavior and strengthen communication.
Group classes and private sessions are
available. A virtual class for cats is also offered.
575 Woodland Avenue, Madison, 973-377-2295;
sthuberts.org
32
EXPLORE JERSEY CITY
Spend a day in Jersey City. Dog parks
along River Drive in Newport, including Newport
Pier Dog Run and River Drive Dog Run, offer waterfront
city-skyline views. Liberty State Park is one
of Jersey’s top destinations for people and pets to
spend time outdoors. The views of the Statue of
Liberty are stunning. End your day at the nearby
dog-inspired distillery Corgi Spirits, which donates
to local rescue organizations. —Falyn Stempler
Newport Pier Dog Run: 25 Park Lane S., newportnj.com;
River Drive Dog Run: 54 River Drive S., newportnj.com;
Liberty State Park: 1 Audrey Zapp Drive, nj.gov; Corgi
Spirits: 150 Pacific Avenue, Building P, 201-448-4184,
corgispirits.com
33
GET A WELL-COOKED MEAL
The Rusty Nail doesn’t just welcome
dogs—it cooks for them. The beloved eatery has an
entire menu devoted to pooches, featuring items
TAKE A CLASS AT ST. HUBERT'S
TRAINING AND BEHAVIOR CENTER.
like the Doggie Bowl (grilled chicken or steamed
veggies) and the Hot Diggity Dog (a plain, all-beef
hot dog without the bun). For dessert, the Rusty
Nail serves all-natural pup treats.
205 Beach Avenue, Cape May, 609-884-0017;
caperesorts.com
34
PROTECT YOUR PETS
Between all the fun you’re having this
season, make sure to keep your pet protected, too.
First on your list? Checking that your pet’s lepto
and lyme disease vaccines are up to date. Call your
veterinarian with questions. When venturing out in
cold weather, keep your pup’s delicate paws protected.
Massage a protectant like petroleum jelly
into paw pads to create a barrier. Want even more
protection? Buy booties. Then, after an outdoor
walk, wash and dry your dog’s feet and stomach
to get rid of any ice melt, rock salt or chemicals.
When in doubt about whether it’s too cold to go
outside with your pet, stay indoors.
35
FOCUS ON HEALTH
Keeping your pet healthy is any pet
parent’s number 1 priority, so when your animal’s
individual health concerns are top of mind, take
them to Stokes Pharmacy. Stokes’ prepared medications
are compounded with the highest degree
of quality for safe, reliable prescriptions—making it
a place you can count on every time you visit.
6000 Commerce Parkway, Suite A, Mt. Laurel,
800-754-5222; stokespharmacy.com
Pet Perspective 19

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Gift
Guide
Holiday shopping just got
a whole lot more fun.
Here are our gift picks for the
pets and pet lovers in your life.
GIFTS FOR
PET LOVERS
2
1
3
1 The Cat’s Meow
This sweet pinch-bowl set is the purrfect
gift for any cat lover. The six small
stoneware bowls are great for snacks
and condiments, or as trinket dishes.
• $22 at Harmony Brookside Gift
Shop & Art Gallery (Brookside) or
harmonybrooksidegifts.com
2 Comfy and Cozy
Each one of these soft microfleece
robes is custom embroidered with the
dog breed of your choice. Color choices
include deep smoke (seen here),
marshmallow and pink raspberry.
• $59.99 at Cherrybrook Showroom
(Phillipsburg) or cherrybrook.com
3 Pillow Pals
Dog lovers can add a pop of fun to
any sofa, living-room chair or bed
with this delightful embroidered pillow
from Rifle Paper Co. x Loloi. Each
pillow measures 22 by 22 inches and
is available with down or polyester
fill. The best part of this gift? No
muddy paw prints on furniture!
• $110 at riflepaperco.com
4 Style in the Bag
This sleek carrier, which holds dogs up
to 13 pounds, is a must for the stylish
pet parent. Features include a memory
cushion pillow and safety leash.
• $279 at thevipupcollection.com
4
5
5 Cheers!
This oak whiskey box set comes with
two lowball glasses, six sandstone
coasters and two soapstone whiskey
stones—and is laser-engraved with
your dog breed of choice.
• $183.99 at Cherrybrook Showroom
(Phillipsburg) or cherrybrook.com
20 NorthStarVETS ® .com

GIFTS FOR
PETS
6 The Name Game
House Dogge’s wool binky toy is a
great gift for the pooch who likes to
carry toys around or enjoys a friendly
toss-and-tug game. The binkies come
in a variety of colors and can be customized
with a dog’s name or a word.
Available in 5-inch (small dog) and
7-inch (medium/large dog) sizes.
• $20-$25 each at housedogge.com
6
7 Philanthropic Fun
Purchasing this dog-treat puzzle at
Buddy’s Boutique will not only keep
your dog mentally stimulated, it will
help other animals, too. Proceeds
from the store benefit shelter pets
at the adjacent St. Hubert’s Animal
Wellness Center.
• $15.99 at Buddy’s Boutique (Madison)
or sthuberts.org
7
8
8 Cool Digs
Cat accomodations get an upgrade
with EveryYay’s fun, three-level cat
tree with condo. Felines will love
climbing up and down, playing with
the dangling toy, and resting inside.
• $129.99 at Petco stores or
petco.com
9
9 Fabulous Finds
Jersey-based brand Fabdog has
winter dog gear that is just—well, fab!
The infinity scarf, chunky sweater and
pack-’n-go reversible puffer come in
a variety of sizes for all breeds.
• $20-$62 at fabdog.com
10 Rest Your Head
Lay Lo’s terrazzo dog bed is not only
a cozy spot for Fido, it will add style
to any home. Available in four sizes.
• $149 at laylopets.com
10
PHOTOGRAPHS: COURTESY OF THE MANUFACTURERS
Support your local
merchants while
holiday shopping
this year.
Pet Perspective 21

Sure, people
often undergo
rehab after an injury
or surgery, but what
about pets?
They, too, can
benefit immensely
from physical
rehabilitation.
A PATH
TOWARD
HEALING
P
ets are like humans in so many
ways. They can show emotion,
give and receive comfort, and,
in difficult times, find they
need to rely on the support
of family members and doctors to help
improve their health.
Just like people, when a pet undergoes
surgery or is recovering from an injury, an
important part of the healing process may
be physical rehabilitation.
Pets in rehab typically undergo a combination
of in-office treatment sessions and
at-home exercises, both of which require
the attentive support of pet parents.
“Clients are encouraged to actively
participate in their pet’s rehab plan and
are given at-home exercises and activities
that augment the therapies provided at
the office,” says Dr. Rosalie M. LoScrudato,
who specializes in Physical Rehabilitation
at NorthStar VETS® and is certified in
Companion Animal Pain Management.
A variety of therapeutic modalities are
used during treatment sessions in the
office. They include massage and stretches,
laser therapy, electrical stimulation,
exercises, thermotherapy with heat and ice,
and hydrotherapy tools such as an underwater
treadmill.
In addition to physical rehabilitation,
NorthStar VETS® offers complementary
rehabilitative and pain-management
services that include acupuncture, stem
cell therapy, platelet-rich plasma therapy,
wheelchair or cart fitting, and assistive
devices such as harnesses or slings.
So how do you know if your pet needs
rehabilitation?
Treatments can help pets who have recently
undergone orthopedic or neurologic
surgery, or those who have experienced
soft tissue injuries.
Sessions can aid with osteoarthritis-related
issues as well as weakness related to
age or metabolic conditions. Treatment
PHOTOGRAPH: SHUTTERSTOCK
22 NorthStarVETS.com
®

can also help improve symptoms of a neurological
condition (such as intervertebral
disc disease, fibrocartilagenous embolism
or degenerative myelopathy).
Physical rehabilitation can also be used
to balance weight management, or as a
form of conditioning for working dogs or
canine athletes.
“Rehabilitation is used to address and
improve musculoskeletal and neurologic
issues that impede a pet’s ability to perform
their activities of daily living or that
negatively impact a pet’s quality of life,”
says Dr. LoScrudato.
Before the experts at NorthStar VETS®
begin a treatment plan, dogs undergo a full
pain management,” says Dr. LoScrudato.
“It is also important to discuss client
expectations and create individualized
goals for clients and pets,” Dr. LoScrudato
explains.
The overall duration of a treatment plan
varies from patient to patient and takes
into account various factors. On average,
individual in-office session times run
between 45 and 60 minutes.
Once a treatment plan is put in place,
that doesn’t mean things are set in stone.
“Reassessing pets and adjusting the therapeutic
plan is also very important,” says Dr.
LoScrudato.
The benefits of rehabilitation are many.
Rosalie LoScrudato,
DVM, CVA, CCRP
physical examination and an evaluation of
their gait and movement. Pet parents also
fill out a comprehensive questionnaire.
Plans are individualized for each patient,
making the care at NorthStar VETS® a
truly personal experience. “It is imperative
to review the patient’s full history, take into
account client limitations, evaluate the
patient’s environment, provide recommendations
on modifications that can assist
the pet, and provide recommendations for
[We are] returning our pets to
enjoying their normal daily
activities without pain or discomfort,
whether they are young,
old, athletes or sofa buddies.
Dogs can see improved joint range of
motion, improved muscular strength and
coordination, prevention of further muscle
atrophy, improved mobility, decreased
pain, improved physical and mental
well-being, and improved quality of life.
“[We are] returning our pets to enjoying
their normal daily activities without pain
or discomfort,” says Dr. LoScrudato,
“whether they are young, old, athletes or
sofa buddies.”
HYDROTHERAPY
BENEFITS OF
REHABILITATION
❑ Improve mobility and quality
of life
❑ Decrease pain
❑ Promote physical and mental
well-being
❑ Facilitate healing and return
to function
❑ Improve joint range of motion
❑ Improve muscular strength
and coordination
❑ Prevent further muscle atrophy
SERVICES PROVIDED BY
NORTHSTAR VETS
Does your dog have trouble climbing stairs?
Need help in and out of cars?
As one of the only licensed clinics in NJ, NorthStar VETS® is pleased to
offer Synovetin OA® to provide safe, long-lasting relief for canine elbow
osteoarthritis (OA). With just 1 simple treatment of Synovetin OA® , it can
provide up to 1 full year of targeted pain relief.
❑ Hydrotherapy (also called
aquatic therapy)
❑ Manual therapy (massage,
stretching, joint and/or softtissue
mobilization)
❑ Therapeutic exercise
❑ Therapeutic laser therapy
❑ Multimodal pain management
❑ Synovetin OA® for
elbow osteoarthritis
❑ Electrical stimulation
modalities (NMES)
❑ Thermotherapy (heat and ice)
Pet Perspective 23

HAPPY,
HAPPY, HEALTHY PETS
HEALTHY
PETS
PUTTING THEIR WELLNESS FIRST
Spotlight on
Specialty Medicine
A look at innovative pet treatments and techniques
Deck taht supports the headline about pets making you
DENTISTRY AND ORAL SURGERY
Gum disease (gingivitis
and the more severe
periodontitis) is the
most diagnosed disease
in dogs and cats. In fact,
by the age of four, 80
Kirk Herrmann,
DVM, DAVDC
percent of dogs and 70
percent of cats will show
signs of dental disease.
If left untreated, gum disease not only
can cause bad breath, tooth decay and
tooth loss, but once the bacteria gains
access to internal organs through diseased
gums, more serious health problems like
heart, liver and kidney disease may follow.
A growing number of studies suggest
that the healthier the mouth, the healthier
the pet. That's why seeing your veterinarian
for routine dental cleanings and checkups
is an important part of good pet care.
The NorthStar VETS® Animal Dentistry
and Oral Surgery team provides these
advanced services:
Oral Surgery
• Surgical extractions, including ful mouth
extractions for stomatitis patients
• Minimally invasive jaw fracture repair
• Oral surgical oncology, including oral
tumor biopsy, mandibulectomy and
maxillectomy
• Repair of cleft palate defects and oronasal
fistulas
• Muscle biopsy for suspected masticatory
myositis cases
Periodontal treatment
• Professional dental cleaning
• Closed and open root planing
• Advanced periodontal surgery
• Crown lengthening procedures for
tooth fractures that extend below the
gingival margin
Endodontic treatment
• Root canal therapy
• Vital pulp therapy
• Surgical root canal therapy
Prosthodontics
• Full metal crowns for fractured teeth
• Three-quarter crowns for cage-biter's
wear
• Radiography (X-rays) and CT scan
Teleradiology
DERMATOLOGY
Like humans, dogs and cats commonly
experience skin disorders. In fact, there are
hundreds of different skin disorders recognized
in pets. Because
the signs often appear
the same—itchy skin and
digestive problems are
common—accurately determining
the cause and
Gregory C.
Griffeth,
DVM, DACVD
the appropriate treatment
requires specialized
testing and in-depth
diagnostic expertise.
At NorthStar VETS®, the Dermatology
department provides a variety of diagnostic
tests that can help determine the cause
of your pet's skin disorder. And veterinarians
are specially trained to recognize, diagnose
and treat skin diseases, so your pet
can go back to living life symptom-free.
The goal at NorthStar VETS® is to
identify the clinical problems, understand
the underlying pathologic process
and to find the best way to keep your
pet comfortable and as free of skin
problems as possible. In order to do
this, the team has you fill out a questionnaire
to identify the problem, get an
idea of how long the problem has been
ongoing, and how it has affected your
pet. NorthStar VETS® also examines
records from your family veterinarian
to see what therapies have been tried in
the past, and what medications your pet
has been given.
24 NorthStarVETS ® .com

HAPPY HEALLTHY PETS
To try and identify possible diagnosis,
multiple modalities may be employed.
The results of some will be available right
away, and some may be sent to a lab.
NorthStar VETS® may consider:
• Skin scraping for parasites
• Flea combing for fleas
• Cytology (cell analysis) of lesions in the
skin and hair coat that may show us different
bacteria and/or fungal elements
• Bacterial and/or fungal cultures for
severe skin or ear disease to identify
particular bacteria/fungal organisms
and target the most useful systemic
medication
• Blood work to rule out any underlying
systemic illness
• Skin biopsies if indicated
• Aspirates of masses/tumors found in skin
• Video-otoscopy (a miniaturized camera
that allows us to view and photograph
the ear canal and eardrum)
• CT scans/ MRI for evaluation of middle
and inner ear disease if indicated
Once NorthStar VETS® has identified
the cause of your pet 's skin disorder, the
team will have a differential diagnosis, if
not a definitive diagnosis, and work with
you and your primary care veterinarian
to develop a treatment plan. This might
include:
• Systemic and topical therapies to clear
infections in the skin
• Allergy vaccines for immunotherapy in
dogs with certain allergic diseases
• Dietary changes for dogs with different
allergic disease
• Long-term management of chronic
skin or ear diseases, which may require
ongoing treatment using the most
up-to-date medications and treatment
regimens
Conditions NorthStar VETS® diagnoses
and treats:
• Allergies, the most common cause of
skin problems in pets; allergies are
usually food-related, environmental, or
contact-related.
• Cutaneous and subcutaneous infection
of the skin, commonly caused by bacteria
and fungi
• Parasitic infestations due to fleas, ticks
and other parasites
• Immune-mediated disease, occurs when
the body's own immune system attacks
the healthy skin
• Ear infections, often breed-related (dogs
with flopped ears are more susceptible)
but can be caused by allergies
• Middle and inner-ear diseases
• Skin tumors
• Haircoat abnormalities
• Genetic abnormalities of skin and coat
• Endocrine and metabolic disease affecting
skin and coat
CARDIOLOGY
Just like humans, companion animals can
have heart (cardiac) and lung (pulmonary)
problems. These conditions
fall into two categories:
congenital (present
from birth) or acquired
(developed over time).
Hyeon Woo
Jeong, DVM,
DACVIM
Seeing a doctor who
specializes in cardiac conditions
can help your pet
achieve the best possible
heart and lung health—and that’s exactly
what you’ll find at NorthStar VETS®. The
Cardiology Department is staffed by highly
trained veterinarians who specialize in
diseases that affect the heart and lungs of
companion animals.
NorthStar VETS® provides a full range of
cardiopulmonary diagnostic and treatment
services to ensure the best-possible
quality of life for your companion:
• Cardiac consultation
• Heart murmur evaluation
• Breed screens for congenital and acquired
heart disease
• Thoracic and cardiac echocardiography
(ultrasounds)
• Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) interpretation
• Diagnosis of thoracic and pericardial
neoplasia (abnormal tissue growth)
• Removal of fluid from the thorax (pleurocentesis),
the abdomen (abdominocentesis)
and the pericardium (pericardicentesis)
• Pre-doxorubicin (brand name: Adriamycin)
treatment evaluation to determine
if your pet’s heart is healthy enough to
withstand this cancer treatment
• Pre-Radioiodine (I-131) treatment evaluation
to determine if your pet’s heart is
healthy enough to withstand this hyperthyroid
treatment
• Pre-anesthetic evaluation
• Pacemaker implantation
• Valvuloplasty
Among the most common conditions that
NorthStar VETS®’ veterinary cardiologists
treat area:
• Congestive heart failure
• Pericardial and pleural space disease and
neoplasia
• Pulmonary (lung) disease
• Congenital cardiac disease (patent ductus
arteriosus, pulmonic stenosis, aortic
stenosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy)
• Acquired cardiac disease (valvular insufficiency,
dilated cardiomyopathy, muscle
disorders, pericardial disease)
• Arrhythmias
Tackling Your
HEALTH
CONCERNS
Our experts take your pet
health questions head-on
and provide important insight.
the concern
My pet appears
to be
having an allergic
reaction.
What should
I do?
If you witness
Ross Taylor, DVM
itching, redness,
facial swelling, hives, vomiting or
sneezing, have your pet examined
by a veterinarian. Some allergic
reactions can progress to severe
swelling, vomiting and troubled
breathing. Do not give your pet
medication at home without speaking
to your doctor. If you cannot
get immediate veterinary care, give
your pet a 1 mg per pound oral
dose of Benedryl if the animal is not
vomiting.
the concern
We were outside in the cold
for an extended period of
time, and my dog seems very
cold. What should I do?
Once inside, check your dog's axillary
(armpit) or ear temperature,
says Dr. Ross Taylor, a veterinarian
in the NorthStar VETS® Emergency/Critical
Care department.
A normal temperature for a cat/
dog is 99-102.5 degrees. If the
temperature is below 98 degrees,
your pet should be seen by a
veterinarian for supportive care
and/or diagnostics (bloodwork,
radiographs, etc.).
the concern
My dog got bitten by another
animal. What are my next
steps?
If there are visible wounds, have
your pet examined by a veterinarian
to see if they need stitches,
drains and/or surgery, says Dr.
Taylor. “It is also advised, if there
are wounds, to booster the rabies
vaccine to help prevent possibly
contracting rabies,” Dr. Taylor says.
Pet Perspective 25

HAPPY, HEALTHY PETS
Pets Can Make
You Happier
Bring a pet into your life and reduce stress, improve
your well-being—and gain one very sweet cuddle buddy.
Now here’s something to smile
about! Having a pet in your
life can make you happier.
Studies show that pets
can reduce stress in people
and improve their physical and mental
well-being.
“When we see, touch, hear or talk to
our companion animals, we feel goodwill,
joy, nurturing and happiness,” according
to the American Heart Association
(AHA). “At the same time, stress hormones
are suppressed.”
Watching fish swim in a tank, for example,
has been shown to reduce feelings of
stress in observers.
The simple act of petting a dog can
lower a person’s blood pressure, according
to the AHA, and reduce the stress
hormone cortisol.
Interacting with a dog can also increase
levels of the “love hormone” oxytocin,
according to Johns Hopkins Medicine,
bringing feelings of joy and happiness to
the human in an animal’s life.
Take the story of Montclair-based
veterinary oncologist Dr. Renee Alsarraf.
Her book Sit, Stay, Heal: What Dogs Can
Teach Us About Living Well chronicles how
the dogs in her life helped her heal during
her own battle with cancer.
Dr. Alsarraf lists countless benefits of
having an animal in your life, and says that
pets can “absolutely” help people during the
healing process.
“Just the act of having a dog or a cat,
something warm who loves you right
back, that you take care of, is so helpful,”
she says.
She notes that pets are often used to
help people suffering from post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD), and that therapy
dogs have been used to help children with
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD). Some schools utilize therapy
dogs to provide emotional support to
students following a traumatic event or
on a regular basis.
Therapy dogs are also used across New
Jersey in hospitals, nursing homes and
other facilities to provide comfort and to
reduce anxiety and stress in the people
there.
Atlantic Health System’s Soothing
Paws Pet Therapy Program facilitates
visits between patients and trained dogs
(who are accompanied by hospital volunteers).
The program runs at Chilton Medical
Center in Pompton Plains, Goryeb
Children’s Hospital in Morristown, Hackettstown
Medical Center, Morristown
Medical Center, Newton Medical Center,
Overlook Medical Center in Summit and
Atlantic Rehabilitation in Cedar Knolls.
The therapy dogs, who all receive
intense training, travel to emergency departments,
the intensive care unit, cancer
units and other departments with the
mission of helping patients in need.
As Atlantic Health System notes on
its website: “Pet therapy can have many
physical and emotional benefits for
hospital patients, including reduced blood
pressure and stress.”
Notably, pets also provide companionship.
Studies have found that pets can
reduce loneliness, boost a person’s mood
and increase a person’s “feelings of social
support,” according to the National Institutes
of Health.
Those factors have never more important
than during the Covid-19 pandemic
and in its wake, as people are still readjusting
to interacting in social settings.
A great way to enjoy time with your
dog and reap additional physical and
mental health benefits is to get active and
exercise together.
Take a hike, or go for a brisk walk
around your neighborhood. A dual
exercise session not only strengthens
the human-animal bond, but it provides
a multitude of physical benefits (from
cardiovascular health to weight management
to help with joints and movement)
and mental benefits for both humans and
dogs. Exercise can even increase happiness
in pets and humans through the
release of endorphins.
Pets can also give people a great excuse
to get out there and be social with other
pet parents. While out for a walk around
your neighborhood, strike up a conversation
with a fellow pet parent or two.
Grab a coffee at a pet-friendly joint
and chat with the dogs and pet parents
around you. Several bars and restaurants
in New Jersey, including Wonder Bar in
Asbury Park and a number of chef David
Burke’s restaurants, even host dog-friendly
happy hour events, where both dogs
and pet parents can socialize and have a
night out that is, hopefully, filled with lots
of happy vibes.
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
26 NorthStarVETS ® .com

HAPPY HEALLTHY PETS
Comprehensive Cancer Care
NorthStar VETS supports pets and pet parents throughout treatment.
From dogs to cats to rabbits, all
types of animals can get cancer.
Such a diagnosis can be overwhelming
for pet parents, and
the veterinarians at NorthStar
VETS® understand the importance of
both expert medical treatment and compassionate
care.
When a pet is diagnosed with cancer,
radiation, chemotherapy and/or surgery
may be used in their treatment plan—
which specialists at NorthStar VETS®
carefully map out.
Stereotactic radiation (which is also
known as SRS/SRT/SBRT) is a type of therapeutic
radiation that is a new option for
pets being treated at NorthStar VETS®. It is
a least-invasive and nonsurgical option.
SRT is used in one of two ways—in
patients with localized cancer that has not
spread significantly, or instead of a complex
surgery in an important area of the
body such as the spine or brain—to either
shrink a tumor or slow its growth.
In addition to the brain and spine, SRT
can be used to treat tumors in the head
and neck, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas,
pelvic canal, thyroid and other areas of
the body.
Treatment typically requires just 1-3
sessions, compared to conventional
radiation, which can take 15-21 sessions
for patients to receive similar results.
While radiation can be known to
cause side effects including redness
and irritation, the side effects are often
minimal for a pet using SRT.
Part of a pet’s cancer treatment plan
at NorthStar VETS® can also include
services from the Integrative Medicine
department, a specialty that blends treatments
from both holistic and conventional
medicine, and utilizes Eastern medicine
practices such as herbs, acupuncture, and
dietary and lifestyle planning.
“This is the oldest form of medicine in
the world, and it's been around for this long
for a reason,” says Dr. Christopher W. Shapley,
a specialist in the Integrative Medicine
department at NorthStar VETS®.
Integrative Medicine treatments can
offer relief for pets from pain, nausea
and gastric distress, and typically work in
conjunction with other aspects of cancer
treatment.
Dr. Shapley says herbal formulations
can also help treat cancers.
“We really have the full package
at NorthStar,” Dr. Shapley says. “You
have board- certified surgeons that are
excellent at removing the tumors. Our
boarded oncologist is fantastic at identifying
and treating tumors and metastatic
cancers. Our Radiation Oncology and
Integrative Medicine departments offer
every modality to help
pets.”
Dr. Shapley also
thinks about his patients
and their families
on a personal level.
He says: “I’m giving
pet parents hope and
Christopher W.
Shapley,
DVM, CVA, CVCH
I’m giving pets an increased
quality of life.”
—Olivia Bardo
Pet Perspective 27

NIBBLES & BITS
NIBBLES
& BITS
FUN FOOD • PLACES • RECIPES
P
et parents—like
most people—
look forward to
the holidays all year.
But having a dog in the
house during a holiday
meal can complicate
the festivities—and
requires some planning
on your part. Luckily,
we have some expert
advice to make the
holiday season that
much sweeter.
Holiday Meals:
What You Need to Know
The holiday season is all about food,
fun, and spending time with family
and friends—furry or otherwise.
As much as we love our pets, preparing
for and hosting a big Thanksgiving,
Christmas or Hanukkah dinner with
a dog in the house can be a challenge.
Whether it’s a pooch you know will
start begging for table scraps as soon as
you sit down, or guests who just cannot
resist giving Fido pieces of food from
their plates, some pre-holiday planning
is definitely in order.
So what should you do when it
comes to mealtime? If your main concern
is a dog who will bark for food or
otherwise disturb your dinner, give the
pooch an activity or food of their own
to keep them busy.
Try a Kong toy or puzzle toy filled
with a pet-safe recipe. Rubber Kong
toys have a special space for food
to keep pets distracted while they
search for their treat—and give them
much-needed mental and physical
stimulation.
To keep the begging minimal to
nonexistent, keep your dog or dogs in
an isolated area during dinner—away
from the dining room or wherever you
are eating. You can even use a crate.
Before or after dinner, a fun activity
to get dogs—and little ones—involved
is making a paw-print ornament,
which can become a keepsake for years
to come. All you need is 1 cup of flour,
half a cup of salt, and half a cup of
water—plus a a few craft supplies.
Combine all ingredients in a bowl
and mix until dough forms. Roll the
dough on a floured surface and cut
shapes with a cookie cutter. Gently
press your pet's paw in the center, and
poke a hole at the top of the shape, and
add a straw for hanging. Bake at 200
degrees for two hours. Let cool, paint if
you’d like, and thread with ribbon.
Despite your best efforts at keeping
PHOTOGRAPH: SHUTTERSTOCK
28 NorthStarVETS ® .com

NIBBLES & BITS
your dog away from the table, Fido
may inevitably gobble up some table
scraps. Keep in mind that table scraps
and treats should not comprise more
than 10 percent of a dog’s daily caloric
intake. If a dog is on a special diet, a
veterinarian should be consulted before
any special treats are introduced.
Is there anything safe for dogs to
enjoy from your plate? In general, most
fruits—including apples, bananas,
pears and strawberries—and vegetables
are safe in moderation for dogs. Plain
turkey—without trimmings like stuffing
and gravy—is also typically safe, although
turkey skin, bones and drippings
can be a choking hazard, so be careful.
If an emergency situation does arise
and your pet begins to choke, examine
your pet’s mouth, if you can do it safely.
If a foreign object is visible in your pet’s
mouth or the back of their throat, use
something like kitchen tongs to try to
dislodge it.
You can perform abdonimal thrusts if,
and only if, you can see the object in the
back of your pet’s throat and you can’t
dislodge it any other way.
First, grasp your pet around the
waist and place your hands or fists just
behind and under the ribs. Then, compress
your hands upward and inward in
a few short, quick bursts. Next, check
your pet’s mouth to see if the object
has been dislodged. Even if the object
is dislodged, have your veterinarian
examine your pet.
SOME FOODS TO AVOID
Chocolate
Chocolate can cause agitation,
hyperactivity and varying
degrees of gastrointestinal
signs. Heart arrhythmias,
neurologic disturbances and
death are also possible if
a dog eats too much.
Meat skin, bones
and drippings
They are choking hazards.
Foods with
grapes and raisins
While the toxic dose of grapes/
raisins remains unknown and
seems to vary widely between
pets, a single grape has been
known to cause kidney failure
in susceptible animals.
Definitely not worth the risk!
Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts are toxic.
Winter
and Holiday
DANGERS
• WATCH OUT FOR THAT TREE!
Christmas trees can be very
hazardous to pets. Trees are often
sprayed with numerous harmful
pesticides, leak sap that can cause
stomach upset, and shed needles
that can cause vomiting and
intestinal blockages. Of course,
drinking the water from the tree
stand can also cause serious
illness. Glass and other types of
decorative ornaments can be
hazardous as well.
• BE CAREFUL WITH TINSEL
Tinsel can pose significant danger
to pets if ingested, resulting in an
intestinal obstruction called a linear
foreign body. A linear foreign
body occurs when something
stringy wraps around the base
of the tongue or anchors itself
in the stomach so that it cannot
pass through, potentially slicing
through the rest of the intestines.
• WATCH THOSE CORDS
Electrocution can happen when
pets chew on electrical cords. This
can cause pain, burns, irregular
heart beat, respiratory distress,
impaired consciousness and
death. Unplug decorations when
not in use and when pets aren’t
supervised.
PHOTOGRAPHS: JESSICA-LOAIZA/MOCKUP GRAPHICS/UNSPLASH
HELPFUL HINT:
ASPCA
Poison Control
If your pet has a microchip, you
can enroll it with Home Again—
even if the device isn’t a Home
Again-brand microchip. In addition
to all the benefits that come with
the annual membership, you get
free consultations with the
ASPCA Poison Hotline
for as long as the
membership is active.
Call the hotline at 888-426-4435.
aspca.org
Baked goods
Sugar isn’t good for
your pets, so avoid pies,
desserts and baked goods.
Foods with seeds and pits
Fruit pits can cause
gastrointestinal obstructions
requiring emergency surgery.
Onions and garlic
These can cause damage to
the red blood cells, resulting in
hemolytic anemia in animals.
For a full list, visit aspca.org
• HOLD THE SALT
Salt-based walkway deicers can
be harsh on pets’ paws, leading
to irritation and burns. Wipe
your pets’ paws when they come
indoors. Additionally, eating these
chemicals can be highly toxic.
Consider using pet-friendly deicers
on your walkway.
• KEEP YOUR PET AWAY
FROM ANTIFREEZE
Antifreeze is extremely poisonous
and can cause severe damage if
your pet ingests it. Clean up any
leaks or spills with products containing
propylene glycol to keep
your pet from getting sick.
Pet Perspective 29

NIBBLES & BITS
Bakeries
Worth
Barking
About
Visit one of these
“barkeries,” and trust
us when we say your
pet will thank you.
By Shelby Vittek
As any dog owner knows, there’s no better
way to spoil your pup than with a tasty
treat. Whether you’re looking for healthy
alternatives to big pet-store food brands
or want a special canine cake to celebrate a pooch’s
birthday or “adoptaversary,” these Jersey “barkeries”
have you covered.
THE HUNGRY HOUND
Somerville
the hungry hound opened its doors in downtown Somerville in the fall of
2003. “People thought I was crazy. This store was way ahead of its time,” says
owner Penny Milligan, who started baking treats for her two Labrador retrievers
as a way to pass time after getting laid off. She soon realized there was a strong
demand for dog snacks beyond Milk-Bones. Twenty years later, dog owners are
still flocking to the shop for Milligan’s house-made dog treats, cookies, birthday
cakes and ice cream.
93 W. Main Street, 908-927-9663; thehungryhound.com
30 NorthStarVETS ® .com

NIBBLES & BITS
FETCH
PET BAKERY
Mullica Hill
forensic scientist
Lyn Jackson started a
pet bakery almost by
accident. “I’m a crime
fighter by day and a
baker by night,” she
says. It all started at
a cheerleading fundraiser
for her daughters,
to which parents
were asked to bring
baked goods. Jackson
brought a batch
of her home-baked
doggy doughnuts,
and they were a hit.
She launched Fetch
Pet Bakery in 2023,
selling all-natural doggy
doughnuts, cookies,
cakes and waffles
in peanut butter banana,
cheddar bacon,
and pumpkin flavors
that you can order by
texting or calling her.
302-494-0937;
@fetchpetbakery on Instagram
K-9 KAKES
PET BAKERY
Sicklerville
pamper your pet with an all-natural
cookie, muffin or cake from this
family-owned pet bakery, which
opened in March 2013. Mother-daughter
team Dee Dee Huffman
and Chelsea Gosson bake everything
on-site. With more than 20 different
flavors of dog treats to choose from—
including peanut butter pumpkin,
strawberry banana, apple cinnamon,
vanilla and pear, and various chicken
and veggie blends—there’s something
for pups of all sizes.
649 Cross Keys Road, Suite 14,
856-885-4145; k-9kakes.com
Pumpkin
Dog Waffles
From
FETCH PET BAKERY
in Mullica Hill
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup of wheat flour
1 egg
1 cup of pumpkin purée
1 cup of unsweetened
apple sauce
1/2 tsp of baking powder
DIRECTIONS:
Use any waffle maker to cook.
BAG OF BONES BARKERY
Hamilton Township
after adopting their first dog, a golden retriever named Chloe, high school
sweethearts Gregg and Melissa Bernhardt began searching for natural, nutritious
food and treats to feed her. “We were having such a hard time finding
what we wanted,” says Gregg. “So we thought, You know what? There are so
many other pet owners in our same situation. Why not us?” In 2005, the couple
began selling home-baked treats at local street fairs, opening a brick-and-mortar
spot in 2007. Bag of Bones uses human-grade ingredients
to make a variety of biscuits, cakes, popsicles and
jerky for pups.
PAW DAZZLE
PET BAKERY
Galloway
located in the historic smithville
village, Paw Dazzle carries an array
of cookies, chews, bones, jerky and
other treats for dogs of all shapes and
sizes. For pups with sensitive stomachs,
there’s a line of gourmet buffet treats
free of wheat, corn and soy. Paw Dazzle
also hosts an annual pet parade and
costume contest that benefits local
rescue Atlantic County Canines.
615 E. Moss Mill Road, 609-748-7110;
pawdazzle.com
Pet Perspective 31

NORTHSTAR VETS
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
COMPASSIONATE CARE
“We had to bring our 1.5-year-old boxer/
pit in as he suddenly collapsed in our
backyard. NorthStar took him in right
away and were very compassionate
throughout the entire worrisome process
of figuring out what was wrong with our
guy! The doctor was great, thorough, and
transparent. She talked to my husband
and me with sincerity and gave us all of
our options. I’ve had my fair share of vet
visits and this was by far the best. I think in
an urgent situation, there is always a wait,
but we didn’t care as we were just wanting
our dog to be ok! I would be interested in
now bringing my pup back for regular vet
services because of my experiences. The
cost was affordable compared to some
other urgent pet services that I have been
to in the area. Our dog is thriving just a
couple of days later and is back to himself
thankfully! NorthStar VETS® gave us
peace of mind with all of the testing that is
offered. Thank you again!!!!!!”
—Bryana B
★★★★★ google review
TRUE EXPERTS
“I drove 45 minutes from Staten Island to
see Dr. Vygantas with my 14½-year-old
dog, Dusty. He had a bad reaction from
ear medicine prescribed by my primary
care veterinarian. My vet kept telling me
that Dusty’s reactions were not related to
the medicine (although they all started
immediately after administering it). After
many visits back and forth to resolve
lingering side effects (red eye, eye discharge,
and a clogged nostril) and being
told that Dusty most likely had a brain
tumor that would need an MRI, blood
work and an echocardiogram, I reached
out to NorthStar VETS®.
I had previously used NorthStar VETS®
for my dog’s CCL and meniscus tear and
was extremely happy with the results.
After speaking with a client liaison, I had
an ophthalmologist appointment within
a week. Dr. Vygantas knew immediately
what was wrong with Dusty and started
him on eye and antibiotic medication.
While my pet has a long way to go to
recover, I walked out of the office visit
feeling optimistic and so much better
knowing what was wrong. Dr. Vygantas
and her vet techs are very caring, compassionate
and truly professional.”
—D. Lemmiti
★★★★★ google review
YEARS OF TRUST
“We’ve used NorthStar VETS® numerous
times over the past 10-plus years, for
three different dogs, all with excellent
outcomes. We’ve found Dr. Anderson,
Dr. LoScrudato and Dr. Shapley all to be
AMAZING doctors and GREAT people.
(Dr. Shapley and Dr. Lo have treated two
of our dogs on numerous occasions.)
Always very kind and compassionate with
both us and our pets. They are excellent at
communicating what our options are and
providing us open and honest feedback.
In numerous cases, they have all gone out
of their way to keep our cost as reasonable
as possible, when they could have
sold us on more testing, supplements,
medications or procedures. For those reasons,
we trust them 100% with our dogs’
care. We’ve also found the support team
to be kind, caring and very capable.”
—Tom S.
★★★★★ google review
EASING WORRY
“My appointment was met on time, and
the tech and doctor were absolutely
awesome. Tully is only a year old but has
had two hospital stays and many blood
draws in his young life, so he can be a
little scared at vets. Bridget, the tech, and
Dr. Griffeth were amazing. Their bedside
manner was the best—both of them sat
on the floor and put Tully completely at
ease. He didn’t even realize he was at the
vet. On top of the great treatment on-site,
today, Tully is doing amazing and his skin
condition showed progress the very next
day. Thanks to all! Bridget and Dr. Griffeth
are both great assets in your organization.”
—Joe S.
★★★★★ yelp review
32 NorthStarVETS ® .com

MY SHELTER PETS ARE
MY BEST FRIENDS
OLIVIA MUNN WITH FRANKIE AND CHANCE: ADOPTED 2016 AND 2014.
They’re a little bit of a lot of things, but they’re all pure love.
THESHELTERPETPROJECT.ORG

Revolutionizing
Patient Care.
We understand the special bond you share with your pet and that’s why we’ve
dedicated our practice to providing the most comprehensive and advanced
veterinary services for all types of companion animals — from cats and
dogs to exotics, pocket pets, reptiles and birds.
As an emergency, specialty, and referral practice, we collaborate with
primary care veterinarians throughout the region. With over 50 doctors
and 20 veterinary disciplines, our AAHA® accredited facilities offer the
most progressive medical, dental, diagnostic, and surgical care. Through
state-of-the-art technology and cutting-edge treatment options, our
only focus is to keep your pet healthy and happy. What’s more, we’re
available 24/7 365 days a year in Robbinsville so we’re always here
when you need us.
3 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS
Central NJ
315 Robbinsville-Allentown Rd., Robbinsville, NJ 08691
Southern NJ
2834 Route 73 N., Maple Shade, NJ 08052
Jersey Shore
507 Route 70, Brick, NJ 08723
• Acupuncture
• Anesthesia
• Avian & Exotics
• Cardiology
• Clinical Pathology
• Dentistry/Oral Surgery
• Dermatology
• Emergency/Critical Care
• Internal Medicine
• Interventional Radiology
• Neurology
• Oncology
• Ophthalmology
• Radiation Oncology
• Radioiodine (I-131)
• Radiology
• Rehabilitation and
Pain Management
• Sports Medicine
• Stem Cell Therapy
• Surgery
• Theriogenology
(609) 259-8300
www.northstarvets.com
MAPLE SHADE
ROBBINSVILLE
BRICK