Animal Assisted Academy by Dogwood

What’s your dog’s “thing”?
Because it might not be the $70 enrichment toy sitting untouched in the corner.

Enrichment has become a massive buzz word lately.
Every second product promises mental stimulation, calmness and fulfilment.

But real enrichment?
It’s much simpler .

Some dogs would choose shredding cardboard over a puzzle toy every single time.
Some want to sniff every blade of grass.
Some thrive on running, jumping and movement.
Some love chewing and licking.
Some enjoy solving problems.
Some just want to quietly watch the world go by.

That’s the bit we can miss.

We start choosing enrichment based on trends, marketing or what other dogs enjoy instead of observing our own dogs and what brings them joy.

A dog walking away from a puzzle toy is not “failing enrichment”.
They may simply be telling you
“This isn’t my thing.”

So what is?💭

AASI’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) is fast approaching! We are excited to announce that our special guest for the event will be Andrew Hale. During his Defying Gravity session, we will explore how balancing the needs of dogs, service users, and colleagues can often feel like a daily challenge that truly defies gravity.

Check out our website for more information!
https://aas-int.org/events/annual-general-meeting/

A major step forward for animal protection has taken place in the United States with the PACT Act now in effect. For the first time, certain extreme acts of animal cruelty are classified as federal felonies, meaning offenders can face serious consequences including prison time and fines. It closes legal gaps that once allowed some of the worst cases to slip through without proper accountability.

This law sends a clear message that harming animals is not just wrong, it is a serious crime. Strengthening protections at the federal level helps create safer environments for animals and reinforces the idea that their lives matter. It is a shift toward greater responsibility and a stronger stand against cruelty.

Now officially Dr. Kate Romero!

We are excited to officially announce Kate Romero has fulfilled all requirements and earned her doctorate! We are honored that she chose Dogwood as her first job. Ladies and gentlemen…. Dr. Kate Romero!!

About three years ago while camping in the secluded mountains of Angel Fire over a holiday weekend, Gertie stopped breathing, I could not find a heartbeat, and her gums were pale gray. I was able to save her life with these skills. She lived another two years.

Come join us, IN PERSON, at Dogwood for an 8 hour Pet CPR/1st Aid Course. This one includes a special section for senior dogs.

There is a 6.5 hour course on the 14th that does not include senior care. Lauren Ruska from Dexter's Grove will be teaching this limited seating course.

Register here:

December 13th, 2025 Dogwood Therapy Services Albuquerque New Mexico 8 Hour PetSaver CPR/First Aid Certification Course — Dexter's Grove Date and Time: December 13th 2025 9:00 AM- 5:00PM Location: Dogwood Therapy Services and Animal Assisted Academy 3108 Alamogordo Drive NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120

Our certificate program at the University of North Florida is hosting this continuing education opportunity to learn ICofA Personality Assessment of Domestic Animals- one of the many valuable components in identifying best for of dog and job, and strategies for preparation of skill sets for this and other possible avenues. See you there!

Workshop Benefits

Comprehensive Understanding of PADA
Dive deep into the PADA framework and learn how to apply it effectively in various animal-assisted service settings.
Hands-on Experience
Develop practical skills by evaluating real-life dog personality traits in a controlled environment, guided by expert instructors.
PADA Evaluator Certification
Upon successful completion, you’ll receive certification as a qualified PADA Evaluator, opening up new career opportunities in the animal-assisted services field.
Guidance for Professionals
Learn how to provide informed recommendations to guide professionals in selecting dogs for therapy, education, and support services.
Commitment to Animal Welfare
Equip yourself with the tools and knowledge to ensure best practices in animal welfare and enhance the overall quality of therapy dog programs.
Who Should Attend?

This workshop is ideal for professionals working with dogs in therapy or educational settings, including:

Veterinarians
Animal Behaviorists
Educators
Animal-Assisted Therapy Practitioners
Whether you're a seasoned expert or new to the field, our hands-on, immersive training will elevate your ability to assess and certify dogs for their future roles.
Why Choose PADA Evaluator Certification?

By becoming a certified PADA Evaluator, you will:

Enhance your credentials and stand out as a leader in animal-assisted services.
Gain confidence in evaluating dog personality traits and matching them to appropriate roles.
Help improve animal welfare by using a scientifically validated assessment method.
To register

https://www.campusce.net/unf/course/course.aspx?C=2239

The Parallel Universe of Dogs
Our dogs live in a sensory world entirely different from ours.
We think we experience reality, but the truth is, we only perceive our version of it.
How often have you debated the colour of an object? Or disagreed on how something smells or tastes? Human perception is fluid, subjective, and shaped by experience—now imagine how vastly different the world must be for dogs.
They might as well exist in a parallel universe.
That treat on the floor they can’t see.
That red ball in the green grass—so clear to us, yet invisible to them.
That cat in the bushes they seem to ignore—until the tiniest movement changes everything.
Dogs don’t see better or worse than us—they see differently. Their vision is adapted for dim light, making quick changes in brightness potentially disorienting. A dog struggling to transition between environments? Light conditions might be the cause.
Their acuity is estimated at 20/75—meaning that what a human sees at 75 feet, a dog sees at 20 feet. Yet their motion detection is extraordinary. While humans register movement at just 5%, dogs pick it up at 42%.
This could explain why they walk past a squirrel one moment, then suddenly lunge at something we haven’t even noticed.
Their depth perception surpasses ours, some studies suggest ultraviolet sensitivity, and remarkably, research even hints that dogs may align their bodies with the Earth’s magnetic field when they poo—which might explain their lengthy search for the perfect spot.
And then there’s sound.
Dogs hear nearly double the frequencies we do. They detect sounds four times farther than humans. That bark at "nothing"? That sudden startled reaction? It’s not nothing—they hear things we simply can’t.
Then, of course, there’s scent—perhaps the most misunderstood of all.
Smell is a world-builder for dogs. It’s how they navigate, communicate, and understand their surroundings. To restrict sniffing on walks is like blindfolding a human in front of a breathtaking landscape—a cruel disservice to their most powerful sense.
When we get frustrated with behaviors we don’t understand—scavenging, barking, hesitancy—we label them as bad, naughty, weird, or stupid.
But the reality is they don’t live in our world—they adapt to it.
Imagine how overwhelming human spaces must feel. Busy streets, unnatural chemical scents, chaotic sounds, restricted movement, expectations they never agreed to.
They see, hear, and smell things we will never experience, yet we often punish them for reacting to it.
So, when frustration rises—take a step back.
Instead of questioning their behaviour, question your own understanding.
Instead of restricting their instincts, respect the way they process the world.
Because if we truly listened, we’d realise—they have adapted for us far more than we have ever adapted for them.

Weekend reading……
Interesting read on animal consciousness. I realize this post says forbidden, but the link worked for me.

https://turia.uv.es/index.php/Metode/article/view/29452