Preparing Your Dog for Fireworks During the 4th of July
The 4th of July is a time of celebration, but for many dogs, the fireworks can be a source of extreme stress and anxiety. Preparing your furry friend in advance can help minimize their fear and ensure a safer and more enjoyable holiday for both of you. Here are some tips to help you prepare your dog for fireworks this 4th of July.
Create a Safe Space
Dogs often seek out a safe, enclosed space when they feel anxious. Set up a quiet, comfortable area in your home where your dog can retreat if they feel scared. This could be a crate, a specific room, or a corner with their bed and favorite toys. Make this area as cozy as possible with blankets and familiar items to help your dog feel secure.
Desensitize Your Dog to Fireworks Sounds
Gradually getting your dog used to the sounds of fireworks can help reduce their anxiety. Start by playing recordings of fireworks at a low volume while engaging your dog in positive activities like playing or eating treats. Gradually increase the volume over time, always ensuring your dog remains calm and comfortable. This process, known as desensitization, can take several weeks, so start well before the 4th of July .
Use Calming Products
There are various products available that can help calm your dog during fireworks. ThunderShirts, which apply gentle, constant pressure to your dog’s torso, can provide a calming effect. Additionally, consider using calming pheromone diffusers, sprays, or collars. These products release synthetic pheromones that mimic the calming pheromones produced by mother dogs, helping to soothe your pet.
Exercise Your Dog Beforehand
A tired dog is a calmer dog. Ensure your dog gets plenty of exercise on the day of the fireworks. A long walk, a vigorous play session, or a trip to the dog park can help expend their energy, making them more likely to relax during the evening fireworks .
Keep Your Dog Indoors
During fireworks displays, keep your dog indoors with windows and curtains closed to minimize the noise and visual stimuli. Turn on the TV or play some calming music to help drown out the sound of fireworks. Ensure all doors and windows are securely closed to prevent your dog from running away if they get scared.
Provide Distractions
Keep your dog occupied with their favorite toys or a long-lasting treat like a stuffed Kong. Puzzle toys that require your dog to work for their food can also be a great distraction and help keep their mind off the fireworks.
Stay Calm and Provide Comfort
Your dog can pick up on your emotions, so it’s essential to remain calm and composed. If your dog comes to you for comfort, provide it. Contrary to some beliefs, comforting your dog when they are scared does not reinforce their fear. Gentle petting, a soothing voice, and staying close can all help reassure your dog during the fireworks.
Consult Your Veterinarian
If your dog has severe anxiety, consult a veterinarian at a Hometown Veterinary Partners near you. They can recommend or prescribe medications that can help calm your dog during the fireworks. Additionally, your vet may suggest other techniques or behavioral therapies that can help manage your dog’s fear.
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Unlock Your NAVLE Success: Hometown Veterinary Partners team up with Vet Candy’s for a Free 12 Week Prep Course
Don’t Miss Out! Get the Ultimate Support with Vet Candy’s Free 12-Week Prep Program – Starting August 1st!
Vet Candy, in partnership with Hometown Veterinary Partners, proudly announces the launch of an innovative and free 12-week NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Examination) prep course starting August 1. This groundbreaking initiative is designed to empower veterinary students with the knowledge and strategies needed to excel in their licensing exams. Featuring lectures from top veterinary specialists and weekly quiz sessions, the program focuses on test strategy and mastering the medicine behind the questions.
Dr. Jill Lopez, CEO of Vet Candy, shared her passion for the program’s creation: “Veterinary students need our support now more than ever, and Vet Candy is deeply committed to making their lives better. Launching this free prep course is our way of offering a helping hand during a stressful time. With the help of top veterinary specialists, we’ve crafted a course that not only prepares students but also instills confidence and peace of mind.”
Program Highlights:
- Expert Meetings: Gain invaluable insights from leading veterinary specialists across various fields, like ophthalmology, cardiology, neurology, and internal medicine. These sessions will provide students with the latest medical knowledge and exam preparation tips.
- Weekly Quizzes: Participate in structured quizzes and group meetups to review sample questions, discuss strategies for tackling multiple-choice questions, and deepen your understanding of key concepts.
- Extensive Lessons: Access a vast library of video courses and species specific lessons. These lessons are designed to cater to different learning styles, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the exam material.
- Practice tests: Our course helps you test your knowledge with hundreds of practice questions covering critical NAVLE topics with explanations to help with understanding medical concepts.
- Comprehensive Study Resources: Benefit from an array of study materials, including study schedules, progress charts, and strategy tips.
A Thriving Community:
This course is more than just an educational resource; it is a community where veterinary students can come together, interact, and support each other. By collaborating and sharing knowledge, students can strengthen their understanding and confidence, making the journey to becoming a licensed veterinarian a shared and enriching experience.
Keri Kamba, President and Founder of Hometown Veterinary Partners, underscored the importance of their collaboration: “Supporting the veterinary community is at the heart of what we do. The NAVLE is a critical milestone in a veterinarian’s career, and we are committed to helping students overcome this challenge. By partnering with Vet Candy, we are providing essential resources that will help future veterinarians excel and advance in their professional journeys.”
NAVLE Exam Structure:
Each year, thousands of veterinary students and graduates take the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) before they begin their careers. The number of NAVLE candidates has been climbing in the past few years. While a great majority pass, not all do, or at least not on their first try. In fact, the ultimate performance passing rate has been on the decline in the past four cycles. This rate indicates passage of the test by the time of graduation for senior students from veterinary colleges accredited by the AVMA Council on Education (AVMA COE).
At the same time, the International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA) recently announced some changes it is making to better accommodate test takers as well as limit how many times someone can retake the test.
The NAVLE test comprises 300 scored items, divided into categories based on the ICVA’s most recent Practice Analysis. This analysis, which is updated to stay current with knowledge and trends in veterinary medicine, provides information about:
- Work context
- Animal species and diagnoses managed
- Clinical and professional competencies required for success
- Foundational and basic veterinary sciences knowledge required for effective practice
More Test Takers:
The NAVLE has been administered by the ICVA since 2000 and is a requirement for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in all licensing jurisdictions in the U.S. and Canada.
A total of 2,357 candidates took the NAVLE during the April 2023 testing window, which is an increase of 676 from the April 2022 window, according to the ICVA. Overall, during the 2022-23 testing cycle, 8,230 candidates took the NAVLE, showing a 17.2% increase from the 7,019 candidates who tested during the 2021-22 cycle. The ICVA says there has been a 33.3% increase in the total number of examinations taken in the past five years.
The increase in tests taken is multifactorial. For one, the number of first-year students at U.S. veterinary colleges increased an average of 3% per year from 2019-23, or by about 15% total, from 3,456 to 4,047. Overall enrollment for U.S. colleges of veterinary medicine hit 15,157 for the 2022-23 academic year.
These growing numbers come not only from existing veterinary colleges growing their class sizes, but also from new veterinary colleges as their inaugural classes approach graduation. The University of Arizona graduated its first class in 2023. The inaugural class at Long Island University (LIU) College of Veterinary Medicine in Brookville, New York, will graduate this coming spring. And Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine’s inaugural class will graduate in May 2025.
In addition, there have been increasing numbers of candidates from the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) and Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE) educational equivalency programs.
Results from the 2023-24 cycle will be available on the ICVA website in September, after completion of the April administration and roster verifications from the AVMA Council on Education–accredited veterinary colleges.
Sign Up Today:
Don’t miss this opportunity to access top-tier NAVLE prep resources for free. Sign up now at myvetcandy.com/prep.
For more information about Hometown Veterinary Partners, visit hometownvetpartners.com.
About Vet Candy:
Delivering fun, insightful and relatable conversations centered around the biggest veterinary news stories today. Vet Candy is also the streaming platform where veterinary professionals can learn from the world’s most exciting experts and top influencers. Visit myvetcandy.com to learn more!
About Hometown Veterinary Partners:
At Hometown Veterinary Partners, we’re not just changing the game; we’re creating a new one. We’re on a mission to empower veterinary professionals to be a part of an inclusive environment. You have the opportunity to build the career that aligns with your aspirations and supports our core values of community, collaboration and culture.