FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — When Diane Wheeler and her family adopted Honey from Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS) five years ago, they quickly realized she had a calm, friendly personality well-suited for more than just home life. After five years as a beloved family pet, Honey began the process of becoming a certified therapy dog.

In 2024, Honey earned her certification from the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD), an international registry that tests and certifies dogs for animal-assisted activities. The process ensures each dog has the right temperament, obedience, and relationship with its handler to provide comfort in therapeutic settings.

Today, at 10 years old, Honey volunteers with Blue Gray Therapy Dogs, visiting children in therapy, memory care residents, rehabilitation centers, and patients at a local hematology/oncology infusion clinic.

Research shows that interacting with therapy animals reduces blood pressure, relieves pain, and increases endorphins—promoting calm and emotional well-being.

On April 30, Honey will help mark National Therapy Animal Day, founded by Pet Partners to honor the more than three million visits made each year by therapy animals and their handlers. The day celebrates the important role these animals play in supporting physical and emotional health.

Old Dominion Humane Society, the organization that connected Honey with her forever family, holds weekly adoption events:

• Wednesdays from 5–7 p.m.
• Fridays from 6–8 p.m.
• Saturdays from 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Sundays from 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Visit them at 3602 Lafayette Blvd., Fredericksburg, VA, or learn more about available dogs, adoption applications, volunteering, fostering, and donations at olddominionhumanesociety.org.

Note: ODHS does not train or select dogs for therapy certification. Its mission is to match rescue dogs with loving homes.

Volunteers with Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS), just outside Fredericksburg, care for 22 dogs rescued from hoarding in Lawrence County, Kentucky. The animals had been living in deplorable outdoor conditions.

The rescue, which occurred on March 20, was part of a coordinated effort between ODHS and Squishy Face Crew (SFC), a Fredericksburg-based foster-focused rescue group. The ODHS team made a nine-hour round trip to meet a transport team in Beckley, West Virginia, and bring the dogs to safety.

Initially, 70 dogs lived on the property. However, a flood drowned most of them. Only 22 survived—ranging in age from two and a half weeks to eight years—and were surrendered by the property owner. ODHS volunteers took in 15, while SFC cared for the remaining seven.

Upon intake, ODHS found the dogs in deplorable condition. “Their nails were extremely long, and they were covered in dirt and feces,” said ODHS volunteer spokesperson Lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy. “They were understandably scared, but they’re slowly beginning to come around with the help of our volunteers.”

One of the youngest rescues, a two-and-a-half-week-old puppy named Neville, is still nursing with his mother, who also survived the ordeal. She is the oldest dog rescued, at eight years old, and is blind in one eye.

So far, six of the dogs have been placed into foster homes. The organization seeks foster care for the remaining dogs as they recover and begin their journey toward adoption.

“These are the situations that break your heart,” said Anna Swann, a longtime ODHS volunteer who led the transport team. “We’re giving them the chance to live the lives they deserve, in warm homes with people who love them.”

Despite the horrific conditions, no legal charges were filed against the person responsible for the hoarding. “Because the owner agreed to surrender the dogs, no legal consequences were pursued,” Kruk-Mullanaphy explained. “Often shelters will offer the option to surrender in lieu of pressing charges. While that’s frustrating, pursuing legal action in large cases like this can overwhelm shelters and lead to mass euthanasia due to space and legal holding time.”

ODHS is entirely volunteer-run and operates with the support of more than 300 fosters. The organization is located at 3602 Lafayette Boulevard near Fredericksburg, and holds adoption events weekly:

• Wednesdays: 5–7 p.m.
• Fridays: 6–8 p.m.
• Saturdays: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Sundays: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Advance applications are encouraged and take priority over walk-ins.

To learn more about adopting, fostering, donating, or volunteering, visit olddominionhumanesociety.org.

Two immature bald eagles found in Stafford County had to be euthanized after suffering severe neurological symptoms caused by pentobarbital poisoning, a drug commonly used to euthanize animals.

According to the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center, the birds were brought in a few weeks ago, exhibiting alarming signs of neurological distress that worsened within hours. Despite efforts to treat them, both birds became wholly unresponsive and were humanely euthanized.

Initial tests ruled out Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), heavy metal exposure, and rodenticide toxicity as the cause. Further testing confirmed that both birds had ingested pentobarbital, most likely from scavenging the remains of another animal that had been euthanized with the drug.

Pentobarbital remains in the tissues of deceased animals, especially in organs like the liver, which scavengers such as bald eagles and vultures often consume. The Wildlife Center noted that this isn’t the first suspected case of pentobarbital poisoning in the area, though not all cases can be confirmed due to the high cost of testing.

“This toxicity is extremely preventable and most cases are due to improper disposal of remains,” the center stated. While animal hospitals are required to incinerate euthanized animals, some pet owners and livestock producers may choose to bury them on private property.

Experts urge those handling euthanized animals to follow proper burial protocols: remains should be buried at least three feet deep, away from water sources, flood plains, tree roots, and utility lines. Animals that died from contagious diseases should be cremated.

Veterinarians and animal care professionals are reminded of their responsibility to educate clients on safe disposal practices to protect wildlife and the environment.

For more information, read the full statement from the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center:
Facebook post source

 

A new emergency veterinary clinic is set to open in Spotsylvania County, bringing critical pet care services to the Fredericksburg area. Cladda Veterinary Emergency Team, founded by a team of experienced veterinary professionals, is expected to open its doors in mid-May, pending final confirmations.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

A Stafford County Sheriff’s deputy tackled an unexpected suspect on Thursday afternoon—an injured bald eagle.

A little after 4 p.m. on March 10, Stafford County Sheriff’s Sergeant A.J. McCall and Deputy E.M. Brooks responded to a call near Montague Loop, close to the R-Board Regional Landfill, where an injured eagle, affectionately named “Flappy Gilmore,” was struggling to fly.

Despite his injury, Flappy Gilmore made a valiant effort to escape capture, managing only a few short flights before being intercepted by Sgt. McCall, who has now notched his 24th successful eagle rescue. In a lighthearted nod to the NFL, the sheriff’s office joked that, unlike the Kansas City Chiefs, McCall “was able to tackle an eagle.”

The bird was safely secured and transported to the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center for rehabilitation. Officials hope the majestic raptor is suffering from nothing more than a “soar” wing and will be back in the skies soon.

The sheriff’s office praised the quick response of Sgt. McCall and Deputy Brooks, thanking them for their dedication to wildlife rescue.

Watch the amazing video of the rescue here:

Woof Houze, a dog training and daycare facility in Stafford County, has closed its doors following concerns over silica dust exposure from a neighboring granite and stone business. The business owner, employees, and customers have raised alarms about health hazards, prompting the county to investigate.

Concerns Over Health and Safety

This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!

Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.

A Stafford County driver discovered an unexpected stowaway, a kitten named "Kitty Purry," in the engine compartment of his Toyota RAV4 after stopping at a 7-Eleven on Solomon Road.

Deputy O.J. Martins and his team spent an hour and a half safely rescuing the frightened kitten, using tools like a lockout kit, snake hook, and snappy snare to dismantle parts of the engine. Kitty Purry was taken to the Animal Shelter and will be available for adoption soon.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

The Stafford County Animal Shelter is experiencing a significant increase in pet surrenders as residents struggle with rising pet care costs. The shelter has seen unprecedented number of animals, leading to capacity issues.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

Bark + Boarding, a dog daycare and boarding business, has officially opened in Manassas. The business partnered with the Prince William Chamber of Commerce for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 30. Ryan Fochler, founder of Bark + Boarding, shared insights into the company's growth and services during a recent interview. The company, which began as a dog-walking service, has expanded to offer a wide range of services, including daycare, boarding, grooming, training, socialization, and retail. "It's really pretty much everything now except veterinary services," Fochler explained. Fochler emphasized the company's commitment to pet owners who seek comprehensive care for their dogs. "We love to communicate. We always give a little communication cards. We want our clients to know if their dogs are having anything that we're seeing," he said. This approach ensures that both Barkin' Boarding and pet owners can collaborate effectively on the dogs' care. The onboarding process at Barkin' Boarding includes a thorough evaluation to ensure that dogs are a good fit for the facility. "We do have an eval process. So a dog will come in for doggy daycare... We really like to take the time with them. They start out in a zone by themselves and slowly work in dogs that we know are going to be a good fit before we merge the packs," Fochler explained. Located in a 9,500-square-foot facility at 10035 Dean Drive, next to the Manassas animal shelter, Bark + Boarding's newest location is set to enhance its grooming, socialization, and training services. "We're excited to really give clients the space they need for their dogs when they go on vacation or just hanging out for the day," Fochler said. Bark + Boarding has been operating in Bailey's Crossroads since 1999, but Fochler said they've been eyeing an opportunity to expand. The place had to be perfect. "There's been a lot of changes inside the Beltway, with a lot of areas no longer allowing outdoor space," Fochler said. "From experiences we've had with other jurisdictions, it's been extremely challenging, and Manassas City really seems to be much more business-friendly." Fochler said the city has been welcoming since the beginning of July and proposed a ribbon-cutting ceremony. "The welcoming of small businesses in this area has been awesome," Fochler said. "It is night and day different from some other areas that we've been looking to grow." And it's been an easier transition because they will be in the same facility as Waggin' Tails Junction, which closed earlier this year.  The business has retained many of the Waggin' Tails Junction clients. The Manassas location currently offers daycare, boarding, positive reinforcement training, and grooming services. A structured daycare and boarding program will roll out in the fall.

@barkandboarding opened its newest facility next to the @CityofManassas animal shelter on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Video from the @pwchamber ribbon cutting. Welcome to the neighborhood! pic.twitter.com/9v0klYi92P

— Potomac Local News (@PotomacLocal) July 31, 2024