Warwick Valley Humane Society hosts acupuncture clinics for pets in May, July, September and November

WARWICK - Nico, an Akita and Shepherd mix dog owned by Scott Becchetti, has been diagnosed as having a slipped disc. As with humans that can be painful and as with humans, acupuncture, a method of health care with roots in ancient China, may offer relief. On Sunday, March 13, Dr. Pam Shultz, a veterinarian at Orchard Grove Animal Hospital in Warwick, treated Nico and other pets with the ancient medical art. Acupuncture, she explained, can relieve pain due to injuries, illness and arthritis, aids digestions and can be used for general well-being and more. Research, she added, has proven the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of many canine diseases. A stimulation of the animal’s nerve endings by very small needles prompts the production of neurochemicals called endorphins and the release of hormones, which are part of the body’s own defenses against pain and inflammation. This year the Warwick Valley Humane Society will host additional acupuncture clinics on the second Sunday of May, July, September and November. The clinics are held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and “patients” pay $20 for 20 minutes. Only six appointments are available each month so reservations should be made in advance by calling the Warwick Valley Humane Society at 986-2473. On Sunday, May 15, the Society will also host a “Pet Wellness Fair,” from noon until 3 p.m. In addition to acupuncture and other treatments for illness, that event will also feature clinics for grooming, nutrition, dog behavior and training. All proceeds will go toward the care of the Society’s Animal Shelter’s homeless pets.