Do pets have pets? and other food for thought

Phil and Petri hanging out.

The concept of "pethood" is an interesting one. Not every client I see identifies the animal that accompanies them as a "pet". Some won't use the word "owner". The term "companion" may be used but it can sound a little awkward or contrived. On Wikipedia, a pet is defined as something kept for a person's company or protection...though this definition fails to capture the diversity of relationships I see with pets.

This week I met a client who bought his second dog as a pet for his first. Dog one, a standard poodle cross, had terrible separation anxiety and was stressed when alone. So dog two, a mini schnauzer, was purchased as a "pet" for dog one - nor a pet for the owners - to keep dog one sane. And it worked. 

One may well ask whether or not the relationship is simply a companionship...but it did make me wonder how our pets view our other pets, and whether pets have pets...do they view other animals in the household as true companions, one of their kind, or something entirely other?

Humans tend to care for pets, and its unusual (though not unheard of) for one animal to look after another. Do they see each other as needless competition, second-rate though acceptable company when a human is not available, or something else? I suspect it varies hugely. 

Of course there are some who would argue that the concept of "pet" is fundamentally oppressive. Others would suggest that one day Homo sapiens may be kept as pets (well, at very least it is the topic of at least one reflective indie pop song).

We'd love to hear your thoughts.

Cushing meets Randy for the first time. Within five minutes they share a slice of apple.

Another highlight of the week was meeting a client with one of the most personable guinea pigs I've ever met. She had a few guinea pigs and showed me photos of them dining on fine treats in their fantastic enclosure, by which I was terribly impressed. Good husbandry is so important for the welfare, health and longevity of all animals , particularly the so-called "pocket pets" who are confined and can't chose their surroundings.

But she also told me that she and (let's call him) Mr X went to resteraunts and ordered an undressed salad to share. One might expect that a person who admits to dining out with their guinea pig to be somewhat eccentric. Nope. I loved that this very normal, vivacious young woman felt confident enough to step out with her GP for a salad - and found an establishment happy to serve them both.

Store Beach. One of the most stunning locations on Sydney Harbour and a very good spot for monotasking.

The word of the week this week is "monotasking", an antidote to the all too often used and very much expected "multitasking", a very probably something we shold all be doing more of. (My source was Anne Karpf's book How to Age, which tackles other big issues like gerontophobia). 

Why do pets need dentals? Interview with dental veterinarian Christine Hawke

Dr Christine Hawke with a patient.

Dr Christine Hawke, founder of Sydney Pet Dentistry, and dental veterinarian at the Animal Referral Hospital, is a wonderful human being. She taught immunology and dentistry when I studied veterinary school, and she's made a huge dent (no pun intended) in companion animal welfare by promoting awareness of their dental health. I've consulted her over some tricky cases including Phil's extraordinary dental disease. 

SAT had a chat with her about her career, and why dental treatment important to animal welfare. (Readers who missed it might also like to read my summary of Dr Hawke's awesome feline dental extraction lecture last week).

Tell us a bit about yourself. Who are you and what do you do?

I am a dental veterinarian, meaning I only do mouths (dentistry and oral surgery). I also do a lot of teaching in vet dentistry.

Was there a lightbulb moment in your life when you decided you wanted to be a vet?

I have wanted to be a vet since I was five. My whole life plan was based on the whim of a five year old!! Luckily, I was obviously very in touch with myself at that age, as it was definitely the right decision (thankfully!). I did consider other options briefly (novelist, photographer, paediatrician) but really, it was always going to be vet science. Funnily enough, dentistry itself never crossed my radar!

Were any non-human companions influential in this decision. Who were they?

Not really. I have always loved animals, I grew up with cats (my brother was allergic to dogs), and went to an agricultural high school so there was a lot of exposure to farm animals there, but the decision was made very early on. The animals in my life just confirmed it along the way.

What moved you to focus solely on dentistry?

It’s funny, I actually hated dentistry when I was working in general practice for my first few years after graduating. We were not taught dentistry at university, so I did not understand it, and I don’t enjoy doing things I don’t understand! My plan in my early career was to travel a lot (which was made easy being a vet), then to settle down and specialise in internal medicine.

I completed a PhD in immunogenetics before my career went on hold when I fell pregnant with my first child. I then started working at the University of Sydney in the veterinary teaching hospital. As part of that job, I had to either teach desexing or dentistry – and I chose dentistry (anything to avoid doing big dog speys!). The rest is history!

Dentistry is an area that has only recently received attention in the last decade or so. Why has companion animal dentistry been neglected for so long and do we still have a way to go?

Dental disease is THE most common health problem in dogs and cats – far more common than heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and even obesity! An estimated 80% (yes that is not a misprint) of pets over the age of three have dental or oral disease.

Severe gingivitis in a cat.

I think the main reason dentistry has been relatively neglected is that people (many vets included) have simply not realised how important it is. Dental disease is insidious, silent and hidden in the dark. Unlike the obvious signs we see with other painful issues (like limping with a sore leg, weeping red skin or head-shaking with an ear infection), dental issues cause few signs. Bad breath, often the only sign in animals with infected mouths, is widely believed to be ‘normal’ for dogs and cats (there is nothing normal about bacteria, pus and rotten egg gas, which is what you are really smelling!). Signs that we’d associate with dental disease, such as dropping food or not being able to eat, only develop very late in the process, after months or years of infection and pain.

The improvement in dental health for animals has been fantastic over the past few years, thanks largely to the work of groups such as the AustralianVeterinary Dental Society. But, with many animals still affected, we still have a big job ahead to increase awareness.

As part of your role you teach veterinarians how to expand their dentistry skill set. What are common weaknesses people ask you to help them address?

Most vets really don’t like dentistry, mainly because they don’t get great dental training in university (I can totally identify with this). I help them become confident in recognising disease and competent in treating it, so they can learn to love it as much as I do! A really big part of it is helping vets and nurses communicate with pet owners so they really understand the need for dental care – if the animals won’t tell us they are struggling, then it is up to us to speak up on their behalf. Often pets don’t get dental treatment because people think they are fine because they are eating – nothing could be further from the truth.

The other main skill I love to teach is extraction technique – dental extractions can be difficult (the roots of carnivore teeth are massive!), and so it is a real thrill to help others learn better surgical skills to make this less stressful, both for the vets and the patients!

What do you do that ordinary vets may not?

In general practice, most vets can perform professional scaling and polishing, and extractions. While I still spend a lot of time extracting teeth (especially those big nasty ones), I can also offer alternatives that may save teeth, such as root canal therapy, periodontal surgery, and even orthodontics! People always ask whether we do braces for dogs and, yes we can, but not for purely cosmetic purposes. Any treatment we do is aimed at fixing issues that cause pain, infection or problems with eating.

Another big part of our service is dental radiology and imaging. About two thirds of each tooth is buried in bone, so xrays are very important tools in dental diagnosis and treatment. We also have in-house CT and MRI if needed.

An infected premolar post extraction.

What's involved in a root canal and why would someone have it performed on their dog? Isn't it easier just to pull a tooth out?

A root canal procedure is most commonly performed on a tooth that has been fractured or damaged, and the pulp tissue (living tissue inside the tooth) has died. Basically, it involves removing all of the dead and infected material from the root canal inside the tooth, filling the tooth with a material that stops bacteria from resettling inside the canal, and sealing the tooth with a filling.

While root canal surgery has a bad reputation in people, it is not as stressful for our patients, as they are anaesthetised and we aim to do it in one procedure (in humans it usually takes multiple visits, but we do it in one stage to minimise the number of anaesthetics needed). Almost all patients are home within a few hours, and eating the same day as if nothing has happened.

Extracting a dead or damaged tooth is always a better option than leaving it to rot in place. However, root canal treatment can be a lot less invasive and allows the animal to keep the function of the tooth. For smaller teeth, this may not be as important (unless the animal is a show animal or working dog). The main teeth we treat are the big canines (fangs) and carnassials (large cutting teeth). The root of the lower canine, for example, makes up more than half of the front of the lower jaw, so extraction is a big deal!

While no tooth is critical in a pet living in modern society (as long as we do the food hunting for them of course!), preserving teeth allows better function (for example, the canine teeth are a dog’s equivalent of an opposable thumb), and can help avoid complications of extraction such as jaw fracture, tongue drooping and lip damage.

Delicately suturing an oronasal fistula in a microdog.

What sort of conditions do people refer to you?

I see all sorts of things, including broken teeth needing root canal treatment, bite abnormalities needing orthodontic intervention, oral tumours, fractured jaws etc. While some hospitals now have dental radiology, those that don’t may refer patients in for xrays to allow better diagnosis and treatment of dental problems.

Often vets will refer in cases that need a lot of teeth extracted (such as severe periodontal disease or gingivostomatitis) as I am a pretty fast surgeon, so the time under anaesthesia can be greatly reduced. This is particularly important for patients with other conditions such as heart or kidney disease, where the risks with anaesthesia are higher.

I see a lot of puppies with bite abnormalities, as we can sometimes intervene and improve their development when they are young and still growing. Sometimes I will also help when there has been a difficult surgery, for example if a tooth root is difficult to extract, or there have been unexpected complications. I love a challenge!!

Do you ever get sick of teeth?

No. Not a bit. Never. Scary, huh? Maybe I should get out more….

Why do we so often underestimate dental pain in animals?

Animals are so good at hiding dental pain. Dental disease is hidden in the dark, inside the mouth. While an animal may not be able to hide a limp, it can always chew on one side, or swallow food whole, and this can go unnoticed for months or years. Dogs and cats can suffer extraordinary dental disease before they get to the point of not eating – they will soldier on until the prospect of starving to death is preferable to the pain of eating.

Do you have any tips around dentistry for vets and vet students?

Always look in the mouth – don’t expect pets to tell you, or their owners, that they have dental issues. Plan your dental surgeries, such as extractions, with the same consideration as you plan other surgeries – lack of planning is the biggest reason dental disasters occur. Dental radiographs are SO important for diagnosis and treatment planning – about two thirds of each tooth is buried in bone, so without xrays you are truly operating in the dark. Use good quality, sharp instruments. Finally, have patience - this is a lifelong learning exercise, but it pays off.

Thank you Dr Hawke! If you're seen for more dental tips, Dr Hawke will be running a workshop through the Centre for Veterinary Education in May (read more here) and will also be speaking at the AVA 2014 Annual Conference (registration here).

Tracking infectious diseases in dogs and cats: Disease WatchDog

Dogs being vaccinated by the RSPCA team during a parvovirus outbreak in 2013 (image reproduced with permission of the RSPCA).

Here at SAT we're all for the investigation and prevention of infectious diseases. You know, good old parvovirus, distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, tick paralysis. But prevention means knowing your enemy, and when it comes to infectious disease that means knowing pockets where these are emerging, reappearing and (hopefully) disappearing.

Thanks to technology, pet owners and vets can now suss out the incidence of these diseases in their neighbourhoods. Aside from treating individual animals, vets can contribute vital information which can be used to target life-saving programs.

Australian veterinarian Dr Mark Kelman was generous enough to post about Disease WatchDog, an initiative he founded to keep tabs on outbreaks of infectious diseases. 

Take it away Dr Kelman...

Four years ago, an Australian vet with an inspiration started a project to encourage his colleagues to report and share cases of pet diseases – so that everyone could see where disease was happening and try and do something about it. This had never been done before but with the available technology it soon became a reality. As well as reporting cases, we could map them and help communicate where outbreaks were occurring.

Over this time, we’ve recorded nearly 20,000 cases, with numbers increasing every day. Sadly, many of these cases have ended in deaths or great suffering. But our goals is reduce the suffering and try and prevent as many cases of disease as we can.

Sydney cases, over 12 months to March 2014: (source: www.diseasewatchdog.org)

We called the project “Disease WatchDog” and set up an online database where veterinary clinics from all over Australia could log cases of dog and cat diseases in an effort to encourage communication, raise awareness and ultimately hope to stop the spread of infections.

Back then, we had no idea how many cases of disease vets see across Australia. We knew that under-reporting would be an issue, because it takes a (small) amount of time to record cases and everyone is busy. Under-reporting still is an issue today and only 10% of clinics regularly report cases, which gives you an idea of how many cases disease really might be occurring every year around the country.

Melbourne cases, over 12 months to March 2014: (source: www.diseasewatchdog.org)

The diseases we started with were the worst viruses – Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, and Cat Flu (Feline Herpes Virus and Feline Calicivirus). We added tick paralysis to the system in mid-2010, and have added more diseases since. To date, we have seen 6,118 cases of parvo and 10,014 cases of tick paralysis. Sadly, our stats show that around half of the parvo cases will die. Slightly more cheerful news is that around 95% of tick paralysis cases will pull through (in most cases with vet treatment).

We also track Canine Cough, Feline Infectious Peritonitis, Heartworm, Canine Neural Angiostrongylosis, FIV, Feline Leukaemia, and Feline Panleucopenia.

Brisbane cases, over 12 months to March 2014: (source: www.diseasewatchdog.org)

We set up a New Zealand disease tracking project as well (from the same website) and we are about to re-launch this to our Kiwi cousins after some big updates late last year.

As well as the website (which, if you are interested, is www.diseasewatchdog.org) we also have a smart-phone friendly site (same URL) which is enabled for public access.

Vet clinics log cases on the PC version, but both the smartphone version and the PC can be used for general public access. As well as being able to see disease maps, there is also disease information, links to media articles about disease outbreaks and the ability to find a local vet – in case you have questions about disease prevention or treatment.

Adelaide  cases, over 12 months to March 2014: (source: www.diseasewatchdog.org)

We aren’t just about mapping disease though. Since we started, every year, we have run several research projects in collaboration with the Sydney University Veterinary School. These projects examine the vast data we have collected and try to provide information on the diseases we see. These are final year honours projects which forms the research component of some students’ veterinary degree. These research projects have all culminated in published research in quality journals, the topics have included: Canine parvovirus in Australia - The role of socio-economic factors in disease clusters; Risk factors for death from canine parvoviral-related disease in Australia; Surveillance of upper respiratory tract disease in owned cats in Australia, 2009-2012; Distribution, seasonality and risk factors for tick paralysis in Australian dogs and cats.

We are currently working on several more research projects – including tracking two less-common diseases in Australia, and seeing if we can link two disease’s outbreaks to weather patterns.

The other thing we’ve been able to do is to identify disease outbreaks and working with local vets, Virbac and the RSPCA, providing vaccines and resources to start targeted disease-prevention programs and help stop outbreaks as they occur. We started this in 2013 and were able to help during a severe Parvovirus outbreak in the Hunter Region of NSW. We are yet to re-analyse the data, but anecdotally this targeted vaccination program seemed to make a difference and the outbreak was brought under control.

What a parvovirus outbreak looks like on paper (source: www.diseasewatchdog.org)

Veterinary clinics logging cases can use the maps to educate clients on the risk of diseases in their area – both where they live, and where they might be travelling to with their pets. Vet clients might access the disease maps on their smart-phones while they wait to see a vet at the clinic. During puppy preschool the maps make great learning tools as to why disease prevention is so important.

Any veterinary clinics wanting to participate should register at www.diseasewatchdog.org. A kit is sent to all clinics with posters and information on how to use the system (which is designed to be easy and quick to use).

We are happy to take media enquiries too – at diseasewatchdog@virbac.com.au or 02 9772 9772.

Ultimately, our goal is that by working together, we can reduce and even eradicate pet diseases from Australia and the world.

Dr Mark Kelman is the Technical Services Manager at Virbac, an Australian Animal Health company. He founded Disease WatchDog in 2010. Mark can be found on LinkedIn.

Three things I learned: acute renal failure

My late cat Lily, with some FAKE lilies, to illustrate the point that lilies (the real ones) are a common cause of acute renal failure in cats. All parts of the plant are toxic, so if you want to buy a bunch of flowers for a cat owner, ask your florist for an arrangement that does not contain lilies. OR grab some fakies. They last forever.

Dr Graham Swinney gave a fantastic webinar on behalf of the ASAVA last night on acute renal failure (ARF) in dogs and cats. (If you're not a member of the ASAVA you are missing out, the webinar program this year is fantastic - you do need to be a member of the Australian Veterinary Association to join).

I like the way he broke it down. Kidneys are major players (I feel like I should be writing playas for the benefit of any younger readers) in body function, eliminating waste products, excreting drugs, regulating water and electrolyte balance and producing hormones like EPO. So kidney failure is kind of a big deal.

The good news is that we have two of them (kidneys that is). Renal disease can be structural or functional, but doesn’t tend to result in azotaemia until 75% of nephron function is lost (loss of urine concentration tends to occur earlier, i.e. when 2/3 of renal function is lost). (That's NOT a good reason to sell one on the internet. Incidentally, selling BOTH kidneys on the internet is a certified Dumb Way to Die).

Essentially there are three potential outcomes of ARF: 1) complete recovery; 2) chronic renal disease; 3) death. Best outcomes are achieved when ARF is detected early.

There are four stages of ARF.

1. Initiation – can last for hours to a day, the first injury to the kidney. We need to recognise this phase to maximise chances of recovery.  Trouble is that affected animals often do not illustrate clinical signs during this period, meaning that we can miss an option to intervene when our treatment is likely to be most effective.
2. Extension – hypoxia and inflammatory disease cause damage which may or may not be reversible. This phase can last days. (The proximal convoluted tubule and loop of Henle are particularly sensitive to hypoxic injury as these are very metabolically active).
3. Maintenance – renal changes are irreversible; at this stage removal of the underlying cause doesn’t necessarily improve the outcome. This stage can last days to weeks.
4. Recovery – repair and regeneration, may take months and may not be complete.

In many ways the distinction between ARF and chronic renal failure is one of time. ARF is caused by a sudden reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) resulting in azotaemia.

Chronic kidney disease = reduction in GFR & azotaemia due to a renal disorder that has been present for at least 2 months. ARF is rapidly progressive although there is a chance of complete recovery if caught early. CRF is usually slowly progressive but its irreversible.

The two big categories of causes of ARF are

1. Ischaemic injury
2. Toxicity

Ischaemic injury can occur with hypotension, cardiac failure, thromboembolic disease etc.

Thousands of toxins can damage the kidneys. These include drugs that are commonly used therapeutically such as some antimicrobials, antifungals, chemotherapeutic agents, diuretics, ACE inhibitors, as well as diagnostic agents such as contrast.

Endogenous substances such as haemoglobin, myoglobin and even bilirubin can also be hard on the kidneys. Infectious agents (especially agents causing leptospirosis and bacterial pyelonephritis) and immune complexes can cause acute renal injury.

Other potential toxins include ethylene glycol and herbicides such as paraquat.

Clinical signs of acute renal failure vary from classic lethargy, inappetance, vomiting, polyuria and polydipsia to hyphema and/or blindness (secondary to hypertension), neurological signs (uraemic encephalopathy) and even respiratory signs (vasculitis leading to pulmonary oedema).

A detailed history is helpful in determining the potential underlying cause, e.g. access to a toxin such as lilies, grapes, ethylene glycol, medication prescribed for the owner or another animal.

It is important to assess the patient’s hydration status and body condition, the presence of a bladder (is there an obstruction?) and renal palpation, fundic examination and blood pressure measurement, rectal examination to rule out anal sac masses (which may be causing ARF due to profound hypercalcaemia) and in some cases palpate pelvic urethral obstruction, as this can help determine whether the patient has ARF or CRF and even the underlying cause.

The work up will help rule out treatable causes. Thus a CBC/MBA/UA, urine culture and sensitivity (even in the light of a bland sediment), cytology and even biopsy can help rule in/out pre and post renal causes and determine the presence of treatable disease (e.g. lymphoma, pyelonephritis). An ACTH stim can help rule out Addison's which can clinically look like ARF.

According to Dr Swinney, a patient with mild to moderate azotaemia and severe clinical signs is more likely to have ARF, while a patient with severe azotaemia and mild clinical signs is more likely to have CRF (the latter have more time to adapt).

And ARF doesn’t have a monopoly on renomegaly – you can also get enlarged kidneys from polycystic kidney disease, perinephric pseudocysts, haematomas, hydronephrosis, FIP, and compensatory hypertrophy. So don't be thinking that bilaterally big kidneys = acute renal failure.

A rather large polycystic human kidney. Note loads of cysts replacing most of the parenchyma. Not much room for functional nephrons there.

One of the most important points Dr Swinney made was the need to calculate the fluid deficit and replace it – often over 2-3 hours, as while that hypotension remains renal damage continues. As he said, these are not patients you simple put on 2x maintenance and leave for a day. So if you have a 50kg dog which is 10% dehydrated and you give 3 litres of fluids, the renal injury will continue.

Once the patient is better hydrated Dr Swinney considers using mannitol or frusemide to promote urine production where required. Other supportive care includes gastroprotectants such as H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors, anti-emetics, oxygen support in hypoxaemic animals and nutritional support.

Interview with Dawn-Joy Leong - artist, muso, autism advocate - and her assistance greyhound Lucy

Dawn-joy and Lucy.

This week SAT interviewed artist-musician-writer, autism advocate and PhD candidate Dawn-Joy Leong. Her assistance dog, Lucy, is a greyhound. They spend much of their time in the studio at the University of New South Wales' College of Fine Arts. As a vet, I often interact with my patients and their owners only at work. But they have rich and complex lives outside of the consulting room. Dawn-Joy was only too happy to discuss her bond with Lucy at length. So make yourself a cuppa and enjoy this beautiful story.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am serious about my passions, beliefs and how I live life, but I don't like taking myself too seriously. Here is my favourite self description:

...eternal student of life, trundling in a rusty old wheelbarrow along the rocky road towards a Ph.D, flipping the pages of imagination, creating dog ears, making splotches, humming in and out of tune, dancing around polyrhythmic-chromatic-pandiatonic mental fires, flying and falling, meandering in and out of discombobulation, gazing at pulchritude, picking up sound waves, stroking, caressing, embracing and learning new ways to see. Accompanied on this wonderful journey by my beautiful greyhound, Lucy – what more could anyone wish for?

Your PhD is about neurodiversity...what is that?

My research and artistic practice is about autism, creativity and designing mutually empathic platforms or spaces for people of all neurological cultures to enjoy. Neurodiversity refers to the inclusive concept that since our brains function in myriad ways, conditions such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity, dyslexia etc should not be viewed in a negative light, but rather merely as varied neurological functioning systems. My artistic practice is a constantly evolving learning journey about Self and Other, using artistic expression as a means to reflect on differences and similarities, juxtapositions, intersections and building enriching co-existence.

"I could not get her to sleep in her own bed thereafter" - Dawn-Joy on Lucy.

How did Lucy come into your life?

Pets, especially dogs, were always part of my family life. My father was a firm believer in adopting, rather than buying, and this too is my view. When I first arrived in Sydney two years ago, I volunteered to foster a retired racing Greyhound, and I was given Lucy. I had read about the plight of these beautiful dogs, who are bred mainly for the purpose of racing. I was appalled when I learned that out of the tens of thousands bred a year solely for the purpose of racing, only a very small fraction actually end up adopted into homes as pets. I wondered where the 'wastage' ended up, and I wanted to do my small part for these noble animals. Looking back, she decided to adopt me long before I made the decision myself. The rehoming organisation instructed not to allow her onto my bed, because there was no telling if the future family would like that or not. Hence, she slept in her own bed just next to mine. 

One night, we both happened to wake up at exactly the same moment. I sat up, and saw her eyes staring straight into mine. She held my gaze for a split second, though it seemed like an eternity, then she jumped into my bed and curled up next to me. I could not get her to sleep in her own bed thereafter. I signed the adoption papers a month later.

Many people don't realise that greyhounds can be service dogs. How does Lucy support you?

Greyhounds are probably the most misunderstood breed of dogs, next to Pit Bulls. While it may be true that they can be fearful and skittish, and not all former racing Greyhounds are suitable for rehoming, this has less to do with their intrinsic natures, but rather in the way humans treat them during their growing years, being groomed only for the racetrack and nothing more. In actuality, Greyhounds are very suitable as service dogs and therapy dogs for certain kinds of conditions, and I hope more and more will be retrained for this purpose. As in any kind of close affiliation, a service dog and his/her human partner need to be the right match for each other. In my case, Lucy is perfect in every way. 

Here are just a few highlights.

I am autistic, and have autism-related hypersensitivity. This means that my senses (e.g. smell, hearing, touch, taste and vision) are very much heightened, and what may seem innocuous stimuli to the general populace can be very challenging and even excruciating for me.

1. Lucy is very quiet and gentle. I love all dogs, and I know it is natural for dogs to bark, but sudden loud noises shock and upset me, especially when I am trying to concentrate on a task. Like most Greyhounds, Lucy does not bark, unless we are engaging in our special playtime conversation. As soon as I end our little tête-à-tête, she will stop too. She is not a 'watch dog' of course, but she does alert me to changes in my surroundings through her body language, rather than barking. Lucy is also my 'wake up call.' I don't need to be shocked into consciousness by an alarm clock with Lucy by my side. Lucy wakes me up at 5.30am every morning, placing her head very softly on me, and cuddling close if I stir and reach out for her. As soon as I open my eyes, I see her watching me attentively, alert to my every nuance. Lucy is so silent that nobody else living in my apartment block will even know there is a dog present, if they do not bump into us at the lobby!

Lucy is a very quiet dog.

2. Lucy is very clean. I am fastidious about cleanliness and odours - dirt and foul smells upset my equilibrium and often trigger reactions such as nausea and anxiety. Lucy prefers not to walk on wet surfaces, soggy or tall grass, she will never roll in mud or dig holes, she doesn't poke her nose into the rubbish nor sniff at other dog's poop, and will quickly step away from her own as soon as she is finished. She likes being clean and enjoys it when I wipe her paws and all over, each time we return from our walks. Lucy also does not shed as much as other dogs, and she does not have the strong 'doggy odour' common in most other breeds. In fact, I often tell my friends that she smells like warm vanilla! A friend of mine who has looked after Lucy twice, while I was away on working trips, calls her the Princess, because of her dainty ways.

3. She is very serene and composed. She doesn't shock me by making sudden or jerky movements, she never jumps at me, or skips around me - even when she is very excitedly waiting for her treats, her gestures are always fluid, smooth and gentle.

4. Lucy reminds me to do what is important. Routine and repetition are also crucial parts of autistic function. Lucy mastered our schedule very quickly. She now reminds me when it is time for breakfast, her early morning walk, her longer morning long walk, our afternoon break, dinnertime and our final evening walk. However, on the flip side of routine, the autistic brain also has the propensity to concentrate so intently on an interesting task that we often forget to be kind to our bodies, we do not take the necessary breaks and we forget the time. When that happens, and I am lost inside the vortex of an absorbing task, Lucy will bring me back to our regular routine in polite and sweet little ways: a meaningful look, a little nudge, a sniff at my elbow, and even sliding gently between me and my work table and popping her head through to kiss my face!

Lucy (at the studio) gently reminds Dawn-Joy to take a break.

5. She is sociable and friendly. Lucy has no preconceived notions of social impositions, she is just confident about who she likes and who she dislikes. Through her, I've made an assortment of friends, some of whom I never would have known, if not for her. Unlike many other autistic people, I do not suffer from self-confidence issues or a fear of socialising, but I just do not feel the desire at all to socialise merely for the sake of interaction alone. However, as soon as I began to walk Lucy, people in my neighbourhood would approach me to chat. Greyhounds are an uncommon sight, even in a neighbourhood like Paddington, where I used to live, and almost everyone has a dog or two. Lucy has opened up so many new socio-perceptual and existential paradigms for me, and now, even superficial small talk with strangers has become a way in which I can engage in some meaningful autism advocacy, as well as promote Greyhounds as wonderful assistance dogs!

6. Lucy helps me with gentle exercise. Greyhounds do not need as much exercise as some more active dog breeds. They prefer to sleep and laze at home all day. Lucy is a typical Greyhound in this respect. She loves going out for short walks, but does not like too vigorous or arduously long periods of exercise. I used to suffer from severe arthritis, but our regular gentle walks have eased my condition so much that I have not had a major flare up since Lucy came into my life! Of course, when I do get the chance to take Lucy to a fenced park, she thoroughly enjoys running around at super Greyhound speed! However, even then, she tires quickly, after only a few minutes, and returns to my side panting, and ready to lie down again. People who do not know Greyhounds well are often quite surprised by this, as the misperception is that they require a lot of strenuous exercise daily.

Greyhounds don't run around like greyhounds all day!

Why is it important to be able to bring her to uni with you?

Lucy basically functions as my support against sensory anxiety, which many autistic people suffer from, due mostly to hypersensitivity and intense detail focused cognition, juxtaposed against the challenges of living in a world that is too often overly stimulating and demanding on our senses. She is not only a comfort to me, but also an important practical distraction. 

First thing in the morning, I have someone who needs me to get out of bed promptly, bring her outside for her morning micturitions, and take care of early victuals. This literally means that I cannot afford to lie in bed in a state of high anxiety, I just have to get up and go! That she is cheerful and greets the day with zest makes the assignment all the more pleasant. Once I am up and going, my brain 'switches gears,' away from anxiety to focus on the tasks at hand. When I have to spend long hours working at my studio space in the university, Lucy is both my anchor of calm and a distraction from anxiety triggers. When I feel sensorially disturbed or overwhelmed, having her by my side to stroke, hug or even divert my attention towards, helps me to refocus, like taking a deep breath. Her scent also has a surprising calming effect on me, much more effective and unique than essential oils! 

Sociable as she is, Lucy nevertheless does not like too much noise or large confusing crowds, and I have found that she will lead me away from potentially overwhelming spaces, even before I notice them. Hence, I like to take her everywhere I go, not just to university, but being a Ph.D scholar on a tight budget and time frame, the university is of course where I spend most of my time when not at home working. 

How would you describe your bond?

I like the title of Temple Grandin's book, "Animals Make Us Human," because it is so very true! Dogs have the advantage over other pets in that they show remarkable desire and instincts for attachment with humans. I have always bonded better with dogs than with humans. With Lucy, however, it is a very special connection - ours is a symbiotic relationship. She knew from the very start how to support me in the ways which I prefer and need: she is always positively confident, exuberantly inquisitive, gently affectionate but not needy or overt in her gestures. I never had to teach her that. 

I work at home and at my studio in the College of Fine Arts. When I am working, Lucy waits patiently for me. She snoozes in her bed, and each time her eyes open, they are focused on me. On my part, I strive to be as attentive to her as she is to me, and I know she appreciates that a great deal. When we are outside walking, my focus is on her, rather than socialising. Even when people stop us to chat, I don't lose my focus on Lucy. I am constantly observing her body language, I want to know whether she is happy, comfortable, interested in something, or uneasy, bored or anxious. 

Having hyper senses does help me tune in to her better, and I enjoy learning about her as much as I can. She has led me to do extensive research about Greyhounds, and revived my interest in behavioral studies. It is inevitable, then that Lucy has become an inspiration for intellectual contemplation and artistic creativity, and I have stumbled upon many interesting ideas just from observing Lucy and juxtaposing her sensorial abilities against my own. 

I have also learned a great deal about life, living, patience, endurance and simple trust and love, from her. Lucy enjoys being out, discovering new places, and making new friends. Being a Greyhound, she is of course highly sensitive to sudden sounds and touches, but yet, she recovers very quickly and these sensory impositions do not quell her zeal at all. It is a pure joy that rubs off on me, both sensorially and intellectually. My observations of her lead me to ponder intervention strategies to help myself and others with overwrought senses. Many people have remarked how lucky Lucy is to have found me, but I honestly feel that I am the lucky one to have been adopted by Lucy!

The awareness around service dogs is growing, but what do people need to know about them?

I am not an expert in this area, but dogs have served humans in multifarious ways throughout human history. Dogs can perform specific roles that other humans are unable to. Guide dogs have served the needs of the blind for many years. Nowadays, dogs are fulfilling more functions in our daily lives, apart from being well loved pets. A great number of people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder find it impossible to relate with other humans, but they find refuge and strength in their relationship with their service dog. Many autistic children who shun human interaction (for myriad reasons) are observed to respond better to animals, especially dogs. 

The list is a long one, as long as that of existing human anomalies. Of course, it is very important to find the 'right fit,'  just like in any close or intimate relationship. If a person with specific needs finds the right companion and is willing to be the best companion in return, the relationship can be extremely rewarding emotionally, offering a great deal of practical support at the same time. Both human and dog grow and learn together, in an enriching and mutually beneficial relationship.

We hear that Lucy is the first service dog to be allowed at UNSW. Is this the case and if so, what does this mean?

I was told by the people at the Student Equity and Disability Unit that she is the first service dog in UNSW. I am very grateful that everyone has been very open minded and accepting of my unusual requests. I first sought permission to bring Lucy to my art studio at the College of Fine Arts (COFA) in Paddington, because working for long hours in an unfamiliar environment renders me prone to high anxiety, and Lucy would help me maintain my equilibrium better. 

The entire application and approval process (letters of support from the university health clinic's doctor, Student Equity and Disability Unit, both my supervisors and final approval from COFA faculty management) was a smooth and pleasant one, and we were made to feel very welcome by everyone, from the faculty, to security personnel and fellow students. Most recently, we moved into accommodations at the main campus, UNSW, in Kensington. My lease on the terrace house I was renting in Paddington had come to an end, and my landlord concurrently informed me of planned redevelopment. Although he was very kind and offered me a month to month arrangement until the redevelopment plans were approved, I nevertheless needed a more stable living environment where I can focus on my work. However, I was unable to secure another affordable rental that would accept Lucy, despite Lucy being my service dog and not just a pet dog. 

Being on a very tight schedule, I cannot afford the time and energy to fight my case legally, and I don't believe in forcing someone to rent to me if unwilling, so I applied for university accommodation. Again, the process was a smooth one, and I was offered a small studio flat very quickly. This, to me, is an important reflection of how truly inclusive my university is in practice, not merely on paper. As a forerunner of sorts, I also feel a self imposed responsibility to be exemplary in our conduct at all times when on campus grounds. I would love to see more service dogs in campus, and I am honoured to be part of dynamic advocacy in this area. Of course, I am proud of Lucy, that she has been the modicum of good behaviour thus far.

You've said before that greyhounds are great assistance dogs for people with autism. Why is this so?

As highlighted above, Greyhounds, because of their more gentle natures, loving and affectionate but not physically intrusive in their displays, are potentially great matches for people with autism, who are averse to loud or sudden sensory disturbances and/or too much physical or spatial intrusions. Greyhounds can be excellent service / therapy dogs for people with conditions that require calmer, gentler and less effusive companionship or interaction.

Do you have any tips for veterinarians with regards to working with service dogs?

I greatly respect the work that veterinarians do, and vets are usually the first port of call for dog owners who care about their dogs' welfare. Hence, vets are in a key position to help point people in the right direction, even if service dogs may not be their area of specialisation. In my case, I didn't start out intending Lucy to be my service dog, she became my closest and most supportive companion for my daily needs, and I realised that she had taken on the role of service dog without any training at all. 

My doctor addressed my specific needs, with Lucy in the equation, but it took me a lot of arduous searching to find an organisation with affordable fees and an approach sympathetic to my needs that would train her to be a service dog. It would help greatly if vets are able to suggest reliable training facilities for people interested in their dogs becoming service dogs. Lucy is now enrolled in the "mindDog" programme, and is well on her way towards Australia-wide official certification as my service dog. 

Thanks Dawn-Joy and Lucy for taking the time to talk to us. And if anyone is interested in supporting mindDOG, please click here.