Woof! Healthy Yards & Healthy Pets Event Report

Woof! We've got an event write-up on the Health Yards, Healthy Pets event last week at Pet Pantry in Rye, including the news that Rye resident Judy Croughan won the Pet Pantry $25 gift certificate and dog toy.

(PHOTO: Rescue hound Patrick ‘Crowley’ (who is part of Rye Sustainability Vice Chair Gretchen Crowley) appears with some of the human attendees at the event.)

By Melissa Grieco, Chair, Rye Sustainability Committee

Our ‘Healthy Yards, Healthy Pets’ event at Pet Pantry Rye last night was a great success! We had a turnout of 30 humans and three canines (Ginger, Cupcake and Patrick — all rescue dogs).

Apple cider, fresh cut apples, and healthy human treats baked by Rye Sustainability Committee member Jenny Hirsch were served. Pet Pantry supplied a Bark Bar with a Barktender to serve canine treats. 

I kicked things off with a few remarks and thank yous. AJ Johnson, Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Rye Nature Center who holds a BS in Environmental Biology, then gave a highly informative, scientifically based and educational presentation on the toxic effects of lawn chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, fungicides etc) on the health of our pets, wildlife and the environment. AJ cited a recent 6-year long Tufts Cummings Veterinary School study which showed an elevated incidence of Canine Malignant Lymphoma in dogs exposed to lawn pesticides. He also cited a number of other accredited studies during his presentation.

After AJ’s presentation and the ensuing Q&A, we did a raffle and Rye resident Judy Croughan won the Pet Pantry $25 gift certificate and dog toy.