ProfNet Experts Available on Pet Food, Cyberbullies, Empty Nest, More

NEW YORK, May 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Below are experts from the ProfNet network that are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area. If you are interested in interviewing any of the experts, please contact them via the contact information at the end of the listing. To receive these updates by email, send a note to [email protected] with the industries you cover, and we'll add you to the appropriate edition.  

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If you have any questions or need assistance with any aspect of ProfNet, please drop us a note at [email protected].

EXPERT ALERTS  

• Help Your Pet Shed Unhealthy Weight 
• Finding the Right Food for Your Family Pet 
• Keeping Your Kids Safe From Cyberbullies 
• Boarding Your Pet During Summer Travel  
• Enjoying Life After Your Kids Leave the Nest 
• Finding the Right Vet for Your Family Pet

MEDIA JOBS 

• News Reporter – San Mateo Daily (CA) 
• Real Estate Reporter – Richmond BizSense (VA) 
• Multimedia Journalist - WFIU/WTIU News Bureau (IN)

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES 

• #ConnectChat Recap: Intro to DIY Mobile Journalism 
• Grammar Hammer: And the Winner Is (dot-dot-dot)… 
• I Want Media: The Future of Media 2013 

EXPERT ALERTS:

Help Your Pet Shed Unhealthy Weight
Dr. George Banta
Chair of Veterinary Technology
Brown Mackie College, Akron, Ohio
"Just like humans, when animals overeat, they face increased risk for health problems like diabetes, heart disease, gastrointestinal problems, and cancer. In fact, these risks also include a shortened life expectancy. Many pet owners get their pets into trouble with their weight by feeding them table scraps. Foods like chocolate, caffeine, grapes and raisins can be toxic to dogs, and the high fat content associated with table scraps, especially holiday trimmings, can lead to the onset of acute pancreatitis, which can be fatal."
Banta is available to speak about the importance of maintaining a healthy weight in your pets, and can offer tips and advice on helping pets shed excess pounds.
Expert Contact: [email protected]
Media Contact: Anne Dean, [email protected]

Finding the Right Food for Your Family Pet
Dr. Mary Jo Wagner
Attending Veterinarian
Argosy University, Twin Cities
"Many owners feed pets according to the manufacturer's suggested amounts; however, this instruction may not be right for your pet. These guidelines are meant to cover all animals of a certain weight range. An owner must consider the age and activity level of each pet. The more active they are, the more calories they will burn in a day. Different brands of pet food contain varying amounts of protein, fat, carbohydrates, and calories. As a general rule, young, active dogs need high-protein food. Older dogs need higher fiber to keep the gastrointestinal tract moving."
Wagner is available to speak about how to find the right foods to meet your pet's needs and can offer advice on the proper way to feed family pets.
Expert Contact: [email protected]
Media Contact: Anne Dean, [email protected] 

Keeping Your Kids Safe From Cyberbullies
Dr. Mirjam Quinn
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology, Illinois School of Professional Psychology
Argosy University, Chicago
"The days of the schoolyard bully who set out to take your lunch money or shove you in a locker seem like a dream to kids today. Today's kids face bullies who utilize technology to take schoolyard antagonism to a whole new and oftentimes dangerous level. The Internet, social networking sites, cellphones, and other digital and interactive technologies are used to take the bully's message to a greater audience than ever before, giving them more power to leave their victims humiliated on a global scale."
Quinn is available to speak about cyberbullying, its effects and what parents can do to protect their children from it.
Expert Contact: [email protected]
Media Contact: Anne Dean, [email protected] 

Boarding Your Pet During Summer Travel
Christi Olszewski
Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT) and Instructor
Brown Mackie College, Albuquerque
"Whether traveling for business or fun, it's not always practical to take along a four-legged family member. Arranging care of a beloved pet for an extended absence can be daunting. Knowing what to look for in a kennel, and what to look out for, can help you choose wisely."
Olszewski is available to speak about the importance of doing your homework, whether it's scouting the facility or getting to know the staff, when it comes to boarding the family pet.
Expert Contact: [email protected]
Media Contact: Anne Dean, [email protected] 

Enjoying Life After Your Kids Leave the Nest
Dr. Jim Wasner
Dean, Illinois School of Professional Psychology
Argosy University, Schaumburg, Ill.
"Sending your child off to college or out into the working world can be a painful experience for many parents. Knowing what to expect emotionally and how to cope with it can make all the difference when your little ones leave the proverbial nest. Recognizing that what you are going through is normal, learning to let go in some ways and create a new relationship with your child, focusing on moving forward in your own life and relationship with your spouse, and recognizing that you will always be important in your child's life are all important steps a parent can take in dealing with the sense of loss they may be feeling."
Wasner is available to speak about "Empty Nest Syndrome" and how parents can cope with the life changes it brings for them.
Expert Contact: [email protected]
Media Contact: Anne Dean, [email protected] 

Finding the Right Vet for Your Family Pet
Dr. Meredith Hope
Veterinary Technology Instructor
Brown Mackie College, Louisville, Ky.
"Pet owners have many responsibilities, and keeping pets healthy with veterinary care is a significant one. To help make sure your pet receives high-quality medical care, it is important to know what to look for in a provider. Ask for recommendations from friends and family, visit the facility and speak with the staff, check the credentials of the staff and veterinarians, know how accessible the practice is to you when you need help, and make sure you understand what to expect from your vet."
Hope is available to speak about selecting veterinary services and knowing what to expect when it comes to treatment of you and your pet at a veterinary facility.
Expert Contact: [email protected]
Media Contact: Anne Dean, [email protected] 

MEDIA JOBS:

Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers, editors and producers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: http://bit.ly/pncjobboard

• News Reporter – San Mateo Daily (CA) 
• Real Estate Reporter – Richmond BizSense (VA) 
• Multimedia Journalist - WFIU/WTIU News Bureau (IN)

See more listings here.

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES:

Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line at [email protected]

• #CONNECTCHAT RECAP: INTRO TO DIY MOBILE JOURNALISM: We recently hosted a #ConnectChat with Cindy Rodriguez, journalist-in-residence at Emerson College in Boston where we discussed DIY mobile journalism. Chances are you already have a cellphone – so and we got the scoop some great tips for using it towards great reporting: http://bit.ly/175AWgx  
• GRAMMAR HAMMER: AND THE WINNER IS (DOT-DOT-DOT)…: Wondering how to correctly use (dot-dot-dot) in your writing? Cathy Spicer, aka the Grammar Hammer, breaks down the guidelines in this week's installment: http://bit.ly/14f6Cti  
• I WANT MEDIA: THE FUTURE OF MEDIA 2013: As part of Internet Week New York, I Want Media hosted a panel with some of the top players in the media world who discussed what's on tap for the future: http://bit.ly/15iYNp1

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SOURCE ProfNet