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Harmon Canyon is now open

After a lengthy closure, Harmon Canyon Preserve re-opened to the public on Friday, April 7.

This is a partial re-opening. The preserve will be open up to the 1.5 mile mark. The upper canyon of the preserve will remain closed for repairs. Here are a few important reminders as you return to the preserve:

Please stay on roads and trails. Off-trail travel to look at those beautiful wildflowers degrades sensitive habitat.

Do not walk in creek channels except at designated crossings. Please do not build rock bridges in the creeks or move or throw rocks. Exercise caution when crossing creeks.

Dogs are allowed, and must be on-leash.

No e-bikes are allowed at Harmon Canyon Preserve. All cyclists must wear a helmet.

Leave extra time for parking. We expect the preserve to be busy. Overflow parking is available on Kimball Road.

VLT’s conservation of Harmon Canyon Preserve and all of our protected open spaces is based on thoughtful, sustainable stewardship.

We appreciate your trust and support of our work to protect these cherished natural landscapes, and your patience while we made repairs to public access infrastructure.

Support is still needed while we restore roads and trails in Harmon Canyon Preserve. Give to the Repair & Recovery Fund today.

Vol. 16, No. 15 – Apr 19 – May 2, 2023 – Music Calendar

For more listings, additional times and genres go to VenturaRocks.com

Anna’s Cider
801 E. Main St., Santa Paula
Sat 4/29: Jim Friery

Aqua Beachfront Bar
Crowne Plaza Hotel, 450 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura
Sat 4/29: Rising Son

Aviation Museum of Santa Paula
28 Wright Taxi Way, Santa Paul
Sat 4/29: Barrelhouse Wailers

Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts
8585 N. Ojai Rd., Ojai
Sun 4/30: Bill Cunliffe

Boatyard Pub
1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Wednesdays: Frank Barajas
Thursdays: Jim Friery; Bluegrass Jam
Fri 4/21: Teresa Russell & Stephen Geyer
Sun 4/23: Ken Devoe
Tues 4/25: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples
Fri 4/28: Mac and D
Sat 4/29: Billy Mac & Friends
Sun 4/30: Ken Devoe

Café Fiore
66 S. California St., Ventura
Wed 4/19: Edgar Thatcher
Fri 4/21: Otis Hayes
Wed 4/26: Fabulous Hangovers
Fri 4/28: Heathers n Fire

Cantara Cellars
126 N. Wood Rd., Camarillo
Fri 4/21: Johnny and the Love Handles
Sat 4/22: Caught Red Handed
Fri 4/28: The Katie Skene Band
Sat 4/29: Ignition

The Cave
4435 McGrath St., Ventura
Wed & Thurs: Bobby Apostol
Fri & Sat: Warren Takahashi

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Tuesdays: Blues Tuesdays
Thursdays: Glenn Bennet
Sun 4/23: Freddie and Friends
Sun 4/30: House Arrest Band

Copper Blues
591 Collection Blvd., Oxnard
Sat 4/22: Jayden Secor (11 am); Corazon de Mana (7 pm)
Fri 4/28: Caliente Band 805
Sat 4/29: Los Amigos

Deer Lodge
2261 Maricopa Hwy., Ojai
Fri 4/21: Dave Palmer & Friends
Fri 4/28: Brad Byrd, Joseph Arthur

Enegren Brewing Co.
444 Zachary St., Moorpark
Sun 4/30: Whole Hog

Feros Ferio
310 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Sun 4/23: Two Tossers
Sat 4/29: David Gorospe
Sun 4/30: Jimmy Calire & Patricia Cardinali

Four Brix
2290 Eastman Ave., Ventura
(Fridays 6-8:30; Sundays 1-3:30)
Fri 4/21: Heathers on Fire
Sun 4/23: Terrell Edwards
Fri 4/28: Heart & Soul
Sun 4/30: Smokey & Friends

Gigi’s Cocktails
2493 Grand Ave., Ventura
Wed 4/26: The Virus, The Bitter, Vicious Cycle, Riotgun, Having Issues, Plot

The Grape
2733 E. Main St., Ventura
Tues: The Gratitude Jazz Jam
Thurs Happy Hour: Tom Etchart & Friends
Friday Happy Hour: Fred Kaplan
Wed 4/19: RJ Root w/ Will Brahm
Thurs 4/20: The Daniel Rotem Trio
Fri 4/21: TriTone Asylum
Sat 4/22: Shawn Jones Trio (2 pm); Barrelhouse Wailers (8 pm)
Thurs 4/27: West Coast Jazz Hour Trio
Fri 4/28: Marina Pacowski Band
Sat 4/29: RJ Mischo & Friends (2 pm); Dan Rosenboom Polarity Quintet (8 pm)

Harbor Cove Café
1867 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Saturdays 10 am: The Cool Hand Ukes

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Rd., Ventura
Thursdays: Open Mic
Fri 4/21: Pull the Trigger
Sat 4/22: Vinyl Gypsies
Sat 4/29: Breaking Bored

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Fri 4/21: Vinny Berry
Sat 4/22: One People
Sun 4/23: Boom Duo
Fri 4/28: Erez Barnea
Sat 4/29: Jacob Marquez & the Good Vibes
Sun 4/30: Matt Moran

The Lookout Bar and Grill
2800 Harbor Blvd, Oxnard
Wednesdays & Sundays : Gary Ballen

Madewest Brewing
1744 Donlon St., Ventura
Sat 4/22: Milo Sledge

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Wed 4/26: Angel, The Guitar and Whiskey Club
Thurs 4/27: Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
Fri 4/28: Madison Beer

Margarita Villa
1567 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Fri 4/19: Steve and Sally Williams

Manhattan
5800 Santa Rosa Rd., Camarillo
Wed 4/19: Robert Van
Fri 4/21: Pam and Hollywood
Sat 4/22: Jeanne Tatum Trio
Fri 4/28: Tour Support
Sat 4/29: Jeanne Tatum Trio

Mrs. Olson’s
2800 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Sat 4/29: Zepp Heads

Namba Arts
47 S. Oak St., Ventura
Sun 4/23: Rock-n-Roll High
Fri 4/28: The Listening Room Redux
Sat 4/29: Preston Smith

Oceanview Pavilion Performing Arts Theater
575 E. Surfside Dr., Port Hueneme
Sat 4/22: Maiden USA, Hysteria, Hollywood Crue, Whole Lotta Rosies
Sat 4/29: Gypsy Dreams, Ridin’ the Storm Out, Strangehold

Ojai Underground
616 Pearl St., Ojai
Wed 4/19: The Make-Believe Spurs
Fri 4/21: Abigail Cartright
Sat 4/22: We are the West
Thurs 4/27: Will Solomon & Friends
Fri 4/28: Plus One with Eric Sullivan
Sat 4/29: Rick Shea & Tony Gilkyson
Sun 4/30: Joe Rafael, Bernie Larsen & Alan Thornhill

Ojai Valley Brewing
307 Bryant St., Ojai
Fri 4/21: Jeff Uzzel
Sat 4/22: Jacob and the Good Vibes
Fri 4/28: Brother Earl and the Cousins
Sat 4/29: Van Allen Twins

Onyx
2390 Las Posas Rd., Camarillo
Fri 4/21: George Krikes
Sat 4/22: Smokey & Friends
Fri 4/28: Jack Keough Trio
Sat 4/29: Matthew Grant

Oxnard Performing Arts Center
800 Hobson Way, Oxnard
Fri 4/21: (Vta Room) Fake Names, TV Party, Head Cut
Fri 4/28: (Vta Room) Harsh Reality, Brainless, Swingback, Stood Up, Centerpoint 805
Fri 4/28: Delfonics Revue, Dells Revue, Stylistics Revue
Sat 4/28: Jon B

The Raven Tavern
1651 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
Fri 4/21: Brandon Ragan Project
Sat 4/22: Rewind
Sun 4/23: Katie Shorey
Fri 4/28: Jayden Secor
Sat 4/29: Holgers Heroes
Sun 4/30: Brittney & Ben

Sam’s Place (The Vine)
308 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Saturdays: Smitty and Julija and Friends
Fri 4/21: Ray Jaurique
Fri 4/28: Van Allen Twins

Ric’s Restaurant Sports Lounge
2500 Las Posas Rd., Camarillo
Tuesdays: Tour Support w/ Kurt & Bob

San Souci
21 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Sat 4/22: Hard Six, Hillbilly Wolves

The Shores
1031 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Fri 4/21: Daniela Cardillo ( 4:30); Nuestro (8 pm)
Sat 4/22: The Blues Ramblers
Sun 4/23: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples
Fri 4/28: Jake McCelland (4:30); The Corsican Brothers (8 pm)
Sat 4/29: Brandon Ragan Project
Sun 4/30: Doc Ventura

Skull & Roses
Ventura Fairgrounds 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura
Wed 4/19: Sages & Spirits, Boombox feat. Backbeat Brass, Wahlbangers Beam Brothers
Thurs 4/20: Oteil & Friends, Grateful Shred, Big Steve & the Assbites, Stu Allen & Mars Hotel, Shaky Feelin’
Fri 4/21: Dark Star Orchestra, Leftover Salmon, Jerry’s Middle Finger, Cubensis
Sat 4/22: Phil Lesh & Friends, Circles Around the Sun, Electric Waste Band w/ Bill Walton
Sun 4/23: Phil Lesh & Friends, Melvin Seals & JGB, Moonalice, Bill Iuso & Big Chief Juan Pardo

The Sound Palace
1681 Beacon Place, Oxnard
Sat 4/22: Chick Singer Night featuring Annette DiNardo, Dawn Lunsford, Gaby Montiel, Danielle Taylor, Emily DeLaCruz

The Sportsman Restaurant
4426 Central Ave., Camarillo
Sun 4/30: Swing Shift

StekleStock 6
Stekle Park, 8080 Mistletoe Rd., Santa Paula
Sat 4/22: Premonition, Charles Law Band, NoBiggee, What the Funk, Whiskey Business, Tommy Foytek, Roberto Pesqueira
Sun 4/23: Premonition, Only Obvious, Red Rock Road, The Time Flys, Star Goes Nova

Strey Cellars
951 N. Rice Ave., Oxnard
Sun 4/23: Whiskey Business
Sat 4/29: The Renegades 805

Surfer’s Point Café
204 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Sun 4/23: Abigail Fierce

Tony’s Pizzeria
186 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Thurs 4/20: Urban Dread
Sun 4/23: 90’s BaBiez
Thurs 4/27: Jah Standards
Sun 4/30: Sound Effect

Taqueria Jalisco
4275 Tierra Rejada Rd., Moorpark
Fridays: Jim Friery

Topa Topa Brewing
2024 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo
Wed 4/19: Gianna Bella & the Fellas

The Twist on Main
454 E. Main St., Ventura
Thursdays: Davey Miller Trio
Fri 4/21: Rey Fresco, J Walker Band, Teddy Jack
Sat 4/22: Bella Lucareli (2 pm); I Want My 80s (8 pm)
Sun 4/23: Jetlemons (11 am); Kris Simeon (3 pm)
Fri 4/28: Brobots
Sat 4/29: TD Lind (2 pm); Mark Masson & Friends (8 pm)
Sun 4/30: Ken Devoe (11 am); Hot Roux (3 pm)

Vaquero y Mar
435 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Sundays: Mariachi
Tuesdays: The Sea Hunter
Wednesdays: Tribal Me
Fridays: Conjunto Zacamandu de Tomas Herrera
Wed 4/19: The Trivle Omdobble
Thurs 4/20: Lowered Expectations

Ventura Music Hall
1888 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Thurs 4/27: Poolside
Fri 4/28: Whitey Morgan
Sat 4/29: Ty Segall & Freedom Band, Corey Madden
Tues 5/2: Supersuckers

Winchesters
632 E. Main St., Ventura
Music Thurs 5:30; Fri 7 pm; Sat 2 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 4/20: Sage & Austin
Fri 4/21: James Broz
Sat 4/22: Steve and Sally Williams
Sun 4/23: Kelly’s Lot
Thurs 4/27: The Pipes
Fri 4/28: Doc Rogers Duo
Sun 4/30: Mark Masson & Phriends
Tues 5/2: Open Mic w/ Jenna Rose

1901 Speakeasy
740 S. B St., Oxnard
Sat 4/29: Debbie Davies

From Council member Mike Johnson

Join me at the following:

Saturday, April 22, 6 – 9 pm, Roller Derby at Skating Plus
Join me as we cheer on the West Coast Derby Knockouts as they take on Angel City Derby. It’s the first home bout of the season. Tickets are $15, $12 presale. https://www.facebook.com/derbyknockouts

Wednesday April 26, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, CACC
The College Area Community Council meets online on the fourth Wednesday of the month, from 7 to 9 pm. Visit CACCVentura.com for the agenda & Zoom link.

Thursday, April 27, 7 – 8 am, Morning on the Promenade
Nothing quite like a spring morning at the beach. Meet me and Daisy Dog somewhere around Aloha Steakhouse.

Saturday, May 6, 6:30 – 7:30 pm, Fluid State Pizza Beer Garden
Join me for pizza, fries, and good cheer. If you ride the bus or walk, I’ll buy you a beverage.

It’s seems like a little thing but City Hall now has a general phone line that is answered by a person, whose job is to help residents get connected to the right resource. And you can press 1 for English or 2 for Spanish. So, rather than keep track of dozens of ‘hotlines’ that go to voicemail, if you have a question or want to report a pothole or dead city tree or abandoned encampment, just call 805.654.7800.

Are you a City of Ventura resident interested in making an impact in your community?

The City of Ventura is inviting residents to apply for 20 openings across the City’s boards, commissions, and committees. All applications are due by Monday, May 8 at 5 p.m. Per San Buenaventura Ordinance 2019-003, no citizen may serve on more than one committee, commission, or board.

One opening on the Mobile Home Rent Review Board. This is a five-member advisory board that meets quarterly (March, June, September, and December) to receive, investigate, hold hearings on, and act on issues related to mobile home park rent stabilization.

One opening on the Ventura Port District Board. This five-member board meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. to oversee governance of the Ventura Port District according to the provisions of the California Harbors and Navigation Code.

One opening on the Housing Authority Board. This seven-member board of commissioners meets the second Wednesday of each month at 3 p.m. to review tenant applications and assess both their status and financial standing.

Two openings on the Historic Preservation Committee. This five-member committee meets on the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. to make recommendations for designation of historic districts, landmarks, sites, and points of interest significant to the heritage and development of the City Mills Act contracts. The committee also provides recommendations for applications affecting identified or potentially historic resources.

Six openings on the Downtown Parking Advisory Committee. This seven-member advisory committee meets on the third Thursday of the month at 3:00 p.m. to advise on parking management strategies and programs in the Downtown Parking District area. This includes capital budgets, hours of operations, parking pricing policies, valet programs, and employee commuter parking policies.

One opening on the Design Review Committee. This five-member committee meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. to review, consider, and provide recommendations for design review applications, assist staff with architectural or landscape design input, and consider new or revised design standards or guidelines.

Three openings on the Arts and Culture Commission. This seven-member commission meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. to advise and make recommendations on matters pertaining to the City’s arts, culture, and cultural tourism.

Two openings on the Parks and Recreation Commission. This seven-member commission meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 4:00 p.m. to assist in recommending and promoting public parks and recreation programs, facilities, and events. It also reviews and recommends portions of long-range capital improvement programs pertaining to developing parks and facilities, beaches, golf courses, playing fields, and recreation centers.

Three openings on the Water Commission. This seven-member commission meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. to review and make advisory recommendations regarding water rates, water resources infrastructure projects in the five-year capital improvement program, water supply options, and other water resource issues.

For questions or to apply, contact the City Clerk’s Office at 805-658-4787 or you can email Deputy City Clerk Darrick Ryser at [email protected].

Want to learn more about the City of Ventura’s boards, commissions, or committees? Visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/Recruitments.

Museum and interns preserve civil engineering records

NHPRC intern and staff screening a map.

The Museum of Ventura County, with funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, has begun to scan and preserve an extensive set of Ventura County engineering records. This month marks the halfway point in making a collection of the county’s longest-serving civil engineering firm available to the public.

In addition to the federal funding, the Museum is utilizing grant funds from TOLD Foundation to offer paid internships, which provide valuable work experience to students who would not otherwise be able to afford unpaid internship work. So far, the funding has supported four interns to help with the archiving project, including students from California State University, Channel Islands.

“Paying students for their time during internships is a critical step in training the next generation of archivists and librarians and helps to create equitable access to hands on work experience,” says Research Library and Archives Director Deya Terrafranca. “TOLD Foundation’s funding is a game changer for the Museum and for these students. Through our federal, local, and foundation partnerships, we’re making our collections available online and teaching critical skills to students that will give them an edge in the job market once they graduate college.”

One of the most important steps in the process is digitizing the oversized drawings, maps, and plans. With direction from the cataloger, interns learn to handle the items while they are scanned. Interns are then responsible for handling the digital files, uploading them to the Museum’s online database and properly cataloging files to be found efficiently.

“The students are completing the cataloging process from start to finish,” says Cataloger Hannah Rogers. “These kinds of prints were made over decades and different kinds of drawings were made using different chemical processes. Some of the drawings contain chemicals that can be hazardous to others in the collection and are stored separately. The students are learning to identify the drawings and how to separate and preserve them to protect every item.”

The project will continue through August of this year and the Museum expects to hire at least two additional interns for the summer months. An online exhibit featuring the collection will be available to the public starting in June and will be featured on the Museum’s website. The public can view items that have been digitized on the Museum’s online archive at: https://photographs.venturamuseum.org/collections/show/35

Vol. 16, No. 15 – Apr 19 – May 2, 2023 – Horoscopes

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) This is a good time to reassess important relationships, both personal and professional, to see where problems might exist and how they can be overcome. Keep the lines of communication open.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) It’s not easy to bring order to a chaotic situation, whether it’s in the workplace or at home. But if anyone can do it, you can. A pleasant surprise awaits you by week’s end.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Be careful that you don’t make an upcoming decision solely on the word of those who might have their own reasons for wanting you to act as they suggest. Check things out for yourself.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A personal relationship that seems to be going nowhere could be restarted once you know why it stalled in the first place. An honest discussion could result in some surprising revelations.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) That unexpected attack of self-doubt could be a way of warning yourself to go slow before making a career-changing decision. Take more time to do a closer study of the facts.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A workplace problem needs your attention now, before it deteriorates to a point beyond repair. A trusted third party could be helpful in closing the gaps that have opened.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) A recent family situation could give rise to a new problem. Keep an open mind and avoid making judgments about anyone’s motives until all the facts are in.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Rely on your always-sharp intuition to alert you to potential problems with someone’s attempt to explain away the circumstances behind a puzzling incident.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Although you still need to do some snipping off of those lingering loose ends from a past project, you can begin moving on to something else.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) With your self-confidence levels rising, you should feel quite comfortable with agreeing to take on a possibly troublesome, but potentially well-rewarded situation.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Travel is favored, both for business and for fun. The end of the week brings news about an upcoming project that could lead toward a promised career change.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) You might feel suddenly overwhelmed by a flood of responsibilities. But if you deal with each one in its turn, you’ll soon be able to hold your head above water and move on.

BORN THIS WEEK: You have a wonderful way of offering comfort as well as guidance. You would do well in the healing arts.

NAMBA presents Italian folk music with a modern and Gregorian twist.

NAMBA Performing Arts Space is pleased to present Ensemble Sangineto on May 4th at 7pm. Ensemble Sangineto is 100% Italian folk music with a modern and Gregorian twist. They are touring the college circuit but are making a special stop at NAMBA Performing Arts Space in downtown Ventura.

“This is a once in Ventura County opportunity and is something you could only expect to experience in Italy”, says Tamara Varney, Board Chair for NAMBA Performing Arts Space. “Our small Theatre will likely be their most intimate performance in the US.”

Ensemble Sangineto is an eclectic band which skillfully blends ancient harmonies and sonorities with modern rhythms. The wide-ranging musical experiences of the individual members converge to create fresh arrangements of traditional Irish, Scottish, Breton & Italian tunes and original compositions influenced by genres ranging from classical to folk, from Gregorian chant to musical, from pop to Celtic music.

The delicate combination of the pure and magic tones of the harp and of the bowed psaltery with the guitar intermingle with the three voice-polyphonic texture evoking dreamlike and airy atmospheres — an experience simultaneously joyful and light.

Join us at NAMBA Performing Arts Space on May 4, 2023, 47 S. Oak Street, Downtown Historic Ventura. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at NambaArts.com.

Ventura pier storm damage remains

Photo by Yana Khiyod

Months after severe rain caused much damage the Ventura pier the major part of it remains closed. Damage to some support pilings were major. The required repairs are estimated to cost at least $650,000 and take till the end of the year. The front of the pier remains open for access to the restaurants.

Once a ship of sin was moored off Ventura!

by Richard Senate

In 1929 the good people of Ventura woke to find a gambling ship moored beyond the three-mile limit off our coast! It was the Johanna Smith, a 257-foot wooden lumber schooner, converted into a floating gambling palace. As it was beyond the legal limit it could legally operate without fear of local or state laws. The craft had restaurants, entertainment and, naturally gambling tables and slot machines. What would be seen as tame today was viewed as the epitome of sin and degradation in 1929. The ship had operated off Long Beach before she pulled up anchor and moved to more profitable waters, as other gambling ships set up shop at her area. It was hoped she could attract new customers in Ventura County and in that she was correct. Large advertisements appeared in all the local newspapers announcing the arrival of the “amusement steamer” with a grill, cabaret, music and dancing. They even advertised a three-course meal for only a dollar, fifty!

To Visit the ship one had only to take a a speed boat called a “water taxi” from the end of the pier out to the moored vessel. The trip was a thrilling ride bouncing over the waves and many said that was the high point of the adventure. It cost only a quarter for the trip. At the ship visitors were greeted by Hawaiian singers and musicians and hula girls in grass skirts. Lots of people came to Ventura to see the ship and leave their money on the gambling tables and slot machines. People came up from LA, and down from Santa Barbara to enjoy the pleasures of the palace of the seas. But, its popularity proved its undoing. People parked all over, filling the streets, blocking driveways, and becoming a nuisance. Not only that people came home from a night on the steamer, drunk, singing and making noise, waking people up at all hours.. The benefits were outweighed by the headaches caused by the gambling ship. Besides that, the profits all went to the gangsters who operated the craft.

Church leaders warned of sin and corruption brought by the ship. Newspapers editorialized against the evils of the thing, even political people spoke out to force the craft away from Ventura. Soon laws were passed and the water taxis forbidden to operate off our pier. At last the ship moved on, back to Long Beach where she was moored and operated till 1932. But for a few months, Ventura was a bit like Las Vegas. Perhaps, to balance the state budget, the gambling ships should be brought back. A ride on a high-speed water taxi sounds rather fun, and it would be a lot closer than the Chumash Casino.

Vol. 16, No. 15 – Apr 19 – May 2, 2023 – The Pet Page

• American Psychiatric Association chat about pets, mental health

by Coco Lederhouse

Studies have found that interacting with animals can decrease levels of cortisol, reduce loneliness, and increase feelings of comfort and social support, according to Jen Brandt, PhD, AVMA director of member wellbeing initiatives. Pets can also serve as a bridge for social interactions, help you be more active, and reduce work-related stress.

According to a recent APA poll, nearly 90% of pet owners said their pet positively impacts their mental health. The chat started by addressing the ways pets improve our mental health.

“Pets can be a great source of affection, love, and loyalty,” Dr. Brendel said. “The APA was proud to collaborate with the AVMA and spotlight the important positive role pets can on our mental health, and the ways we can strengthen our bonds with our pets.”

Cats and dogs thrive with consistency and feel safe when we remain calm,” Brandt said.

Companion animals can aid with the treatment of diagnosed mental health issues, and for many people their pet has a large part in helping to manage their health.

Pets provide structure and a sense of purpose, a deep emotional connection that may not feel safe with other humans, reduce feelings of isolation due to stigma, and help distract from symptoms of illness.

• Don’t Give Over-the-Counter Medications to Your Pet

Dr. Lauren Forsythe, a pharmacist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, shares her expertise about common medications that can be harmful to pets.

Pain Relievers: NSAIDs and Acetaminophen

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help to reduce pain, fever, and inflammation in humans. Common NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen (e.g., Advil), and naproxen (e.g., Aleve).

“While veterinarians may sometimes recommend human over-the-counter medications for pets, many varieties of human medications are toxic to dogs and cats. Pain medications are among the most toxic,” says Dr. Forsythe.

Human pain medications are much more likely to cause toxicity in animals than they are in people, which is why there are veterinary-specific medications that are less toxic.

Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) is not an NSAID. It relieves fever and pain but does not reduce inflammation.

“Acetaminophen should never be given to a cat,” says Dr. Forsythe. “Even an infant dose can cause severe adverse effects or potentially lead to death.”

Medications for Allergies, Nausea

Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) are sometimes recommended by veterinarians. But, Dr. Forsythe warns, many commercial medications contain a variety of active ingredients. For example, certain products address several symptoms that can occur together, such as allergic reactions and nasal congestion or pain.

“Pet owners should consult with their veterinarian before giving any human over-the-counter medication to their pet. The veterinarian will know how to assess the pet’s potential underlying health issues, possible interactions with medications the pet already takes, and what the proper dose is for that particular pet,” says Dr. Forsythe.

Additionally, pet owners often want to treat their vomiting dog with a commercial medication. The main brands, including Pepto Bismol, contain bismuth subsalicylate, which is similar to aspirin. Products containing bismuth subsalicylate can have adverse effects in dogs and are not recommended.

Topical Antibiotics and Antifungals

Topical antibiotics may provide local benefits and avoid the problems sometimes associated with oral or injectable antibiotics. However, animals are likely to lick and groom themselves, which can turn a topical medication into an oral medication. Ingesting some topical medications could be very dangerous for pets.

In general, any wounds on your pet that might lead to infection should be seen by a veterinarian. A veterinarian will know which medications are safe and will stitch the wound, if necessary.

Similarly, a medical professional should be consulted regarding treatment for a fungal infection. The treatment will depend on the site and severity of the infection. Often, prescription oral antifungals are necessary when topical antifungals aren’t appropriate.

Why OTC Medications Aren’t for Pets

“Most over-the-counter medications are designed to treat symptoms, not the underlying cause,” says Dr. Forsythe. While humans and animals may experience similar symptoms, the underlying causes can be completely different. For that reason, what works for the symptoms in a person may not work in an animal.

There are also important differences between animals and people in how the body absorbs and metabolizes drugs. These differences can affect the efficacy of a medication as well as its toxicity.

Not only should you not give human medications to pets, but it is very important to prevent pets from accidentally ingesting medications.

“Keep all medications, especially flavored ones, out of reach of pets,” Dr. Forsythe recommends. “If you have a counter-surfing pet, you may need to keep medications inside a closed cabinet.” Even when the bottle is closed, an animal can chew its way in if something smells appealing enough.

Dr. Forsythe advises storing all medications in their original packaging in an upper cabinet located in a cool place without excessive moisture. Make sure your pet is not allowed to lick a topical medication that you have applied to yourself.

If you think your pet has ingested a medication unintentionally, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.

It looks like the ‘unlikely’ goat and dog duo that have been living at the Wake County Animal Center has a forever home!

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