A Dog Who Changed A Person Who Influenced The World
Some have said that Dr. Karen Overall is the Jane Goodall of the world. This veterinary behaviorist has influenced countless veterinarians, veterinary technicians and nurses, and dog trainers. Her book, “Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animalsâ€, has helped many vets and trainers.
For Overall, her inspiration and motivation was her dog Flash who passed away in early December. This dog that suffered numerous homes, various shelters and endured abuse was who kept Overall going.
For more on Overall and Flash, visit Steve Dale’s Pet World.
December 28th, 2007 at 5:25 am
Reading Dr. Overall’s letter was so touching. I hope that wonderful memories of Flash will comfort her.
December 28th, 2007 at 8:55 am
My thoughts and prayers go out to you Dr. Overall.
Robert
December 28th, 2007 at 10:41 am
As an owner of an abandoned dog who came to me with behavior problems, I know the joy of seeing a dog who has learned to trust his human companions blossom.
I am looking forward to reading Karen Overall’s book about all she learned from Flash.
December 28th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Same here, Cate.
December 28th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
The letter was very touching.
All dogs are special . . . and frankly I really love Aussies and think Aussies are super special. Certainly, they have a way of showing their intelligence that humans understand. I have had Aussie owners tell me that their dogs were as smart as people, and had the vocabularies of 7-8 year olds (in terms of understanding).
What a special tribute.
Stefani
December 28th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
Karen, What a special Angel you have been fortunate to have shared your life and lessons with. I have always believed that every person who opens their hearts to a dog or cat will find that special one meant on;y for them.
Flash was that one for you, and I have my special companion with me who has taught me patience and joy for all the small things I used to take for granted. She has also taught me how to optomistic. You have been blessed..
Joan
December 30th, 2007 at 11:34 am
As a Veterinary Technologist, I had the pleasure of attending a Veterinary Behavior Seminar a few years back that Karen conducted. It was a wonderful seminar because Karen was expressing the lessons she learned about dog training. Lessons she had learned from Flash. I felt very connected and proud because I too had come full circle because I had trained my dog’s with the very methods that Flash had been trained. Methods that for many dog’s end up as death sentences because they do nothing more than trigger the survival instinct in them which in turn causes them to fight for their lives. Even though he is gone now, I know my Jackson will forever be my reminder that patience and repetition train dogs, not painful collars and violent threatening methods.
My heart goes out to Karen. Flash’s memory will live on. We will not forget that his traumatic start in life was all for not. He was a teacher. Thankfully he found someone to listen to him.