Learn How to Get Your Pet "Back in the Groove" on Saturday

We all want the best for our furry family members, and that means keeping abreast of the latest products, services and techniques available. 

, a specialty pet boutique located in the Original Carrollwood area, invites the public to its Natural Pet Wellness Expo on Saturday, May 7 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.  This will be the third event of its kind, which are scheduled biannually each spring and fall.

Groovy was founded in August 2006 by Yvonne Guibert. Her specialty is holistic nutrition, and is very informed on the subject of nutritious foods, treats and supplements containing only the best quality natural ingredients, void of any preservatives, chemicals and byproducts.

“Since we refer to ourselves as a ‘health food store for cats and dogs’ we like to get customers thinking about ‘wellness’ as it relates to their pets,” said Guibert, “mom” to three Chihuahuas and one cat.  “Our mission is to expose people to different types of healthy food, to understand and embrace the natural approach to feeding pets.”

She teaches her customers to read and understand labels, including those on mass-market foods which are often comprised of inferior ingredients.  Guibert is also a big promoter of the “rotation diet” in which the pet’s food is varied at least once a year to maintain a strong immune system and ward off possible food sensitivities and allergies.

Other tips and featured guests at Saturday’s free expo include:

• Feral Cat Seminar presented by St. Francis Society Animal Rescue (at 10 a.m.)
• Dr. Linda Register of East-West Animal Hospital discusses vaccination protocols (at 11 a.m.)
• Dr. Deva Khalsa, author of “The Natural Dog” and creator of Deserving Pets supplements will host a seminar on urinary tract wellness for cats (at noon)
• Pet adoptions by St. Francis Society Animal Rescue (kittens only)
• Pet massage by Canine Comfort Pet Massage
• Q & A on Behavior and Training with Courteous Canine
• Local artists: Alli Bell and Gina Stark
• Tailored Pet Sitting’s Veronica Simonetto

The topics for the day were carefully chosen.  Dr. Deva Khalsa's talk on urinary tract health  issues in cats is the top concern for Groovy’s customers.  And Dr. Linda Register’s discussion on vaccination protocols struck a chord because there is a lot of controversy/discussion about how often pets truly need to be vaccinated and which ones are necessary. 

Samples will be distributed (while supplies last), along with snacks for pets and their humans.  The first 25 attendees even receive an exclusive goodie bag courtesy of Groovy. 

Guests who spend a minimum of $10 will also receive a free raffle ticket.  All raffle items were donated by Groovy’s vendors, suppliers and business partners and includes cases of food, treats, “gift packs” and other goodies, many of which are valued at over $100.

Tickets will be sold for $2 each, or an “arm’s length” for $20, with all money raised benefitting St. Francis Society Animal Rescue, an all volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to saving the lives of sick, injured and stray domestic animals. Members of the organization will be on site with several kittens up for adoption.

The no-kill shelter (unless terminal illness dictates the need for euthanization) will be accepting applications on Saturday, but no animals will be released that day.  All of their animals undergo extensive veterinary examinations and are spayed and neutered, tested for leukemia/FIV (cats), wormed and vaccinated. 

Dr. Linda Register of East-West Animal Hospital in Lutz is slated to speak at 11 a.m. on vaccination protocol. 

“As a whole," Register said, "pets in my opinion are being overly vaccinated." 

She explains that unnecessary vaccinations can have an adverse effect and accelerate certain diseases and disorders.  The Florida native, who has been providing veterinary services to Tampa residents since 1999, also follows a holistic approach. 

An active board member of the Hillsborough Animal Health Foundation and Hillsborough Country Veterinary Medical Society, Register strongly believes that each pet should be treated based on their lifestyle. 

“One dog may never leave their home; another might be kenneled and go to day care," she said "There’s no reason why those two dogs should receive be on the same vaccination schedule."

Guibert said she thinks pet owners should focus on a doctor's advice for their pet.

“I want more people to understand that veterinarians are not necessarily the best resource when it comes to nutrition and their pets," she said. "Vets get very little training in nutrition, just like in the medical industry.  Doctors (and vets) treat the symptoms, not the underlying problem."

The National Pet Wellness Expo will be held on Saturday, May 7  from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Groovy Cats & Dogs (10213 Lake Carroll Way). 

The event is free and open to the public.  Donations in support of St. Francis Society Animal Rescue are welcome and appreciated.

Call 813-265-1333 to schedule a complimentary massage session with Canine Comfort Pet Massage, or to sign up for Dr. Register's discussion on vaccination protocols.  Space is limited.