OkcPets Magazine September 2020

September/October 2020 • OKC Pets 13 W hen the COVID-19 pandemic hit this spring, Jesse James Smith of Oklahoma City was among those who found himself at home due to being out of work. He and his family spent hours in the home, and, although that was an anxious time for them, their dog loved it. Then Smith had to return to work. “Honestly, it’s been a little tough. My dog was already anxious, but the fact we all went back to work at the same time has been hard on him, especially since we were out of work for the entire time,” said Smith. Shalon Reynolds of Owasso adopted a puppy during the pandemic. So far, the puppy has never been on its own all day, and Reynolds is dreading what may happen when she returns to work outside of the home. “Yes, I am a bit concerned about leaving him home all day if I go to work,” she said. Tulsa resident Montega Albert said her two dogs are used to having her always present. Albert runs a lash studio out of her house but recently acquired a brick-and- mortar building for her expanding business. “I know that it affects them. I’ve been lucky enough to work from home, but now that I’m going to have an outside studio, I worry about how they will do,” she said. “Neither Murph nor Weensie have ever been here without me home all day.” Owners being home all the time is a dream for pets, but experts say that pet owners should start working on strategies for their furry friends to prepare for a post-pandemic time when people start returning to work. Because the pandemic caused so many people to spend more time at home, some cats and dogs have become dependent on a person’s presence, which, in turn, exacerbates the separation anxiety they feel when their humans aren’t present. “Separation anxiety is a form of hyper- attachment disorder,” said Dr. Sarah Peakheart, clinical assistant professor at Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine. “They become so attached to their owner that they have a physical response when separated. Think panic attack. They can suffer physical panic when you leave.” WRITTEN BY: Heide Brandes Post-Pandemic Separation Anxiety Expert advice to help your pet transition back to routine life