Hiking with Dogs

Ensure your pet's safety, and the well-being of other hikers and wildlife by joining Dr. David Parent for a virtual discussion about hiking with dogs. This Zoom class will guide you through the essentials of hiking with your dog, helping you determine if your furry friend is ready for the trails.

Dr. Parent is an avid hiker and a retired veterinarian with over 30 years experience. He will discuss the importance of being a good pack leader by managing your dog with voice commands and evaluating your dog's trail readiness. This includes an honest conversation about dog aggression, anxiety, fitness, and consideration for wildlife, other hikers, and dogs.

We’ll talk about essential gear for hiking with your dog, including leashes, harnesses, ID tags, collapsible water bottles, and dog booties. Learn what types of terrain may put your pet at risk and how to recognize signs of distress such as fatigue, heatstroke, dehydration, and injury before they become emergencies. Know what to carry in your dog’s first aid kit and what to do in case of emergency.

What to Expect:

• How to determine whether you and your dog are right for the trail.
• Essential gear to ensure your pet's adventures are safe and enjoyable.
• Common hazards and injuries and how to avoid them.
• What to do in case of emergency

This 90-minute session includes a Q&A about hiking with dogs. It will not be open to veterinarian questions specific to your pet. This class is designed to help you make informed decisions about hiking with your dog, ensuring safety for your pet and respect for wildlife and others that use the trails.

Dr. David Parent is a retired veterinarian with over 30 of experience in the clinic and on the trail. He has always been interested in animals — from birds and mammals to insects, reptiles, amphibians and tidepool critters. He graduated with a B.S. in Wildlife Science from the University of Washington and received his veterinary degree from Washington State University in 1987. He purchased, Useless Bay Animal Clinic, in 1990 and worked there until his retirement in 2021. He has participated in many wildlife research projects including Rocky Mountain Goats in Olympic National Park, Murrelets in Glacier Bay National Park and Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemurs, Mouse Lemurs and Diademed Sifakas in Madagascar.

In his spare time he enjoys mountaineering, off-trail travel, telemark skiing, canoeing, paddleboarding, birding, landscaping, reading, and hanging out with his sweetheart, four children and nine grandchildren.

Event Venue

Online