July 4th might be fun for most humans, but it is terrifying for our household pets, wild animals, and war veterans. The trauma of being stuck outside alone can affect our pets’ lives for the rest of their lives, and, in some cases, can cost them their lives. The shelters and animal hospitals are always crowded the day after July 4th with animals who think the world is ending and jump over fences, crash through gates, and run scared into traffic or away from home.

When we plan ahead and do just a few things to secure our animals, we can ensure that our furred and feathered family members have a good, safe, and healthy Independence Day. I recommend the following things:

• Keep your pets safely inside the house.
• If you are not going to be home, hire a babysitter to be with your pets.
• Keep the TV or radio on loud to minimize the scary sounds of the fireworks.
• Draw the shades to hide the bright lights of any fireworks.
• If you are out with your dog on July 4th, have them on a harness so they can’t bolt or run away.
• Make sure the harness has tags with your info on them.
• I do not recommend sedatives. I have found that they do not work. However, I have gotten fantastic results from Jill and Joan CBD (jillandjoan.com) to lower anxiety levels. Start your animals on CBD a week or so before the holiday so they are used to it, and, on the day of, give them a double dose in the morning and at night to help them feel comfortable, sleepy, and peaceful.
• Keep horses inside their stalls with hay to keep them occupied.
• Make sure all cows, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, and turkeys are safely inside their barns.
• Radios or fans in the barn do a great job of drowning out the sound of fireworks.
• Check on barnyard animals during the fireworks to reassure them and make sure they are okay.

During these uncertain times this is the place to be donating. A general donation to The Gentle Barn supports the organization in all aspects.

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As an animal communicator, I have spoken to dogs across the country who tell me horror stories of July 4th and their PTSD afterward. The trauma of fireworks leads to them reacting to thunder, loud noises on television, and even the sound of snapping gum can set them off. I can do remote Emotional Freedom Technique Tapping on animals to release the trauma, but it is way better to protect your animals, so they don’t have to develop trauma in the first place. Jay and I will be at home this July 4th, as always, and we will be doing all these things for the dogs and farm animals at The Gentle Barn. Our sweethearts always come first.