Insect Shield® for Pets aligns with industry experts to help educate retailers/pet owners about vector-borne disease prevalence, risks and prevention tactics

The newly formed Advisory Panel is comprised of pet professionals ranging from veterinarians and shelters owners to groomers and pet trend/health specialists.

SEATTLE, WA – Diseases such as Lyme disease, malaria, Dengue fever and more recently, Zika virus, are major health challenges throughout the globe. However, many consumers are not aware of the prevalence and risk for pets. In response, PetEdge® has launched an extensive line of protective products for pets and pet professionals featuring EPA-registered Insect Shield® Repellent Technology, and has aligned with experts to spread awareness. An Advisory Panel consisting of carefully selected industry experts has been assembled with the goal of educating retailers and pet owners about insect-borne disease risks and prevention methods.

According to the CAPC (Companion Animal Parasite Council), in 2015, one out of 16 dogs in the United States tested positive for Lyme, one out of 36 tested positive for Ehrlichiosis, and one out of 34 for Anaplasmosis – all tick-transmitted diseases. One out of 69 dogs tested positive for Heartworm. Symptoms for pets can range from mild fever and loss of appetite to extreme conditions such as lameness, stiff joints, and seizures. Protection from insect bites is paramount.

The Advisory Panel will collaborate and share information in order to better educate retailers and pet owners about the range of insect-transmitted illnesses, level of risk for pets and best practices for protection.

Initial panel members include:VET EXPERTSDr. Katy Nelson – Dr. Katy is an associate veterinarian at the Belle Haven Animal Medical Centre, host and executive producer of "The Pet Show with Dr. Katy" on Washington DC's News Channel 8. She’s also known as "Dr. Pawz" on Washington DC's All News Radio Station, WTOP. She also reports on animal health topics for WJLA ABC 7 and is the Medical Director of Pet Health for Live In The Now, a leading nutrition and lifestyle company that relies on the latest clinical research to guide them in their efforts to help people, and coming soon PETS, to live longer and better lives. You can also read "Ask Dr. Katy" quarterly in the Virginia-Maryland Dog Magazine, or online.

Dr. James St Clair – Dr. “J”, an outspoken voice for dog health techniques and practices, has had a core focus on pet owner education since 2004. He owns and operates full service, animal practices in central Connecticut (a hot bed for Lyme disease). In the fall of 2004 Dr. J founded TopDog Health & Rehabilitation, a progressive canine physical rehabilitation facility focused primarily post-orthopedic surgery patients and older arthritic dogs. TopDogs focuses on research and development of innovative joint health products and therapy support products. In addition, as a pet-owner and father of young children living in a tick-infested region of the country known for its prevalence of Lyme disease, he is an enormous advocate of insect-borne disease awareness and the latest prevention strategies.

PET CARE & LIFESTYLE EXPERTCharlotte Reed– As a pet care and lifestyle specialist, Charlotte provides pet owners with insights on how to best care for their animals. Millions have had the opportunity to watch her on CNN, Fox & Friends, The View, NBC’s Today Show, VH1 as well as many other televisions shows around the globe. As one of the most popular and sought-after pet experts in the United States, Reed has been quoted as a pet expert in publications such as the The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Good Housekeeping, New York Magazine, US Weekly and dozens of other national and international newspapers and magazines. Radio listeners around the country have also tuned in to listen to Charlotte’s advice on responsible pet ownership and her recommendations on how to ensure living with a happy and healthy pet. Reed honed her skills attending the ASPCA Companion Animal Service Department’s Apprenticeship Dog Training Program, Veterinary Technology Associates Program at City University of New York (CUNY), the New York School of Dog Grooming, and the University of South Hampton New College in Great Britain.

PET PROFESSIONALSCarol Visser has been a leader in the pet industry for many years. A professionally trained pet stylist since 1982, she obtained her certification as a Master Groomer with NDGAA in 1990. Her career in the pet industry has included owning a busy, exclusive suburban salon, managing, teaching and creating curriculum at a major grooming school, and giving grooming seminars to professionals on both coasts in the US and as far away as New Zealand. After her long time interest in training led to adding training to the services she offered, Carol successfully tested in 2007 as a Certified Pet Dog Trainer. A contributing editor for Pet Business Magazine and frequent columnist for Grooming Business Magazine, she enjoys all aspects of owning and working with pets. Formerly a product consultant for PetEdge on the North Shore of Boston, she and her husband Glenn now own Two Canines Pet Services in Montville, ME, providing grooming, boarding, training, and day care services to MidCoast and Central Maine.Melissa Houston – Melissa is the Director of Marketing at the Kansas Humane Society and the guest Pet Expert on the Pet Project airing on Wichita, KS KSN TV Channel 10 where she showcases an adoptable pet and answers questions from pet owners. In addition, Melissa has been an advocate for companion animals for 18 years with the mission to raise awareness about compassion and care of all companion animals.

For more information about Insect Shield® for Pets, visit:http://www.insectshieldforpets.com