GenSol Diagnostics

Canine Genetic Testing

Micah Halpern

GenSol November Bulk Sale!

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GenSol November Bulk Sale starts early this month, Thursday November 10th and will end on Tuesday November 15th at midnight, EDT.

  • Fast, Accurate, Affordable Canine Genetic Testing
  • November 10th – November 15th
  • 5+ Tests $25 Each ~ 1-4 Tests $30 Each!
  • No Limits, No Exclusions
  • Stock Up and SAVE!

How It Works

GenSolDx.com offers a multitude of disease, coat type and coat color genetic tests for your dog. We recommend that you look up your breed on our convenient breed search tool. Searching specifically for your breed will ensure that you are choosing the right test for your breed.

All orders placed before 3:00 pm EDT are shipped the same day. We are experiencing significant delays with the USPS delivery. We offer Priority and Priority Express shipping if you are in a rush.

Once you receive your kits, simply log into our Customer Account Manager to register your samples. Collect your dog’s DNA with our noninvasive soft swab from the inside of your dog’s cheek. We have an easy to follow video showing you how.

Once we receive your samples in our lab, you will receive an email from our lab indicating that your samples have arrived. Results are typically available within 24-48 hours.

Your result certificate will be emailed to you upon completion, and is available on your Account Manager.

Why Choose GenSol?

  • Buy in bulk and save – as low as $25 per test during our monthly sales
  • Rapid results – 24 to 48 hours after arriving at the lab
  • Test kits never expire – stock up and save
  • Flexible – test kits can be used for any test we offer
  • Online Account Manager – share results with clients/potential puppy buyers
  • Easy access to test information available at www.gensoldx.com
  • Friendly and knowledgeable customer service via phone, email or LiveChat
  • In the U.S 844-369-3686 ~ International Calls 706-782-1327

Pet Holidays for November 2023

• Adopt a Senior Pet Month
• National Senior Pet Month (Also see: Recognizing Behavioral Changes in Senior Dogs)
• Pet Diabetes Month
• Pet Cancer Awareness Month (AVMA)
• November 1: National Cook for Your Pets Day
• November 2-6: National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week
• November 7: National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day
• November 17: National Black Cat Day (US)

Helpful Links

GenSol October Bulk Sale

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GenSol October Bulk Sale starts October 20th and will end on October 25th at midnight, EDT.

  • Fast, Accurate, Affordable Canine Genetic Testing
  • October 20th – October 25th
  • 5+ Tests $25 Each ~ 1-4 Tests $30 Each!
  • No Limits, No Exclusions
  • Stock Up and SAVE!

How It Works

GenSolDx.com offers a multitude of disease, coat type and coat color genetic tests for your dog. We recommend that you look up your breed on our convenient breed search tool. Searching specifically for your breed will ensure that you are choosing the right test for your breed.

All orders placed before 3:00 pm EDT are shipped the same day. We are experiencing significant delays with the USPS delivery. We offer Priority and Priority Express shipping if you are in a rush.

Once you receive your kits, simply log in to our Customer Account Manager to register your samples. Collect your dog’s DNA with our noninvasive soft swab from the inside of your dog’s cheek. We have an easy to follow video showing you how.

Once we receive your samples in our lab, you will receive an email from our lab indicating that your samples have arrived. Results are typically available within 24-48 hours.

Your result certificate will be emailed to you upon completion, and is available on your Account Manager.

Why Choose GenSol?

  • Buy in bulk and save – as low as $25 per test during our monthly sales
  • Rapid results – 24 to 48 hours after arriving at the lab
  • Test kits never expire – stock up and save
  • Flexible – test kits can be used for any test we offer
  • Online Account Manager – share results with clients/potential puppy buyers
  • Easy access to test information available at www.gensoldx.com
  • Friendly and knowledgeable customer service via phone, email or LiveChat
  • In the U.S 844-369-3686 ~ International Calls 706-782-1327

National Veterinary Technician Week

October 16th – October 22nd is National Veterinary Technician Week! Veterinary Technicians are critical to the day-to-day function of veterinary practices, and play vital roles in preserving animal health and welfare. National Veterinary Technician Week provides an opportunity to recognize veterinary technicians’ contributions.

GenSol Diagnostics value veterinary technicians every day of the year and thank them for all they do. During National Veterinary Technician Week, we honor their commitment to compassionate, high-quality veterinary care for all animals. Please join us in celebrating these important team members.

October 2022 Pet Holidays

  • Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
  • American Humane’s Adopt-a-Dog Month®
  • National Pet Wellness Month
  • National Animal Safety and Protection Month
  • National Pit Bull Awareness Month
  • October 1-7: National Walk Your Dog Week
  • October 1: National Black Dog Day
  • October 4:  World Animal Day
  • October 12: National Pet Obesity Awareness Day
  • October 16: Global Cat Day®
  • October 16-22: National Veterinary Technician Week
  • October 21: Reptile Awareness Day; National Pets for Veterans Day
  • October 27: National Black Cat Day (UK)
  • October 29: National Cat Day
  • October 29: National Pit Bull Awareness Day

Helpful Links

Canine Multifocal Retinopathy Lapponian Herders (CMR3)

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GenSol Diagnostics is now offering Canine Multifocal Retinopathy testing specifically for Lapponian Herder Dogs.

The canine multifocal retinopathy mutation causes raised lesions to form on the retina which alters the appearance of the eye but usually does not affect sight. The lesions may disappear, or may result in minor retinal folding. Symptoms of the mutation usually appear when a puppy is only a few months old, and generally do not worsen over time. The genetic test for CMR is valuable for identifying the cause of a retinal deformation. Given the exact genetic diagnosis, the owner can be reassured that there probably will be little or no vision loss due to this condition. While the CMR1, CMR2 and CMR3
mutations are in the same gene, they are breed specific and testing for only one is required.

Breed Specific Canine Multifocal Retinopathy

Additional GenSol Tests for Lapponian Herder Dogs

Visit our Lapponian Herder Dog Disease page for easy access to ordering.

Other Helpful Information on Lapponian Herder Dogs

GenSol September Bulk Sale

· ·

GenSol September Bulk Sale starts September 22nd and will end on September 27th at midnight, EDT.

  • Fast, Accurate, Affordable Canine Genetic Testing
  • September 22nd – September 27th
  • 5+ Tests $25 Each ~ 1-4 Tests $30 Each!
  • No Limits, No Exclusions
  • Stock Up and SAVE!

How It Works

GenSolDx.com offers a multitude of disease, coat type and coat color genetic tests for your dog. We recommend that you look up your breed on our convenient breed search tool. Searching specifically for your breed will ensure that you are choosing the right test for your breed.

All orders placed before 3:00 pm EDT are shipped the same day. We are experiencing significant delays with the USPS delivery. We offer Priority and Priority Express shipping if you are in a rush.

Once you receive your kits, simply log in to our Customer Account Manager to register your samples. Collect your dog’s DNA with our noninvasive soft swab from the inside of your dog’s cheek. We have an easy to follow video showing you how.

Once we receive your samples in our lab, you will receive an email from our lab indicating that your samples have arrived. Results are typically available within 24-48 hours.

Your result certificate will be emailed to you upon completion, and is available on your Account Manager.

Why Choose GenSol?

  • Buy in bulk and save – as low as $25 per test during our monthly sales
  • Rapid results – 24 to 48 hours after arriving at the lab
  • Test kits never expire – stock up and save
  • Flexible – test kits can be used for any test we offer
  • Online Account Manager – share results with clients/potential puppy buyers
  • Easy access to test information available at www.gensoldx.com
  • Friendly and knowledgeable customer service via phone, email or LiveChat
  • In the U.S 844-369-3686 ~ International Calls 706-782-1327

GenSol Celebrates National Service Dog Month

September is dedicated to National Service Dog Month to help raise awareness and show appreciation for the extraordinary work service canines do every day for their handlers. It is important to honor these hard-working pups as they dedicate their lives to helping their human companions. 

According to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service canine is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. ADA allows service dogs to accompany people in public areas where dogs are typically not allowed, if the dog is under control by its owner.

Gensol September Bulk Sale

Helpful Links

Children With Special Needs and Dogs Working Together

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In celebration of National Service Dog Month GenSol would like to give a shout-out to the Heeling House located in Sterling, Virginia.

At the Heeling House in northern Virginia, special-needs children are working on everything from social skills and communication to reading and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) skills — all with the assistance of about a dozen delightful furry friends.

The Heeling House offers programs for children from infancy through high school. It was founded by Kathy Benner, an experienced animal trainer. Her volunteers, along with their certified therapy dogs, have worked for years with children at therapeutic centers and in local schools on physical and occupational therapy.

Now, at their own facility, The Heeling House is reaching even more children in private and group Animal Assisted Interactions. Most of the younger children who attend the center are on the autism spectrum, while some of the older kids who are starting to go for a new youth group may be struggling socially or coping with depression or anxiety.

“We wanted to open the center so that we had a place where we would be able to explore all the different avenues — so that we would be able to have therapy dogs help our community,” Benner says. That includes the ability to work with students to do further research on how interacting with dogs can help kids.

Some of the dogs at Heeling House were bred for therapy work, while many others were adopted — but all of the dogs and their handlers have been certified by Pet Partners and continue to be trained to work safely with children.

A Proven Motivator

Including the dogs in the therapy and class sessions can lengthen a child’s attention span, break the ice and be a powerful motivator for them to try harder.

“They spend more ‘time on task’ — basically doing the things that the therapists are encouraging them to do and for longer periods of time when the dog is there,” Benner says. “They definitely spend more time engaging socially with each other, which is one of our big goals. The dog acts as a role model and motivation to speak to their peers.”

The dogs are trained to play cards and board games, and they can even do a little light bowling.

“It’s learning how to be patient when playing a game, waiting to take a turn, being patient if something doesn’t go exactly as they had planned, so the kids will practice being more flexible, because a lot of kids who have autism are fairly rigid in their thoughts,” Benner says.

Making Great Strides

The kids may also learn to give the dogs commands and guide them through an obstacle course.

“We see more sustained eye contact and focus from the kids, because we work on giving dogs commands,” Benner says. “Before they can give the dog the command, they have to look at the dog and the dog looks back at them. So, they practice being able to have that eye contact and address whoever they’re talking to directly” — a skill they can then use in social interactions with other people.

Children With Special Needs and Dogs Working Together
Tybee, a 3-year-old Portuguese Water Dog, can be silly and energetic or calm and docile.

Just having the dog in the room while the children work with their therapist can be a comfort — and getting the chance to play with the dog can be a reward for their hard work. “If the child can finish the task or do what they’ve been asked or kind of hold it together for a certain period of time, then they’re allowed to go and play with the dog afterward,” Benner says.

Donna Merkle is Heeling House’s co-founder and has been part of the animal therapy team for 10 years, working with three dogs. Her Golden Retriever, RBI, recently passed away, and she currently volunteers with Tybee, a 3-year-old Portuguese Water Dog.

“The dogs are very attuned to the clients’ needs; I have learned to sometimes just let the interactions organically happen. Those are the most rewarding times — when you can watch this puppy you trained go into a situation and know exactly what to do,” Merkle says. “Recently, Tybee went with me to tell one of our clients about the loss of our therapy dog he had been seeing for several years. Tybee walked into the room, laid down beside the boy and put his head on the child’s lap comforting him. They immediately bonded. It was beautiful.”

“Enjoy the Warmth and Love”

Christopher, a 10-year-old boy with cerebral palsy, has worked for several years with Merkle and RBI, along with his physical therapist at the Children’s Therapy Center in Springfield, Virginia.

“RBI was a great motivator in getting Christopher to do things while being relaxed more so than [Christopher] was with his physical therapist,” his mom says. “On a few occasions, he was able to stand against the wall and play fetch with RBI, sit on a bench and brush RBI, or just sit on the floor and drink water after all their hard work. There were some behavior issues that made Christopher anxious that we were able to talk through with RBI being right by Christopher’s side. Of course, all the doggy kisses helped get Christopher to laugh and enjoy the warmth and love he received from RBI.” Christopher has always had an amazing physical therapist, his mom says, but when he has a therapy dog by his side, his willingness to work increases.

At the new center, the dogs work with children on a wide variety of issues, and Merkle and Tybee have recently been helping a young girl work through her extreme fear of dogs. “She was not able to be in the same room without becoming very nervous and visibly showing signs of stress,” Merkle says. “The child and I worked on basic dog commands, building her confidence in situations with a dog. We started Tybee on the opposite side of the room, and as she saw how calm he was and that she had control of the situation, we were able to get him closer to her and build on additional commands. We then played games together like rolling a ball back and forth and Go Fish (yes, Tybee likes to play Go Fish!). As of today, the child is walking with, petting and even giving treats to Tybee!”

Merkle and Benner see amazing developments like this every day and hope to continue to see more of them as the Heeling House grows and expands its offerings, including plans to train assistance dogs for some of their clients.

“It is so rewarding to watch the look on a child’s face when they have done something for the first time because of the motivation and confidence the dog has provided,” Merkle says.

Source: Vetstreet Training Tips - GenSol Diagnostics Pet Health Blog - GenSol Diagnostics offers fast, accurate & affordable canine genetic testing. We encourage you to share our content.

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