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Somehow I’m Alive is a collection of short stories that deal with the strange reality of being human. Also included are four chapters from the novel Mount Fang.

Measuring the amount of bromsulfophthalein (BSP) retained in serum 30 minutes after intravenous injection can be used to evaluate hepatic function. BSP retention of less than 5% 30 minutes after intravenous administration is considered normal in dogs. The BSP retention test fell out of favor due to perceived inaccuracy when compared with bile acid and ammonia testing and a fear of hypersensitivity reactions. BSP was discontinued as a commercially-available drug in 1984. Use of BSP has continued at virginia tech despite the test's reputed disadvantages. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the BSP retention test in dogs with and without histopathologically-confirmed hepatobiliary disease. The medical records of 150 dogs with hepatobiliary disease having both a BSP retention test and hepatic biopsy performed were evaluated. Histopathologic slides were reviewed, and dogs were classified according to one of 11 predetermined histopathologic categories. Twenty-five random-source dogs were used as controls. Adverse effects following BSP administration were not observed in any dog. BSP retention was significantly different between hospitalized and control dogs, but the test could not distinguish between dogs with different types of hepatobiliary disease. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of the BSP retention test were calculated, and its sensitivity was comparable to that of serum bile acid and ammonia testing. Using 6.0% retention as a cut-off for normal retention resulted in a specificity of 100%, sensitivity of 69.8%, positive predictive value of 100%, and negative predictive value of 35.7%. / Master of Science

The purpose of this study was to contribute an increased understanding of therapists' experiences working with therapy dogs in couple and family therapy. This qualitative study sought to describe the overall experience of therapists who work with therapy dogs in couple and family therapy, including managing the therapy dog's presence with more than one client and the benefits and challenges of doing so. Eight individuals participated in semi-structured interviews and areas of inquiry included how therapists made the decision to work with a therapy dog, how the therapy dog was managed in session, the impact of the therapy dog's presence (e.g. benefits and challenges), and recommendations for therapists who aspire to work with Canine-Assisted Psychotherapy (CAP) in their practices. The data was analyzed using transcendental phenomenology. Findings from the data analysis suggest that the majority of therapists who use CAP with couples and families find it to be beneficial for the therapists, the couples and families, and the therapy dog, with only a few challenges. Participants focused more on being flexible and observing the system's dynamics surrounding the therapy dog, whereas in individual therapy it appears that therapy dogs are included to fulfill a treatment goal or enhance a therapy model. Additionally, the majority of participants reported on the therapy dog's ability to help the therapist better understand their couple and family clients and overcome particular challenges when working with more than one client. The findings contribute to the CAP literature, have clinical implications, and provide areas for further exploration. / Master of Science

Objective - To determine if an endoscopic-assisted foraminotomy significantly increases the area of the L7-S1 intervertebral foramen and if, over a 12-week time period, there is stenosis of the treated foramen. Study Design - Prospective, experimental study Animal Population - Six, clinically normal adult dogs. Methods - Using endoscopic assistance a unilateral L7-S1 foraminotomy was performed. Computed tomography of the region was performed in the pre-operative, immediately post-operative and 12-week post-operative time periods. Parasagittal area measurements were obtained at the entry, middle and exit zones of the treatment and control foramen for each period. Objective and subjective data were compared among dogs, by time period and treatment status. Results - Endoscopic assisted foraminotomy resulted in a significant increase in the mean parasagittal foramen area (mPFA) of the entry and middle zones in the immediate post-operative period. The exit zone was not made significantly larger at any time period. The foramen remained significantly larger at the 12-week post-operative period in the middle zone only. However, some decrease in the surgically created foramen enlargement occurred at all three levels. The dogs tolerated the procedure well, but did have a mild, temporary delay of functional return post-operatively. Conclusions - Endoscopic assisted foraminotomy in the canine patient can be performed for certain regions of the foramen allowing enhanced visibility in the spinal canal during the procedure. The foramen can be surgically enlarged at the entry and middle zones using this technique. There is some reduction of the foraminal enlargement at 12-weeks post-operative. The clinical significance of this reduction is not evident from this study. Clinical Relevance - Endoscopic assisted foraminotomy could be used to improve intra-operative visualization in dogs with foraminal stenosis as a component of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis. / Master of Science