MEMBERS OF the Howard County Cat Club learned about acupuncture for their cats at a meeting Monday at the central library. Glenelg veterinarian Julia Sturm discussed ways that alternative medicine can help animals.
"Sometimes it looks like smoke and mirrors and magic," Sturm said. "But you learn to appreciate the subtleties of alternative medicine."
Sturm, who practices at Glenelg Animal Hospital, explained that three types of health care go beyond traditional Western medicine: holistic, alternative and complementary.
Holistic medicine takes into account everything about the pet and its environment, Sturm said. "Holistic is about the whole," such as evaluating the pet's genetics, past medical concerns and household situation, she said.
Sturm said that alternative medicine refers to treatments other than our traditional "Western veterinary medicine." She uses alternative treatments that include acupuncture, herbs and therapeutic nutrition.
Sturm said she does not know how acupuncture works, but feels strongly that it has helped her four-legged patients. "Acupuncture is helpful about 80 percent of the time," she said.
Howard County Cat Club founder Missy Zane said Sturm knows what she is talking about. "She's wonderful," Zane said.
Sturm has treated Zane's cat Toby, who was partially paralyzed. Acupuncture allowed him more freedom of movement. "Acupuncture made a tremendous difference. It was amazing," Zane said.
"The best acupuncture comes from looking at the root of the problem," said Sturm, who has clients fill out a seven-page questionnaire before their pet's first visit. Included are the usual questions about past health, but the questionnaire also asks uncommon questions - such as how the animal is special and what type of bowl it eats from.
Sturm said she uses alternative therapies to complement traditional veterinary medicine - that is what she means by complementary medicine. "A lot of the success comes from the life force of the animal," she said.
The Howard County Cat Club holds information meetings on aspects of cat ownership and specifics of cat care. Zane says she started the group so that she could meet other cat lovers and share ideas. But she soon found that there was an urgent need to find homes for unwanted cats. Today, the club's main mission is to keep cats out of shelters.
"The cat club is in urgent need of volunteers to care for cats in foster care and assist at adoption shows," Zane said. "Foster homes are also needed."
Adoption shows are held every Sunday at Columbia PetsMart.
You can visit the club's Web site for information about meetings or to find ways you can help cats in Howard County.
Information: Missy Zane, 410-730-3679, or howardcounty cats@earthlink.net.
A season of music
Area high schools are providing plenty of musical entertainment this holiday season.
The Glenelg High School Jazz Ensemble will perform at 7 p.m. tomorrow in the New Weave Building at Savage Mill. Enjoy the group's award-winning tunes as you wander through the shops at the mill.
Glenelg's music department will hold its Winter Concert at Reservoir High School because the school's new fine arts wing is under construction. The first concert will be held Tuesday, with a repeat performance Wednesday. Both concerts begin at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $5 and can be purchased from any Glenelg music student or at the school's front office.
Information: 410-313-5528 or 410-313-5533.
River Hill High School music groups will present a winter concert at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow. The Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Concert Choir, Concert Band, Madrigal Singers, Symphonic Band, Women's Choir, Men's Choir, Full Orchestra, Leading Ladies and Gentlemen's Quartet will perform. The performance will feature selections from Handel's Messiah by the Concert Choir and Full Orchestra.
Tickets are $5 a night, and are available at the door.
Paying for college
Parents with college-bound students will not want to miss a financial aid workshop at 7 p.m. Tuesday, sponsored by Glenelg High School's guidance department and PTSA.
Larry Riordan will discuss a student's financial aid timeline and offer tips on what to do and not to do in applying for financial assistance.
Information: 301-854-5582.
Pizza and Santa
The 5th District Volunteer Fire Department will offer "Pizza with Santa" from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday. Children and their families can have pizza, a visit with Santa, games, cookies and a visit to the Kids Safety House.
Children ages 8 and younger will be admitted free (limit two children per family), while children ages 8 to 12 pay $6. Admission for adults is $7.
Information: 410-313-7215.