Surface Creek Veterinary Center - April 2022

April 2022 www.surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com 970-856-4474

SCVC Pawprint Animals’ Best Friends CELEBRATING NATIONAL PET PARENT DAY The clients who visit Surface Creek Veterinary Center are the best pet owners I’ve ever met. There are other options for pet care in our area, so I want to take a moment this National Pet Parent Day (April 24) to thank all of the clients who choose us. You’re the reason we remain in business and why your pets remain happy and healthy. Many people claim to care about their animals, but when the rubber meets the road, they cut corners, postpone routine exams, and accept inadequate care. Over the years, people have frequently told me, “You only cater to rich people.” That’s not true; many of the clients we see are low-income, but they prioritize the well-being of their pets. Our clients aren’t the best because they come to our office — they come to our office because they’re the best. Our care may indeed cost more than other local options, but we believe we offer five times the service. I can’t tell you the number of animals I’ve seen that came from other vets with untreated, or incorrectly treated, medical problems. We provide superior care and take time with each patient. You only get 10–15 minutes with the doctor at many veterinary offices. Here, appointments are 30 minutes, so we have sufficient time to do a thorough examination, and you have plenty of time to ask questions. One of the things I appreciate most about our clients is that they understand the importance of preventative care. At most other places I’ve worked, owners only brought in their pets when they were sick. But our clients perform routine blood and dental work, often preventing minor medical issues from getting out of hand. Our pet parents want their animals to receive the same kind of treatment they’d expect from their own doctors, and we deliver it.

We also depend heavily on our clients to help us properly diagnose and treat their pets. I’m a bit like a pediatrician. An animal can’t tell you when they have an upset stomach or are experiencing pain any more than an infant can. We rely on our

pet parents, just like pediatricians rely on moms and dads, to tell us what they’ve observed. More often than not, a good pet parent knows when something is wrong, and it's my job to listen and figure it out.

The truth is, I see your pet for only about .1% of their life. That small amount of time I spend with them is intense, but you are my eyes and ears on the ground. You know

your animal better than I ever could, so I rely on you to notice changes, provide updates, and do the work of caring for your pet at home. Often, I’ve had people express amazement that I’ve actually listened to them. But it’s the only way to provide good care.

When I was in veterinary school, they told me that clients only remember about 5% of what you tell them,

so don’t waste too much time talking. I think that’s a horrible attitude and also untrue. People retain much closer to 95% of what I say because they care, and I take the time to explain things to them. If I have to use fancy medical terms, I define them so we are on the same page. Some doctors are more worried about sounding smart than being accessible, but you can’t take good care of your pet unless you understand what’s going on. I mean it — we have the best dog and cat (and goat, pig, cow, and sheep) owners in all of western Colorado. Thank you for caring so much about your animals and placing your trust in our team. We couldn’t accomplish nearly as much without dedicated pet parents by our side.

–Dr. Jeff

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You could say that Kendra Richardson represents the future of veterinary care. She decided to become a veterinarian at a young age thanks to a lifelong love of animals and exposure to a family friend’s veterinary work. As one of our kennel technicians, she’s only getting started. Currently a junior in high school, Kendra first came to our clinic for an internship. Her dedication impressed us so much that we invited her to work in our kennels. After school, she cleans cages, bathes dogs, takes them for walks, and assists around the hospital as needed. It can be messy work, but spending time with the dogs is worth it. She also helps disinfect the facilities for the patients, their humans, and the staff. “Dr. Jeff and Susie are constantly running around,” Kendra says, “so I’ve definitely been given a different perspective on what being a vet entails. They have a lot of responsibility, and they have to ensure everything is done the right way.” Despite the eye-opening experience, her ambitions haven’t changed at all. “I really like having a special connection with the animals,” she says, “and learning about their conditions and how animals react to different treatments.” Kendra lives with her mother and her three younger brothers. She has two dogs — a “mutt” named Oreo (Pomeranian, Chihuahua, and rat terrier), and a blue heeler and Australian shepherd mix named Lily. When she’s not working after school, she likes to hang out with her family, practice suturing with her stitch kit, and research veterinary medicine online. Though she still has many years to go until she can start practicing, Kendra is currently enjoying spending as much time with animals as she can at Surface Creek Vet. “I love working here,” she says. “Everyone is super friendly, and I get along great with my coworkers. This is like a second home to me.” Who knows? In 10 years, you could be scheduling your appointment with Dr. Richardson! A BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD Meet Kennel Tech Kendra Richardson The Best Companion

SHE SAVED HER HUMAN! Meet Tinsley, a Car Crash Survivor On Jan. 3, 2022, New Hampshire State Police responded to a call about a lone dog wandering around on the interstate near Veterans Memorial Bridge. When they got there, the pup — a Shiloh shepherd named Tinsley — led the officers on what seemed to be a wild goose chase. “When Trooper Sandberg and the Lebanon police officers attempted to get close to the canine, it continued to run northbound on Interstate 89, crossing into Vermont,” the police department wrote in a Facebook post. “A short time later, Trooper Sandberg and the Lebanon police officers located a damaged section of guardrail near the Interstate 91 and Interstate 89 junction.”

It turns out Tinsley had a destination in mind: an upside-down pickup truck that had crashed through that very guardrail.

The truck had rolled off the highway, and the people who were inside — including Tinsley’s owner, Cam Laundry —were on the ground, badly hurt and hypothermic! Thanks to Tinsley's bravery, the cops called an ambulance that rushed them to the hospital. "This was almost like a real-life Lassie situation," one lieutenant told CNN. "It's really quite remarkable. This dog definitely saved their lives. I don't think they would have survived the night given the temperatures." Tinsley is a real hero on four legs, just like Lassie, a fictional pup who saved two little boys from dying of hypothermia in the snow. Fortunately, Tinsley’s grateful owner, Cam, made a full recovery. He also knows just how special his pup is. "She gets spoiled all the time," he told the WPTZ news station. "She'll get some venison, probably [a] burger tonight, and probably some back scratches with it." Tinsley is not the only dog who has saved a human from the cold. In the winter of 2017, a rescue pooch named Peanut saved the life of a 3-year- old girl in Michigan who had wandered away from home, and a golden retriever named Kelsey saved her owner after he slipped in the snow and broke his neck. She kept him warm for 19 hours and barked until help came. To read the full story of Tinsley’s roadside rescue, visit CNN.com and search “real-life Lassie.”

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HELPING YOUR DOG WITH SEPARATION ANXIETY

Tips and Tricks to Use at Home Most dogs are at least a little sad to be away

First, give your dog plenty of exercise and mental stimulation throughout their day. Tiredness generally decreases stress and provides outlets

from their owners, but some of them experience more than a bit of loneliness. Separation anxiety occurs when a dog experiences extreme stress when left alone. Animal behaviorist Patrica McConnell likens separation anxiety to a panic attack — one that happens every time you leave your dog alone. No one knows for sure why some dogs are prone to separation anxiety. Possible reasons could include either never having been left alone at a young age or previously experiencing abandonment. A traumatic event during their owner’s absence or a significant life change might also trigger the condition. Separation anxiety can manifest with excessive barking or howling, signs of fear, destructive behavior, accidents in the house, or extreme attempts to escape. It is one of the most common reasons that people relinquish their dogs, but the condition is treatable with patience, dedication, and kindness.

for their behaviors. Some dogs also find crate training helpful. Before attempting to use one when you’re away, assess how your dog currently behaves in, and responds to, their crate. If spending time there stresses them out, this idea won't help.

Other dogs find success with slow and steady conditioning. Try not to make a big deal out of coming or going, but give them a special treat when you leave or a toy they can only use when you’re gone. Next, build up routines around your departure and desensitize your dog to them. For example, put on your shoes and coat but don't leave. Finally, start with short separations of only a few minutes, and build up to longer ones. Once your pooch learns you’re always coming back, they’re likely to have less anxiety.

While many cases of separation anxiety can be treated at home, more severe occurrences will likely require expert help. If your dog is damaging property, hurting or endangering themselves or others,

or becoming physically ill from their anxiety, give your vet a visit for further guidance. You may need an expert trainer or medication to help your dog. We’ll help you find the resources you need to ensure your pup is safe, healthy, and happy.

Clients Spreading the Word Scooby Stew Inspired by HappyAndYummy.com

Michael Atkins

INGREDIENTS

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2 cups sweet potatoes, cubed

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2 large chicken breasts

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2 lbs dog-safe frozen vegetable mix

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2 1/2 cups water

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1 cup uncooked brown rice

DIRECTIONS

1. Cut each chicken breast into 6 pieces. In a slow cooker, place chicken and all other ingredients. Ensure that each piece of chicken is completely covered with vegetables. 2. Cook for 5 hours on high or 8 hours on low. 3. Using two forks, shred the cooked chicken. 4. In a large bowl, stir the mixture until the ingredients are evenly mixed. 5. Wait until everything has fully cooled, then serve. (Stew can be refrigerated in a covered container for up to 3 days or frozen into single-serve portions.)

We Reward Referrals!

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17800 HANSON RD. CEDAREDGE, CO 81413

Our Pet Parents Are Simply the Best inside this issue

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A Heroic Dog Saves Her Owner

Meet Kendra Richardson!

How to Treat Separation Anxiety

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Scooby Stew

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Welcome Spring With Open Arms

to smile. If you’re up for it, wear some new colors to brighten up your wardrobe, and don’t forget to take in a sunset when you’re able! Enjoy more hours of daylight. Spring brings more hours of sunlight and warming temperatures that can give you more time to enjoy your morning cup of coffee outside. You can take an early stroll around the block, get in a workout outdoors, or just enjoy the fresh air. Also, many areas observe daylight saving time, which extends sunlight into the evening, so no matter how you choose to spend your extra 4 WAYS TO HARVEST POSITIVE VIBES IN SPRING Get Sprung New Appointment Cancellation Policy When you cancel with less than 24-hour notice, we now require a prepaid $50 deposit to reschedule. If you keep your rescheduled appointment, we will apply the deposit to your veterinary bill. If you miss your rescheduled appointment, the fee is nonrefundable.

daylight, make it an adventure. Welcome spring-cleaning. It isn’t called spring-cleaning for nothing! Decluttering, dusting, reorganizing, and tidying up feels great! It’s empowering and refreshing. There is something special about creating more space in your living space that gets the positivity flowing. Eat fresh, colorful foods. During spring, many delicious fruits and vegetables come into season. Berries, oranges, apples, carrots, avocados, cherries, spinach, and kale are all at their peak. Your local farmers market is a great place to get the freshest produce to fuel your body! Spring is a time for new beginnings and positivity. Make the most of this spring season by welcoming a fresh abundance of love and life.

Have you ever noticed that springtime just feels lighter and brighter? That's because, believe it or not, the seasons affect us. When spring rolls around, the energy shifts, and it's up to us to maximize those positive vibes. Let's examine how we can make the most of spring and inject some color and vibrancy into our lives again after a long winter. Rely on color. Colors have the ability to elicit certain emotions and feelings. Tropical tones and pastels are everywhere in spring — the clear sky, grass, and flowers — so allow them to fill your space and take them with you as constant reminders

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