Surface Creek Veterinary Center - July 2021

Surface Creek Veterinary Center - July 2021

July 2021 www.surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com 970-856-4474

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INDEPENDENCE DAY, THEN AND NOW

Parliament, thus the idea of no taxation without representation. The Boston protest really ignited the spark that eventually led to the Revolutionary War and American independence. I think it’s important to remember this history, and Independence Day is a prime time to revisit it. The democratic process we now have was born from the distaste for monarchical rule. However far we may have strayed from the fundamentals of democracy, our system is meant to be one where its citizens are active and the officials we vote into office represent us. This may be more complicated today, as the population and layers of government have grown, but we can still learn a lot from looking back in history and drawing inspiration from the strength of conviction of our forefathers.

the loud noises of the Fourth, talk to us about some options for helping them get through the holiday more calmly. Aside from the family time and fireworks, the Fourth is really a time to reflect on our nation’s history. I really admire the strength of conviction the settlers had. It’s amazing to think of how hard the American revolutionaries fought and how much they put on the line to achieve the autonomy that it’s so easy to take for granted today. My kids have heard me talk a lot about the Boston Tea Party and how up in arms the settlers were about a small tea tax Britain was imposing. It’s incredible to think a penny or two of sales tax caused such an uproar, but for the American settlers, it wasn’t just the tax itself; it was the principle of the matter. The settlers didn’t have any say in the matter because they had no representation in British

We’ve officially made it to the midpoint of the year and one of the summer’s biggest holidays: the Fourth of July. Our family keeps things pretty low-key for the Fourth. We like to take the kids to Susie’s parents’ home, which has a great view of the river and of the fireworks in Grand Junction. We do the typical backyard barbecue, and it’s a nice chance just to hang out together. I love to see the big fireworks displays, but I’m not a fan of the loud, booming noises. I’m a bit like dogs in that way! I have memories of watching the community fireworks show when I was a kid with my hands over my ears. While there are plenty of ways for humans to prepare for this, our pets don’t know what’s coming. Dogs have exceptional hearing, so loud to us is really loud to them. The best advice is to keep your pets securely indoors. Dogs who get scared by the loud noises tend to freak out and take off running. If your dog is especially sensitive to

Enjoy the Fourth of July and be sure to keep your pets safe.

Dr. Jeff Hirsch

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You may notice a new face at the check-in desk if you’ve been in recently. We welcomed Alisha Walker to the team as a veterinary assistant and receptionist in April, and she’s hit the ground running fielding calls, checking clients in and out, and learning how to assist the veterinarians and technicians with animals during their appointments. Alisha moved to the area from Texas back in January. She relocated with her husband, Seth, and their 2 1/2-year-old chocolate Labrador, Ranger. “It was our dream to move out here,” she says. “We’ve been visiting western Colorado our whole lives, and after we got married and Seth graduated college, we took the plunge and moved.” When Alisha saw the job advertisement for the position at Surface Creek Veterinary Center, she was excited to apply because helping animals is one of her passions, and she thought working at the front desk would be a great way to get to know people in her new community. She says having the opportunity to learn more through hands-on assistance and working with a great staff have been two highlights. MEET ALISHA WALKER Our New Receptionist The Best Companion

DON’T FEEL THE BURN!

Summer is in full swing, and that means it’s time for pool parties, barbecues, vacations, bike rides, and endless days at the lake or baseball field. It can feel great to soak up some sunshine after a long winter, but it can also lead to sunburns and aging skin. Sadly, many common sunscreens can be loaded with added chemicals. However, you can avoid sunburns and chemicals by naturally preventing and treating sunburns. Here’s how! Natural Prevention Sunscreen is often the first tool people grab, but it doesn’t have to be. Instead, try limiting the direct exposure you have to the sun. Wear hats that cover your head, face, and ears and loose clothing that covers your shoulders and legs. Avoid going outside during the hottest part of the day when the sun is at its most intense and try to sit in the shade. The Right Sunscreen Store-bought sunscreen can be beneficial, but it’s often filled with added chemicals and ingredients. Conversely, many homemade salves are not effective. Opt for naturally made sunscreens and read the ingredients to ensure it doesn’t contain unnecessary additives like parabens. These chemical compounds preserve beauty products but are potentially linked to cancer and other ailments. Do your research on every ingredient before choosing a natural sunscreen for your family! There are key ingredients you need to look for when choosing the right sunscreen, and as a bonus, they are naturally occurring! Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide reflect and scatter the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Without these ingredients, you will only lessen your exposure to some of the sun’s rays, but not the two most dangerous — UVA and UVB. Treatment for the Burn First, run a bath with cool, tepid water. Allow your skin to cool in the bath and use ice packs for quick relief. Stay hydrated by drinking water, which will help your skin absorb and hold in moisture. Regularly apply natural lotions or lubricants to further help your skin lock in moisture. Coconut oil, aloe vera, and honey can also relieve pain, swelling, and burning. (Do not use honey on babies who are 12 months or younger.) Natural Prevention Secrets and Treatments for Sunburns

“I really love the staff that works here. They’ve been a great team to be a part of so far, and we all help each other.”

Alisha brings a diverse skill set to the clinic. She’s worked in retail sales, house cleaning, and gymnastic coaching. While she’s new to the veterinary field, she says she’s always had pets and done pet-sitting, and she loves working around animals. Outside of work, Alisha, Seth, and Ranger love spending time outdoors. She says Colorado’s opportunities to ski, hike, and camp were a big part of why they decided to relocate. When she’s not exploring the mountains, Alisha likes to tuck in with a good book at home.

Welcome to the team, Alisha!

Always call your doctor if a sunburn gets worse or if you have a bad reaction to a natural remedy.

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IT’S PET FIRE SAFETY MONTH

Do You Know How to Keep Your Animals Safe? July is Pet Fire Safety Month, and with hot, dry weather and fireworks for the Fourth,

collars, harnesses, and carrying crates near the exit you use most often. Be sure to put up a pet alert decal outside of your home that includes up-to-date information about the number and kinds of animals in your home. This will help first responders locate them in the event that you are away or unable to get to them when a fire strikes. Visit RedCross.org and search “pet fire safety” for more ideas on how to protect your pets from fire danger. For livestock: Planning is much more involved when it comes to livestock, but it’s worth doing to save your animals’ lives and prevent serious burns. Iowa State University has compiled a list of resources to help you make a plan that will work for you and your animals. Visit: prep4agthreats.org/Natural- Disasters/wildfires-and-livestock to learn more. In the event that your livestock have been exposed to fire (if it is safe for you to do so), wet them down with cool water for 20–30 minutes to cool them off. Then get them veterinary attention right away. Animals experience burns very differently from humans. Their thick fur coats can conceal burn damage. As always, prevention is best! Fireproof your home as much as possible and take measures to prevent home fires. When it comes to wildfires, stay informed and make a strong plan to deal with them in the event they strike in your area.

it’s especially important to be aware of how to protect your animals in the event of a fire and what to do if your animals — especially livestock — get burned. Plan, Prepare, and Practice The first step to protecting your animals starts by making a plan and preparing an emergency kit for evacuation. Plans should include evacuation routes out of the home for a house fire and out of your neighborhood if you are called to evacuate due to a forest fire. Include your animals in these plans and be sure to pack food and supplies (including necessary medications) for them in your emergency kit.

For pets: When you practice your evacuation procedures, include your pets! Keep leashes,

Clients Spreading the Word Thanks so much to these clients who referred new patients to us last month:

Sweet & Savory Pupsicles Inspired by DaisyTheFrenchBulldog.blogspot.com

With the dog days of summer in full force, your pup may need some help cooling down. These five-ingredient pupsicles are just the thing!

Tina Lane Larry Harmond Page Johns Jessica Neil

INGREDIENTS

• •

1 package rawhide sticks

• • •

1 can pumpkin purée

Special equipment: plastic or silicone popsicle molds

1 cup water

1/4 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen

DIRECTIONS

1. In a blender, combine pumpkin and water, blending until smooth. 2. Drop 3–4 blueberries in each popsicle mold, then pour in the pumpkin mixture, leaving about an inch of space. 3. Insert a rawhide into the middle of each mold to serve as an edible popsicle stick. 4. Freeze for 4 hours or until solid, then let your pup enjoy the taste of summer.

We Reward Referrals!

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

WWW.SURFACECREEKVETERINARYCENTER.COM | 970-856-4474

17800 HANSON RD. CEDAREDGE, CO 81413

1 2 Reflections on the Fourth of July inside this issue Prevent and Treat Sunburns Naturally!

Meet Alisha Walker!

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Clients Spreading the Word!

Fire Safety Tips for Animal Owners

Sweet & Savory Pupsicles

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The Paddleboard Craze Is Here to Stay

THE STAND-UP PADDLEBOARD CRAZE THAT NEVER WENT AWAY What's 'SUP?

But according to the industry’s own numbers, that popularity never died down. As it turns out, SUP is a good way to get around, and a lot of folks need that. Many cities, such as San Antonio, feature “paddling trails” that let SUP practitioners see the city in a new way or even commute via their board. How cool is that? If you’re looking for a new hobby this summer, it’s easy to rent a stand-up paddleboard and learn the basics. Take a class, head out into the water, and give it a shot. Who knows, you might be one of the thousands of Americans to discover a lifelong passion!

That man is famous surfer Laird Hamilton, a household name in a sport that doesn’t usually generate them. And Laird, along with the Waikiki Beachboys, showed the world a new way to hit the water in the first decade of the 21st century. Unlike other crazes, the gear was simple and the activity beginner-friendly. To start, you only need a paddle, a board, a life preserver, and of course, a place to go! It’s a new way to see the water, which only boosted its popularity. Even veteran water sports enthusiasts weren’t used to standing on the water instead of sitting in a boat!

Outdoor and exercise crazes come and go almost as fast as hairstyles and popular app games do. But every once in a while, a trend comes along that remains popular — think karate, which spiked in the ‘60s and again in the ‘80s, and it can still be found in almost every American city to this day. Back in 2013, one such trend arose: the stand-up paddleboard, or SUP for short. The act of standing on a floating piece of wood in a surfboard shape and paddling (or poling) yourself along likely goes back thousands of years, but the SUP craze can be traced back to one man — and he’s not even in his 60s yet!

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