Surface Creek Veterinary Center - November 2021

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

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GIVING THANKS THIS VETERANS DAY Dr. Jeff Honors His Brothers

car, and if it ever came, she planned to close the curtains and not answer the door. She told me that years later, she hasn’t broken the habit; every day, she still looks for that car. When she shared that story, I couldn’t help but break down. What our service members and their families go through is something the rest of us will never truly understand. Our men and women in uniform do things that 90% of us are too afraid to do, and in return, all that people like my brothers ask for is our respect and thanks. If you haven’t served yourself, I hope that you’ll show that respect and thanks in your words and actions on Veterans Day, as well as every other chance you get. Those who serve are braver than the rest of us will ever be. And if you are a current or former service member yourself, please know that I have endless gratitude for all you’ve done to keep me and other Americans safe. I honestly don’t know how you do it — but I’m so thankful that you do. Happy Veterans Day. Dr. Jeff

that, so he joined the Marines. My younger brother, Walter, went to the Naval Academy but ultimately decided that he didn’t want to spend all of his time on a ship. He’s an adventurous person and decided to follow in Richard’s footsteps by joining the Marines, too.

During their long careers, they served in places like Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Somalia, Japan, Korea, and so many others. Both of them saw combat during one of the two Gulf wars. I’ll occasionally try to ask them about their time in the military, but they don’t really want to talk about it, so I don’t push them. I can see the emotional scars that their time serving has left on them in their idiosyncrasies and habits. While I don’t know exactly what they did and saw, I’m sure they’ll never forget. A person’s time in the military deeply impacts their family, as well. Both of my brothers are married with kids, and I know that their wives and children have made sacrifices, too. One of my sisters-in-law told me that every military spouse’s worst fear is having the navy blue car pull up to the house — the one that’s there to tell you your husband has died in the line of duty. Every day, she would watch for that

Nov. 11 marks Veterans Day, and veterans hold a special place in my heart. I want to use this opportunity to say “thank you” to our brave service members for their dedication and sacrifice. While I’ve never served in the military, both of my brothers did for about 25 years. I like to joke that I live vicariously through them because I’m not nearly that brave. From the guys driving the trucks to the soldiers in combat and the officers commanding the troops on the ground, I wouldn’t have the guts to do any of the things our military does. My older brother, Richard, went to college and graduated with a degree in fine arts. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life after

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Since beginning her first veterinary job four months ago at Surface Creek Vet, Emily Wist has had a great time. “I love it,” she says. “I’ve had a passion for animals since I was a little kid, and I’ve always wanted to work in this field.” Emily is a certified veterinary assistant, and she assists with surgeries and physical exams. She’s responsible for handling and restraining animals when necessary, performing blood work before surgery, and completing other miscellaneous tasks like nail trims. She also keeps the rooms neat and disinfected between patients. She appreciates the processes and procedures Surface Creek Vet has put into place so things run smoothly. “I like how they have a system,” she says, noting that she always knows what’s expected of her and what tasks she’ll need to complete. She has also enjoyed learning more about animals, including different breeds and how to handle and care for them properly. At home, Emily has a Shih Tzu named Titan and a cat named Luna. “I love cats and dogs equally,” she says. She grew up playing softball and still enjoys playing a game with her dad. She also has a 22-year-old sister who is an LPN and a 12-year-old brother who shares her love of baseball. Born and raised in Colorado, she loves both the mountains and the summers in the area. During summer, she likes spending time with her family riding ATVs or hiking. “We usually go on walks almost every night,” she says. “Titan has a few buddies down the road, so we go to see them.” Emily is thrilled to spend all day doing what she loves: working with animals. “I’ll always have a special place in my heart for them,” she says. “The best thing about my job, honestly, is being able to love on them.” She hopes she’ll get to continue helping — and snuggling — the pets at her job for a long time. READY, WILLING, AND ABL E Meet Certified Veterinary Assistant EmilyWist! The Best Companion

SHOULD YOU WORK OUT ON THANKSGIVING DAY? The Truth About Sweating for Your Turkey Okay, fess up — which of your friends insists on getting a 5-mile run in before the turkey is carved? We all know someone who works out every year on Thanksgiving. The thought is that if you burn calories in the morning, the big meal won’t hit you so hard. But is that really true? And if it is, when and how should you get sweaty? To Sweat, or Not to Sweat The verdict is in: Working out on Thanksgiving morning is good for you. Surprise! However, according to Mic magazine, it’s less about balancing your calories in and calories out (which is almost impossible for a Thanksgiving feast) and more about priming your body to anticipate the meal to come. "Your body will be calling for those calories — you'll need them," gym trainer Daniel Stransky told Mic. When and How to Hit the Gym Stransky recommends hitting the gym both on Thanksgiving Day and the day after. On Turkey Day, he suggests “a high-intensity interval training cardio circuit comprised of burpees, squats with overhead dumbbell presses, jump squats, sprints, and rowing on the rowing machine.” Meanwhile, Bodybuilding.com writer Shannon Clark advises working out before, on, and after Thanksgiving. On the day before, go for a long run or walk. Then on Turkey Day, try weight training using high reps and short rest periods to “deplete the muscle glycogen” so that you can eat more Thanksgiving carbs without gaining fat. The next day, Clark recommends interval cardio training to boost your metabolism. The Obvious Truth There’s one thing all of this Thanksgiving workout talk overlooks: The most important thing isn’t whether you work out on Turkey Day — it’s whether you stick to a workout routine year-round. A recent pilot study from the University of Michigan helped prove this. The participants were asked to eat 30% more calories than normal for a week but continue exercising regularly. As long as they did, their new diets didn’t cause inflammation or changes in their glucose control or insulin sensitivity.

If you don’t already have a workout routine in place, consider this to be a sign! Work with your physical therapist to

determine a safe, effective exercise program for you.

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BEFORE ADOPTING A RABBIT, KNOW THE FACTS

Bunnies Are Great but High-Maintenance Pets Let’s face it, rabbits are adorable. Their long ears, fluffy tails, and twitching noses are downright irresistible. This cuteness leads many people to adopt rabbits as pets — but unfortunately, not everyone knows what they’re getting themselves into. in. They also require regular vet visits just like a cat or dog, along with specialized handling and socialization. Rabbits aren’t goldfish — they need an involved owner.

or a bunny- proofed space to avoid destructive behaviors like chewing.

If you absolutely must keep your rabbit in an enclosure most of the time, it needs to be quite large, at least 4-by-4 feet.

Rabbits and small children don’t mix. In the wild, rabbits are prey animals, so they’re naturally skittish and don’t like to be picked up. Small, rambunctious children are likely to terrify them. Further, a child can inadvertently cause serious harm to a rabbit. Unlike cats, rabbits don’t have flexible spines, and picking them up without the proper support is downright dangerous. Wait until your kids are older to avoid traumatizing both them and the bunny. Rabbits need exercise. One of the worst things you can do to a rabbit is lock it in its cage and leave it there. Rabbits need to be able to roam freely in your home for at least several hours a day. They also require close supervision

While rabbits do make great companions, they can quickly become depressed and unhealthy if they’re not given the proper care. Before you bring a bunny home, make sure you’re able to give it the attention and environment it needs to thrive. Below are some things you should know before you adopt. Rabbits are a big commitment. Many people think of rabbits as low-maintenance or “starter” pets, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Indoor rabbits live an average lifespan of 8–12 years, and many live longer. So when you adopt a rabbit, you need to make sure you’re all

If you’re still considering adopting a rabbit, there’s a lot more to learn about their diet, handling, cleaning habits, and medical care. Before bringing a floppy-eared friend into your home, do your research and ensure you’re able to offer the care a rabbit needs. Rabbits can be wonderful pets, but only for an owner who is dedicated and prepared.

‘Barkuterie’ Board Inspired by AintTooProudToMeg.com

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

Karen Maas John & Sue Triebwasser Loy Hamrick Matt & Carolyn Toms Patti Timmerwilke Kaleb & Shaina Griffin Dario Barone LaRinda Moehring

A charcuterie board blends communal party snacks with a touch of elegance, and this holiday season, your dog can partake in the fun. (Note: This will also work for cats with some adjustments for their diet.)

INGREDIENTS

• • •

Xylitol-free peanut butter Hard-boiled eggs, diced

• • • • •

Cucumbers, sliced

Carrots, sliced

Carol Nations Dennis Doerer Belinda Cantrell

Bananas, cut into 1/2-inch-thick pucks

Melon, cubed and seeded

Dog treats

Unseasoned and cooked meats, cut into 1/2-inch-thick squares

DIRECTIONS

1. Cut up all the ingredients. Don’t shy away from fun shapes! 2. On a flat board, arrange the largest treats along the outside. 3. Add peanut butter to a small bowl and place it in the center of the board. 4. Arrange the smaller snacks around the bowl, filling in any gaps.

We Reward Referrals!

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WWW.SURFACECREEKVETERINARYCENTER.COM | 970-856-4474

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inside this issue

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A Veterans Day Tribute to Dr. Jeff’s Brothers

Should You Work Out on Thanksgiving Day?

Meet Emily Wist!

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What to Know Before You Adopt a Rabbit

Thanks for Your Referrals!

‘Barkuterie’ Board

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Dog Dials 911 to Save His Owner

BY DIALING 911 How One Dog Saved His Owner

to the phone and dialed 911, whimpering to the dispatcher. Even if they don’t hear anyone on the line, dispatchers are required to send police. When

Dogs can be trained to obey a lot of commands: sit, stay, rollover, play dead. But “dial 911”? Well, that would probably be a foreign command for most dogs. Luckily, it wasn’t for Buddy, an 18-month-old German shepherd who remembered his training and saved his owner’s life. Joe Stalnaker of Scottsdale, Arizona, sustained a head injury during a military training exercise 10 years prior to the incident. Because of that injury, he suffered from seizures. Normally, a condition like that would make it unwise for him to live alone, but Stalnaker valued his independence and wanted to find a way to lead as normal a life as possible. Joe adopted Buddy from a Michigan-based organization called Paws With a Cause when the pup was just 8 weeks old. Paws with a Cause trains assistance dogs, and after adopting him, Joe trained Buddy to dial 911 until an operator was on the line in the event that he had a seizure. A year and a half later, that training saved Joe’s life. One day, Joe began seizing when he was home alone with Buddy. Buddy rushed

police arrived at Joe’s home, they found him and Buddy, who was barking loudly. They took Joe to the nearby hospital, where in a few days, he made a full recovery. Some might say that Buddy was just following his training, but this heroic

act goes far beyond just sitting and rolling over for treats. Even the veteran dispatchers hadn’t heard of a dog dialing 911 before. Buddy knew it was his mission to keep his owner safe, and thankfully, he knew exactly what to do under pressure — because that’s what heroes do.

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