Surface Creek Veterinary Center - October 2020

Surface Creek Veterinary Center - October 2020

October 2020 www.surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com 970-856-4474

SCVC Pawprint

ENSURING YOUR PETS ARE HAPPY AND HEALTHY Reduce Obesity and Boost Mental Health for Your Pets

purchasing a treat ball and letting them chase it around the house mimics the hunt and allows them to exercise. Once your pets are happy and healthy, you’ll also be happy and healthy. You’ll be less anxious and stressed about your pet’s health and even be getting some exercise of your own. Just the other day, we had a 75-year-old woman come into our clinic whose dog was constipated. He was on medication that should have been working but wasn't. We recommended that she start walking him every morning and evening for at least 20 minutes. The very next day, we got a call in the office saying she couldn’t believe all she had to do was take him for a walk. As it turns out, she’s following her own doctor’s recommendation, too, now that she’s out walking every day. By giving our pets the attention and walks they need, we’re reducing the risk of obesity, minimizing the health risks that come with it, and improving their mental health. In return, we are less stressed, getting some exercise of our own, and enjoying the sight of our happy and healthy four-legged friends. Dr. Susie and Dr. Jeff

Quite often, people believe that by giving their pets a treat, they’re making their pets happy. We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unfortunately, that usually just makes pets gain weight. Over the years, we’ve met quite a few people who, rather than taking their dogs for walks, will give them treats as a substitute. That’s something we understand; after a long and tiring day at work, it can be hard to get the energy needed for that walk. Dogs are very food-oriented, so it can be easy to toss a dog a treat to make it up to them. Treats aren’t bad in moderation, but continuing to give your dog treats without proper exercise will eventually lead to obesity. By making the time to take your dog for a walk, you’re keeping them healthy. Something we like to ask people is, “What do you think your dog would choose between having a milk bone or going on a half-hour walk with you?” The dog most certainly would say you! Not only do they get to stretch their legs, but they’re also spending time with the person they love most. Cats can benefit from exercise, too, especially hunting. Even if your cat is an indoor cat,

T here are two holidays taking World Mental Health Day is celebrated on Oct. 10. As one often stems from the other, and vice versa, we’re choosing to talk about both. For people, mental health always goes back to: What are you doing to keep yourself mentally healthy? Many of the answers you might come up with for yourself can also be exactly what your pet needs. Eating well, keeping in touch with loved ones, staying hydrated, and staying active are all ways that pets and their owners can improve their mental health. place this month that are closely tied with our pets’ overall health. National Pet Obesity Awareness Day is observed on Oct. 9, while

“EATING WELL, KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH LOVED ONES, STAYING HYDRATED, AND STAYING ACTIVE ARE ALL WAYS THAT PETS AND THEIR OWNERS CAN IMPROVE THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.”

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This month, we’d like to highlight our newest veterinarian technician trainee, Hali Phillips. Hali joined our team in August, and she was a perfect fit right from the start! Her caring demeanor and work ethic show just how much she cares for the people and animals we work with every day. Her position as a veterinarian technician keeps her busy all day long. Hali is usually one of the first people our clients see when they walk into our clinic, and she helps them check into their rooms. She also helps set up for surgery and assists our veterinarians in taking X-rays. Her goal is to continue this work and build it into a career, and she is even taking an online course to receive a degree. Before finding this calling, Hali admits that she never felt like she truly belonged in one place. Then, she looked at what she was passionate about. TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: HALI PHILLIPS Finding and Pursuing a Career Helping Animals The Best Companion

3 GREAT APPS TO MAINTAIN YOUR MENTAL HEALTH AT HOME When you lead a busy lifestyle, mental health often takes a back seat to other pressing matters. Thankfully, there are a number of easy-to-use apps to help address this concern. Even if you’re pressed for time, these apps can help you maintain your mental health. And if you’re just looking for some simple resources to guide you through mood-boosting exercises, they’ve got you covered there too. Moodfit (GetMoodfit.com) Think of this app as a fitness tracker for your mind. The mood tracker allows you to record your moods and thoughts and follow trends and changes over time. You can look at these trends yourself or set the app to monitor specific areas of your mood. This highly customizable app is packed with tools and resources to help you with your mental health. In addition to the mood tracker, Moodfit offers a range of breathing exercises and a guide to mindfulness meditation. MoodMission (MoodMission.com) If you’re struggling with mental health issues, like anxiety and depression, you may feel like this free, evidence-based app was designed just for you. MoodMission asks you a series of questions to assess how you’re feeling, then suggests a series of “missions” you can complete to help you get into a better state of mind. Missions are short, achievable tasks, like taking a walk around the block or cleaning up a room in your home. Of course, like all the apps listed here, it is not a replacement for professional mental health care, but it offers evidence-based exercises and a level of support that’s not often found in smartphone apps. Talkspace (Talkspace.com) While this app contains a number of mental health tools, its primary purpose is to connect you quickly with one of the company’s thousands of licensed and experienced therapists you can message on a regular basis. Unlike traditional therapy where you schedule an appointment and meet in person, Talkspace allows its user to communicate with their therapist through the app’s encrypted messaging system. It also allows you to request a check-in from your therapist and provides a place for them to upload your therapy notes. Talkspace is more costly than some other apps, but depending on your specific needs, it may be worth it.

“I’d always been drawn to animals,” Hali says. “So, I thought, ‘Why not work with animals?’”

Shortly after, a friend recommended us to her. “I was told to come here because the people at Surface Creek Veterinary Center are really good with staff and animals, and they’re a really clean and nice place. It was perfect. And when I applied and was hired, things worked out pretty well. I love it here.” When Hali isn’t busy working in the office, she enjoys spending time at home and indulging in her hobbies, such as making origami and trying out new recipes. “I also play with my bunny, Moui,” Hali adds. “I got him a couple months ago and have trained him a bit, so he’s a little more friendly toward people. I got him from someone who wasn’t able to take care of him. I have a thinga that when someone isn’t able to take in animals, I usually take animals when they need a home.” All of us here at Surface Creek are thrilled to have such a caring person on our team and to give her this start in pursuing her career. We’re so proud to see how much she’s grown these past months, and we look forward to working with her for many more.

Cl

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NATIONAL FERAL CAT DAY Spreading Awareness n Edu ati n feral cats and what they can do to help our outdoor feline friends.

lients Spreading the Word Thanks so much to these clients who referred new patients to us last month: W hen you hear the term “feral cat,” what is the first image that pops into your head? Did you think of a wild cat that swipes and hisses at anyone who comes close? Maybe a pack of wild cats that roam neighborhoods and wipe out the local song bird population? If you thought of either one of these, you’re not alone. The truth is that feral cats are some of the most misunderstood animal groups in the country because of stigmas like these. In order to spread awareness about outdoor cats, the organization Alley Cat Allies created a holiday just for them: National Feral Cat Day, which takes place on Oct. 16 of this year. Since 2001, this holiday has educated communities across the U.S. about

Quite often, someone will come across a feral cat in need or even have the cat follow them home. There are plenty of heartwarming videos that show a cat and their human become close, life-long friends. While this is certainly one way to help these cats, there are other ways communities can make a difference. The Alley Cat Allies is actually the first group that initiated and introduced the Trap-Neuter-Return or Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) effort. This is an extremely useful initiative, especially when the outdoor cat population is significant. In order to manage this population, feral cats are trapped, brought to an animal clinic where they are fixed, and released back into the wild. This not only Inspired by 12Tomatoes.com Canine Candy Corn Treats

helps animal shelters from being overwhelmed but also eliminates the cruelty of “catch and kill.”

If you’ve noticed an increased population of cats in your neighborhood or want to help other areas, you can join or implement a TNR initiative. To learn how or for more information, visit the Alley Cat Allies website at AlleyCat.org.

• Linda Laks • Bailey Bateman • Jacinda Markowich • Josie Mullally

Halloween is full of tasty treats, but chocolate and caramel are the last things your dog needs! Share the Halloween fun with your pup by whipping up a batch of these dog-safe candy corn treats.

INGREDIENTS

•

1–2 small bananas

• •

1 1/2 cup nonfat yogurt, divided

Special equipment •

1/2 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)

Preferred silicone molds or ice cube tray

DIRECTIONS

1. Using 1/2 cup yogurt, fill molds 1/3 full. Place molds in the freezer and let sit for 2 hours. 2. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup of yogurt with canned pumpkin. Pour pumpkin mixture over the frozen yogurt layer, filling each mold to 2/3 full. Leave enough space for a third layer. Return to the freezer for 2 hours. 3. In another small bowl, mash bananas and mix in remaining yogurt. Pour over the frozen pumpkin layer and fill remaining space. Return mold to freezer for at least 1 hour or until set. 4. Pop out treats as desired and serve frozen.

We Reward Referrals!

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17800 HANSON RD. CEDAREDGE, CO 81413

1 2 Ensuring Your Pets Are Happy and Healthy inside this issue The Best Mental Health Apps You Can Use From Home

Team Member Spotlight: Hali Phillips

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How to Care for Feral Cats

Clients Spreading the Word!

Dog-Friendly Halloween Candy

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Tips for Buying New Outdoor Gear!

TIPS FOR BUYING NEW OUTDOOR GEAR! Fall andWinter Sports Are on the Horizon

tear on while out in the wild. You don’t want any equipment to malfunction when you’re in the middle of an excursion.

gear. It can be very expensive, but you’re in luck — the holidays are just around the corner, which means so are the sales! Before you drop cash on new gear, sort through your current inventory and decide what to keep, sell, and toss. This might be hard and you may be tempted to skip it, but making these decisions can help you save money. If you have equipment or athletic wear that’s still in good condition but you no longer need, find a consignment shop where you can sell or trade it. After all, your gear might be perfect for someone else and still give you some money to get a great upgrade for yourself. As you sort through your gear, see if any equipment is damaged and requires repair or replacement. Test flashlights and headlamps to make sure they work and inspect gear that’s been stored and forgotten, like backpacks and tents, that you might not notice the wear and

Now that you know what gear you want to replace, it is time for the fun part.

Decide what outdoor activities you want to do in the upcoming months and in the next year. Adjust your inventory to your new needs and research which brands have the best ratings and reviews. Then, find which retailers tend to have the best prices. Shopping smart takes a little bit of preparation, but it can save you hundreds of dollars and lots of stress during those busy holiday weeks. So, dig through your closet or garage, take note of your current gear, and prepare to find some awesome deals for the whole family on new gear for the coming year.

When was the last time you bought new ski pants or hiking boots? Now that you’re thinking about it, you might be realizing it’s been many years since you updated your most used athletic gear, which might explain why you’ve been colder than usual on the ski hill or why your feet ache after a short hike. If this sounds familiar, it might be time to consider investing in new

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