Newsletter - July 2021

 

Twenty-five years of second chances

Greenwood Lake Animal Hospital Client Relations Manager Ginny Tillman recently celebrated her 25th anniversary with the hospital!

In addition to her work with hospital clients, Ginny runs a private hospice for feline leukemia positive cats and kittens called Ginny's 10th Life.

"She helps the ones that no one else will, who have been marked for death," Technician Beth Gosses said. "She goes above and beyond."

Being a true advocate for creatures great and small, Technician Melissa Romano said that Ginny has taught her so much about feline leukemia.

"[Ginny has taught me] when no one else will, we need to fight for them," she said.

When asked to describe her in three words, Technician Moe Badr said Ginny is "dedicated," "compassionate" and "hopeful."

Among her many responsibilities, Ginny lovingly bakes the clay paw prints that are made for families whose pets have crossed the rainbow bridge, bringing some measure of comfort after they've passed on.

Almost certainly within a whisker's length of any visiting felines, Ginny's always quick with a warm smile, a word of encouragement, and, if need be, a tenth life.

Congratulations Ginny on 25 years of pawsitive impact!

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"And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air . . ."

In a letter to his wife Abigail, Second Continental Congress delegate and second United States President John Adams wrote that the nation's birthday, "ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

Unfortunately for our pets, July 4 is often celebrated with guns, bells and the noisy illuminations known as fireworks, which can quickly turn a fun time for your family into a miserable time for your dog. While some dogs take the noise in stride, others simply can't handle the racket that our celebrations annually bring.

The good news is that the same measures used for extreme thunderstorm phobia can help dogs who panic during fireworks. A veterinarian or veterinary behavior specialist can work with you to develop a behavior modification program and can decide if medication is appropriate. A dog-appeasing pheromone diffuser can be helpful. The right confinement area is important during fireworks, especially when the family cannot supervise the dog. Dogs usually prefer dark, quiet and enclosed areas to rest in.

With a little bit of planning, a good time, with fireworks, can be had by all!

In Case of Emergency

July 15 is National Pet Fire Safety Day, and the American Veterinary Medical Association has a few tips for pet owners to help keep their fur babies safe in the event of an emergency.

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A puzzle a day

July is National Pet Anti-Boredom Month, so we thought we'd take the opportunity to remind pet parents of the need to provide mental enrichment for their pets, in addition to physical.

Physical exercise, while important, is only half the equation. In order to live their best lives, pets need mental stimulation too.

Be sure to provide plenty of size appropriate toys and always supervise your pet while they're playing to ensure they don't chew pieces off and swallow them. Swallowed toys could result in a trip to the emergency hospital and surgery to remove them.

In addition to play time, meal time can also become a time to provide mental enrichment for your pet, through the use of puzzle bowls. Slow-feeder, or puzzle, bowls allow pets to solve problems or work around indentations in the bowl to get their meal, providing a mental workout as they chow down.

We said all that to say this: Pets get bored too. A little bit of mental enrichment will go a long way towards the health and happiness of your four-legged friend.