HELLO, FRIENDS OF AGAH!
It is the first quarter of what appears to be another unusual year of change and adaptation. We expect that we will return to our normal hours in April! Although we are hopeful the future looks brighter, we remain vigilant in our pursuit of maintaining quality of service and safe practices in order to offer you the best care for your pet, as well as the safest environment in which to treat your beloved animals. We know you are aware that changes are occurring in every professional setting in order to lower the possibility of transference of illness. There are also more employee vacancies than usual which places a burden on employers and more stress on the employees that remain. Therefore, through the end of March, our hours will be 8 AM — 6 PM Monday through Friday with no urgent care hours, 8 AM —1 PM on Saturday, and there will be NO SUNDAY HOURS. Also, during this time, we are suspending boarding of dogs but not cats. Please remember that in accordance with CDC guidelines, we ask that you wear a mask when entering the building. Also, only one individual per appointment can be accommodated in the exam room. This is due to limited space, as the doctor, assistant, one owner and the pet must have room in order to navigate safely. However, in the unfortunate event of a euthanasia, we try to accommodate additional family members. We are also attempting to maintain a positive flow of traffic, with an entrance and an exit door on the far side of the reception desk, in order to prevent owners and their pets close contact. Please know curbside service remains a very satisfactory choice, as well. If you choose to remain in your vehicle, text or call 540-659-8140 and share your name, the pet’s name, the reason for your visit and the spot number where you’re parked. Also, we would like to share that our staff is always striving to assist you in the fastest, most professional and helpful way possible. Thank you always for your patience and kindness throughout this very challenging time.
SPOTLIGHT ON SETH SWINT
This quarter we are Pleased to recognize Seth Olds-Swint, a young man who wears many hats and daily cares for your pets and shares responsibility assigned to him in our busy practice! Seth has been a team member for over a year and spends most of his time in the lab, assisting with hospitalized and surgery patients, as well as helping wherever he is needed in the treatment area. This remarkable young man shares that he enjoys the mental stimulation of his position… that there’s never a dull moment and always something that needs done! He truly enjoys helping the patients, and by extension of that interaction, also, the clients. Seth feels “AGAH is a lot like family” and he loves the people he works with. At home, he enjoys his 8 year old Chihuahua terrier mix named Brodie, playing video games and doing anything creative. His goal is to finish vet tech school in the next two years and then continue to provide the best care and treatment possible for his patients. In the words of Seth’s co-worker, “Seth is not only a wonderful coworker but also a friend. He will go above and beyond to take care of any pet or person. He is kind hearted, motivated and very knowledgeable. AGAH is very lucky to have him as part of the team!”
Possible Solutions to Addressing Barriers to Nutritional Requirements
The following are some positive solutions to the possible difficulties that may arise as a result of owning a “picky eater”. First, you must determine why your pet might be difficult to please…is it a new diet or food temperature? If so, consider changing those choices and using a suitable meal enhancer such as a wet topper and purchasing 100% money back guarantees if your pet refuses to eat the recommended diet. If you feed multiple pets, consider feeding pets in crates or in different rooms until everyone is finished eating. If your pet is doing well on his or her current diet, keep up the great work! Always ask our vets for dietary recommendations if you’re unsure what you’re feeding is appropriate and strongly consider the doctors’ advice in reference to your pet’s ideal weight in order to prevent any health issues. AGAH offers a healthy and appropriate line of Purina prescribed foods which your vet can recommend!
Possible palatability tips: Add low salt chicken or beef broth for dogs, low salt tuna, clam, or chicken broth for cats. Or, add unsweetened applesauce. Warm the food. For cats, feed in a wide bowl to prevent the whiskers from touching the side of the bowl.
WHEN IT’S TIME TO SAY GOODBYE
We all remember with such joy the day we welcomed the sweet new member of the family into our homes. The excitement of getting to know this newest little “person”, who brings a smile to our faces with just a wag of the tail or a sweet meow, is both exciting and challenging! This “baby” grows to become a member of the family in all the best ways and is always there to greet us, “kiss us” when were blue and simply, by his or her presence, offer the grace of love and everlasting devotion. And, as each of there is never enough time to give back what we feel… what we know… we have received. Our vets struggle with the emotional conflict of knowing that compassionate care must, at some point, become the way forward. They don’t “get used to it”, and please know it is never easy to share this sorrowful news… but loss is a part of all life and love is truly merciful. It is what you can offer your pet because you understand and realize that they deserve your unselfish compassion in their time of need. It is human to want to encourage them to stay and it is virtuous to lovingly let them go. Always remember that you are a blessing to your pet, as the love and care you give daily is relevant on both a human and spiritual level. And just as significant is the blessing of your pet’s devotion to you. Love is always the answer, dear friends… from the first day you meet the newest four-legged member of the family… and even more momentous the day you unselfishly and graciously say good bye.
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