Newsletter Archives
Spring 2002

Community Spotlight
Wildlife Rehabilitators

Our hospital works with many worthy groups in the local area. Last quarter we highlighted the Pet Assistance League. This quarter we would like to feature the dedicated and unpaid volunteers who do wildlife rehabilitation. Our hospital works with rehabilitators by providing free medical support for sick or injured wildlife. The rehabilitators provide follow-on care until the wildlife is ready for release.

Although our hospital works with several rehabilitators, this article features Marty White.

A lover of animals all her life, Marty has been an official wildlife rehabilitator for 13 years. Her husband, David, also a licensed rehabilitator, shares her love of wildlife. Marty works with the Center for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) in Manassas and the Northern Virginia Wildlife Rescue League.

During the spring wildlife rehabilitators are especially busy with many injured and orphaned babies. Marty acquires wildlife from various sources: CROW, the Northern Virginia Wildlife League, veterinarians, police, shelters, and the general public. Although she works with a variety of wildlife, she enjoys squirrels, rabbits and raptors the most.

Marty's advice for people who find orphaned or injured wildlife is simple:

1. First, keep them quiet and warm in a small box. Do not feed or water them.
2. If you find orphaned or sick wildlife, contact Marty at 703-878-1238, but no later than 8 PM. If she is not available, you may contact the wildlife rescue hotline at 703-440-0800 or if the animal is severely injured you may call our hospital. Marty does work but will contact you as soon as possible.
3. Do not keep wildlife as pets. Cute as babies, wildlife can revert to their wild ways when fully grown. In fact, it is illegal to keep wildlife as pets and the county can fine violators.

If you are interested in being a wildlife rehabilitator volunteer, contact Marty. Although there is no formal training for wildlife rehabilitators, there is a formal licensing require- ment. New volunteers must work for 2 years as an apprentice under a licensed rehabilitator. Then they must do six hours of study every year in order to renew their license. For example, Marty takes classes at the Waynesboro Wildlife Center.

Contributions of paper towels, baby blankets, and dog food (for birds) are always welcome. Monetary contributions can also be made to CROW, 9006 Dove's Lane, Manassas, VA 20112.

Summer Observation Program

This summer Dale City Animal Hospital will be sponsoring a summer observation program for students who are considering a career in the field of veterinary medicine. The students must be at least ten years old. They must have an application completed and signed by a parent or legal guardian. They will also have an interview with our office manager. Space for observers is limited to one student per day, between the hours of 9:00 am and 2:00 pm, and will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Students must provide their own transportation and need to be dropped off/picked up promptly. Applications will be available in the reception area beginning in May.

Student Veterinarian

Heather Hurst, a veterinary student at Auburn University, will be serving her internship with our hospital from March to May of this year. During her internship she will see appointments and do surgery while under the direct supervision of our doctors. This internship is a very important and valuable part of the senior year for veterinary school students. It provides practical, hands-on experience for the future graduates. Please welcome her to our hospital.

Two-Legged Addition for Dr. Mayo

Gabriel Russell joined the Mayo family on December 10th. He weighed in at a healthy 9 lbs and 6 oz. Gabe joins his three older siblings at home here in Woodbridge.

Seasonal Alert

Easter lilies, and other lilies, are highly toxic to pets. Ingestion of just one leaf can result in kidney failure and death.

We believe that staff continuity insures quality care for your pets. Our hospital is proud that the majority of our staff has served with us for many years. Featured this week is one of our vet assistants, Toni Doyle, who has cared for your pets at our hospital for over five years. Although Toni is originally from Indiana, she has lived in the Woodbridge area for the past 15 years.

Unlike many of our staff who have worked with animals most of their lives, Toni came to the veterinary field after retiring from other careers. After working as a high school teacher, an assistant professor at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, and an Army officer, she decided to indulge her love of animals. Therefore, in 1996 she began working with us part-time as a veterinary assistant. In addition to learning on the job, she completed a certification course for veterinary assistants sponsored the American Animal Hospital Association.

Like many of our staff, Toni literally takes her work home with her. She recently adopted the stray cat that was featured in our last newsletter. It had been hit by a car and suffered multiple fractures. She also first fostered, and then adopted, a Papillon from the Pet Assistance League that was in our hospital for treatment. Due to severe dental disease, the Papillon lost all her teeth and suffered a fractured jaw. Both are quite happily settled in. They join her 14-year-old Shih Tzu and two cats at home.

Have a Heart Fund

During this period, our Have a Heart fund activities were focused on a litter of nine puppies. They were orphaned at the age of 3 or 4 days when their mother was hit by a car and died. The puppies required frequent bottle feedings the first few weeks. Staff members took them home over the long holiday weekends to care for them. They are now eating on their own, growing fast, and will soon be old enough to be spayed/neutered. They all have owners waiting for them. At left is a Have a Heart puppy at two months of age.

Reminder: If you are looking for a new cat or kitten, check with us as we often get kittens in the spring. Contributors to the fund during this period include:

Contributors during this period include the following:

• Estelle Johnson
• Robert Murphy
• Elizabeth Porta
• Dave Cummings
• Cynthia Schell
• Mike Miller
• Linda Boland
• Vickie and Kelsie Taylor (In memory of George and Betsy)
• Michael and Christa Setunsky (In memory of Blackie)
• Joan Hughes (In memory of Cujo)
• Kevin Raymond (In memory of Ming Vreeland)