Newsletter Archives
Winter 2001

Season's Greetings

As we head into this season of hope and love, we have all had our faith tested by the tragedies of the last few months. On September 11 and the days that followed, I kept wondering what I could do to help. Finally, I resolved that all I could do was to continue to function as a member of my community. So our hospital has carried on with business as usual, helping families stay healthy by caring for their furry and feathered members. Our staff continues to provide for the needs of indigent and homeless pets through the Have a Heart fund, which has been generously supported by so many of you.

May your holiday season, be it Ramadan, Hanukkah, Christmas or Kwanzaa, be full of hope and faith this year. I cannot help but be optimistic when I look into the eyes of a new puppy, kitten or baby. This year, more than ever, let us all truly pray for Peace on Earth.

Thank you again for your trust and patronage. Happy Holidays to all.

Allison Mayo, DVM

Student Observers

Our hospital periodically sponsors young students to observe at the hospital. It is referred to as "shadowing." Most of them are interested in the veterinary field. They are permitted to watch our veterinarians while they conduct appointments, to observe surgeries, to learn how to do routine lab work, and are encouraged to ask questions. One of our "shadowers," who has observed at our hospital on multiple occasions, has written a short article about her experiences. It is provided here.

One of the most important members of our staff is someone that you have probably never seen. And yet, she is a crucial member of our team. Beverly Bachman has served as our senior night nurse for five years. Since she works from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m, she is rarely seen by the clients that she serves. Our hospital is one of the few non-emergency hospitals in the area to employ night nurses seven days a week. Bev monitors our post-surgical and hospitalized patients after office hours. She has immediate access to the doctors should any emergencies occur with these patients. Her job is particularly challenging because she works alone. Giving injections and medications, retaping indwelling catheters, administering fluids and bandaging patients are among her duties. She also monitors our boarding patients, especially our older patients and those with special medical needs.

Bev is a native of the Dale City area and has been with us for five years. Her previous experience includes two years as a veterinary assistant, four years in a pet store, and 3 years working with horses in various stables.

Like many of our employees, Bev has adopted animals in need of a home. She adopted Cindy Lou, an American Staffordshire Terrier with a broken neck; and Ajax, an American Bull Dog who simply needed a home. She recently lost her Great Dane, Tucker (pictured below), to cancer. Tucker accompanied Bev to work every night and served as the hospital night security guard. She also has a cat, an African Grey bird, and just got her first horse.

We are lucky to have Bev as a valued member of our staff.

Have a Heart Fund

Your contributions to our fund continue to help needy animals. Although numerous animals were helped by your generosity this period, I would like to feature two of them. Annie, pictured here, is a 9 month old Calico cat that was brought to us after she was hit by a car. We were unable to locate an owner. Annie had both front legs broken, the tendons on one back leg severed, and severe trauma to one eye. Dr Levinstein spent 4 hours in surgery putting pins in the broken legs and suturing the tendons. Frequent medications in the eye saved it although she has no sight in it. Today she scampers happily around her new home with only a slight limp and odd looking eye as reminders of her lucky escape.

Cisco is a two year old male cat that came in with extreme distress due to a urinary blockage. Such a blockage can be fatal if left untreated. Our doctors cleared the blockage once but it reoccurred. In such a case, surgery is usually the only option. Our doctors operated on Cisco to permanently widen his urethra, making reobstruction less likely. After a difficult recovery, which included placement of a feeding tube, he is doing well.

Contributors during this period include the following:

• Patricia Johnson
• Pat Christopherson
• David Cummings
• Karen Bosze
• Carl Carlson
• Linda Boland

In memory of Tucker, our hospital guardian