Fall/Summer 2013-14
HosPets Some very special volunteers (with four legs) work at Valir Hospice See Article on Inside Pet Cover (page 50b)
e Valir Hospice TCar m ea py Pet Thera
Trudy and Taffy (above) are part of the Valir Pet Therapy Team along with Lee Fairchild with one of his PAWformance Team dogs.
HosPets These specially trained animals bring Valir Hospice patients smiles and love with each visit.
HosPets is Valir Hospice’s pet therapy program that brings smiles, warmth and unconditional love to hospice patients residing in assisted living facilities and nursing homes. This paw-warming program began in 2005 and continues to grow in popularity. Since its inception, Valir Hospice patients have received thousands of visits and tail wags from HosPets volunteers and their guardians. Well-behaved animals of many breeds and sizes participate in HosPets. Each dog receives special training and must pass the Therapy Dog International test. This test includes skills needed to interact with hospice patients such as maneuvering around walkers, staying at the bedside and not jumping up. Additionally, the pet’s guardian is required to complete sixteen hours of Valir Hospice volunteer training. Research shows petting a dog lowers blood pressure and reduces stress. The HosPets program has been very successful. The PAWformance Dog & Pony Show is always a hit, as well. Valir has miniature ponies and dogs performing some amazing tricks to the delight of patients and their families. Valir Hospice is a division of Valir Health. Valir Health is a comprehensive healthcare organization specializing in a full range of medical services. Based in Oklahoma, Valir Health offers inpatient and outpatient physical rehabilitation, workforce wellness, and end-of-life care. In every case, Valir ensures their patients are treated at the right time, with the right care.
Learn more at:
www.valir.com or call (405) 609-3636 50b
It's All About PETS and the People They Own ... ! ® 2014
It's All About PETS and the People They Own ... ! 速 2014
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The Strong Silent Type
Therapy dogs disperse powerful medicine without saying a word Sometimes, making a difference is not about what we say, but rather, how we say it. Sometimes we don’t have to say anything at all. A gentle disposition, a listening ear, simple companionship: often, this is all that’s needed to turn an ordinary day extraordinary, to bring a smile and lift the spirits of someone in need. And this is what therapy dogs do best. The Human Animal Link of Oklahoma (HALO) Foundation notes that therapy dogs do this, and more, offering “moments of simple joy and peace, reaching into the minds and hearts to communicate with people who just may have shut out the human factor.”
Daisy, the therapy dog, sits with her owner Sarah Montgomery, ready for volunteer work.
Mercy Home Health and Hospice volunteers, Sarah and Keith Montgomery, regularly witness the effects of this special medicine as they greet Mercy patients with their therapy dog, Daisy, a nine-year-old golden retriever-poodle mix.
“Research has shown that dogs help lower our bloodpressure,” Sarah says. “But sometimes I think the best benefits are the smiles she brings to the faces of the patients we visit.” Some patients are incapable of smiling, however, due to debilitating conditions, but this doesn’t faze Daisy. All she requires is an opportunity to show her love and compassion, an opportunity to demonstrate the thousands of years of evolution that have made dogs and humans inseparable. “We visited a man in intensive care, who had just lost his own dog,” Sarah said, recalling the first visit she and Daisy made following completion of HALO therapy training. “He said he wanted to pet a dog, so we brought in Daisy. She got up in the bed and laid beside him. Every day for the next five days, Keith brought Daisy back to visit the man, until he passed away.” The Sisters of Mercy have always gone where people have needed them. Today Mercy Home Health and Hospice continues in that almost 200-year tradition by caring for loved ones in their own home as well as nursing homes and other assisted-living facilities. As part of the Mercy Home Health and Hospice pet-therapy program, Daisy visits Mercy patients in the hospital and in other areas around the city, where she quietly provides her own special brand of medicine, dispensed with her wet nose and wagging tail.
With offices in:
mercy.net 52
Ada 580.310.9001
Ardmore 580.220.6560
Oklahoma City 405.486.8600
El Reno 405.262.6877
It's All About PETS and the People They Own ... ! ® 2014
How to feed your dog & cat
a Healthy Diet
by Brent Clark, A1 Pet Emporium
Did you know that your dog shares
over 99 % DNA with the Grey Wolf?
Like wolves, our dogs evolved as carnivores, and that means a meat based diet is the most biologically appropriate for our beloved canine and feline companions. Think about it, they have a short and acidic digestive tract, and sharp teeth on a single hinged jaw designed for slicing meat. Commercial dry dog foods were introduced in the 1930’s as an inexpensive and convenient alternative to the butcher. These foods contained large amounts of grain and meat by-products that are otherwise considered to be unusable. In the 1960’s pet food makers agreed that fresh meat and vegetables are excellent foods, but they argued that an economical and healthy alternative would be to use waste products. This mindset still thrives today with some of the large pet food
companies. As a result, there has been an explosion of allergies and chronic illness with our dogs and cats. While most pets can “survive” on common conventional pet foods, the question remains… will they “thrive” on them? Today’s consumer seems to be more aware of the ingredients in their own food, and is beginning to realize that their pets also have special dietary needs. The staff at A1 Pet Emporium believes that their dogs and cats should have diets that more closely resemble what these animals would eat in their natural environment. Foods containing high meat content and lower carbohydrates are the best choices, while foods containing corn, wheat, by-products, or artificial colors are not allowed on their shelves. If you want to feed your furry friend a healthy diet, you should stop by A1 Pet Emporium and visit with one of their specialists about all of the healthy choices that are available. They have an extensive selection of biologically appropriate brands that are not as expensive as most people think when it comes to “specialty stores”. They can even give you a free sample of something your dog will love!
2911 W. Britton Rd - OKC, OK 73120 - 405.749.1738 - www.A1PetEmporium.com It's All About PETS and the People They Own ... ! ® 2014
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Let Home Instead help you stay at home with those you love and with those that love you.
“L ines on your face don’t bother me” —Nora Jones
3623 NW 36 St. OKC
(405) 521.1963
www.homeinstead.com/okc
Moments in our lives are precious
Capturing those moments is remarkable Preserving them is priceless!
Pam Meyers Photographer
Specializing in Pet Portraits
Call us today to help you preserve your memories
(405) 470-3600
www.imagineifphoto.com 54
It's All About PETS and the People They Own ... ! ® 2014
It's All About PETS and the People They Own ... ! 速 2014
Assured Help Senior Care 4 hour to 24 hour care We Provide Non-Medical Services including: Ambulation Dressing/Grooming Personal Hygiene Companionship Shopping/Errands/ Appointments Hospital/Facility Sitting Meal Prep/Special Diets Incontinence Care Post Surgery Pet Care Light Housekeeping Age-Related Support Medication Reminders Church/Social Functions Respite & Intermittent Care Sleep Over Care Clients include those who are challenged with: Spinal Cord Injuries Parkinson's Disease Alzheimer's/Dementia Joint Replacements COPD/Heart Disease Bed Bound/Home Bound Stroke Multiple Sclerosis/ALS Terminal Illnesses
is here for you...
...and your pets!
You won’t have to go through the receptionist, scheduler, etc to find answers to questions. Assured Help Senior Care® is locally owned by Petra Burdine, BS, MS who also operates the agency everyday. Along with a Masters Degree in Behavioral Sciences, Petra has over 40 years experience in various aspects of healthcare, case management and social services to help guide families through the healthcare maze and match the right caregiver for seniors and their pets. Petra has two dogs: Simon, a rescue, and Gracie, a former client's companion. Although the client is not with us anymore, Gracie has been a reminder for the past 3 years of a loving, gracious lady we had the privilege of caring for. Petra Burdine, owner, and her dogs ® Assured Help Senior Care cares Gracie & Simon for the person needing assistance foremost but also the furry or feathery family members. We provide family support when needed and advocacy for the person in need of help. Petra checks each patient's house for safety since she is a CAPS Specialist (Certified Aging In Place). When changes to the home are needed, she connects you with other CAPS trained professionals. Petra is also a member of OILR. We've added a new service: Call Check-in. For independent seniors who just need someone to check on their welfare, we call twice each day to visit with them briefly while listening for any warning signs such as slurred speech, confusion, shortness of breath, etc. When necessary, one of our caregivers will check in person. Call to discuss the variety of services we offer.
Assured Help Senior Care Call Us Today for Experienced Home Care Services
405-819-4696
Learn more at www.1seniorcare.com 2828 NW 57th, Ste. 315 • OKC, OK 56
It's All About PETS and the People They Own ... ! ® 2014
There’s No Place Like Home!
7ZR ORFDO SHW VHUYLFHV WKDW FRPH WR \RX Waggin’ Wheels Housecall Veterinary Service and Carey Pet & Home Care recognize the special bond between human and animal and strive to provide optimal pet care with respect and kindness. That’s why we come to your home so you and your pet can be in their own comfortable environment!
Waggin’ Wheels provides annual wellness examinations, vaccinations, minor illness and injury care, senior pet hospice care, euthanasia and aftercare arrangements, grief consultation and retail sales for many pet products. Local facilities are available for elective procedures such as surgery, and hospitalization and referral follow up for emergency care.
Carey Pet & Home Cares’ goal is to deliver personalized attention and top-notch care not only to your pets but also to you, the owner. We are a locally owned and operated business devoted to keeping Oklahoma City’s pets healthy, safe and happy. Our services include in-home pet care, mid-day visits, dog walking, overnight care, house sitting, pet transportation, and more.
Our pet sitters are comprised of only the most responsible animal lovers and are put through a rigorous screening and training Waggin’ Wheels is committed to providing program. We are bonded and insured and comfort and health to precious companion our guarantee is to offer peace of mind to animals in the Edmond and OKC metro areyou by providing consistent, quality service as. Hours of operation are Monday through for your pet and home. Friday from 8:00am to 6:00pm and SaturContact us for a FREE phone consultation day from 9:00am to 1:00pm. A 10% disto learn how we can help both you and count is offered to senior citizens. your pets when you’re away from home. Waggin’ Wheels Housecall Veterinary Service “Helping your pets feel right at home”
Carey Pet & Home Care
Dr. Tracey Ann Alden
“Reliable, professional care when you can’t be there”
(405) 517-8399
(405) 605-3355
Email: wagginwheels1@aol.com
Email: info@careypet.com
Web Site: www.wagginwheels1.com
Web Site: www.CareyPet.com
It's All About PETS and the People They Own ... ! ® 2014
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