Fall Newsletter 2015 - DoveLewis | Emergency Animal Hospital

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Oct 17, 2015 - #DVM. Ron Morgan Retweeted. DoveLewis @DoveLewis • Jul 7 ... assistance programs and the veterinary ind
The Northwest’s Nonprofit 24 Hour Emergency Animal Hospital

Fall Newsletter 2015 Fall From Second-Story Window Brings Duke to DoveLewis As we entered the dog days of summer a new threat emerged for Portland pets. “High Rise Syndrome,” which commonly refers to cats falling from high places, puts dogs and cats at greater risk of falling from open windows on upper floors as Portland gets bigger (and hotter). Read more about Duke’s encounter with High Rise Syndrome on Page 4 .

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Meet Kimberlee Hanken, Chief External Affairs Officer

Chuck Michael Leaves a Legacy

New Community Program: BARKS

DoveLewis Financial Assistance Program Increased

DoveLewis Improves Veterinary Education Worldwide Through New Partnership

A Message from Ron Morgan, CEO You probably hear about DoveLewis in the news, from your friends and on social media (maybe even from me if you are following me on Twitter). I often talk about the strides we are making as an organization, but in this newsletter I want to talk about something a little different − the people who make a difference at DoveLewis every day: our staff, board members, donors and volunteers. The hospital staff at DoveLewis is truly unique: professional, dedicated and compassionate. I see it daily, and it reminds me that just one person Ron Morgan Ron Morgan @RonAtDove • Jul 7 can make a difference. DoveLewis CEO Challenge you to take a better pic of We put a lot of hard work people who’ve been working 12 hours into recruiting, hiring and retaining our hospital handing off to a group about to do the same. #DVM staff to make sure we have the best in a fast-paced emergency pet hospital where lives are on the line. They are so committed to what we do – it’s not uncommon to see a staff member go an entire shift without a meal on a busy day, all while staying positive and giving patients the attention they need. Even on busy holidays, weekends and at midnight – they are here making a difference.

Ron Morgan @RonAtDove • Jul 4 Thank you to everyone @DoveLewis spending the #4thofJuly taking care of the pets in need. Busy weekend! #grateful

I often take a step back when I walk by our peer appreciation board (also known as our kudos board). I am not the only one that sees the amazing work that happens here. Our entire team sees each person’s impact and recognizes it.

Ron Morgan @RonAtDove • May 15 There are so Nice to see the @DoveLewis kudos many people in board is full. Peer to peer thanks and support. It goes a long way. #appreciation our community who make a difference at DoveLewis. In fact, recently our volunteer board members voted to increase our Velvet Assistance Fund by 67 percent, ensuring that we will serve even more of the pet loving community in need than ever before. The generosity of supporters like you made it possible Ron Morgan Retweeted for our board to approve this change, allowing us to DoveLewis @DoveLewis • Jul 7 impact even more low-income families experiencing Good news! Thx to our donors, we’ve just increased our financial assistance pet emergencies (read more about this on Page 8). fund by 67%! #pets #pdx #portland

We are honored by and grateful for the people, like you, and our staff and board, whose commitment to pets (and their people) in need ensures that DoveLewis makes a difference in our community every day. Thank you.

MISSION To provide the best emergency and critical care for companion animals, and to support veterinary professionals and the animal-loving community. BOARD OF DIRECTORS CEO Ron Morgan President, Executive Committee Chair Katharine Wilson, DVM FOREST HEIGHTS VETERINARY CLINIC

Vice President, Governance and Nominating Chair Carol Opfel, DVM PDX VISITING VET, LLC

Secretary Andrew Franklin

MEMBER AT LARGE

Medical Advisory Chair Elizabeth Altermatt Herman, DVM

MURRAYHILL VETERINARY HOSPITAL

Treasurer and Finance Chair Bill Rouse KERN & THOMPSON, LLC

Human Resources Chair Scott Bontempo

WELSH, CARSON, ANDERSON & STOWE

Courtney Anders, DVM PEARL ANIMAL HOSPITAL

Thomas Mackowiak, DVM

HEARTFELT VETERINARY HOSPITAL

Alexandra McLaughry, DVM

BARBUR BOULEVARD VETERINARY HOSPITAL

Maridith Rounsavell, DVM BANFIELD PET HOSPITAL

Steven Skinner, DVM, DACVIM OREGON VET SPECIALTY CLINIC

Terry Taillard PEPSICO

Angelique Whitlow, CPA

TALBOT, KORVOLA & WARWICK, LLP

Kelly Zusman

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

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Stray Animal & Wildlife Program This year the Fourth of July weekend fell right in the middle of a Portland heat wave, which made this year’s festive celebrations even more potentially frightening and dangerous for pets. “The Fourth of July weekend is always one of our busiest weekends of the year at DoveLewis,” said Dr. Sarah Tauber, a veterinarian at DoveLewis. Fourth of July is a time when we see an increase number of pets that get lost, as they get scared by fireworks and run away.

If you or someone you know has a lost or found animal, please use our Lost & Found Database so we can continue uniting families with their lost pets. dovelewis.org/lost-and-found-pets

Hannah, a blind pug, ran away from home because she was scared of fireworks in her North Portland neighborhood. She was brought to DoveLewis as a stray by a good Samaritan on Friday, July 3. Later during the holiday weekend she was successfully reunited with her owner thanks to the Stray Animal & Wildlife Program.

Stray Animals & Wildlife Recently at DoveLewis

Message from Kimberlee Hanken, Chief External Affairs Officer Animals have been an important part of my life since I was a child. Growing up on a farm in Eastern Oregon, we always had pets – mostly dogs and cats, but occasionally orphaned baby pheasants, too. And living in the country, miles from friends, my dog, Jenny, was my first (not entirely willing) playmate, and a guest at many tea parties. As an adult, I have had an orange tabby cat and two dogs. They were our family’s first children and sweet older siblings to my two daughters. All of them lived long lives. And our blind, diabetic Australian Kelpie required late-night trips to DoveLewis. Like you, and many of our friends, we found compassionate, first-class emergency care here.

Kimberlee Hanken Chief External Affairs Officer

After several years working in the Portland nonprofit community (including 10 years as Director of Development at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington, and most recently as Chief Development Officer at Big Brothers Big Sisters), I am very pleased to have the opportunity to join DoveLewis. My role is to lead the Development, Marketing and Community Outreach teams in a newly-created leadership position – Chief External Affairs Officer.

Since joining DoveLewis in mid-June, I have immersed myself in learning more about our volunteer, education, outreach and financial assistance programs and the veterinary industry. I am also working on meeting as many of you as possible – donors, volunteers, members of the veterinary community and supporters who make the work we do possible. I am looking forward to building long-term relationships with you. And, I can already tell it won’t be long before we add a four-legged friend to our family again. You can reach Kimberlee at [email protected] or 971-255-5932. She’d love to hear from you!

BE GREEN—When you are finished reading this newsletter, pass it on to a friend.

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Fall From Second-Story Window Brings Duke to DoveLewis David Nelson and Brianna Warren were sound asleep at their home in the early morning hours of June 25 when they were awakened to the sound of their five-year-old Boxer mix, Duke, falling from the second-story window of their home and landing in the backyard. Duke’s owners didn’t see him fall, but they did hear it and rushed to Duke’s aid. “It was about 2 a.m. when we heard Duke go through the window screen,” said David. “There was a loud crash followed by a thump. We had no idea what happened. When we realized Duke was no longer in the bedroom, we realized he must have gone through the second-story window. We rushed downstairs and found him in the backyard. He was panting and coughing heavily and we saw blood around his mouth.” Not sure of the extent of Duke’s injuries, David and Brianna rushed him to DoveLewis, where he stayed overnight for testing and observation. Fortunately, the emergency veterinarians found no evidence of trauma or damage to his limbs. Duke was tense and anxious, but it could have been much worse. “Duke was pretty sore, but he is a very lucky dog,” said Dr. Adam Stone, VMD, one of the veterinarians who treated Duke. “Many times when dogs fall from upper-level windows their injuries are more severe – sometimes even fatal.” This summer, both cats and dogs who fell from windows were brought to DoveLewis, and with warm weather continuing into fall it’s important for pet owners to take preventive measures if their pets have access to rooms on upper levels. So what caused Duke to fall? “When we got back to the house from DoveLewis and took another look at the area where Duke had fallen into the backyard, we found a separate limb of an opossum,” David said. “That seemed to explain Duke’s motivation for jumping out the window. We suspect that the opossum was passing right in front of the screen window and Duke’s predatory instinct kicked in.” David and Brianna are now working to pet-proof their house, and installing an air conditioning unit in the upstairs so they can keep the window shut during the hottest summer months and keep Duke safe. “We were greatly relieved that Duke suffered only light internal bruising but was otherwise okay from his fall. We are grateful that the staff at DoveLewis were very supportive and understanding.”

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The Legacy Society Chuck Michael Long-time donor and DoveLewis Legacy Society member, Chuck Michael, is a passionate pet owner and he knows that his three rescue dogs (Migs, Scooter and DJ), the “three amigos,” make his life better and more fulfilled. Like many DoveLewis supporters, his first visit to the hospital was on a weekend, “because it seems like that is when the emergencies always happen.” And he says it was the “best veterinary experience,” he ever had.

Event Recap DoveLewis Open Thanks to everyone for a great time at this year’s DoveLewis Open at the Oregon Golf Club. We had 137 golfers, 28 volunteers, a goat, a duck and several deer participate. Thanks to all of our golfers, generous sponsors and volunteers, we raised $32,000.

From the front desk to triage to the doctors, he saw the passion and skill that each member of the DoveLewis staff brought to their jobs. And he was grateful. So grateful, that he made a non-emergency visit and took a tour as the new building was being built in 2006. He has been involved and a donor ever since. In addition to his support for DoveLewis, Chuck is very involved in several nonprofit organizations in Portland and Vancouver. He feels that he gains more from his community involvement – a sense of purpose and belonging to something larger than himself – than he is ever able to give. And as a result, when he began to consider his estate plans, he thought of DoveLewis. Chuck feels, “I’ve been fortunate in my life and although I am not as wealthy as some, once I am gone, my assets can do a lot more for the welfare of animals than for anyone else.” As a result, DoveLewis is among the beneficiaries named in his will, making him a member of the DoveLewis Legacy Society. He likes knowing that a little bit of the joy he has experienced through the dogs he’s rescued over the years, and the sense of community he’s received through his volunteerism, will live on and extend to others. If you would like information on how you can name DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital in your will or estate planning, or to notify us that you have already listed DoveLewis in your will or estate plan, please contact Kimberlee Hanken, Chief External Affairs Officer, at 971-255-5932 or [email protected].

LEAVE YOUR MARK For a 100% tax-deductible gift of $500, you can inscribe your pet’s or family’s name on a brick of our hospital. Each brick allows for two lines of text, with 24 characters (including spaces) on each line. Only a limited number of bricks are available. Don’t miss your opportunity to support DoveLewis while also honoring a loved one. To purchase a brick, contact Abby Crouch at 971.255.5918 or [email protected].

BE GREEN—When you are finished reading this newsletter, pass it on to a friend.

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DoveLewis Fall Newsletter 2015  

New Community Program: Building Animal Relationships with Kids Safely (BARKS)

Volunteer Spotlight Diane Gray

This fall, DoveLewis is excited to announce our newest community program, BARKS, which stands for “Building Animal Relationships with Kids Safely.” BARKS will provide local classes helping kids and families create a safe and loving household while strengthening the human-animal bond. “Education is key to preventing dog bites,” said Vanesa Vizuete, the BARKS program coordinator. “With proper instruction, children can learn how to interact with dogs to build relationships based on friendship and respect, and reduce the risk of dog bites.” According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): Diane Gray has been volunteering at DoveLewis for more than seven years – ever since she brought her sick pet to DoveLewis. Her love for animals and the memory of the kind and committed staff in the ER prompted her to get involved with the organization. When asked what she likes most about being a volunteer at DoveLewis Diane said, “The staff is always warm, welcoming and so appreciative of anything a volunteer does; no matter how small.”

• Each year 4.7 million people are bitten in the U.S. (1.5% of the total population) • 77% of biting dogs belong to the victim’s family or a friend • About 51% of dog bite victims are children • Half of children in the US are bitten by a dog by their 12th birthday • Boys receive twice as many bites as girls • All dogs have the potential to bite Begin reducing these statistics with dog bite prevention classes for your family. BARKS offers the classes listed below fee of charge. Register online at dovelewis.org/community-services/building-animal-relationships-with-kids-safely.

BARKS Classes Preparing Your Dog for Your New Baby Recommended for expecting parents, grandparents and babysitters. Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. This one-hour class will provide couples the tools and information they need to consider as they prepare for their baby’s arrival. Couples will also be presented with a detailed plan for each trimester to ensure a positive association between the baby and dog. It will focus on safety for both the family and dog, helping to create a less stressful home life.

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Toddlers & Dogs, Building a Bond Safely Recommended for parents, grandparents and babysitters with small children and dogs. Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. As babies become toddlers, the dynamic of a household changes, and so will the interaction between the kids and the dog. Parents will learn how to recognize the signs of stress in their dogs and how to relieve it. They will learn about dog bite prevention. This class also includes information for families wanting to introduce a four-legged friend into their home.

She says her 2-and-a-half-year-old cat, Peaches has two favorite activities: sleeping and eating. But she is open to occasional affection from her human.

Teach Kids to be a Dog’s Best Friend Recommended for parents and children in Kindergarten through 5th Grade. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. This fun, clever and interactive class will teach school-age kids about dog bite prevention. In 40 minutes they will learn the “do’s” and “don’ts” of interacting with dogs and how to read a dog’s body language. This will include learning the signals when a dog wants to play, how they can play safely together, and understanding when a dog needs to be left alone. Our expert dog instructor will show kids what to do when a dog approaches, and how to demonstrate the use of the “Be a Tree” and “Be a Rock” techniques.

Blood Bank Spotlight Heather Pieraldi & Jake Heather Pieraldi has always loved dogs, but with travel and living out of the country for a while, it was difficult to settle down with a pup. She got her first dog 13 years ago, and now she has four. A year ago, her 12-year-old chocolate Lab Sammy had a layrngoplasty (“tie-back” surgery) to restore normal airflow through his windpipe and then he developed pneumonia. “The staff at DoveLewis were amazing and comforting to Sammy and me. I thought I was going to lose him twice during his adventures there, but he pulled through with all the work of the staff,” said Heather. “After going through that experience I wanted to give back and Jake, our six-year-old Golden Retriever, wanted to pay it forward for all the other dogs out there. He is a very compassionate Goldie and was happy his Sammy made it through.” Jake is such a social dog, exploring all the dog-friendly restaurants on dates with his mom and her friends, so Heather knew he would be a good fit for the Blood Bank Program. Jake joined the program as a Superhero in 2014. Heather said, “Jake loves his trips to DoveLewis to donate blood. He knows he is doing something special. And I love it because I know his donations are saving lives.”

Heather Pieraldi grew up in Marblehead, Mass. and moved to Portland in 2013 when the company she worked for opened an office in the Pearl District. If you ask her about it she will say, “Best move ever, love Portland. This is the most dog-friendly place I have ever lived. It is great that you can take your dog out and about, not feeling guilty that they are at home.” She lives in North Portland and loves her tight-knit community, enjoying backyard parties and looking after one another. “I love that I can take the dogs up to Peninsula Park and close to the Mississippi shopping area,” she said. Jake and Sammy are joined in their outings with their mom by their other furry siblings Andi, a 13-year-old Black Lab, and a new addition to the family just a couple of months ago, Brody, a one-year-old Lab/Weimaraner/ Pit mix from Sayulita, Mexico. Heather Pieraldi and Jake They all enjoy their beach time, chasing the ball and playing with the water. And when not at the beach they love taking their daily walks in the morning with their pet walkers.

Champion Circle

opportunity to contribute to making the Serenity Garden a welcome and peaceful place for people to reflect after the loss of their pet. Two benches provide seating in honor and memory of her dear pets Molly Butler Sappho and Xochitl. While she feels the level of compassion has Molly Butler believes the first time she visited DoveLewis was never wavered at DoveLewis, regardless of the location or physical nearly 25 years ago – accompanying a friend whose pet was very ill. surroundings, she has been grateful to see the professionalism and The compassion shown them by the DoveLewis staff remains a medical skills of the staff get even stronger year after year, and notes, clear memory. She has wondered many times since that first visit, “It makes me want to support DoveLewis even more.” what would her friend have done without DoveLewis? As evidenced by her contributions to the Serenity Garden, Molly’s A lifelong pet owner of appreciation for DoveLewis is driven by both her personal gratitude both cats and dogs, Molly as well as her concern for the larger Portland pet-loving community. has also made several “I am convinced of the purpose and the place,” she says. As a visits to DoveLewis result, Molly has been a long-time monthly donor and is a member over the years. In fact, of the DoveLewis Champion Circle – which recognizes annual she believes all of her donations of more than $1,000. animals have been to Giving monthly allows her to do more than she could do at one Dove at one point or time – and is part of her commitment to ensure that DoveLewis another – with medical continues to be a place for animals (and their humans) in need. issues ranging from severe bee stings to gastrointestinal issues. She She notes, “I am grateful for the opportunity to give and help. notes that her cats always seem to get abscesses on the weekends, It is really important to me to speak for the animals and the and a few months ago her baby Great Dane, Xena, became ill and people who love them.” was in respiratory distress at 1:30 a.m., requiring an overnight stay. Molly has seen, and welcomed, the growth and change at DoveLewis over the last 25 years, and she was especially excited to see the building of the new hospital in 2006. She even jumped at the

For more information about becoming a member of the DoveLewis Champion Circle, please visit dovelewis.org/donate/champion-circle or contact Kimberlee Hanken at 971.255.5932 or [email protected].

BE GREEN—When you are finished reading this newsletter, pass it on to a friend.

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DoveLewis Fall Newsletter 2015  

Financial Assistance Program Increased As a nonprofit, we are proud of our commitment to provide the best emergency and critical care for pets, and to support animal lovers in our local community – both emotionally and financially. Therefore, it is fantastic news to announce that as of July 1, 2015, the DoveLewis Board of Directors has increased our donorfunded financial assistance program by 67 percent! Our Velvet Assistant Program, which has just been increased to $232,000 for the year, is how we provide financial assistance to help cover the cost of veterinary treatment in an emergency to qualified low-income families who visit our Northwest Portland hospital. “We really believe in this program, so we worked very hard to increase the funding,” said Katharine A. Wilson, DVM, President of the DoveLewis Board of Directors. “Our board members know how vitally important it is for all of the families in our community to afford the excellent care they need when their pets are in trouble. We did everything we could to find a way to increase this budget, and now more pets and families than ever will have access to the Velvet Assistance funds that could save their lives.”

Not only were Molly’s owners fearing the worst, they were concerned because they were facing a pet emergency at the same time as having financial struggles. They came to DoveLewis hopeful that there would be some way to get their sweet Molly the care she needed, and DoveLewis was able to provide compassionate medical care for Molly’s emergency through the Velvet Assistance Fund. During treatment, DoveLewis veterinarians found the mass was an abscess, not cancer, as her family initially feared. “The staff went above and beyond,” said Molly’s mom. “We Molly with her pet parents were not treated any differently because we had to use the Velvet Assistance Fund.”

Last year, thanks to this fund, DoveLewis was able to treat 1,265 pets of low-income families facing emergencies. And that number will grow this year with the increased funding.

As you might imagine, the demand on this donor-funded program is enormous. Even with this recent increase to almost a quarter of a million dollars, there is still more need in our community than funds available.

Molly is one beneficiary of the Velvet Assistance Fund last year. This 10 year-old Border Collie-Boxer mix rescue was in pain, with a mass by her left eye, which was swollen shut. Her owners feared the worst – was it cancer? Would she survive?

If you’d like to contribute to the Velvet Assistance Fund and help ensure even more low-income families receive the care their pets so desperately need, please visit this page for details: www.dovelewis.org/community-services/velvet-assistance-fund.

PACTT Spotlight Jeannie & Misha

When Misha entered the lives of Jeannie and Jeff Gretz about three years ago, they knew she was the perfect fit for a long-time goal of Jeannie’s. “I have always wanted to participate in a program that promoted the benefits of the humananimal bond through a therapy dog program. I was thrilled to learn about the Portland Area Canine Therapy Teams (PACTT) and jumped at the chance to be a part of this program.” Misha, as a highly-trained, career change guide dog, loves to continually learn new tricks and perform them for anyone who will watch. While mealtime is her favorite time of day, she’s also helpful around the house when it’s laundry time, picking up clothing and placing it into baskets. Jeannie enjoys the variety of places and people she and Misha get the opportunity to visit. “It’s very fulfilling to end your day knowing your dog has brought a smile, or a moment of comfort to someone in need of a wet nose kiss, or a furry hug.” When asked about her favorite PACTT experience she said “It’s hard to pick just one… I believe one of the most moving assignments was when Misha was a comfort dog at the DoveLewis Service of Remembrance held last winter. It’s a time for people who’ve lost their pets to pay tribute and hopefully heal a little from their loss. Misha comforted several people who, after the ceremony, sat on the floor with her, wept, and hugged her sweet little shoulders. It was very touching.” Jeannie Gretz and Misha

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Pet Loss Support Hannah & Ali’s Story

Hannah, a Shih Tzu, had been a loyal, loving companion to Ali White for many years. When Hannah passed away, Ali was beside herself with grief. To help ease the pain, her primary veterinarian directed her to the DoveLewis Pet Loss Support Program. “I can share everything I’m feeling in the group, we all are going through the journey of grief. In group I don’t have to hide my feelings. It is helpful to hear others share their stories, and while no two stories are alike, the common thread is about great love and the sorrow and grief that comes with the loss.” The DoveLewis Pet Loss Support Group is a free program that offers a non-judgmental place for owners to gather and discuss their losses. It was founded in October 1986 by Enid Traisman, MSW, C,T, CFS. “Enid is so compassionate and understands the grieving process,” says Ali. “My emotions, actions and feelings are validated and I feel a sense of relief after sharing and listening to Enid and the others in group. I look forward to the meetings and can’t wait to get there to pour out my heart in a safe place with others who ‘get it.’” “Hannah was so loving, sweet and patient. She wore pigtails her entire life and tolerated all the fussing that goes along with having a dog groomer for a mom. We always said, “Don’t let the pigtails and bows fool you, she is a tomboy at heart!” She was a wonderful senior dog, and was graceful in the way she handled everything that came her way. She accepted our help, which is something that I’m sure was hard for an independent personality to do. She continued to participate in life no matter how difficult it was for her. When walking and running became difficult, she remained determined to keep moving, sniffing and enjoying her world. Enid agreed that the comfort and support Ali received by attending pet loss support group helped facilitate a natural and healthy grieving and healing process. Enid said, “It has been an honor to hear Ali describe the beautiful and loving bond she shared with Hannah. She shared stories and photos along with other group attendees who all understand these feelings on a heartfelt level.” Ali also participated in a couple of memorial art therapy workshops and created beautiful and lasting keepsakes to display in her home. As part of her journey, Ali realized she had the strength, a tribute she received from Hannah, to groom dogs at the Memorial art piece created by Ali White in shelter to enhance their memory of Hannah chances of being adopted. In addition to the therapeutic benefit of helping others in need, Ali met a new family member.

“Merida is our newly rescued adopted girl. She was feral, running free on five acres with four nursing pups. She was part of a hoarding situation; it took the authorities two weeks to catch/rescue her. Merida has learned to walk on a leash, ride in a car and sleep on a warm comfy bed.” When a loved one passes, we all grieve in a very personal way, and yet there are similarities in the way we grieve. These similarities allow us to understand we are not strange or going crazy, we are behaving normally, when nothing about the way we feel is normal and certainly our normal, happy life with our loved one no longer exists. To read more stories from our group members, please visit: www.dovelewis.org/pet-loss-blog

PET LOSS SUPPORT GROUP DoveLewis offers four Pet Loss Support Groups every month. These groups last one hour and are a free community service. Drop-ins are welcome. Please bring a photo of your pet to share with the group. Groups meetings are held at DoveLewis (1945 NW Pettygrove, Portland).

PET LOSS SUPPORT GROUP SCHEDULE: 1st Thursday – 12 p.m. 2nd Thursday – 7 p.m. 3rd Monday – 7 p.m. 3rd Thursday – 10 a.m.

Corporate Supporter Carisbrook Technology Services Since 2008, Carisbrook Technology Services has been a proud sponsor of DoveLewis’ gala event (this year, the WetNose Soirée is on October 9, at the Sentinel Hotel), and the presenting sponsor for the last four years. Carisbrook was launched by President Rob Fernandez, to design and build applications deployed in large, multihospital veterinary practices. For 15 years, they have grown from providing basic technical support to providing a broad suite of support services in the technical veterinary medicine space. DoveLewis is proud and grateful to have the energetic, thoughtful, passionate and professional Carisbrook team as an engaged supporter. They love pets and hold the art of practicing veterinary medicine in the highest regard – just like the DoveLewis team.

BE GREEN—When you are finished reading this newsletter, pass it on to a friend.

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Staff Spotlight Dr. Jessica Casey, Veterinarian Why did you decide to become a veterinarian? I have had a life-long love of animals. When I was eight years old, my dad told my sisters that he and my mom were parting ways; I provided comic relief for everyone else when I raised my hand and asked very seriously, “who gets to keep our pets?” They stayed with us, which made the whole thing bearable. In college I was that sucker who would take care of your dog or cat for a whole semester if you were going abroad, or foster the stray nobody knew what to do with. Despite this, a career in veterinary medicine did not immediately occur to me. My first degree was in psychology, and I spent some time working with behaviorally challenged kids – at that time I had a dream of combining my love of animals, these kids and a deep respect for the humananimal bond into a career in animal-assisted therapy. It was actually on an extended trip to Thailand, when I became involved as a volunteer providing vaccinations and basic medical care to island dogs, that I realized how fulfilling this sort of work was for me. From there I first became a veterinary assistant, then a technician, before deciding that this would be my life’s work and I’d better get on with vet school! More briefly, I became a veterinarian because I have a passionate love for animals, I feel strongly about preventing their suffering, and promoting their well-being, and I very highly value the benefits of human-animal relationships.

What’s your favorite type of case to treat? I have to admit that often my favorite cases are those in which I can provide instant and huge relief to a patient, such as by removing a foreign object from an airway or even a grass awn (sharp seed) from an ear. I also enjoy the problem-solving aspect of more complicated cases – this kind of variety in cases is a big part of what makes emergency medicine so appealing to me.

How do you like to spend your time outside of work? When possible, I spend my time outside work, well, outside! I especially love hiking and camping with my dog, and snowboarding. During longer breaks I still cannot resist the lure of international travel. At home I spend a lot of time reading and trying to concoct vegan meals palatable to omnivores.

What drew you to DoveLewis? Because I worked at DoveLewis as an assistant prior to vet school, I knew a thing or two about this place! In fact, throughout my training, DoveLewis remained a model in-mind of the type of practice I would like to work in one day. I could hardly believe my luck when I found out DoveLewis was actually hiring just as I completed my internship in emergency and critical care.

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What do you like most about being a part of DoveLewis? Apart from having a very skilled team of veterinary professionals to work with, I love the fact that I can treat stray animals in need of care, and also, through our Velvet Assistance Fund, treat pets whose owners are experiencing financial hardship that might otherwise preclude care. I have worked in other hospitals where animals with very treatable conditions were euthanized for a lack of a few hundred dollars – a financial necessity for most practices. Veterinary medicine can be an emotionally taxing career, but for me these medically unnecessary losses were most devastating. At DoveLewis, through the support of our community in the form of the Stray Animal & Wildlife Program and Velvet Assistance Fund, we are able to help many animals for which providing care would otherwise be impossible.

Tell us about your pets. Jake came into my life shortly after I got settled here in Portland. My previous companion, Bigsby, passed away just before I moved back to the United States from New Zealand. Bigsby was a Shepherd mutt who was smarter than me, and a very complicated guy with loads of character. When I felt ready to adopt again, I knew I needed a very different sort of dog so no comparisons would be made. I spotted Jake’s handsome face online, and went to meet him at a local shelter. They advised me to be cautious and that he failed the behavior assessment at the county shelter due to concerns about aggression. Jake is a pretty big boy, probably Swiss Mountain Dog/Hound mix – an emaciated 75 pounds at the time and now a healthy 85 pounds. I loved the big, dopey dude immediately, and took him home thinking I was taking on a project. As it turned out, he is only vocally aggressive when caged and fearful, and once home he was instantly a big old softy who lets my roommate’s cats, Hazel and Jazz, push him around left and right! He is not too keen on running, but he goes nuts when I pull out his backpack. He is a guy of simple needs and pleasures, whose greatest talents are eating, snuggling, hiking and generally being a great companion to his mom.

DONATE A CAR, BOAT, RV, SUV, or TRAILER! Have a vehicle you need taken off your hands? Consider donating it to support an organization like DoveLewis! We’re proud to partner with Speed’s Towing for vehicle donations.

For information about donating a vehicle to support DoveLewis, go to speedstowingpdx.com or call 503.234.5555.

DOVELIST E-NEWSLETTER Stay up to date with DoveLewis happenings by joining the DoveList. Our e-Newsletter is delivered to your inbox bi-monthly. Sign up to receive our emails at dovelewis.org

DoveLewis and Vetstream Partner to Improve Veterinary Education Worldwide DoveLewis has been an emergency animal hospital for more than 40 years, so it makes sense for us to pass on our extensive knowledge as an accredited teaching hospital. Through our Education & Outreach Program, DoveLewis strives to be a leader in training and education for veterinary professionals, as well as providing general education about pet health to the local animal-loving community. With so much to share and increased demand for information, this program continues to grow. In 2011, we started On the Floor @Dove as an addition to our Education & Outreach Program. This online training platform offers veterinary professionals the opportunity to learn how to handle an array of situations and procedures, via HD video, through real cases. We take the responsibility of educating and training to heart as part of our mission. So we were elated to announce an exciting partnership with Vetstream that will make our veterinary education content available at free or low-cost rates in developing countries. This is a huge step in our initiative to grow our Education & Outreach Program and have a global impact on the veterinary industry. “Both of our organizations feel strongly about supporting practices in countries without access to the high-quality information and education resources we take for granted in the U.S. and Europe,” said Ron Morgan, CEO of DoveLewis. “This partnership gives DoveLewis a chance to have a global influence by helping to improve the quality of veterinary medicine throughout the world.”

PET FIRST AID WORKSHOP: Thursday, October 17, 2015 10 a.m. – Noon Space for the workshop is limited and fills up quickly. Pets are welcome in spirit only. Thank you for understanding.

Register online at dovelewis.org.

DIGNIFIED PET SERVICES PRESENTS, in partnership with the DoveLewis Pet Loss Support Program

Please join us in celebration of the invisible yet undeniable bond between humans and our beloved companion animals. Together, surrounded by others who understand this bond, we will light candles in memory of those who are no longer here.

By partnering with Vetstream, our On the Floor @Dove education content will be accessible by all of the qualified members of the projects, associations and organizations that partner with Vetstream. This includes: • WikiVet, which has 30,000 members and is free to qualifying students. • Veterinarians in Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria through the African Small Companion Animal Network. • The World Small Animal Veterinary Association, which has 93 member associations. • The Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations, which works with veterinary schools in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar. Our Education & Outreach Program has grown to offer so much to pet owners and veterinary professionals over the past several decades. As a teaching hospital, we provide both internships and externships; free continuing education for local veterinary professionals via our monthly Third Thursday Rounds and Annual Conference; and publish VetWrap. Additionally, we continue to grow our education for the pet-loving community by making public speaking appearances; presenting at local schools about careers in the veterinary industry; leading tours and classes at the hospital for students from local schools; and holding regular Pet First Aid Workshops for the public at DoveLewis.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 7 p.m. The Old Church 1422 SW 11th Ave, Portland (at SW Columbia Street)

FREE EVENT Service animals are permitted.

BE GREEN—When you are finished reading this newsletter, pass it on to a friend.

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DoveLewis Fall Newsletter 2015  

DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital 1945 NW Pettygrove Portland, OR 97209

Raffle ticket sales end 9/30/15.

With your support and love, DoveLewis can continue to do what we do best -- respond when the animal community and their people need us most. DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital, established in 1973 and based in Portland, Oregon, is the only nonprofit, 24-hour emergency and intensive care unit in the region. DoveLewis provides donor-funded programs to the community, including one of the United States’ largest volunteer-based animal blood banks, a nationally recognized pet loss support program, education and outreach for veterinary professionals and the pet-loving community, animal-assisted therapy, 24-hour stabilizing care for lost, stray, wild and abused animals, and financial assistance for qualifying low-income families facing pet emergencies.

The Northwest’s Nonprofit 24-Hour Emergency & ICU Animal Hospital | 1945 NW Pettygrove, Portland | 503.228.7281 | dovelewis.org