Thornwood Veterinary Clinic and Kennel Blogs
Check out our resources and blogs to learn more about your pet’s health and how to keep them happy and healthy! Check back often for new posts from our team of experts.
About Out Veterinary Blog
Most vets knew what we wanted to be when we were young. For me, it’s part of my identity, one of my earliest memories. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know that I would be a veterinarian. I pictured a house on a hill where I saw patients and lived with my family, a field for the horses I would have, a long dirt driveway and a quiet life. I named my practice and presented it for career day in 8thgrade. I figured out the real life costs of running it for a project as a senior in high school. In college, I made contacts in Montana for hay, equipment and land. I spent summers working on thoroughbred farms and discussed future jobs as a track vet. I had my life planned and a path to take. Then, after two years of college, I got into vet school.
Within months of starting, I realized I had no idea what being a vet actually looked like, and all of my very well thought out, carefully planned ideas came tumbling down. I could have never imagined the wild ride I was in for and what it actually meant to be a veterinarian. After my didactic years, I entered clinics focused on seeing small animals, not horses. I cancelled externships, burned bridges and turned my plans upside down. Now, more than ten years later, I run a small animal practice in the town where I grew up. It’s not down a dirt road in Big Sky, Montana and I don’t see horses in Ocala, Florida, but it fills every bucket in my soul that my childhood dream set up.
I’ve always known that I wanted to be a vet. Most of us are born knowing. What I didn’t know was what that would look like. In this blog, I’ll share stories from my own career, as well as those from colleagues across the country. You’ll hear about wild patients, even wilder clients, dark nights, dangerous house calls, new beginnings, and incredible feats of strength. The glamorous, the dirty, the tragic, the brilliant. You’ll hear from not just veterinarians, but from support staff, too. Hopefully, it brings us all together and paints a picture of just what it means to be a veterinarian.
Beat the Summer Heat With These 5 Safety Tips
Beat the Summer Heat With These 5 Safety Tips Summer is the best time of year to spend time outdoors with your pet friends. Your pets undoubtedly enjoy being outside, whether playing fetch in the park, trekking along beautiful trails, or relaxing in your backyard....
Unveiling Possible Dangers: Common Pet-Transmitted Diseases
Unveiling Possible Dangers: Common Pet-Transmitted Diseases Diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans, known as zoonotic diseases, are more frequent than you might believe. Keep up with your pet's preventive care to avoid catching numerous illnesses,...
Tips on How to Keep Your Puppy Safe When Camping
Tips on How to Keep Your Puppy Safe When Camping Is there anything better than staring at the star-studded night sky with your furry companion nestled alongside you by the campfire? We don't think so. Camping with your pet is a terrific way to share fun activities,...
When to Get Emergency Care if Your Pet Is Limping
When to Get Emergency Care if Your Pet Is Limping The lameness of your pet may typically wait until the following working day for treatment. However, certain ailments combined with limping indicate that you should see the nearest emergency veterinary hospital straight...
Five Guidelines for Safe Swimming With Your Pet
Five Guidelines for Safe Swimming With Your Pet You and your furry friend probably want to go swimming to cool off when the summer heat rises. Even though it's in their name, not all dogs—or other pets—can "doggy paddle," so use caution when swimming with your canine...
5 Common Pet Soft Tissue Surgeries
5 Common Pet Soft Tissue Surgeries Many pets require various surgeries, including both routine elective procedures like spaying or neutering and essential operations to save their lives. Soft tissue and some orthopedic surgeries are typically done in general...
Tips and Tricks to Prevent Dog Bites
Tips and Tricks to Prevent Dog Bites As a dog owner, it's important to learn how to prevent and handle dog bites. Although you can't completely shield your pet from other animals, there are steps you can take to reduce the chances of a bite happening in...
Stay Aware of Pet Emergencies This Spring
Keep your pet safe this spring with these tips and advice on how to recognize common pet emergencies and know how to act when they occur.
Coping With Pet Loss
Are you struggling to process the loss of a beloved pet? This article offers three tips that can help you cope during this difficult period.
Spoil Your Furry Friend With a Pet Treat This Valentine’s Day
Spoil Your Furry Friend With a Pet Treat This Valentine’s Day Although you show your furry friend just how much you love them every day, Valentine’s Day gives you the opportunity to shower them with even more adoration. While your pet cannot have chocolate,...