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 It Takes a Village

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Finding Caregivers for Your Pup

[/trx_title][trx_title type=”4″ align=”center” color=”#434544″ weight=”700″ bottom=”mini”]by Dr. Eileen Savier CVA, CVCH[/trx_title][vc_column_text]

Form Relationships Early

Most people have a good idea of what veterinarian they are going to use prior to getting a dog because they have either used one before or have other pets at home. If this is going to be a new relationship for you think about what is important to you prior to scheduling an appointment. Don’t just focus on the doctors- what are their hours of operation, what will happen if you have an emergency? If cost is a major factor for you what do they charge for wellness vs sick appointments. Is Fear Free, Low Stress handling, or other certifications important? Check out websites or call the office for questions in advance to make sure you are not surprised at the time of your appointment.

Think Ahead

Training – I cannot stress enough how important a QUALIFIED trainer is to have. I don’t care if this is your first or 15th dog, they are all different and new information on animal behavior is always emerging. Stay current and you and your pet will have a lifetime of peaceful understanding. Puppy classes are more than just photo ops, if your trainer cannot outline the goals and milestone of this class move on. And please, please, please don’t cause harm to your dog while he/she is trying to learn new things- no shock, prong, or pinch collars! I hate begging- please don’t do it.

Grooming – If you are getting a breed that requires regular grooming do not wait until your Ms. Princess Penelope luxurious locks are tangled and matted to her skin to call a groomer. Princess Penelope will be scared out of her mind if this is her first grooming which leads to unpleasant experiences for the groomer, your pet, and you. Start when your pet is young so things are easy and she can get used to the handling required. Ask your groomer questions about their protocol if your pet is getting stressed during a session, let them know if you are ok to scheduling different sessions to finish if your pet is stressed.

Boarding and Daycare – These are things you are likely to need at some point so have a plan and contact information in case. If you know you will need boarding frequently meet with the staff of Barks and Recreation early – discuss vaccine requirements and what their protocol for accidents or emergencies are. Being informed and verbalizing what you need/ concerns are early means that no one is surprised and decreases the chances of misunderstandings. Discuss medical or behavior concerns prior to showing up three hours prior to leaving for your three week European adventure! The last thing you want is to have your pet diagnosed with a new medical condition that your boarding team is not able to provide care for – Diabetics – I’m looking at you! If you have followed the above tip on training the behavior evaluation should be a breeze for your pet but this is an important step, be sure you allow yourself enough planning time for this prior to needing boarding or day care services.

[/vc_column_text][/trx_section][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1533135180690{margin-top: 40px !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1533134942241{background-color: #d9ae4c !important;}”][trx_title type=”2″ align=”left” color=”#f6f2e4″ left=”20″ right=”20″]About Dr. Eileen Savier[/trx_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1533135315368{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]Barks & Recreation is proud to feature Dr. Eileen Savier CVA, CVCH as our Veterinary Blogger in our “From the Vet” Series. Currently part of the team of doctors at Keystone Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Savier is a 2012 Graduate of the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, She completed her clinical experience at The Ohio State University and after veterinary school she pursued further education and certification in Veterinary Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and Fear Free veterinary visits. Dr. Savier has a special interest in integrative medicine, animal behavior, and internal medicine and is committed to improving animal health care by integrating Eastern and Western philosophies. She enjoys working with fearful & aggressive dogs and cats and she has had additional training in low stress handling techniques and encourages positive reinforcement during exams and procedures. Her clinical interests include pain management, animal behavior, geriatric patient care, and internal medicine. Dr. Savier is a member of the following associations:

• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
• International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM)
• American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP)
• American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB)
• American Association of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (AATCVM)
• Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA)

Dr. Savier shares her home with two (soon to be three) dogs, two cats, and a toddler. She lovingly refers to her two dogs as Coconut Retrievers as they were rescue dogs she brought home from the island of St. Kitts. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, and planning her next Disney vacation.

Join us every month for Dr. Savier’s “From the Vet” series to get more information related to the health and welfare of your furry family members![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]