We always need to take our group pictures after a staff meeting, meaning that our Customer Services Representatives don't always get in the picture, as they need to answer phone calls and take care of our clients. So, we grabbed the available front-end staff members (and Dr. Lannon) and are showcasing them on our main title page! Left to right: Ashton, Makayla, Will, Dr. Samantha Lannon, Ella, and Kayla. These folks juggle their reception duties with grace and ease - believe us when we say they keep everything moving around here!
Lily, VPC
Lily has joined us as a member of our Veterinary Patient Care Team. She's originally a Virginian, but we can claim her here in North Carolina because she attended Lees-McCrae College - same as VPC Ella. In fact, they met in college and when Ella's desire to work at AHS came to be, Lily was also inspired to apply. She has a BS in Pre-Veterinary Medicine, so she has skills that will help her excel at AHS.
Lilly has 4 pets - a cat, a gecko, a pigeon and a sugar glider. These may be more unique to us, but she worked at May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center which is located on the Lees-McCrae campus and gained experience with a variety of wild animals. She even trained and cared for some of their ambassador animals.
Lily loves to read a LOT, and she enjoys botany and has a home jungle of plants that she collects.
She has goals of applying to veterinary school or earning her RVT. She's gaining practical experience working at AHS for either pathway she ultimately chooses!
Mario, GSA
Mario is a native Arizonan - or is it Arizonian? Apparently, history has called it both! Mario did, however, grow up in Statesville - he's been here since he was 5 years old. Mario graduated from North Iredell High School. He then proceeded to attend Liberty University remotely, and got a degree in Psychology.
Mario especially loves big dogs - the large and giant breeds - it's what he's built for - Mario's a tall guy! He's looking forward to learning more about pet care in his present position of Guest Services Assistant. He does, however, have the experience that comes from being Dad to 2 large breed dogs of his own. His compassion for animals drives him to make his opportunities at AHS become a great career. He said when he applied to AHS, he prayed that we would see his application. We did, and we're proud to add him to our dedicated Guest Services staff.
Mario fills his spare time playing and teaching drums. He also walks dogs, and studies theology. He's been involved in mental health ministries and worship teams his whole life. That experience with all kinds of people is important, as, at AHS, we not only work with pets, but their "humans", too!
Team Spotlight for August - Kay Leigh!
Kay Leigh has been a "part-timer" with Animal Hospital of Statesville since 2018! She's always happy, and always helpful so she's a joy to work with! Learn a bit about Kay Leigh in her spotlight video!
Animal Hospital on South Main Progress
We're still making progress on our new hospital in Troutman! There was a bit more progress - mostly in laying concrete borders and inside projects, so there wasn't a big difference picture-wise this time. Hopefully our September newsletter will have bigger changes for you to see. In the meantime, our Social Media Specialist, Ashley, will be posting our weekly progress pictures on our Facebook and Instagram pages. We are planning an opening event, date TBA, and of course, everyone is invited!
Lakeside Side Chat # 12
Dr. Ashly LaRoche of Animal Hospital of Statesville fame, continues her monthly vlog. This time, it's dog-related. For some reason, no matter how much we try to get the word out on the dangers of Parvovirus in dogs, we see that disease frequently enough to want to continue to get information out to help eradicate this sad and often fatal condition. Here is a refresher course for some of you, and news to others! Please, take heed!
August's Pet of the Month: Stella!
August's Pet of the Month is Stella. Stella is an 8-year-old cat that came to the Animal Hospital of Statesville for a left hind leg injury. Stella was treated for the injury but her problems persisted. After a sedated exam, if was identified that Stella had torn her cranial cruciate ligament in her left knee, or what is known in human medicine as an ACL tear. These injuries are common in dogs, but much rarer in cats.
Pain issues in cats are commonly under-addressed which affects many cats. Cats are very good at hiding any issues or pain from their owners and commonly go undiagnosed for some time. Cats instinctively hide discomfort, so it's crucial for pet owners to learn the subtle signs of pain, such as:
- Reluctance to jump or climb
- Limping or stiffness
- Changes in posture or gait
- Decreased grooming or overgrooming one area
- Hiding more often
- Changes in appetite or litter box habits
- Uncharacteristic irritability or aggression
Conditions like cruciate disease are often easier to treat when caught early. A veterinarian can assess your cat's joint health, recommend pain management strategies, and even discuss options like weight management or physical therapy - all crucial for recovery and long-term wellness.
Stella underwent surgery to stabilize her knee injury and is recovering well and doing much better.
If your cat is displaying any of the symptoms listed above, an exam is needed to help identify possible chronic issues. Please call us at Animal Hospital of Statesville to schedule an appointment to evaluate your cat's orthopedic health.
The Gallery at AHS's Featured Artist, Pamela Chambers
Local artist Pamela Chambers will continue to display her work in AHS's lobby through the month of August! Please take a look at her unique artwork. You can read more about Pamela and her Acryllic Pouring technique on our website by clicking on the button below. Also, check out her Facebook and Instagram pages: PC effects and @pceffects, respectively.
This one is really neat - it is on her Facebook page - looks kind of like a geode! If you have color-mixes you love, we are positive Pamela would love to make you a unique (they are truly one-of-a-kind) piece of artwork that you'll love and cherish!
Food for Days - August
The requested Food-For-Days item for August is Ramen Noodles. Keep in mind, while these may not be vegetables and fruit items that are healthier, these items are chosen to provide (most) kids the ability to make it themselves, when they have no adult guidance available. Bring your donations to our lobby and we'll take it from there! Thank you for helping us feed children in our community.
Christmas in July (& August!)
We're collecting items to fill stockings for Brookdale Senior living through August. Please click on the button below for all the details from our website.
Puppy Socialization Class Pictures!
Kyle got in on the playtime segment of AHS's Puppy Socialization Class! Instructors Traci and Cynthia help pet parents with properly vaccinated puppies between the ages of 10-16 weeks of age, learn how to properly socialize their puppies to help make the well-adapted members of their families. Socialization is NOT just play. It's exposure to everyday sights and sounds in a non-threatening way. It's not just teaching the pups, it's teaching their parents and older family members how to acclimate the puppies to their new family life and bond with them, at the same time.
PSC stars the following cute puppies: Chase - an Aussiedoodle, Opal - A Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Winston - a French Bulldog, or Frenchie, and Cooper - an Australian Shepherd. They have a great time together during the playtime of PSC, where they just kinda get to run "wild" and play with the other pups and meet their parents, too! Everyone is encouraged to pet and play with the other pups in class - that's part of socialization, as well!
Puppy Class meets on Mondays from 6:15 to 6:45 - unless they get carried away and run until 7. Class instructors are VPC Traci and CVA Cynthia. Classes are free to AHS clients, and $5 to non-AHS clients. All pets MUST HAVE proper vaccination per our protocol - 2 vet-given DHPP vaccinations and 1 Bordetella vaccine. Ask about PSC at your puppy's first wellness visit and your tech and doctor will be sure to get your puppy ready to enroll in class as soon as possible. You may also call our office to enroll. The CSRs will make sure your puppy has everything they need PRIOR to class participation!