Veterinarians, vet technicians, practice managers, rescuers, behaviorists, nutritionists, trainers, volunteers, and other animal professionals are the backbone of pet ownership. Helping pets and their families live in harmony and health together.
We want to highlight some of these underrated champions of the animal world. Who we like to refer to as the Heroes of The Pet World.
We interview some of the most inspiring veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, animal shelters, and rehabilitation organizations around the world to share all the wonderful and often brutal experiences they face while working to help, heal, guide, revive, and protect our furry ones. family member These are the stories of unsung animal superheroes!
Mission
In your own words, what is the mission and purpose of Paddock Park Animal Care Center?
I feel that our mission at Paddock Park Animal Care Center is to do our best to serve our patients, clients and community with compassion and competence. We are dedicated to caring for and helping all pets in need.
What is your individual mission or goal, as a veterinary professional and as a person?
As a Practice Manager/Technician, I am fully committed to helping provide the best patient care for all pets. I am very passionate about my work and love the reward of helping clients and their pets.
Everyday Experience
What is it like to be a veterinary professional in Florida, and at Paddock Park Animal Care Center?
I came to Paddock Park Animal Care Center 42 years ago and have been very fortunate to work with some of the most amazing and talented veterinarians and technicians in the profession. Another great benefit of this job is building long-term relationships with our clients. My staff here is my family and I am very grateful to each and every one of them. Their love and desire to care for animals is unmatched.
How big is your team?
My staff consists of 15 people.
Do you have staff shortages and how do you deal with them?
There were times when we were understaffed and it was difficult to overcome that. I am very fortunate to have a staff that will step up and fill in when needed.
How many animals on average do you help each week?
On average, we see between 200-250
Challenges and Rewards
What is the most difficult part of your job? How do you handle euthanasia and patient loss?
The hardest part of my job is definitely losing a patient. I know for a fact that we can’t save them all but it’s so hard to lose one. We try our best to make our clients as comfortable as possible when they say goodbye to their loved ones. Sedation is given to the pet so that the client can be with them while they sleep and then the final injection is given. The client is invited to spend as much time as they like afterwards. We also send sympathy cards signed by each staff member to the client.
What are some of the biggest challenges your organization faces?
In today’s world, pricing has become very difficult for everyone. The products that the clinic needs to buy have increased by a huge percentage and unfortunately, the increases have to be passed on to the clients. Pricing definitely has an impact on whether or not the client comes into the clinic.
What is the most rewarding part of doing what you do?
For me, the most rewarding part of what we do is being part of a team that cares for pets. It’s great to see a client with a new puppy and then care for that pet for the rest of its life. We became part of that family and they have so much appreciation for what we do here. It’s an honor to be a part of that.
Effect
What are some accomplishments or specific animals that have made a big impact on you as a person or on your team?
As part of this team at Paddock Park for so long, I have had the honor of helping so many pets. We saved an entire horse trailer full of dogs from Hurricane Katrina. They were brought here, examined, and cared for and we found new homes for all of them. During other hurricanes, we’ve made Hurricane Animal Relief t-shirts to sell and donate the proceeds to animal rescue organizations. On 9/11, we also made t-shirts to sell and donate to the rescue dogs injured in the Twin Towers. Recently, there was a post on Facebook asking someone to help a dog that was abandoned in a neighborhood. I replied to the post and told her to please call me at the clinic and I’ll see if there’s anything we can do to help. He brought her in on Monday and she was in really rough shape. They named her Lila and she was a sweetheart. After examining him, we found out that he was positive for heartworms, and hookworms, infested with fleas, had to be spayed and had a leg amputated. Between some of our great clients and our staff, we raised the money to help him. Today, Lila is happy and healthy and living with a wonderful family in her forever home. Her new name is Nala Pickles!! This is why we all do what we do!
tomorrow
What are Paddock Park Animal Care Center’s main goals for the future?
We will continue to strive to help animals in need and also educate people on how to care for pets.
How can the general public help make your life easier?
We would greatly appreciate it if people could try to understand that if there is a short wait for your appointment, we are helping care for someone else’s fur baby who needs immediate care. I know it’s frustrating to wait but sometimes someone more critical will help.
Stories
What are some of the funniest or craziest pet names you’ve come across?
Here are some of the funniest pet names over the years: Meatball, Alley Mcsqueal, Gordon Hamsey, Bar B Cue, Blinky Blinkerson, Broccoli, Cat Benatar, and Canada Dry.
How to Support
If someone wants to visit, join, support, or volunteer with your organization, where can they find more information and get in touch?
They can find our information on our website at paddockparkvet.com
Anything else you’d like to say to the pet community?
It has been our true pleasure to serve our community by caring for their pets for the past 42 years and we will continue to do so.
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