Inaugural Benefit for One Health and Vets On Wheels Program

Posted on April 22, 2012 by Dr. Anna

I am super excited about the inaugural benefit to support the great One Health work of the Foundation and unveil our new Vets On Wheels vehicle. If you haven’t gotten your invitation in the mail, not to worry.

The event takes place May 18, 2012 starting at 6:30 pm and will be held at the new Marigold Catering location in their Mural Room. You know they’ll be serving great food- enjoy savory small plates, drinks, and Friends of One Health.

To find out more, please visit OneHealth.org/Annual2012. You can register online. Tickets are $75 each ($50 is tax deductible).

If you cannot make the event because you have already made plans for that date, you can still support our work by

  1. making a contribution (i.e. donation) in any amount (please consider a contribution of $75 or more)- Donate Now
  2. purchasing a raffle ticket for one of three amazing once-in-a-lifetime trips for two (airfare included) at $100 per ticket- Click here to find out more
  3. volunteering your time- Contact us today to find out about the opportunities

Thanks and I hope to see you there!

Dr. Anna

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Thank You Stautzenberger College!

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Amanda

Dr. Anna and I, as well as everyone here at The van Bakeren Foundation, would like to thank Stautzenberger College for graciously hosting last Saturday’s One Health Volunteer Orientation.  It was a beautiful, sunny day and we appreciate everyone who made time in their busy schedules to attend.

We are still in the process of recruiting volunteers, so if you were not able to attend the Orientation, but are still interested in volunteering, please contact me. 

 

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Volunteer Orientation Tomorrow!

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Amanda

Tomorrow morning (3/10/2012), Dr. Anna and I will be hosting a One Health Volunteer Orientation for anyone interested in learning more about who we are, what we do and how we serve the community.  The Orientation is free and open to the public – the more the merrier!  We still have a few spots open, so if you would like to attend, please contact me.

The Orientation will be held at Stautzenberger College, 8001 Katherine Boulevard in Brecksville, Ohio, starting promptly at 10:00AM.  Refreshments will be provided.

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Please Save the NEW Date for Our First Annual Benefit!

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Nina Sheffler

Support our Vets On Wheels program on Friday, May 18th, 2012 from 6:30-9:30p.m. at Marigold Catering.  Celebrate with friends over drinks and small savory plates as we unveil our new Vets on Wheels van!  Enjoy bidding on a variety of silent auction items throughout the evening. Purchase raffle tickets to win one of three amazing travel opportunities. Learn more about what we do and ways you can help. Event and raffle tickets will be available for purchase soon.  More details to follow!

The cat pictured is Coco Chanel. She was adopted from the Cleveland Animal Protective League where she was spayed and given appropriate veterinary care prior to adoption. Photograph compliments of Kurt Shaffer Photographer.

 

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4-H Club welcomes Dr. Anna

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Amanda

Dr. Anna presents "3UP for 4-H!"

This past Thursday evening, Dr. Anna had the pleasure of speaking to a 4-H group in Burton, Ohio.  Since she was invited to spread the One Health message, Dr. Anna kicked off the presentation with the importance of the 3UP’s and how it supports One Health.

For those of you who are not familiar with the 3UP’s, I will get you up to speed.  In order to keep animals, people and environments healthy, we must follow three simple steps that most of us already practice on a daily basis.

  1. Vet Up!  Take your pet(s) for routine health exams.  This will keep them up to date on vaccines and parasite control.
  2. Pick Up!  Help keep the environment clean by picking up after your pet.
  3. Wash Up!  30 seconds will do – Just sing the alphabet a time or two.  Washing with soap and water will get rid of bacteria, parasites, and other ”bugs” that could be harmful to you.

It’s as easy as 1,2,3 and will keep you and your loved ones healthier!  The 4-H group couldn’t have agreed more after hearing Dr. Anna’s presentation.  Most of the group didn’t know that their animals could make them sick, so everyone was more than ready to start utilizing the 3UP’s!

We had many questions from the youngsters in the group and were inspired to know that a few of them were interested in pursuing a career in the veterinary field.  After hearing Dr. Anna’s words of wisdom, we hope they will continue their quest and share our message along the way.

If you are interested in learning more about One Health and the 3UP’s, please visit our website or call 216.586.4VET (4838) to learn more.

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Valentine’s & Vets On Wheels in Akron!

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Amanda

Dr. Anna informed seniors about the 3UP's for keeping them and pets healthy.

One Health love was definitely in the air this past Valentine’s Day when Dr. Anna and I took our show on the road to speak to the community of Akron.  Thanks to our gracious host Chambrel at Montrose, we were able to spread the message of One Health, through the presentation, “Keeping Pets and Seniors Healthy.”  This event was open to the public and we had an excellent turn-out of Chambrel residents and other members of the Akron community.

Amanda discusses services provided to cats (and dogs got their fair air time, too)

Dr. Anna emphasized how practicing the 3UP’s daily can keep them healthy, and I explained how the services we offer through Vets On Wheels can keep their pets healthy.  This concept seemed to resonate very well with the group and we have the survey feedback to prove it!  One resident said she was so thankful that this type of service was being offered and was going to refer us to her relatives.  Another resident said the presentation was very informative and offered to spread our message.   And to top it all off, we also received quite a few donations to keep the Vets On Wheels program moving full steam ahead!

We can’t thank the staff at Chambrel enough for inviting us to share the One Health message and we hope to return soon to provide veterinary services for the residents of Akron.  If you are interested in hosting a One Health educational seminar or learning more about Vets On Wheels, please contact 216.586.4VET (4838) or visit our website.  We look forward to spreading the One Health love in your town!

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Best New Product for Health on the Planet?

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Dr. Anna

A friend of mine recently asked me about a new product that she thought would interest me; many others have done the same. I wanted to be 100% enthusiastic about it since I wanted to be supportive of my friend and it claimed to be the best product for one’s health- and maybe be good for our One Health work. Unfortunately, I was disappointed at best and scared at most. I won’t tell you what the product is, because my concerns are applicable to many products out there.

Now don’t get me wrong. There are many great products out there that can improve our health (or that of our pets). But warning bells went off when I heard the following about the product.

  • This product is not approved by the FDA
  • This product is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease.
  • This product is good for your health and for any number of medical conditions you may have (even after the above two bullet items were stated).

Why does this concern me? Continue reading →

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Volunteer Orientation: March 10, 2012

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Amanda

What: We’re headed out to Stautzenberger College, my old stomping grounds, to hold our first volunteer orientation session.

When: Saturday, March 10, 2012 starting promptly at 10 am.

Where:

Stautzenberger College
8001 Katherine Boulevard
Brecksville, Ohio 44141
The room will be announced on our Facebook Event Page

Why: To find out how to make a One Health difference in your community

Who should get involved: Anyone interested in helping keep animals, people, and environments healthy

General kinds of volunteer opportunities available:

  • Working directly with animals (veterinarians, technicians, assistants, and students; must be 18 years or older for your safety)
  • Working near animals (assist pet owners with check-in and check-out, ensure veterinary team has food and beverages during breaks, etc.)
  • Working for the animals (marketing, fundraising, writing, etc.)

Caution: Those people who want to work with or near animals for the Vets On Wheels program need to be aware that…

  1. Allergic reactions can occur in people as a result of being near animals (e.g. runny nose, watery eyes, difficulty breathing, etc.)
  2. Part of the veterinary services involve collecting blood samples, handling fecal and urine samples, giving shots (vaccinations), expressing anal glands, clipping toenails, and giving medications to animals, as needed.
  3. The recommended veterinary procedures are for the health and safety of the pet, and the other animals and people who get near them.
  4. Animals may bite, scratch and express their bodily fluids, when you least expect it.
  5. Animals don’t always want veterinary procedures to be done to them and avoid them (see note above about biting, scratching, etc), so they must be restrained appropriately for everyone’s health and safety.
  6. You must dress appropriately for your safety and that of others; a dress code will be discussed and enforced.

Note: If any of the above activities may be a problem for you, then please do not volunteer for a position that involves activities that are a known problem for you.

There’s limited space, so please let us know if you plan on coming.

We hope to see you there!

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Valentine’s Day- a One Health perspective

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Dr. Anna

My husband Ned enjoying a relaxing time in his favorite chair with our cat Oreo

For some Valentine’s Day is filled with dread. That day when single people feel left out, for couples who are experiencing rough patches, for those not wanting to get trapped in the commercialization that demeans this day, or for those not knowing how to express love in a meaningful way. And for others it’s the perfect time to connect with a loved one in a special place.

If you look at Valentine’s Day as a day as an excuse to sit and remember all that you love in life- not just about romantic love- then it can take on a whole new meaning. A One Health meaning. What do I mean about that? Continue reading →

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Magic is in the Air

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Dr. Anna

I cannot believe our luck. Merry Rosenfield from The Magic Zoo is selling her unique hand designed, animal shaped jewelry with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the great One Health work of The van Bakeren Foundation. And just in time to celebrate those we love.

Valentine’s Day for me is not just about romantic love, it’s about those relationships we cherish with others. What better way to express that love than to wear a remembrance of a pet or animal we love? I gave my kids a matching set of earrings and necklaces some time ago and they just love them!

So this is the deal:

Artist Merry Rosenfield of The Magic Zoo jewelry is generously donating 17% of anything you purchase on her site during the month of February to celebrate One Health. Click on her beautiful handcrafted animal jewelry to find your favorite pet or animal design!

Never heard of The Magic Zoo?!? Well let me tell you about her.

I met Merry Rosenfield, master creator at The Magic Zoo, at a veterinary-related continuing education event several years ago. She is so friendly, generous, and an amazing artist. She knows just how to capture the essence of any animal species. She must have them all- her store is a veritable Noah’s Ark of animals. I’m sure you can find your favorite animal in her vast collection of species.

The other thing I love about her unique items is how affordable they are. There are many great items under $50 (there’s a great set of cat earrings for $10), but there are also other stunning pieces if there’s something special you need.

So get shopping and help a great cause- all at the same time. How great is that?!?

Understandably, all transactions that occur as a result of this amazing opportunity are between the shopper and The Magic Zoo. Any comments, questions, or concerns with their products or services need to be raised with The Magic Zoo. The van Bakeren Foundation is not responsible for any transaction made between the shopper and The Magic Zoo.

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