One Health News

Join Us for a Vets On Wheels Event!

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Amanda

The Vets On Wheels team will be traveling to Akron, Ohio on February 14, 2012 to provide a FREE community educational seminar, “Keeping Pets and Seniors Healthy.” Chambrel at Montrose, an exceptional senior living facility, has graciously offered to host this event and we are pleased they invited us to share the One Health message. The seminar will take place from 2:00-3:00PM, followed by light refreshments and a gift to take home.

If you are interested in attending this event, please see this flyer for details. Don’t miss out on this special event! We look forward to seeing you soon.

Posted in Animals, Cats, Dogs, Events, One Health, People, Pets, Seniors, Uncategorized, Upcoming Events, Vets on Wheels, YOPIE's | Tagged animals, cats, disease prevention, dogs, environment, family health, One Health, pets, public health, vets on wheels, zoonotic disease | Leave a comment

Vets On Wheels Success in Bay Village!

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Amanda

Dr. Pizzuli draws blood from a dog to test for heartworm disease.

Last Wednesday, the Vets On Wheels team traveled to Knickerbocker Apartments in Bay Village, Ohio to provide veterinary services for the residents. We were welcomed by eager residents and appreciative staff, which helped to start our day off right. After setting up a small room with all of our supplies and equipment, we were ready to start seeing patients! Dr. Pizzuli and I began the day with a few feline nail trims, met some wonderful residents along the way, and ended our afternoon with two very loyal service dogs, in need of their yearly check-up. We saw a total of 7 animals and formed new relationships with the residents of Knickerbocker Apartments.

Since this was my first event with Vets On Wheels, we thought it would be great to get the residents’ feedback on the services we provided. I am happy to report that they were more than pleased with our team and loved the convenience of us coming to them! One resident said she was very thankful we came to her apartment since she had difficulty getting her cat into a carrier. Turns out the cat loved the convenience, too! He was more relaxed since he felt comfortable in his home and was a model patient, which made our job much easier.

Knickerbocker resident and her beloved cat

It was a lovely morning spent with a great group of residents and their furry companions. We are excited to add Knickerbocker Apartments to our client list and hope the next event is in your neck of the woods! If you are interested in Vets On Wheels providing veterinary care in your community, please call (216) 586-4VET (4838) or e-mail me.

Posted in Animals, Cats, Dogs, People, Pets, Seniors, Uncategorized, Vets on Wheels, YOPIE's | Tagged animals, cats, disease prevention, dogs, family health, pets, vets on wheels | Leave a comment

01/18/12: Vets On Wheels Veterinary Service Day

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Amanda

Tomorrow morning, the Vets On Wheels team will be traveling to Knickerbocker Apartments in Bay Village, Ohio (west of Cleveland) to provide veterinary wellness services for the residents and their furry companions. If you are interested in Vets On Wheels visiting your community, please call (216) 586-4VET (4838).

Posted in Animals, Cats, Dogs, Events, People, Pets, Seniors, Uncategorized, Upcoming Events, Vets on Wheels, YOPIE's | Tagged animals, cats, disease prevention, dogs, family health, vets on wheels | Leave a comment

Vets On Wheels: Recruiting Volunteers!

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Amanda

The New Year is upon us and Vets On Wheels is speeding into 2012 with great enthusiasm! With veterinary service events scheduled for January and February, the Vets On Wheels team needs your help!

If you are looking for a way to give back to your community, look no further than volunteering. What other way can you help others and help yourself? Studies show that volunteering is not only beneficial to others, but good for your own health, too!

So, go ahead, make your New Year’s resolution to volunteer. If you enjoy working with animals and people, then you have found your first stop on the path of altruism. The Vets On Wheels team is in need of passionate, dedicated volunteers to help us continue the mission of The van Bakeren Foundation into 2012. If you are interested in volunteering for Vets On Wheels or other volunteer opportunities, please visit our web page for ways to help our organization. Or contact us today at 216.920.3051 or e-mail me.

We look forward to meeting you in the New Year!

Posted in Animals, Cats, Dogs, How to Help, People, Pets, The van Bakeren Foundation, Uncategorized, Vets on Wheels | Tagged animals, cats, dogs, local veterinarians, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, vets on wheels, volunteer | Leave a comment

Ponies, puppies, and kittens- what’s right for you and your family?

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Dr. Anna

I hear that lots of children ask for pets like ponies, puppies, kittens, and any number of other kinds of animals as presents for a special holiday or a birthday. My kids have always asked to get a dog. Sometimes parents “cave in” to those requests. But has everyone involved really explored the realities and responsibilities of taking care of an animal? Day in and day out? 24/7/365? Hearing in the news that people are taking pets to shelters after an impulse buy over the holidays indicate that more than one person has not.

A parent (or other well-meaning gift giver) must understand first and foremost that at the end of the day, an adult is the one responsible for making sure that the animal has been adequately fed, watered, sheltered, and given the right environment for their species, age, size, and individual temperament. A child can be given age appropriate tasks associated with the care and feeding of that animal, but relying solely on a child to take on any or all tasks is not fair to the animal without adequate follow through.

Amanda Butts picks up poop from her back yard. You go girl!

Each species has its own unique care and feeding requirements. Of course, what goes in the mouth ends up going out the other end after the food and water has been appropriately processed by the body as pee or poop. So understanding their bathroom habits are a must.

When selecting any kind of animal as a pet – whether it’s a traditional pet like a dog or cat, or an exotic pet – any animal may pose health risks to children and other family members. There are ways to determine whether the many benefits of having an animal in the home, yard and/or barn outweigh the risks. What are they? Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Cats, Dogs, Pets | Tagged animal, animals, cat, cats, dog, dogs, kittens, pet, puppies, puppy, vet, veterinarians, zoonotic disease | Leave a comment

One Health Resolutions for 2012

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Dr. Anna

Of course many people talk about making New Year resolutions every year. But have you heard of One Health Resolutions? Wait no more! Tired of reading a lot? Don’t worry. I’m tired of all the reading, too. So here are a few common sense One Health Resolutions I offer you to help keep pets, people, and places healthy for 2012 and beyond. Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Cats, Dogs, One Health, Parasites, People, Pets, Veterinary Medicine, YOPIE's, Zoonotic disease | Tagged animal welfare, animals, cats, dogs, environment, family health, One Health, pets, public health, veterinarians, vets, zoonotic disease | Leave a comment

We are receiving awards!

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Nina Sheffler

We are proud to announce that our Founder, President, & CEO, Dr. Anna and staff registered veterinary technician and Veterinary Field Services Coordinator, Amanda Butts have recently received awards.

On September 9th, 2011 The Ohio State University Veterinary Medicine Alumni Society awarded class of 1993 alumni, Dr. Anna van Heeckeren, MS, DVM the “Alumni Recognition Award.” She was recognized by the President of the College, Adam Parson as well as the Dean and past Chair of the One Health Task Force, Dr. Lonnie King. Dr. Anna was recognized for her contributions to the enhancement of the veterinary medical profession.

At the Annual Public Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Ohio Silent Raffle on November 12th, 2011 Amanda Butts was presented the award for “being a voice for the animals.” Amy Beichler, Executive Director of PAWS Ohio, has worked closely with Amanda over the past few years to help rescue the homeless pets of NE Ohio. Amy took the opportunity to recognize Amanda’s hard work at this well attended annual event in Broadview Heights.

All of us at the at The van Bakeren Foundation are very excited about our staff member’s recognitions in the One Health community and are thrilled to share them with you!

Posted in Awards, Events, The van Bakeren Foundation | Leave a comment

Lois Becker Jewelry partners with The van Bakeren Foundation

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Dr. Anna

Stunning jewelry by Lois Becker

It’s incredible! I’m not surprised that Lois Becker is charitable, but I’m still pinching myself that Lois Becker Jewelry has decided to partner with The van Bakeren Foundation. I just had lunch on Friday with my friend Mary Jane Levin and she offered this amazing opportunity.

If you go to the Lois Becker Jewelry web site and make a purchase between now and the end of the year (12/31/2011), she will donate a portion of the proceeds to benefit our great work. Just enter the code VANBAKEREN (case sensitive) to help us when you place your order.

Never heard of Lois Becker?!? Well let me tell you.

Lois Becker’s jewelry has been seen on the pages of Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, Women’s Wear Daily, Woman Magazine, and Family Circle Magazine. Her work has been featured in the Horchow Collection, Saks Fifth Avenue, the Neiman Marcus Christmas Catalog, and Nordstrom’s. She has sold to seven hundred fine stores and boutiques throughout the country. Ms. Becker is the successful author of the book, “How to Make and Sell Your Arts and Crafts.” She has been interviewed on many national television programs, such as the Sally Jesse Raphael Show, the Regis Philbin Show, National P.M. Magazine, and a Special CNN cable production, “Winners.”

Despite her fabulous reputation and national presence, she’s got some great down to earth prices. I saw great earrings for as low as $20, a cute bracelet for $45, and a beaded necklace for $55. Of course she has a variety of prices to match the complexity and artistry of the piece, so check out the many items to see what works best for you. They even have an animal category.

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 Lois Becker Jewelry. Any comments, questions, or concerns with their products or services need to be raised with Lois Becker Jewelry. The van Bakeren Foundation is not responsible for any transaction made between the shopper and Lois Becker Jewelry.

Posted in Events, How to Help, The van Bakeren Foundation, Vendors | Leave a comment

Holiday Health Hazards

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Dr. Anna

There are many hazards around the holidays that can impact pets, people, and places, like those mentioned in this article written by a fellow veterinarian and a web page from my alma mater (The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine).

Dr. Anna catches a sneeze in the crook of her arm

What people may put in the back of their minds is that there are hazards of sharing nasty germs and parasites. After all, flu season is upon us and we need to make sure we’re protecting ourselves from other diseases that can be passed between animals and people in different environments.

I know I sound like a broken record on this theme, but it’s important and we cannot be complacent because it’s not a one time deal; you have to keep on top of these things. While my goal is not to make everyone a germophobe (because there are many small organisms that are critical to keeping us healthy), it is my calling to make people aware of the bad germs and parasites that are out there.

Luckily, we don’t need to be doom and gloom about it all because there are easy ways to protect ourselves and loved ones from many of the nastier ones.

For instance, I’ve written before about the 3UPs (Vet Up, Pick Up, Wash Up), but we cannot forget that like the airline people tell us- worry about your own safety first before you can help others. So a slight twist on the 3UPs for people: Doc Up (get a physical exam once a year and make sure you are current on your vaccinations), Pick Up (keep your environment clean), and Wash Up (washing hands with soap and water is a very effective way of preventing the spread of many diseases).

Of course we don’t live in a risk-free environment, so if trouble prevails, don’t hesitate to call a doctor or veterinarian’s office as needed. In the meantime, keep up on all vaccinations and parasite control. It can save more than one life; it can save a community.

Have a healthy holiday season!

Dr. Anna

Posted in Animals, People, Pets, YOPIE's, Zoonotic disease | Leave a comment

Where’s Dr. Anna Update: Ohio Veterinary Emergency Preparedness

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Dr. Anna

The Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) has a Veterinary Emergency Preparedness Committee (VEPC), which addresses all kinds of hazards and disasters. I have the honor of serving on that committee and am the OVMA liaison to Ohio Homeland Security Planning Region 2, which includes Lorain, Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula Counties.

This is all done on a volunteer basis (i.e. we receive no money for our participation). If it helps us be part of state and local preparedness from a zoonotic disease control standpoint, then we want to make sure The van Bakeren Foundation is there to give a helping hand.

So far they’ve had three meetings this year. Much of it is determining what our roles and responsibilities are, and that gets clearer with each meeting. These have been my assigned tasks so far, and I’m getting through the list as time permits.

Become a member of the Ohio Veterinary Emergency Responders (OVER)- done
Join Region 2 Animal Response Team (ART)- in progress
Meet with the Region 2 ART leader- contact made, meeting in January 2012
Get trained in the Incident Command System (ICS)- in progress

At the meeting held 12/7/2011 in Pickerington, OH the take home message that I appreciated best was the concept that sometimes animals are merely in the disaster, and other times animals are the disaster. Interesting way to look at things.

So while I’m new to this group, I look forward to helping out where I can. If there’s anything that you think I should know to bring back to the state, just let me know.

Thanks!