A Lot to Learn The Best Companion KENNEL TECH JOEL LOOKS TO THE FUTURE
We all wish our pets would be there for us in an emergency. Dogs, cats, and other animals can accomplish amazing feats when provided with enough love and care, and a cat from Liverpool named Willow recently proved that many times over. A cat’s sense of smell is incredibly effective at detecting when something is abnormal, and Willow used her nose to save her owner in the nick of time. For many with diabetes, falling into a diabetic coma is a constant concern, and they regularly check their blood sugar levels and take insulin shots to avoid that scenario. Amanda Jameson, a 51-year-old woman from Liverpool, received a diabetes diagnosis years ago but had always stayed on top of it. In April 2023, she fell asleep while her blood sugar was dangerously low. Thankfully, her cat, Willow, noticed something was wrong and sprang into action. Willow went to the living room, where Amanda’s husband had fallen asleep watching television. Willow proceeded to bite his leg and jump on him until he woke up around 4 a.m. He could tell something was wrong, as this was abnormal behavior for Willow, so he followed her to the bedroom, where he spotted his wife. She was slumped over and unresponsive, and he immediately called her an ambulance. Doctors informed Amanda’s husband that she was moments away from slipping into a diabetic coma, but Willow had smelled something off and gotten help before it was too late. HH oe rwOWw ni lelro’swLSi af ev e d A CAT’S NOSE KNOWS
Joel Lynch had pets as a child and once helped raise chickens but says, “That was the extent of my animal care experience.” He’s now getting a crash course in all things animals in his new role as a kennel technician at Surface Creek Vet and reports enjoying his immersive education. Previously, Joel worked in janitorial in Summit County. But he, his wife, and two stepdaughters recently moved here from the Frisco area. “We were looking for a quieter lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist industry,” Joel explains. The family hopes to own livestock eventually, so Joel decided he should learn more about animal care. The position at Surface Creek Vet proved the perfect opportunity. His janitorial experience has given him a leg up since much of the kennel technician work involves cleaning. “But we also keep an eye on the animals to make sure they’re cared for and not sick or hurt,” he says. One of his favorite parts of the job is seeing the different dog breeds that come through the door. He particularly likes our clients’ “giant” Bernese mountain dogs. Joel is also excited to be working with the rest of the team at the clinic. “Everyone I work with is exceptional,” he says. “Especially all the doctors. Dr. Jeff has a mind for a lot of things, including outside the veterinary field. His knowledge is incredible. And Dr. Susie’s knowledge on surgery is also exceptional.” Outside of work, Joel considers himself a minimalist. “I don’t have a TV, and I spend as little as I can on things I don’t need,” he says. “We live small; that’s why we want to have our own livestock and land.” As a part of his “simple living,” Joel likes to spend as much time as he can outdoors and enjoys hiking. The family lives without pets, but it won’t be that way forever. They want to wait until the girls, ages 1 and 3, are older before adding any animals.
Most pets would get a few extra treats for their heroism, but Willow’s feats earned her a more prestigious award. The National
Cat Awards named Willow as a finalist for their “Moggy Marvels” category. If Willow wins, she’ll receive a trophy, a £200 pet store voucher, and a year subscription to Cats Protection’s “The Cat”
magazine. Although Willow likely doesn’t care about the trophy or the subscription, she’ll be happy enough with £200 worth of goodies and her owner safely by her side. 2 970-856-4474
In the meantime, Joel says he is soaking up all the knowledge he can. “Caring for animals is a pretty good gig for me.”
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