Throughout her life, Shania Ballard has always cared for and helped animals. As a veterinary assistant, she is able to support the pets that come through our doors, their owners, and the rest of our team to ensure they’re taken care of. But her passion doesn’t stop there. Shania continues to care for the many animals at home, helping her family raise them and keep them happy and healthy. Growing up, Shania and her family had a farm, and they cared for many of the same animals she has today. “We raise chickens, pigs, a rabbit, cats, and goats,” she says. “Every day as a kid, I’d see them and spend time with them, and I’ve always wanted to help our animals, whether that was feeding them, doing what I could to make sure they were healthy, or helping when the animals went into labor. Now, most of my time outside of school and work goes into caring for them. I’ve always been interested in working with animals and really enjoy everything I do.” Shania joined our team here at Surface Creek in August of this year. She had heard about our clinic before, and when she searched for a position where she could continue to pursue her passion, she found us. “I’ve been working with Dr. Jeff and Dr. Susie Hirsch for a few months and really enjoy it here. There are a lot of hardworking people who want to help animals just as much as I do, and I've had a lot of opportunities here. I’m currently going to school to become a veterinarian, and being here has taught me a lot.” When it comes to caring for the many pets we see and help every day, Shania says it’s the best part of what she does. “When someone comes in with their pet, and you can tell it’s in pain and not feeling well, then after we’ve treated the pet, you can just tell in its face that it’s feeling better.” We are proud to have such a dedicated individual as part of the Surface Creek team. Shania gives her all each and every day, and we are excited to help her further her veterinary career. TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: SHANIA BALLARD ALi e Dedicated to Animals The Best Companion
MEET KISMET, A DENTIST’S TOOTHLESS THERAPY DOG
Therapy pets can have a powerful impact on dental patients, especially if those patients have anxiety.
970-856-4474 Our hearts are officially melted. It’s only fitting for a pet hero to have heroic owners, too! 2 Cameron Garrett told CNN, “Quite honestly, as a dentist, I’m as much a psychiatrist or psychologist as anything else. Kismet has allowed us to have another tool in our toolbox.” They can even use the toothless pup’s story to teach patients about the effects of periodontal disease. Getting love from patients also helps Kismet. “She just wants to be with us,” Debra Garrett explained. The new owners suspect that she was abused in the past and is still recovering from that trauma. “When she is on a patient’s lap, she’s providing them comfort, but she’s also getting comfort. It’s hard for me to describe how nice it is for me to be looking at her while I’m working. It’s just a win-win all the way around.” “The studies are very clear: People who sit and pet animals have lower blood pressure, and that’s what it's all about,” Dr. Cameron Garrett told TODAY when the world found out about Kismet. Garrett’s dental practice employs the adorable 13-year-old Chihuahua rescue as a therapy animal that patients can hold and pet while they get dental work done. Kismet’s life has not been easy. The Muttville Senior Dog Rescue has invested thousands of dollars into Kismet’s health — they diagnosed her with heart disease, removed a cancerous tumor, treated a hernia, and removed all of her teeth due to periodontal disease. Yet, Kismet remains a very sweet dog. She never barks and loves back scratches and being held. It’s especially amazing that the toothless Kismet found such a perfect new home with dental professionals! This past July, Cameron Garrett and his wife, Debra Garrett (a hygienist), adopted Kismet into their home as well as their dental practice. The serene dog has provided a special experience for patients who come for exams, cleanings, and even root canals. Of course, some patients are scared of dogs. In those cases, Kismet relaxes behind a closed gate. But over 98% of patients happily take Kismet on their laps while they undergo their dental procedure.
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