Petersen Pet Hospital - January 2020

Monthly Pets First

January 2020

The Fish Story TIPS AND TRICKS FROM A LIFELONG FISHERMAN

Did you know Jan. 13 is MakeYour Dreams Come True Day? This is one of those strange“holidays”that don’t get you the day off work, but it’s still fun to think about! When I first heard about MakeYour Dreams Come True Day, I realized a big dream I have is to someday travel to South America and fish for peacock bass in the Amazon River. I love fishing and peacock bass are some of the most fun fish you can catch. Peacock bass are sports fish, which means they’re very aggressive and will put up a fight. You have to use topwater bait that makes noise to lure them out. Peacock bass have been known to fly out of the water to go after bait. It’s quite a sight to see because they’re very colorful and can get quite large. I’m a lifelong fisherman. Every other year for the past 18 years, a big group of us head up to Canada for a great fishing trip. That’s always a good time. I inheritedmy love of fishing frommy dad andmy grandfather, who were both big fishermen. There’s one story that my dad loved to tell that highlighted exactly howmuchmy grandfather loved fishing. My grandfather was an alfalfa farmer alongside my grandmother, and one year, they decided to go on a big fishing trip planned after the alfalfa was cut and baled. They’d cut the alfalfa and left it on the ground to dry when it rained unexpectedly. The bad weather meant the alfalfa was taking too long to dry. Finally, my grandfather said,“Forget it. We’re going fishing! I don’t care if the alfalfa gets moldy.” This was a pretty big deal. If you don’t bale alfalfa as soon as it dries, you can lose the crop. But my grandfather didn’t care; he was so excited about that fishing trip. I don’t knowwhat happened to the alfalfa, but I do know that my grandfather and grandmother went on their trip and had a great time.

That love for fishing has been passed down through the generations. Fishing is one of my favorite ways to spend the day. I’ll fish in the summer, then break out the space heater and go ice fishing in the winter. It’s a pretty big hobby of mine. When I fish, I practice catch and release. I’m a veterinarian, so I always end up feeling sorry for the fish and want to let them go. But I enjoy the sport. You never knowwhat’s on the other end of the line. It’s fun to fight, reel them in, and then let the fish go so they can swim off and continue to grow. Fishing is the kind of hobby that calls for knowledge, skill, and a little bit of luck. You never knowwhat’s beneath the surface or if you’ll even catch anything that day. There’s a layer of suspense that makes getting a bite so thrilling. If you want to try your hand at ice fishing this month, I recommend investing in an electric fish finder. Those are very important for ice fishing. Of course, if you’d rather wait for summer when the weather warms up, my advice is to plan your fishing trip for the dawn or dusk. No one wants to be out in the heat of the day, not even the fish.

Will I make my dreamof fishing for peacock bass come true this month? Probably not. But it’s still a trip I plan on taking in the future. In the meantime, I have my boat and can enjoy some pretty great fishing here in Iowa.

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A Familiar Face CATCHING UP WITH DR. EMILY SAUNDERS Veterinary medicine is a tricky field. Veterinarians work with patients who can’t tell them what’s wrong or what they’re feeling. It’s up to the veterinarian to use their knowledge and experience to solve seemingly impossible puzzles. It’s this challenge and problem-solving element that Dr. Emily Saunders truly loves about her work. “I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a veterinarian,” says Dr. Saunders. “I grew up with many different pets, from dogs and cats to hermit crabs. I loved taking care of them. When I found out there was a job where I could take care of pets forever, I dedicated my life to it. Being able to look at a sick animal, figure out what’s wrong with them, and work with their owner to help their pet feel better is hugely rewarding.”

THE BEST BLACK FRIDAY EVENT

The weather outside may be frightful, but at Petersen Pet Hospital, we’ve been finding fun ways to celebrate the season. Our holidays kicked off with our Black Friday event held the day after Thanksgiving. Several clients and their pets stopped by to take part in the festivities! We served up hot coffee and cocoa, as well as fresh-baked cinnamon rolls and pumpkin bars from Kettle House Bakery in Marion. While guests browsed our new gift store items and pet supplies, we played games and raffled off some great prizes. People and pets alike went home with great new goodies. How Petersen Pet Hospital Kicks off the Holidays

Dr. Saunders grew up in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, where she volunteered at humane societies as well

as worked at two different veterinary hospitals. She

came to Iowa to pursue her degree in veterinary medicine at Iowa State. Shortly after graduating in 2009, Dr. Saunders started at Petersen Pet Hospital and has been an irreplaceable part of the team ever since.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Black Friday event and everyone who came to see us in 2019. We appreciate you and your support! May your 2020 be merry!

Tasty, Chewy Cat Treats

Escape to a Winter Wonderland

“I love the work atmosphere for sure,”Dr. Saunders says. “The team is great, and

Dr. Petersen sets an example of caring for patients as we would our own pets. At the hospital, I’m also able to specialize in

ultrasounds, which is not something every hospital offers. Being able to see

Chill Out in These Frosty Destinations

inside a dog or cat’s heart and abdomen to figure out how to help them feel better is a great experience. It adds to the problem- solving element that I love about veterinary medicine.”

Snow is magical and gorgeous — unless you have to commute in it. If you want to enjoy all the wonder that winter has to offer without the

hassle, why not turn it into a vacation? Here are a few breathtaking, snow- covered destinations that any winter lover can enjoy. Bulguksa Temple, South Korea Above the city of Gyeongju, this

When she’s not solving problems for her patients and their people at the hospital, Dr. Saunders is the chief problem solver at home. She has two boys, Kaleb and Parker, and one little girl, Brylee. In addition to being a

ancient Buddhist temple has stood on the slopes of Tohamsan Mountain since the eighth century. Bulguksa, or “Temple of the Buddha Land,” is South Korea’s No. 1 UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it a popular attraction for

mother of three, Dr. Saunders also helps her husband on their dairy farm and cares for a house full of pets, which includes Jim, a white German Shepherd, a 2-year-old cat named Subway, and two guinea pigs named Guinea and Piggy. (Dr. Saunders would like to mention that all the pets were named by her children). When they have time, Dr. Saunders and her family enjoy traveling to visit relatives in Minnesota.

domestic and international tourism. The crowds and school tours die down during the winter, however, which also happens to be when Bulguksa is at its most pristine. The iced-over lotus ponds and snow-dusted pagodas add to the sense of tranquility this site naturally exudes. The Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy If you want the feel of a ski trip to the Alps without the packed slopes and ritzy resorts, the Dolomites are just for you. Located in northeastern Italy, this stunning mountain range is home to some of the best skiing in Europe, as well as many historical sites. The secluded villages that dot the mountain valleys are an attraction in their own right, especially for the rustic cuisine you’ll find there. Don’t expect pasta though. This region is a melting pot of flavors from Austria, northern Italy, and the local Ladin people. Ricotta and sauerkraut pancakes, anyone? The Antarctic This is the one entry on this list that is best enjoyed during the summer months, which is December–February in the Southern Hemisphere, because that’s when the freezing temperatures of the southernmost continent are at their most hospitable. The Antarctic has become an increasingly popular tourist destination, with cruises taking adventure seekers through the vast, untouched beauty of this far-flung destination. Some tourists even enjoy kayaking or cross-country skiing through this icy paradise.

INGREDIENTS:

• • •

1 large egg

• • • •

2 tbsp water

4 oz canned wet cat food 1/4 cup parsley, coarsely chopped

1 cup brown rice flour

1/2 cup cooked brown rice

1 tbsp dried catnip

•

2 tsp olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat oven to 325 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. 2. In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, cat food, parsley, olive oil, and water. Add rice flour, cooked rice, and catnip. Mix until dough is thick but spreadable. 3. On the baking sheet, spread dough to 1/3-inch thickness. Place on middle rack in oven and bake for 12–15 minutes. 4. Carefully remove from oven and let sit until cool enough to touch. Dough will still be undercooked. Slice dough into bite-sized treats and return to the oven. Cook for 8 more minutes. 5. Remove treats from oven and let them cool completely before serving. Treats can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Inspired by Joy the Baker

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1031 Kacena Road, Hiawatha, IA 52233 www.PetersenPetHospital.com 319-743-0554

Mon–Fri: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. (Closed Fridays from 12:30–2:10 p.m. for teammeetings) Sat: 8 a.m.–12 p.m. Sun: Closed

Inside This Issue

What Do Canada and the Amazon Have in Common?

PRIMARY

What You Missed at Our Black Friday Event

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BLACK

50% BLACK

Dr. Emily Saunders Is on the Case!

New Treats for a New Year

SECONDARY

Real Winter Wonderlands

PMS292 Meet the World’s First Airport Therapy Pig PMS5635 PMS1215

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Meet the World’s First Airport Therapy Pig

HOW LILOU AND ANIMALS LIKE HER CALM STRESSED-OUT TRAVELERS

Imagine you’re navigating a vast airport on a busy Saturday, shouldering your way through crowds and struggling to hear the PA system over the clatter of 1,000 wheeled suitcases. Suddenly, you see a pig wearing a hot pink sweater waddling toward you on a leash. Do you stop in your tracks? Does your stress level drop? Do you laugh out loud when you see its pink nail polish? If you answered “yes” to any of the above, then you can sympathize with the passengers, pilots, flight attendants, and staff at the San Francisco International Airport. They get to enjoy visits from Lilou, the world’s first airport therapy pig, on a regular basis! As part of the Wag Brigade, the airport’s cadre of (mostly canine) therapy animals, Lilou wanders the airport with her humans, bringing joy, peace, and calm to everyone she meets. Lilou may be the only pig of her kind, but airport therapy animals have been a growing trend for the last few years. According to NPR, as of 2017, more than 30 airports across the U.S. employed therapy dogs, and these days, estimates land closer to 60. The San Jose and Denver airports have therapy cats, and the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport even offers passengers the chance to play with miniature horses before boarding their flights.

Therapy dogs started appearing in U.S. airports after the 9/11 terror attacks, which changed American attitudes about flying.

They did so well at helping passengers calm down that airports began implementing permanent programs. Some have pets on hand 24/7 to assist passengers, while others host animal

visits every few weeks or months. These days, regular travelers have fallen hard for their local therapy animals, many of whom even have their own Instagram accounts and hashtags.

So, the next time you’re traveling, keep an eye out for a friendly pup, cat, pig, or horse to pet. A bit of love from an animal just might improve your trip!

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