For Dr. Susie Hirsch and her husband, Dr. Jeff, practicing veterinary medicine has long been a family affair. Since the birth of their first child, Winnie, in 2003, the Hirsch children have been involved in their parents’ work. PEOPLE SKILLS, CATCHING PUPPIES: A KID’S LIFE AT THE CLINIC Paws and Play
In a heartwarming tale of courage and resilience, a pit bull named Kilo defied the odds after being shot in the head while bravely protecting his owner. The incident unfolded when an intruder invaded Kilo’s home. In a shocking turn of events, Kilo’s instinct to shield his owner led to a life-threatening injury, but “Super Pitty” survived, capturing many hearts, too. One Saturday evening 12 years ago on Staten Island, a gunman posing as a FedEx deliveryman rang the doorbell of Kilo’s home. He didn’t wait long before he pushed his way into the apartment. Kilo’s human, Justin Becker, told CBS, “He barged in. My first reaction after seeing the gun was to push him out, so I pushed him to the door.” Becker’s girlfriend, Nicole Percoco, had been holding Kilo during this encounter and let him go. Kilo jumped into action, fighting back against the invader, unfortunately getting shot in the fight. Luckily, the bullet just missed Kilo’s skull, entering and exiting right under his ears, said Dr. Gregory L. Panarello, the medical director of South Shore Animal Hospital. After a 40-minute surgery to remove bullet fragments, he was patched up and even given a superhero insignia on his bandage. Three days later, Kilo was up and going on every dog’s favorite pastime: walkies. Kilo’s story is a powerful reminder of the indomitable spirit of canine companions and the strength of their love for us. Even 12 years later, Super Pitty Kilo’s story still spreads love and happiness. Give your pet an extra cuddle tonight so they know just how much you love them! Kilo’s Amazing Bravery and Survival SUPER PITTY!
“Our kids practically grew up in the clinic,” Dr. Susie says of their four children, now 20, 18, 17, and 13. After Winnie’s birth, Dr. Susie cut back to part-time hours at the animal hospital in Phoenix, where
she and Dr. Jeff were practicing at the time, and brought Winnie to nap in a quiet room there. “Some clients would schedule their appointments around Winnie’s naps so they could see and play with her. She would go out there and work the lobby.” While Dr. Susie gained her early experience with animals working as a camp counselor and visiting her
great aunt’s Morgan Horse Farm, her four children have never had to leave home to enjoy animals. As their family grew and moved to Colorado in 2009 to open Surface Creek Veterinary Center, all the children learned to help with cleaning, restraining, and caring for pets and livestock. “We were lucky. Having our own clinic, we could always bring our kids to work,” Dr. Susie says. “They learned people skills, they learned an appreciation for what is going on here, and they developed a good work ethic. If we were here after hours doing a C-section on a dog, they were catching the puppies.” At home, the family has three indoor cats, five outdoor cats, and a Great Pyrenees who helps guard their livestock. Their youngest child, 13-year-old Gus, has developed the construction skills required to help his parents build the barn behind the clinic, among other projects. Meanwhile, Dr. Susie handles large animal care and most surgeries at the clinic. After more than a quarter-century of practice, the work continues to reward her. “They call it practicing medicine for a reason,” Dr. Susie says. “The more you see, the more you learn. In surgery and medicine that experience really makes a difference.” While the Hirsch children have developed an enduring love of animals, none of them are currently planning to enter veterinary school. However, the next generation of clinic kids has already begun, with the arrival of Dr. Jessica Neil’s baby daughter last June. “She’s taking the same path,” Dr. Susie says. “We made a space in the closet for her to take naps.”
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