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September 2022 www.surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com 970-856-4474
SCVC Pawprint
A Staff Worth Celebrating HONORING OUR TEAM THIS LABOR DAY
Successfully running a business takes hard work — and somebody to perform it. The staff here at Surface Creek Vet are the reason we can open our doors and treat animals all day. This Labor Day, I want to take a moment to celebrate them. Our employees are the backbone of our clinic. They answer the phones, handle billing, refill prescriptions, check people in, collect animal histories, perform nursing duties for hospitalized animals, and assist with anesthesia and surgery. All of that work lets Dr. Susie, Dr. Neil, and me focus on the task of doctoring. When Dr. Susie and I first opened Surface Creek, we started from scratch. The building didn’t even exist, and with $0 worth of gross revenue, we certainly couldn’t afford staff. We had to do everything ourselves, meaning we saw fewer patients. We couldn’t practice medicine to the best of our abilities because we had to spend time on scheduling, cleaning, and countless other assorted tasks. Things have changed a lot since those early days. Our staff grew along with the business, and we had 22 employees at our 2021 staff Christmas dinner. They’re a great group, and I’m proud to work alongside them. But as anyone who has ever had to hire someone knows, finding good people isn’t always easy. And we maintain high standards. We’re not just looking for a warm body or any individual who can complete the task. We want positive people who fit in with our culture and will embody our five core values, which are:
everything under the sun, but “I don’t know” should never be the end of a response in a professional setting. When I don’t know the answer, I need to research, contact a specialist, or take another action to find the answer. The entire staff understands this ethos. When I ask a technician or assistant about the status of bloodwork, it’s acceptable to say “I don’t know,” as long as it’s followed up with, “Let me get you the answer.” Most importantly, they also can’t invent an answer out of thin air because it would compromise all of our core values at the same time! Most of our clients understand that we’re humans, not walking encyclopedias. But they’re paying us to find answers, not brush off their questions. I know how frustrating it is to work with companies that don’t care about good customer service, so I never want our clients to experience that. We don’t tolerate bickering, snide comments, or general negativity. As much as we can, we avoid hiring folks who do those things in the first place. But if someone fools us, there are no three strikes. Failing to embody our values is a deal-breaker. Fortunately, our staff plays by the rules and comes to work every day looking out for the best interests of our patients and the humans who love them. For that, I am endlessly grateful. Thank you to an incredible team for all you do for Dr. Susie and me and for all the ways you support each other. We value your contributions and appreciate them every day.
1. Find solutions 2. Be accountable 3. Be a direct and honest communicator 4. Operate with integrity and pride 5. Cultivate a positive environment
–Dr. Jeff
You might wonder what this does (or doesn’t) look like in practice. So, suppose a client or an employee asks me a question, and I respond, “I don’t know.” I’ve already broken our first core value! Of course, I don’t know
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Riding High The Best Companion Our new receptionist Esther Ward only joined us — and moved back to Colorado — a month or so ago, but she’s already a big hit with our human clients and pet patients. We want to take a moment to welcome her to the practice and help everyone reading get to know her a little better. Esther has loved animals all her life and traces her passion back to growing up on a farm in Florida. Her family later moved to Colorado, where she lived for a few years before returning home. Esther found her first receptionist job with a dog groomer back in Florida. She later transitioned to grooming dogs herself, a role she greatly enjoyed. “I mainly moved back because my mom, my brothers, and my significant other, Steffen, live here,” Esther says. But with the relocation came new opportunities to work with animals. Esther has spent her first weeks at Surface Creek learning the systems and processes. “I check clients out, clean rooms, and help out whenever they need an extra set of hands,” she says. Unsurprisingly, she particularly enjoys spending time with the animals we see every day. “I absolutely love interacting with the animals,” Esther says. “One of my favorite parts of the job is greeting them because they’re all so excited to see new people.” She adds, “The dogs, anyway. The cats are like, ‘Take me home!’” When Esther isn’t working, she enjoys shooting and spending time with her new puppy, Wayland. She has participated in horse competitions since she was young. “I have a team in Florida, and before that, I had one in Colorado,” she says. “We’d travel out of state and compete.” She does both Western and English competitions, including Western pleasure, rail work, and show jumping. Esther is glad to be back in Colorado and a part of the Surface Creek team. “The people are great here,” Esther says, “I’ve never had a team this amazing.” We look forward to getting to know her better and hope you will all give her a warm welcome! MEET ESTHER WARD!
GET OUT AND EXPLORE 3 Vacation Destinations Similar to Montana Because of the popularity of the Kevin Costner miniseries “Yellowstone,” the state of Montana is seeing an economic boom, both in tourism and real estate, as people flock to explore the natural beauty of the state. But with Montana’s increasing popularity, traveling there may not be ideal, especially if you want to avoid crowds. Here are some other destinations that offer similar sights and activities! Stanley, Idaho If the mountains are calling your name, then Stanley, Idaho, is the place to go! About three hours northeast of Boise, this gem has three different mountain ranges: the Sawtooth, Lost River, and White Cloud. This trifecta is home to whitewater rafting, hiking, sightseeing, rock climbing, mountain biking, and exploring. While there’s tons to see and experience during the day, the beauty doesn’t stop at night. As Stanley is situated in the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, you’re able to see so much more in the night sky, such as the Milky Way, meteors, and even planets! Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming In Grand Teton National Park, you’ll find many sights and wildlife similar to those seen on screen in “Yellowstone.” The towering craggy peaks and luscious landscape do not disappoint, and sometimes there is no sign of human development for miles. It’s a truly remote and beautiful place to visit and explore. You are sure to encounter some amazing wildlife while hiking or camping — the park is home to more than 60 species of mammals and 300 species of birds. Bighorn National Forest, Wyoming Specifically known for being remote, Bighorn National Forest is located in north-central Wyoming and offers over 192,000 acres of open wilderness and 1,200 miles of hiking trails to venture out on. The forest contains many meadows and grasslands surrounded by large, dancing mountains and rolling hills. The best part is that there are many different ways to explore Bighorn National Forest. Fishing, camping, mountain biking, rock climbing, camping, hunting, and horseback riding are just a few of the many ways to experience Wyoming’s beauty.
Are you ready to get out and explore these different areas of our nation’s beauty? Check some of these great destinations off your bucket list!
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SO FRESH, SO CLEAN
Behind Your Cat’s Grooming Habit Cats are famous for their cleanliness and an almost obsessive dedication to regular grooming. The fact that most cats don’t need baths is one of the many things cat parents tend to love about them. But cats don’t strive to keep their bodies immaculate for vanity alone. Their regular grooming habits are baked deep into their genetics.
help heal wounds. Finally, like many humans enjoy a bubble bath or hot shower to relax, cats often bathe just because it feels good.
But there can be too much of a good thing. When a cat overgrooms, it’s not a mere result of persnicketiness. Cats sometimes overgroom because of itchiness from fleas, other parasites, or allergies. The behavior can also be a psychological response to too much stress. Whatever the reason, overgrooming
Abbi Taylor Jan Kennedy Ivonne DeLaRiva Clien th ts e SWpr o e r a d ding While cats themselves are notorious hunters, they are not immune to being prey to wolves, coyotes, or cougars. Since predators largely hunt based on smell, cats strive to keep themselves as scent-free as possible. Even if your cat is indoors only, their safety instincts remain strong. But cats’ grooming habits serve purposes beyond not becoming another animal’s dinner. Cats also clean themselves to regulate their body temperatures. Saliva evaporation helps keep them cool in hot weather, while spreading their natural oils evenly over their coat helps them stay warm in the cold. Cats also clean each other for social bonding and clean themselves to
can cause rashes, bald spots, and abrasions to the skin. Schedule a visit with your veterinarian if your cat is grooming to the point of pain, injury, or obsession.
Some cats also experience the opposite issue. Most cats don’t need human help with getting themselves clean. (Notable exceptions are hairless cats, which require regular baths, and some breeds of longhair cats that cannot handle their abundance of fur on their own.) But cats sometimes also avoid cleaning themselves due to physical challenges resulting from age, being overweight, or experiencing illness. Again, schedule a veterinary appointment to uncover the reason behind the habit change and determine the best path forward.
Your cat’s coat can be a helpful indicator of its overall health. Soft, shiny fur with little dander is a sign of a healthy cat, as is regular grooming. But if your cat’s routine (or lack thereof) becomes a problem, Surface Creek Vet is standing by to help.
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Inspired by DamnDelicious.net
INGREDIENTS
• • • •
3 cups whole wheat flour, divided 1 carrot, peeled and shredded
• • • •
1 cup pumpkin purée 1/4 cup peanut butter
1 zucchini, shredded
2 large eggs
1 cup baby spinach, chopped
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
DIRECTIONS
1.
Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Using an electric mixer, beat the pumpkin purée, peanut butter, and eggs on medium-high for about 1–2 minutes until combined. 3. Gradually add old-fashioned oats and 2 1/2 cups flour at low speed until barely incorporated. Add an additional 1/4 cup flour at a time until the dough is no longer sticky. 4. Add carrot, zucchini, and spinach, then beat just until incorporated. 5. On a lightly floured surface, knead dough 3–4 times. 6. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to shape, then place treats on a lined baking pan. 7. Bake for 20–25 minutes until the edges are golden brown. Cool completely before serving.
We Reward Referrals!
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WWW.SURFACECREEKVETERINARYCENTER.COM | 970-856-4474
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inside this issue
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Celebrating Labor Day With Our Incredible Team
Places to Visit Similar to Montana
Meet Receptionist Esther Ward!
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Why Are Cats So Clean?
Healthy Veggie Dog Treats
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DIY Fall Scavenger Hunt for the Family
New Appointment Cancellation Policy When you cancel with less than 24-hour notice, we now require a prepaid $50 deposit to reschedule. If you keep your rescheduled appointment, we will apply the deposit to your veterinary bill. If you miss your rescheduled appointment, the fee is nonrefundable.
EXPLORE WHAT AUTUMN OFFERS Ready, Set, Scavenge!
3. Items from a fall harvest (like pumpkins, sunflowers, or hay bales) 4. Changes among people’s apparel (such as jackets, hats, and scarves) 5. Animals hibernating or migrating Fall Color Wheel The best way to explore autumn’s colors is by creating a fall color wheel hunt! Since the leaves are the surest signs of fall, kids can compare and contrast the different colors of each leaf they find, making this a fun hands-on activity. You can either download a color wheel template from the internet or make one yourself! All you need is a piece of paper that’s big enough for kids to tape the leaves onto and different areas for the colors red, yellow, orange, and brown. This will help kids see the different kinds of leaves as well as their visual changes during the season. The weather is getting colder, but it doesn’t mean you have to hibernate too! Bundle up with a cozy sweater and beanie, and encourage the family to get outside to explore all of the wonderful changes autumn has to offer.
As the leaves begin to fall and the air becomes cooler, it is a sure sign that summer is slowly coming to an end. Though we will miss the pool parties and backyard barbecues, there is still lots to look forward to during fall. Autumn is known as the season of change, and getting the kids outside allows them to understand and explore the changes going on in the world around them. Creating a fall scavenger hunt is a great way for kids to practice their reading and observation skills, all while still enjoying the outdoors. Signs of Fall Creating a specific scavenger hunt for signs of autumn is a great way to enhance your child’s observation skills. Consider the following for your signs of fall hunt:
1. Leaves that have changed colors 2. Tree seeds or pine cones that have fallen to the ground
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