A New Tech in Town The Best Companion MEET KARIN!
SOAK UP THE SUNSHINE VITAMIN
With spring on the horizon, we all will be able to get outdoors a little more and soak up some sun — and extra vitamin D! Bring on the picnics, pool days, hiking, sports activities, and leisurely walks through the park! Health Benefits of Vitamin D
As a kennel technician at Surface Creek Vet, Karin considers hers “a minor but important role.” She joined the clinic in September 2022, shortly
after moving to the area from California. This is her first time working in a veterinary office, but that’s not to say she doesn’t have experience with animals.
Let's take a look at the many benefits this vitamin provides for our bodies.
It boosts your immune system. Vitamin D helps your body fight off sickness. In fact, it’s been proven that deficiencies in vitamin D are connected to an increased possibility of developing infections and autoimmune diseases such as the flu, heart disease, and diabetes. It counters osteoporosis. Osteoporosis, a loss in bone mass, is common as we get older. However, vitamin D is one of the key players in helping to slow down bone loss and prevent or treat osteoporosis so we can maintain a healthy skeletal system. It reduces the risks of depression. Studies have shown that those who are deficient in vitamin D become more prone to mood disorders and depression. To ensure that you support your mental health, step outside and get some happy, feel- good rays! It’s possibly linked to weight loss. While it’s not fully proven that vitamin D helps with weight loss, many studies have found links between vitamin D supplements and shedding a few pounds. In one study, one group of people taking vitamin D and calcium supplements lost more weight than another group taking placebos. It prevents and helps multiple sclerosis. Not only is vitamin D proven to lower a person’s chances of getting this horrible disease, but for those who already have it, it can also reduce symptoms or slow down the disease’s progression. This spring, be sure to get outdoors and soak up some vitamin D; however, don’t forget to protect your skin, too! To avoid overexposure, only about 10–15 minutes a day of unprotected sun is recommended.
“As far back as I can remember, I’ve loved creatures all the way down to insects,” Karin says. “I’m fascinated with
biology.” She previously worked on a veterinary research project for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. “I did the grunt work for the wildlife veterinarian out in the field, and I realized this was something I’m interested in.” A few months into her work here, Karin now says she loves “everything — from the diagnostic work to even the smallest labors of cleaning up after a procedure. "It’s so interesting to see more in-depth into this field and how much effort goes into even the most basic workup on animals.” She also reports loving the team at the clinic. “Everyone here is supremely talented,” Karin says. “The pace of work required and the fact that everyone keeps on top of things makes me so impressed with my coworkers. That’s from top to bottom — reception, the kennel techs, the veterinary techs, and the doctors.” Karin moved to Colorado shortly before starting work at Surface Creek Vet. She lives with her parents and the family’s three dogs. They have 3-year-old Toby, who Karin calls “a Heinz 57 situation — he’s a mix of a little bit of everything”; a border collie named Molly, age 9; and a 7-year-old rescued blue heeler the family “very creatively” named Blue. “I do lots of stuff in town with my mom,” Karin says, “and my dad and I do every activity we can get our hands on. “I’ve always loved the area,” Karin says of her new home. “I had childhood friends who went to school in Denver, and anytime I visited them, I was so impressed by all the natural places. I’m so excited to live here because it’s such a beautiful state.”
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