Daleen and Bonnie
I have been a pet partner since 2005. Bonnie and I visit Mission Hospital, senior centers, reading (she is READ certified), and school events.
Suzie’s Tucker and Cody
Callie, Barbara and Meggie
Originally certified as a Pet Partner in 2001 with Callie.
Callie and Meggie visit at Kaiser Irvine and Orange Coast Memorial Fountain Valley. They also participate in the R.E.A.D. program.
Daleen and Cloud
I have been a pet partner since 2005. Cloud and I visit seniors and students (he is READ certified).
Barbara and Alfie
Don, Carole, Shelly, Lady and Missy
Pet Partners since 2002
Meet one of our new teams
Susannah and her beautiful Collie, Lacey! Susannah was involved in pet therapy many years ago with her lab, Jasmine, who is now playing over the Rainbow Bridge. So, Lacey and Susannah’s other new pet partner Checka will follow in the footsteps of wonderful Jasmine! Congradulations!
Responsible pet ownership from American Veterinary Medical Association
Owning a pet is a privilege, but the benefits of pet ownership come with responsibilities.
Be a Responsible Pet Owner:
- Commit
- Avoid impulsive decisions when selecting a pet.
- Select a pet that’s suited to your home and lifestyle.
- Keep only the type and number of pets for which you can provide appropriate food, water, shelter, health care and companionship.
- Commit to the relationship for the life of your pet(s).
- Provide appropriate exercise and mental stimulation.
- Properly socialize and train your pet.
- Invest
- Recognize that pet ownership requires an investment of time and money.
- Make sure your pet receives preventive health care (vaccinations, parasite control, etc.), as well as care for any illnesses or injuries.
- Budget for potential emergencies.
- Obey
- Clean up after your pet.
- Obey all local ordinances, including licensing, leash requirements and noise control.
- Don’t allow your pet to stray or become feral.
- Identify
- Make sure your pet is properly identified (i.e., tags, microchips, or tattoos) and keep its registration up-to-date.
- Limit
- Don’t contribute to our nation’s pet overpopulation problem: limit your pet’s reproduction through spay/neuter, containment or managed breeding.
- Prepare
- Prepare for an emergency or disaster, including assembling an evacuation kit.
- Make alternate arrangements if you can no longer provide care for your pet.
- Recognize any decline in your pet’s quality of life and make timely decisions in consultation with a veterinarian.
Committing to a Lifelong Relationship
There are good intentions, and then there are good deeds. When it comes to raising a pet, good intentions just don’t cut it. Our pets thrive only because of the attention we give them, and the effort and time we invest in them. As much as we encourage and support pet ownership, veterinarians also recognize that pet owners need to be aware that pets of all types come with responsibilities.As part of our ongoing efforts to support the human-animal bond, we are pleased to provide you with the AVMA’s newly created responsible pet ownership guidelines. The inspiration came from AVMA members who expressed an interest in having easy-to-read guidelines that can be handed out to clients, particularly new pet owners, or conveniently hung on a clinic wall. Volunteers from our Committee on the Human-Animal Bond developed the content, and then we turned to staff members in our Communications and Animal Welfare divisions to create materials that are both pet-owner friendly and encouraging of pet ownership.
We invite you to download the guidelines . You can also check out other pet ownership resources on our website. Feel free to share whatever you’d like. The more we can spread the word, the better off our pets will be.
AHF Board Member, Dr. Dirk Yelinek, Is Honored
Dr. Dirk Yelinek, practicing veterinarian and Hospital Director of the Redondo Shores Veterinary Center received the NDMS Outstanding Achievement Award 2012 for his contributions in disaster animal response.
The award was given at the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) 2012 Integrated Training Summit in Nashville, TN.
The award, for Response Team Distinguished Employee of the Year, is presented by the Director of the Office of Preparedness and Emergency Operations, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The National Disaster Medical System is comprised of 96 medical teams, five of which are veterinary teams. Award recipients are chosen by nomination by their peers.
In addition to regular practice Dr. Yelinek maintains a government position as Deputy Team Leader of National Veterinary Response Team-4, Department of Health and Human Services, and has been a member of the VMAT program since 2002.
He is also a Founding Member of the Department of Homeland Security.