Get to Know Dr. Kristie Stanton!

Many of you probably already know Dr. Kristie Stanton.  She has been one of our General Practice doctors for the past 4 years at our Chandler location. Growing up in the small town of Parker, Arizona, Kristie, always had a love of animals raising and showing chickens and pigeons, as well as participating in 4-H.  Dr. Stanton, started working in the veterinary field as a teenager as a kennel attendant and then progressed to becoming a veterinary assistant.  

She achieved her DVM at Colorado State University in 2009. After graduation she pursued an internship in medicine and surgery at VCA West Lost Angeles Animal Hospital from 2009-2010 and then joined us here at 1^stPet-Chandler! One of her favorite things to do at work is performing puppy and kitten exams, but she has many stories of clients and patients that are dear to her heart. 

When not at work, Dr. Stanton, loves to go hiking and traveling. She recently hiked down to Havasupai, AZ and declares it to be one of the ‘most beautiful places I've ever seen.’  She also loves to be at home cooking and spending time with her fiancé (wedding in April 2015) and their 5 dogs and 2 cats! 

Halloween Pet Safety Tips by Dr. Keith Joyner

It's about time for the annual visitation by all those little neighborhood ghosts and goblins, not to mention the ninja turtles and princesses.

It's always such fun.

But if we are pet owner's, we have the responsibility of keeping our pets safe and the visiting children and their families safe too.

Remember, some children are frightened by even small dogs and cats. And worse yet, some are so comfortable with them that they may rapidly approach your pet and startle it into a reactive self-defense snap or scratch!

Not to mention, the door opening so many times gives the pet a chance to run out of your house, and with people around, there are lots of distractions and excitement. Many pets become lost under such circumstances. Holidays like this always result in a surge of lost pets.

So, what should you do?

1. Put your dog on a leash before answering the door. That way you can control it and prevent it from going out the door. Some dogs, if they are too rambunctious, will need to be put in a crate for the evening.

2. Unless your cat is very social with strangers, you may want to lock it in a bedroom or utility room to keep it safe and calm. Social cats need to be on a leash so they don't run out the door.

3. Don't let your pet get close to other people's children. Unexpected things can happen very quickly. Safety first, always!

4. Dogs LOVE candy. Given the opportunity, they'll steal what they can. Chocolate can be toxic to dogs if enough is eaten, and can cause fatalities. Just sugar in candy can cause a toxic reaction if enough is consumed. So guard your supply and your children's collections.

Halloween is a great time for kids and pets, but let's keep both safe!

-Dr. Keith Joyner 

Get to Know Erin Lawrence!

Meet Erin Lawrence! Erin, is a Certified Veterinary Technician, that works at our Chandler location. She has worked for 1st Pet Veterinary Centers, for over 7 years now in our Emergency and Critical Care Department. Her love for animals has always been part of Erin. Growing up, she participated in 4-H and was involved in gymkhana. Prior to working at 1st Pet, Erin worked 2 years at an emergency veterinary hospital in California, and as a groomer 2 years prior to that. Erin loves caring for our critical patients at 1st Pet. Seeing them go home after being hospitalized is very rewarding. 

One of her favorite memories is regarding a cat that was hospitalized for a month and no one could get the cat to eat any food. The kitty ended up eating for the first time for, Erin! Erin, describes the emotions by saying, “ It is one of the best feelings in the world when you can get a sick cat to eat. When she went home it was both sad and happy tears that were shed from me.” We truly love our patients as they are our own here at 1st Pet!

In addition to caring for the patients, Erin, loves training new Technicians and Assistants that join 1st Pet. She has worked hard to grow and learn and become a Certified Veterinary Technician during her time here at 1st Pet! Now she passes on what she has learned to others. When not at work, Erin, enjoys spending time with her husband and young daughter as well as their 2 cats and 3 dogs! They enjoy camping and fishing and hanging out together. Erin, is truly an asset to our 1st Pet Team!

Team Member Highlight: Viviane Ildefonso Williams

If you have come in to 1st Pet Veterinary Centers in Mesa, you have probably met our vivacious Veterinary Assistant, Viviane Ildefonso Williams. Viviane, has worked with us at 1st Pet for the past 7 years. Her favorite part of the job is helping sick patients and by helping them, they get to go home with their family. That’s the whole reason why we do what we do here at 1st Pet!

Prior to entering into the veterinary field Viviane’s life was all about swimming, even coming close to making the Olympics! Her love for kids and swimming are evident as she continues to teach her kids how to swim. Viviane, has been married for 13 years and together they enjoy their furry ‘kids’, comprised of 4 cats and a Border Collie puppy named, Frankie. We are happy to have, Viviane, on our Team at, 1st Pet!

Getting to Know Dr. Jennifer Fitzpatrick

Some of you may already know Dr. Jennifer Fitzpatrick, as she has been with 1^st Pet for about 8 years.  Currently working out of our North Valley Hospital, Dr. Fitzpatrick started out working in human hospitals as an ECG technician, patient care technician, and CNA. She graduated from Kansas State University as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in 2003.  She worked at a small animal and equine hospital for her first 2 years as a Veterinarian. 

After moving to Arizona, she began working in small animal emergency at North Valley and has been there since! Dr. Fitzpatrick has loved getting to know clients and their pets over their long-term visits to the hospital through the years. One of her favorite memories is when she was able to come to the aid of a distressed client that thought she would have to euthanize her beloved dog due to pain and trouble moving around. Dr. Fitzpatrick was able to prescribe a combination of medications that were not sedating and helped the dog improve and feel so much better that the owner is able to go on hikes with her dog and spend more quality time with her friend. These are the types of long-term outcomes that she really enjoys most!

When not at work, Dr. Fitzpatrick is an avid horseback rider and loves competing in Eventing (a 3-day, 3-phase sport including dressage, stadium jumping, and cross-country jumping).  She even used to be a licensed jockey and exercise rider in Kansas and Nebraska!  She owns a 5 year old horse named EverClear, and she and her husband happily take care of their many 4-legged ‘children’, including 3 young Pitties and a 10yo Great Dane (even though one of them only has 3 legs J)

1st Pet welcomes Dr. Heather Lindgren!

We would like to introduce one of our newest doctors, Dr. Heather Lindgren. Dr. Lindgren joined our team at 1^st Pet five months ago and is works out of our Mesa location.  Dr. Lindgren started working in a restaurant at 16 years old and considered acquiring a major in dance, but then developed a desire to become an equine ambulatory veterinarian.  So, off to vet school she went!  After graduation, she began working at a mixed animal practice due to her love for horses, but after a year she switched over to small animal practice where she has remained for the last nine years – and now she is here with us at 1^st Pet! 

Dr. Lindgren loves doing surgery of all types, but especially wound care.  The cases that seem to be the most rewarding for her is when a surgery or medical treatment of a problem helps pets live longer, more comfortable and happy.  She says “It is nice to know that your expertise and advice has had such a positive impact on the lives of pets as well as on the lives of people.”  And that nicely summarizes why we do what we do here at 1^st Pet! 

When she is not at work, Dr. Lindgren spends time with her husband of 8 years and her 16 month old son whom she describes as the love of her life!  She loves being a mother and aunt to her nieces and nephews as she comes from a large family with many brothers and sisters. Her family is rounded out with her three dogs - a boxer, Boston terrier, and French bulldog. 

We are so happy to have Dr. Lindgren on our Team here at 1^st Pet!  And we know you will be too!

Noah's incredible journey!

Noah’s mom and family is A-MAZING!!! What a difference a caring pet parent can make in a pet’s life.

“Ground Zero, Noah had a rough couple of nights at 1^st Pet

Noah’s family did everything for him. His mom said it was like having a new born baby and having to do everything for that child, even holding his head just right while he ate so he didn’t aspirate his food. He couldn’t stand so going to the bathroom was not only challenging but also messy and she gave him lots of baths. Doing all of this for a little tiny baby that fits snuggly in your arms is one thing, but to do this for Noah was quite a challenge.  He is a large dog.

His first week at home, Noah was very weak and had a hard time holding his head up. By week 2 he can still hardly hold his head up. Noah couldn’t do much but he had a good attitude. His favorite game was playing ball so his family would roll the ball right to him and he would catch it.

Noah’s mom didn’t just have to care for him for a couple frustrating days, but for weeks. He got LOTS of baths over the weeks. It took 3 weeks before he was able to really hold his head up high and sit up in a sphinx position.

Noah didn’t like being left along he had always followed his mom moving from room to room. So his family got him a wagon so he could still be with his her.

This first video shows how his family took him out and encouraged him to walk.

By the end of the 3^rd week they were using bacon to encourage him to crawl.

  Week 4 he started to sit and walk very wobbly.

 By the end of week 4 Noah is showing even more improvement!

Look at how great Noah looks today!! Noah has a 5-Star family!!! Thanks for taking such wonderful pictures and video so we could all see Noah’s journey.

Thanking all of our 2013 Team Member Awards Recipents!

Veterinarian of the Year:  Dr. Jennifer Flood

 

Dr. Flood is a fantastic doctor and is always a pleasure to work with. She absolutely Love’s her job. She says she couldn’t imagine herself doing anything else!  She also enjoys being  a part of her patient’s lives, especially caring for them from being puppy/kitten until they are seniors. Dr. Flood says, "It is fun to see them grow and mature". Dr. Flood has been part of the 1^st Pet Veterinary Centers family for over 10 years.

Technician of the Year: Tatijuana McMahon 

Tat is an outstanding tech.  She is knowledgeable and compassionate. She loves working critical cases especially surgery and is great at everything she does. She grew up surrounded by animals on a farm. she has loved and cared for animals her whole life. She was employee of the quarter at her location and 2^nd runner up for Team Member of the Year.   Tat has worked at 1^st Pet for over 15 years.

Client Service Representative of the Year: Yulonde Jakobsen

Yulonde is a wonderful CRS. She is extremely friendly and helpful in person and on the phone. She is one of our CRS Supervisors, and is a real asset in training and leading others. Her favorite part of her job is interacting with the clients and patients. She has wanted to work with animals since she was 7. She has 2 great kids, a Chihuahua named Pancho, a cat named Opie, a African Spurred Tortoise and goldfish.  Yulonde has worked for 1^st Pet for 2 years.

Supervisor of the Year:  Merja Reynolds

 

MJ is an amazing supervisor, she has a willingness to help others. She is a great mentor leading by example. There is anything she can’t do. She figures out how to do any task she is working on. MJ was born and raised in Finland adopts old sick cats that no-one else wants. Her last cat adopted was a hyperthyroid kitty about 15 years old  and is still doing well almost 3 years later. She has been with 1^st Pet for 11 years.

1^st Pet Veterinary Centers  Certificate Award winners:

Excellence in Patient Care

1.    Darcy Braaten

2.    Cara Bromley

3.    Angela Cordell

4.    Jessica Crabtree

5.    Pauline Dress

6.    Dr. Daniel Guastella

7.    Karen Hergert

8.    Darci Hoefer

9.    Kimberley Jones

10. Erin Lawrence

11. Trinity Taylor

Excellence in Client Service

1. Lynze Bates
2. Megan Fells
3. Elana Gulla
4. Mary Howerton
5. Allyson Klug
6. Arielle Menick
7. Patricia Morgan
8. Trina Sipple
9. Johnathon Sullinger
10. Heidi Vandeberg
11. Melleny Werkheiser

Excellence in Teamwork

1. Rebecca Goldstein
2. Kristina Hobbs
3. Janine Kemp
4. Lynda Novak
5. Michael Pugliese
6. Jennifer Ripley
7. Tina Rose
8. Matthew Smith
9. Angel Torres
10. Holly Walter
11. Viviane Williams