Posts from November 2014
Gentle Doctor Animal Hospital has the BEST clients and patients in the world! This is true across every one of our three locations in Omaha and our Grooming Salon. We also have a very kind, compassionate and knowledgeable veterinary team. Since you may not have gotten to meet our entire team, we would like to introduce them to you one at a time.
Please meet another of our wonderful technicians, Amanda Kenkel!
Name: Amanda Kenkel
Position: Licensed Veterinary Technician
When did you join the Gentle Doctor team?
On July 5, 2010, I joined the Gentle Doctor team as a Kennel Attendant. I graduated from Iowa Western in May of 2011 with an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology degree. I took my board exam in August of 2011, and have been licensed as a Veterinary Technician since September 12, 2011.
Buddy
Tell us about the people and pets in your family.
I am originally from a small town just north of Omaha; Arlington, Nebraska and grew up in the same house my entire life. This is currently where my parents reside. I have one brother, Jason, who got married last May to a wonderful women, Sara. They currently reside in Omaha.
Amanda, her Sister-in-Law Sara, her Brother Jason and her Parents on her Brother's Wedding Day last May
I will be getting married on April 11, 2015 to a wonderful man, Michael, and can't wait to start a new chapter of my life with him.
Amanda and Michael
I have one cat, Buddy, a gray long haired Maine Coon, who is currently living with my parents.
I fostered an orange tabby named Tigger for over a year who now has a permanent home with my aunt.
Tigger and Buddy
I recently lost my other cat Charlie. I miss him dearly but I know that he is in a better place.
Charlie
What do you like to do when you are not restoring and maintaining the health of pets?
Hanging out with my family and friends is my favorite things to do on my days away from work.
I also enjoy any kind of outdoor activities such as fishing. Additionally, I love finding new things to decorate the house; I like keeping things fresh and modern.
What do you like most about your career?
Serving others and making a difference in the health of an animal that in turn helps the owner. I also enjoy the variety of being a veterinary technician, no two days are the same.
What is one of the more difficult aspects of your career?
Probably not a surprise to most, euthanasia is one of the more difficult aspects of being in the veterinary field. For many people their pet is not just their dog or cat, but part of the family. However usually it’s the right decision, and at least you know that they are no longer in pain and that they are now in a better place.
As an expert in your field, what advice would you give people about maintaining the health of their pets?
A lot can happen in one year, so coming to your vet once a year and every six months for those senior pets is important. At that time your animals can be examined and updated on vaccines if needed. This is the easiest way to maintain the health of your pets. Also, keeping your dogs and cats on preventatives (Heartgard, Frontline, etc.) is important. Heartworm disease is something that is preventable and usually deadly. It’s imperative that your dogs and even your cats are on a year round heartworm preventative.
What advice would you give someone looking into a career in veterinary medicine?
It is one of the most rewarding fields, but also one of the most exhausting. It's not just playing with puppies and kittens; it is physically and mentally taxing at times, but the benefits of seeing an animal leaving the clinic happy and healthy is the best reward ever.
Tell us about one of your favorite patients.
It’s hard to pick just one, but the first patient that comes to mind is a Goldendoodle named Izzy who moved out of state, and I no longer get to see her. She was a regular boarding patient, and I loved playing with her on her walks; there was just something about Izzy. I still miss her.
Amanda with her Fiancé, Michael
Whenever you have a medical emergency, please call us or Animal Emergency Clinic and bring your pet in right away! Here are some things we recommend having on hand to help in those first few minutes of a medical emergency…
- Blankets – A blanket can be used for a stretcher for a large dog or to warm dogs and cats.
- Kennel – Have a kennel available to transport small dogs and cats.
- Leash – Have a leash on hand to lead dogs able to walk.
- Towels – A towel can be used to warm dogs and cats and to control bleeding.
- Bandage material – If bleeding is severe, a quick bandage for the ride to the veterinary hospital can be very helpful.
- Bandage scissors – Have bandage scissors on hand for cutting bandage material. Kids’ safety scissors work well also.
- Nail powder – Have nail powder on hand in case of a torn nail or a nail trimmed too short.
- Triple antibiotic ointment – Triple antibiotic ointment is helpful for small wounds and burns – which should still be examined!
- Muzzle – Even the nicest dog may bite if hurt! In a serious trauma, muzzle dogs before transporting them for your own safety.
- Hemostats or tweezers – Hemostats or tweezers are helpful to have on hand to remove splinters or stingers.
- Sterile saline eye wash – Any changes in eyes should be examined immediately. If a foreign substance has gotten into the eye, we may have you rinse the eye with sterile saline.
- Diphenhydramine – Have diphenhydramine (the generic term for Benadryl) on hand, and call us if you think your pet may need it. Diphenhydramine is often used with acute allergic conditions such as bee sting reactions.
- Important Phone Numbers – Have the numbers for Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals and Animal Emergency Clinic on hand so they can be accessed quickly.
Always call us at Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals before treating your pet with emergency care or medication, and we will walk you through any needed urgent treatment while you are on the way to the hospital!
Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals at 152nd and Maple (main location)
402-445-4400
Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals at 120th and Blondo
402-493-9650
Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals at 89th and Grant
402-397-4344
Animal Emergency Clinic
402-339-6232
What would you add to a pet first aid kit list? What have been your experiences with pet emergencies?
Gentle Doctor Animal Hospital has the BEST clients and patients in the world! We also have a very kind, compassionate and knowledgeable veterinary team. We would like to continue to introduce them to you!
Rhea Lukehart, LVT
Please meet another of our wonderful teammates, Rhea Lukehart!
Name: Rhea Lukehart
Position: Licensed Veterinary Technician
When did you join the Gentle Doctor team? October 2004
Rhea and Copper Tubing!
Tell us about the people and pets in your family.
I have 2 older sisters, 8 nephews and nieces and 6 great nephews and nieces. I have one dog, Copper, the love of my life, who is a Dachshund mix. She turned 12 years old in March 2014.
Copper Dog
What do you like to do when you are not restoring and maintaining the health of pets?
I like to go fishing and camping and to sit around campfires and to socialize with my friends. Most of all I love hanging out with my dog Copper and taking her on walks or to the lake.
Copper and her Bestie, Dr. Belfiore's Charlie Dog
What do you like most about your career?
I like hanging out with animals all day and working with all of my friends.
Copper and Charlie Belfiore
What is one of the more difficult aspects of your career?
Euthanasias. I get so attached to our patients and clients that it is always a very emotional and difficult process for me.
As an expert in your field, what advice would you give people about maintaining the health of their pets?
I would emphasize the importance of dental health and the effects that it has on all the other organs as animals mature.
Copper During her Acupuncture Appointment with Mom
What advice would you give someone looking into a career in veterinary medicine?
Be aware that it is not just playing with animals all day, it is not a very glorious job at times, and it is extremely demanding but also very rewarding.
Copper's Ninth Birthday 3 Years Ago!
Tell us about one of your favorite patients.
My very favorite patient is a Dachshund. She is adorable and has a huge toy duck that she carries around and waddles thru treatment. She is always wagging her tail and wanting us to play fetch with her!! The cutest part is the duck is as big as she is!!
Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals’ Breed of the Month for November 2014 is…
The Schnauzer!
Every month at Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals we choose a breed to highlight online. Sometimes we choose the breed of the month based on rescue groups we love, sometimes we choose the breed of the month based on the pets we have in our own families and sometimes we choose the breed of the month because, in our professional opinions, the breed we have chosen to celebrate is just a great breed!
Schnauzers
The breed we have chosen to celebrate during November 2014 is the Schnauzer.
Our banner dog is the super cute and super sweet one year old black and silver Schnauzer Ollie of Barb and Gene Ericson of Waterloo.
We will spend the rest of the month celebrating this breed with you!
Joining the Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals Breed of the Month Online Conversation:
Make sure to join us on whatever online forum you like best –
or right here on our blog in the comment section of this post. What questions do you have about Schnauzers? What do YOU love about Schnauzers? Let us know why YOUR Schnauzer or Schnauzer mix is great! Send us your pictures, your health questions and your stories. We are looking forward to this month with you!