​When it comes to new pets, there are small things you can do at home to help prepare them for veterinary visits in the future. 

1. Handle and play with their paws when spending time together. Your puppy likely won’t even notice that he is undergoing desensitization training. This small practice can help make future nail trims a breeze!
2. Ears are checked during every physical exam for signs of pain, irritation, infection and parasites. Regularly petting your pets’ ears will help make future veterinary exams more comfortable for your pet. If your pet has long or droopy ears, flip them up a few times a week.
3. Good dental hygiene can’t start too early! Help your pet adjust to routine dental checks and teeth brushing by introducing toothbrushes early. Letting them chew on and play with their toothbrush will help make dental care fun. Occasionally, flip up their lip and look at their teeth. This small practice will help make their veterinary visits less stressful and help you identify changes in their dental health.

For more tips on new puppy care, check out this article from Preventive Vet - including socializing your puppy while social distancing! 
​https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/socializing-your-puppy-while-social-distancing

At Friendship Pet Hospital we are keeping a close eye on the rapidly developing Covid-19 pandemic. At this time, we are using several layers of protection for you and your pet. 

A few examples of the new protocols we have put in place are as follows:

• Concierge service only for the majority of  appointments 
• Telemedicine options available for our existing clients 
• Split teams to reduce the number of employees in the building at one time 
• Hourly disinfecting of the clinic
• Thorough cleaning and disinfecting of the clinic between teams
• Masks are worn at all times
• Hand washing between each and every patient

We are closely following the developments of Nadia, a 4 year old tiger at a Zoo in New York, who recently tested positive for Covid-19. You can read more about her story here: Newsroom - Nadia 
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At this time, we are supporting the following recommendations made by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association):

• If you are not ill with COVID-19, you can interact with your animals as you normally would, including feeding and otherwise caring for them. You should continue to practice good hygiene during those interactions (e.g., wash hands before and after interacting with your animals, including handling of food, supplies, and waste; keep feed, water, and any supplies used to deliver them clean; remove soiled bedding and replace as appropriate).
• Out of an abundance of caution and until more is known about this virus, if you are ill with COVID-19 you should restrict contact with pets and other animals, just as you would restrict your contact with other people. When possible, have another member of your household or business take care of feeding and otherwise caring for any animals, including pets. If you have a service animal or you must care for your animals, including pets, wear a cloth facemask; don’t share food, kiss, or hug them; and wash your hands before and after any contact with them.
• There have been no reports of pets or livestock becoming ill with COVID-19 in the United States. At this point in time, there is also no evidence that domestic animals, including pets and livestock, can spread COVID-19 to people.

 https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/covid-19 
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We appreciate your support and flexibility while we work to remain a leader in standards or care and safety of the community. Currently, we will remain open 8:00 am - 8:00 pm 7 days a week. We miss seeing our clients and want you to  know that, as always, your pets are well loved while in our care. 

Take care and stay healthy!
Lori Stephens, DVM and Owner at Friendship Pet Hospital and Wellness Center 
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Our very own, Dr. Heron is a huge participant and leader of mission trips to Honduras. This project is near to her heart for many reasons. We are so proud and fortunate to have her here with us at Friendship Pet Hospital and Wellness Center. 

Over thirty years ago Seguin area veterinarian Bill Campaigne and others were invited by the Episcopal Bishop of Honduras to visit to see how they could help the people in Honduras. He responded by deciding to go to do veterinary work. Lynn Campaigne choose to do public health work, some did construction, and others went offering their gifts and talents.  They went to Siguatepeque, Honduras, to investigate the problems. What they found changed their lives.

People in Hondurans depend on their animals for livelihood, and Bill saw lots of problems. His initial effort focused on eliminating rabies in the area.  The effort continued with preventative vaccinations and parasite control.  Eventually, he took teams of veterinarians and laypeople from around the world on annual trips to vaccinate animals. Thirty years later, thousands of volunteers have participated in vaccinating tens of thousands of animals. The program grew to include teaching programs. Volunteers on the public health teams eventually worked in the schools.

A program like this doesn’t just involve Americans showing up once each year; people from other countries participate as volunteers, and a large group of Honduran people and organizations grew to support the effort.

​In the early years, support from the Episcopal Church of Honduras was essential. Oscar Ochoa Mendoza rose as an Honduran partner in ministry. He facilitates the paperwork needed by the government and coordinates housing, meals, transportation, and much more. In years that followed, Oscar brought in the coffee and vegetable co-op, Cafe CorHorSil, to provide logistical support – transportation, storage, and security. Josefina Gross Echeverria was and is a major force in this ministry. She provided important early support of the public health teams and helped direct the work in building a model school at Santa Rosita.  Dr. Oscar Gross is the in-country physician who provides necessary medical support, coordination with the government, developing relationships with local people, and was an integral part of building a new, state of the art birthing center for the poorest of the poor. The local military and city officials have helped with shipments, logistical support and hosted fiestas for the team and recognized their contributions. The local school system is a partner in all the public health work that has grown to include vision clinics and another mission, The Owen Project. The local government and businesses go out of their way to support the teams.  There are hundreds of ordinary mountain people who participate with hands on work and joyful generosity of heart.

This mission may come from the United States, but it arrives in Honduras to the welcoming arms of people and organizations who have paved the way for the volunteers to go to work.
To learn more visit - ​http://lovehonduras.org