Monday, November 26, 2012

Team Member of the Month- Lee Ashton



Team Member of the Month- Lee Ashton



We would like to honor Lee Ashton by making her HAH’s team member of the month for November 2012.  Lee has worked in the hospital kennel since December 13, 1996.  Lee is a soft spoken woman…unless she feels you’re not doing what is best for a patient or the hospital in general!
Lee is definitely set in her ways and knows how she wants things done. That’s why we are going to miss her so much when she moves to Pennsylvania in December.   We want to wish her well and should she decide the “sunny south” is the place to be, we hope this is the first place she stops!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Isabel's Race to Fight Cancer!!!


Everyone has their own bucket list. Some items will have a greater impact on our lives than others, but all are listed to one day check off.  One item that has always been at the top of my list but always seemed out of my reach is to participate in a full or half marathon.  I came across the American Cancer Society half Marathon run during a very difficult time in my life when I saw first hand how quickly cancer can destroy everything you love, cherish and live for.
My mother Luisa Velez was only 45 years old when she started to feel fatigued and uncomfortable.  At the point when this became unbearable she went to the doctor not expecting to hear what he had discovered.  After a series of tests and lab work he told her that she had cervical cancer. She was diagnosed March 25, 2011; the day of my 24th birthday. From that point on in our lives time seemed to accelerate at an uncontrollable speed. Due to our financial situation, my family did not have health insurance, thus, it was necessary for her to return to her home country of Colombia to receive treatment.  She immediately started chemotherapy and radiation therapy, along with several other medications.   My family did everything in our power to keep her happy and comfortable.  Despite all the treatment she received, the cancer continued to spread.  As it continued to destroy her body she experienced weight loss and weakness, leading from one complication to another.  Her body, ultimately, couldn't handle the cancer any more.  My mother passed away on April 13, 2012.

She left behind two kids and a husband. There is nothing harder than losing someone you love; some one that raised you, gave you nothing but their best, someone that has touched your life forever. I know I am not the only one feeling like this. Cancer has touched many other lives, including, fathers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts- or maybe you have been the one that has been touched. The American Cancer Society fights for more birthdays and more survivors. By your generous donation we can fight back and help others that are going through the worst experience of their life- such as, myself.

Help me reach my goal of $5000.  I thank anyone that can help me in accomplishing my goal and supporting American Cancer Society.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO MAKE A DONATION TODAY! 





November- Patient of the Month Highlight




 
Koas, an eight year old mixed canine was seen on emergency for multiple gunshot wounds. That morning his owner returned home from work and let Kaos out only to be awaken later by the sound of gun shots and Kaos running inside.  He had been shot three times.

 Kaos had two bullets lodged in the soft tissue around his chest and abdomen and a shattered left scapula. His temperature was elevated and he was in shock. Our emergency doctor, Dr. Lukens, triaged Kaos and stabilized him.
The following morning Dr. Shapiro took over the case and discussed the poor prognosis with the client. Due to massive injury from ballistic penetration into the thoracic and abdominal cavity requiring multiple surgeries, with high risks of anesthesia, infection and potenital suffering, Koas' owner's had a difficult decision to make.
Meanwhile Kaos seemed to be resting comfortable even wagging his tail. That is what changed things. Kaos was a strong boy with a great spirit and together his family decided to go forward.

Kaos was hospitalized for a week where he underwent two surgeries that addressed the soft tissue damage caused by the gun shots. His scapula was left to heal naturally and he was sent home with instructions for bandage care and scheduled bandage changes. Within a month, Kaos was healing beautifully and was even putting some weight on his left leg.


Kaos’ spirit was the initial key to his success. He was a strong patient that always had a tail wag or lick for everyone. His progress was a joy to be a part of.  We are happy to highlight him as our patient for November.




Isabel: American Cancer Society Half Marathon Run


Everyone has their own bucket list. Some items will have a greater impact on our lives than others, but all are listed to one day check off.  One item that has always been at the top of my list but always seemed out of my reach is to participate in a full or half marathon.  I came across the American Cancer Society half Marathon run during a very difficult time in my life when I saw first hand how quickly cancer can destroy everything you love, cherish and live for.
My mother Luisa Velez was only 45 years old when she started to feel fatigued and uncomfortable.  At the point when this became unbearable she went to the doctor not expecting to hear what he had discovered.  After a series of tests and lab work he told her that she had cervical cancer. She was diagnosed March 25, 2011; the day of my 24th birthday. From that point on in our lives time seemed to accelerate at an uncontrollable speed. Due to our financial situation, my family did not have health insurance, thus, it was necessary for her to return to her home country of Colombia to receive treatment.  She immediately started chemotherapy and radiation therapy, along with several other medications.   My family did everything in our power to keep her happy and comfortable.  Despite all the treatment she received, the cancer continued to spread.  As it continued to destroy her body she experienced weight loss and weakness, leading from one complication to another.  Her body, ultimately, couldn't handle the cancer any more.  My mother passed away on April 13, 2012.

She left behind two kids and a husband. There is nothing harder than losing someone you love; some one that raised you, gave you nothing but their best, someone that has touched your life forever. I know I am not the only one feeling like this. Cancer has touched many other lives, including, fathers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts- or maybe you have been the one that has been touched. The American Cancer Society fights for more birthdays and more survivors. By your generous donation we can fight back and help others that are going through the worst experience of their life- such as, myself.

Help me reach my goal of $2000.  I thank anyone that can help me in accomplishing my goal and supporting American Cancer Society.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO MAKE A DONATION TODAY! 





Monday, November 12, 2012

Pet Food Drive at HAH


BROWARD MEALS ON WHEELS FOR PETS FOOD DRIVE AT HOLLYWOOD ANIMAL HOSPITAL NOW THROUGH THANKSGIVING
Hospital Will Match Food Donations Pound for Pound

WHO/WHAT:
Hollywood Animal Hospital (HAH) is kicking off its 65th anniversary by teaming up with Broward Meals on Wheels (BMOW) to gather food for pets of homebound seniors throughout Broward County. 

Donations of canned and dry foods for cats and dogs made through December 15th
will be matched pound for pound by HAH.

BMOW delivers pet food once a month to homebound seniors who need assistance taking care of their in-home pets.  Pet food is provided through the generosity of community donations. For additional information on BMOW, please visit http://www.bmow.org/our-services/.

WHEN:
Now through December 15th
7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Monday - Saturday

WHERE:
Hollywood Animal Hospital
2864 Hollywood Boulevard, one block east of I-95
Hollywood, Florida 33020
954.920.3556

HOW:
Just stop by with a donation of canned, dry or dehydrated food for cats or dogs.



Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Our cat expert, Dr. Anne Romano!!

In honor of National Cat Week we would like to highlight our cat expert, Dr. Anne Romano.

Dr. Anne Romano joined the team at Hollywood Animal Hospital as part of the hospital’s internship program in 2007 after graduating from Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007.  (Go BIG RED!)  After the internship was over, Dr. Romano stayed on as an associate and has been part of the Hollywood Animal Hospital ever since. 

Dr. Romano has known she wanted to be a veterinarian since she was a little girl.  According to her parents, her first words were “I see kitty.”  This led her on a life-long course to become a veterinarian, and during that time she was guided by her love of felines and other animals she knew she wanted to care for.  She is currently pursuing certification with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioner’s Feline Specialty.

Dr. Romano met her husband, Chad, in high school.  After dating throughout undergrad and grad school, they were married in 2007.  They currently have two cats – Guenhwyvar & Spicey McHaggis. 



Friday, November 2, 2012

2012 Best of Hollywood Award


Hollywood Animal Hospital Receives 
2012 Best of Hollywood Award

Hollywood Award Program Honors the Achievement

HOLLYWOOD October 18, 2012 -- Hollywood Animal Hospital has been selected for the 2012 Best of Hollywood Award in the Veterinarians category by the Hollywood Award Program.

Each year, the Hollywood Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Hollywood area a great place to live, work and play.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2012 Hollywood Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Hollywood Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Hollywood Award Program
The Hollywood Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Hollywood area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.
The Hollywood Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.


Hollywood Award Program