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ALL ABOUT PETS
Vet’s pet project becomes a reality JUSTIN LAFFERTY
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he 6,000-square-foot Antioch Veterinary Hospital at 5151 Deer Valley Road opened on
Feb. 7, but began with a dream about 25
Technician Matt Sheng cares for a dog in need of a tooth extraction at the new Antioch Veterinarian Hospital on Deer Valley Road.
years ago. Veterinarian Howard Schutzman, who heads up the hospital, and his fellow New York partner Arnold Gutlaizer fell in love with California when they came out to the West Coast for veterinary school – and set a goal of opening a shop of their own. Working with animals has been Schutzman’s dream since grade school. The dream was realized in April of 1986 when Schutzman and Gutlaizer took over a pet hospital at 1432 10th St. in Antioch. The just-opened Deer Valley site is their second, and according to Schutzman, the new facility is a state-of-the-art wonder and twice the size of the first. “We always wanted to own our own place and call the shots as we saw fit,” ON THE COVER: Local pets get pampered during last weekend’s Doggie Depot dog wash event benefiting the Homeless Animal Response Program. Photos by Rick Lemyre
Photo by Richard Wisdom
Schutzman said. “When we first took over (the 10th Street hospital), we had maybe five employees. Now we have 35 employees.” The new Antioch Veterinary Hospital has become a one-stop location for pet needs, and customers have taken notice – more than 400 people came by the open house in April. The hospital practices emergency services, wellness exams, vaccinations, major surgeries, chemotherapy and dentistry. Antioch Veterinary Hospital employs high-tech treatments such as endoscopy, ultrasound and digital X-rays. Pet owners can look up records through the hospital’s
website much like they can at their human physician’s. The facility, open seven days a week, also employs two full-time groomers, teachers for puppy classes and obedience training, plus boarding facilities. “We can do most anything that’s necessary to take care of people’s pets,” Schutzman said. “By offering so many things, it’s a big convenience for clients – also a major price savings.” Schutzman’s hospital is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association, something he said a mere 15 percent of
veterinary practices earn. The hospital is also Diamond Certified. The doctors love animals and strive to be as accessible to pet owners as possible. Schutzman noted that there’s plenty of love inside the company as well, as many of his employees have stayed for more than 20 years. “The community has responded to the care that we give pets,” Schutzman said. “People will say things like ‘I wish my own physician would treat me like you treat my pets.’” To comment, visit www.thepress.net.
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ALL ABOUT PETS
Make Your Pet ★ A STAR!
2010 OAKLEY PRESS OAKLEY
2010 OAKLEY PRESS OAKLEY
Contact The Press today and give your pet the spotlight! Submit your Pet of the Week ads@brentwoodpress.com Photo by Diane Lewis
A variety of playthings will help keep your dog content and stave off possible behavioral problems.
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“Many owners might be tempted to reprimand their dogs for what they interpret as bad behavior, such as inappropriate chewing and digging, but often such behavior is a sign of boredom,” says Gina DiNardo, spokesperson for the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Partners Program. Here are some of the AKC Canine Partners’ best tips to keep your pooch from becoming bored and acting out: Take preemptive measures An easy way to keep your dog entertained and prevent unwanted behavior is to give him a variety of toys and rotate favorites. Put “old” toys out of sight for a month or two, then bring them out again. Toys in which you can hide a treat will keep your dog extra busy. Dogs left unattended for hours during the day often become restless and act out. Leaving the radio or TV on when you’re away should keep them company and calm their nerves. Also keep in mind that a well-trained dog is a happy dog. A good training program, such as the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program, will teach your dog basic good manners such
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as sitting and coming when called, as well as other behaviors for daily situations. Spend time together Like humans, dogs are social animals. Unlike humans, they rarely complain about where you go – as long as they’re with you. “Owners can ensure their dog is happy and well socialized with some easy steps that will not only curb Fido’s boredom but increase the bond you have with him,” said DiNardo. “Try incorporating your dog into your daily errands and activities, like exercise, to benefit his health and yours.” Take your dog for walks or throw a ball around to get him up and moving. Or play hide-and-seek by keeping your dog occupied in one room with treats while you go and hide in another, then call his name and see if he can find you. Or conceal a treat in one hand while holding both arms out, and let your dog select one. He gets the treat if he picks correctly. Put Fido to work When in doubt, give your pooch a task. Teaching him to fetch the paper or simply making him sit before getting a treat will give your dog a sense of purpose and accomplishment while keeping his mind occupied and body out of trouble. For more ideas on having fun with your dog, visit the AKC Canine Partners website, www.moredogfun.com. – Courtesy of StatePoint MEDA L LD AWARD
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MAY 13, 2011
ALL ABOUT PETS
Shannon Wilson, 13, watches Princey the prancing Pomeranian at the Doggie Depot Charity Dog Wash Saturday.
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Doggie Depot pampers pooches RUTH ROBERTS
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brushes, shampoos and nail clippers and you’re ready
to doll up your dog. But what happens when your charming Chihuahua or glorious golden just won’t cooperate? How do you know when it’s time to call in the professionals? “Dogs are very much like children – they always behave better for other people,” laughed Randae Bither, owner of Doggie Depot in Brentwood. “So we are often more successful at getting the job done than their owners might be. We know how to handle all kinds of breeds and personalities because that’s our training. For us, that’s part of the fun.” For nearly 20 years, Bither has been beautifying the canine population with her special brand of pampering and professionalism; a job the Discovery Bay resident considers a labor of love. “We have a very loyal following, and that’s something I’m very proud of,” said Bither. “People trust us to take care of their babies and that really means a lot. “I have something I call the Randae Standard. It’s not just a regular standard of care; it’s my personal standard of professionalism. We stand behind everything we do – period – and I think people
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Photo by Rick Lemyre
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appreciate that.” And so do the dogs. From shampoo blowouts to haircuts, ear cleanings and nail clippings, Bither and her professional staff offer a full complement of services and plenty of TLC. But like all good parents, if one of the “kids” doesn’t want to cooperate, Bither has no compunction about tough-loving her canine clients. “We try to get around our more strong-willed animals any way we can; we don’t sedate or medicate them,” said Bither. “But if we have to, we’ll bring out the Cone of Shame. We call it the party hat. If they can’t behave, they get a free party hat. It’s all about their safety and protection. We want it to be a good experience for everyone.” Since each animal is unique, when it comes to haircuts Bither encourages owners to convey their personal wishes to the Doggie Depot staff. “There’s no such thing as a regular haircut,” she said. “So I tell people to come in with an idea of what they want for their dog and to even bring a picture. Of course, it’s a little bit like going to the salon with a picture of Jennifer Aniston and asking to look like that, but we do the best we can.” So what’s popular for today’s cosmopolitan pooch? “Well we do a lot of color,” said Bither. “We have one poodle, an old girl, who’s a little gray, and she comes in and gets her coat dyed. But we also do a lot of crazy see Depot page 6B
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ALL ABOUT PETS
Five-star treatment for four-legged pals JUSTIN LAFFERTY
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hen planning a summer
the calmer dogs. In the penthouse suites, pets enjoy relaxing music and TV. Owners can request certain channels be played so pets can hear a familiar sound throughout their stay. The entire experience can be customized with comforts from home or toys and beds provided by the resort. The main suites don’t feature TVs but do feature the love and attention of the
resort’s handlers. “Throughout the day, we’re constantly going into their rooms because they do need that stimulation, especially the smaller pets or a dog that has been rescued or adopted,” Lisa said. “They need that little extra love because they’ve gone through a tragic situation.” The resort also features a kitty room providing plenty of room to explore, plus a
large cat tree for playtime. Pets are let out twice a day for about 15 minutes in the five large exercise rooms, as well as given one-on-one playtime. For safety reasons, the playtime is with a caregiver at the resort and not with other pets. There are a bevy of extras for pet owners to choose from, including grooming, time in the swimming pool and “yappy hours,” which include playtime, a cookie and some ice cream. Brentwood Pet Resort accommodates roughly 20 to 25 pets per week and fills up fast during the summer and Christmas season. Krissy and Tim started the business 14 years ago out of love for animals and to fill a need. Tim noted that pet owners have come from as far away as San Francisco, Fremont and Santa Cruz to give their animal companions the resort’s special brand of pampering. In addition to dogs and cats, the boarding house is also prepared to care for birds, hamsters, bunnies, rats and guinea pigs, although owners must provide the cages. “Whatever they want us to do,” Tim said, “we basically do.” To comment, visit www.thepress.net.
ing list. “Yes, please, we ask people to make appointments,” said Bither. “Clients always ask if they can come in today and I tell them no, we are not Super Cuts for dogs. We make appointments so we can give them the full attention they deserve.” But in the end, according to Bither, choosing a groomer should be less about popular haircuts and up-to-the-minute dye
jobs than expertise and experience. “If someone is looking for a groomer, they should definitely ask questions about their education and experience and whether they are familiar with your particular breed,” said Bither. “It’s kind of like finding a pediatrician for your child: you want the best one you can find. “But it needn’t be a formal process. Really, it’s about listening to your gut and
finding someone you’re comfortable with and is good with your dog. It’s about listening to your little voice and paying attention to it. That’s how you’ll find the best fit.” Doggie Depot, located at 1300 Central Blvd., Suite E in Brentwood, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For additional information, call 925-516-7224. To comment, visit www.thepress.net.
vacation, your pets can get the same kind of
pampering you do, including penthouse suites, DirecTV and a dip in the pool – all locally. The family-owned Brentwood Pet Resort offers several of these amenities for travelers who want their pets to receive top-quality treatment when they’re away. Located at 600 Concord Ave., the resort emphasizes personal, loving care of its furry guests. The L’Amoreaux family – husband and wife Tim and Krissy, as well as daughters Lisa and Sara – is hands-on when it comes to treatment, welcoming personal suggestions from owners for the most pleasurable experience possible for the pet. “I was noticing that Brentwood needed a good care facility for pets,” Tim said. “There’s nothing like it in this area. We created something that we would want our pets to visit when we went on vacation.” The Brentwood Pet Resort has four penthouse suites as well as two other “condos” in the senior area, reserved for
Depot from page 5B colors and color enhancements. Mohawks are also very popular right now. We try to do whatever the owner wants – within reason, of course.” However, if you’re looking to visit Doggie Depot, be sure and call ahead. Bither and her staff are so popular that up until a few weeks ago, they had a new client wait-
Photo by Justin Lafferty
Lisa L’Amoreaux spends some one-on-one playtime with Si Si at the Brentwood Pet Resort’s kitty room.