Hidden Hills Community Register • November 2020

HIDDEN HILLS RAISED ASHLEE SELLUNG SHARES HER EXPERIENCES AS A WOMAN FIGHTING THE WILDFIRES IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Your Home Value Has Changed!

To receive an Instant and Accurate Home Value Report Straight to Your Inbox, Visit: HiddenHillsHomeValues.com

How it Works

Are you interested in selling your home, but concerned about paying for home improvement services upfront? By leveraging David Watkins’ Concierge Services, your home will receive the updates and renovations needed prior to hitting the market, such as staging, flooring, painting and more — at no upfront cost to you. It’s an interest-free, simpler way to increase your return on investment.

1. You and David discuss and evaluate which services can increase your home’s value the most

2. An estimated budget is established

3. When you’re ready to start work, David will manage the timeline and ensure communication and routine check-ins are performed

4. Once the updates are complete, your home will be listed on the market

The David Watkins Difference

David Watkins has trusted, local vendors and contractors on call for any home service improvements. His several years of experience in updating and selling every level of home from ‘fixer upper’ to homes that only need light updating has enabled him to prioritize exactly what your home's unique needs are. His goal is to achieve a top return of investment for your property while ensuring that the budget, time frame and quality of work is executed in the most hassle-free manner possible for you.

Hidden Hills Resident, Realtor®

5716 JED SMITH RD, HIDDEN HILLS

DRE #00797531

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Beds, 5.5 Baths | 6,273 sq ft | $5,995,000

CONSUELO DRIVE , CALABASAS

sq ft | $2,620,000

WHAT DISEASES ARE HIDING IN YOUR MOUTH? Disease can be hiding in your mouth which can find its way into your blood stream to create inflammation contributing to diabetes, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, high blood pressure, certain cancers, kidney disease or even a stroke!

SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU? Complete Health Dentistry is a unique practice that looks at the relationship between your mouth and body to determine the most appropriate way to treat your overall health. We call this the oral-systemic connection

HEALTHY MOUTH • HEALTHY BODY • HEALTHY LIFE

At Complete Health Dentistry of Woodland Hills, our entire team is working hard to educate and change public behaviors and address the importance of oral health as it relates and links to a patient's overall health. We believe in offering a complete range of dental services under one roof to make it convenient for our patients and their families. We also know that by making good oral health a priority, you can reduce many risk factors for developing other general health problems.

Dr. Bruce Beard and Dr. Manny Fernandez are here to consult with you regarding Complete Health Dentistry

ANOTHER HAPPY CLIENT IN HIDDEN HILLS!

”I’d met Jason and Missy through a food truck event that they hosted in the community and when we decided to move our family out of state and rent our Hidden Hills home I had their card close by. Within a day of speaking they had come out to our home, given us a few tips on making it more appealing to renters and shared their knowledge of the current market relative to our neighborhood. When the time came to actively list our house, Missy and Jason provided recommendations for everything, from painters to property managers and we had an open

Jason

dialogue about the listing price. Within 24 hours of being active on the MLS we had 3 offers and were able to secure a years lease up front and above our asking price. The Improta Team knows the Hidden Hills real estate market and their drive to make the most of every listing is what set them apart for our family. I have no reservations about recommending their expertise and services to anyone who is thinking about buying or selling (or leasing!) in Hidden Hills.”

— Owner of Long Valley

Melissa Improta Estate Agent missy@improta.com

DRE

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LIFE ON THE FIRELINE

Hidden Hills raised Ashlee Sellung shares her experiences fighting wildfires.

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ON THE TRAIL

Photos from your neighbors that capture Hidden Hills’ most unique feature, our trails.

27

FOOD TRUCKS

Rev up your tastebuds or November.

28

SEVEN BENEFITS OF STRENGTH TRAINING

Certified Personal Trainer Rick Staddon on the benefits of going beyond just cardio.

32

CHEF CLAUDINE’S RECIPE

Small gathering friendly Thanksgiving dishes from Fig & Sprig.

38

POWER RIDE

Electric powered E-bikes open up a whole new world for trail riders of all fitness levels.

42

ADOPTING A PET: DO’S AND DON”TS

DVM Allie Tashnek on the best practices for adopting a pup.

49

EQUESTRIAN TIP

The clock is falling back. Here are some safety tips to help you through the dark.

SUPPORTING BUSINESSES

This community publication is created exclusively for you and all of our Hidden Hills neighbors and is made possible with the generous support of these local businesses.

REAL ESTATE AGENTS

MARK & SARA SHEVIN (pg. 1)

DAVID WATKINS (pg. 2)

JILL ROSENBERG (pg.6)

JASON & MELISSA IMPROTA (pg.9)

HILTON & HYLAND (p. 17)

DAVID SALMANSON (pg.21)

MICHAEL BLOOM (pg.26)

LISA MORIARTY (pg. 44)

ANIMAL CARE

ALLIE TASHNEK, DVM (pg. 7)

BARKBUS MOBILE GROOMING (pg. 45)

START RESCUE (pg. 52)

HEALTH/WELLNESS/BEAUTY

THE ATRIUM (pg. 4)

COMPLETE HEALTH DENTISTRY (pg. 8)

SALON NUUVO (pg. 29)

COURTYARD PHARMACY (pg. 33)

YOU & ME SPA SERVICES (pg. 33)

VITALITY PERSONAL TRAINING (pg. 36)

CALABASAS MEDICINE

DANIEL ROSEN, MD (pg. 41)

DINING

LOVI’S (pg. 10)

FIG & SPRIG EATERY (pg. 21)

RIB RANCH BBQ (pg. 42)

HOME SERVICES

SUN FIRE DEFENSE (pg. 11)

MURRE CLEANERS (pg. 12)

FUTRONIX AUDIO VIDEO (pg. 15)

AE AUDIO VIDEO (pg. 16)

UNIVERSAL APPLIANCE & KITCHEN CENTER (pg. 20)

GREEN LEAF PRO (pg. 21)

DENT MECHANIX (pg. 31)

EDLC LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION (pg. 35)

LIGHTSCAPING BY DESIGN (pg. 50)

OC MARBLE & GRANITE (pg. 51)

LEGACY LANDSCAPE SERVICES (pg. 51)

PURE BUILDERS (pg. 53)

EDUCATION

SYNERGY ACADEMICS (pg. 14)

NOVEL EDUCATION GROUP (pg. 31)

JEWELRY / LUXURY

RAIMAN ROCKS (pg. 37)

GOLD COAST COIN EXCHANGE (pg. 43)

BEN BRIDGE JEWELERS (Back Cover)

Founder, Jennifer Lopata

With over 20 years experience in education, behavioral therapy, and child development, Jennifer has developed an affinity for helping children and teens navigate through adolescence and early adulthood.

Fireline Life

SELLUNG

PHOTOS BY MINETTE RUBIN & ASHLEE SELLUNG

HIDDEN HILLS RAISED ASHLEE SELLUNG SHARES HER EXPERIENCES AS A WOMAN FIGHTING THE WILDFIRES IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Change can be seen to some as a stressful and unwelcome experience, but I have always viewed it as an exciting opportunity for growth and personal development. From transferring high schools in my senior year, moving to Washington D.C. for a summer during my undergrad to intern for a federal agency, and now joining an all-male wildland firefighting crew, I have never shied away from a new experience. In August 2020, I officially put my plans of applying to law school on hold to quickly pack a bag and leave home within an hour of receiving an invitation to move to Oregon to work as a wildland firefighter for the summer.

Upon my arrival, I was greeted by a group of smiling faces and a large cup of coffee as I completed my 13-hour drive through the night just in time for wildland firefighter school to begin. After finishing a week-long class about fire science and passing what is known as the “pack test,” traveling three miles on foot while wearing a forty-fivepound vest in under forty-five minutes, my summer of firefighting was ready to begin. Little did I know that my very first fire season would consist of working on some of the most devastating wildfires in U.S. history. In particular, the August Complex fire in Northern California, which shattered

the record for the largest California wildfire to date burning over one million acres.

Growing up as an athlete I learned that my body is capable of amazing things and is meant to be pushed to its limits. Transferring that mindset to meet the physical demands of wildland firefighting was essential for my success, especially as the only woman on the crew. Being a female in this field of work means constant evaluation, as within this job, you may find yourself in life or death situations and it is critical that we as a crew could rely on one another with the utmost trust to ensure the safety and well-being of the group. Most days I do not notice that I am the minority, but other days the male-oriented culture is especially prevalent. I often would find myself being tested and observed closely to see how I would respond to specific situations, whether it be danger or a laborintensive mission. Each task or mission we were assigned was a new opportunity for me to prove myself and demonstrate to my crew that I would not let my gender limit my abilities. Instead, I viewed my role as the only female on the crew as an opportunity as well as a responsibility to demonstrate to others the specific strengths not only I but women as a whole bring to male-dominated fields. Through it all, the diversity within the group created an efficient and overall more resilient crew out on the fire line.

The support I have received since beginning my new adventure has been overwhelming. My nineteen new fire brothers have taught me a number of invaluable lessons about fire dynamics and wildland safety, but most importantly they have taught me the value of confidence and humility. As my summer of wildland firefighting comes to a close, the friendships I’ve formed from these once complete strangers are ones I will cherish forever. The lessons these brave gentlemen have taught me are ones I plan to take with me back to Los Angeles and will continue to emulate as I return to my track towards law school.

AS MY SUMMER OF WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING COMES TO A CLOSE, THE FRIENDSHIPS I’VE FORMED FROM THESE ONCE COMPLETE STRANGERS ARE ONES I WILL CHERISH FOREVER.

GROWING UP AS AN ATHLETE I LEARNED THAT MY BODY IS CAPABLE OF AMAZING THINGS AND IS MEANT TO BE PUSHED TO ITS LIMITS.

ON THE TRAIL

OPPOSITE-TOP: JILL GREEN, WORKING OUT WITH HER BOYS AS THEY RUN TO A RIDGE LINE.

OPPOSITE-LEFT: THE PHILLIPS FAMILY, OUT FOR A RIDE. STEVE, ON “MONTY,” SOPHIA, ON “SMOKEY,” AND SARAH, ON “EVAN”.

OPPOSITE-RIGHT: JILL GREEN’S VERSION OF “SELF CARE,” GETTING A BIT OF ALONE TIME, RIDING GRACE. PHOTO TAKEN ON THE ACCESS TRAIL OFF ROUND MEADOW, ACROSS FROM THE LITTLE RED BUS STOP.

AT LEFT: QUINN FENTRESS, GRANDDAUGHTER OF LONNA WEBER, RIDING “SWEET PEA.”

BELOW : LOCAL COWBOYS CHUCK PICK (L), ON “LIBERTY,” AND ROB RAZNICK (R), ON “MONTANA,” OUT IN AHMANSON RANCH. PHOTO BY LINDA RAZNICK, ON “ZEUS.”

michael BLOOM

Michael Bloom

“As

ORDER AHEAD ONLINE ONLY

...up to 24 hours in advance and select your pick up time at FoodTruckFinder.com/Hidden Hills. No walk ups.

FOOD TRUCKS AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER

cooks. Cuisine features everything from the classic pad thai and drunken noodles to pad siew and pineapple fried rice. Plus Thai iced tea to wash it all down.

Cheese, the idea sparked, and Richeeze was born.

The more we talked about the idea we began to smile and say, Richeeze! The idea caught like wildfire and next thing you know everybody was walking around saying “Smile and Say Richeeze.”

Next, we sought out to create the Best Grilled Cheese Sandwiches on Earth. Finding the right combinations of crisp toasted bread and gooey melted cheese stuffed with the best ingredients.

Mikhuna is focused on providing high-quality service and customer satisfaction - we will do everything we can to meet your expectations. Finally true Peruvian fare at a location near you, from the convenience of a truck! We bring you a small taste of authentic Peruvian Cuisine. Going back to our roots and bring you a true taste of unadulterated flavors you are sure to love.

Mikhuna’s new venture is here!

Mikhuna’s boutique restaurant is a new culinary experience exclusively for adults. A two and a half hour tour of the best of Peruvian gastronomy, in a private and inviting setting. We are not your average brick and mortar, this is an all inclusive experience in which you decide to take a tour of Peru by Land or by Sea.

East meet West, Dina’s Dumpling is a modern Chinese food truck located in the heart of LA. Our goal is to bring you authentic, delicious Chinese dumplings in a fast affordable way, street style. We take pride in our simplified menu.

We love what we do, and take pride in preparing our food using simple, fresh ingredients daily.

Finding the right combinations of Baby’s has been at the forefront of the LA food truck scene since our inception in 2009. With over 14,000 twitter followers, a 4-star Yelp rating & winners of several food contests it’s apparent why Baby’s is a leader in the food truck industry.

8E8 Thai Street Food was founded by a descendant from a long line of Thai

Richeeze Melts is the culmination of a want for an amazing Grilled Cheese Sandwich that we all loved as kids. We were talking about why there weren’t enough Grilled Cheese Sandwiches out there, and how much everyone loves the All-American Classic Grilled Cheese Sandwich. As we sat and talked about our childhood memories and love for Grilled

A Southern California and Baja style Charbroiled Fish Concept.

STRENGTH TRAINING SEVEN BENEFITS OF

THAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW

BY RICK

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Many people avoid strength training, convinced that cardio is more effective. However, strength training is the only type of exercise that will completely transform your body. Properly performed strength training can accomplish physical changes that traditional cardio training simply can’t.

Such as:

Only strength training builds and maintains your muscle tissue. Cardio simply can’t deliver the physiological changes that you desire. Properly performed strength training is progressive, where you gradually lift heavier weights over time.This progressive overload is the signal your muscles need, forcing them to adapt and respond by toning and strengthening.

Strength training strengthens your joints.

Due to the repetitive nature of cardio, it is naturally hard on your joints. But, strength training is inherently low impact and low force which means less stress on your joints. This in turn lends greater safety and less chance

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of injury. And, all of the connective tissues in and around your joints, receive downstream strengthening and conditioning since they are directly connected to your muscles.

Strength training improves your cardiovascular function. The cardiovascular system functions to deliver oxygen to, and remove waste products from, your working muscles. With little rest between exercises during a well developed strength training routine and a high level of effort, strength training can produce cardiovascular benefits at least equal to traditional cardio training, in less time.

Strength training supports weight loss and weight management. Since strength training adds lean muscle tissue to your body, your basal metabolism increases and your body becomes more efficient at burning calories. You also experience a longer term post exercise oxygen consumption and calorie burning (known as the after burn effect) than cardio training, Only strength training can allow you to gain lean muscle tissue and lose excess body fat, concurrently.

STADDON CERTIFIED FITNESS INSTRUCTOR AND OWNER OF VITALITY PERSONAL TRAINING, INC.

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Strength training protects and promotes your bone health.

By strengthening the skeletal muscles as under resistance,  your connected bones respond to the torsional effect placed on them and get stronger. This only becomes more important as you get older. The increased bone density your skeleton experiences from strength training, protects against injury and osteoporosis.

Strength training improves your mood and mental health.

The empowered feeling you experience after completing a challenging strength training workout, can improve your mental outlook. And, the sense of accomplishment and a greater sense of well-being you

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feel from a consistent strength training routine, can improve your mood and ensure positive mental health.

Strength training helps you live longer. Since one of the biggest benefits of strength training is the increased structural strength and stability it provides your body, strength training then is the best type of exercise to help you remain mobile and independent. It builds and maintains the function and stability you need as you get older, to continue enjoying your favorite activities and boost your longevity.

New research and studies are consistently emerging about the benefits of strength training. Incorporate it into your workout routine and experience the myriad of benefits that it offers.

RICK STADDON CERTIFIED FITNESS INSTRUCTOR AND OWNER OF VITALITY PERSONAL TRAINING, INC.

The Newest Wave of Education

Novel Education Group is an elite homeschooling & academic enrichment agency that provides a fullservice, flexible, and customized curriculum for students from grades Kindergarten through Twelve.

By providing US Accredited courses anywhere in the world, we allow students to tailor their schooling experience to fit their individual goals: students may enroll in full-time homeschool, pursue highly specialized interests, and complete enrichment programs with educators dedicated exclusively to your student.

Contact us at Noveleducationgroup.com

TIFFANY SORYA, FOUNDER

Tiffany Sorya is the founder of Novel Education Group. She is a renowned influencer and thought leader in the education industry, widely recognized for spearheading a fundamental change in the way young people engage with education in the digital age.

Herb Garlic Roasted

Turkey Breast

Withgatherings diminished, and what may prove to be the most unconventional Thanksgiving America has seen just weeks away, our craving for tradition and some kind of common, shared experience remains. Here, from Fig & Sprig in Calabasas, are some simpler options for a holiday meal, adaptable to celebrations of any size, however small.

FEEDS 6-8

• 2 1/2 lb turkey breast

• 1 tsp allspice

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp ground black pepper

• 1/2 tsp nutmeg

• 1 head of garlic minced

• I large hand full of fresh parsley chopped

• Xtra virgin olive oil

• 7-8 peeled halved shallots

• One bunch celery

METHOD

• Preheat oven to 450

• Rinse and dry turkey breast. Season with salt

• In a small bowl mix all spices together. generously season turkey with mixture on all sides

• In large bowl combine garlic, parley ,and 1/2 cup olive oil

• Add turkey to bowl ad rub with garlic parley mixture

• In a roasting pan make a bed with shallots and celery stalks broken up

• Season veggies with salt and a little olive oil. Place turkey breast on top.

• Place pan on center rack of oven. Cook 15 minutes at 450. Turn oven down to 350 and continue to cook for about 45 minutes or until temp reaches 150-155 degrees. Remove from oven and let rest 20 minutes before serving.

Roasted Heirloom Carrots with pistachio dukkah

FEEDS 6-8

• 3-4 bunches heirloom carrots

• 1/2 cup raw whole pistachios

• 1 tablespoon whole cumin seed

• 1 tablespoon whole coriander seed

• 2 tablespoons white seasame seeds 2 tablespoons black sesame seedss

• 1Greek yogurt

• Pomegranate molasses

• 2-3 cloves garlic

• Salt

• Xtra virgin olive oil

• Fresh thyme

METHOD

• Preheat oven to 450

• In a small oven proof pan place pistachios and alll of the seeds/toast for about 5 minutes.remove from oven and let cool

• Cut off tops of carrots leaving about an inch of green at the tops /peel carrots.

• Smash a few cloves of garlic

• Place carrots /garlic/thyme and a few tablespoons of olive oil with a pinch of salt in roasting pan.

• Cook in oven for about 35 minutes or til carrots begin to char.

• Place pistachios and seeds in spice blender and pulse a few times .add 1tsp salt to mixture.

• Put carrots in serving dish , sprinkle with pistachio mixture generously /drizzle with pomegranate, molasses finish with a big spoonful of greek yogurt

• And more pistachio mixture

Courtyard Pharmacy’s founding pharmacist, Greta Goldshtein, is an advanced practice pharmacist. She based Courtyard Pharmacy’s services on a collaborativecare model that includes a pharmacist who can augment physician-provided care, deliver medication therapy management, provide preventative care services, and facilitate transitions of care. The pharmacy’s staff can steward the care of your family members to alleviate the burden on busy caregivers having to navigate mediation therapy on their own. They also make house calls and deliveries.

Greta and her staff strive to build strong relationships with their neighbors so that they can get a full understanding of every patient’s needs, meet their expectations and keep them involved in their care at every phase. State of the art healthcare and wellness support are now available to all age groups at your doorstep in Calabasas.

818.403.3072

Agnieszka Cey

Massage Therapy and Custom Facials • Waxing • Dermaplaning

Clients You May Recognize in Hidden Hills... Hugh and Kim Gagnier, Peter and Megan Rice, Heather and Todd Lieberman, Sheree and Dan Funsch, Leslie and Cliff Gilbert-Lurie

Massage Therapist & Esthetician Mobile and In Studio Services

To Schedule an Appointment, Please Call or Text 818.903.6114

Greta Goldshtein, PharmD, APh

CHEF CLAUDINE’S

Green Bean Casserole

FEEDS 6-8

• 1lb green beans

• 4 cups of crimini or button mushrooms

• 2 cloves garlic

• 4 yellow onions

• 11/2 cups whole milk

• 11/2 cups heavy cream

• 4 tablespoons butter

• 2 tablespoons flour

• 3 cups canola oil for frying

• Trim green beans and cut them in half

• bring salted water to a boil in a medium size pot

• Blanch green beans for 5-8 minutes .drain and cool on sheet tray

• Clean and slice mushrooms

• Saute mushrooms garlic and onions with one tablespoon butter til light brown and beginning to caramelize

• Add two more tablespoons butter and two tablespoons flour and sauce for a few more minutes

• Add 1/12 cups whole milk and 1/12 cups heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper and continue to cook til mixture

begins to thicken. Cook one more minute and remove from heat.

• Cut remaining two onions in half, then each half in thin slices . Toss onions with flour in a small bowl.

• Bring 3 cups oil to 350 degrees/shake off excess flour from onions in a mesh strainer. fry in small batches. Drain on paper towels and season with salt.

• Put green beans ,mushroom mixture and half of fried onions in large mixing bowl.stir to combine, adjust seasoning.

• Pour mixture into casserole dish and top with remaining onions-bake at 350 for 25minutes.

DON’T WANT TO COOK THIS THANKSGIVING? YOU CAN PREORDER YOUR MEAL TODAY!

We are a reliable company that wants to earn your business. We show up when we say we will.

Our hands on approach with our clients gives them the security knowing we have their interest above all.

we

Our maintenance services will show when we are done with our service visit. Your property is ready for entertaining.

ride power

E-BIKES ARE OPENING UP THE POSSIBILITY OF DAY RIDES FROM HIDDEN HILLS TO THE PALISADES AND BEYOND

Steve Weber – Hidden Hills Resident Ken Fuchs – Hidden Hills Resident

Andrew Kramer – Calabasas Resident

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN YOU COULD DRIVE YOUR CAR ACROSS THE MOUNTAIN TO THE WEST SIDE OF LA.

We started our ride at the 21300 block of Mulholland Drive where the road turns into a dirt road. There was a time when you could drive your car across the mountain to the west side of LA. It now is Topanga State Park for hiking, biking and equestrian riding. We rode for a few miles and made a right turn on Temescal Ridge Trail heading to HUB Junction. Then from the HUB we ventured out to Eagle Rock and then to Trippet Ranch,

OPPOSITE: HIDDEN HILLS RESIDENT, STEVE WEBER, ON THE TRAIL NEAR EAGLE ROCK. ABOVE: THE VIEW OF LAKE ENCINO, WITH THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY BEYOND. RIGHT: THE STARTING POINT INTO THE MOUNTAINS, AFTER A SHORT

RIDE OUT THE LONG VALLEY GATE ALONG MULHOLLAND HWY. BELOW: (L) HIDDEN HILLS RESIDENT, KEN FUCHS AND CALABASAS RESIDENT, ANDREW KRAMER. (R) FORMER COLD-WAR ERA NIKE MISSILE CONTROL SITE “LA96C.”

an old skeet shooting ranch now part of the state park. We headed back to Mulholland and set out to LA96C, formerly a NIKE Missile control site. Looking back to the Valley you can see Lake Encino in the distance. This area is so close to Hidden Hills and many of us have never seen it. If Ahmanson Ranch is in Hidden Hills backyard then Topanga State Park is in the front yard. A must for people who love the outdoors and adventures.

TOP: KEN FUCHS TAKES A SELFIE NEAR EAGLE ROCK.

RIGHT (CLOCKWISE): ANDREW KRAMER AND STEVE WEBER. THE TRAILHEAD THAT LEADS ALL THE WAY TO THE PALISADES. A TRAIL MAP, LOCATED AT A HUB JUNCTION.

A Medical Practice, Reimagined and Personalized.

Old school medicine meets modern technology.

✓ Comprehensive visits that are not rushed

✓ Direct access to the doctor 24/7

✓ In-depth doctor-patient relationships

✓ Personalized health plans that are focused around preventative care

✓ Most up-to-date and effective diagnostic tools

✓ Bloodwork, digital x-ray, ultrasound, and cardiac testing all done under one roof

✓ House calls available

✓ Complete COVID-19 testing abilities

CALABASAS MEDICINE

DANIEL ROSEN, MD

Concierge Primary Care Board Certified Internal Medicine

Meet Dr. Danny Rosen

A Local Tradition Since 1970, Our Family’s Special BBQ Recipe is Legendary.

A Local Tradition Since 1970, Our Family’s Special BBQ Recipe is Legendary.

INDOOR FIRESIDE OR PATIO DINING CATERING

INDOOR FIRESIDE OR PATIO DINING

FAMILY OWNED FOR 50 YEARS, WE ARE HERE FOR YOU NOW MORE THAN EVER.

CATERING

LARGE PARTIES

LARGE PARTIES

HAPPY TO BRING IT ON OVER!

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RibRanchBBQ.com

4923 Topanga Cyn Blvd. Woodland Hills

Topanga Cyn Blvd. Woodland Hills

ADOPTING A PUPPY: Do’s & Don’ts

WRITTEN BY ALLIE TASHNEK, DVM

As we all know, these last few months have seen large numbers of folks staying home due to the COVID pandemic. With everyone being home, lots of people are adopting new pets. This is great news for dogs and cats (and other adoptable critters). Shelter and rescue intake numbers are at low levels, and veterinary offices are bursting at the seams with new patients. However, this summer, veterinarians have also seen a large outbreak of Canine Parvovirus and Canine Distemper; two viruses that most often affect puppies. After asking many vets on their thoughts as to why we are seeing this uptick in cases, the consensus was that there are likely two reasons. First, many dogs have not been getting vaccinated on time due to the pandemic. Second, as demand for dogs and puppies increased, breeding has also increased, and not the responsible kind. Backyard breeders and “puppy mills” are churning out dogs to meet the supply and a lot of these dogs are coming from substandard conditions where disease is rampant. It is not all doom and gloom however, read on for some helpful tips on how to adopt or buy a puppy responsibly.

First, make sure to research the breed of puppy you are choosing to ensure it is a good fit for you and your family. If you lead an active lifestyle, a larger dog that requires a lot of exercise may be a good fit, but if your lifestyle is more on the sedentary side, a smaller lap dog type may be better. All dogs shed to

some extent, but if this is an issue for your household, make sure you look into breeds that shed very little. Many dogs end up being re-homed or worse due to them not being a good fit in the household, so make sure to do your research up front to spare the heartache for all parties, especially the dog.

Second, research the source that is offering the puppy for sale. Most non-profit rescues follow good protocols and are likely researching you before they adopt out to you, however it is still a good idea to do some research on their organization. This is even more important for breeders and other online sources. There are definitely reputable breeders out there, but they sometimes get lost among the myriad of online sources. Remember that reputable breeders are running a legitimate business. They often have a website, reviews from other happy dog owners, and often have a presence in the show or competition community for that breed. They also should allow you to visit their facility and meet the dogs. The breeder should be asking you a lot of questions about your lifestyle as well. Trustworthy breeders want their dogs to have good, caring homes, and they want the dog to be a good fit. After all, they don’t want the buyer returning the dog, so it is in their interest to make sure they sell to families that are able to handle the puppy and the breed they have chosen.

If the seller of the puppy doesn’t fit the above criteria, that’s a red flag! Online sources of puppies should be

Dr. Allie grew up in Hidden Hills as an avid equestrian. She went on to receive her veterinary degree from University of California, Davis in 2017. She now practices as a mobile house call veterinarian seeing her patients, large and small, in the comfort of their own homes. drtashnek.com

scrutinized closely - this includes community sale sites like Craigslist but also websites that exclusively sell puppies. Commonly, these sites do not allow visits to investigate the conditions of the puppies or their breeding dogs.  Emergency veterinarians have observed that the majority of the puppies that come in with infectious diseases are brought in by loving new owners that had purchased the puppy from Craigslist or another online avenue. The poor unsuspecting owners only had these puppies for a few days and were now saddled with a vet bill exceeding a few thousand dollars, with no promise of a healthy puppy. Supporting these types of sellers with our dollars, allows them to keep breeding.

So, you have followed the above advice and found a reputable seller. Congrats on your new puppy! Once you get your puppy, take it to a veterinarian right away for a check-up to get a clean bill of health and to plan for vaccines and deworming. Remember, puppies are like newborn babies in that their immune systems are very delicate. The best cure for most infectious diseases is prevention. Do not allow your puppy to go out into public spaces until

he is fully vaccinated - this means he should not go for a walk, and he should not even go into your front yard if there is a chance that other strange dogs have been there. Parvovirus, for example, is spread not just from dog to dog contact, but by fecal-oral transmission. This means that a small amount of virus on the sidewalk where another dog recently defecated, can make your puppy deathly ill if he steps there and then licks his paw. Other diseases like Distemper virus can be spread via airborne transmission. The advice for keeping your puppy healthy is much like the advice human doctors give in this pandemicavoid contact with contaminated surfaces, and socially distance! And of course, contact your vet to make sure your puppy gets fully vaccinated.

Disclaimer: This article is only intended to provide general information and not intended to provide veterinary medical recommendations. Please consult with your pet’s veterinarian for medical advice specific to your pet.

TRUSTWORTHY BREEDERS WANT THEIR DOGS TO HAVE GOOD, CARING HOMES, AND THEY WANT THE DOG TO BE A GOOD FIT.

Daylight Savings Time is Ending Soon!

Helpful Tips for Horse and Rider Safety in the Autumn & Winter

Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, November 1st, which means that more riders will be finding themselves dealing with dusk and evening conditions during their rides. This seems like a good time to review safety tips that especially pertain to this time of year.

Riding and hand-walking your horse in low light conditions can be extremely dangerous, and should be avoided if possible. If you find yourself out with your horse at dusk or after dark, it is important to remember that we do not have streetlights in Hidden Hills. Even with streetlights, in spite of their size, horses are not readily visible to approaching vehicles. White blazes and white horses do not make horses immune to this problem. Without reflective gear of some sort, cars may not see you and your horse until it is

too late for them to avoid you or slow down to a safer speed when passing.

In addition, while horses have better night vision than we do, things that look familiar and nonthreatening during the daytime may be unfamiliar and frightening to your horse at night.

Wear reflective gear! Ideally you and your horse should be wearing items that are reflective, such as vests, helmet bands, browbands, riding sheets, and various bands for both horse and rider.

Websites that have reflective gear:

EReinsofthenight.com

EHorze.com

WE USE ONLY BRASS OR COPPER FIXTURES MADE IN L.A. DESIGNED TO BE EASY TO MAINTAIN AND EASY TO MODIFY