Pets and the People They Own - A section of the Oklahoma Senior Journal magazine by Spec Creative

FOUR LEGGED LEGGED FOUR FRIENDS WELCOME WELCOME FRIENDS

INSIDE:

AT STATESMAN CLUB AT STATESMAN CLUB

An Independent An Independent Living Community Living Community See us on pages 76 & 77 See us on pages 76 & 77

WINTER/SPRING 2019-2020 Your Other Family Doctor Having a relationship with your local veterinarian is crucial. See page 72b

A Story of Rescue, but Who Rescued Whom? Dennis Helm of Smooth Finish tells his rescue story of a much-needed companion. page 75

Â© OKLAHOMA SENIOR JOURNAL 2019-20

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It's All About PETS and the People They Own ... ! ®

Dr. Weiss with some of her feathered and furry friends

Your Other

Family Doctor By Dr. Kimberly Weiss

any of us live on a fixed budget, and money doesn’t go as far as it used to. But our pets are family, and when they get sick we want to take care of them. Sometimes in our rush to help, we allow ourselves to be talked into expenses that aren’t really necessary and don’t address the problem.

When your feathered or furry friend gets sick, you may feel the need to get them to a veterinarian NOW. Your pet may have an urgent problem, but there’s always time to take a breath or two and just ask yourself the question: “Is it really urgent, or can it wait until morning?” This is where having a relationship with your local veterinarian is crucial. Your local veterinarian knows your pet and can help you decide if you’re having an emergency or if it’s something that can wait for a day. I’ve seen too many well-meaning people immediately take their sick pet to an emergency corporate veterinarian, spend thousands of dollars, and have nothing left for long-term treatment. Family veterinarians are usually less expensive. We value long-term relationships and are willing and able to work with you to provide testing and treatment options that will fit within a budget. We know your pet and her history, so we can tell which symptoms are actually urgent and which are not. Since we are community-based, we know what diseases are local and won’t waste your money on unnecessary tests. We and our staff know you and your pet. We value your business and strive to provide a pleasant, warm and inviting atmosphere and strong value. As in many other parts of business, large corporations are pushing local, family veterinarians out of practice. They can afford to spend more on advertising or afford to have clinics in expensive malls. I would ask you to consider your local family veterinary practice. You, your pet, and your wallet will all be happier.

Call 405-525-2255 | HealingHandsVetCenter.com 72b

It's All About PETS and the People They Own ... ! ®

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When the therapy animals come to visit StoneCreek, you know it's going to be a good day. Our pet-friendly community lets you keep your best friend while making new ones.

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17701 N. Western Ave., Edmond, OK 73012 405-330-5020 • StoneCreekEdmond.com #5548

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It'sIt's All All About About PETS PETS andand thethe People People They They Own Own ... ! ®... ! ®

Physician’s Choice Hospice Pet Therapy Brightens Patients’ Days Pet therapy is just one way the Physician’s Choice Hospice team enhances the lives of patients. Molly, a mild-mannered border collie, is an important part of this team, regularly going out to visit patients. The unconditional love provided by Molly and dogs like her bring soothing comfort, entertainment, and joy. It’s part of their mission of “making moments matter” every single day. Molly visits assisted living facilities, nursing care facilities, and individual homes, too.

Jessee Hyden, Intake Coordinator for Physician’s Choice Hospice, with therapy dog, Molly, outside the office in Edmond.

For more information on Physician’s Choice Hospice and their special approach to caring for patients, please read their article on page 84.

(888) 819-2119 14324 North Western Ave., Edmond || PhysiciansChoiceHospice.com

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It's All About PETS and the People They Own ... ! ®

EST. 1987

A Story of Rescue, but Who Rescued Whom?

See Our Article Page 21 Call Now to Schedule! 405-923-5127 Serving Oklahoma since 1987 Commercial & Residential

By Susan L. Slater

Dennis Helm, owner of Smooth Finish Roofing & Construction, has been a pet lover for as long as he can remember. Dennis remembers “rescuing” a stray dog when he was a young boy, but he says, “this dog rescued me for 16 years!” His older brother found a stray dog that the boys’ struggling mom was against taking in. But they kept pleading their case and immediately named the female dog Snoopy. When Dennis’s mom realized that Snoopy was smart and well-trained, she finally gave in.

After the article ran, someone called the paper, and Dennis got Snoopy back. Two days later, Snoopy had 16 healthy puppies! Giving Back to Pets in Need Because of his love for pets, Dennis will donate $25 to $75 to the Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma City for each roofing job that he does for readers of the Oklahoma Senior Journal. The Pet Food Pantry is an organization that provides pet food to lowincome seniors, veterans, and the homeless. Smooth Finish Roofing & Construction has been serving Oklahoma customers since 1987. They take pride in their work, have built a solid reputation, and specialize in helping seniors (see article page 21).

Dennis had a sometimes-difficult childhood and Snoopy was a much-needed companion. Dennis says he talked to her like a best friend. Snoopy followed Dennis to school every day and would always wait outside the school doors for him. She slept in bed with Dennis every night and was always there when he was having a bad day. They were inseparable. Dennis remembers the day that Snoopy got lost—January 4, 1969. They’d taken Snoopy, pregnant at the time, to their grandparents’ house for a birthday party. When they realized she had gotten out and lost, Dennis was devastated. They immediately called the Daily Oklahoman to run a small ad in the Lost and Found section. The paper sympathized with the family who had lost their beloved

pregnant dog and ran a half-page article to help find Snoopy.

Give Dennis a call at (405-923-5127) for a free roofing inspection, consultation, or estimate after our multiple Oklahoma storm seasons. He can help you and the Pet Food Pantry pets at the same time!

Oklahoma Senior Journal

OKALA

Senior Guide Post

VillagesOKC

EST. 1987

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It's All About PETS and the People They Own ... ! ®

s an active older adult, your retirement lifestyle should be defined by choice. Independent living is for seniors who are able to live on their own, but want the convenience of life enrichment activities, social programs, restaurant-style dining, home maintenance and housekeeping, transportation, security, and the option of additional care if needed down the road. Older adults who are seeking this lifestyle often find independent living communities to be an ideal solution. In addition to the amenities that come with a social and active retirement, these communities also offer private apartments and safe and secure living. This lifestyle is made enjoyable by caring, compassionate staff—from groundskeepers and housekeepers, professional culinary staff, security and maintenance workers to personal care and medical professionals.

Embark at Statesman Club, located in

vibrant Oklahoma City, offers residents an independent living lifestyle that boasts countless opportunities for fun and relaxation. Tranquil Lake Hefner is close by, as are plenty of places for shopping, dining and entertainment. Plus, our community features beautiful spaces, generous amenities, 24/7 security and dedicated

staff who help you enjoy senior living in Oklahoma City, worry-free. THE EMBARK MISSION We are on a mission to elevate retirement living. Our core values guide us every step of the way: Excellence

Because the pursuit of excellence is built into our DNA, we’ll take the time to attend to the details in order to provide the finest independent living experiences for our residents. Integrity

Because we believe in a higher standard, our business practices reflect that. We are committed to fair and honorable practices in business management, employee relations, supply chain management, environmental programs and social responsibility. Innovation

We are dedicated to finding ways to make retirement living better and challenge the status quo to anticipate the needs of our residents today and in the future.

It's All About PETS and the People They Own ... ! ®

A HEALTHY, ENRICHING LIFESTYLE Our enriching activities celebrate our residents’ unique personalities while keeping health and wellness top of mind. As part of our program, we develop an individualized wellness profile and program of daily activities for each resident. Plus, we work to expand our residents’ horizons with our special dining events. Each month, we provide cultural activities that include savory culinary delights from near and far. This is just one way we work to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our residents. Choice is part of the senior living lifestyle at Embark. Our menus are inspired by our residents’ preferences, special diet and personal care needs. We understand their preferences because we meet with residents regularly to learn what they like and to listen to their suggestions about menus. Plenty of choices are offered at each meal, from original culinary creations to traditional dishes. Plus, we mix it up regularly with special theme parties and chef challenges to keep the mealtime experience fresh, new and exciting. PETS AND YOUR HEALTH At Embark, our unique approach to activity programming even incorporates pet therapy into our schedule of activities. Did you know that animals have health benefits for older adults? Studies have proven that blood pressure and cholesterol levels are known to improve as stress is decreased by interaction with a friendly cat, dog or other pet. Furthermore,

pets offset loneliness, boredom, stress, anxiety, pain and depression. Seniors who own dogs go to the doctor less often than those who don’t. In a study of 100 Medicare patients, even the most highly stressed dog owners had a 21% lower level of physician contact than non-dog owners. Clinical studies prove hormone levels of serotonin and dopamine increase when petting an animal, which creates an overall feeling of well being. A PET-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY Our residents are welcome to bring their furry companions with them when they choose to live with us. Many of our residents love taking care of their pets, and we know this can be one of the most important things to consider when you are looking at senior living options. Embark at Statesman Club features outdoor walking areas within our gated community, where our residents and their pets can enjoy an active day together. Additionally, our community offers scheduled local transportation for errands and appointments – including those for your pet.

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT EMBARK AT STATESMAN CLUB?

Visit EmbarkSeniorLiving.com or call 405.562.5694 for more information.

AT STATESMAN CLUB

It's All About PETS and the People They Own ... ! ®

The Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma City Providing pet food to low-income seniors, veterans & the homeless. Central Oklahoma's Food Bank for Pets

The loss of a pet is stressful & brings difficult decisions Precious Pets Cemetery has a knowledgeable, caring staff dedicated to help you through difficult times.

Monetary and pet food donations are needed!

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• pet and equine cremation • burial services on our beautiful grounds • individual cremation • urns, caskets, and grave memorials Pre-need planning is also available and encouraged. Call today. Precious Pets Cemetery in Spencer & Pet Memorial Gardens in Norman www.PreciousPetsCemetery.com

405.771.5510

� www.pfpokc.org (405) 664-2858

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