Pedorthist joins Tavistock clinic 4
TAVISTOCK GAZETTE v WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2011
When your career is determined by a passion for helping people, you can’t help but be good at it. Growing up in northern Ontario, near Thunder Bay, Shannon Bunnett learned to love sports. She spent her leisure time cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowboarding in the winter and in the warmer months you’d find her camping, hiking, trail running and mountain biking. Later, she took on the enjoyment of spinning and yoga and playing squash. This led her to receive her Honours Kinesiology degree from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. She joined a competitive rowing team at that time and that experience caused her to focus on hydration studies. She then attended the University of Guelph where she received her Masters of Nutritional Science degree. While attending university, a part-time job turned into an apprenticeship at a local lab that made orthotics. She fast-tracked the three-year program and graduated in 2000. Then, by chance and circumstance, a business venture arose in Stratford and she hasn’t looked back. She has operated her own Pedorthist business in Stratford since June of 2000. Working out of the Pysiotherapy Alliance location at 276 Huron Street in Stratford, Shannon has previously had clinics in Woodstock and St. Marys, but is now focusing on the Stratford and Ta-
Shannon Bunnett, Canadian Certified Pedorthist
vistock locations, and opening an office in Waterloo in the fall. “I like multi-disciplinary offices where other health professionals are under one roof.” The principles in her practice are customer service, education and communication. “I really want to help people feel better,” she said. There are many individuals who may provide custom foot orthotics, however, Shannon says she puts the needs of the patient first and maintains a high level of care. Providing footwear education on features and fit is vital to her practice. She works with local shoe stores to ensure that her patients have a variety of appropriate footwear to choose from. Follow up appointments help to ensure that the orthotics are comfortable and helping, and that any new footwear fits appropriately. Pedorthic reports are sent to all referring professionals to maintain communication between Shannon and the health care providers of her patients. “How do they walk, stand. What is their alignment. I feel I’m very thorough,” Shannon said. And with a beginning background in the manufacture of foot orthotics, Shannon is one step ahead of most pedorthists. “I know how to make it,” she said. “And I can adjust, fine tune or repair many orthotics in my mini-lab right on site,” she added. That gives her patients immediate feed back, a true benefit. Based on a number of physical problems with feet, ankles or knees, either through injury or abnormalities, a physician or other prescribing healthcare provider’s referral is required. As footwear and orthoses experts, Canadian Certified Pedorthists work as members of the healthcare team to alleviate painful or debilitating conditions of the lower limbs. They can accommodate foot deformities, help with
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Shannon Bunnett joined the Tavistock Community Health clinic on June 7, 2011 and is available each Tuesday. As a Canadian Certified Pedorthist, she is a footwear and orthoses expert. the re-alignment of anatomical structures, improve balance, and enhance the actions of the lower limbs for improved control of biomechanical function. Shannon has been involved with the College of Pedorthics through proctoring exams and acting in a supervisory role to students from the Diploma of Pedorthics program during their practicums as well to co-op students from Lakehead University. She
has written articles for the Pedorthic Association of Canada newsletter to keep the members informed of Health and Safety issues. In the Spring of 2004, she was fortunate enough to travel to Nicaragua where she distributed gently worn shoes to those less fortunate. She continues to collect footwear to donate to local organizations. She has volunteered with the Festival City 10K run in
Stratford for the past 5 years. She has also been a volunteer at the House of Blessing in Stratford to help give back to the community. Shannon started at Tavistock Community Health on Tuesday, June 7 and will be there for appointments each Tuesday. She is currently in Stratford on Mondays and Wednesdays. Married in December of 2008, Shannon lives in Waterloo with her husband, Andy Taylor.
PUBLIC NOTICE OF PESTICIDE USE COUNTY OF OXFORD WEED AND BRUSH CONTROL ANNUAL SPRAY PROGRAM The County of Oxford will be spraying the roadsides in the Townships of Blandford-Blenheim, East Zorra Tavistock, Norwich, South-West Oxford and Zorra with the pesticide WeedAWay, Dichlorprop D herbicide emulsifiable concentrate, Dichlorprop: 300 g a.e./L 2,4-D: 282 g a.e./L (both present as 2-ethylhexyl esters) Registration No. 29509 under the Pest Control Products Act (Canada) to control weed and brush growth under the health and safety exception that affects Public Works.
Oxford County road painting operations are soon to begin for the summer. As seen above, the road painter is a white single axle truck with a ‘caution, road painting’ sign in fluorescent green on the back. This vehicle applies the paint and glass beads to the yellow centreline and the white edge lines. The water-based paint dries very quickly, but may still be wet behind the truck. If you stay back and do not pass, you will avoid getting paint on your vehicle.
Weedspraying is scheduled to begin on May 16, 2011 and will end on June 30, 2011. That commencement date is approximate and dependent on weather conditions. If you need to know how the weed control program is progressing in your area contact the County of Oxford Public Works Department, 21 Reeve Street, Woodstock, Ontario (519) 539-9800 or Toll Free 1 866-537-7778 (Scott Boughner, C.Tech., Roads Operations Supervisor Extension 3106)
When approaching this piece of equipment from behind please avoid passing if possible and continue to obey the signs on the roadway. Slowing down and proceeding with caution will help keep you, your vehicle, and County workers safe. Thank you in advance for your co-operation.
Open Fiddle & Stepdance Championships
28TH ANNUAL Southwestern Ontario
Friday & Saturday, July 1 and 2, 2011
Variety Show June 30 at 7:30 p.m. Fiddle & Stepdance Preliminaries Friday, July 1st at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, July 2nd at 9:30 a.m. Championship Finals and Show Saturday, July 2nd at 7:00 p.m. Buffet-Style Roast Beef Dinner Saturday, July 2nd - 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Tavistock & District Recreation Centre
Outdoor Community Breakfast Sunday, July 3rd - 8:00-11:00 a.m.
Tickets available at the door. For camping or information please call Marianne at 519-271-6115
http://www.cyg.net/~huitema