Displaying items by tag: pets
- Dr. Eric Eisenman is the Founder & Chair of the Board of International Veterinary Outreach (IVO) which focuses to create healthy communities free of animal suffering. IVO takes a One Health approach to develop and implement sustainable veterinary services and training programs in economically-disadvantaged communities worldwide. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine (MPVM) from University of California-Davis in 2014 and 2015, respectively. In parallel with leading IVO's programs and operations, he is currently studying to become a diplomat for the American College of Animal Welfare (ACAW).
- Envisioning a world free of animal suffering where communities connected with animals thrive: Learn about International Veterinary Outreach's programs around the world. Helping animals, helping people.
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Dr. Terry Fossum, a board-certified veterinary surgeon with 35 years of experience as a clinical surgeon, researcher, academic administrator, and entrepreneur. Experience in clinical trial design, naturally occurring animal disease, drug and device development, animal health, and good laboratory practices. Proven track record as an executive leader, program developer, and fund-raiser. Broad experience in company start-up, R&D, corporate finance, consulting, and program management. Author of the best-selling veterinary textbook, Small Animal Surgery.
Dr. Fossum is currently the CEO and Co-founder of Dr. Fossum's Pet Care and the CEO of Epic Veterinary Specialists. Dr. Fossum was the Vice President of Research and Strategic Initiatives at Midwestern University and was formerly the Vice Chancellor for Global and Corporate Partnerships for the Texas A&M University System, as well as a co-founder of Rescue Therapeutics, Inc. (a TAMU spin-out company developing novel therapeutics for cancer and immune-mediated disease).
Dr. Fossum received her D.V.M. degree in 1982 from Washington State University, completed a surgical residency and Master of Science degree in 1986 from the Ohio State University and received a Ph.D. in Veterinary Immunology from Texas A&M University in 1992. She received Board Certification in Veterinary Surgery in 1987 and joined the faculty of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M later that year. In 1992, she completed a Ph.D. in Veterinary Microbiology.
Dr. Fossum also established the no longer active National Veterinary Cancer Registry (NVCR) in 2013, which is a national database formed to identify and register pets diagnosed with cancer in order to facilitate and promote medical treatments that lead to advances, higher success rates and eventual cures for cancer in pets and people. A joint effort between the CARE Foundation, Baylor University Medical Center (BUMC) at Dallas and the Texas Veterinary Oncology Group – the NVCR advances veterinary cancer research by gathering information from pet owners whose pets are diagnosed with a naturally occurring cancer and pairing them with emerging medical treatments.
Jaguar Health Announces Launch of the First U.S. Canine Cancer Registry and Canine Cancer Care Index
"Canine Cancer: Take C.H.A.R.G.E." (Canine Health And ReGistry Exchange) Based on Nationwide Gallup Poll of Pet Owners and Initial Assessment of More Than 35,000 Canine Medical Records
Initial Data from Gallup Poll of More Than 3,500 Dog Owners Suggest Nearly Five-Fold Greater Incidence of Canine Cancer Than Human Cancer; More Than 80 Percent of Respondents Believe a Registry is Needed to Help Dogs with Cancer
Take C.H.A.R.G.E. Scientific Advisory Board of Veterinary Oncologists and Experts Support Adoption of New Comparative Oncology Diagnostic Codes to Strengthen Registry Impact
Join us TODAY for Special NYC Media Event and Performance to Celebrate the Launch of Take C.H.A.R.G.E. on National Canine Cancer Awareness Day
SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 23, 2022 / Jaguar Health, Inc. (NASDAQ:JAGX) today announced the launch of Canine Cancer: Take C.H.A.R.G.E. (Canine Health And ReGistry Exchange), a first-of-its-kind national Canine Cancer Registry and Canine Cancer Care Index to provide the veterinary community and dog owners with important incidence and prevalence data to help guide canine cancer diagnosis and treatment decisions. Launched on the first National Canine Cancer Awareness Day and co-sponsored by Jaguar Animal Health, TogoRun, and Ivee, the initiative will initially access information about canine cancer from two key sources: a nationally representative multi-year Gallup survey of U.S. dog owners, and a retrospective review of more than 35,000 anonymous canine patient records uploaded into a secure customized database with more than 830 confirmed cancer diagnoses.
The Gallup survey, conducted in March 2022, estimated the prevalence - the percent of U.S. dogs with cancer in 2021 - was 3.4 percent, less than the approximately 5 percent prevalence in humans that year. The survey also found that the incidence - the percent of U.S. dogs newly diagnosed with cancer in 2021 - was 2.8 percent, which is approximately five times the 0.57 percent incidence of newly diagnosed cancer in humans that year. This finding is startling since researchers have assumed that canine cancer rates mirror human cancer rates.
"We established Take C.H.A.R.G.E. to fill a major research gap among the veterinary community and dog owners in the United States because, until now, there has been no nationally based dog owner survey or registry focused on canine cancer," said Jaguar Health founder, president and CEO Lisa Conte. "The information from Take C.H.A.R.G.E. will provide the first ever national representation of the incidence and prevalence of canine cancer and will help inform decisions that advance the quality of life of both dogs with cancer and their owners. The data may also provide insights to help better understand cancer in humans."
Other key findings from the Gallup survey include:
- More than 8 in 10 dog owners favored the creation of a canine cancer registry to better understand the disease and advance treatments
- After mixed-breed dogs, the 10 most represented breeds in the survey were: 1) Labrador, 2) Chihuahua, 3) Pitbull, 4) Golden Retriever, 5) German Shepherd, 6) Yorkshire, 7) Dachshund, 8) Boxer, 9) Beagle, and 10) Shih Tzu
- 68 percent decided not to treat their dog for cancer due to the age of their dog (54 percent), treatment cost (39 percent), treatment side effects (38 percent), or other reasons
- Across all dog owners, the vast majority (92 percent) said they did not have pet insurance at the time of diagnosis
- Nearly 3 in 4 dog parents who experienced canine cancer in the past 10 years were satisfied or very satisfied with their overall experience during treatment, even though only 39 percent reported that their dog was actually cured or went into remission
- While a high proportion of dog owners (46 percent) ‘strongly agreed' that their dog received high quality cancer care, only 30 percent strongly agreed that they knew what to expect during their dog's cancer treatment
- When asked to imagine how difficult it would be for members of their household to manage various chemotherapy-related side effects, the percent of all dog owners rating them as difficult or very difficult were: pain (60 percent), urinary incontinence (43 percent), diarrhea (41 percent), vomiting/nausea (39 percent), decreased appetite (20 percent), and fatigue/lethargy/lack of energy (19 percent)
- Dealing with canine cancer has a major impact on dog owners' well-being, including depression, anxiety, lack of sleep, and missing work or other obligations; for example, 63 percent of respondents reported feeling a lot of stress and 58 percent reported feeling down and depressed a lot during their dog's cancer
- Dog owners' ability to manage their dog's side effects from cancer treatment, such as pain, urinary incontinence, and diarrhea, is the best predictor of key well-being outcomes of the pet owner
- However, many dog parents find managing treatment side effects especially challenging:
- 92 percent of dog owners with no canine cancer experience and 65 percent of those with canine cancer experience said they knew little or nothing about side effects
- Only 22 percent ‘strongly agreed' that they have been able to manage their dog's cancer treatment side effects well, and only 29 percent have a clear understanding of potential side effects of treatment
- Having a veterinarian who cares about a dog's comfort, high quality of care, and thorough explanation of treatment options were most critical to overall treatment satisfaction, whereas management of side effects was the most important factor in determining the negative impact canine cancer has on dog parents' well-being
The complete results of the Take C.H.A.R.G.E. Gallup survey of pet owners can be found here.
Canine Cancer Care Index
In addition to assessing canine cancer incidence and prevalence, and dog owners' perceptions, emotions and experiences related to canine cancer, Gallup used data from the survey to calculate a Canine Cancer Care Index that reflects three dimensions related to canine cancer care: knowledge, quality of care, and canine comfort. Ranging from 0 (the worst possible score) to 100 (the best possible score), the Index will help assess whether canine cancer care experiences are improving, worsening, or staying the same for dog owners and their dogs over time. Gallup determined that the baseline for the Canine Cancer Care Index is 80.5 or a B-, indicating a clear need for improvement.
"Protecting dogs from cancer begins with knowing its impact by breed, type, age, gender, and location," said Take C.H.A.R.G.E. Scientific Advisory Board co-chair Dr. Terry Fossum, DVM, MS, PhD, Diplomate ACVS. "The U.S. has lagged behind other countries where there are multiple canine health registries and there have been several attempts by other groups to establish a U.S. registry without success. We have to do better for our dogs and we believe Take C.H.A.R.G.E. finally will give us the tools we need to advance canine cancer care."
Take C.H.A.R.G.E. Scientific Advisory Board
The Take C.H.A.R.G.E. Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) includes eight leading U.S. veterinarians specializing in canine oncology and surgery. One of the SAB's first and most important activities is driving adoption of a consistent canine cancer diagnostic coding system and supporting the goals of the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute Comparative Oncology Program.1 Comparative oncology is the study of naturally developing cancers in pet dogs and other animals as models for human cancers. It provides a novel approach to generate new information about cancer, for example environmental risk factors, genetic determinants, and evaluation of new treatment approaches. In support of comparative oncology, the SAB is encouraging veterinary clinics to adopt coding practices that align with the recently published Veterinary International Classification of Diseases for Oncology Canine Tumors First Edition, or Vet-ICD-O-canine-1,2 which is based largely on the most recent version of the human cancer coding system, ICD-O-3.2.3
"The heart of any cancer registry is its cancer coding system," said SAB co-chair Dr. Craig Clifford, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology). "As we continue to enhance the Take C.H.A.R.G.E. registry, we will incorporate Vet-ICD-O-canine-1, as it is a user-friendly, easily accessible, comprehensive resource for veterinary doctors, researchers, and specialists. This will allow us to make more ‘apples to apples' comparisons of canine cancers in the United States and other countries and regions, which in turn will help us better understand and treat canine cancer."
The Take C.H.A.R.G.E. SAB members include:
- Dr. Craig Clifford, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology), SAB Co-chair. Director of Blue Pearl Science and Medical Oncologist at BluePearl Pet Hospital in Malvern, PA.
- Dr. Theresa (Terry) W. Fossum, DVM, MS, PhD, Diplomate ACVS, SAB Co-chair. CEO and Co-founder of Dr. Fossum's Pet Care and CEO of Epic Veterinary Specialists.
- Dr. Susan Ettinger, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), also known as Dr Sue Cancer Vet®. Practicing veterinary cancer specialist, co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Fidu, a teleconsulting company for veterinarians.
- Dr. Trina Hazzah, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), CVCH. President and co-founder of the Veterinary Cannabis Society, the first US-based non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization building awareness of cannabis as medicine for pets.
- Dr. Chad M. Johannes, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM, Oncology). Associate Professor, Colorado State University, ACVIM Oncology Specialty President Elect.
- Dr. Doug Thamm, V.M.D., Diplomate ACVIM (Oncology). Barbara Cox Anthony Professor of Oncology at Colorado State University and Director of Clinical Research for the Flint Animal Cancer Center.
- Dr. David Vail, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology). Professor of Oncology, Barbara A. Suran Chair in Comparative Oncology, Director of the Barbara A. Suran Comparative Oncology Research Institute, University of Wisconsin.
- Dr. Rachel Venable, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology). Owner, Pet Cancer Care Consulting, Arizona.
Take C.H.A.R.G.E. Website
Data from the Registry will be accessible to the public via an interactive, easy-to-use dashboard on the Take C.H.A.R.G.E. website, with open access for clinical practitioners and academia to all canine cancer medical record data for research purposes. The Registry will continue to grow as veterinary clinics and pet owners upload medical records of dogs with cancer at no cost to the clinic or pet owner. The data is de-identified, anonymized, and protected following General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) guidelines to ensure participant information privacy.
Take C.H.A.R.G.E. will also focus on raising awareness of canine cancer by promoting the first annual National Canine Cancer Awareness Day on May 23rd so dog owners will have access to the latest information on types of cancers by breed, symptoms, and treatment options.
Take C.H.A.R.G.E. SAB member Dr. Sue Ettinger said, "Recent advances in chemotherapy, as well as advances in managing chemotherapy side effects such as vomiting, poor appetite, or diarrhea, should be discussed with veterinarians and canine oncologists to ensure dogs are benefiting from the latest canine cancer science."
Take C.H.A.R.G.E. Launch Event
Dog owners and members of the veterinary community are encouraged to visit TakeChargeRegistry.com for more information, including how to upload canine cancer medical records and how clinics can participate in the Registry. The public and media also are invited to a special event and performance by multiple Broadway stars, including Academy-award nominated actor Chazz Palminteri and Grammy-award winning actress Jenn Colella, at Madison Square Park in New York City on Monday, May 23rd, 2022, from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. EDT to celebrate the launch of Take C.H.A.R.G.E. Those who cannot attend the event can still watch virtually here.
About Jaguar Health, Inc., Jaguar Animal Health, Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. & Napo Therapeutics S.p.A.
Jaguar Health, Inc. is a commercial stage pharmaceuticals company focused on developing novel, plant-based, non-opioid, and sustainably derived prescription medicines for people and animals with GI distress, specifically chronic, debilitating diarrhea. Jaguar Animal Health is a tradename of Jaguar Health. Jaguar Health's wholly owned subsidiary, Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., focuses on developing and commercializing proprietary plant-based human gastrointestinal pharmaceuticals from plants harvested responsibly from rainforest areas. Jaguar Health is the majority shareholder of Napo Therapeutics S.p.A., an Italian corporation established by Jaguar Health in Milan, Italy in 2021 that focuses on expanding crofelemer access in Europe.
For more information about Jaguar, please visit https://jaguar.health. For more information about Napo Pharmaceuticals, visit www.napopharma.com.
About TogoRun
TogoRun is an award-winning, full-service strategic communications agency specializing in global health and well-being. Woman-owned, independent, and named after Togo, the hero sled dog from the 1925 Race for Mercy, TogoRun works in partnership with clients committed to advancing innovative solutions that support a healthier planet, close health disparity gaps, and embrace a vision of equitable abundance. TogoRun is part of the GMJ Global network of companies and a proud signatory of CEO Action of Diversity & Inclusion. The TogoRun Team has collectively been responsible for more than 220 industry awards. Visit Togo here: www.TogoRun.com.
About Ivee
Ivee (Intelligent Veterinary Enhanced Experience), is an animal health data-focused software company and is a product of Snowcap Innovations Inc. For more information about Ivee, visit www.Iveesoftware.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements." These include statements regarding Jaguar Health's expectation that it will host a launch event May 23, 2022 for the Take C.H.A.R.G.E. initiative, the belief that Take C.H.A.R.G.E. data may provide insights to help better understand cancer in humans, and the expectation that the Registry will continue to grow. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "aim," "anticipate," "could," "intend," "target," "project," "contemplate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements in this release are only predictions. Jaguar has based these forward-looking statements largely on its current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified and some of which are beyond Jaguar's control. Some of the factors that could affect our actual results are included in the periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by applicable law, Jaguar does not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of any new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.
Talkin' Pets News
April 30, 2022
Host - Jon Patch
Co-Host - Gino Sassani
Producer - Philip Staub
Network Producer - Kevin Lane
Social Media - Bob Page
Special Guests - Wow in the Wild: The Amazing World of Animals, author Mindy Thomas will join Talkin' Pets 4/30/22 at 5pm ET to discuss and give away their book
Animaliteration and The Wandering Wildebeest, Martin Coleman will join Jon & Talkin' Pets 4/30/22 at 630pm ET to discuss and give away his children books
CELEBRATING YOUR FURRY (AND SCALY!) FAMILY MEMBERS THIS NATIONAL PET MONTH join in on the First Amazon Pet Day on May 2nd - joining Talkin' Pets 4/30/22 at 730pm ET is Katie Larsen - Retail & Extertainment Expert at Amazon
Based on the #1 Kids Podcast,Wow in the World,
Comes the New Book…
Wow in the Wild: The Amazing World of Animals
Speak with Hosts and Authors:
Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz
They take readers on a hilarious, fact-filled,
and highly illustrated journey through the
animal kingdom!
Feathers, fins, fur, feet—the animal kingdom is made up of nearly 9 million known species! From flying fish to flightless birds, each living creature has a unique role to play in the life of planet Earth. In this book, Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz, hosts of the mega-popular kids’ podcastWow in the World, will take you on a fact-filled adventure to explore the funniest and most fascinating animals known to humankind. Featuring hilarious illustrations and filled with facts, jokes, photos, and quizzes, this book is a call to the wild kids of the world.
Sections Include:
Build your own insect!
Play hide and seek, chameleon-style!
Look for six signs you might be a fish!
Mindy Thomasis the cocreator, cohost, and head writer of the award-winningWow in the World and Two Whats?! And a Wow!podcasts. She lives in northern Virginia with her husband and two kids, and has no plans of ever growing up.
Guy Razis the cocreator and cohost ofWow in the World and Two Whats?! And a Wow! He is also the host and creator of NPR’sHow I Built Thispodcast andWisdom from the Topon Luminary. Guy is the father of two boys and lives in the Bay Area, where he can often be seen riding his bike in red pants.
For more info, visit:
https://www.harpercollins.com/
CELEBRATING YOUR FURRY (AND SCALY!) FAMILY MEMBERS THIS NATIONAL PET MONTH
Top Shopping Deals and How To Give Back During the
First Amazon Pet Day on May 2nd
Katie Larsen – Retail and Entertainment Expert
BACKGROUND:
Kick off National Pet Month with a ‘woof’ and ‘meow’ on May 2nd with the first-ever Amazon Pet Day, featuring deals from top-rated, pet-approved brands. Whether owners are looking to celebrate their sweet pup with treats and toys, need a camera to keep an eye on their furry friend, or have recently welcomed a pet into their home and need extra cleaning supplies, this one-stop shop 24-hour deals event has you covered.
On Thursday, April 28th, Retail and Entertainment Expert Katie Larsen will be sharing how listeners can save on a wide selection of tail-wagging deals across categories such as home, pets, and electronics from select small businesses. She can also offer pet parents shopping tips, such as receiving curated recommendations for their pet and how customers can give back this National Pet Month.
● CURATED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR PET: Set your fur baby up on Amazon Pet Profiles where you can be sent curated recommendations specifically for your special pet.
● GIVE BACK THIS NATIONAL PET MONTH: It’s simple to give back this National Pet Month through AmazonSmile or by contributing to over 2000 shelters who have made Wish Lists via Adopt A Shelter.
● SHOP ONLINE FOR THE BEST DEALS: Take advantage of incredible deals from top-rated, pet-approved brands such as Furbo, Frontline, and Bissell during Amazon Pet Day on May 2nd.
For more information visit: amazon.com/gifts
MORE ABOUT KATIE LARSEN:
Katie has been with Amazon over six years, with the last four years focused on Retail and Entertainment programming. Prior to Amazon, she taught elementary school for 8 years. Katie has a double Doodle named Baker and, his brother, Buckles, is also a dog of Amazon!
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All Creatures Safe and Sound
The Social Landscape of Pets in Disasters
Sarah E. DeYoung and Ashely K. Farmer
Publication Date: August 31, 2021
224 pages, 1 table, 10 halftones, 6 x 9"
Paper: 978-1-4399-1975-0 $34.95
Lessons from recent disasters on accounting for the safety of animals and humans alike
Some of the most striking news stories from natural disasters are of animals tied to trees or cats swimming through murky flood waters. Although the issue of evacuating pets has gained more attention in recent disasters, there are still many failures throughout local and national systems of managing pets and accommodating animals in emergencies.
All Creatures Safe and Sound: The Social Landscape of Pets in Disasters (Publication Date: August 31, 2021) is a comprehensive study of what goes wrong in our disaster response that shows how people can better manage pets in emergencies—from the household level to the large-scale, national level. Authors Sarah DeYoung and Ashley Farmer offer practical disaster preparedness tips while they address the social complexities that affect disaster management and animal rescue. They track the developments in the management of pets since Hurricane Katrina, including an analysis of the 2006 PETS Act, which dictates that animals should be included in hazard and disaster planning. Other chapters focus on policies in place for sheltering and evacuation, coalitions for animal welfare and the prevention of animal cruelty, organizational coordination, decision-making, preparedness, the role of social media in animal rescue and response, and how privilege and power shape disaster experiences and outcomes.
Using data they collected from seven major recent American disasters, ranging from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Florence to the Camp, Tubbs, and Carr Fires in California and the Hawaii Lava Flow, the authors provide insights about the successes and failures of animal care. All Creatures Safe and Sound also outlines what still needs to change to best prepare for the safety and welfare of pets, livestock, and other companion animals in times of crisis.
Sarah E. DeYoung is an Assistant Professor at the University of Delaware as a Core Faculty member for the Disaster Research Center and the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice and the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration.
Ashley K. Farmer is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Sciences at Illinois State University.
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In honor of what would have been Doris' 100th year, we've issued a new hard-cover photo book -- Doris Day: Images from a Hollywood Icon -- 288 pages filled with beautiful portrait shots of Doris and lots of previously unseen photos from her personal collection. The book is available in two editions: The general release, featuring Doris in periwinkle blue on the cover, is available from Hermes Press for pre-order now. But 150 early copies of a special edition, with Doris in black organza on the cover, are available right now! The special edition -- limited to 250 copies total -- includes a 10 x 11" glossy portrait of Doris, which has never been published before -- suitable for framing! Be among the select few to buy a special edition and receive it in time for April 3, which would have been Doris' 100th birthday. We're also releasing a new green vinyl collector's edition of My Heart, Doris' final album, on April 1. My Heart was very special to Doris, as it includes the track "Happy Endings," written and sung by her son Terry. Pre-order your collector's copy today from Amazon. And while you're shopping, don't miss our new T-shirts, sweatshirts, and mug -- all with our centennial logo -- available right now at the DDAF Store. We hope you will enjoy these collectibles for years and years to come. As always, proceeds from these sales benefit DDAF and support Doris' legacy of helping animals and the people who love them. In celebration, |
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P.S. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates on Doris' birthday celebrations! |
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Copyright (C) 2022 Doris Day Animal Foundation. All rights reserved. Doris Day Animal Foundation
8033 W Sunset Blvd PMB 845
Los Angeles, CA 90046-2401 |
Talkin' Pets Radio
March 19, 2022
Host - Jon Patch
Co-Host - Jillyn Sidlo
Producer - Devin Leech
Network Producer - Ben Boquist /Kevin
Special Guest - SEASON 3 PREMIERE CRITTER FIXERS: COUNTRY VETS ON 3/26 AT 9/8c, AND HEARTLAND DOCS SEASON PREMIERE on 4/23 AT 10/9c Listen for the Critter Fixers as they join Jon and Talkin' Pets 3/19/22 at 5pm ET
CRITTER FIXERS: COUNTRY VETS
Dr. Terrence Ferguson
CRITTER FIXERS: COUNTRY VETS
Dr. Terrence Ferguson is the co-owner of Critter Fixer Veterinary Hospital. Growing up in rural Talbotton, Georgia, Dr. Ferguson discovered his caring nature for animals at a young age, bringing strays in off the streets and actually nursing a dog back to health after it had been hit by a car.
With his family’s encouragement, he embarked on a career in veterinary medicine long before college, spending his summers volunteering at local veterinary clinics. Dr. Ferguson received his undergraduate degree from Fort Valley State University and later earned his DVM from Tuskegee College of Veterinary Medicine.
After graduating, he formed a partnership with his best friend since college, Dr. Vernard Hodges, and nearly 20 years later, Critter Fixer Veterinary Hospital is still going strong. Dr. Ferguson is married with two kids and three dogs, and he trains and mentors athletes in the community. His daughter, Nicole, is studying Animal Science at Fort Valley State University, and his son, Terrence Junior, is a freshman at the University of Alabama where he plays football and study Sports Medicine.
Dr. Vernard Hodges
CRITTER FIXERS: COUNTRY VETS
Dr. Vernard Hodges is the co-owner of Critter Fixer Veterinary Hospital. Raised in Peach County, Georgia, Dr. Hodges grew up around lots of animals and developed a passion early on for understanding and helping them.
In the hopes of becoming the next Jacques Cousteau, Dr. Hodges pursued his undergraduate degree in fisheries biology from Fort Valley State University. But soon after graduating, Dr. Hodges realized his passion for animals expanded well beyond aquatic species, so he enrolled at the Tuskegee College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 1997 with his DVM.
From there, he partnered with his best friend and vet school classmate, Dr. Terrence “T” Ferguson, to open Critter Fixer Veterinary Hospital. Almost 20 years later, the hospital has expanded to two locations and treats over 20,000 animals every year.
Dr. Hodges has a 17-year-old son, V.J., and several animals, including four dogs, Alexis, Bane, Ghost and Koi; and a bearded dragon named Drake. He is very active in his community and mentors scores of area children through his nonprofit organization.