![]() It’s not just the spike in pandemic pet ownership and COVID precautions that are driving busyness at clinics, said Bleifuss. According to them, among practice owners surveyed, productivity during the pandemic declined by almost 25%. In an August commentary for the Journal of the American Veterinary Association, the association’s Chief Veterinary Officer Gail Golab and Chief Economist Matthew Salois, said these clinics are part of a larger trend. About 4,400 veterinary jobs will open up every year on average for the next 10 years. The demand for veterinary services keeps growing, he said, especially since COVID-19 hit, fueling the so-called “pandemic puppy boom.” Yet at the same time, clinics like his across the country are having trouble attracting and keeping staff, and COVID precautions have complicated workflows.Īccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, veterinary jobs are expected to grow 17% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. The risk of COVID-19 means services at the clinic are curbside only, with veterinary staff transporting dogs, cats, and on occasion more unusual animals - carpet pythons, bearded dragons, and rabbits to name a few - into the building for treatment, while anxious owners wait in their vehicles.īleifuss, who has headed up the practice for 36 years, said he’ll typically see 20 to 25 animals a day, treating injuries and illnesses, counseling pet parents, and sometimes carrying out the sad task of euthanizing patients. Chris Bleifuss, head veterinarian, stands next to the open door of an SUV discussing glucose test results after returning Catword, a 15-year-old orange tabby, to his family. Outside, cars packed with pet patients and their owners wait to be called for their appointments. But don’t be fooled by the echoing hallways: the clinic has never been busier. WAUSAU - The lobby of Kronenwetter Veterinary Care in Kronenwetter, a Wisconsin village of about 8,000 people, is empty. It was written in partnership with as part of a GroundTruth Project/Report for America initiative. I'm overwhelmed.Editor's note: This story was originally published on. MORE NEWS: 'It's just a very unusual event': Warm weather, strong winds and storms rare for December in Wisconsin The fundraiser had raised more than $5,500 by Thursday evening. Shannon has also started a GoFundMe account to help the family with medical bills, funeral costs and to support Damion and Carmen. I love you soo much! This isn't gonna be easy." We will all be here for your babies! Give grandma a hug and wait for me to get there. Officers said in the police report the incident did not appear to be "criminal in nature," and the dog would be tested by the health department.įollowing Heather's death on Thursday, Shannon shared a message to her sister on Facebook. her heart was too big and they thought they could fix him,” Shannon said.Ī local veterinary clinic told police the dog was up to date on its shots and did not have any known health issues. “My sister has the biggest heart for animals and just couldn't get rid of it. ![]() 8 incident was not the first time the family's dog had shown signs of aggression, but Shannon said Heather had a fondness for animals and couldn't toss the pet aside. Since a majority of the attack happened in the bathroom, they believe Heather found the dog, who outweighed her by at least 30 pounds, attacking her son and struggled to get it away from her son and into the bathroom, Shannon said.Īccording to the police report, the Dec. “The dog was always kinda skittish when loud noises happen, so we are guessing Damion fell down the stairs and was crying and might have even kicked up towards the dog, and the dog grabbed his leg and Heather did everything she could to save her son,” Shannon said. But the family has a theory on what caused the dog to attack. Only Heather knows for sure what happened and she was unable to communicate with family and police. The immediate aftermath was a blur for everyone involved, says Shannon. Heather suffered from kidney failure following the attack and both of her arms were amputated, among other health issues, Shannon said. Heather, Damion and Shane were taken by ambulance to the hospital for treatment. ![]()
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