As the holiday season approaches, we’re looking back on a fantastic year at Winter Park Vet. We’re grateful for the opportunity to serve greater Orlando’s pets and pet parents, continuing the legacy upon which our practice was founded decades ago. We extend our warmest Thanksgiving wishes to you and yours, and we’re thankful that you and your pets are part of the Winter Park Vet family.
A Family Affair
Our belief is that pets are family — and deserve to be treated with love and dignity. That’s what you’d wish for any family member, and your pets are no exception. Dr. Robert Hess, who’s owned Winter Park Vet since 1983, is a lifelong animal lover who grew up with pets at his side and found joy and purpose in caring for animals. His son Billy, having been raised in and around Winter Park Vet, began leading the team in 2011, and he continues to carry the torch. During a time when so many practices are run by private equity firms, we’re proud to remain a family-owned business.
We’ve built strong roots in the local community with our long history of contributing to Central Florida’s animal welfare needs. Our decades-long partnership with Audubon Florida, for example, has allowed us to help rehabilitate injured and endangered wildlife through the Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland. We’re grateful for the opportunity to serve our community, and we look forward to evolving our practice with the best modern technology and expanded services to assist you — and our local wildlife — even better.
Have a Safe, Happy Thanksgiving
Your pets may not have a seat at the dinner table, but we know they’re an important part of your holiday. From road trips to gifts to family photos, they play a big role in how you celebrate. You want to keep your focus on holiday cheer, but nothing can spoil the spirit like a pet emergency. Here are some tips to help keep your festivities fun and free of incident:
- Use a pet carrier and secure it to the car seat for holiday road trips.
- Keep small decorations and other choking hazards out of reach of curious paws and mouths.
- Use a fireplace screen and keep pets away from the hearth.
- Don’t let pets wander underfoot while you’re cooking.
- Watch your exits when guests are coming and going to make sure pets don’t escape.
- Keep the turkey out of reach and never give pets turkey bones to chew on.
- Stock up on any needed pet medications.
- Provide nervous animals a quiet space to rest during holiday celebrations.
- Research any decorative plants before you put them on display — some, like holly and mistletoe, can be toxic to pets.
From all of us at Winter Park Vet, we wish you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Thank you for the opportunity to care for your furry and feathered family members, and for giving us so much to be grateful for this year.
Sources
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/holiday-safety-tips
https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/holiday-safety-tips-pets
https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/7-ways-make-holidays-safer-pets