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Critter Corner: Responsible pet care
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Anonymous user Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 1 comment My name is Dr. Darcie Heyes.

At home, I share my life with my beautiful 11-year-old daughter, Kayla, my fiancé, Patrick, six horses, including an AQHA/APHA Cremello Stallion, two perfect cats, and one beloved Doberman named Lacey.

I have pursued a diverse path in attaining my goal to become a well-rounded mixed animal practitioner. 

I entered my first year at Oregon State University School of Veterinary Medicine with a degree in agribusiness from Arizona State University. I went on to two years at St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine in Grenada, which offered extensive surgical experience and exposure to public health. I then finished my fourth year of clinical rotations at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. 

This wide-ranging education gave me unparalleled exposure to domestic and international perspectives on the transmission of local infectious diseases; and on many occasions has facilitated diagnoses that ordinarily are not identified in California.  

When I first moved to Bakersfield from Southern California, I practiced as a mixed animal practitioner at San Joaquin Veterinary Hospital.

Now I have found myself working in a more specialized field: at night as an Emergency Veterinarian at Animal Emergency and Urgent Care on Easton Drive. This kind of work has been very rewarding, and leaves me the feeling I have made a difference in an animal’s life each night. 

In addition to working as an emergency practitioner, on my off days I make farm calls as a mobile unit veterinarian. My mobile unit primarily focuses on equine medicine and reproduction, as well as canine and feline general practice. 

The most enjoyable aspect of working side-by-side with pets and owners is that the animals are more at ease in their own environment. Working in this fashion leaves ample time to explain procedures and to develop a step-by-step plan for aftercare.
 
When on a farm call, you may also meet one of my two leading veterinary technicians, Julie Popplewell and Lenny Kushman, CNMT. Julie and her husband, Tim, owners of Sioux City Ranch Boarding Stable, have a special interest in equine reproduction. Lenny’s expertise comes from a strong background in 4H, as well as being a human nuclear medicine and CAT scan technician. 

I plan to use my career as a veterinarian not only for the immediate care of my patients, but as a long-term platform for educating future generations of the need for responsible pet care. Over time, I hope to teach readers to care for their animals proactively, and be involved in their animal’s health. 

Combining preventative care with proper vaccinations and annual exam recommendations will ultimately lead to healthier lives for our animals.

I am excited about this column and look forward to your questions and comments both via e-mail and online at www.swvoice.com. My goal is to offer readers advice on pet health and preventative medicine for your animals.

Are your animals safe in your own home and garden? Do you have any plants that may be toxic or even lead to the death of your pet? Do lilies, sago palms and oleander sound familiar? If they do, make sure you read the April 19 issue for advice on safe pet plants for the home and garden. 

Ask Dr. Heyes a question at: darcie_heyes@yahoo.com

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Comment From: daphne

Hi Dr. Heyes, I just wanted to take a minute to say welcome! I look forward to reading (well, more like having someone else read) your columns.