Saint Francis 2023 Annual Report

The care of our puppies and dogs in training is of the absolute highest priority for all of us at Saint Francis. When one of our dogs needs extra care and attention because of illness or surgery, we are prepared to do all it takes to get them on the road to recovery. Located next to our main kennels, we have a special room that helps our dogs do just that: relax and heal, while keeping them separate from the other dogs in training until they are healthy. We call it our Isolation Kennel. Saint Francis Veterinary Advisor, Mark Finkler, says, “Though not a common problem at Saint Francis, in the event that a dog develops contagious conditions such as kennel cough or a gastrointestinal bug, we must be prepared.” Behind the Scenes For When They Need Us Most With a separate exit and entrance, its own air circulation system, and its own bathing and cleaning station, this space is designed to ensure we can keep all of our dogs as safe as possible. It also serves as a quiet place for dogs who may have undergone surgery and need extended periods of down time before returning to training. “Dogs recovering from surgery need to rest in a quiet environment and not be tempted to overdo it, which could occur if they were housed adjacent to healthy, energetic puppies and dogs,” says Dr. Finkler. Just recently, we made one small improvement to help make things just a little more comfortable for our dogs in our Isolation Kennel. We installed a TV! In between visits and snuggles from our staff and veterinary externs, we now play soothing shows that can help prevent anxiety and provide distractions for any pup not feeling their best. With the important journey ahead of them, our exceptional dogs in training can always count on extra special care when they need it most.

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