Alliance Magazine Summer 2017

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO
Dear Friends,
Editor: Pam Townsend
Cruelty/Neglect Reports:
202-723-5730, press 1
Cruelty reports accepted 24 hours a day.
Animal-Related Emergencies:
202-576-6664, press 1
Main Number: 202-723-5730
Adoptions (New York Ave.):
202-727-5494
Adoptions (Oglethorpe): Ext. 503
Behavior and Training: Ext. 236
Development: Ext. 315
Finance: Ext. 326
Media Inquiries: Ext. 267
Special Events: Ext 325
HOURS AND LOCATIONS
71 Oglethorpe Street, NW
Washington, DC 20011
Adoption Hours: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. daily
Closed for adoptions on Mondays.
1201 New York Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Adoption Hours: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. daily
Closed for adoptions on Mondays.
Stray animals are accepted
24 hours a day at New York Ave.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Roger Marmet...................Chair
Jay Timmons......................First Vice President
Lisa LaFontaine................President and CEO
Amy Meadows..................Second Vice President
Gwyn Whittaker..............Secretary
Hon. Mary Schapiro......Treasurer
Theresa Fariello...............Vice President
William Herman..............Vice President
Gregory Riegle.................Vice President
Shelter medicine is a unique profession that is quickly becoming
one of the most exciting and desirable destinations for
veterinarians. While most veterinarians are following a life-long
dream to care for animals, shelter veterinarians have unique
opportunities to practice in a broad range of areas above and
beyond typical medicine and surgery. From preventive medicine
and infectious disease control to veterinary forensics, emergency
care, and public health, shelter veterinarians must be able to
adapt to the ever-changing needs of a shelter environment and
provide innovative solutions to challenges not seen in most
private practices.
Veterinarians who choose to work in animal shelters are often on
the forefront of animal care, and tackle the difficult challenges
faced when treating animals from many different backgrounds, geographic locations,
and varying levels of socialization. I am honored to work with such a talented, caring, and
compassionate group of professionals.
Nowhere is that more evident than at the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA). We currently
have a chief medical officer, four staff veterinarians, two part-time relief veterinarians, 10
veterinary technicians, and three client services representatives. They touch—and often
save—the lives of more than 16,000 animals a year. Yes, they administer vaccines. Yes,
they treat routine parasite infections. And, yes, they prevent a new generation of homeless
animals from being born by conducting spay and neuter surgeries on an almost daily basis.
But that is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
As in any veterinary practice, our medical professionals diagnose and treat a wide range of
health issues, from eye and ear infections to arthritis and cancer. They set broken bones,
amputate limbs that cannot be repaired, pull decayed teeth, and remove foreign objects
from stomachs. Unlike their colleagues in private practice, they sometimes face outbreaks
of life-threatening diseases such as parvovirus. They provide intensive, round-the-clock
care for the victims—saving an incredibly high percentage of them—while helping prevent
spread of the disease among other shelter residents.
HRA veterinarians employ both cutting-edge technologies and ancient approaches to
medicine, as in the case of a paralyzed kitten named Talleyrand, who can now walk thanks to
acupuncture treatments. And they are often presented with unique challenges that require
creative solutions to unusual problems. Take the example of Free Willie, a three-toed box
turtle surrendered to HRA when his owner could no longer care for him. Our veterinary staff
discovered that Willie had two complete fractures of his bottom shell. They stabilized the
fractures (which can take 3 to 4 months to fully heal) with flat picture frame hangers and
super glue and later added hooks and wires, making sure the hardware was thin enough to
not drag on the ground. Treated with antibiotics and pain medication, Willie stayed with us
until he was ready for transfer to a rescue organization.
Nina Benton
Steven Bralove
Priscilla Clapp
Saone Crocker
Pamela DeLoach-Jupiter
Jackie Dobranski, DVM
Louie Dweck
Colleen Girouard
Anissa Grossman
Leslie Harris
William Harrop
Joseph Howe
Kenton Keith
Erika Kelton
Betsy Marmet
Matthew Parker, MD
Laird Patterson
Susan Ridge
Robert Rosenfeld
Hon. Carol Schwartz
Andrew Weinstein
Charles Weir
Jean Whiddon
Drew Willison
Jeff Wilson
Lois Godfrey Wye
Shelter medicine involves more than just veterinary staff. These professionals share their
expertise with and serve as role models for many animal caregivers, who also contribute to
animal health through their dedicated care of shelter residents and may aspire to become
vet techs. They are fundamental to the shelter medicine program.
All of us who care about animals owe a great debt of gratitude to the men and women who
pursue careers in shelter medicine. They do it not for the glory or the easy hours. They do it
because they care so deeply – particularly for the animals who are temporarily homeless,
and to whom we therefore bear an extraordinary responsibility.
2 ALLIANCE