Meet the Staff: Hilary H. Fordyce, B.S., V.M.D

Dr. Hilary Fordyce grew up in the small town of Carlisle, Massachusetts.  She attended Keynon College, where she obtained her undergraduate degree in biology and anthropology.  She earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania, where she completed a small animal internship and post doctoral fellowship.  Although she had a strong interest in surgery, she spent the next several years in emergency medicine.  She joined the family here at The Animal Clinic at Thorndale in April 2013, where she continues to pursue her interest in surgery and medicine.

When not working, Dr. Fordyce loves spending as much time as possible with the light of her life, her daughter, Lucy.  She also enjoys running, gardening and competing with her horse, Sam, an off the track Thoroughbred.  Rounding out her family are two cats, George and Smarty Jones, and a beautiful Rhodesian Ridgeback named Bella B.

Stop in to meet Dr. Fordyce!  She is seeing appointments throughout the week, as well as performing surgeries on Mondays.  

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Winter Safety for Your Pet

We always stress the importance of keeping your pet safe in the summer, but there are dangers in the winter that can be equally damaging to your pet's well-being.  Living in Chester County, Pennsylvania, we get to experience all of these beautiful seasons to the fullest, but we have to keep in mind that there is a lot that can harm our pets all year long.  

Here is a link to a great article from the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association regarding winter's dangers.  

http://www.pavma.org/images/Winter_Safety_Tips.pdf

And the ASPCA is always a great resource for information.

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/cold-weather-tips

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Animal Clinic at Thorndale's Annual Pet Photos with Santa

Our Pet Photos with Santa event is being held this Sunday, December 9th from 11am-2pm.  It will be in our office located at 431 Bondsville Road, Downingtown, PA 19335. 

Clocks for Seeing Photography will once again be taking our pictures.  For those of you familiar with our practice, this means you will get the opportunity to see Eric again!  We are asking for $10 donations in exchange for receiving 1 printed photo in a holiday card.  The pictures will also be available for download on Clocks for Seeing's website a week or so after the event.

100% of the proceeds will benefit Hurricane Sandy disaster relief for animals.  We will be donating to the Monmouth County New Jersey SPCA, who has been assisting pet owners who have been displaced and affected by the hurricane.  

Additionally, we will be accepting donated items for the Pet Pantry at the Monmouth County SPCA.  These items can be dropped off anytime at our hospital.  They are in need of the following donations:

• Plastic cat carriers
• Disposable litter pans
• Dry and wet cat food
• Cat litter
• Wet dog food
• Small bags of dry dog food (under 10 lb.)
• Dog treats

We will continue to accept donations through December 22nd.  

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Halloween Pet Costume Contest!

The Animal Clinic at Thorndale is doing a Halloween Pet Costume Contest!

The winners will receive a gift certificate and a prize!

Our staff will be voting on the following categories:

• Scariest
• Funniest
• Cutest
• Most Original
• Celebrity Look-a-Like
• Owner/Pet Look-a-Like
• Best Dressed
• Biggest Sports Fan
• Best Pals
• Best Costume - Dog
• Best Costume - Cat

To submit your pet in the contest, send us a photo of your pet in their Halloween costume, along with the pet's name, the owner's name and phone number to:

• E-mail: animalclinicatthorndale@verizon.net
• Fax: 610-873-1827
• Mail or Drop-Off: 431 Bondsville Road, Downingtown, PA 19335
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AnimalClinicAtThorndale and send us a message!

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"Losing a Pet and the Grieving Process" - Free Lecture at Penn Vet

Wanted to pass along this information on a free lecture this weekend for those interested.  

Penn Vet Hosts Free Lecture, “Losing a Pet and the Grieving Process”

Grief Counselor Michele Pich slated to speak at Saturday, September 8 event

On Saturday, September 8 the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) will host a free, open-to-the-public lecture called “Losing a Pet and the Grieving Process” at Penn Vet in Philadelphia, PA.

Beginning at 10:00 AM, Michele Pich, Ryan Hospital’s grief counselor, will cover the benefits of the animal-human bond and how a break in that bond influences a person’s life.  She will talk about the stages of grief, what to expect when grieving the loss of a pet and the importance of having a support system in coping with that loss. Ms. Pich will also give suggestions for memorializing and honoring the ones we have lost.

Who: Penn Vet, dog and cat owners, interested members of the public.

What: Free lecture titled “Losing a Pet and the Grieving Process,” featuring Michele Pich of Penn Vet’s Ryan Hospital.

Where: School of Veterinary Medicine, Hill Pavilion, located at 380 S. University Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

When: Lecture beginning at 10:00 AM, Saturday, September 8, 2012 and ending at 11:30 AM.

To register: Registration is required as seating is limited. This lecture is appropriate for all ages, but participants are asked to not bring their pets. To register, contact Michelle Brooks at mibrooks@vet.upenn.edu or 215.898.1480.

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