St. Petersburg, Fla. (Nov. 29, 2018) – Pet owners can learn from nationally recognized veterinarians and animal behavior experts during a free event on Sunday, Dec. 2 hosted by SPCA Tampa Bay Veterinary Center.
The veterinarians and trainers will give presentations to help pet owners with concerns about pet health and behavior. Dr. Tania Oterio of Hill’s Science Diet will discuss pet allergies and Dr. David Gosche of Bayer will give a presentation about heartworm and its effects on a pet’s organs.
Animal behavior experts will provide tips for owners on preparing pets for vet visits. New Dawn Animal Behavior Center training manager Gillian Daniels, CPDT-KA and assistant training manager Melissa Kolmar CPDT-KA will present the session.
Following the presentations, guests can participate in Q&A sessions to learn more. Guests are welcome to tour the center during the open house and see the “pet’s eye view” murals by the Vitale Brothers. Veterinarians and staff who care for dogs and cats at the Veterinary Center will also be available throughout the afternoon.
“Pet owners can learn how to better understand their pet and its health needs, along with tips to de-stress visits to the vet,” said Dr. Melisse Conway, medical director of SPCA Tampa Bay Veterinary Center. “It’s rare to have an opportunity to learn from well-regarded veterinarians and animal behavior experts for free.”
The event is part of the celebration for SPCA Tampa Bay Veterinary Center’s two-year anniversary. SPCA Tampa Bay opened the Veterinary Center in 2016 to help pets stay in loving homes by providing accessible veterinary care. The Veterinary Center provides services ranging from wellness, preventive care, medical, surgery and general care, along with spay and neuter services, for dogs and cats.
A portion of all Veterinary Center revenue helps “paw it forward” to support the programs and services at SPCA Tampa Bay’s animal shelter in Largo, as well as to help other families provide veterinary care for their pets through the Caldwell Keeping Families Together Fund.
The open house from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2 is free to attend, and guests bring donations for the pets at SPCA Tampa Bay’s shelter. There will also be free games, giveaways, and a hands-on teddy bear workshop for kids. Craft projects will also be available during the event for a small fee.
SPCA Tampa Bay Veterinary Center is located at 3250 5th Ave. N. in St. Petersburg. The open house is sponsored by Hill’s Science Diet, Bayer and New Dawn Animal Behavior Center.
About SPCA Tampa Bay
SPCA Tampa Bay is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that transforms the lives of animals through passionate collaboration with its community. It operates Pinellas County’s only non-profit animal shelter that assists all animals in need, regardless of species or circumstance, at its 10-acre campus in Largo. It also operates a full-service veterinary hospital in St. Petersburg that is open to all pet owners and provides pets with a lifetime of high-quality care including dental and surgical procedures, diagnostic testing, annual exams, vaccines and spay/neuter. Founded in 1940, SPCA Tampa Bay has cared for millions of homeless, surrendered, and injured animals. For more information: spcatampabay.org.