January is Walk Your Pet Month and with so many people looking to make healthier changes in 2020, partnering with your pet can be a great way to find the motivation you need. A balanced diet and regular exercise are just as important for pets as they are for us.

There are many ways to get active with your pet, but starting slow is important. Just as someone shouldn’t run a full marathon without training, the same holds true for pets. It’s important to introduce an exercise routine slowly, especially if pets haven’t been active. 

When starting a diet and exercise plan with your pet, remember to  PAWS :
  • Plan – Schedule your workouts, make grocery lists and plan out the daily practices that are going to help you reach your goals. Making small, manageable changes will lead to big results over time.
  • Active – Find ways to get active with your pet that you both enjoy. Even cats love to go for leash walks and hikes.
  • Wellness – Checkups are important for both you and your pet to ensure you are both healthy enough for exercise and to determine your specific dietary needs. When you call us to schedule your pet’s annual checkup, give your primary care physician a call as well.
  • Success – Celebrate and reward your success, but try swapping out treats and junk food for some extra love and attention for your pet!
Team Member of The Year

Our 2019 Team Member of The Year is Danielle Pitre, our hospital nurse manager. As a team member for 7 years, she is continually creating new policies and implementing new ideas to help give our patients the best experience possible. She leads our hospital in keeping up-to-date with AAHA regulations and is always looking for ways we can improve.

Danielle has a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from ULL and is currently enrolled in her last year of the Penn Foster Registered Veterinary Technician Program where she is on the dean's list. She is also an active member of the Louisiana Association of Veterinary Technicians.

Danielle has 3 dogs, Bruiser & Coco Chanel (chihuahuas), and Georgia (a Doberman). She enjoys spending time with her family & friends, volunteering in our community through Junior League, being outdoors, and working out. She is a wonderful leader and so deserving of this award. We are blessed to have her in the LVCC family!
Our December Employee of the Month was Denise of our Nursing team. We love her ambition to continuously educate herself to be the best nurse she can be and her joyful personality. Her positive outlook and devotion to pet care make her such an amazing team member! Thank you for always exceeding our expectations Denise!
Now Enrolling For
Puppy Class

Get your new pup started out on the right paw! Puppy class starts on
January 7, 2020 @ 6:00 pm. Our 5 week course teaches your puppy basic manners including sit, lay down, walk on a leash, and come when called. You will also learn training techniques making it possible to continue training at home.
Call us at 337-984-7611 to sign up or click here  for more info on our training services.
Though it may not be for all cats, many cats do enjoy going for leash walks and hikes. First, get your cat used to wearing the harness and leash around your home. Then get them used to being leashed outside. The training process and walks are a great way to spend some quality time with your kitty while getting in great exercise. Training your cat to walk on a leash can often be done in just a few weeks, especially if you start when they're young. Just be careful not to venture too far until your kitten's initial shot series is complete.
Puppy Socialization

The first three months of your puppy's life are the most crucial for their social development. During this time frame it's important to safely and responsibly get your pup comfortable with a variety of people, pets, sights, and sounds. Doing this will help prevent a number of behavioral problems later in their life.

Socialization includes things you can do at home, around your neighborhood, and in organized puppy socialization classes. However, it's not only about exposing them to new things; it's also important that they have a positive experience and become comfortable with those things.

How and when you introduce them to new people and experiences is very important, too. When socialization involves places frequented by other dogs, such as dog parks, the timing should be guided by your veterinarian. Ask us about ways to safely socialize your puppy at your next puppy wellness visit!

Our Doggie Daycare is a great way to socialize your puppy while they also learn basic manners. We call this playing with purpose! Puppies can start attending Doggie Daycare with us as early as 12 weeks old, as long as they meet the minimum requirement of 2 sets of puppy vaccines. For more information on this service, click here .
Have You Used Your Orange Card?
When you purchase eligible products from Lafayette Veterinary Care Center, submit your invoice within 60 days to earn points. Redeem points for a Zoetis Petcare Rewards Visa® Prepaid Card to help pay for anything at our clinic. Whether it’s for a checkup, teeth cleaning, or products, how you spend your rewards is up to you!  Click here to enroll.
L afayette Veterinary Care Center
337-984-7611
info@LafayetteVets.com