Our Blog
S.T.E.P.S. – Helping Pets and Their People Live Healthy Lives
AHNA is starting a weight loss / get healthy and fit support group for pets and their people! It’s called S.T.E.P.S.
S – start simple
T – take time to stretch
E – enjoy time with your pet
P – practice good eating habits
S – stay motivated & create new habits
Who would benefit from joining the S.T.E.P.S. program? Anyone who:
- has a pet who needs to lose weight
- has a pet who needs to get fit and healthy
- would like to lose weight along with their pet
- would like to get fit and healthy along with their pet
- would like to make exercise with their pet more fun
It’s easy to start this program. Just come to the hospital to have your pet weighed, and pick up your packet of helpful information on weight loss in pets as well as an exercise-tracking sheet.
The next step is to join our online support group here: Click Here.
We want the online group to be a supportive community for everyone. Along with the tips we will be posting regularly, you can talk to other pet owners in the Asheville area who are also participating in the S.T.E.P.S. program. Meet new friends, offer recipe and exercise suggestions, schedule pet ‘play dates’ – be creative!
In order to successfully complete the S.T.E.P.S. program, you will have to bring your pet into the hospital once a month to be weighed (free of charge). If you are unable to bring your pet monthly, be sure to weigh them at home and record their weight. Use the same method of weighing each month to maintain an accurate weight record. Be sure to let us know the weight and we will add it to their chart. Each month there will be a new set of weekly logs and a handout with new tips for the next month. At the end of 6 months, we will have a celebration at the hospital for everyone who participated in S.T.E.P.S.!
It is important to consult with your veterinarian about any food changes or concerns. Please call us anytime.
For more helpful information on how to get healthy with your pet, we suggest the book Fitness Unleashed! by Marty Becker and Robert Kushner.
Reflecting on the Old Year, Planning the New
Happy New Year one and all! The beginning of a new year is a natural time to reflect on our blessings and plan the upcoming 
year. First of all, we are so thankful to have such wonderful, caring and kind clients! We were treated like royalty during the holidays with so many goodies coming in for our staff. Thank you so much! Additionally, we were especially moved by the outpouring of caring and the generosity of our clients in providing food, blankets, toys, and other items for our Holiday Food and Blanket Drive for needy pets. We were thrilled that you met and surpassed our challenge that Animal Hospital of North Asheville would match the first 1000 pounds of food donated! The donated food and blankets have already been delivered to Asheville Humane Society, Animal Compassion Network, and Brother Wolf, and we will be purchasing, dividing, and delivering at least another 1000 pounds of food a little later in January. All three organizations were really thrilled to get the food and blankets. Since each delivery was so large, they were also excited to be getting the delivery of the 1000 pounds a little later, after they've used up what we took. Everyone should feel good that this food will help stretch the funds of the organizations so that more pets can be helped. It really feels good on cold winter nights to know that these wonderful organizations are caring for pets that would otherwise be hungry and out in the cold with no shelter. Thank you for your generous donations, and we thank all the wonderful people who work or volunteer for organizations that help needy animals!
We are excited about all the great things that will take place in 2012 at our hospital to bring better and better care to your pets! As most of you know, we are undergoing a total transformation of our facility to allow for separate treatment and ICU areas for cats, room for families that want to be with their pet, and room for all the equipment that we acquired during the last decade to bring state-of-the art care to your pet. It will be an amazing year! Please plan to bring your pet(s) to the open house that we are tentatively planning for June 2. There will be lots to see and, of course, treats for your pet.
Again thank you so much for entrusting the health care of your beloved pets to us and allowing us to share in the joy that they bring to your lives! We love hearing all the wonderful details of your pets’ lives when you come in and all the wonderful pictures and stories that you paste on Facebook. We value your friendship, and nothing makes us happier than when a pet enjoys his or her visit with us and looks upon us as a friend! Our goal is always to provide the best care and keep your pet happy.
