In the Community

Bollinger Canyon Animal Hospital continues to be actively involved in the community in many ways. It is important to us to give back to the community where we live and work. Here are some examples:

Vet for a Day

BCAH believes in supporting our schools and introducing students to science careers early on in their education. Our “Vet for a Day” program does both. Local schools apply for our “Vet for a Day” donation to auction at their school’s annual dinner & auction fundraiser. The lucky “Vet for a Day” winner schedules a day to shadow Dr. Block into exam rooms to see patients, while wearing their own newly supplied scrub top and stethoscope. Together they observe the process start to finish. They learn how we communicate to the owners, diagnose and treat the patients. The “Vet for a Day” is taught how to analyze blood smears, ear smears and parasites through the microscope. After learning how and why we use radiology, they play “What’s on the x-ray”. They are taught how to take a heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature and why those are important. The “Vet for a Day” will don surgery gown, cap, mask and gloves to perform a mock surgery on our stuffed animal, Riley. They learn how to use the surgical instruments and even how to suture. Their entire day is captured in pictures that go home as a memory of their special day. To date the “Vet for a Day” has raised over $60,000 for schools in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District!!! If your school is interested in this donation, contact David Block, [email protected]. We award 5 days per year.

Service Dogs

Bollinger Canyon Animal Hospital has a passion for service dogs. We are the veterinarians for the San Ramon Police Department K-9 unit, providing exceptional medical care for Dar, Bongo, Hector and Senna. Additionally, we have the pleasure of seeing patients from the CHP and the Danville Police Department.

BCAH is the principal veterinarian for “Dogs for Diabetics” in Concord. D4D is an organization that trains medical alert service dogs to sense drops in blood sugar for diabetic patients. The dogs are over 90% accurate and catch the drops before the diabetic even knows it is happening.

We are also active with the local chapter for CCI, Canine Companions for Independence. These dogs are trained to help physically disabled people. They turn on lights, open doors, retrieve lost objects and most importantly, increase the independence of the physically challenged. BCAH has a booth where participants can “Ask the Vet” a question and spin the prize wheel at the CCI and D4D fund raisers.

Mentoring

Dr. Block has been a speaker at Career Day for Cal High, Pine Valley Middle school and many local elementary schools where she shares her passion for her profession. She educates students on the importance of science, math and good grades. Many of these students have become volunteers at the hospital and we are proud to have four of our former volunteers attend veterinary school: Matt Van Winkle graduated in 2016 from Washington State University and is part of a mixed animal practice in the Seattle area, Lindsey Kirschner graduated in 2016 from the University of Missouri and is practicing in Southern California. Cody Brooks is a senior at Washington State University. Joe Pearson is the latest to be accepted. Joe is a freshman at the University of Wisconsin.

Support

Bollinger Canyon Animal Hospital has supported the San Ramon Valley Education Fund via the Primo’s Run for Education by donating a ‘Vet for a Day” for auction. We also participate on the day of the event with a booth to “Ask the Vet” your question and to spin the wheel for prizes.

As a past executive board member for Tony LaRussa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF), Dr. Block has helped to improve the life of homeless pets. She was on the Pet Hug Pack committee, which trains therapy dogs and their owners to assist in our community. She is thrilled when she sees one of her patients working in the program. Dr. Block has participated with the ARF’s “Animals on Broadway” event as well as “Wine and Whiskers”. In 2013, she was honored for her dedication to the board at ARF’s annual awards dinner in San Francisco.

Contact Us Today