Blake Miller

By Blake Miller, For The Mountain Times There’s something special about the bond between pets and older adults. Research has shown that owning a cat or dog can actually benefit seniors’ health in many ways. First and foremost, pets encourage routine. Whether it’s walking a dog or feeding a cat at the same time each day, structure can be grounding. Routine helps reduce feelings of loneliness and gives a sense of purpose, something to look forward to every day. Beyond routine, pets keep people...

By Blake Miller, For The Mountain Times About two weeks after graduating veterinary school, I started my first job in Woodburn, Oregon. Everything still felt new. I was learning the clinic’s routines, trying to sound confident on the phone, and realizing quickly that real-life cases move faster than anything you see in school. One afternoon I got an emergency call for a pet bull that was limping. The guy said it plainly, like it was the most routine thing in the world. A pet bull. Lame on one...

About two weeks after graduating veterinary school, I started my first job in Woodburn, Oregon. Everything still felt new. I was learning the clinic’s routines, trying to sound confident on the phone, and realizing quickly that real-life cases move faster than anything you see in school. One afternoon I got an emergency call for a pet bull that was limping. The guy said it plainly, like it was the most routine thing in the world. A pet bull. Lame on one leg. Needs a vet. I remember feeling my...