Tawas Animal Hospital

11/27/2025

🧡🐾 NEW BLOG POST: “What I’m Most Thankful For as a Veterinarian” 🦃
“Every day, I’m reminded that life is fragile and precious — that love shows up in the smallest gestures, like an owner whispering to a pet before surgery or a child handing me a hand-drawn ‘thank you’ card for saving their dog.”
This Thanksgiving, Dr. Harrison is sharing one of the most heartfelt reflections in his What I’ve Learned as a Veterinarian series — a tribute to the moments, people, pets, and lessons that make veterinary medicine so meaningful.
After 23 years in practice, he’s learned that gratitude comes in many forms:
the trust of a worried pet parent…
the steady hands of a dedicated team…
the loyal presence of a family who supports unpredictable schedules and long nights…
and the pets who remind us, every day, why this work matters.
In today’s Thanksgiving blog, Dr. Harrison opens up about the blessings, the challenges, and the quiet moments of joy that shape his life as a veterinarian.

# ☕ Grab a cup of tea (Dr. Harrison’s favorite) and take a moment to enjoy this Thanksgiving reflection.PetsAreFamily
➡️ Read it here:https://tawasanimalhospital.com/%f0%9f%a6%83-what-im.../

🧡 From our Tawas Animal Hospital family to yours — Happy Thanksgiving.

🦃 What I’m Most Grateful For as a Veterinarian - Every Thanksgiving, when the last appointment is done and the clinic lights go out, I take a few minutes to sit in the quiet. The hum of the machines

11/26/2025

Fear Free Success Story: Chase’s Big Day

Today we are celebrating milestone that’s been years in the making. This milestone belongs to one very brave dog named Chase.

Chase has been coming to see us a couple of times each year for the past few years. From the start, it was clear that veterinary visits were overwhelming for him. New sounds, new smells, new people, and unfamiliar handling made him anxious and afraid. To prevent his stress from building, Chase’s family and our team worked together using Fear Free strategies, including pre-visit pharmaceuticals to help him stay calm and comfortable.

Each visit, Chase showed a little more trust. Each time, he relaxed a little sooner. And today… Chase walked through our doors for the very first time not needing his pre-visit medication—and he absolutely shined.

Chase stayed relaxed for his entire exam. He leaned in for treats, wagged his tail, and even allowed a full ear cleaning with no signs of stress. His confidence filled the room, and his family couldn’t have been more proud. Neither could we.

What Is Fear Free?

Fear Free is a veterinary care approach focused on reducing fear, anxiety, and stress in pets. It uses science-based methods—like gentle handling, positive reinforcement, calming pheromones, species-appropriate body language, and when needed, anxiety-reducing medications—to help pets feel safe before, during, and after their visit.

Why Fear Free Matters

A Fear Free experience means:

🐾 Happier pets who learn that the vet isn’t scary
🐾 Safer visits for both pets and veterinary staff
🐾 More accurate exams because relaxed animals allow better assessment
🐾 Better long-term health since pets are more willing to return for routine care
🐾 Strengthened trust between the pet, their family, and their veterinary team

Today, Chase reminded us, why we do what we do.

Fear Free isn’t just a philosophy, it’s a partnership. It’s patience, compassion, and consistency. And it’s moments like today that make it all worth it.

Way to go, Chase. We can’t wait to see you next time… and we know you’ll do just as amazing. 🧡🐶✨

11/23/2025

🩺 NEW BLOG POST: “When the Healer Needs Healing: A Veterinarian’s Reflection on the Su***de Epidemic in Our Profession”
This one was hard to write — and it’s even harder to publish.
After 23 years in veterinary medicine, Dr. Harrison opens up about one of the most serious issues facing our profession: the rising su***de rates among veterinarians, the emotional weight we carry, and the ways we can start healing together.
He shares stories of heartbreak, the pressures we face behind the scenes, and what you — as clients and community members — can do to make a difference.
➡️ Read the full blog here:
https://tawasanimalhospital.com/%F0%9F%A9%BA-when-the-healer-needs-healing-a-veterinarians-reflection-on-the-su***de-epidemic-in-our-profession/

***dePrevention

🩺 When the Healer Needs Healing: A Veterinarian’s Reflection on the Su***de Epidemic in Our Profession - "We have our own pets, our own families, our own grief and love stories that shape who we are." I love this work. I love animals. I love people. I love

11/21/2025

Turkey day is almost here! 🦃

Remember: bones, onions, grapes, and rich holiday foods can be harmful to pets.

Stick to pet-safe treats so everyone can enjoy the feast.

11/17/2025

🐾🎉 Join the Tawas Animal Hospital Fetch Club! 🎉🐾

Meet Coco, one of our Fetch Club stars! 🐶✨
Coco’s parents earned $35 off their annual wellness visit this year — just by using their Fetch Points!

The Fetch Club is our loyalty rewards program that lets you earn Fetch Points every time you visit, purchase medication, or stock up on your pet’s favorites at Tawas Animal Hospital. It’s our way of saying thank you for trusting us with your pet’s care! 💚

Plus, when you download our PetDesk App, you’ll get even more convenient features like:
📅 Online appointment scheduling
🔔 Pet care reminders
💉 Your pet’s vaccination records
💊 Prescription refill requests
…and so much more — all in one easy place!

Join the Fetch Club and start earning rewards today 👇


Because great care should come with great perks! 🐾🐕🐈

11/14/2025

🧠🐾 NEW BLOG POST: “From Psychology to Veterinary Medicine” 🩺

Did you know that Dr. Harrison didn’t start out in veterinary medicine?
He was actually finishing his third year of mechanical engineering at Western Michigan University when one elective class — Introduction to Psychology — completely changed his life.

(We’ll just say his girlfriend at the time — now his wife, Brittany — was a little concerned when he said he was switching majors 😅.)

What followed was a winding, wonderful journey through psychology, compassion, and eventually veterinary medicine. Along the way, Dr. Harrison discovered that understanding behavior — both human and animal — is just as important as understanding biology.

In his newest blog post, he shares how a single class, a childhood dream, and one special memory of his mom helped shape the way he practices today — and why Fear Free care and empathy are at the heart of everything he does. 💚

➡️ Read it here: https://tawasanimalhospital.com/🧠-from-psychology-to-veterinary-medicine-why-understanding-behavior-matters-as-much-as-biology/

☕ Grab a cup of tea (his favorite) and see how psychology became one of the most powerful tools in his veterinary toolbox.

11/11/2025

Curious noses and playful paws can get into more than you think. 🐶🐱

A little extra awareness goes a long way in keeping your pets safe, happy, and healthy at home.

11/07/2025

🐾 NEW BLOG POST: “What Veterinary Medicine Taught Me About People” 🩺

If you’ve ever worked with people, you know it’s not always easy — and being a veterinarian is no exception. 😉

In his newest post, Dr. Harrison shares some honest lessons he’s learned after 23 years of caring for pets and their humans. Spoiler alert: people aren’t always simple, but they’re almost always worth understanding.

From the worriers and the googlers to the criers, the cookie-bringers, and the chaos-creators — this week’s blog dives into what it’s really like to walk alongside every type of pet parent imaginable. 💚

It’s funny, it’s real, and it might just make you see yourself (or your vet) a little differently.

And as we approach Thanksgiving, this one feels especially meaningful — a gentle reminder that a little grace goes a long way. 🧡

➡️ Read “What Veterinary Medicine Taught Me About People” here: https://tawasanimalhospital.com/%f0%9f%a7%a0what-ive-learned-as-a-veterinarian-what-vet-med-taught-me-about-people/
☕ Grab a cup of tea (Dr. Harrison’s version of coffee) and enjoy the next post in his “What I’ve Learned as a Veterinarian” series — because sometimes the best lessons aren’t just about pets… they’re about people.

🧠"What I've Learned as a Veterinarian" What Vet Med Taught Me About People - You’ll see raw love, deep fear, and incredible loyalty — often bundled together in one fragile moment. If you really want to learn about people, become a

11/01/2025

🤝 NEW BLOG POST: “The Day I Realized I Couldn’t Do It Alone” 🩺

We all like to think we can do it all… until life (or a cat) reminds us otherwise. 😅

In this week’s blog, Dr. Harrison shares the very humbling story of the day he learned that lesson firsthand — with a little help from a cat scratch, an ER visit, and a team that didn’t miss a beat while he was sidelined. 🐱💉

“The Day I Realized I Couldn’t Do It Alone” isn’t just about veterinary medicine — it’s about teamwork, trust, and the reminder that none of us are meant to carry everything by ourselves. Whether you work in a hospital, an office, a classroom, or a barn — this one’s for you.

You’ll laugh, you’ll relate, and you might even look at your own coworkers with a little more appreciation. 😉

➡️ Read it here: https://tawasanimalhospital.com/%f0%9f%a4%9dwhat-ive-learned-as-a-veterinarian-i-couldnt-do-it-alone/
☕ Grab your tea (Dr. Harrison’s version of coffee) and enjoy this week’s reflection from his “What I’ve Learned as a Veterinarian” blog series.

Because sometimes the best medicine — and the best workday — starts with realizing you don’t have to do it all alone. 💚

🤝"What I've Learned as a Veterinarian" I Couldn't Do It Alone - The Day I Realized I Couldn’t Do It Alone I thought being a “good doctor” meant doing everything myself. I’d stay late, redo every chart, double-check

10/31/2025

🎃👻 Happy Halloween from the Tawas Animal Hospital Boo Crew! 👻🎃
Wishing all our furry friends (and their humans!) a safe, fun, and treat-filled Halloween! 🐾🍬
Don’t forget to keep your pets safe and comfy during the spooky celebrations — and share your cutest costume pics in the comments! 🐶🐱✨
🧡 – The Tawas Animal Hospital Boo Crew 🎃

10/29/2025

October 29 is National Cat Day! 🐾

Spoil your cat with a checkup, new toy, or extra cuddle time.

10/25/2025

💔 NEW BLOG POST: “The Hardest Part of Being a Veterinarian” 🩺

This week, we asked Dr. Harrison to share something few veterinarians ever talk about — his most vulnerable fear.

After 23 years in practice, he’s seen joy, heartbreak, and everything in between. But this post is different. It’s not about medicine or diagnoses — it’s about the emotional weight of caring deeply and the fear that every compassionate veterinarian carries silently.

In “The Hardest Part of Being a Veterinarian,” Dr. Harrison opens up about what it feels like to do every test, try every treatment, and still not have the answers. He shares the truth behind those quiet moments after a patient is gone — when compassion turns to self-doubt, and the heart keeps asking, “Did I do enough?”

It’s raw. It’s real. And it’s one of the most honest things he’s ever written. 💚

➡️ Read it here: https://tawasanimalhospital.com/what-ive-learned-as-a-veterinarian-the-hardest-part-of-being-a-veterinarian/
☕ Grab a cup of tea (his favorite), take a deep breath, and see the side of veterinary medicine that so few ever get to witness.

Sometimes the hardest stories to tell are the ones that remind us why love, empathy, and showing up — even when it hurts — matter most.

"What I've Learned as a Veterinarian"-💔 The Hardest Part of Being a Veterinarian - 💔 The Hardest Part of Being a Veterinarian People often assume the hardest part of my job is euthanasia. And yes — helping a family say goodbye to their