Our mission is to provide low cost spaying and neutering of dogs and cats, and to promote the general welfare of animals in our community and surrounding areas. | | | | | AMIGOS DE ANIMALES BOQUETE PANAMÁ APRIL 2024 NEWSLETTER | | | CLINIC MUSINGS FROM OUR PRESIDENT & MARCH CLINIC Sometimes you just gotta have fun. Ruby and I received an unexpected invitation: a radio show spotlighting Amigos de Animales. No grand microphones—just a humble phone. Iris, our translator, wove our words into magic. As we sipped cappuccinos, we shared tales of clinics and animals. The studio walls leaned in, eavesdropping on our laughter. Afterward, I was gifted a bag of Palo Alto coffee beans—a treasure. With coffee beans cradled, we wandered into the orchid fair. Amidst the petals, we found much beauty. Life's radio show awaits—sometimes all you need is a phone, a friend, and a bag of Palo Alto coffee to make magic happen. Amigos de Animales and Dogcamp united under the moon's benevolent gaze. Kevin Leo, originally from South Africa and now living in Panama, graced us with his amazing voice. The venue—a lovely setting in Los Molinos. Kevin sang of love lost and found, his voice echoing through the night. The crowd enjoyed the performance as evidenced by all those dancing and singing along. We counted the funds raised—a constellation of hope. Spaying, neutering, healing—it all lay ahead. Kevin Leo had woven magic. Amigos de Animales and Dogcamp—a chorus of paws and laughter. Kevin Leo, our troubadour, sang us into the night. Thank you Orit Pines for being the event organizer extraordinare to arrange this incredible fundraiser | | | Monthly Clinics are Critical! At our **regular monthly clinic**, on March 24, we successfully **sterilized 230 animals**. Additionally, during an **away clinic in Puerto Armuelles**, on April 7, our dedicated team of **28 volunteers** and **3 veterinarians** embarked on a mission to make a positive impact. They provided essential care by sterilizing **107 more animals**. Our commitment to animal welfare continues to create healthier communities for all species, one clinic at a time. | | | The Benefits of Pet Ownership Courtesy of HealthGuide.org Most pet owners are clear about the immediate joys that come with sharing their lives with companion animals. However, many of us remain unaware of the physical and mental health benefits that can also accompany the pleasure of snuggling up to a furry friend. It's only recently that studies have begun to scientifically explore the benefits of the human-animal bond. Pets have evolved to become acutely attuned to humans and our behavior and emotions. Dogs, for example, are able to understand many of the words we use, but they're even better at interpreting our tone of voice, body language, and gestures. And like any good human friend, a loyal dog will look into your eyes to gauge your emotional state and try to understand what you're thinking and feeling (and to work out when the next walk or treat might be coming, of course). Pets, especially dogs and cats, can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and playfulness, and even improve your cardiovascular health. Caring for an animal can help children grow up more secure and active. Pets also provide valuable companionship for older adults. Perhaps most importantly, though, a pet can add real joy and unconditional love to your life. Any pet can improve your health While it's true that people with pets often experience greater health benefits than those without, a pet doesn't necessarily have to be a dog or a cat. A rabbit could be ideal if you're allergic to other animals or have limited space but still want a furry friend to snuggle with. Birds can encourage social interaction and help keep your mind sharp if you're an older adult. Snakes, lizards, and other reptiles can make for exotic companions. Even watching fish in an aquarium can help reduce muscle tension and lower your pulse rate. Studies have shown that: Pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets. - People with pets have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those without pets. One study even found that when people with borderline hypertension adopted dogs from a shelter, their blood pressure declined significantly within five months.
- Playing with a dog, cat, or other pet can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax.
- Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels (indicators of heart disease) than those without pets.
- Heart attack patients with pets survive longer than those without.
- Pet owners over age 65 make 30 percent fewer visits to their doctors than those without pets.
One of the reasons for these therapeutic effects is that pets fulfill the basic human need for touch. Even hardened criminals in prison show long-term changes in their behavior after interacting with pets, many of them experiencing mutual affection for the first time. Stroking, hugging, or otherwise touching a loving animal can rapidly calm and soothe you when you're stressed or anxious. The companionship of a pet can also ease loneliness, and most dogs are a great stimulus for healthy exercise, which can substantially boost your mood and ease depression. | | | GET TO KNOW OUR AMIGOS DE ANIMALES FAMILY This month we're featuring another husband and wife team: Rick Crites & Ellen Edmondson How did you meet and how long have you been married/together? We met 27 years ago in 1996 through a dating service run by a member of our church. We married on March 13, 1998, on a Friday the 13th and thought that overall, it was our lucky day! Your position/title with AdA: Rick – Animal Intake Data Input Ellen - Surgical Assistant with the veterinarians How long have you been working with AdA? Both - About 3 years, since after the Covid restrictions in 2021 Can you tell us a little bit more about what you do with AdA? Rick – I input the data in regard to weight and anesthesia for dogs and cats as they come in the door. Ellen: I get the surgical instruments, sutures, etc., ready. I assist the vets with documentation, position the animal for surgery, monitor the animal during surgery and get them to recovery and prepare the operating table for the next animal. Why would you encourage others to volunteer here with AdA? Rick – Keeping the animal population under control is beneficial to both the animals and the community. Ellen – My motivation in working with and for Animales is to do something to alleviate the suffering of animals in our Boquete district. The collective love of the Animales family for our animal brethren is a force for good in the community. Click here for the rest of Rick & Ellen's stories and more pictures on our website. | | | | KIBBLE & BITS: • Food Drive: We are continuing to feed needy dogs and cats in Boquete at a cost of over $1,700 per month. You can donate by clicking here • 2024 Calendars - a few still remain. Buy them at Mailboxes and Mike's Global Grill for only $5 • Membership Drive: Sign up for your annual Amigos de Animales membership and receive a great car magnet. Membership is still only $10. You can sign up at the BCP Tuesday Market or at a clinic. • Gift certificates: We have made gift certificates in the denomination of $10 and $20, the price of an individual sterilization for a cat or a dog. Give your neighbors, gardeners and maids certificates for their dogs and cats. Let's help each other help each other!
These certificates are an easy way to help. They are available at the Animales table at the BCP Tuesday Market, at Mike's Global Grill or at the clinics. • Educational Outreach program: We are visiting local schools to educate students about proper care for their pets, and the importance of spaying and neutering animals. Please email Cindy at cindy_wclayton@yahoo.com if you can help. Click here to donate, or click here to volunteer. • Spay or neuter your animal: we get new requests daily and are doing clinics by appointment only. Contact Rosa, our appointment coordinator, at 6563-8686 to be added to our list. • Rescue/adoption?: The mission of Amigos de Animales is strictly spay and neuter, we are not a rescue, adoption or veterinary service. Please do not ask Rosa about any other service - there are many other rescue groups in and around Boquete. • We have been updating our website - check it out here • Animales is always looking for stories and pictures to share in this newsletter. Please contact us at info@aadab.org if you are interested. | | | MARK YOUR CALENDAR - UPCOMING EVENTS • Training - you can watch our new training here or our prior training here. We have training sessions for new volunteers Saturday at 9:45 the day before each clinic. Contact Leslie @ volunteer@aadab.org if you have any questions. • Clinics - Sunday April 28, 2024 (held the last Sunday of each month - no clinic in December). WhatsApp Rosa at 6563-8686 if you need to register an animal. | | | WAYS TO HELP AMIGOS DE ANIMALES: • Donations: Any amount will help. Click here for ways you can make a donation • If you would like to volunteer for Animales, contact Leslie or Raquel at volunteer@aadab.org
• If you can donate dog or cat food, please drop it off at the Amigos de Boquete
office in Alto Dorado or contact us @ info@aadab.org
• Don't forget, the Animales Events Center is available to rent for meetings and
gatherings of any kind. Contact Sherry Shirritt at sshirritt@gmail.com or 6858-3607. | | | Here are statistics for our March 24th clinic: | | | Here are 2024 statistics through March: | | | 2024 Totals Animales Totals-to-Date | | | | Thank you for your support! We could not do what we do without all of our incredible donors, sponsors and volunteers! | | | | | | | Website: www.aadab.org Contact us at info@aadab.org if you have any questions. Copyright © 2022 Amigos de Animales, All rights reserved. | | | |
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