With less than four weeks to go in the 85th Legislative Session, the Legislature has shifted into high gear as we are now meeting even on weekends. This next week the Texas House will have its last chance to take action on the bills that were authored by House members. In the weeks that follow, the House will be required to consider only Senate bills, which means a dead sprint to the finish line. Stay tuned, as things will only get more interesting as we approach Sine Die. . .
Legislation
I’d like to start by highlighting a piece of legislation that is very important to my district, and one which I am proud to have supported since its inception. This resolution, SJR 2, calls for a convention of the states under Article V of the Constitution. Because the Senate has already passed their joint resolution, this legislation does not require the governor’s signature and effectively makes Texas the 11th of 34 states needed to call the convention. I am a proud co-author of this resolution and believe that its passage represents a strong step towards reigning in the power of the federal government.
One of the most important bills this session recently passed the House with unanimous support. HB 3976 helps bring sustainable structural changes to TRS-Care, which affects nearly 207,000 retired teachers and 54,000 of their dependents. As the bill author, I’m proud this legislation earned the support of the Texas Retired Teachers Association, as well as all my House colleagues, as we were able to demonstrate our commitment to those retired teachers who have been so instrumental to the well-being of our state.
Finally, I’d like to bring attention to a couple education bills that passed out of the House this week. One of my bills, HB 1776, replaces the end of course history exam with the civics portion of the United States citizenship test. The second, and perhaps even more important, HB 515, rolls back high-stakes testing by eliminating nine standardized tests in our schools. I am proud to have incorporated my bill into HB 515 by amending the language to ensure the civics portion of the United States citizenship would replace the U.S. History end of course exam after this burdensome test is eliminated.
The elimination of the U.S. History end of course exam is part of a national movement to do away with a test that fails to address the most fundamental aspects of American citizenry. The passage of this legislation in the Texas House not only helps to promote fundamental knowledge that is critical to an engaged and productive citizenry, but also alleviates burdens at the local level by allowing our educators to administer the test at any time in a student’s high school career.
Reminders
The mobile office is back on the road in May and looks forward to seeing you around the district! Here’s this month’s schedule: May 3rd from 9am – 11am at the Leon County Courthouse in Centerville or from 1:30pm – 3:30pm at the Madison County Courthouse Annex in Madisonville. You can also come see us on May 17th from 9am – 11am at the Houston County Courthouse Annex in Crocket. Finally, we will be at the San Augustine County Courthouse on May 24th from 9-11am. As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if we can help you in any way. My district office may be reached at (936) 634-2762, or you can call my Capitol office at (512) 463-0508.
(Austin, TX) – This past week, I voted in favor of legislation that prohibits “sanctuary city” policies in Texas and strengthens community safety in Texas. Senate Bill (SB) 4 ensures that local law enforcement agencies hold arrested violent criminal offenders when the Department of Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) issues a detainer. This legislation comes after some governmental entities in Texas have adopted “sanctuary city” policies that purposefully hinder or prohibit local law enforcement cooperation with ICE and prohibit officers from inquiring about a person’s legal immigration status.
I am extremely proud of our Southeast Texas local law enforcement agencies. Southeast Texas cities and counties understand the importance of public safety and do not practice “sanctuary
city” policies. Additionally, the House passed House Bill (HB) 28 which puts the franchise tax on a track toward complete repeal. This is a burdensome tax that has impacted many small businesses in our district. I hope that with this tax relief legislation will help many of our small businesses continue to prosper and improve our economy in the future.
I also had the opportunity to present a few pieces of my legislative agenda on the House floor for consideration by the full legislative chamber. Public safety, as well as legislation relating to
Texas youths under the foster care conservatorship of the state, has been a principal focus of mine during this legislative session.
One of the primary purposes of the criminal justice system improving the rights of crime victims. HB 104 relates to notification provided to certain victims of criminal offenses. As it currently
stands, victims and families of victims of heinous offenses are unaware when a grand jury indicts their assailants of subsequent violent offenses. For our victims, this creates a major source of
anxiety when they receive notification in the newspaper or through the word of mouth that the same heartless criminal has committed the same crime again. This bill simply seeks to provide
victims with notification of indictment so that they may have peace of mind. I filed this legislation on behalf of a great couple in House District 19 and plan to continue working with them on victims’ rights issues.
Another role of the criminal justice system is the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders. HB 91 asks that licensing agencies to review their occupational licensing requirements that look
at an applicant’s criminal history. Those with a criminal record frequently are barred for years after successfully finishing their sentence from obtaining an occupational license that will allow
them to practice their trade. Achieving consistent and stable employment has been well documented to be one of the principal factors to combatting recidivism, and getting those who have paid their debt to society as contributing and respected members of their community.
When it comes to juveniles, HB 1204 allows for adjudication for certain children who engage in criminal conduct. Sometimes young people are misguided in their ideas and it can land them in
trouble. We must appropriately discipline our youth when they fail to follow the law. In most situations, our juvenile justice system promotes rehabilitation and works to keep our youth from
entering the adult criminal justice system. This bill seeks to provide alternative options and resources for our judges, law enforcement, juvenile justice chiefs, and child protective system to try and get our youth back on track.
Throughout Southeast Texas we are blessed with so many Child Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers. Because they work directly with youth in challenged situations, they know
first-hand the needs and resources these young people require. One of those needs is personal identification. I have authored and passed HB 3338 off the House floor to ensure that DPS issues
foster care youth an identification card or driver’s license before they reach the age of 18. Our kids in state care already face a slew of issues that many of us will never encounter. Children who “age out” of the foster system many times do not have government issued ID cards or driver’s licenses. Not having this documentation makes it nearly impossible for these kids to gain employment, housing, or pursue higher education. My bill seeks to make sure that these kids receive proper documentation before aging out of the system, so that we can provide the youth of our state with the best chance for success.
During the week, I was able to have Cody and Katie Camden from Silsbee serve as Honorary Pages in the Texas House. They were accompanied by their mother, Angela Camden. These two
outstanding students were able to assist the House Sergeants Office and get an inside look at the inner working of the State Legislature. I am always proud to host young minds from the district
as part of this program and invite those wishing to take advantage of this opportunity to contact my office.
The Capitol of Texas belongs to you and visiting the Capitol during the biennial legislative session is a great experience. To assist in arranging your visit please call Saul Mendoza, my Chief of Staff, at (512) 463-0490 or at saul.mendoza@house.texas.gov.
Lufkin Texas (May 2, 2017) – Woodland Heights Medical Center today announced it has earned Perinatal Care Certification from The Joint Commission. The facility is one of only four in the state of Texas and 39 in the nation to receive this recognition. The certification program recognizes Joint Commission accredited hospitals committed to achieving integrated, coordinated and patient-centered care for mothers and their newborns.
Woodland Heights underwent a rigorous onsite review in March to assess its compliance with certification standards for perinatal care. During the review, Joint Commission experts completed an independent evaluation of Woodland Heights’ perinatal health careservices, as well as the following key requirements:
Integrated, coordinated patient-centered care that starts with prenatal and continues through postpartum care
Early identification of high-risk pregnancies and births
Management of mothers’ and newborns’ risks at a level corresponding to the program’s capabilities
Available patient education and information about perinatal care services
“Achieving Perinatal Care Certification recognizes an organization’s commitment to healthy mothers and healthy babies,” said Patrick Phelan, executive director, Hospital Business Development, The Joint Commission. “The certification gives providers an unparalleled advantage when it comes to preparing mothers for labor and delivery, while also being able to help them if complications arise.”
“We are honored to receive Perinatal Care Certification from The Joint Commission, the premier health care quality improvement and accrediting body in the nation,” added Kyle Swift, CEO of Woodland Heights. “By achieving this certification, we are focused on ongoing quality-improvement processes to improve care for mothers and newborns.”
Established in 2015, Perinatal Care Certification is awarded for a two-year period to Joint Commission-accredited hospitals.
About Woodland Heights Medical Center
Established in 1918, Woodland Heights Medical Center was Lufkin’s first hospital. Now, more than nine decades later, Woodland Heights is recognized throughout Deep East Texas as the leading provider of high quality, innovative health care services. Accommodating a wide range of clinical specialties, Woodland Heights has achieved excellence in key medical and surgical areas including cardiology, pulmonology, neurology, orthopedic surgery, physical medicine/rehabilitation, vascular surgery and obstetrics and gynecology. Woodland Heights also offers a full range of outpatient diagnostic services including advanced imaging, laboratory, outpatient surgery and emergency services. Through its Rehabilitation Center, Woodland Heights offers cardiac rehabilitation, stroke recovery and physical and occupational rehabilitation. The facility also houses the only Level 2 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the deep East Texas area. Woodland Heights is directly or indirectly owned by a partnership that proudly includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital’s medical staff. Combining modern facilities, leading technology, an exceptional staff and a commitment to the communities it serves, Woodland Heights Medical Center remains at the forefront of quality health care in Deep East Texas.
Lufkin, Texas – Woodland Heights Medical Center today announced it has earned Perinatal Care Certification from The Joint Commission. The facility is one of only four in the state of Texas and 39 in the nation to receive this recognition. The certification program recognizes Joint Commission accredited hospitals committed to achieving integrated, coordinated and patient-centered care for mothers and their newborns.
Woodland Heights underwent a rigorous onsite review in March to assess its compliance with certification standards for perinatal care. During the review, Joint Commission experts completed an independent evaluation of Woodland Heights’ perinatal health care services, as well as the following key requirements:
Integrated, coordinated patient-centered care that starts with prenatal and continues through postpartum care
Early identification of high-risk pregnancies and births
Management of mothers’ and newborns’ risks at a level corresponding to the program’s capabilities
Available patient education and information about perinatal care services
“Achieving Perinatal Care Certification recognizes an organization’s commitment to healthy mothers and healthy babies,” said Patrick Phelan, executive director, Hospital Business Development, The Joint Commission. “The certification gives providers an unparalleled advantage when it comes to preparing mothers for labor and delivery, while also being able to help them if complications arise.”
“We are honored to receive Perinatal Care Certification from The Joint Commission, the premier health care quality improvement and accrediting body in the nation,” added Kyle Swift, CEO of Woodland Heights. “By achieving this certification, we are focused on ongoing quality-improvement processes to improve care for mothers and newborns.”
Established in 2015, Perinatal Care Certification is awarded for a two-year period to Joint Commission-accredited hospitals.
LUFKIN, TEXAS, April 28, 2017 –Angelina College’s business honor society, Alpha Beta Gamma Rho Alpha chapter welcomed 22 new members recently.
From left: Cheyenne Berry, Francisco Salas, Manuel Arellano-Sosa, Jeffery Arriola, Michael Walsh, Monica Gonzalez, Devon Davidson, Alejandro Torres, Robyn Haak, Enrique Rodriquez and Alison Burnham along with chapter VP Stacey Woods and chapter Pres. Frank Emerson Alamo. Not Pictured: Joshua Adair, Meagan Adair, Kayleigh Beasley, Jacinda Castillo, Craig Coggins, Holly Copeland, Lane Fritz, Sostenes Iribarren, Bernardo Rodriguez, Kaci Stringer, Stewart Thomason
New members include Cheyenne Berry, Francisco Salas, Manuel Arellano-Sosa, Jeffery Arriola, Michael Walsh, Monica Gonzalez, Devon Davidson, Alejandro Torres, Robyn Haak, Enrique Rodriquez and Alison Burnham along with chapter VP Stacey Woods and chapter Pres. Frank Emerson Alamo, Kayleigh Beasley, Jacinda Castillo, Craig Coggins, Holly Copeland, Lane Fritz, Josh Adair, Megan Adair, Bernardo Rodriguez, Kaci Stringer, Stewart Thomason and Sostenes Iribarren. Guest speaker was Gene Lee, owner and president of Lee Transervices.
For more information about Business programs at Angelina College, call 936-633-5300 or visit
www.angelina.edu <http://www.angelina.edu>.
LUFKIN, TEXAS –Thirteen Smith-Hutson Scholarship recipients celebrated their graduation or transfer from Angelina College in the 2016-2017 academic year. A graduation reception was held this week in honor of their accomplishments. Spring graduates include Colton Alsbrooks, Amanda Cabrera, Wanda “Mich” Connor, Monica Gonzalez, Regina Loerch, Fernanda Montoya, Chelsea Snow, TyEasha Handy, Sekela Minor and Lesley Sosa.
Smith-Hutson Scholars gather outside the Student Center during a recent reception in their honor. They are among the largest class of graduates from the Smith-Hutson Scholarship Program at Angelina College. Back Row: TyEasha Handy and Colton Alsbrooks. Front Row: Regina Loerch, Wanda “Mich” Conner, Sekela Minor, Monica Gonzalez, and Fernanda Montoya.
Colton Alsbrooks, from Groveton High School, will transfer to Sam Houston State University to pursue a BBA in Business. During his time at AC, Alsbrooks made the Dean’s Honor List.
Amanda Cabrera, from Lufkin High School, will transfer to Stephen F. Austin State University to pursue a BBA in Accounting.
Wanda “Mich” Connor, from Zavalla, earned her AAS as a registered nurse. While at AC, Connor made the Dean’s Honor List and was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
Monica Gonzalez, from Groveton High School, earned her degree in Business Leading to a BBA. While at AC, Gonzalez was inducted into Alpha Beta Gamma International Business Honor Society. She will transfer to Sam Houston State University to pursue a BBA in Accounting.
Regina Loerch, from Chireno High School, will transfer to Stephen F. Austin State University to pursue a BS in Interior Design.
Fernanda Montoya, from Diboll High School, will transfer to Stephen F. Austin State University to pursue a BA in Information Technology. While at AC, Montoya made the Dean’s Honor List multiple semesters.
Chelsea Snow, from Harmony High School, will transfer to The University of Texas at Tyler to pursue a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies – Early Childhood Education. Snow made the Dean’s Honor List during her time at AC.
TyEasha Handy, from Central High School, will transfer to Sam Houston State University to pursue a BS in Political Science.
Sekela Minor, from Lufkin High School, will transfer to Stephen F. Austin State University to pursue a BA in Psychology. Minor made the Dean’s Honor List during her time at Angelina College.
Lesley Sosa, from Diboll High School, will transfer to Sam Houston State University to pursue a BFA in Advertising and Graphic Design.
Fall graduates include Emily Price, a transfer student to Stephen F. Austin State University for Business, Yvonne Rocha, a transfer student to Sam Houston State University for Criminal Justice, and Teffiny Wertz completed the Licensed Vocational Nursing Program.
The Smith-Hutson Scholarship Program is currently active at Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Lamar University, and Lamar Institute of Technology. The program at Angelina College was established in 2014 to support students with strong academic potential and financial need. The Smith-Hutson Scholarship, with financial aid, typically provides sufficient assistance to cover tuition and fees, books, and some commuting or living expenses.
For information regarding the Smith-Hutson Scholarship Program at Angelina College, contact Megan Flowers, scholarship coordinator, at mflowers@angelina.edu
It’s an event that consistently provides a boon for the local economy, all while bring along with it four full days of college softball excitement.
The softball complex at Angelina College will be the site of the upcoming Region XIV Conference Tournament opening Saturday, May 6 and running through Tuesday, May 9. Eight teams will battle for a trip to the NJCAA World Series beginning May 17 in St. George, Utah. (AC Press photo/Gary Stallard)
Angelina College will again be the site of the Region XIV Conference Softball Tournament, where eight teams will battle for a trip to the NJCAA’s national tournament beginning May 17 in St. George, Utah.
The four top teams from the conference’s East and South zones will open the double-elimination tourney at 10 a.m. on Saturday; the championship game will take place on Tuesday. AC’s Lady Roadrunners won the tournament in 2014 on their way to a national title – the first national title in the college’s history.
Admission prices are $40 for a full tournament pass, $15 for an all-day pass and $6 per game. Anyone leaving the park will be charged for re-entering. Pass lists will not be utilized. Representatives from four-year colleges must pay admission to the tournament.
The softball complex at Angelina College will be the site of the upcoming Region XIV Conference Tournament opening Saturday, May 6 and running through Tuesday, May 9. Eight teams will battle for a trip to the NJCAA World Series beginning May 17 in St. George, Utah. (AC Press photo/Gary Stallard)
Tournament programs and t-shirts will be a sold at the ball park. T-shirts are $18.
The concession stand will be open throughout the tournament. No outside food or drinks will be allowed into the park. Coolers will not be allowed in the park.
General parking is located adjacent to the Baseball/Softball fields and in the parking lot in front of the new Technology Center or the lot directly across College Drive. No parking will be allowed on the highway or behind baseball’s field house.
Games will begin at 10 a.m. each day.
Angelina College will host the Region XIV Conference Tournament beginning Saturday, May 6 and running through Tuesday, May 9. Eight teams will battle for a trip to the NJCAA World Series beginning May 17 in St. George, Utah. Pictured: Angelina College’s Jordan Kisselburg. (AC Press photo/Gary Stallard)
Saturday’s first-round schedule is as follows: Game 1, 10 a.m. – #3 Kilgore College vs. #2 Blinn College; Game 2, 12:30 p.m., #2 Bossier Parish Community College vs. #3 Lamar State College-Port Arthur; Game 3, 3 p.m., #1 Tyler Junior College vs. #4 Galveston College; and Game 4, 5:30 p.m., #4 Angelina College vs. #1 San Jacinto College.
Sunday’s second-round schedule is as follows: Game 5, 10 a.m., Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 1; Game 6, 12:30 p.m., Loser Game 2 vs. Loser Game 4; Game 7, 3 p.m., Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 3; and Game 8, 5:30 p.m., Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 4.
Angelina College’s Lady Roadrunners, already known for their propensity to bash softballs, in 2017 shattered the team record for home runs in a season. The old record, set last year, was 76.
Heading into this week’s regional tournament, the Lady ‘Runners have launched 99 balls – ranked third in the nation – over the fences.
That’s just one record smacked into the wind. There have been others.
Last weekend at Northeast Texas College, Kali Holcomb homered twice, giving her 18 for the season – including five grand slams – and breaking the previous record teammate Taylor Davis set just last year. Davis, by the way, has 12 homers this year, meaning she’ll leave the college as the all-time career leader in that category.
“I was excited for Kali,” Davis said. “My goal was to set the all-time record, and I did that, so I’m happy.”
Taylor Davis (left) and Kali Holcomb established new program records in 2017, with Davis becoming the program’s all-time leader with 29 homers and Holcomb setting the single-season record with 18. (AC Press photo/Gary Stallard)
On the same day, Jordan Kisselburg rocked her 17th to tie the record, only to see Holcomb pass her just hours later.
“Every time I hit a homer, Kali thinks she has to hit one right after,” Kisselburg laughed. “Most of the time, if I hit one, she hits two.”
In all, 12 Lady Roadrunners performed home run trots during the season. Six reached double figures in dingers: Holcomb, Davis, Jordan Kisselburg, Kaylee Parker, Lynsey Mitchell and Lauren Garza. Mitchell hit five of her homers and drove in 17 runs in a single doubleheader, leading to her landing in the “Faces in the Crowd” section of Sports Illustrated in March. Nine players had slugging percentages higher than .500. Holcomb (71 RBI), Parker (63 RBI), Garza (60 RBI) and Kisselburg (58 RBI) are the top four run producers in all of Region XIV.
A total of 12 Angelina College Lady Roadrunners combined for 99 homers in 2017 to shatter the program’s single-season record. Pictured are (front row, L-R) Jordan Kisselburg, Halie Pritchett, Lauren Garza, Taylor LaGrange, Miranda Wiggins and Shay Vegas; and (back row, L-R) Taylor Davis, Taylor Lenggenhager, Lynsey Mitchell, Morgan Conner, Kali Holcomb and Kaylee Parker. (AC Press photo/Gary Stallard)
The three team leaders in the homer category – Holcomb (18 homers), Kisselburg (17 homers) and Parker (16 homers) – admit this year’s power surge, while a result of a lot of work, nevertheless took them by surprise. Holcomb, for example, hit just two in her freshman season at AC.
“I learned to be more selective, and I changed some things with my stance and approach,” Holcomb said. “I added a leg kick this year, whereas last year I had more of a normal stance. I spent more time in the weight room than I have previously, but most of what changed for me came from pitch selection and focusing more on my swing.
“My approach last year was thinking I could hit any pitch they threw me. I didn’t execute on the good pitches I saw, and I got out on the bad ones I chased. This year, I figured out which ones to leave alone.”
Kisselburg and Parker are transfers who will leave after just one season as Lady Roadrunners. They both agreed the atmosphere at AC played a large role in their success at the plate.
Six Lady Roadrunners reached double figures in homers in helping the team shatter the program’s single season record with 99. Pictured are (L-R) Jordan Kisselburg, Taylor Davis, Lynsey Mitchell, Kali Holcomb, Kaylee Parker and Lauren Garza. (AC Press photo/Gary Stallard)
“It’s having more people behind me who believe in me,” Kisselburg said. “Here, I knew I was going to be okay every time I stepped in the batter’s box. I had people telling me the whole way, ‘Just believe in yourself and focus on the ball.’ It helped me figure out how to stay within myself. I didn’t have to do anything more than what I could do. I knew I could just do my best, and everything was going to be fine.
“Having that many people believing in me just feeds me in a very positive way. Bam’s (Miranda Wiggins) mom sits behind the plate and asks me every single time I step into the box, ‘Where are you going to hit it next?’ It’s never about ‘if’ I can do something. If I hit it, or even if I battle through an at-bat and end up making an out, I’m never worried about trying to do anything more than I personally can do at that point and at that time. They all believe in us, and we believe in each other.”
Parker, the Hudson product who spent a year playing JUCO softball in Florida, said there was just a different feeling about playing in front of familiar faces.
“I didn’t hit a single homer in my freshman year of college,” Parker said. “It helped being back in my home town, knowing the people in the stands were there for me and believe in me. It makes the game much easier.”
Having support is great, but there had to be a lot of work thrown into the mix.
“We spend so much more time in the batting cage here than anywhere else I’ve ever seen,” Parker said. “We take more than a thousand cuts per week, and it’s not just getting in there and swinging. It’s working on bat control, pitch selection, timing – all the things we need just to be able to barrel up when we make contact.”
Head coach Mark Mattson said this group of players has responded to his annual challenges in a big way. The next one, along with winning the regional tournament, is to hit No. 100.
“They love having things to shoot for,” Mattson said. “We tell our teams at the beginning of every season, ‘Here’s what last year’s team did. Can you match it or surpass it?’
“These girls love a challenge, so going into the tournament, they still have a goal of hitting that 100th bomb. While it’s not a priority, it’s something to add a little excitement.”
While the Mattson – Mark and associate head coach/wife Barbi – approach to hitting has never wavered (“You’re in scoring position when you step into the box”), getting that many players to experience success in the same season required both faith and effort.
“You’ve got to give our coaching staff a lot of credit,” Mattson said. “It’s a combination of all three of us working on different aspects together, and it works for the players. We added Macho (Steven Macharro), who brought in another dynamic to what we do.
“Those players have always believed in what they can do, but once they get going, it’s even better. Kali’s thing was to take all the work she’d been doing and get on an early roll. Those first five, six, seven homers showed her results from all her efforts, and there was just no way she couldn’t keep going.”
As for which player is going to notch No. 100, there seems to be a debate. Kisselburg is already calling dibs on it, especially since she missed it by mere inches last Saturday.
“I thought I had it,” Kisselburg said. “Right after Kali hit her second one (the record breaker) that day, I hit a ball deep that hit right on top of the fence and bounced back into the field.
“No doubt. No. 100 has to be mine.”
The Lady Roadrunners open the regional tournament against San Jacinto College at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Rockland, NY, MAY 1, 2017 —
According to MarketResarch.com nearly one third of dog owners take their pets with them if they are going away for two or more nights. GoPetFriendly.com puts that number even higher at
51% and three quarters of those respondents will travel by car.
So how can you ensure the safest trip possible with your pet? Here are a few tips from Dr. Jessica Downing of Valley Cottage Animal Hospital.
Hitting the Road
First and foremost, pets, including dogs, cats or other animals, should never be allowed to roam freely in a moving vehicle. We wear our seatbelts and secure our children with seatbelts and our pets
should be secured the same way. They can be placed inside a carrier which is then secured with a seatbelt to ensure it won’t get tossed around in an accident. Pets can also be restrained with a pet-friendly harness. It is important that the restraint be the
proper size secured appropriately when your dog is in your car. Even if your dog falls asleep during the ride, stopping short can send your furry friend hurdling forward causing injury. Another tip is to keep your pet restrained in the backseat as airbag systems
can be deadly to a dog during a crash if they are in the front seat.
Knowing that your dog or cat is safely secured in the vehicle will also reduce your desire to turn around and check on them, thus taking your eyes and attention off the road.
Air Travel
If you are travelling by air, consider a pet-friendly airline. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, each airline is able to decide their own policies and procedures and some do not allow
pets to travel in the cabin. Call the airline ahead of time to ask for their specific policies and requirements. Keep in mind that service animals are not pets, they are working animals that assist people with disabilities and therefore they do not need any
health certificates to travel and do not need to be confined in a container or crate.
Avoid placing your pet underneath the plane and instead find out if they can be in the cabin with you. Poor ventilation, extreme temperatures and loud engine noise can have devastating, sometimes deadly
consequences for pets placed in the cargo area. Remember that pet containers must be small enough to fit underneath the seat without blocking anyone and must remain properly stowed the entire time the plane is moving. Keep in mind that each airline will have
a list of types of pets that can be brought into the cabin as well as a limit on the number that can be on each flight, they may also have requirements that your pet be harmless, odorless and more. There may be an additional charge for the pet to fly with
you even if they are safely stowed underneath your seat.
Ensuring Anxious Free Travel
If you know that your pet becomes anxious while travelling, consult your veterinarian about anti-anxiety medication to make the experience less stressful for both you and your pet. Always bring your
pet’s regular food with you to avoid digestive upset. It is also a good idea to carry an extra supply of your pet’s medication and a copy of your pet’s medical records. Lastly, for all interstate and international travel, whether by land or air, a health certificate,
provided by your veterinarian, is required. This certificate serves as your pet’s vaccination record and states that your pet is free of all contagious diseases.
What If….
If your furry family member can’t go with you, consider leaving them at home with a pet sitter or in a local boarding facility. Young, active pets may benefit from staying at a kennel that offers playtime
with other pets that are boarding. Anxious pets may be most content if left at home with a pet sitter, where their daily routine can be closely adhered to. Elderly pets or those with serious medical needs may be safest if they board at their veterinarian’s
clinic/hospital. Ask your veterinarian for reliable pet sitters or kennels in your area.
Wherever you choose to board your pet, make sure that they are fully up-to-date on their vaccinations. Respiratory infections, such as infectious tracheobronchitis (a.k.a. kennel cough) and canine
influenza, have been widespread among the canine population this season. Upper respiratory viruses, such as herpesvirus and calicivirus, have also been particularly virulent amongst felines over the past several months. In order to provide maximum protection
against these respiratory diseases, have your pets vaccinated by your veterinarian 1-2 months prior to boarding. This will allow your pet’s immune system to mount an adequate protective response against these diseases. Vaccines administered immediately prior
to your pet’s stay at a kennel provide little protection.
Lastly, always provide your pet sitter or kennel staff with a permission letter should they need to seek medical care for your pet while you are away. Alert your veterinarian of your wishes for your
pet’s medical care should they need to provide medical assistance/advice in your absence.
LUFKIN, TEXAS – They aid in medical diagnoses and treatment decisions by providing timely and accurate test results. Medical Laboratory Professionals are a vital part of the health care delivery team. CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial Lufkin recently recognized members of its laboratory team during National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week including (front, l to r) Rita Mayshaw, Gayle Truscott, Judith Few, Elizabeth Scroggins, Christy Westbrook, Amanda Mullin, Cherelle Liddle, Sylvia Garofolo, James Nelson, Dr. Maria Vasquez, John Nesbitt (back, l to r) Dr. David Todd, Wendy Tylich, Theresa Sant, Lindsey Suggs, Jessica Weaver and Sharon Shaw (not pictured: Stephanie Bell, Elizabeth Cherry, Erica Chesser, Janice Ghant, Shellen Henderson, Kayla Hernandez, Christie Hulsman, Lesia Jones, Patrick Mays, Jeff McSwain, Kessa Nichols, Amye Ordaz, Rebecca Owens, Bridgette Pearson, Brittany Pearson, Perla Williams, Pam Pickard, Jacey Powers, Jasmine Price, Crystal Reynolds, Mandy Stovall, Katrina Wheless, Elizabeth Stanley, Carla Williams, Brandi Dotson, Chris Braue, Leo Maiquez, Jo Teer, Danielle Bradberry, Lauren Epps, Sybil Rogers Lewis, Sara Castillo, Kathlyn Levias, Rebecca Fontenot, Christian Bean).
Laboratory professionals perform tests on body fluids, interpret the results and help provide a complete picture of a patient’s health. Memorial operates a lab within the hospital as well as CHI St. Luke’s Health-Express Lab. Express Lab provides lab testing without physician orders in an outpatient setting. The Express Lab is open Monday – Thursday, 7:00 am – 5:00 pm, and Fridays, 7:00 am – 3:00 pm. For more information call 936-639-7726.
