a letter from

the PRESIDENT

Sarah S. Bonstead, DVM

updated: 08.20.09

Hello to my fellow friends in veterinary medicine.

As incoming president I just wanted to say a few words. As I write this letter St. Louis is in one of our famous heat waves, the All Star Game is about to take place, and I just took part in my first “dog birthday party” complete with Frosty Paws and special dog cake.

Just to tell you a little about myself. I grew up in St. Louis and graduated from Parkway Central High School and the University of Missouri. I presently work in Lake St. Louis at a small-animal practice.

In the past year, the board and I worked on getting our organization into shape. We cleaned up the By Laws, started holding Friday meetings at the Humane Society, and had one of the best speaker series that I can recall.

The coming year looks to be just as exciting. We are in the process of lining up speakers and finding ways to make a difference in the community. Just this past weekend I had the opportunity to participate in the St. Louis Pet Lover Coalition All Star event. This is a group of 20 area pet shelter and rescue organizations trying to work together to achieve a common goal. The GSLVMA is part of the coalition. As such we will be able to give our medical advice to help these organizations thrive.

During the All Star event we had a stuffed dog that can demonstrate how we perform an ovarian hysterectomy. The people had a great time clamping her “pedicles” aka rubber bands using surgical instruments.

This January St. Louis will be hosting the MVMA state convention. I hope many of you will be able to attend. I will be working on ways for our members to help out with the convention.

Enjoy the rest of the summer and be sure to put the fall social at Purina Farms on your calendar.

Sincerely,

Sarah S. Bonstead, DVM

2009/2010 GSLVMA President