Healing Power of Dogs

A recent photo shoot at Qualicum Beach Animal Hospital meant so much to me on so many levels. I don’t even know where to start. I’ll try my best to tell you about it without writing a novel. Scroll down to see photos from our session, the cutest dogs, a little background story, and even some behind the scenes sneak peek videos.

Dr. Ashley Bernauer, Chicken & Pizza

Meet Dr. Ashley Bernauer. I am positive that many of you know this gentle and kind person as she has treated

so many animals over the years in this area. I am very grateful that we were able to find a doctor like Ashley

to treat my best friend. Summer was treated by Ashley for many years and I can tell from my own experience that Dr. Ashley was always a kind, funny, honest and very knowledgeable veterinarian who explored every avenue to treat the problems. Ashley is also very capable at running the clinic and the business side of her practice. She is a visionary and courageous woman who takes the risk and works hard to bring her vision into reality. She is definitely an inspiration to me and others. If you think it's too many compliments in one paragraph, I can assure you that I can go on for much longer.

Keep reading to meet the doctors, Dr. Graeme, Dr. Cheyenne, and Dr. Jared, the technicians and administrative and supportive staff. I would like to thank everyone for being so cooperative and positive during the shoot, and to all dogs for being the best and happiest models ever.

---

I met Dr. Ashley Bernauer almost six years ago, when she sent an email which made me super happy.

She liked an image on my website and wanted to have it etched on glass in the reception area.

I was thrilled that my Summer would be a part of this amazing place where the main purpose is to help animals. I took the original photo with a tripod and a self-timer on the Lantzville beach on a very stormy and cold January day. While standing there in the freezing wind I could never imagine this picture becoming so significant to me in the future.

Here is the glass piece and the original picture. The etched glass was about 6 ft long. Every time I saw it, I had a happy energy rushing through my body…. and I did see it time to time because Ashley became our vet.

---

Debbie Genoe

Debbie has been a part of the administrative and reception team since the beginning. She always made us feel like we are a part of the family. Since the first appointment to the very last one she was kind, patient and always helpful. She has a great sense of humour and loves animals. (Yes, she also has a pack of lovely dogs.) Thanks Debbie for all your help over the years!

---

Last year was very exciting for Dr. Ashley and her Qualicum Beach Animal Hospital. She renovated a beautiful place in downtown Qualicum with operating rooms, therapy rooms, offices and staff rooms. The equipment and resources are unreal. It really is a fantastic facility. (The large glass piece with Summer made it to the new clinic as well! It is now dividing the operation rooms and it brings in light and love where it's needed the most.)

The new clinic on Beach Road is looking fantastic (so is Ashley, Chicken and Pizza!)

The great reviews about Dr. Ashley Bernauer and her practice spread fast and her clinic grew (and so did the staff). There are four veterinary doctors, and many veterinary technicians and administrative staff. With the new building, the new website was coming, and I was asked to do the branding photos.

Honestly, I had mixed feelings about this.

I was thrilled and so excited about the opportunity to photograph this bunch of fantastic people, but, at the same time I was questioning myself if I can do it just two weeks after Summer passed away. Will I handle it mentally and emotionally? Is it going to be too hard to see and work with all the puppies? I felt there is too much connection to my girl, and I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off. I was afraid it might be just too emotional.

The experience turned out to be exactly the opposite.

The day started with a dragonfly. When I came to my car in the morning, on my way to the shoot, there was a dragonfly hovering close to my head for some time and after I got into the car, she kept hovering in front of the windshield. I knew Summer was telling me I'll be fine. (There was a dragonfly in our house on Summer's last day telling her - and us - that she would be ok.) So, thanks to my morning grounding routine, all the happy (and so well behaved) dogs, friendly people, ... and the dragonfly, the whole shoot was a success.

The team at QBAH

---

The shoot couldn’t be postponed because one of the team members, Jane, was moving back to Australia. One of the reasons for the shoot was to give Jane a group photo as a keepsake to take with her to her homeland. I hope all is going well for her, Franklin and the whole family back home.

Jane & Franklin

---

Meet the Doctors at Qualicum Beach Animal Hospital.

The doctors work tirelessly to help our dogs and cats. They use all resources to get your pet back to health - from traditional treatments to laser, chiropractic treatments, nutrition programs, and much more. Find out more about their services and variety of treatments they offer on the freshly designed QBAH website. The link to the website is in the last notes at the bottom of the page.

---

Now, get ready for some cuteness overload. We have here beautiful professional women (who work with passion and kindness with our animals), accompanied here by their furry best friends.

Look at Dixie's face! Can she be any cuter? She is so gentle and adorable. I just love this girl so much. Then we have a handsome Jackson. Young, strong and oh, so handsome. Look at that smile! I have to smile myself every time I look at him.

---

I think Jackson wanted to be a star of the shoot with being photographed twice. Can you see how eager he is to be in the photo? So cute! There is his smile again. I have a feeling he also wanted a picture with his friend Megan. Then there is Bella and Nanook. Look at Bella's face mask. Isn't she just a beauty? Such a gorgeous dog. She is so loving and would love to kiss everyone. And her sibling - Nanook. I think I have to say this. Nanook made us all laugh and was little bit of a class clown that day. Thank you Nanook. I needed that.

---

Nick and Denise are the best pair! Denise is like mini me. Also, I am wondering, who is the pack leader here!? I also love that they are both matching colour with their mom's hair. Adorable. Love this trio. And Reef. What a handsome boy with a very, very deep and serious look. Reef has such a great personality and temper. Just look at his wise and expressive face and smart eyes.

---

If there was a time when I felt a little shaky inside, it was while photographing Penny and her mom Sheena. Penny is a border collie x lab mix as Summer was, and I could see so many similarities between them. I just wanted to hug Penny and hold her forever. The way she was looking at Sheena grabbed my heart and I am so happy they found each other.

That being said, I loved all doggies and I was so grateful to see so many rescues. Knowing that the beautiful humans working at the clinic have their heart in the right place and are adopting dogs and cats who need homes made me very happy.

Sheena & Penny

Last, but definitely not least, is Anita. She deserves a special thanks for organizing the photo shoot with me and helping me with the admin side of the project (and the BTS picture). You rock. Thank you so, so much lady!

Anita

---

There were so many dogs at our photo shoot, and I loved being around them. Some of them were goofy and made us all laugh. Some of them were cute balls of fur, some of them athletic and strong, but they all had big hearts and all of them helped me to heal. They helped me connect with Summer,

and I knew she is with us the whole shoot.

---

I put together a short behind the scenes video. There was lots of laughter and good spirit on that amazing large deck. There were also lots of arm gesticulations on my part - that's what happens when you direct 17 people and 12 dogs while wearing a mask!

---

The purpose of this photo shoot was to get fresh and updated images for the new website (which just came out last week) and create a keepsake for Jane as a reminder of her Canadian working family. It didn't end there though. I was pretty stoked when Ashley asked me to print all photos. She wanted to give them to all her employees as Christmas gifts. I am all about printing and I think this idea was awesome. The prints came (as always) on a professional luster photographic paper and were matted to 11" x 14" acid-free mats and, because I love wrapping, ready with tags for Santa.

---

Last notes

This blog wouldn't be complete without a note and a big thank you to Dr. Ashley and Megan. These two were the angels that came last September to help Summer put on her wings. I'll be forever grateful for your kindness, love and those liver cookies you brought with you. But that's a story for another time.

---

I can't recommend the Qualicum Beach Animal Hospital enough. We were always treated very well and very fairly, with kindness, knowledge and understanding. Go and check the website www.qualicumbeachvet.com to read about all services and treatments they offer. (Chiropractic treatments, laser therapy, dental care and much more (besides all traditional services). There is also a page on my website with links to local businesses, and you can find QBAH there with the links to their website and fb page.

And what I love the most about these wonderful people? That they are animal lovers in the true sense and set the best examples by giving their hearts and homes to animals in need. (Yes, there are lots of rescued kitties too. We just didn't have them at the photo shoot. Maybe some other time!)

Support the veterinarians

I don't know how many of you are aware how emotionally demanding this profession is and how many vet professionals are emotionally and mentally drained. There are some organizations who are here to help and have websites and help phone lines. NOMV (Not one more vet) is one of them (https://nomv.org/about/mission/). I believe they are operating in the States, but have many resources online.

In Canada, I found only one phone number for mental help which was specifically for veterinary professionals in BC, AB and MB - 1.800.663.1142 (https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/mental-health-resource-list)

I encourage you to read a little bit on this topic and you will see your vet in a brand new light. I would like to ask you all to be kind and considerate when dealing with the professionals (the doctors, the technicians, the administrative and all support staff) at any veterinarian clinic. When our animals get sick we get stressed out and we are scared. I get it. I've been there. Let's all remember (even in these stressful times) to stay kind and keep in mind that they are doing their best for our furry friends and us.