Ruff Day Veterinary Acupuncture and Rehabilitation

08/05/2026

The AVMA is considering a proposal to create a new Veterinary specialty in Veterinary Hospice and Palliative Care Medicine. This is an entirely different type of medicine than what we're taught in Vet school, where the emphasis is on diagnosis and treatment of disease. This new specialty would focus on patient comfort and care, as well as caregiver support. Anybody who has worked with us in the past, especially with a patient nearing end of life, knows how passionate we are about these things.

If this is an area that interests you, the AVMA is looking for public comments as they make their decision. Please read the letter of intent here:https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2026-05/ABVS_Letter-intent-ACVHPM.pdf

Then, if you'd like your thoughts on the matter to be heard, public comments are collected here: https://form.jotform.com/260904559098064

NOTE, the comment period closes August 13!

We are very excited to see this important aspect of Veterinary patient care gaining more attention by the AVMA! What are your thoughts?

Please click the link to complete this form.

07/02/2026

Just wanted to alert our pet-lovers who may be near JBLM! Medicate your pets, if they need it, in time for their 50 canon salute at NOON on the 4th of July this year!

UPDATE/CORRECTION: This post incorrectly identified Watkins Field as the location for today’s Salute to the Union ceremony. That information was incorrect. We apologize for the error and any confusion it caused.

JBLM Honors Independence Day with Salute to the Union

At noon on Saturday, July 4, JBLM will commemorate our Nation’s 250th birthday with a Salute to the Union at Watkins Field on Lewis Main—a ceremonial firing of 50 cannon rounds, one for each state in the Union.

The salute will include live cannon fire and last approximately three minutes. Those near Lewis Main may hear the cannon fire as JBLM participates in this proud military tradition dating back to the 1800s.

I Corps 7th Infantry Division 593rd Corps Sustainment Command Madigan Army Medical Center

06/23/2026

The discharge sheet tells you how to give the meds. It doesn't tell you about the 3 a.m. shift carrying 70 pounds of groggy, frightened dog down the stairs, or how to tell whether that whining is pain or just the anesthesia talking.
When our own dog Chloe came home from surgery last fall, the two of us, people who do this for a living, were challenged by the first 24 hours.
So Dr. Heather finally finished the guide she'd been writing for two years: the other discharge instructions. The messy, emotional, real ones nobody hands you at pickup.
Chloe's fully recovered now (a big thanks to her veterinary team in Gig Harbor!). If your pet has a surgery coming up, this is a must read.
👉 What got you through the first night after your pet's surgery?

We wrote this last October, in the thick of our own dog Chloe's recovery from surgery. We're publishing it now, months later and with the benefit of hindsight, because those first 24 hours taught us things no discharge sheet ever covered. Chloe has fully recovered — more on that at the end. If y

05/06/2026

Yadi came in ready to party today! Sorry, Yadi, no margaritas for you tonight... But worry not, he had a blast with Dr. Heather in the gym, and he got plenty of Cinco de Mayo treats!

04/16/2026

As the owner of a dog who has been attacked by off-leash dogs on 3 separate occasions in her 11 years on this planet, I wanted to share this educational opportunity with our Ruff Day friends! If you've ever been concerned about what to do when your dog is rushed by another dog, check this out!

I'm hearing so many stories lately of walking your dog and being rushed by an off leash dog. I created this short webinar to cover how to prepare, what to do in the moment and how to move past experiencing such an event.
https://sounddogconnection.com/webinars/

If you'd like to purchase the event reply below or email me at a
[email protected] or shoot me a text at 253-358-5232.

12/31/2025

🐾 What if we treated our business like a rehab patient?

Observe. Ask questions. Iterate. Improve.

This December, we ran an experiment: redirect our marketing budget from ad platforms to local charities. We asked ourselves what incentives could create pro-social behavior while helping families find specialized care.

You showed up. 1 month. 9 detailed reviews. 5 charity votes. Stories that are already bringing new clients to us.

2025 Results:
💙 Old Dog Haven: $220
❤️ Forgotten Dog Rescue: $205
💚 Fish Food Bank: $175

Your participation inspired us to amplify the impact. Your stories became breadcrumbs for other families searching for help.

This is an active experiment. We're practicing what we preach—learning, iterating, building something that aligns with our values.

Partners in Purpose continues in 2026. Read the full story: https://www.ruffday.vet/the-ruff-writer/practicing-what-we-preach-a-behavioral-economics-experiment-in-veterinary-marketing

As we finish out 2025, we are filled with gratitude for this beautiful community. Happy New Year!

We applied behavioral economics to our marketing strategy: what incentives create pro-social behavior while helping families find specialized veterinary care? Year 1 results: 9 reviews, $600 to local charities, and lessons learned about sustainable community impact.

12/16/2025

Let's get some Ruff Day patients represented in this calendar! You'd better believe we're submitting pictures of Chloe! 💜

Cutest Pets of Gig Habor Calendar Competition!
Send in your animals, including the farm variety, to be voted on by very judgmental 8-9 year olds for the cuteness!

30% of Calendar Sales to be donated to charity, either animal rescues or after school art programs for kids.

Submission deadline is the 28th!

Send pictures to: [email protected]
Email Title: Cutest Pets

12/10/2025

Did you know that Santa's reindeer get a full physical exam before their big day every year?

12/03/2025

🐾 We need your help turning your story into community support!

We believe that if you go down, your pet goes down with you. That's why we focus on the whole picture: your dog's health, your resilience as their caretaker, and the community support system that makes the marathon sustainable.

Here's how you can help: Write an honest, detailed review on Google or Facebook (with a brief disclosure per FTC guidelines), and we'll donate $15 to Forgotten Dog Rescue, Old Dog Haven, or Fish Food Bank. Your choice.

Your story becomes hope for another worried pet parent. Your effort funds local helpers. Can you take 10 minutes to help us make this happen?

Learn more:
https://www.ruffday.vet/the-ruff-writer/your-story-matters-more-than-you-think-especially-if-you-wish-youd-found-us-sooner

(Please read the post before reviewing! It includes a quick form so we know where to send your donation, plus a small note on transparency).

11/28/2025

This is going to be an awesome event!

We have scheduled another Massage Workshop! This will fill fast, interested?