If you are an animal lover you must see the new movie, Dolphin Tale! Based upon the true story of Winter, an Atlantic Bottle-nosed Dolphin, whose tail was badly damaged in a crab trap line and had to be amputated in order to save her life. Winter was rescued from Mosquito Lagoon (near Cape Canaveral) and transported to Clearwater Marine Aquarium to begin a long rehabilitation and where she still calls her home.

The movie is a classic kids story - boy with issues bonds with injured dolphin and fights to save her life, thus saving his own. The boy, Sawyer Nelson, played by Nathan Gamble, plods through each lonely day without any friends and a single mother, Lorraine Nelson, played by Ashley Judd, who doesn't know how to help him. It isn't until she sees him at the aquarium where all the staff knows his name does she see her son come alive. Dr. Clay Haskett, played by Harry Connick Jr. is the veterinarian that saves Winter and Dr. Cameron McCarthy, played by Morgan Freeman, build the prosthetic that Winter is finally able to wear that allows her to swim. This is a feel good movie and is fun for the whole family. Dr. Rick gave it 2 thumbs up and says the movie is pretty accurate with regards to handling and care of Winter.

Winter is now completely healed, adapted to a new swim pattern, and has learned to eat fish on her own despite the odds against survival. She still lives in the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. You can watch her on the "Winter-Cam" online. You can visit Winter's website for more information and see how you can help build Winter a new home!

As I have gotten older I realize how events that occur in your younger, formative, years can have an adverse affect on your thoughts and behaviors as you age. My story is not an uncommon one but it is one that I have found very few people ever talk about. 

When I was younger we lived in a small college town, Brockport, New York, located just outside of Rochester. We lived in the country which was great for our dogs as they got to roam freely without any worries. My first Pug was a fawn colored male named Goober and he was my best buddy. We went every where together. Goober moved about as fast as his name would indicate and every morning we would let him out the front door and he would mosey across the front yard, cross the road and do his business in the field across the road from our house and mosey on back. One morning while I was at school Goober was crossing the road like he always did when a car hit and killed him instantly. My Dad said the car had to have been traveling at a speed over 100 miles an hour and of course the driver never stopped. It took me a few years but I eventually adopted a new baby Pug that I named Sammy. Sammy was much different than Goober. He was excited and playful all of the time and we had the best time. I took him every where with me and all of my friends loved him. I taught him how to drink water out of a straw which was pretty cool!

We proudly announce the addition of K-Laser Class IV Therapeutic Laser Treatments for advanced pain relief and enhanced tissue healing. Multiple studies and decades of use have not just suggested, but proven, that laser therapy can help to relieve pain, reduce swelling and inflammation, increase range of motion, and ease the healing process in many types of acute and chronic injuries and ailments.

Laser therapy works by stimulating production of cellular energy in damaged cells. It also enhances cell membrane permeability (the ability for cell membranes to transfer molecules, which enhances the exchange of nutrients and wastes across the cell membrane), making the cells work more efficiently. This promotes the speed and the quality of healing, and improves elasticity of injured tissues. Laser therapy also modulates pain and reduces inflammation. It can be used immediately on acute injuries, over broken skin and over metal implants. Laser therapy can also help with the resolution of chronic complaints such as arthritis and other orthopedic ailments.

Park Avenue Animal Hospital was voted BEST OF APOPKA in 2010 thanks to our awesome friends and clients. Now, we’re asking for your help again. Orlando Magazine is once again hosting the BEST OF ORLANDO vote-in contest, from now until MAY 1. Orlando Magazine is Central Florida’s premiere magazine for all things happening in our local area. From dining and entertainment to reviews on local services, Orlando Magazine has set the standard for local publications since 1946.

To have our name listed as Best Veterinary Office in Central Florida in a publication with such respect and prestige would be a huge honor! We can’t do it without you, though. We’ve made it super easy to vote for us. Simply go to this link and fill out the required fields. For your convenience, a selection of local businesses have already been written in on the ballot, including PAAH! Don’t feel obligated to stick with those choices, though – Vote for who you want to win, and help give your favorite local businesses and personalities the recognition you think they deserve. Help us show Orlando that we’re the best! Vote today!