Upper Peninsula Veterinary Service & ThunderPaws Boarding

02/13/2025

5 years ago, I was between jobs, for lack of better words 'unemployed'.
I'd given notice at my job of nearly 12 years, a job that was secure and comfortable but had been over the years no longer fitting my life. I had been afraid to leave; I was worried about failure.
But it was time & had been time--for YEARS!
At 40, I was starting down a different career path.
I was about to set out into the unknown. The uncertainty of my choices.
And then--COVID; the world shut down as we were building a business. Those first months were thin. But I remember thinking if I we weren't doing this--how would I be helping home school my child?? Cattle work kept us out on farm calls & Andrew became very proficient in knowing where things were packed and what I'd need--especially for uterine prolapses.
But we were still being asked to pretend dogs were just small cows. So one night Dick says, "Why don't we buy ThunderPaws?--keep boarding pets & renovate the house to an office." In a short time, that's exactly what happened. Closets became hallways, walls went up, windows came out, and doors went in. My parents put in a 100+ hours of finish work. And before long we were doing surgery and taking radiographs.
Home schooling came to an end, and my helper went back to class. Friends volunteered their time as needed assisting in the office and going out on farm calls. After 3 years of them being at my beck and call, inconveniencing their lives, it was time for UPVS to really become a family business. Dick left the post office to become my jack of all trades--to answer the phones, to help in surgery, to fix whatever, to hand & hold instruments as I castrated cattle, whatever I need--he's there.

As UPVS enters into our 5th year, we'd like to thank all who encouraged us to take the leap. We know our business model doesn't work for everybody. If you're a current or past client who has ever felt short-changed or disgruntled about a policy you felt was unfairly directed at you--we're sorry. Unfortunately, changes to protocols are the result of other people's actions, but they affect everyone.

In the end, every day, please know, we're just trying to do our best--as a family...to help you with your feathered/furred family/flock/herd.

02/09/2025

Mist is reminding everyone--rest is a requirement.

Which is exactly why our after-hours emergency voicemail is lengthy. If the situation does not warrant immediate urgent intervention, it likely can wait to be handled during business hours.

If you have an emergency or need assistance, please do NOT text or email. Emails are sporadically checked only during our business hours and should not be relied on for communication. Incoming texts should receive an autoreply response directing you to call, 906.399.2043.

We have tried to offer assistance to all those who need it but unfortunately we can't operate 24/7. Therefore to be eligible for emergency care you must either be a tourist visiting the area or an already active client. Established clients must be in good financial standing and the animal needing assistance must be part of a herd with a current VCPR or have an annual wellness with a Rabies vaccine on record.

02/05/2025

Guess what was out today--The SUN! You know what else--TICKS! They don't care about snow in their quest for their next meal...

To encourage year-round parasite protection Upper Peninsula Veterinary Service & ThunderPaws Boarding will be running a Valentine's 'Show 'Em the Love' special until Feb 28th.

When purchasing 12 months of both Interceptor (heartworm/intestinal parasites) and Credelio (tick/flea) the cost of the heartworm & tick borne disease screening test will be waived.
There is also an additional manufacturer rebate from Elanco.

To be eligible, patients must have had an annual wellness exam within the last 6mo or be scheduled for an update in February (even if not due we CAN get you in early!) Please call our office at 906.399.2043 with any questions or to schedule an appointment.

(And that's just an old lady wart, not a tick on Lizard's muzzle...)

01/23/2025

Hey, it is me Mist--And guess what!?
I've been made an honorary Girl Scout of Troop 5221--And it is COOKIE TIME!

Troop cookie proceeds are used to fund events like bridging on Mackinaw Island, trips, girls' annual memberships, badges/patches, and so much more.

Unfortunately, with the importance of my position, I can't just up and leave my day job to go with them! IYKYK 😉 things don't function as well around here without my supervision!

But I can still help you place an order on a paper form or through a girls' digital cookie site. Digital cookie orders you may select girl delivered to avoid shipping charges.

When you buy GS cookies, you're helping girls develop 5 essential life skills: Goal setting, Decision making, Money management, People skills, and Business ethics.

Coming soon… girls are staffing their first ever order taking from local businesses. In March we will have our traditional booth sales where boxes of cookies are available to purchase.

Please feel free to contact me or their Leaders: Deb LeBlanc, Robin Derwin or Angela Snyder if you have questions; we can help you place a direct order with Lily, and Lena, (Senior scouts bridging to Ambassador) or Amy, Aubree, Grace, and Scarlett (Cadette’s bridging to Senior).

Note… This is the last year for Toast-Yay cookies!

01/18/2025

Swan & Buɓɓa wanted to be sure you remembered--Valentines day is 4wk from today!
So don't forget the love of your life, the one who is always there for you, never judges & is always ready for the next adventure whether that's a walk or a nap--your dog! They'd love one of L Connin's dog ropes.

And while you're at it, get something for the cat too, so it doesn't have another reason to plot your demise... you know if you pick a fleece wand they'll want a catnip mouse & vice versa.
Upper Peninsula Veterinary Service & ThunderPaws Boarding is also participating location for the Hearts for EBAS fundraiser.

01/15/2025

Mist would like you to know...Cabin crazy is a real thing! But Spring is only 64 days away-- bring on mud season!

She's also reminding you emails should not be used to communicate your requests for appointments, refill medications, etc. Please just call. We know we have a lengthy voicemail BUT as a 2 person mixed animal practice it necessary.

01/14/2025

I grabbed 2 of these at the grocery store because I was heading to a meeting & thought I might need a reason to step out...
How many of us (me!!) quick grab a drink, candy bar or bag of chips or all of the above-Daily? Or even a few times a week?
Just 1 of those above mentioned things bought 15 times per month costs MORE than a dose of tick protection for your furred friend.
Tick season is year-round; they don't care about the snow or negative temps...

01/10/2025

It literally used to get my goat (pun 100% intended) when people said, 'I do my own vetting'. But... don't we all dabble in doing it ourselves? Doctor-ing, mechanic-ing, etc?
You don't call your physician for a sliver or headache. It doesn't require a mechanic to change your windshield wipers or fill your gas tank.
That being said... your doctor does not want you to wait until you have walking pneumonia before you come in for that cough. And your mechanic doesn't need the dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree before you call and want him to figure out why...

The same holds true for vet-med. Your vet doesn't just want to see your horse with the 5 day old wound that is oozing instead of healing, your cat for 2 days of vomiting & being unable to eat, or the febrile limping for several days hunting dog because you've tried to treat it at home & nothing has worked. These are just a few examples of why having a good working relationship with your vet is priceless. Your vet, wants to see & touch your pets when they are well, so they have a baseline when they aren't.
Although, annual or bi-annual wellness exam may seem unnecessary or a waste of time and money, without them your vet will never really know your pet's healthy normals.

The take home note--your vet relies on you to notice the subtle changes. Your pets should let YOU clean their ears, brush or cut out mats, clip their nails/touch their feet, open their mouth/brush their teeth, etc. Because you are the first one who will know if there's something different. When it is outside of your wheelhouse, make that call to your vet, sooner rather than later.

12/26/2024

Before you just throw them your Christmas tree...

12/15/2024

Today is... Dec 15--even though we've a layer of snow it is heartworm prevention & flea/tick protection day for our crew!
Reminder, heartworm medication treats 30 days BACKWARDS & tick/flea medication treat 30 days FORWARD.
(Everybody needed a nap after walking in the woods today...)

12/03/2024

Sustainable relationships are built on commitment, devotion and dedication; the same goes for veterinary-client-patient relationships.
Therefore, please be advised, if you choose to seek veterinary care elsewhere—except for referrals, specialists, or emergency situations—this tells us that you no longer wish to use our services. As a result, we will no longer be obligated to provide care in the future.

11/16/2024

BOARDING update--For the next few months, we will have extremely limited availability. Andrew is playing high school hockey; weekend games are out of area.

11/09/2024

Missing from Tanquay; is female/spayed & microchipped.
2 little boys would very much like their kitty home...

11/08/2024

11/05/2024

As the holiday season travel plans approach--don't forget about your pets...

If your pets are riding along--is all your paperwork in order? Have you done the requirements for traveling out of state (certificate of veterinary inspection) or out of country & returning to the US (rules changed for Canada!!)?
Are you going to a heartworm hot bed?
If while away from home your pet needs care-- where will you seek it? Is there an emergency clinic? Please PLAN.

If you're boarding your pets-- confirm weeks in advance what the kennel needs. At minium they will require your pets to have current vaccines (Rabies, Bordetella, DHPP/L), but may require f***l or other specific vaccines. Contact family or friends to confirm they will be your emergency contact for the kennel while you're gone.

If you have an inhouse pet sitter-- contacting your veterinarian to advise them you do, what your financial requests are, etc. Ensure your pet sitter has your vet's contact information.

Pre-planning can help ease the in the moment stress during an unexpected situation.

10/26/2024

If you haven't noticed these babies are super social & moms are very causal about them running up to me! 💙🩵🩷
Come on out to the Rusty Belle Farm pumpkin patch & get your own 'CUTEST CALVES' pics & of course some PuMpKiNs!

10/26/2024

Big Ben remains a snuggler & I just pulled these from his head, neck & shoulders!
It is still very much tick season--don't get lax on protection!
Now we keep an extra close eye on Big Ben for signs of being 'off' & research if I can use BossUltra on calves this young, cows in milk...