Holy Cow Critters
For the 190th week of "7 QUESTION SUNDAY" we shine the spotlight on another influential individual from the PNW. Annette Lanker is the owner of Holy Cow Critters, a holistic educator of all things pets!
4EVRGRN: Hey, AL! Tell us a little about yourselves.
AL: Providing peace of mind to pet parents for over 35 years
Pets have been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember. So, it was only natural that I would want to find the BEST OF EVERYTHING for my pets and the pets of my friends and family. Wanting only the very best has led me on a lifelong journey to educate myself in all things pet! I’m by no means an expert in everything animal related, but I am an expert at making the best connections, so I have a network of pet professionals to call upon when I have a question or a specific need.
Caring for animals is a passion of mine and that’s why I teach wellness care for senior pet-izens, safety tips for hiking with your dog, as well as Pet CPR and 1st Aid classes.
Would you know what to do for your pet in an emergency situation?
Or do you know what constitutes “normal” for a pet’s health?
I can teach you how to do a thorough ‘snout-to-tail’ assessment on your dog or cat. - that way you’ll be able to detect the least little change in their health and head off small issues before they become big problems.
My mission is to improve the quality of pets lives, one owner at a time! I want your life with your pet to be the best it can be.
What is your background working with animals?
AL: I WORKED AS A VET TECH FOR 10+YRS ON LITERALLY EVERYTHING FROM MICE TO ELEPHANTS. I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A VET GROWING UP UNTIL I REALIZED THAT NOT EVERYONE FELT THE WAY THAT I DID ABOUT THEIR PETS. SO I ENDED UP GOING INTO HUMAN MEDICINE INSTEAD BUT ANIMALS ARE STILL MY PASSION.
Why is a holistic approach so important for pets?
AL: AS SOMEONE WHO LIVES WITH A CHRONIC AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE, I SOUGHT OUT HOLISTIC OPTIONS FOR MYSELF. WHEN I WAS BLESSED WITH MY HEART DOG, PETEY, I WANTED HIM TO HAVE THE BEST OF EVERYTHING. AS HE FACED MEDICAL CHALLENGES, I SOUGHT THE SAME SORT OF HOLISTIC CARE FOR HIM INSTEAD OF HARSH MEDICINES THAT WOULD DAMAGE HIS ORGANS OVER TIME. HE HAD HIS OWN MASSAGE THERAPIST. ACUPUNCTURIST AND CHIROPRACTOR, AS WELL AS A HOLISTIC VET. I STARTED READING THE LABELS ON THE GOOD AND TREATS I WAS GIVING MY PETS AND WAS APPALLED TO LEARN ABOUT THE LAX REGULATIONS IN THE PET INDUSTRY. I EDUCATED MYSELF ON THE TERMS BEING USED AND WHAT CONSTITUTED A GOOD QUALITY PRODUCT.
You are partnered with PawTree, what can you tell us about their product line?
AL: PAWTREE PRIDES ITSELF ON THE HIGH QUALITY INGREDIENTS IN ALL OF OUR PRODUCTS. WE WON'T CUT CORNERS. WE SOURCE AND PROCESS IN THE USA PROMOTING AMERICAN JOBS. WE INVITE 3RD PARTY INSPECTIONS OF OUR PRODUCTS AND PRIDE OURSELVES ON OUR HIGH STANDARDS. WE OFFER A 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE ON ALL OUR PRODUCTS. TRY IT FOR 90 DAYS, IF YOU AND YOUR PET DON'T LOVE IT, WE'LL BUY IT BACK. DOES YOUR PET FOOD COMPANY OFFER THAT?
What is one thing you wish everyone in the PNW would do for their pets?
AL: MICROCHIP THEIR PETS AND REGISTER THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION WITH THE MICROCHIP COMPANY!!
AND READ THE INGREDIENTS IN YOUR PET FOOD AND TREATS. IF YOU NEED A CHEMISTRY DEGREE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S IN A PRODUCT, IT SHOULDN'T GO IN YOUR PET!
Where is your favorite place to take your dogs in the PNW?
AL: WE LOVE STEILACOOM DOG PARK. I KNOW LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE ISSUES WITH DOG PARKS, BUT I KEEP A WATCHFUL EYE ON MY PUPS AND ON THE BODY LANGUAGE OF OTHER DOGS NEARBY.
Favorite local pet product or shop?
AL: WE MOSTLY USE PAWTREE FOOD AND PRIDUCTS, BUT MY PUPS LOVE MUD BAY STORES AND LUCKY DOG OUTFITTERS FOR COATS AND LEASHES AND SUCH. OUR COLLARS ARE ALL FROM PACIFIC-RAIN.COM AND FOR LOCAL TREATS, CHECK OUT PUPCAKES! http://www.pupcakesmuffins.com/
Where can people find information about your pet CPR classes?
AL: THEY CAN CONTACT ME AT HOLYCOWCRITTERS@GMAIL.COM, FRIEND ME ON MY FACEBOOK OR CHECK PETTECH.NET FOR THE CLASSES AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE. OUR CPR CERTIFICATES ARE RECOGNIZED BY PETCARE ORGANIZATIONS WORLDWIDE.
www.holycowcritters.com
Holycowcritters on all social media platforms (FB, IG, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter, plus personal Facebook is Annette Lanker)
