Founders

Dr. Roger Kuhn

Dr. Roger C. Kuhn attended the University of Missouri, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1968. He completed an internship at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital 1969. Upon graduation he became an associate doctor at the Marina Pet Hospital in San Francisco in the fall of 1969. In 1970, he purchased the Marina Pet Hospital from Dr. Howard Carroll.
Throughout the 1970s, Dr. Kuhn lectured at regional, state and local meetings on the medical diagnostic use of in-hospital laboratory tests and the value of diagnostic testing, as well as surgical techniques such as orthopedic bone plating. He computerized his practice in 1975, and made the practice paperless in 1978. He gave the first veterinary seminar on the use of the computers in private practice at the Central States Veterinary Conference in the late '70s.
During the 1980s, Dr. Kuhn focused on standardizing quality of care through diagnostic algorithms and protocols. He developed a rapid delivery of patient care by computer programming. This programming allowed him to begin to expand the number of hospitals and the distance between the hospitals he owned. In 1980 and 1985, he purchased two more practices in different counties, becoming the first free standing, multi-hospital, regional practice group in the San Francisco Bay area.
During the 1990s, Dr. Kuhn gave many seminars at the regional and national level and published articles on practice management and practice growth though high quality, consistent care. He continued to pursue excellence in his personal career—in 1982, he was certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Companion Pets. He was re-certified in 1992.
In 1992, Dr. Kuhn was one of the founders of the Banfield Pet Hospitals, located in Petsmart Superstores, where he served in many positions. This start up national practice has become the largest veterinary practice in the world, with over 880 hospitals in the U.S., along with two in the U.K. and one in Mexico City.
Dr. Kuhn now spends most of his time as a mentor for young professionals in his personal practices and at the Banfield Pet Hospital.

Kurt Kuhn

Kurt Kuhn is the chief financial officer for the Marina Pet Hospital Group. Kurt has been a part of the Marina Pet family since 1972. A native of St. Louis, Mo., Kurt has been in the animal care field for more than three decades.
When he's not at the hospital, Kurt can be found on the golf course or spending time with Edie, his shorthair cat.

Why Pet Tags Matter

The majority of pet owners believe that pet tags are important, yet only a minority of them act on it. In fact, of the over 80% who taught the benefits, only 1/3 of pet owners actually tag their animals. This is not enough. With millions of animals going missing each year, it is imperative that pets wear their identity tags.
A recent study in The Journal of the American Veterinary Association reported that the vast majority of cats and dogs that go missing do not have collars and tags on at the time they disappear. This is especially apparent with cats, which are rarely spotted with collars. This is because many cat owners think that collars are dangerous for Whiskers, who likes to climbs trees and weave through branches that could pose a threat if snagged. But most veterinarians will tell you that the risks of losing your cat far outweigh any potential risks posed by a collar.
And just because your pet stays indoors does not mean you shouldn’t tag her, too. Make sure to tag your pets while they’re young so they can adjust to the feeling. It makes sense that your cat won’t immediately like or understand the feeling of a collar if you put it on them when they’re seven years old. But don’t worry, with time, they’ll soon adjust.
Plus, tags can be fun! In addition to the classic engraved tag, there are all kinds of new stylish tags on the market, as well as modern technologically-advanced tags with built-in scan codes and GPS technology. And although microchipping your animal provides the latest trend in pet tracking, tagging remains one of the most simple and affordable options to ensure that Fido always finds his way home. Don’t let your pet become a statistic – contact your local pet store or veterinarian to help you get the tags you need.

Dog Divas and the Pet Industry

Calling All Dog Divas: Why the Pet Industry Remains Strong
Even with a declining economy, there is one place many Americans are not willing to make a cut – their pets. As other industries go down, the pet industry has remained remarkably resilient. Last year, Americans reportedly spent $55 billion on their fury companions. Wonder where all this money is going? Although veterinary services saw a 7% increase in the last year, this was not the only place of growth. Rather, dogs and cats are being treated to trendy human-like luxury items such as gourmet and organic meals, stylish clothes, eco styling products, and even pet exercise equipment.
The Global Pet Expo held in Orange County revealed just how far pet owners will go to pamper their pets. Many of the pet food vendors were even seen nibbling on the food themselves in order to emphasize its great taste and nutrition. With food like pan-seared duck and black-and-white quinoa on the menu, can you blame them?  Although not all animal owners are indulging their pets in 5-star cuisine, the importance of providing a healthy diet is extending beyond your family’s plates and into the doggy dish. “Pet owners aren’t just looking to provide a home for their pets,” says Bob Vetere, president of the American Pet Products Association. “They are investing in their pets’ quality of life.”
How can you spoil your pet? Here are a few products that are sure to enhance your dog’s diva rating:

• Bottles of Pet Pop of Australia’s vitamin-infused mountain spring water for dogs
• Israeli dog shampoo with Dead Sea minerals
• Sniff Pet Candles made of 100% organic products to promote your dog’s health and well-being
• The Honest Kitchen’s fair-trade quinoa from Bolivia and wild, line-caught Icelandic haddock

Now THAT’s one diva dog!

How to Take Pictures of Your Pets

Wish you had a lens ready for those cute moments when Whiskers snuggles up against Spot on the couch? Or when Fido gives you that adorable look? More often than not, we are simply not picture-ready for those picture-perfect moments of our pets. And by the time we finally reach for our cameras, the moment has already passed. If this sounds familiar, here are a few tips to help your pet get the spotlight he deserves:

1. Timing is everything: With animals, time is always of the essence. Your pet is constantly moving, so having a camera that’s both accessible and easy-to-shoot may be key to capturing those fleeting moments. Where movement presents an issue, photographers also recommend shooting in “burst mode” whenever possible.   
2. Get low: You may need to do some gymnastics in order to accomplish the shots you want. Shooting from a comfortable angle probably won’t allow those cute puppy eyes to shine through. Getting down to your pet’s level will instantly improve your shots.
3. Shoot like a video camera: Instead of waiting for your pet to do something cute before reaching for your camera, try reversing your steps. Grab your camera and wait for your pet to entertain you. Usually we’re just a few seconds too late. But if you already have your camera ready, you’re sure to catch Fido in the act.
4. Keep shooting: Especially in the age of digital photography, there’s no reason you can’t rapid fire until you find that one shot that perfectly captures the moment. After twenty shots, you’re bound to get one image that fits the bill.
5. Use natural lighting: It’s best to use natural lighting when photographing your pets. If you have to use a flash, avoid taking the photo from straight on, otherwise you’ll get a red-eye effect. Photographers typically recommend soft morning light or early evening light that comes through trees or windows.   
6. Get their attention: Though the best shots are usually candid, it often helps to get your pet’s attention using treats, toys, or simply calling their name. Remember, dogs will often respond to multiple calls, but chose your battles wisely with Whiskers – she may only fall for that trick once.  
7. Experiment: Play around with your camera’s various modes and shutter speeds to see what best suits your animal’s movements and personality. Each picture tells a story, so don’t be afraid to play around with your camera until you’ve created the story you want to tell.

Pets can be the most fun – albeit complicated – subjects to photograph. With some time, patience, and a lot of experimenting, you too can get the shots of Fido you’ve always wanted. So go ahead, snap away!

Clipping Your Pet's Nails

Pet owners vary in their level of comfort in clipping the nails of their dog, cat, rabbit or bird. But it is necessary to regularly clip nails to help maintain health and comfort. Nails which are uncared for can break or tear and can affect the animal's ability to move about comfortably or cause the animal to injure itself when scratching. If you are uncomfortable clipping the animal's nails yourself, your vet or groomer can do this for you. If you decide to do it yourself, here are a few tips:

1. Remember, the nail is living tissue. Do not clip too close to the quick. If this occurs, the animal will experience pain and the nail will bleed.



Clipping Nail Below the Quick (The quick is the pink area.)



2. There are two types of nail clippers available: the scissor type (which resembles a traditional scissors) or the guillotine type (which surrounds the whole nail). Both are effective. Choose the one that is most comfortable for you and your pet.
3. Many animals resist nail clipping. One way to get them accustomed to it is to handle their paws or feet from a very early age.

Chicken Biscuits
Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole-wheat flour
• 2 cups cracked wheat
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 cup powdered non-fat milk
• 3 tbsp. salt
• 2-1/2 - 3 cups chicken broth

Instructions:
Mix dry ingredients. Add 2-1/2 cups broth, more if needed. Roll out dough and cut into desired shapes. Bake at 300°F for 45 minutes, turn off oven and let biscuits stand overnight. Store in canister.

Oatmeal Wheat Germ Biscuits
Ingredients:

• 3 cups whole-wheat flour
• 3 cups oatmeal
• 1/2 cup regular wheat germ
• 5 tablespoons melted bacon drippings or margarine
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 cup water

Instructions:
Mix dry ingredients together. Add remaining ingredients and blend until well mixed. Dough will be stiff. Chill for 30 minutes. Take rounded teaspoons of dough and roll into balls. Flatten and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 300°F for 1 hour.