Avery Dustin | Canyon View Medical

10 Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Dog to Meet Your New Baby

Posted on December 28, 2021January 13, 2023 by Avery Dustin

My first baby was a 6½ pound, adorable, brown-eyed, soft ….. puppy!!! Our German Shorthair Pointer, Dakota, was our baby for several years before bringing home our firstborn from the hospital. She was protective, well-trained, and accustomed to frequent walks and our undivided attention. I was nervous about our dog adapting to a noisy, sometimes smelly, helpless newborn. Here are a few tips that can help you prepare for your dog to meet your baby.

Plan ahead. Take your dog in for a check-up if it has been a while. You won’t have extra hands or time once your newborn arrives. Make sure your dog is fully vaccinated.

Dr. Laraway and Willow

Establish who is the real alpha male in your home. Reinforce consistent ground rules – like places off-limits or unacceptable behaviors like jumping. Consider an obedience training course with your pet before your baby arrives.

Prepare for your newborn. As you set up your crib or nursery, do so in stages so your dog can adjust to the new environment. Pets rely on consistency, so make gradual additions, then play with your pet in those areas to help create positive feedback for your dog. Baby gates or closing doors are also effective in training your pet in what areas are off-limits. If your dog puts its paws on the crib or tries to jump in, this behavior needs to be stopped immediately. Keep the door to your baby’s room shut consistently if this is necessary. As you introduce smaller baby items to your dog, supervise it as it sniffs them on the floor. Do not let your dog put them in his mouth.

Dogs have an incredible sense of smell. Some people even believe dogs can “smell” cancer. Help your dog become accustomed to baby smells by providing a treat while your dog explores new baby smells – like baby lotion, powder, or detergent. Introduce your newborn to your dog by allowing your dog to smell your baby first. Let your dog smell the blanket your baby has been wrapped up in before they meet.

Dogs are typically very loyal and protective friends. Allow your dog to meet your newborn on neutral territory like the sidewalk, for example. When you enter your home with your newborn, it is essential to be calm and relaxed. Leash your dog and have a helper hold the leash and provide positive reinforcement with treats.

Try to keep regular dog routines – such as walking or feeding – intact where possible. Set aside some particular time to spend each day with your dog. Choose an activity that your 4-legged companion enjoys while someone else watches your baby. Some research suggests that dogs feel jealousy, so being mindful of this can help ease the addition of a new baby to your home.

We all know that dogs have exceptional hearing. They can detect higher frequencies and hear sounds four times further away than humans can. New baby noises and shrill cries could put your dog on edge at first. You can prepare your sensitive pet by softly playing videos of baby sounds (on YouTube) and gradually increasing the volume to help your dog accommodate new noises. Some dogs are calmed by classical music. Consider some gentle background noise as your household transitions to newborn sounds.

Dogs are awesome stress-relievers. They can read emotions. After you tend to your newborn, spend a few minutes with your dog when you need a break from nurturing.

Always supervise your baby with your dog, no matter how gentle your animal seems. Supervision is even more critical as your child grows since infants may frequently hit, grab, or chase animals. You can practice familiarizing your dog with your baby by carrying around a doll for a few months before you deliver your baby.

Never force your dog to interact with your baby, and remember some dogs become defensive if they feel threatened while eating or playing with their doggie toys. If your dog exhibits aggressive behavior toward your child, you should seek help from an animal behavior expert.

References

https://www.cesarsway.com/introduce-your-dog-to-your-baby/

https://www.vetwest.com.au/pet-library/children-and-pets-family-safety-bringing-home-a-baby

https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/behavior/preparing-your-pet-new-baby

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dogs-and-babies

Creating Holiday Cheer

Posted on December 21, 2021January 13, 2023 by Avery Dustin

The holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year; they can also be very stressful. As we hustle from holiday activity to holiday activity, it’s essential that we remember to slow down, manage stress, and take time to care for ourselves. Here are some helpful hints to manage stress during the holiday season as we head into the new year

Don’t lose sight of what really counts. What matters most differs from person to person. Identify your priorities and goals and focus on the things that help you fulfill those goals.

Respond with kindness. It is no secret that the world has been under a lot of stress these last two years. It is easy to get wrapped up in our own lives and forget the struggles others may be going through. Even when you feel stressed or encounter individuals who may be grumpy, try to take a step back and respond with kindness. Kind words and a genuine smile go a long way.

Remember, it’s OK to do less. It is OK if you don’t cross everything off your “to do” list. Everything will be OK! Taking time to breathe and relax is very important and should be at the top of your “to-do” list.

Accept imperfections. Find the beauty in the imperfection and chaos of the holiday season. Always remember the wise words of Bob Ross “There are no mistakes, only happy accidents.”

Set healthy boundaries. It’s OK to say “no.”

Maintain your healthy habits. Try not to overdo it on the sweets, continue to get daily exercise, and ensure you get adequate sleep each night.

Reach out. The holidays are a time to connect with those we love deeply. It can also be a time that triggers depression and anxiety in some people. If you are struggling, please make sure you reach out for help.

Rethink your resolutions. Be gentle with yourself. Break down your goals into smaller steps that are easier to accomplish.

We wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!

With love from our Canyon View Medical Group family to yours.

Helping and Guiding Others

Posted on December 20, 2021December 5, 2022 by Avery Dustin

I’ve lived in Utah Valley for eight years now, after completing both my undergraduate and my master’s degree here, and I love being part of our community. I’ve always looked for ways to make the most of Utah living. I enjoy all the many opportunities for outdoor recreation and community involvement. One of my favorite ways to combine those things is participating in charity runs. I have completed many races over the years here, ranging from 5ks to half marathons. My favorite race is the American Fork Canyon Run Against Cancer Half Marathon. I have had so much fun running in this event and seeing our community come together. All proceeds from this race go directly towards local families fighting cancer. I like to run it in memory of my uncle who battled cancer and support the patients I see in my practice who are going through cancer treatments themselves.

Since I was once a student myself here, I like to try to support local Utah students pursuing careers in healthcare. While working as a Physician Assistant at Canyon View Women’s Care, I have had several undergraduate students shadow me to learn more about being a PA. I enjoy teaching and showing students why I love working in women’s health. I also recently gave a presentation to the BYU Pre-PA Club about the process of applying to PA school and working as a PA. I enjoyed meeting the many students starting on their journey to practice medicine. I was impressed with their passion and their preparation. Our community will be in good hands as these students finish their education and join us in caring for our local Utah families! In the future, I hope to continue to mentor undergraduate and graduate students in healthcare.

Creating Future Soccer Stars

Posted on December 20, 2021December 5, 2022 by Avery Dustin

This past fall my fiance and I signed up to coach soccer for five-year-old girls because there were not enough coaches. Neither of us knew much about soccer, but thankfully most of them were more interested in doing headstands, and cartwheels down the field, and yelling at their fans from the sidelines! It was a lot of fun to get out and get to know other families and make new friends in our community! We ended up winning the championship too!

Reversing Prediabetes

Posted on November 24, 2021January 17, 2023 by Avery Dustin

Did you know November is National Diabetes Month? This year’s theme is prediabetes. Let’s celebrate by learning more about prediabetes and what we can do to improve our health!

What is prediabetes?

In prediabetes, your body doesn’t use insulin well. Insulin helps the cells in your body use sugar for energy. If your body doesn’t use insulin well, the sugar stays in your bloodstream, and your blood sugar rises. Prediabetes causes higher than normal blood sugar levels, but not high enough to be type 2 diabetes. Too much sugar in your blood can lead to serious long-term problems for your eyes, kidneys, heart, and brain. I don’t like the sound of that, so how do you know if you have prediabetes? Let’s find out.

How do I know if I have prediabetes?

More than 1 in 3 people in the US have prediabetes, and more than 84% of them don’t know it! There are often no signs or symptoms of prediabetes. Many people have it and don’t even know they are at risk for serious health problems. Is there some good news here? Yes! A simple blood test can tell us if you have prediabetes.

Certain people are at higher risk. It’s important to know if you are at higher risk to discuss with your healthcare provider and find ways to lower your risk. Risk factors for prediabetes include:

Being 45 years or older.
Being overweight.
Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes.
Not being physically active.
Ever having gestational diabetes.
Having polycystic ovary syndrome.

African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, and Pacific Islanders are also at increased risk.

The CDC has an online test you can take to help you determine your risk can find it at this link: https://www.cdc.gov/prediabetes/risktest/

Do you want more good news? If you know you have prediabetes, there are many things you can do to prevent long-term complications, including type 2 diabetes. You can even reverse prediabetes!

How can I reverse prediabetes and prevent type 2 diabetes?

Start small! You don’t have to do all of these all at once. Making lifestyle changes is hard. Small, manageable goals are more sustainable. Get support from your friends and family. Remember, you can start small, and you can start today- don’t wait for the new year for new goals!

See your healthcare provider: A simple blood test can be done to check for prediabetes and diabetes. Remember, there are often no symptoms or signs of prediabetes, so regular checkups with your healthcare provider and discuss your risks are essential! Make an appointment today.

Exercise: It’s okay to start small. Try to find something you enjoy doing and do it with people you enjoy spending time with. The goal is 30 minutes of exercise 5 days per week.

Healthy diet: Choose foods that are lower in fat and sugar. Try to balance your plate with vegetables, lean protein, and grains. Avoid sweetened beverages and drink more water.
Lose weight: A small amount of weight can make a big difference! Losing just 5-7% of your body weight can lower your risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
Quit Smoking: If you smoke, consider quitting. Get help quitting by talking to your healthcare provider. If you don’t smoke, don’t start.
Stay up to date on vaccinations: This may not prevent prediabetes, but it can prevent serious complications if you get sick with a vaccine-preventable illness like the flu or COVID-19. Come in to get updated on your vaccines today!

Happy National Diabetes Month! Pick one of these steps to start this November to celebrate!

References

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Prediabetes- Your chance to prevent type 2 diabetes. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/prediabetes.html

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2021). National Diabetes Month 2021. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/community-health-outreach/national-diabetes-month

Resources

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/index.html

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-type-2-diabetes/game-plan

https://www.cdc.gov/prediabetes/risktest/

Latinos In Action

Posted on November 11, 2021December 5, 2022 by Avery Dustin

My name is Daeli Mendoza. I am a lab tech in our Springville Family Medicine office. Outside of work, I am involved in Latinos in Action, a community organization dedicated to bridging Latino students’ graduation and opportunity gap, working from within the educational system to create positive change.

About LIA

One of the many ways we serve in our community is through tutoring; we go to elementary schools and help kids with their homework, reading, and projects. Another aspect of tutoring isn’t in our “job description” but is a more significant part of what we do – it is about being someone for these kids to whom they can look up.

These schools are diverse, and we have to show the students that anything is possible no matter their background or skin color. It is about being someone these children can confide in about things that have little to do with homework or school, but we are there to listen to them. It is about being their friend when they otherwise don’t have any. Although we do this for an hour a day, once a week, which is nothing for most people, it is everything for these kids. Their eyes light up every time they see us walk through the doors, and that is something I will never forget, and I’m hoping that neither will they.

Giving Back to Education

Posted on November 9, 2021December 5, 2022 by Avery Dustin

In 1984, Carl Nielson was my high school counselor at Spanish Fork High School. He called me into his office, which made me a bit nervous. I thought Mr. Nielson would yell at me for some things that may or may not have happened on the previous Saturday night. Instead, Mr. Nielson congratulated me on my academic achievement and told me, “if you wanted, I think you could make it to medical school.” Fifteen years later, Carl Nielson became the Nebo School District Superintendent, the same year that I joined Canyon View Medical Group as a young physician. His belief in me and his devotion to education made me what I am today.

I strongly feel that K-12 education is vital to our community and recently decided to dedicate some of my time and energy to making sure that other kids can be inspired and allowed to excel. I was elected in 2020 to the Nebo School District Board of Education, and now I spend time each month reviewing and developing policies, working with district administrative staff, and overseeing the finances of our local school district.

I am excited to be part of the Nebo District and particularly look forward to rebuilding Springville, Spanish Fork, and Payson High Schools. I am amazed at the quality of our staff and the dedication they have to educate our children. While I love practicing medicine, I also love learning about how schools are run and financed and helping the district teach our children and inspire another generation.

Kids Who Count

Posted on November 3, 2021December 7, 2022 by Avery Dustin

As a pediatrician, one of my passions is advocating for the health and well-being of children.

Having cared for many children during my ten years in the Navy on active duty and my five years at Canyon View Pediatrics, I’ve realized that often our goal shouldn’t be forcing children to be a certain way but embracing all that they can become. Since moving to South Utah County 5 years ago, I’ve put this philosophy into action by serving on the Board of Directors for Kids Who Count.

Kids Who Count is a non-profit organization serving Nebo SchoolDistrict. The group is dedicated to bringing minimal to no cost early intervention services to children 0 to 3 years old who have delays in speaking, walking, or social development. Over the last year, following many years of planning and organization, I’ve also been able to bring Autism treatment services to the area, allowing families to find help closer to home instead of traveling to Provo, Lehi, or even further.

Learn more about Kids Who Count.

4-H

Posted on November 3, 2021December 7, 2022 by Avery Dustin

4-H

My name is Natalie Banks. I have been a medical assistant since 1999, working with Dr. McVey in our Spanish Fork Pediatrics office for the past four years. I am married to Norman Banks, a life-long native of Palmyra, Utah, and together we have six children. We live on a 5th generation family farm where we raise and sell seed stock Simmental and Angus Bulls around the country. We also raise and sell show pigs for Junior Livestock shows around the state. We keep busy as the local 4-H club leaders in Palmyra and are proud that we just hosted the 65th Annual Palmyra Community Jr. Livestock Show in April!

We appreciate the support Canyon View Medical Group provides as a Utah State Junior Livestock Show sponsor each year. Our children breed, raise and train their own steers, heifers, pigs, lambs, and goats to show throughout the state of Utah from April to September of each year. Show kids and their livestock compete and are ranked on their marketability and showmanship skills. They can win buckles, ribbons, prizes, and cash. At the end of these shows, they participate in an auction where they get to sell their projects to raise money for their college education!

Breast Cancer Risk and Epigenetic BRCA Markers

Posted on October 21, 2021January 13, 2023 by Avery Dustin

Chances are you know someone who has been affected by breast cancer. For one out of every eight women, the risk of being diagnosed with it is relatively high. Hereditary breast cancers are only responsible for 5 to 10 percent of breast cancer cases. However, there is a significantly higher risk for women who have the BRCA1 BRCA2 genetic markers.

Epigenetics is the study of how the environment and your behaviors can affect gene expression. The DNA sequence is not altered, but epigenetic changes affect how the body reads your DNA and determines health outcomes.

Consulting with a genetic counselor or doing a genetic screening test is beneficial for at-risk individuals. These women have a family history that includes one of the conditions below.

One (or more) first– or second-degree relative(s) with:

Breast cancer diagnosed at age 45 or younger in women
Triple-negative breast cancer diagnosed at age 60 or younger in women
Primary cancer of both breasts
Both breast and ovarian cancer in the same relative
Male breast cancer
Ovarian cancer
Two or more first– or second-degree relatives from the same side of the family with breast cancer, if at least one breast cancer was diagnosed before age 50.
Three or more first– or second-degree relatives from the same side of the family with breast or high-grade prostate cancer at any age.
Ashkenazi Jew Ancestry

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are examples of epigenetic changes that have significant consequences. BRCA genes are tumor suppressor genes that help combat breast cancer by making proteins to repair damaged DNA. These tumor-suppressing genes do not work correctly for women who have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic marker. These women should be counseled appropriately regarding increased breast surveillance (clinical examinations and imaging/mammograms), starting a family, and possibly undergoing prophylactic surgery to decrease the risk of breast cancer.

Talk to your provider about your family history and potential genetic risk. Do not be fearful, be hopeful. Breast cancer is very treatable, mainly when it is discovered early and treated appropriately. On average, mammograms detect cancer two to three years before a lump is felt. Mammograms are usually covered 100 percent by insurance companies, and there is no copay on your part. If you do not have the means to have a screening mammogram done, contact the Utah County Health Department, as they may help cover the cost of this service. Please complete routine screening examinations and mammograms as recommended for your age and level of risk.

References

American Cancer Society (ACS). (2019). Breast cancer survival rates. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/understanding-a-breast-cancer-diagnosis/breast-cancer-survival-rates.html

American Cancer Society (ACS). (2019). Breast cancer risk factors you cannot change. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/risk-and-prevention/breast-cancer-risk-factors-you-cannot-change.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). What is epigenetics? https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/epigenetics.htm

Dullens, B., de Putter, R., Lambertini, M., Toss, A., Han, S., Van Nieuwenhuysen, E., Van Gorp, T., Vanderstichele, A., Van Ongeval, C., Keupers, M., Prevos, R., Celis, V., Dekervel, J., Everaerts, W., Wildiers, H., Nevelsteen, I., Neven, P., Timmerman, D., Smeets, A., Denayer, E., … Punie, K. (2020). Cancer Surveillance in Healthy Carriers of Germline Pathogenic Variants in BRCA1/2: A Review of Secondary Prevention Guidelines. Journal of oncology, 2020, 9873954. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/9873954

National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF). (2021). BRCA: The breast cancer gene. https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/what-is-brca

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). (2019, August 20). BRCA-related cancer: Risk assessment, genetic counseling, and genetic testing. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/brca-related-cancer-risk-assessment-genetic-counseling-and-genetic-testing