Operation Kindness is helping keep bellies and houses full starting this month. North Texas’ original and largest no-kill animal care and adoption center is feeding pets across the metroplex with the launch of the Operation Kindness Pet Food Pantry. The pantry is designed to lower the number of pets surrendered to shelters by providing temporary free cat and dog food to qualified low-income families.

“Economic reasons account for 25 percent of the pets surrendered per year, and our goal is to lower that,” said Jim Hanophy, CEO of Operation Kindness. “Our vision is a world where all cats and dogs have loving, responsible, forever homes and this pantry is going to help keep pets out of shelters and in their homes.”

The Operation Kindness Pet Food Pantry, which will serve pet owners in the DFW area, is projected to open August 19^th. The pantry will provide free pet food as well as cat litter and flea and tick prevention for up to three months to owners with a clear financial need. Pet owners seeking assistance will be able to apply online, once qualified they will be able to pick up pet food at the Operation Kindness Shelter on the third Saturday and second Wednesday of every month between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. In addition, Operation Kindness is working with partners across the community to establish more distribution locations.

The Operation Kindness Pet Food Pantry is taking over for the North Texas Pet Food Pantry, to fulfill the growing needs of the community. 

“I’m so honored that the hard work and effort that went into the North Texas Pet Food Pantry will be sustained by Operation Kindness,” said Cheryl Spencer, President and founder of the North Texas Pet Food Pantry. “This pet food pantry is such a vital part of the community and I’m grateful that it will be continued on.”

In association with the Pet Food Pantry, Operation Kindness is launching the Royal Vaccination Fund to help provide low-income families with access to rabies, parvo and distemper vaccinations. This program is inspired by an Operation Kindness foster family who experienced the devastation of distemper, when their foster dog Princess lost six puppies to distemper. To help get the program started Artists for Animals has matched the first donation of $2,500. Canine distemper is a contagious and serious, often fatal, disease caused by a virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems of puppies and dogs.

The virus can also be found in wildlife such as foxes, wolves, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, mink and ferrets and has been reported in lions, tigers, leopards and other wild cats as well as seals. All dogs are at risk but puppies younger than four months old and dogs that have not been vaccinated against canine distemper are at increased risk of acquiring the disease.

To help with the launch of the Operation Kindness Pet Food Pantry, the no-kill animal shelter is seeking volunteers to assist with donation and supply pick up and pet food distribution. Operation Kindness also welcomes donations of dog and cat food and encourages companies, schools and other organizations to conduct food donation drives. 

For more information about the Operation Kindness Pet Food Pantry, please visit www.operationkindness.org.

Operation Kindness is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Tiffany Tobaben as the organization’s new medical director.

“On behalf of the Operation Kindness board and staff, we welcome Dr. Tobaben to our team as our medical director,” said Jim Hanophy, CEO of Operation Kindness. “Through her vast experience serving nonprofits, Dr. Tobaben has a proven track record of success providing superb care to four-legged friends. Her knowledge of animal health and wellness will help us to continue to provide the best care possible to dogs and cats until they are adopted into loving homes.”

In her role as medical director, Tobaben will perform and oversee all veterinary services, including surgery, for shelter and adopted animals. She will be responsible for maximizing the use of resources to ensure animal resident health while utilizing cost effective strategies.

Raised in Plano, Texas, and a graduate of Texas A&M University for her undergraduate and veterinary degrees, Tobaben has practiced in Dallas since her graduation in 2001. Fondly referred to as “Dr. T,” she has a strong reputation in animal advocacy circles in North Texas for her work supporting nonprofit organizations that help decrease the animal overpopulation problem in Dallas. Prior to joining Operation Kindness, she worked for Spay Neuter Network and Dallas Animal Services. She has a special interest in surgery, pain management, dentistry and progressive medicine. Tobaben has many pets of her own including a domestic shorthair cat named Abby, a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel named Jessie, and a mixed breed three-legged dog named Trinity. All of her pets are rescue animals and are a special part of her life.

“I have worked alongside the team at Operation Kindness for more than 10 years and am honored to be able to join them as the medical director. I am passionate about helping all of our dogs and cats live happy and healthy lives and to aid in finding their forever, loving homes.”

Last year alone, Operation Kindness was able to save the lives and find forever homes for 4,566 animals. The on-site medical hospital provided care to 4,887 animals; performed 2,875 spay/neuter surgeries, 20,656 exams and 250 medical surgeries; gave more than $100,000 worth of medicine; and provided more than 292,000 meals.

Founded in 1976, Operation Kindness is the original and largest no-kill shelter in North Texas. Its mission is to care for homeless cats and dogs in a no-kill environment until each is adopted into responsible homes and to advocate humane values and behavior. In 2016, Operation Kindness celebrated their 40th anniversary and their achievement of saving more than 90,000 animals since their inception. Annually the shelter assists more than 5,000 dogs and cats, caring for an average of 300 animals daily with another 100-150 animals in foster homes.

Join Operation Kindness in their mission to care for homeless animals by becoming a member of the Happy Tails Society. This group of dedicated friends provides a monthly gift to help pay for the medical care, medicine, food, shelter, nurturing and behavior training the pets need to have a second chance at life. Learn more about Operation Kindness at http://www.OperationKindness.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Operation-Kindness/30251945822.

Solis Mammography, the nation’s largest independent provider of breast screening services, announced today that Dr. Alexander Sardina has joined the team as vice president and national medical director. Dr. Sardina is a board-certified radiologist who specializes in diagnostic radiology.

As Solis Mammography’s National Medical Director, Dr. Sardina will serve as the liaison between clinical leaders, radiologists, technologists and business leaders of the company to ensure that patients are receiving an exceptional mammography experience with exceptionally accurate results.  As a senior leader within Solis Mammography, Dr. Sardina will support company growth by articulating strategy, ensuring optimal tactical implementation and optimizing clinical excellence and financial performance. In addition, he will lead the charge to advance clinical and development strategies to keep pace with innovations within the industry.  

“We’re excited to welcome Dr. Sardina to our team as our national medical director,” said James Polfreman, president and CEO of Solis Mammography. “Through his vast experience in healthcare, specifically in breast imaging, he brings a proven track record for delivering collaborative leadership, superb patient care and employee engagement. These elements will be key to our continued growth in new and existing markets across the U.S.”   

Dr. Sardina joins Solis Mammography with more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. He most recently served as chief executive officer and chief medical officer for Covia Health. Prior to that, he was the lead interpreting breast radiologist at Bay Area Regional Women’s Imaging Center. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Miami and an M.D. degree from Baylor College of Medicine. He completed an internship for internal medicine at the University of Miami, residency at University of Texas Health Science Center/M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for diagnostic radiology and a fellowship for body imaging and diagnostic radiology at Johns Hopkins University. Throughout his career, Dr. Sardina has held leadership positions with many medical boards and committees including service as president of the board of directors for Houston Radiology Society and as chief of radiology for Bay Area Medical Center. 

With more than 30 years in breast imaging, Solis Mammography is a specialized healthcare provider focused on delivering patients an exceptional experience and exceptionally accurate results in mammography and imaging services.  Headquartered in Addison, Texas, Solis operates 38 centers across six major markets – North Texas; Houston, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona; Columbus, Ohio; Greensboro, North Carolina; and through its acquisition of Washington Radiology, the District of Columbia metropolitan area. The company operates both wholly-owned centers and multiple successful joint ventures with hospital partners. Serving more than 600,000 patients each year, both Solis Mammography and Washington Radiology offer dedicated experts in breast screening and diagnostic mammography (2-D and 3-D), breast ultrasound, stereotactic biopsy, and ultrasound-guided biopsy.  In addition, Washington Radiology offers a full range of diagnostic imaging services including general ultrasound, general biopsy, x-ray, MRI and CT imaging.  For more information, visit www.SolisMammo.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Pinterest, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Operation Kindness — North Texas' original and largest no-kill animal shelter hopes North Texans will consider adopting a furry friend this summer with a special adoption discount: senior citizens ages 65 and up or animals 7 and up will receive a $65 discount off adoption fees. Offer is not valid with other discounts. 

When: July 20, 2017 through July 24, 2017

Where: Operation Kindness, located at 3201 Earhart Drive, Carrollton, TX 75006

Adoption fees are regularly $135 for cats/kittens and $185 for dogs/puppies (discount not included). With the adoption of every animal, adopters receive:

• Adoption counseling to help the adopter select the pet best suited to his/her needs, family and home environment
• Pet care and educational materials
• Temporary carrier for cats
• Operation Kindness tag with animal ID
• Microchip ID and registration
• Rabies tag for animals over 4 months of age
• Pet care starter kit with food samples and helpful information
• Spay or neuter surgery (if not previously done due to young age or medical reason)
• Coupon for 25 percent off entire purchase at Pets Supplies Plus

In order to adopt an animal from Operation Kindness, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have a valid, government-issued photo ID with your current address on it
• Be able to verify that you can have a pet where you live

To find out more information about pet adoption and to discover pets currently seeking forever homes, please visit www.operationkindness.org.

Founded in 1976, Operation Kindness is the original and largest no-kill shelter in North Texas. Its mission is to care for homeless cats and dogs in a no-kill environment until each is adopted into responsible homes and to advocate humane values and behavior. In 2016, Operation Kindness celebrated their 40th anniversary and their achievement of saving more than 90,000 animals since their inception. Annually the shelter assists more than 5,000 dogs and cats, caring for an average of 300 animals daily with another 100-150 animals in foster homes.

Join Operation Kindness in their mission to care for homeless animals by becoming a member of the Happy Tails Society. This group of dedicated friends provides a monthly gift to help pay for the medical care, medicine, food, shelter, nurturing and behavior training the pets need to have a second chance at life. Learn more about Operation Kindness at http://www.OperationKindness.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Operation-Kindness/30251945822.

When the DFW Summer Boat Expo returns to Market Hall in July, on display will be the best and brightest in nautical lighting trends in, on and under the water.

“The lighting and accessories are always strong draws for our guests,” said Bron Beal, executive director of the DFW Boat Expo. “There continue to be innovations and ways that people can distinguish their boats and other watercraft through unique lighting, especially LED lighting.”

The revolutionary marine LED lights can illuminate just about anywhere they are needed and increase safety at night. Boaters benefit several ways. LED lights use only 10-20 percent of the power needed by traditional incandescent bulbs and also save power compared to fluorescent lights. LEDs can operate at lower temperatures and tolerate vibration better than incandescent bulbs. Their service life surpasses traditional lights, with some LED lights able to last for up to 50,000 hours.

LED lights also have multiple uses out on the water. For utility purposes, they can help with navigation, illuminate a dock, attract fish and light the water for nighttime swimming and diving. The lights are both functional and fun. For decorative purposes, they can illuminate a cabin, light up a deck and add an accent glow to a console. Some of the higher-end systems can even connect to Wi-Fi and iTunes, causing the lights to pulse to the beat of the music and creating the perfect party atmosphere.

“Our crowds love to see how many customizable options there are for living a life on the water! And after our record-breaking DFW Summer Boat Expo in 2016, it seems fitting that we keep the party going in 2017.”

When:

Thursday, July 20, 3-8 p.m. (Free admission)

Friday, July 21, 3-8 p.m. (Free admission)

Saturday, July 22, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Sunday, July 23, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Dallas Market Hall

2200 Stemmons Freeway

Dallas, TX 75207

Cost & Ticket Information:

         $12 Adults

         $6 Children (ages 5-13)

         Free (Children under 5)

         Tickets for the show are only available at the door

         Parking is free of charge

Boating Brands Represented:

Bennington, Regal, Yamaha, South Bay, Four Winns, Triton, Glastron, Blue Wave, Berkshire Pontoons, Xpress Boats, Sea Hunt, Xcursion, Cobalt Boats, Starcraft, Supra, Moomba, Chaparral, Cruisers Yachts, G3 Boats, Southwind, Nautic Star, Rinker, Hurricane, Sweetwater/Godfrey, Aqua Patio, San Pan, Polar Craft, Malibu, Axis, Correct Craft/Nautique, Legend Boats, Sportsman, Sun Chaser, Avalon, Caravelle, Epic, Clearwater, Veranda, Skeeter, Supreme, Sylvan, Monterey, Crest, Sea Fox, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Harris Flote Bote, Bayliner, Meridian, Grady White and more