A favor:
Daughter is doing a project for her Statistics class and has decided on tracking rates of FIV infection in cats in shelters throughout the United States. If you work at a shelter or know someone who does, could you get in touch with me? This is anonymous, we're not finger-pointing, she'd just love to create as thorough a project as possible.
Thank you!
I have volunteered in a few different cities, but I don't have access to that at any of the shelters. Hm. I will contact some friends and point them to your blog entry to see if they can help. One thing I did find when googling one of the shelters to see if they had their stats or contact info up, is that lions get it, too? I guess that makes sense, but I didn't know that. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2771374/
ReplyDeleteI also do not have access to that sort of info, but a thought: if she contacts the NYS College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell, they might have helpful data (specifically, their Section of Epidemiology. Dr. Janet Scarlett, who is a member of that department, specializes in felines, but Dr. Hollis Erb or really any of the staff could be helpful).
ReplyDeleteOf course, I suggest Cornell because I live in upstate NY. There certainly might be veterinary colleges muuuuuch closer to your neck of the woods that also have an epidemiologist or two that could be useful.
Following up on my previous comment, the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis could be a resource... (as an example of a place closer to you.)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure this is inappropriate in the social network realm, but I didn't know where else to post this. I am just finishing your book "The Year of Living Dangerously", and wanted to respond. I have homeschooled for 22 years now, and have shared every single one of your fears, and have snorkled through all the homeschool waters you have been exploring. I wanted to let you know that my first 4 kids, who are all grown and gone, all turned out great, even with my mismatched, ecclectic way of schooling them. I was a homebirth midwife through those years, so I look back and wonder "What the hell was I thinking?", but Imade it work! The first 4 grew up to be; An engineer, a master's degree in cultural foundations of education, a massage therapist, and a chef. I also have 2 later-in-life kids who are doing wonderfully well with our "sort of unschooled" mismatched way of learning. Most importantly of all, I can see how they live their lives in a 'head-on' way. Life is a joy, a challenge, a gift to be tackled and savored, never to be taken for granted. There is so much more I wish I could tell you, but in the interest of space I will just say....Your daughter is lucky to have you as her mom; engaged, in love, willing to be transparent....she came into this world as herself...she's lucky to have parents who are allowing her the space to develop that self.
ReplyDeleteMarissa
I listen to "The Animal House" (a weekly discussion that explores the latest in animal science, pet behavior, and wildlife conservation) on WAMU (Wash, DC).
ReplyDeleteOne of the co-hosts is Dr. Gary Weitzman, formerly of the Washington Animal Rescue League and current President & CEO of the San Diego Humane Society.
You might try the "contact us" link on the show's home page.
The show is great, by the way, and available by podcast. I think you and daughter would enjoy it.