Paumanok Is Committed to Pets & Our Community: Serving the Patchogue & Medford NY Area
Dr. Dave Hensen is very involved with the Friends of Fire Island National Seashore. This ties in with his other passion - conservation and nature. He is serving as president and as such has initiated many new events and initiatives. Right now the FFINS is sponsoring a photo art show along with the Nature and Wildlife Photographers of Long Island. This exhibit will be on display every weekend until the end of June. Hope you find to stop by. It really is an amazing photo exhibit.
Download the Friends of Fire Island National Seashore flyer.
The word “paumanok” is the Native American name for Long Island and literally means “island in the shape of a fish.” Our name reflects our goal to be active participants in the life of our community. Because we have received so much from the people in our area, we are very excited every time we have a chance to give back. For more information on how to get involved with any of our programs, please call 631-475-1312.
Paumanok Annual Open House
Generally the last Sunday of March, we invite you to find out what goes on behind the scenes in our hospital. Geared toward young people thinking about a career in caring for animals, we have information about Canine Companions for Independence, Patchogue Rotary Animal Assisted Therapy Program (PRAAT), and Cornell Cooperative Extension. Check our calendar for the next open house.
Pet Photos with a Purpose
Photos with Santa: On the first Sunday in December. Paumanok Veterinary Hospital is transformed to look like the North Pole. Come and have your picture taken with your pet and Santa in our winter wonderland. All proceeds benefit Canine Companions for Independence (CCI).
Pets Over Paralysis (POP) Photo Fundraiser: Usually scheduled on the first Sunday of October, this event was started by Dr. Dee in memory of her beloved dog, Lauren. You will receive a package of professional-quality photos and your donation will benefit the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and the Center for Paralysis Research at the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine.
Rotary International
The world’s first service club organization, Rotary International has more than a million members worldwide. As a member serving in several leadership capacities and a Paul Harris fellow, Dr. Dave is pleased to be involved in these programs:
- Patchogue Rotary Animal Assisted Therapy Program (PRAAT): This program trains carefully screened canines to visit hospitals, nursing homes, and other human health care facilities. Interaction between dogs and human patients has tremendous benefit to both the physical and emotional well-being of the people visited.
- Rotary Youth Exchange: High school students from overseas spend an academic year here and we send students abroad. Drs. Dee and Dave have served as a host family. Dr. Dave has been a counselor for over 10 students and also arranges field trips to the Bronx Zoo.
- Rotary District 7260 Energy Conservation and Sustainability Task Force: This organization promotes energy alternatives, conservation, education, and consciousness to raise awareness of our role in taking care of our planet.
Conservation Involvement
- Friends of Fire Island National Seashore: Dr. Dave is president of this public-supported organization that benefits our national seashore.
- Wildlife Conservation Society Heritage Circle: Members include the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Coney Island Aquarium, and Queens Zoo. Both Drs. Hensen are members and Dr. Dave arranges tours for visiting Rotary groups.
- American Littoral Society: Primarily concerned with coastal issues, this society oversees an annual beach clean-up.
Vocational Exploration Opportunities
- Paumanok Volunteership: Students apply and write an essay to be considered for a 6-month program that gives them the opportunity to shadow a veterinarian and observe the staff.
- Veterinary Medicine Career Exploration Program: A cooperative program between Long Island Veterinary Medical Association and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, this program gives high school students education about many types of careers with animals.
We are also involved in these programs that promote veterinary medicine as a vocation:
- Scouting and school group tours
- Long Island Mentor Program
- High school career days
- Informal shadow experience
- Training site for BOCES Adult Veterinary Assisting program
- Suffolk Community College Veterinary Technician Program
- Rotary vocation days
International Programs
- Stony Brook University (SBU) international student host family program: Students involved are generally graduate students who live independently. Host families serve as friends, giving advice about local customs and points of interest, and invite students to join them in celebrating American holidays.
- Group Study Exchange: This program invites professionals ages 25 to 40 from other countries to visit and see how their occupations are practiced here. Likewise, we send young professionals abroad. Paumanok Veterinary Hospital is pleased to interface with animal care and conservation people from around the world.
Emergency Response Commitment
We are privileged to work with local law enforcement and first response professionals and will not hesitate to volunteer whenever we are needed. Paumanok Veterinary Hospital is listed with the Long Island Veterinary Medical Association Disaster Preparedness committee that helps animals in the event of a disaster. Dr. Dave has volunteered his time and expertise caring for service dogs after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and also at the 2004 Republican National Convention in Manhattan.