PEAK TO PEAK – As well as featuring local bands, Very Nice Brewing in mid-Gilpin County is earning a reputation as a place where various groups can show up to hear about and discuss relevant topics over a beer.

Usually there is a question-and-answer period after a talk, and a chance to have one-on-one conversations with the speakers afterwards.

Two pet-oriented organizations teamed up for a talk about aging pets on April 9, 2025. The veterinarians from Nederland Veterinary Hospital and volunteers from Old Souls Canine Rescue came to speak about their organizations and how to take care of aging pets.

The Founder and Copresident of Old Souls, Jasper Webb, started the talk by introducing Bruno, a ten-year-old Shih Tzu mix, and discussing the work and objectives of Old Soul Canine Rescue.

The group is based around Nederland and seeks to find permanent homes for old dogs that had to be surrendered for some reason—like the owner died, or had to move to a situation that wouldn’t take pets.

Old Souls is a 501(c)(3) non-profit with members who will foster a dog until a permanent home is secured for it. Webb spoke about how rewarding it was to help an older pet find a better situation.

Nate Siegel started the segment on how to take care of older pets. Siegel is a licensed veterinarian who is part owner of the Nederland Veterinary Hospital along with Cory Meirs.

The young veterinarians and longtime friends bought the veterinary practices in Nederland recently, and offer a full range of veterinary services in the Peak to Peak region from offices on Highway 119 by the Eldora turnoff.

Siegel spoke about the tendency of pets to live longer. He said that just as humans are living longer because of medical advances, so are pets. It is no longer rare to have a dog live to 15 years or older.

A big point of emphasis was to keep pets healthy with preventive practices, like getting checkups when Fido isn’t feeling well, and watching their weight.

Siegel spoke in detail about helping older dogs that are limping or have joint issues. The simplest recommendation was to monitor their exercise. If your dog is limping after a strenuous workout, then consider cutting back on the intensity until they can get into better shape.

Siegel recommended using supplements like glucosamine or chondroitin to deal with arthritic pain when dogs are older. Meirs cautioned owners to check out a supplement before buying it because the dosage in each tablet might not be sufficient to alleviate the pain even when it is wrapped in bacon.

The clinic has a list of supplements that Siegel and Miers have determined are effective to use on a regular basis. Siegel and Miers are happy to discuss brands and dosages when someone brings their pet in for a checkup.

Controlling weight was another tactic that owners can use to ease arthritic pain in a pet. Like humans, pets benefit from being lighter so that they move freely and help their mobility.

Meirs added that dogs need to have about 10% of their diet as treats, so hold back a little on the food bowl so Fido can still get a few treats throughout the day.

Meirs spoke about the need for good dental hygiene for older pets. He gave anecdotes of older cats and dogs that had teeth pulled to reduce their pain, which restored their vigor. He said that cleaning teeth is a great way to keep a pet healthy.

Other topics covered by the two veterinarians included illnesses like heartworm and how to make end of life decisions. Seigel said that they are starting to see more dogs with heartworm, which has typically been found only at lower elevations.

The talk ended with a question-and-answer period and a plea for help finding Bruno a permanent home.

Old Souls Canine Rescue maintains a website at oldsoulcaninerescue.org. They are looking for volunteers to help with their fostering program. Donations are also accepted at the website.

Nederland Veterinary Hospital also has a website at nedvet.com. Owners can make appointments by calling 303-258-7355. They are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Groups that want to use Very Nice Brewing for a meeting place can call 303-582-2015 to make reservations for either location.