Emergency Vet Courtney Deer Shares ER Insights
An emergency veterinarian discusses common dog emergencies and owner advice, while an Alaskan agility team prepares for a national championship in their unique winter training barn.
Two stories highlight different aspects of life with dogs. Emergency veterinarian Courtney Deer provides a candid look at the realities of an animal ER, from common cases to advice for worried owners. Meanwhile, in Fairbanks, Alaska, Dianne Marshall and her agility team 'The Chinooks' train year-round in a homemade barn, preparing for a national competition.
Inside the Emergency Vet ER
Emergency veterinarian Courtney Deer works in a fast-paced hospital environment where she manages everything from triage to surgery. She says gastrointestinal upsets like vomiting and diarrhea are among the most common reasons dogs visit the ER, alongside seizures and severe weakness. Deer emphasizes that any sudden change in a pet's condition warrants a prompt visit.
A significant part of her work involves addressing owner concerns and budget limitations openly. She stresses that emergency clinics are typically more expensive than daytime practices, but their goal is to help, not judge. Stabilizing a pet until a primary vet can take over is a valid and common course of action. Deer also combats online misinformation by sharing timely content, aligning posts with seasonal hazards like summer heat stroke or holiday-related toxicities.
Beyond clinical work, Deer has authored a romantic comedy novel and hosts a podcast for veterinary professionals. The novel, 'Another Damn Rescue,' features a veterinarian and a wolf shifter, which she describes as a love letter to the veterinary field. The podcast serves as continuing education, featuring specialists discussing topics they are passionate about. Deer acknowledges the emotional fatigue of emergency work, where veterinarians can feel helpless against obstacles outside their control. Her key advice for owners is to keep thorough records, including emailed bloodwork results and photos of medications, to bring during an emergency.
Alaskan Agility Team's Winter Haven
Dianne Marshall captains 'The Chinooks, We Run Like the Wind,' an AKC Agility League team based in Fairbanks, Alaska. The team trains at the House of Fly, a barn Marshall built herself in 2012, and will compete in the Senior Division at the 2026 AKC Agility League Championship in Raleigh, North Carolina. With Fairbanks receiving less than four hours of daylight on the shortest day of the year, the insulated barn with turf footing and bright lighting is an essential winter training ground.
Marshall and her husband constructed the facility to practice agility with her dogs during the long winter, when permanent snow lasts from October through May. What began as a personal space has grown into a community hub hosting eight league teams. Members help with maintenance and course setup, fostering a collaborative environment. The AKC Agility League provides a low-pressure framework for year-round competition and skill development, with teams at the barn ranging from Elementary to Senior levels.
The team's name is inspired by the Chinook wind, a warm gust that rapidly melts snow in the frigid Alaskan winter. Marshall runs with a Border Collie named Lark, who is known for speed and focus. The community atmosphere prioritizes camaraderie over intense competition, with handlers often running each other's dogs and celebrating collective progress. Marshall notes that everyone helps each other, and mistakes are simply part of the learning process in the sport.
