SVMC's Wellness Connection: Aug 15

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August 15, 2025

Welcome to the new Wellness Connection! Back and better than ever, this monthly newsletter features regional wellness news, updates on local healthcare services, and the inspiring stories about your neighbors and their impact in the community.

Medicare Wellness Visit: Zero Cost, Maximum Benefit

 

For people insured through Medicare or a Medicare Replacement Plan, one of the biggest—and often overlooked—benefits is qualifying for a free Annual Wellness Visit (AWV).

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Living Better: Air Quality Risks

 

Wildfire smoke holds a mix of hazardous air pollutants drifting over New England this summer.

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Jennifer Archibald RN

Nursing Honors: DAISY Award

 

Two SVMC nurses were honored recently for special care for and connection with patients.

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Watch: Tom Dee joins the Chamber Telecast

 

President & CEO Tom Dee joined the Southwestern Vermont Chamber's Telecast, discussing rural healthcare challenges, opportunities and reflections on his 16 years in the community. Watch here 

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Classes & Events

 

Check our calendar for a full schedule of events, classes and support groups at SVMC and in the community.

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Hot Jobs Alert

 

Choose a career that makes a difference. SVMC recently earned Best Place to Work in the Bennington Banner's Readers' Choice Awards.

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What Our Patients Say

 

We're sharing direct feedback, collected from patient satisfaction surveys. SVMC and its practice sites always strive to improve the experience of our patients and families. If you need to discuss your patient experience, contact SVMC's patient advocate.

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OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS:

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?Southwestern Vermont Medical Center | svmc.org

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Companion Corner: Bandit at Second Chance

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

ARLINGTON, VT. – There is a "spunky" dog waiting for his new forever home at Second Chance Animal Shelter.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home. 

Bandit is a one-year-old terrier mix who has been at the shelter since June.

Lead canine care technician Alaura Lasher introduced us to her. 

"He came to us from a pretty neglectful home. He was living with quite a few other animals."

Bandit is a very playful guy who runs and jumps around once he is outside. He has an affinity for squeaky toys and ball to fetch with.

"He is very energetic, loves to play. He loves his canine friends and cats. His favorite thing is just going outside to run and play and explore. He also does love to snuggle once he gets some of that energy out."

Bandit would love another animal to play with and he is good to go home with cats as well. He would also love someone who can take him outside for lots of playtime and adventures.

"The perfect home for Bandit is one that is probably moderately active, so he can go on plenty of walks and adventures to get some of that energy out and explore things. He would definitely probably benefit from having like another canine friend to play with, and we suggest slightly older kids just because he can be a little nervous at times. But other than that, he's a pretty easygoing guy, and he loves all people and animals."

He will play fetch with you and showcase little hops when he gets very excited as well. It would be best that he is not alone the shelter wants to emphasize as he would love another to play with.

"His favorite things are definitely playing. He is again just an energetic young dude who's used to again having other animals around. So, Spunky is what we like to call him. Yeah, he loves the game."

The shelter hopes to find him a home he can be himself and start a new life.

"We're just trying to find him a good happy family. You know, get him used to normal life since he came from a pretty not great situation," she said.

If you think Bandit might be the boy for you, reach out to Second Chance Animal Shelter and learn more about him on their website.

Second Chance Animal Shelter is open Tuesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. It is located at 1779 VT Route 7A. Contact the shelter at 802-375-2898 or info@2ndchanceanimalcenter.org.

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