Healthy Pets & People with Dr. Patrick: Chaz Bono Transitions Into An Exemplary Pet Dad

DrPatrickMahaney June 13, 2011 No Comments

by Dr. Patrick Mahaney (Out Impact on Facebook, Out Impact on Twitter)

In celebration of worldwide LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) Pride month, I am recognizing a prominent celebrity who also is a fiercely devoted pet parent.

This person has recently been prominently featured in the news (see Time, Advocate, etc) for sharing his remarkable journey through a life changing transition. Chaz Bono (Twitter, Facebook), the son of Sonny Bono and Cher, was born as a biological female and is undergoing gender reassignment to become a male.

Although I am fascinated by the medical aspects of Chaz’s transformation (bilateral mastectomy, hormone therapy, oh my!), such won’t be the focus of this article. Instead, I want to emphasize the relationship he shares with his companion animals and his influence in helping me achieve a sense of acceptance with my family.

I have spent time with Chaz as a veterinary client and his pets as my patients. He and his companion, Jennifer Elia, always exhibited heartfelt parental concern for their pets. Chaz and Jennifer treat their dogs and cats as they would human children and receive uncompromising love in return.

As I needed to stay in doctor mode to provide emergency veterinary services to his pets, I was forced to contain my enthusiasm to meet him. You see, Chaz Bono played an integral role in my coming out process. As an spokesperson for the LGBT community, Chaz wrote the inspiring book Family Outing. After coming out to my parents, they sought guidance from the Catholic church (their choice, as I’m agnostic) and Chaz’ book to better understand the sexual orientation issues I have faced since childhood.

This is the first time I have publicly verbalized my personal admiration of Chaz as a role model for the LGBT community and pet owners from all backgrounds. Although I have had more than one opportunity to do so in person, I didn’t want to take the focus off his pet’s medical concerns during our previous interactions.

I hope Chaz reads this and realizes the positive “Out Impact” he had on my family and me. Additionally, I’m sure Chaz and Jennifer will keep taking such good care of their companion animals.

Please feel free to leave your comments or communicate with me through email (patrick@patrickmahaney.com) or Twitter (@PatrickMahaney).

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Copyright of this article (2011) is owned by Dr. Patrick Mahaney, Veterinarian and Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist. Republishing any portion of this article must first be authorized by Dr. Patrick Mahaney. Requests for republishing must be approved by Dr. Patrick Mahaney and received in written format.

Chaz Bono to be grand marshal of Gay Pride Parade (sfgate.com)

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DrPatrickMahaney

Dr. Patrick Mahaney, VMD graduated from University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. In 2000, Dr. Mahaney completed an Internship at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, D.C., and has since practiced in a variety of hospitals, doing both general and emergency practice.

Dr. Mahaney moved to Los Angeles to join the TLC Pet Medical Center team in early 2006. His practice philosophy is to improve the quality of life for both pets and their owner’s by establishing client relationships with open lines of communication and providing optimum care within his capabilities.

Dr. Mahaney completed the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society basic course in 2006 and is now a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA). He is especially interested in chronic pain management and uses a variety of modalities, including acupuncture, to improve the comfort level of his patients. Dr. Mahaney strongly believes that many canine and feline diseases can be better managed by incorporating both Western and Eastern treatments. In 2008, Dr. Mahaney incorporated his own small business, California Pet Acupuncture & Wellness (CPAW). CPAW offers in-home acupuncture and musculoskeletal therapy, pet appropriate environment consultation, veterinary supervised exercise sessions, and euthanasia.

Having lived in Philadelphia, DC, and Seattle, Dr. Mahaney feels as though Los Angeles’ mix of city, nature, and culture make it the ideal place to establish both personal and professional roots. Dr. Mahaney resides in West Hollywood with his Welsh Terrier, Cardiff. He and Cardiff enjoy canyon hiking, urban trekking, running on the beach. Dr. Mahaney also enjoys working out, playing tennis, doing yoga, going to museums, cosmetically improving his home, propagating plants, and spending quality time with friends and family.