By Cheri Hoffer
Redstone Review

LYONS – Someone who doesn’t pull punches one said, “If your dog is fat, you’re not getting enough exercise.” Or maybe your dog has a common thyroid problem. Maybe both are true or other problems exist. On April 18 you’ll have the opportunity to talk with professionals and sports enthusiasts about a wide variety of ways to optimize the health and well being of you and your pets at the first Healthy Living in Lyons Expo.

Many healthcare approaches to wellness begin with information more comprehensive than most people have ever experienced before with healthcare providers. Among the myriad of offerings on April 18 will be information about acupuncture. Local acupuncturist Julie Smith explains, “Western medicine recognizes acupuncture as effective treatment, though they can’t yet explain how it works according to their medical paradigm. We treat patterns of symptoms and the whole person.”

Carol Conigliaro, another local acupuncturist goes on to say, “Acupuncture treats the individual, not the disease. Two people with migraines will be treated differently, based on how they present physically and emotionally, as well as an understanding of their lifestyles and personal histories.”

Both women will be part of the expo, as well as several massage therapists and a Pilates instructor. There is still space available for people offering classes, products and services aimed at optimizing health.

Are you curious whether your goofy canine really is part Great Dane and part Chihuahua, like she appears to be?

Come to the outdoor Pet Wellness Fair part of the expo and believe it or not, for $125 the Longmont Humane Society will test your pet’s DNA as well as offer microchipping for a fee. They’ll also be introducing their new low cost spay and neuter clinic.

Lift up your dog’s lips and look at his gums and the color of his teeth. Dogs suffer from painful dental disease just as humans do, and dental care and cleaning are necessary in a dog’s life.

Four veterinarians, Jolene Duncan, Melora Wittig-Estredge, Pete Rogers and Matt Rooney will be present outdoors to talk to you about dental care, both mandatory and various elective vaccinations, homeopathics, acupuncture and alternative diets for pets. Two of these vets offer house call care, which can be a blessing for frail or fearful pets. Home can be a low-stress place for examination and treatment. Rooney’s animal ambulance based out of Longmont will be on site for tours. Information will be available about Lyons area pet boarding and pet sitting options.

Also outdoors there will be an enthusiastic introduction to various cycling sports. Watch who comes through Lyons on two wheels. In short order you’ll notice silver foxes, moms and dads of all ages pulling trailers with wee ones in tow and even the occasional trailer with Fido on the ride of his life. Cycling is for everyone. That is a message which Dylan Lang hopes to ignite in locals.

“Biking is a very healthy thing to do and Lyons is a Mecca for both mountain biking and road biking. We hope to introduce people to this and to competitive biking – from downhill and cross-country mountain biking to road bike racing. Come see the equipment and protection for both.” You’ll learn how to adjust your brakes, how to properly fit a bicycle and much other practical information to get you safely and enjoyably on the road or trail sooner than later.

Robyn Young and Claire Kunadi are the Food Garden divas at the high school. Get your blood work done at the nearby 9Health Fair and bring your appetite to these women for a healthy beginning to your day. For an affordable $3 to $5 you can feast on an oatmeal bar, eggs, breakfast burritos—including vegan ones—and juice.

According to Young, a healthy diet is in large part “about portion control and whole grains.”

The first Healthy Living in Lyons Expo will be held on Saturday April 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with its outdoor pet and cycling offerings going until 2 p.m. at a close-by location.

It shares the day with the 30th annual 9Health Fair. The events are entirely separate, but complementary in nature, both being held at the Lyons Middle/Senior High School.

The 9Health Fair hours are earlier, from 7 a.m. to noon. If you are a greater Lyons area resident and want to be a vendor of products or services at the first annual Lyons Healthy Living Expo, call Julie Smith at 303-775-2849 or email her for the actual application at rockymtnacupt@gmail.com.

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