#medical services australia

[starfamilymedicalcentre]

Navigating Top-Quality Medical Services in Australia: Your Comprehensive Guide

Welcome to the Star Family Medical Centre blog! In Australia, accessing high-quality healthcare is crucial for maintaining your well-being and managing your health effectively. At our medical centre, we’re dedicated to providing a wide range of services designed to meet your healthcare needs. Whether you’re seeking routine care or specialized treatment, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Let’s dive into the comprehensive medical services Australia we offer and how they can benefit you.

Comprehensive Medical Services Tailored for You

1. Primary Care

Our primary care services form the foundation of your healthcare journey. We offer:

Routine Check-Ups: Regular examinations to monitor your health and catch potential issues early.

Chronic Disease Management: Expert care for managing conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma.

Immunisations: Vaccinations to protect you and your family from preventable diseases.

Our dedicated GPs (General Practitioners) take the time to understand your health history and provide personalized care to help you achieve and maintain optimal health.

2. Specialist Services

For more complex health issues, our specialist services provide advanced care in various fields, including:

Cardiology: Comprehensive evaluations and treatments for heart conditions, from routine check-ups to advanced procedures.

Endocrinology: Management of hormone-related disorders, including diabetes, thyroid issues, and adrenal problems.

Dermatology: Expert care for skin conditions ranging from acne to skin cancer, as well as cosmetic dermatological services.

Orthopedics: Specialized care for musculoskeletal issues, including bone fractures, joint pain, and sports injuries.

Our specialists work closely with your primary care provider to ensure a coordinated approach to your treatment.

3. Diagnostic Services

Accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment. Our diagnostic services include:

Laboratory Tests: Comprehensive blood tests and other laboratory analyses to provide crucial insights into your health.

Imaging Services: Advanced imaging techniques, such as X-rays, MRI, and CT scans, to accurately diagnose and monitor medical conditions.

Our state-of-the-art facilities ensure that you receive timely and precise diagnostic results.

4. Wellness and Preventive Care

Preventive care is key to avoiding future health problems and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We offer:

Nutritional Counseling: Tailored advice from dietitians to help you make informed food choices and manage your weight.

Fitness Programs: Exercise plans designed to improve your physical fitness and overall well-being.

Mental Health Support: Access to psychological services, including therapy and counseling, to support your mental and emotional health.

By focusing on prevention and wellness, we help you build a solid foundation for long-term health.

5. Urgent Care

For those times when you need immediate medical attention, our urgent care services provide prompt and effective treatment for non-life-threatening conditions. This includes:

Minor Injuries: Treatment for sprains, cuts, and other minor injuries.

Acute Illnesses: Immediate care for sudden illnesses like infections or allergic reactions.

Our urgent care team is equipped to handle a wide range of issues, ensuring you receive the care you need quickly.

Why Choose Us?

Patient-Centered Approach: We prioritize your needs and work with you to develop a personalized care plan that fits your lifestyle and health goals.

Cutting-Edge Technology: Our facilities are equipped with the latest medical technology to provide accurate diagnoses and effective treatments.

Convenient Access: With flexible appointment scheduling and a comprehensive range of services available on-site, we make accessing healthcare easy and efficient.

Compassionate Care: Our team of healthcare professionals is committed to providing compassionate and respectful care, ensuring your comfort and well-being.

Connect with Us Today

We invite you to experience the exceptional care that Star Family Medical Centre offers. Whether you need a routine check-up, specialist consultation, or urgent care, we’re here to support you.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our services. Stay connected with us through our blog, social media, and newsletters for the latest health tips, clinic updates, and more.

“Star Family Medical Centre has taken the initiative to support local GP training organisations by taking on trainee doctors working towards their RACGP fellowship. Throughout the years, we have had some fantastic local & international trainee doctors. We are proud to have aided to their learning & development as a professional GP.”

[us-the-voices-and-more-voices-2]

still so incredibly, incredibly, pissed and angry about the NDIS changes.

people are already dying, important things are already canceled, what the fuck was the point?

save a couple billion dollars?

okay? now people are dead what was the point again?

it's not going to help people like me who SHOULD be on the NDIS for support and life shit.

(hi I suffer from post-covid! and severe debilitating asthma! not to mention learning disabilities that make things incredibly inaccessible to me because the government THEMSELVES don't make shit accessible!!!!!)

(I live in hell YAY!/j)

not to mention all the people on the waiting lists who are literally straight up dying, we already have mortalities!!!!!!

WE'VE HAD MORTALITIES FOR YEARS!!!!

we've only had the NDIS since 2013, I grew up without support from the NDIS because well I was born in the 2000s lol and it took a solid few years after that for it to work out some kinks and by the time it ended up being okay as a thing I had been disabled for 10 years and had 0 supports lol, and my family had been paying out of pocket.

also like my entire family didn't have any disability supports before me either, no one had them in those days, no one in the old country we only really got anything literally in 2018-2019 for one of my bisnonni THAT'S HOW BAD THE NDIS IS BTW.

at the very least she had a carer for some time, but it was not even a possibility for such a long time.

that again, one of my other bisnonni was completely fucked over, same problems effected her even worse in her own right.

(NDIS actually care about old people challenge: FAILED)

ALSO imagine having rights! hahahahahah.

(actually sobbing rn. most of us DO NOT, we are payed less then abled people!!!!)

I am bitching and moaning everyday, because I'm not stupid none of us are, even us stupid people (ily fellow learning disabled ppl and intellectually disabled ppl) we have been greatly fucked over for decades and decades, and still with the bare fucking minimum shit it gets snatched or abused or we get scammed.

it's fucked, it's so, so, fucked.

medicare doesn't cover optical, dental, or a shit ton of other things.

the government straight up hates us all, I can not tell you the amount of bullshit I've been through, the ableism is intense!!!!! it's why I got so good at masking my very obvious learning disabilities fuck all of us for real.

like, the depression and STRAIGHT UP FEAR!!!

dude, fucked up shit.

I have so so many stories, I can't even begin to tell you.

honestly shame on 'em, I'm using my newfound free speech to bitch and moan.

because like, I do not genuinely think half the things that allow me to bitch and moan about being disabled was a thing when I was a kid, like genuinely!

honestly I wish international disabled allies could idk join in and be angry with us, we have all been through hell.

and it's fucked.

[nando161mando]

I’d rather die than owe medical bills

[ittyalfie]

Hi!

The need for support and services for autistic people has increased so much, even in the past year.

That is why I’ve committed to Run for autism this October. Please help me raise vital funds to change the lives of children and adults on the autism spectrum and support my Run for autism 2024.

I’ve personally used Aspect’s helpful Autism Alert card in emergency medical situations. And Aspect offer a range of support for Autistic individuals. It can be hard to find services who understand or even know what autism is like and how it can be unique for different people!

Aspect help people access NDIS services specific to autistic needs, and have community support and programs.

As well as aiming for my goal to walk/run 40km to raise funds for crucial support, I also want to add a goal to do drawings for donations! I wanna achieve these goals! Please donate or share, and leave a comment, message or ask for a drawing.

I want to promote awareness and the value of sharing personal experiences. Drawing character art is one of my special interests and it would mean so much to me to help in this way.

https://www.runforautism.org.au/fundraisers/cuddlecosmos

Click below! Please reblog :)

Your donation will help create a more autism-friendly world for children and adults on the autism spectrum. I’m actually so excited to be able to do this. I feel like the more we can help each other, the more it can enable others who were previously unable to help, to then contribute in their own ways to other causes. :)

Thank you so much!

Bit from Cuddle cosmos

PS If you want to join Run for autism, you can sign up via the link as well!

[amitaustraliacpa]

Claimable & Non-Claimable Expenses for Medical Professionals

Intro:

Claimable & Non-Claimable Expenses for Medical Professionals 

Navigating the world of tax deductions can be complex, especially for medical professionals. Understanding what you can and cannot claim is crucial for maximizing your tax benefits. Here’s a concise guide on claimable and non-claimable expenses, tailored for doctors, specialists, and other medical professionals. 

Claimable Expenses 

Non-Claimable Expenses 

Car Expenses🚙: 

Car Expenses: 

- Driving between different workplaces. 

- Normal trips between home and work, even if you live far from your workplace or work outside normal hours. 

- Use the logbook method or the cents-per-kilometer method to calculate your deduction. 

Travel Expenses🛂: 

Travel Expenses: 

- Expenses incurred when traveling away from home overnight for work, including meals, accommodation, and incidentals. 

- Private component of travel costs, even if there is a work-related component, like attending a seminar during a holiday. 

- Must not have been reimbursed for these expenses by your employer. 

Clothing and Laundry Expenses🆎: 

Clothing and Laundry Expenses: 

- Costs for protective clothing, compulsory uniforms, and specific footwear required for your job. 

- Conventional clothing such as business attire, even if required by your employer. 

Self-Education and Study Expenses📚: 

Self-Education and Study Expenses: 

- Courses directly related to your current job that maintain or improve your skills and knowledge, potentially leading to increased income. 

- Courses that are only related in a general way or aimed at getting a new job. 

Working from Home Expenses💻: 

Working from Home Expenses: 

- Expenses for items used for work, calculated using approved methods. 

- Items provided by your employer or expenses reimbursed by them. 

Other Work-Related Expenses💡: 

Other Work-Related Expenses: 

- Professional indemnity insurance, medical journal subscriptions, association membership fees, work-related phone and internet costs, medical equipment, and personal protective equipment like gloves and masks. 

- Flu shots and other vaccinations, even if required for work. 

How Amit Aggarwal Can Help 

Amit Aggarwal, the Certified Practicing Accountant, can be a tremendous asset for medical professionals in tax planning and accounting. His expertise ensures you can maximize your deductions, engage in strategic tax planning, and make informed investment decisions. With Amit's guidance, you can navigate the complexities of tax laws, avoid common pitfalls, and ultimately save more money. 

For expert advice tailored to your needs, consult with Amit Aggarwal. Click here to start maximizing your tax benefits today.  

[searchmycollege]

Medical Education Abroad: Choosing the Best Study Abroad Consultants in Delhi

Studying medicine is an all-time dream for many hopeful doctors, and pursue it abroad can open doors to world-class education, various experiences, and global perspective. If you are making a pocket money for studying medicine overseas, you'll find that the process can be overwhelming without the right leadership. Consultants in Delhi are where medical study abroad consultant in Delhi comes into play. We will travel around the indispensable factors to consider when choosing the best Medical study abroad consultants in Delhi to help you embark on your global medical learning journey.

Why Study Medicine Abroad?

Studying medicine abroad offers several advantages, counting introduction to progressive medical technologies, diverse patient populations, and the opportunity to build a global network. Additionally, it can be more money-making in some cases and make available better opportunity for clinical rotations and internships. However, making the right choices is crucial, preliminary with select the right study abroad consultant in Delhi.

Factor to think about When Choosing Medical Study Abroad Consultants in Delhi:

Expertise and Experience:

Make sure that the consultants you choose have extensive familiarity in serving students pursue medical education abroad. They are supposed to be well-versed in the submission processes, admission necessities, and documentation needed for various countries and university.

Accreditation and Affiliations:

Check if the consultants are attributed by appropriate education boards or relatives. Being affiliated with prestigious institution can be a sign of their trustworthiness and responsibility.

Services Offered:

Evaluate the range of services obtainable by the consultants. This strength includes assistance with university collection, application leadership, visa support, and pre-departure compass reading.

Transparent Fees:

Make certain that the consultancy fees are see-through and reasonable. Beware of hidden costs, and make sure you understand what is built-in in the package.

Destination Expertise:

If you have a scrupulous country or institution of higher education in mind, choose a consultant with knowledge in that destination. Medical study abroad consultant in Delhi is supposed to be well-informed about the medical education systems, admission criteria, and cultural nuance of the country.

Support throughout the Process:

A good advisor should provide support at every phase of your journey, from select the right agenda to plateful you settle in the host country.

Visa Assistance:

Navigating the visa application process can be complex. Choose a consultant who can provide comprehensive visa support, ensuring you meet all requirements and deadlines.

Financial Aid and Scholarships:

Query if the consultants can help you look at financial aid options and scholarships available for international medical students.

Personalized Guidance:

Give the impression of being for consultants who offer personalized guidance, enchanting into account your academic background, career goals, and preferences.

Conclusion:

Choose the right Medical study abroad consultant in Delhi is a critical step in realize your dream of study medicine abroad. Take your time to do research and select a counselor who aligns with your aspiration and can provide the essential guidance and support throughout your journey. With the right professional by your side, you can go on board on a rewarding worldwide medical tutoring experience that will silhouette your future as a healthcare qualified.

[bestnursesinaustralia]

Medical staffing solution in Australia | Healthcare Staffing

We are Offering Best Nursing Staffing Solutions in Australia. We are specializes in providing medical and healthcare staffing solutions. We are a professional medical recruitment agency that connects you to the perfect career in Australia. BNA specializing in the placement of medical professional

Contact Us Today!:-

[kvacleaningservice]

Google Review By Thanigasalam

KVA Cleaning Service is a really professional service. I had my GYM Cleaning service in Cranbourne. The cleaning is always to an extremely high standard and very thorough. Total attention to detail and everything always looks great. They are the best cleaning company I have ever used and would highly recommend them. Best Cleaning service provider in Cranbourne.

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Contact us : 1300582639

Website : https://kvacleaningservice.com.au/

#kvacleaningservice#professionalcleaningservices#homecleaningservice#australia#melbourne#cranbournewest#dandenongsouth#dandenong#seaford#carrumdowns#officecleaningservice#medical#cleaning#services#childcare#cleaningservices#cleaning#bestcleaningservice#EndofLeaseCleaning#buildings#gym#carpetcleaning

[iatrikibillingau]

Medical Billing Services Australia

Streamlining Healthcare Revenue: The Role of Medical Billing Services in Australia

Introduction :

Efficient medical billing is vital for healthcare providers in Australia to ensure timely and accurate reimbursement for their services. With the complexity of billing procedures and evolving regulations, many healthcare facilities are turning to medical billing services australia. This article explores the significance of medical billing services in Australia and the benefits they offer to both providers and patients.

Streamlining Revenue Cycle :

Medical billing services play a crucial role in streamlining the revenue cycle for healthcare providers in Australia. These services handle various tasks, including claims submission, coding, insurance verification, and payment posting. By outsourcing these responsibilities to specialized billing services, healthcare providers can focus on delivering quality patient care while ensuring a smoother financial workflow. Additionally, medical billing services stay updated with ever-changing billing and coding regulations, reducing the risk of billing errors and claim denials, and ultimately improving revenue generation for healthcare providers.

Expertise and Compliance :

Medical billing services in Australia employ trained professionals with expertise in medical coding, billing procedures, and regulatory requirements. These professionals ensure that all medical claims are accurately coded and compliant with the relevant regulations. By staying up-to-date with the latest changes in billing guidelines, such as the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and private health insurance rules, billing services minimize the risk of non-compliance, audits, and financial penalties. Their expertise also helps healthcare providers maximize their reimbursements by ensuring that services are billed appropriately and all eligible claims are submitted promptly.

Visit Here For More Information About This :- Complete medical billing services Melbourne.

Improved Patient Experience :

The benefits of medical billing services extend beyond healthcare providers. Patients also experience advantages when providers utilize these services. Accurate and efficient billing processes mean patients receive clear and transparent explanations of their medical bills, reducing confusion and frustration. Moreover, timely claim submission and accurate coding result in faster claim processing by insurance companies, which translates into quicker reimbursement for patients. By partnering with medical billing services, healthcare providers enhance the overall patient experience by providing a hassle-free billing and reimbursement process.

Conclusion :

In the complex world of healthcare revenue management, medical billing services have emerged as valuable partners for healthcare providers in Australia. These services offer expertise in billing and coding, ensuring compliance and reducing the risk of errors. Simultaneously, they streamline revenue cycles, freeing up providers to focus on delivering exceptional patient care and improving the overall healthcare experience.

[tripleatranscription]

Significance of Medical Transcription Services in the Healthcare Industry

Being a healthcare service provider is not an easy job to do. Healthcare professionals have a lot on their plate, ranging from having the utmost patient care, counselling, regular examinations and many more. Having said all this, it is even more important for them to keep accurate records of the patient. And, of course, which is not easy to do when you need to write about everything happening around you.

Not to worry because medical transcription is there to help all professionals in the healthcare industry. Medical transcription includes all data sets pertaining to lab and pathology reports, diagnoses made, different tests, medicine or any treatment suggested to a patient.

This is indeed a step forward in the healthcare industry that battles all odds to save a previous life. So, we cannot overemphasise the significance of medical transcription. Let’s continue with the post to know the importance of medical transcription services in the healthcare industry.

·         Quick Diagnosis

Best transcription services for the medical industry keep track of the record and history of the patient, which eventually helps in the quick diagnosis of the disease. This does not need to be reminded of doctors or other healthcare professionals.

Medical transcription offers all kinds of records to the health experts they need to cross-check to make a diagnosis. Here the importance of medical transcription gets quite bigger because even a small wrong piece of information can ruin the career as well as the reputation of the doctor.

·         Ensure Accuracy

In conditions where there is a lack of proper record keeping, the clinical notes and medical history of the patients are very challenging to deliver the right treatment. But transcription services have been very effective in maintaining all the treatment records related to the patient.

The details include the current state of health, medicine suggested to cure the disease and many others. Written records for patient analysis coupled with other related reports also help expand medical practitioners' effectiveness.

·         Communications Which Save Life

Every individual goes through a lot of diseases throughout his/her life. The persona also takes care of the ailments with consultation from different healthcare professionals, clinics, doctors, etc. Having a precise and accurate record helps share crucial information about past medical history with medical practitioners.

At times patients miss crucial details about their past illnesses and diagnoses. Medical professionals are well aware of how past medical history affects course of disease in patients and their treatment.

Medical transcription is very effective in preserving the vital pieces of information to be shared among medical experts to save someone’s life.

With the rising trend of outsourcing medical transcription services getting popular with easy passing day, professionals from the healthcare industry can stop worrying about having a dedicated in-house team of transcription experts.

Outsourcing medical transcription in Australia or any other location offers an opportunity to get error-free transcribed reports every time. This also gives a boost to patient care and enhances the overall workflow.

[slyandthefamilybook]

since we now know that all those "my blog is safe for Jewish people" posts are bullshit, here are some Jewish organizations you can donate to if you actually want to prove you support Jews. put up or shut up

FIGHTING HUNGER

Masbia - Kosher soup kitchens in New York

MAZON - Practices and promotes a multifaceted approach to hunger relief, recognizing the importance of responding to hungry peoples' immediate need for nutrition and sustenance while also working to advance long-term solutions

Tomchei Shabbos - Provides food and other supplies so that poor Jews can celebrate the Sabbath and the Jewish holidays

FINANCIAL AID

Ahavas Yisrael - Providing aid for low-income Jews in Baltimore

Hebrew Free Loan Society - Provides interest-free loans to low-income Jews in New York and more

GLOBAL AID

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee - Offers aid to Jewish populations in Central and Eastern Europe as well as in the Middle East through a network of social and community assistance programs. In addition, the JDC contributes millions of dollars in disaster relief and development assistance to non-Jewish communities

American Jewish World Service - Fighting poverty and advancing human rights around the world

Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society - Providing aid to immigrants and refugees around the world

Jewish World Watch - Dedicated to fighting genocides around the world

MEDICAL AID

Sharsheret - Support for cancer patients, especially breast cancer

SOCIAL SERVICES

The Aleph Institute - Provides support and supplies for Jews in prison and their families, and helps Jewish convicts reintegrate into society

Bet Tzedek - Free legal services in LA

Bikur Cholim - Providing support including kosher food for Jews who have been hospitalized in the US, Australia, Canada, Brazil, and Israel

Blue Card Fund - Critical aid for holocaust survivors

Chai Lifeline - An org that's very close to my heart. They help families with members with disabilities in Baltimore

Chana - Support network for Jews in Baltimore facing domestic violence, sexual abuse, and elder abuse

Community Alliance for Jewish-Affiliated Cemetaries - Care of abandoned and at-risk Jewish cemetaries

Crown Heights Central Jewish Community Council - Provides services to community residents including assistance to the elderly, housing, employment and job training, youth services, and a food bank

Hands On Tzedakah - Supports essential safety-net programs addressing hunger, poverty, health care and disaster relief, as well as scholarship support to students in need

Hebrew Free Burial Association

Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services - Programs include early childhood and learning, children and adolescent services, mental health outpatient clinics for teenagers, people living with developmental disabilities, adults living with mental illness, domestic violence and preventive services, housing, Jewish community services, counseling, volunteering, and professional and leadership development

Jewish Caring Network - Providing aid for families facing serious illnesses

Jewish Family Service - Food security, housing stability, mental health counseling, aging care, employment support, refugee resettlement, chaplaincy, and disability services

Jewish Relief Agency - Serving low-income families in Philadelphia

Jewish Social Services Agency - Supporting people’s mental health, helping people with disabilities find meaningful jobs, caring for older adults so they can safely age at home, and offering dignity and comfort to hospice patients

Jewish Women's Foundation Metropolitan Chicago - Aiding Jewish women in Chicago

Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty - Crisis intervention and family violence services, housing development funds, food programs, career services, and home services

Misaskim - Jewish death and burial services

Our Place - Mentoring troubled Jewish adolescents and to bring awareness of substance abuse to teens and children

Tiferes Golda - Special education for Jewish girls in Baltimore

Yachad - Support for Jews with disabilities

[thedovesaredying]

Monsters in the Dark | Nikto x Reader | Part 1

First "official" part of Nikto x Reader fic set in the cowboy AU originally created by @ghouljams once again staring our darling Sputnik. Makes a lot more sense if you read the prologue which can be found linked below.

A/N: Did I spend several hours watching Kevin Richardson videos with him hanging out with his hyenas while writing this? Yes. Do I regret it? Absolutely not. This also ended up a lot longer than I was expecting lmao.

Warnings: Depictions of Minor Medical Procedures.

Masterlist: CoD Masterlist

Prev Part | Next Part

When working as a rural vet there’s a surprising amount of driving involved. Travelling from the clinic to farms and huge properties miles and miles away for in-person appointments and consultations can understandably take several hours out of your day. Most of the time you don’t even have working cell service to help guide you to your destination and you’re forced to either memorise the route beforehand or turn to your old reliable map.  

You’re new to the area, having decided to spend some time travelling across the US for the potential experience it could offer you. You’ve done plenty of work on stations in the north of Australia, helping jackaroos to manage any illness within their herds, always moving from place to place, and so Texas seemed like the perfect place to start your travels.  

While training, however, you had been given an offer to travel to South Africa to work with the numerous wildlife there both on reserves and in zoos. It was the best year of your life and ignited a passion for working with exotic animals.  

Travelling the US for work was an exciting opportunity to help rural communities with their livestock and to work with the numerous native species you’ve never had the chance to encounter in your everyday life. This little town was just another step on your travels and, so far, hadn’t really stood out to you more than any other small town.  

So, it isn’t out of place for you to be driving down a lengthy driveway through the woods and pulling up to a rundown old house. What is strange, is the huge creature sitting at the top of the porch.  

The hyena is massive. It’s powerfully built with pure muscle, and no doubt would be able to tear you to pieces if it chose to. It’s so distracting that for a long time you don’t even notice the huge man standing beside your car. He looks just as strong as the hyena sitting behind him and you’re not sure how you missed his approach.  

When the lady at the front desk informed you that there was a gentleman asking for a veterinarian with experience handling exotics, you were thinking perhaps a rare lizard, or an uncommon species of parrot. What you weren’t expecting was to see an adult hyena staring you down.  

You’re more than a little reluctant to leave the safety of the vehicle, but upon receiving a jerk of the head from the man, you cautiously exit the car. Not once do you take your eyes off the predator while you quickly grab your bag from the backseat.  

Having dealt with hyenas before, you know better than to show any kind of fear, forcing your shoulders down from your ears and starting to take calm, deep breaths. You offer your name to who you presume is the animal’s owner and hold out a hand for him to shake.  

The man, “Nikto,” as he grunts to you, takes your hand after a moment and gives it a firm shake. You’re used to farmers having a strong grip, so you simply offer the man a bright grin. “I take it this is the patient?” you ask, nodding your head toward the hyena in question.  

The man is clad head to toe in all-black clothing. Typical cowboy hat, black denim jeans, and a shirt that has a high collar and sleeves that reach all the way down to his wrists where they meet with a pair of leather gloves. All regular clothing, albeit a little dark for such a hot climate, but what really sets him apart is the dark neck gaiter covering most of his features.  

You would think it odd for him to be hiding his face on his own property, but you’ve heard that there’s several other ex-military men in the town that also prefer bandanas or masks to showing their bare faces. It looks intimidating, especially given just how huge the guy is, but at the end of the day he’s your client and it isn’t your place to judge.  

“да,” Nikto nods, “this is Sputnik.” He looks you up and down, before asking, “you are comfortable with her, yes?”  

“Uh, yeah, I’ve worked with hyenas before,” you confirm. That, unfortunately, doesn’t make it any easier or less nerve-wracking to be so close to an unrestrained predator. Normally, there’s at least a fence between you and any of the wildlife you’re treating, but hopefully the animal is somewhat friendly given it’s allowed to roam free.  

At your confirmation, he lets out a sharp whistle and snaps out a harsh, “КО МНЕ!” Causing the animal to leap to her feet and sprint across the grass to her owner’s side.  

You try not to jump when Sputnik runs directly toward you but manage to keep a handle on your reactions. Much to your relief, however, rather than tackling you to the floor and tearing your throat out, the hyena starts laughing excitedly and running circles around you. She’s clearly very curious, stopping every few seconds to try and sniff at you from a distance.  

You can imagine it would be an intimidating sight for anyone who has never encountered a hyena before, but she’s clearly just excited to meet someone new. “Is she normally this excited to meet new people?” you ask, unable to resist the smile that grows on your face as Sputnik starts to playfully nip at Nikto’s legs.  

The man huffs, crossing his arms over his chest, “no.” 

You’re beginning to understand that Nikto is not one for making conversation.  

As Sputnik calms again, you watch her wander around the area. The issue becomes clear to you quite quickly in the form of a slight limp on one of her hind legs. She seems to otherwise be bright, alert and responsive, only the sore leg causing her problems.  

You run through the basic questions about the problem, how long it’s being going on, and how her behaviour has been recently. You quickly take notes on her previous medical history while keeping an eye on Sputnik. After taking down her information, you ask Nikto to bring her to one of the old sheds so you can begin the exam.  

She’s a beautiful hyena, and despite not having the behaviour of a domesticated dog, she can somewhat follow her owner’s commands. After seeing Nikto tapping the top of one of the tables, she hops up into a bench for you to more easily inspect her body.  

With Sputnik firmly restrained by her owner, you gently reach out for her hind paw. You softly palpate the area, taking note of the large amount of swelling, particularly in the area between two of her toes. After glancing up to ensure she isn’t getting too stressed, you pull apart the toes, spotting a nasty yellow lump of what is presumably infection.  

As you check over the area, you notice something black sticking out of the wound. With your trusty pair of tweezers you take hold of the object and begin to gently tease it out of the swollen mass. Sputnik’s leg twitches slightly, clearly not happy about someone touching her sore paw, but after a few soft words of encouragement she settles once again.  

Your grip on the object slips a few times, but eventually you’re able to pull it free. It’s a nasty thorn, a whole inch in length that was buried in the poor animal’s foot. Just removing it causes a flood of pus to begin squirting from the wound and you’re thankful for the medical gloves you’re wearing, because it is far from a pleasant smell.  

Sputnik whines, trying to pull her paw away again, but with your client still holding her head in place you can continue to express the rest of the fluid without causing her much more distress. With a small syringe of saline, you quickly flush out the remaining chunks of hardened infection until the liquid runs clear.  

It’s a small enough opening that she won’t need the wound packed or any stitches to keep it closed. Instead, you spray the area with a thick layer of Blu-Kote to prevent any further infection.  

“I'll need to give her a quick antibiotic injection to make sure it won’t come back, just make sure she’s restrained, okay?” You receive a grunt of acknowledgement, then provide the needed shot. Sputnik tries to turn and snap at you, but with Nikto in the way she ends up biting at thin air and growling in frustration.  

You gently rub at the hyena’s back with a loving coo, “what a brave girl, you did so well!” 

After being released she turns to regard you for a moment, before squealing happily and trying to lick at your face. It seems you’re already forgiven for your cruel transgressions against the poor girl. “Looks like this was the cause of the trouble,” you explain, briefly showing Nikto the old thorn you’d removed.  

Nikto turns his gaze to Sputnik, rolling his eyes before gently cuffing her around the back of the head. “Долбоеб,” he mutters, ignoring the way she starts to playfully bite at one of his gloved hands.  

You’re not entirely sure what he said, but no doubt it’s some sort of insult. Not that Sputnik seems to care, hopping down from the table and trotting around the barn as if the last ten minutes didn’t occur.  

“I gave her a strong antibiotic, but spotted hyenas are pretty notorious for their infections being resistant to treatment, so if she starts getting worse or isn’t improving then be sure to give me a call and we’ll look at if there’s anything we need to do,” you explain, keeping an eye on how Sputnik moves on her feet now. 

“Understood,” the man nods, standing ramrod straight with his arms crossed over his chest.  

Clearly this man still isn’t very interested in a conversation, given he has nothing further to add and almost seems to be pointedly ignoring you. It’s a little uncomfortable, but he’s certainly not the first... interesting character you’ve dealt with in your career and he won’t be the last. “Do you have any other questions about the treatment?” you ask.  

“нет,” he grunts, before quickly adding, “no.”  

You nod, offering the man a genuine smile, “well, I’m glad I could help out.” You remove your gloves and quickly start packing away the tools you’d been using, “the office will send through an invoice to your email, so you can pay online or head down to the clinic to pay in person.”  

He just nods, watching you silently as you finish up collecting your tools and placing them back away into your bag. His eyes seem to burn into you, his icy gaze piercing through your body and directly into your very soul. You’re not sure how comfortable you are having your innermost self so openly exposed to someone you’ve only just met, but quickly shake off the feeling.  

As soon as you’re finished packing, you pull out one of your personal cards, handing it to Nikto. He stares at the piece of cardboard for a long moment, and you quickly explain, “my card, it’s got my number on it in case you ever need help.” You can’t imagine how difficult it must be for him to find someone with genuine experience treating large predatory animals and you’re more than happy to offer as much of your expertise as he wants.  

Nikto awkwardly goes to reach for the card with one of his hands, only to pause midway and reach for it with the other one. He fleetingly glances over the card, then tucks it into one of his shirt pockets.  

While you make your way back to your car, Nikto calls Sputnik back over and ensures the animal walks at his heels. She doesn’t seem happy with this command, whining and laughing as she looks between her master and you. She very obviously wants to run after you and play but knows better than to ignore her owner.  

Sputnik sits next to Nikto as the man watches you quickly pack everything back into your car. She keeps looking between you and Nikto, as if silently begging him to allow her to go back to you for more attention, but he stands strong against her sad eyes. It’s cute, really, since it likely means that weaponized puppy dog eyes are an effective tool in getting the stoic man to crumble if she’s still attempting to use them against him.  

Before you hop into the car you give Sputnik a wave, laughing when she cries at you. “Bye, sweetheart!” you coo again, before offering her owner a wave and a smile.  

Looking into the rear-view mirror on your way back toward the main road, you can see both Nikto and Sputnik watching you leave. They’re an odd pair, but it’s been a while since you had the chance to work with such a beautiful animal and you can’t help looking forward to seeing both her and her strange human again sometime soon.