At Alicia Pet Care Center (APCC) in California, staff members pride themselves on making every patient feel safe and loved. From “happy visits” filled with snuggles to customized treats, they’ll do just about anything to ease a pup’s stress.
So when a clever dog named Bandit flat-out refused to take his medicine during a weeklong stay, the team knew they had to get creative.
“He was very honest in his feedback about how much he disliked medicine,” Diana Gorin, APCC’s social media marketing specialist, told The Dodo. “He simply would not take any.”
Bandit’s family suggested hiding his pills in turkey sandwiches — his favorite snack. The team happily made a special trip to Target to pick up all the right ingredients and crafted the perfect sandwich just for him.
But Bandit had other plans.
Instead of gobbling it up, he gently took the sandwich, placed it on his bed … and then rested his head on top of it.
The staff tried again with different variations — plain turkey, peanut butter and turkey, even just peanut butter. But Bandit rejected every one.
Soon, a small mountain of untouched sandwiches decorated his bed, which he happily used as pillows.
“He knew exactly what he was doing,” Gorin said, laughing.
You can watch the team give Bandit his sandwiches here:
Finally, the team tried a new tactic. Two doctors quietly tucked his pill inside a tasty meatball, and without hesitation, Bandit ate it.
From then on, medicine time became meatball time — and Bandit was back on track with his treatment.
Though the staff adored watching him snooze on his sandwich collection, they were relieved to see him finally taking what he needed.
After a week, Bandit went home, leaving behind fond memories — and a vet team that now jokingly imagines he might be running his own deli: “Bandit’s Turkey Sandwiches.”
The team hasn’t had to make any sandwich-pillows since, but they’re always ready to come up with creative solutions for the next patient who thinks they’re one step ahead.
To keep up with Alicia Pet Care Center, follow them on Instagram or Facebook.
APCC is hosting the 9th Ford Peterson spay day for the pet community on March 12th, where they will offer up to 50 spay and neuter‘s for free. They are accepting applicants in the Orange County, California area by phone call at 949-768-1313.
