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Tacoma News Tribune / Getty Images Contributor
Dr. Edmund Kwan performs a root canal as Dr. Tom Sullivan removed a growth from the eye lid of Boris, a Pt. Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Polar bear on Feb. 23 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal health care hospital in Tacoma, Wash.
Dean J. Koepfler / Tacoma News Tribune
Head veterinarian, Dr. Karen Wolf, clips the massive claws of Boris the Polar bear during a physical at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Wash.
Dean J. Koepfler / Tacoma News Tribune
Carson Reed, 6, hugs his stuffed polar bear, Poley, after a physical for Boris the real Polar Bear is performed by his dad, Dr. Jim Reed, and other team members.
Dean J. Koepfler / Tacoma News Tribune
A pair of gloved hands are dwarfed by the furry paws of Boris the Polar Bear at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal health care hospital in Tacoma, Wash.
A sleeping giant, Boris the Polar bear underwent a full physical Saturday, at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal hospital in Tacoma, Wash., as a team of veterinarians, technicians and staff also performed a root canal and some minor eye surgery on the 27-year-old polar bear. Continue reading 'Root canal, eye work for Point Defiance polar bear' on The News Tribune.
Editor's note: Images shot by Tacoma News Tribune's Dean J. Koepfler on Feb. 23, but made available to NBC News today.
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Amazing creatures.
totally agree....many thank you's to the caregivers and protectors of these beautiful animals!!!
has Gore checked out his junk yet?
Wow he must have one of those Cadillac insurance plans.
Yet a Vet cant get the same services unless they can PROVE it was service related.
I'm not so sure about that. I have a friend who is a Vietnam vet but was not involved in combat and incurred no injuries as a result of his duty, which was primarily technical. He never expected to receive anything but his discharge papers. He is now pleasantly surprised that he qualifies for a pension and full medical coverage. He attributes these benefits to the present administration.
GM Scooter and all the usual suspects!
Maybe all us Vets should take The Polar Bear Express route to get some of the same bennies!
However, I am glad they are taking care of the polar bear's needs.
JackfromJax: Have you checked into it recently? My friend didn't think he would get anything either, but he was very pleasantly surprised. You might be too. I hope so. Good luck.
thank you fatcatlady
but i have checked, last month matter of fact, the local V.A. does not cover, eyes, hearing, or teeth without being service connected or having an expensive insurance rider. Also they do not cover emergency ambulance unless its heart or breathing problems. Nor have i ever even heard of such things of which you speak. What hospital did he go to? i will check
FatCatLady
Yes ma'am I have and ditto what IA Scooter had found, I had received the same answers. Thanks for your concern and attempt to help. I use my health insurance to attend those matters now.
Odd. I wonder if VA qualifications are regional or perhaps tied to era of service.
My brother gets dental and eye care I can only dream about.
I have never seen a Polar Bear and this amazes me. The size of the bear. WOW I've seen picture's but never had anything to conpare their size to. This doctor's hand give me some idea.
The polar bear is the largest of all bear species. They are truly beautiful, magnificent creatures.
Also, if the bear wouldn't kill me, I'd just love to give him a big ol' hug. They look so snuggly. :-)
.
FatCatLady
He is now pleasantly surprised that he qualifies for a pension and full medical coverage. He attributes these benefits to the present administration.
He should consider himself as lucky as having won the lottery because most Vets fight years to get what they should have gotten. My husband is a decorated Vet and we are still trying to get what he should have received 20+ yrs ago when we started dealing with VA and by the way the present administration has nothing to do with getting the benefits my husband's fight has spanned many administrations and not finished yet
Back to the topic which is the polar bear ~
I am also amazed by the size of that paw. And the claws! They're nearly as large as my pinkie finger.
I'll bear this in mind the next time I have to sit on my dog to trim his nails. (yes, the pun was intended)