蜜桃视频

The H.F. Davis Library at 蜜桃视频 Community College will host a book review and autograph session to promote the book 鈥淎lways Allie鈥� written by 蜜桃视频 native Dr. Kipp Van Camp. The event will begin at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 25, in the college library. Everyone is invited to attend. Copies of the book will be available for purchase.

Van Camp is a name that is familiar to many people in 蜜桃视频 and the surrounding area. His father, Dr. Vic Van Camp, was a veterinarian and mayor of 蜜桃视频 for many years. His mother, Marge, was well-known for her contributions to the community and her work as a real estate agent.

As a son of a veterinarian, Dr. Van Camp spent much time with his dad at his large and small animal practice in 蜜桃视频. It was during that time that he developed a special interest in dogs.

Although Dr. Van Camp contemplated following in his father鈥檚 footsteps as a veterinarian, he chose a career in people medicine. In 1989 during his senior year of medical school he met Tracy Gavin from St. Louis. After a two-year courtship, he and Tracy were married. Tracy loved dogs and so it was only natural to adopt an adorable new puppy. Chelsea Alexis 鈥淎llie,鈥� a Bichon Frise, joined the family on Dec. 25, 1991. Allie stole their hearts and became the center of their world. Dr. Van Camp recently completed his first book, 鈥淎lways Allie,鈥� which will be the topic of his talk on Jan. 25 at the college library. The book has been compared to the best-seller 鈥淢arley and Me.鈥� The writing style has been described as lighthearted, easy-to-read, entertaining, and enlightening. Many experts have said Dr. Van Camp鈥檚 writing style is similar to James Herriot, author of the 鈥淎ll Creatures Great and Small鈥� series.

鈥淎lways Allie鈥�

鈥淎lways Allie鈥� is a story of a Bichon Frise who led a charmed life. As a puppy, she was a winner of life鈥檚 lottery when she was selected from the litter of four to live with the Van Camp鈥檚. Immediately, Allie became a full-fledged member of the family with all the rights and privileges afforded any member of the family. Americans love their pets.

鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 too long ago that pets knew their place begging for scraps from the foot of the table,鈥� said Dr. Van Camp. 鈥淗owever, in the last couple of decades Americans have elevated their pet鈥檚 status to bona fide members of the family with a seat at the table next to the humans. Allie was no exception. She was treated like a queen from the moment we saw her.鈥�

According to Dr. Van Camp, this story is more than a dog tale. It is the story of how Allie stole their hearts from puppyhood on.

鈥淚t is said the Bichon Frise is considered a lovable clown whose purpose in life is to entertain their owners,鈥� said Dr. Van Camp. 鈥淎llie took this role seriously. She provided us with a lifetime of antics and enjoyment. When Allie was around, there was never a dull moment. 鈥楢lways Allie鈥� describes many of the lighthearted stories.鈥�

Dr. Van Camp鈥檚 book reflects on the bond between a man and his dog.

鈥淓ven if you don鈥檛 have a dog, upon reading this book you will gain a glimpse of what made our four-legged, furry daughter 鈥楢lways Allie,鈥欌�� he said. 鈥淎llie prepared us to become parents. The responsibility that comes with loving and caring for a pet was not all that different than caring for and raising a child. Throughout Allie鈥檚 parent training course, we learned well. Allie accepted our two boys into the family as if they were her own. And we flourished as parents, in one sense owing to her assistance.鈥�

After nearly two decades, it become clear to the Van Camp鈥檚 that Allie鈥檚 life was completed and they made the difficult decision to let her go. Dr. Van Camp knew beyond any doubt that Allie鈥檚 story must be told.

鈥淭hroughout my years of medical training and during the numerous moves to different cities and states, Allie was one of the important constants in our lives,鈥� explained Van Camp. 鈥淪he was steady and unflappable, a trait I came to respect and even admire. It鈥檚 strange how I could learn some valuable life lessons from our four-legged daughter. And when I actually took the time to slow down and observe her closely, I did just that. Allie taught me many important lessons like slow down and stop and smell the roses occasionally. And, all work and no play makes Kipp a dull boy, and one of my favorites鈥�don鈥檛 take myself too seriously.鈥�

According to Dr. Van Camp, Allie loved to eat. However, she was born with an alimentary affliction that remained a constant challenge throughout her entire life. She suffered from Crohn鈥檚 disease.

鈥淲e had to keep Allie on a special diet,鈥� said Dr. Van Camp. 鈥淪he protested this daily in her own unique way and was often caught sneaking food from our plates or the kitchen counters whenever we weren鈥檛 looking.鈥�

Longevity is common to the Bichon breed. The average life-span is approximately 15 years.

鈥淎llie loved life. Her zest for life and her superior genetics allowed her seventeen-and-a-half years of life. She enjoyed each and every day. And, she provided us with the same amount of enjoyment as well.鈥�

In the book, Dr. Van Camp describes the time when the dog鈥檚 health was failing.

鈥淥ne of the most difficult tasks in life is to make the decision to put your pet down when it becomes clear that they are physically suffering,鈥� said Dr. Van Camp. 鈥淎s the son of a veterinarian, I鈥檝e seen grown men brought to tears as they said good-bye to the cherished pet. I鈥檝e heard grown children say the only time I saw Dad cry was when we put our dog to sleep. When Allie鈥檚 once strong and energetic body began to age, it broke our hearts. The day it became evident that we must let her go was one of the most difficult days of each of our lives. But, the most important gift that a man can give his pet is to let them go when it鈥檚 time.鈥�

Dr. Van Camp began writing Allie鈥檚 story the day she died. A portion of the proceeds of the sales of 鈥淎lways Allie鈥� goes to the Helping Hands Humane Society of Topeka. Dr. Van Camp believes in this organization and the efforts they make in placing dogs with quality homes and caring owners.

鈥淚t took me a little over a year to complete the manuscript. And after it was edited, we turned it over to the publisher for printing. The book was released on Oct. 27, 2010.鈥�

蜜桃视频 Dr. Van Camp

Dr. Kipp Van Camp graduated from 蜜桃视频 High School in 1981 and attended 蜜桃视频 Community College in 1982 and 1983. During his academic career, Dr. Van Camp was a three-time All American in track and field, and a six-time Academic All-American.

Dr. Van Camp is an entrepreneur with his own radiology practice. He is the owner and Medical Director of Rejuvenate Medical Spa, providing minimally invasive cosmetic medical procedures. He engages in clinical and scientific medical research and is the Medical Director of Precise Clinical Research. He also is the host of 鈥淒octor鈥檚 Orders,鈥� a radio medical talk show about interesting topics in medicine.

He is an accomplished speaker. In addition to medical conferences, he has spoken at numerous civic organizations on various topics. Dr. Van Camp has a relaxed, yet thought-provoking approach and has been extremely well received over the years, regardless of the topic of discussion.

Dr. Van Camp and his wife Tracy have two sons: Kolby and Weston.

For more information about the event, contact H.F. Davis Library Director Tara Schroer at (785) 460-5487.