Discovery Bay Press 12.05.14

12A | THEPRESS.NET COMMUNITY DECEMBER 5, 2014

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Free help with Covered California

The Brentwood Library is offering free, public offi ce hours with Covered California representatives to assist resi-dents in learning about their options, on Dec. 10, Jan. 14 and Feb. 11, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., with some translation services available for Spanish speakers, at 104 Oak St., across from Brentwood City Park.

Area residents are encouraged to at-tend one of the free sessions to fi nd out about program eligibility, and to see if they qualify for free Medi-Cal or fi nancial assistance. A certifi ed enrollment coun-selor or insurance agent will be on site to answer questions and assist with sign-ups.

The open enrollment period for 2015 health insurance plans through Covered California began Nov. 15, and ends Feb. 15.

For coverage beginning Jan. 1, the enrollment deadline is Dec. 15. Most peo-ple are required to have health insurance

or pay a tax penalty. In 2015, the penalty will be 2 percent of yearly household in-come, or $325 per adult and $162.50 per child under 18, whichever is higher.

Registration is required, and is avail-able in person at the Brentwood Library information desk; by calling 925-516-5290; or online at ccclib.org/programs.

Residents should bring proof of identity, such as a California identifi ca-tion card, driver’s license, or U.S. pass-port; proof of California residency, such as a rental or lease agreement or utility bill; proof of income, such as the past 30 days of pay stubs, income tax return, or award letters for unemployment, dis-ability benefi ts or social security benefi ts; proof of citizenship, such as birth certifi -cate, permanent resident card (green card) or certifi cate of naturalization; social se-curity numbers, birth dates and home zip code.

Pets in animal shelters have a new ally in their search for homes - veterinary dentists.

Thanks to the Foundation for Vet-erinary Dentistry’s Make Me Smile Shelter Project, shelter veterinarians and veterinary technicians nation-wide will be receiving spe-cialized training and equip-ment to help make sure homeless pets have dental exams and dental clean-ings before they meet their new families.

“Animals with peri-odontal disease are ex-tremely diffi cult to place for adoption,” says Foundation Chair Dr. Jamie Anderson, a veterinarian and mem-ber trustee. “Animals with healthy mouths are more appealing because their breath is sweeter, and because they’re healthier and feel better.”

The nonprofi t group is donating time, re-

sources, equipment and expertise to train shel-ter veterinarians across the country, with the goal of making the animals more adoptable.

In the Bay Area, board-certifi ed veteri-nary dentists and trustees will be equipping

the Contra Costa County Animal Shelter with dental equipment, and training

their veterinary teams to rid resi-dent pets of periodontal disease.

Press is invited to see the vet-erinary dentists in action on Thurs-

day, Dec. 4, at 1 p.m. at the Con-tra Costa County Animal Shelter, which is located at 4800 Imhoff Place, in Martinez.

“We hope they’ll take the opportunity to meet some of the wonderful pets in the shelter, too,” said Project Chair Barry L. Rathfon, DVM. “They’ll be seeing the differ-ence dental cleanings can make in a pet’s life, and then making the biggest difference of all by adopting one of their own.”

Veterinary dentists bring pets, adopters together