4/18/2021 - Today was the day that we had our mentor interview. Our attempts to reach out to Sand Road Animal Hospital were not successful after we got only one response, so we contacted the owner, and classmate's dad, directly. Over the duration of the zoom call, he confirmed most of the information that we had previously researched. In terms of design, Dr. Sandefer liked it. He suggested possibly adding an aromatherapy machine, with more time we may be able to add this into the design. Other than that, Stylo was very well received by our mentor. Linked is the full video of our interview.

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Our meeting with Dr. Dave really helped confirm that our product was a good idea. The things that he said followed all of our research, including the need for something like this. He told us that with the pandemic clearing up, dogs that were adopted got so used to having their owners home with them that now they are anxious when their owner leaves. Hearing that was great, as it lined up with our research and the problem our product solves.

"DR. DAVID SANDEFER

Founder, Veterinarian - 34 Years at Sand Road

Dr. Dave Sandefer grew up on a dairy farm in upstate New York. Even as a boy he knew his calling, he wanted to be a veterinarian.

Throughout high school, he worked with a variety of dogs, cats, and farm animals, first as a caregiver and eventually as a technician. He worked in a veterinary hospital while pursuing a degree in animal science from Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Science, and later at Cornell's large animal hospital as he followed up his studies at the College of Veterinary Medicine.

After graduating in 1983 with awards for excellence, he returned to his roots in upstate New York to work as an associate in a busy mixed animal hospital. Then, in 1987, he and his wife Cindy took a trip that changed their lives. On a visit to the northwest corner of Connecticut, they met Dr. Larry Washington, who had four years earlier, started a small animal clinic in Falls Village. They bought the practice on a wing and a prayer and, over the years, molded it into the full service facility it is today." (Sandroadanimals.com 2021)