Posted: Monday, March 17, 2008 12:00 am
Veterinarians prepare to upgrade operations from clinic to hospital
By Matt Neznanski
Gazette-Times reporter
The seven veterinarians who operate Willamette Veterinary Clinic on South Third Street are upgrading from clinic to hospital.
Later this spring, the clinic and emergency and critical care operations will merge when the business opens a brand-new hospital facility still under construction.
At more than 10,000 square feet, the new hospital is almost double the current size of the existing clinic. Steve Callahan, head veterinarian and owner, saw the need to expand to better serve the regular and emergency clients.
"We can see up to 40 animals on weekends," Callahan said. "Corvallis isn't growing that fast, but the surrounding area is and that has led to growth in our business."
As a 24-hour pet care facility, the Willamette vets
operate an emergency room for pets and treat animals from as far away as Sweet Home, Newport and Monmouth.
Late nights and weekend duty are all part of these E.R. vets' schedules and require a few more amenities than the typical general practitioner.
"We provide excellent quality care already," said emergency vet Kristina Cox. "We'll just be able to do it in a nicer shell."
For pets, the new facility boasts state-of-the-art operating rooms and boarding areas; for owners, a special waiting area and garden will help those coping with the loss of a pet; and for veterinarians, private accommodations, dedicated office space and lounge areas help ease overnight duty.
Exam rooms are almost twice the size of the clinic's existing rooms, sized to accommodate large animals as well as the clinic's typical client - women with children in tow.
Procedure rooms are expansive as well. Located in the hospital's interior, some of the equipment located here would be at home in a facility meant for people.
"As we've progressed with technology, veterinary care has progressed to near human standards," Callahan said. "It's been a big change in how veterinarians' work is done."
VITAL STATISTICS
BUSINESS NAME: Willamette Veterinary Clinic
LOCATION: currently 650 S.W. Third St., soon to be 1562 S.W. Third St.
WHAT THEY DO: Regular veterinary care for about 4,000 clients. Also operate an animal emergency hospital for night and weekend care.
Matt Neznanski can be reached at 758-9518 or matt.neznanski@lee.net.