WEST FARGO ANIMAL HOSPITAL

Promoting the Human-Animal Bond Through a Family Focus

WRITER: MARIE LASKA | PHOTOGRAPHY: 5FOOT20 DESIGN LOUNGE ocated at 730 13th Avenue E, the West Fargo Animal Hospital was purchased by Anderson and Summerfield in 2008 and has since undergone a substantial upgrade. Providing state-of-the-art examination and laboratory equipment (including digital x-rays on iPads and onsite lab processing), this practice was the first all-female-owned animal clinic in the F/M and West Fargo area. Also in 2008, both Anderson and Summerfield expanded their families from one child apiece to two each, which led to its own set of challenges trying to balance their family lives with extensive work hours. Enlisting the support of their husbands (Anderson’s husband helped with renovations, and Summerfield’s husband was the wizard behind the hospital’s computer system), and relying on their strong partnership borne from being both coworkers and co-owners (and humorously sharing a tiny office), the roots of the West Fargo Animal Hospital were planted with love and have grown through hard work and endeavor. As Summerfield states: “You get what you work for.”

West Fargo, North Dakota, a “city on the grow,” is a vibrant community, home to many businesses and families. Therefore it is only fitting that doctors Amy Anderson and Carrie Summerfield, business owners and veterinarians, have blended the concepts of family and business in their practice at the West Fargo Animal Hospital. In the four years they have owned the business, Anderson and Summerfield have drawn on over 22 years of combined direct-practice experience to establish a strong client base in an atmosphere of family-focused, compassionate care.

Anderson and Summerfield have worked hard to provide a medically comprehensive atmosphere for pet owners, with services including surgery, dental care, pain management and vaccinations, along with euthanasia and hospice services. Additionally, one wing of the clinic houses the pound for the city of West Fargo, resulting in Anderson and Summerfield providing medical services for homeless animals. Never knowing what to expect, especially with strays, Anderson related how they once operated on a cat that had swallowed twenty hair elastics. When asked to share more treatment experiences, both vets had tears in their eyes as they explained that they had recently put a client’s dog to sleep, and that these passings always stayed with them as if it was their own pet that needed to be euthanized. In that moment it became evident that what makes the West

Fargo Animal Hospital exemplary is not only its quality medical equipment and services, but also the fact that at its core are individuals who have hearts the size of an ocean.

Anderson and Summerfield have also begun offering immediate vet access through social media, and provide email-based question/answer services as well as a Facebook page with a bi-monthly forum where users can chat with a vet. Providing direct opportunities for enhanced communication between vets and pet owners, these avenues embrace the hospital’s community-based, familyfocused mission; a loving pledge to their belief that all of their clients, whether a cat or a dog, should be treated not just as a pet but as a family member.

Though originally from Eastern Pennsylvania, Anderson came to the Dakotas as a result of meeting her husband, who was at that time a farmer. Knowing since the first grade that she wanted to be a vet, Amy spent many summers volunteering at vet clinics and “following the vet around the horse barn.” Summerfield, a Minot native, came into veterinary medicine almost by accident. Initially focused on pursuing a career in the forensic pathology of wildlife, Summerfield soon realized that the veterinary field held more options. Along the way she learned that as a new vet it was important to “have a clear idea of where you want it to go, and what kind of balance you want to have.”

As with entering the veterinary field, becoming business owners and entrepreneurs or keeping one’s love of animals at the pet ownership level, both Anderson and Summerfield are passionate when discussing how research and “knowing what you’re getting into” are pivotal in any level of involvement with animals. Summerfield describes how some owners are requesting to interview a vet before bringing their pet in; a practice that both doctors fully encourage. In accordance with their focus on promoting the human-animal bond, these two doctors consistently show across all aspects of their practice that it is their connection with their clients (both two - and four-legged) that makes the West Fargo Animal Hospital a truly outstanding member of its community. [AWM]

A BIRD’S EYE VIEW

What’s New at the Plains Art Museum?

What began as the Red River Art Center in 1965 is now known as the Plains Art Museum, an integral part of the Fargo art community. The museum, whose downtown Fargo roots were established in 1997, is spreading its branches to accommodate an even greater number of events, exhibits and classes for art lovers of all ages. Area Woman magazine interviewed two women about the exciting changes currently happening at Plains Art Museum.

Colleen Sheehy is the Director and CEO of Plains Art Museum and has experience working with a wide range of very talented artists.

Megan Johnston, Director of Curatorial Affairs and Interpretation, discussed upcoming exhibits that will be very exciting for the greater Fargo-Moorhead area. In addition, Johnston said there are a variety of classes for both children and adults to sign-up for this fall. Community residents are encouraged to come to the newly built Katherine Kilbourne Burgum Center for Creativity and see what type of art is possible through “hands-on” instruction. Art is great to both appreciate and create!

AW: What is your role as Director and CEO of Plains Art Museum?

Sheehy explained, “I am referred to as the ‘Community Liaison,’ who basically oversees the operations of the Plains Art Museum, as well as provides overall strategic leadership for all the community involvement, especially with regard to planning our three seasons of exhibits. On an annual basis, we provide Fall, Winter/Spring and then Summer exhibits. There are over 20 exhibitions that are organized every year. Currently, we have shows planned into 2014.”

AW: How are all these events possible in Fargo, ND?

Johnston explained, “It’s a lot of planning and it’s exciting to offer so much variety to the greater Fargo, ND and Moorhead, MN communities. We also welcome anyone visiting the area to come and visit to see what’s new here. Over 5,000 Fargo Public School students will have opportunities to take classes on site. There will also be opportunities for adults to learn the skills needed to create art. It’s new and exciting for not only the Fargo-Moorhead area, but the entire region. There will be a lot of different types of community involvement.”

AW: What is your goal with all the new types of community involvement?

“We’re focusing on a family-friendly workspace for art education,” Johnston emphasized. “We aim to be the flagship art resource for the Dakotas and upper Minnesota region. We pride ourselves in getting the local community involved in the decision-making processes. It began with the relationship with Fargo Public Schools in order to make art education accessible to over 5,000 students,” Johnston said.

AW: What is happening in the new building and where is it located?

“The Plains Art Museum is excited to open the 27,000 square foot Katherine Kilbourne Burgum Center for Creativity on September 30, 2012. Located directly west of the Museum, the Center for Creativity will be a hands-on hub of inspiration for youth, adults, families, organizations and business. The museum is dedicated to connecting the diverse skills, talents and perspectives of the public; inspiring cooperation and innovation; and promoting the value of creativity as it re-imagines the future of the Fargo-Moorhead community in the 21st century.”

Plains Art Museum is located near the heart of the downtown business area at 704 First Avenue North in Fargo. Reasonably priced, admission fees are:

Members: Free Adults: $5 Seniors: $4 Educators with ID: $4 Students with ID: Free Youth: Free

Located inside the museum is the Store, which Sheehy explained has books about some of the artists whose work is on display in Plains Art Museum galleries. A variety of “artsy” cards and unique gift items are also available for purchase.

Store hours are:

Monday – Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00am – 5:00pm Thursday from 10:00am – 8:00pm Sunday from 1:00pm – 5:00pm

For hot coffee, tea, ice-cold beverage, soup, sandwich, pastry, chocolate-dipped treat or other convenient and delicious snacks, visit Café Muse located inside Plains Art Museum. Café Muse is open Monday – Friday between 11:00am – 2:00pm. Ever-changing seasonal art is displayed upon the café walls. More than a place to eat a healthy lunch, Café Muse is an artful environment to enjoy for either business or pleasure.

For more community-friendly happenings on the upcoming calendar or for more information about the museum, visit Plains Art Museum on the web at www. plainsart.org or, call 701.232.3821.

[AWM]