THE NEW AND IMPROVED WEST FARGO ANIMAL HOSPITAL

Continuing to provide top quality care in a state of the art, stress-free setting

Words by Marie Laska

For almost thirty years the West Fargo Animal Hospital (WFAH) has been a familiar site along the 13th Avenue East corridor. Owned by local veterinarians

Dr. Amy Anderson and Dr. Carrie Summerfield since 2008, the facility is a community staple for cat and dog owners seeking medically comprehensive and family-focused care. However, after four years of planning, the WFAH officially relocated on July 20 to 816 Meyer Drive. Though the distance between the two locations is only a stone’s throw, the differences between the facilities are vast and Dr. Summerfield and Dr. Anderson couldn’t be more pleased with the results: “in just the short time that we’ve been open, the pets seem more relaxed.” With over 24 years of veterinary experience between them, seven of those years at their previous location on 13th Avenue, the excitement on Anderson’s and Summerfield’s faces is evident as they tour their new facility. “We are offering everything that we did before,” Anderson explained, “but now we can do it all more efficiently.” For example, expanding from two exam rooms to five, Summerfield stated, “allows us to handle emergencies more quickly.” And by employing the services of a vet-specific architect, the bright, spacious new setting provides increased square footage while maintaining a warm, welcoming feeling for its twoand four-legged visitors alike. Additionally, with a design focused on reducing stress for pets and their owners, the comforting barn-style furnishings and thoughtful additions such as a picture window in an examination room allow for welcome visual distractions for a pet while being attended to by clinic staff.

The new facility has also provided positive changes for employees, including a substantially larger parking lot and ergonomically friendly state-ofthe-art lab equipment. Demonstrating the hydraulic lift table implemented for larger breeds of dogs, as well as hydraulically adjustable examination tables, Summerfield explained how no one employee is the same height as the next, and by being able to reduce both the stress on a pet (from being able to be gently raised to the appropriate height) and the strain on an employee’s back by having pets situated at the correct height, the focus can be maintained on providing top-quality care in a stress-free environment.

Though the WFAH has been recognized for being the first all-female-owned animal clinic in the area, the staff members are also known for the continuity of care that they provide. As Anderson explained, “once a pet leaves our building we’re not done, we are constantly providing follow-up services and we treat a pet as if they’re a part of our own family.” With a motto of “We’re your pet’s other best friend” and an understanding of the bond that pet owners share with their pets, the WFAH’s three veterinarians mindfully situated their work desks in a shared space so as to provide for easy consultation between the doctors. This provides additional reassurance to pet owners that though they may have only conversed with one doctor, the medical services provided have been a culmination of up to three physicians’ opinions.

Along with fun changes such as a Starbarks Café off of the main lobby (where pet owners can relax with a coffee while awaiting their pet) and a cozy play area for children, the WFAH will continue to provide previous services such as the twice-monthly complimentary Facebook chat forum with one of the clinic veterinarians and an ongoing affiliation with the West Fargo City Pound (with the WFPD being able to utilize a designated area within the clinic 24/7 for safely placing lost and found pets). Upcoming changes for the WFAH will include adding ultrasound services as well as a Pet Behavior Consultant who will implement puppy and kitten kindergarten classes. Long-time clients of the WFAH will notice that clinic mascot (and rescued cat) Jorge has also been relocated to this new setting and has resumed his ambassador duties.

Ongoing services will continue to include dental care, pain management, vaccinations and surgery, along with euthanasia and hospice. In the new setting however, a specially designed comfort room – complete with a separate entrance – provides pets and their owners a private and peaceful surrounding.

Though the building is new the staff at WFAH continue their pledge of providing quality care embracing the human-animal bond, ultimately treating all of their clients (whether they be cats or dogs) not just as pets but as loved family members. For further information please contact the WFAH directly at 701-282-2898 or access the website at www.westfargoanimalhospital.com.