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BUSINESS
26 BUSINESS
Business
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PetWellClinic offers basic care with less hassle, expense
BY GERI KOEPPEL
AFN Contributor
Most pet owners are well aware of long wait times to get appointments at local veterinary offices and hospitals and daunting bills once their fuzzy family member has been seen.
But now, a new walk-in, non-emergency veterinary care center, PetWellClinic, opened on Dec. 7 on Chandler Boulevard near South 50th Street in Ahwatukee Foothills.
Though the company has franchises around the nation, this is the first location in the state, and the owners have plans for at least 16 more throughout Maricopa County over the next few years.
The goal of PetWellClinic is to increase accessibility to pet care. It promises more timely and affordable preventative and non-emergency urgent care as well as treatment for chronic conditions.
“We like to think of ourselves as a minute clinic, if you will, for dogs and cats,” said Cole Walling of Scottsdale, president of PetWellClinic franchises in Maricopa County.
They can help with everything from vaccinations to upper respiratory infections (which have been prevalent lately, he noted), minor cuts, and fleas and Cole Walling, left, of PetWellClinic talks to Francis and Vanessa Garcia of Ahwatukee, who brought
their cockapoo puppy, Boba. (Geri Koeppel/AFN Contributor)
ticks, among others.
Walling added, “We also have been managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma and severe allergies. We’re able to help manage those conditions at a more affordable price than some of the hospitals or general practices.”
That’s because PetWellClinic has less overhead. They don’t do surgery, imaging or euthanasia, so they don’t have pricey equipment and rooms that sit unused much of the time.
“We’re able to take those savings and pass it directly to our clients,” Walling said.
An exam is $55 and a basic yearly blood check is $35 at PetWellClinic. Vaccines start at $79, and a “PetWell Package” with an exam and several vaccines are $199.
“We’re clocking in significantly cheaper than every clinic in the valley,” said Walling, adding that their prescriptions are competitive with online and low-cost pharmacies, and they offer discounts to rescue groups.
However, the goal is for PetWellClinic to complement the care other vets are providing, not totally replace it.
Walling said they “have dedicated partners we’ve pre-vetted, so that way our veterinarians and our teams can feel comfortable sending our patients to them for additional care for things we’re not equipped to do.”
Not to mention, the veterinarians at PetWellClinic are centered specifically on wellness.
At clinics that do surgeries, handle more severe emergencies and expect staff to field calls, “you get really overwhelmed and frazzled sometimes,” said Dr. Kimberley Shaird, one of the vets at PetWellClinic. “I definitely have more time to focus, do my notes and be a doctor. I don’t have to be sidetracked with phone calls or jumping into something else.”
Shaird also emphasized that they
see PET page 27
Ahwatukee child therapy clinic opening 2nd location
AFN NEWS STAFF
An Ahwatukee medical practice that offers speech, occupational and physical therapy to children is opening a second location in one of Gilbert’s hottest developments.
Desert Valley Pediatric Therapy, founded by a speech language pathologist to treat children with a variety of developmental delays and injuries, is one of three medical clinics that have signed up for leases in the new Verde Medical Center.
The 39,000-square-foot medical office building at Williams Field and Recker roads is part of a larger mixed-use Verde at Cooley Station development, which includes approximately 95,000 square feet of retail, restaurants and fitness operators, a 25,000 square foot of creative office building and three multi-family residential projects with a total of about 750 units.
Verde Medical Center is being developed by Florida-based Sina Companies and leasing management firm Plaza Companies announced the early lineup of tenants last week.
Norman Brody, managing member of the team developing Verde at Cooley Station, said the new medical office building will be a key component in the overall development.
The developer noted that Williams Field-Recker area “has seen explosive growth in housing over the past couple of years with just under 5,000 multifamily and single-family housing units within walking distance of Verde Medical Center and more under development.
“This growth is the driving force behind the need for this site and for more medical office out in the community, not just on hospital campuses,” it said.
Desert Valley Pediatric states on its website that it aims to treat “the ‘whole’ child, educating caregivers and team members, and empowering the family. We are committed to helping ALL children achieve their greatest potential.”
It provides evaluation and ongoing assessments and treatment to kids from birth to young adult.
“Our therapists work together with families to foster involvement in therapy and provide continuous education,” it says. “This collaboration maximizes the effectiveness of treatment and strategies provided by our therapists.”
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | DECEMBER 28, 2022
27 Ahwatukee Skin & Laser announces partnership
AFN NEWS STAFF
Ahwatukee Skin & Laser is partnering with Saguaro Dermatology to expand the delivery of high-quality patient care in the Valley.
Saguaro Dermatology, founded by board-certified dermatologists and brothers, Dr. Carsten R. Hamann and Dr. Dathan Hamann, has locations in Central Phoenix and Mesa.
“We’re very excited to team with this innovative group of healthcare providers,” said Sarah Neumann, PA, the founder of Ahwatukee Skin & Laser and Sun City Dermatology in Sun City West.
“This collaboration will allow our practices to provide a unique brand of dermatologic care to help more patients throughout the metro area,” Neumann added.
Saguaro Dermatology boasts quality care, innovative practices, helpful resources, and state-of-the-art technology to prevent and treat a multitude of skin disorders.
Ahwatukee Skin & Laser is a fullservice general and cosmetic dermatology practice and a leader in skin cancer surveillance.
Founded in 2010, the practice has been recognized as “Best in Skin Care” for several years running in local polls, and Neumann has been consistently ranked as “Best Medical Specialist” and “Best PA” in Phoenix.
A spokesperson for Saguaro Dermatology said the partnership “will enable both our groups to offer more resources to serve patients. We will be better together as a combined organization with a deeper team of clinical experts.”
Ahwatukee Skin & Laser is located at 4425 E Agave Rd., Building #9, Suite #148, in Phoenix. Information: ahwatu-
keeskincare.com.
PET from page 26 treat the immediate issue without pressuring pet parents into a long list of other costly care items.
“We can focus on the main problem,” she explained. And they don’t judge people if their pet isn’t perfectly groomed, either.
PetWellClinic also understands that time is valuable: Although it operates on a walk-in basis, people can sign in online in advance and leave home when it’s almost their turn instead of sitting in a waiting room for long stretches.
“We’ll hold your space for two hours,” Walling said.
In addition to helping people care for their cats and dogs by saving time and money, PetWellClinic also allows them to stay with their pets throughout the process.
“Everything is very open, very transparent,” Walling said, noting that people can see from the lobby into the two exam rooms when they enter.
“That openness translates through from our physical footprint to the way we conduct ourselves and operate within the clinic and how we communicate to clients as well,” he added.
On a recent weekday, Francis and Vanessa Garcia of Ahwatukee brought in their cockapoo puppy, Boba, because they found a suspicious lump on his stomach. Dr. Shaird diagnosed it as an umbilical hernia.
“She said it’s totally and fine and it’s normal and it’s nothing to be concerned about,” Vanessa said.
Francis said they’d “100 percent” recommend the clinic thanks to the cost and efficiency. “I feel other places charge thousands of dollars,” Vanessa said, while Francis noted he felt he didn’t get questions answered elsewhere, “and the wait time is ridiculous.”
Walling and his extended family decided to invest in the business after he had a hard time finding care for his dog, Dennis, during the pandemic.
The original PetWellClinic in Knoxville, Tenn., popped up during an internet search, and he said, “I think this is something we could use and truly need here in Arizona.”
Walling, who has a degree in economics and global business from the Univer-
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@AhwatukeeFN | @AhwatukeeFN Wednesday, March 23, 2022 Study looks at arts enrollment in local schools INSIDE: INSIDE: COMMUNITY P.X | AROUND AF P.X | OPINION P.X| BUSINESS P.X |HEALTH & WELLNESS P.X| GETOUT P.X | SPORTS P.X| CLASSIFIED P.X COMMUNITY P. 23 | BUSINESS P. 29 | OPINION P. 31 | SPORTS P. 33 | GETOUT P. 37 | CLASSIFIEDS P. 40
BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor Walk her through her diverse array of past lives and Bridget Bellavigna interjects, “I’ve had an interesting life, trust me.”Actually, trust has nothing to do with it: it’s all there in black and white on the 40-year Ahwatukee resident’s resume, which so impressed the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors two weeks ago that they unanimously appointed her to the vacant constable position for the Kyrene Justice Court. As only the seventh woman among the county’s 26 constables, Bellavigna will be responsible for hand-delivering subpoenas, writs, protection from abuse orders and eviction notices. She also will be executing court-ordered seizures of property to satisfy civil court judgments and when necessary, preside over tenant evictions.
CONQUERING ADVERSITY Bellavigna is filling the constable position at a time when eviction orders issued by Maricopa County justice courts are steadily rising after state and federal governments halted them because of the pandemic. Now that those suspensions are no longer in effect – and rents are soaring across the Valley – landlords are turning in droves to justice courts to free apartments, homes and store P. 30 The latest breaking news and top local stories in Ahwatukee! www.Ahwatukee.com .com
Astatewide study released last week shows a wide disparity in enrollment in arts classes among students in the two school districts serving Ahwatukee. Data compiled by Quadrant Research with the state Department of Education and three arts-related organizations showed that in 2020-21, 80% of Kyrene students were enrolled in arts instruction – far above the statewide average of 60% – while Tempe Union arts enrollment hovered around 40%. Enrollment in arts classes in both districts fell in 2020-21 as the pandemic disrupted normal classroom learning, according to the data. The study was commissioned by the Arts Education Data Project, a consortium of the Education Department, the State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education, the Arizona Commission on the Arts and Arizona CitiNew constable ready to take on a tough job zens for the Arts.In Kyrene, enrollment in music and visual arts was high, with more than 8,500 students enrolled in each type of class while enrollment in music classes by Tempe Union stuseeCONSTABLE page 12
JUST A CLICK AWAY
dents far exceeded that of any other arts education program.The popularity of music and arts classes
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in Kyrene mirrors the statewide data, which In the foreground, Estrella Elementary kindergarteners Ciara Haro, left, and Blake Stojak, last Friday were busy coloring a worksheet during art class. (David Minton/AFN Staff Photographer) seeART page 4 in Kyrene mirrors the statewide data, which Bellavigna is filling the constable position at a time when eviction orders issued by Marico pa County justice courts are steadily rising af ter state and federal governments halted them because of the pandemic. Now that those suspensions are no longer in effect – and rents are soaring across the Val ley – landlords are turning in droves to justice courts to free apartments, homes and store
INSIDE This Week NEWS..................................3 Court fight continues over candidate’s residency. @AhwatukeeFN | @AhwatukeeFN BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor The Phoenix Planning Commission on Aug. 4 dealt a 30-day setback to the developers’ timetable for the massive Upper Canyon development in Ahwatukee after expressing confusion over their request and questioning city staff’s analysis of a related traffic study.Blandford Homes and subsidiary Reserve 100 LLC have the zoning to build 1,050 mostly single-story houses, 150 build-to-rent townhouses and 329 apartments on the 373-acre former State Trust Land parcel along Chandler Boulevard between 19th and 27th avenues. But they need City Council approval of a proposal to leave South Chandler Boulevard at three lanes and downgrade the classification of 27th Avenue between the Boulevard and South Mountain Freeway from “arterial” to “collector” street.They had hoped to get Planning Commission approval during last week’s virtual hearing in time for City Council to act on it at its first postsummer-vacation meeting Sept. 7. Blandford and Reserve 100 aim to start selling houses by 2024.But their timetable was thrown off by at least 30 days after the Commission directed them to more clearly explain the impact of so many homes on traffic and road safety in light of their opposition to widening South Chandler Boulevard.Some commission members also complained Blandford’s reasoning confused them while residents who opposed the plan said Blandford wants to avoid the cost of road widening and have more land for more houses. Residents fear for the ability of emergency vehicles to access not only Upper Canyon but the three communities west of there – Foothills Reserve, Promontory and Calabria. Among those expressing concern was John Barton, one of the developers of those three communities.Stressing that he supported the Upper Canyon development, Barton nevertheless ripped Blandford’s request, noting that the nearest fire station is six miles away and the city has no immediate plans to build one in western Ahwatukee. Wednesday, August 10, 2022 seeCANYON page 18 Traffic concerns snarl Upper Canyon’s bid for city approval
BUSINESS.................29 Local man’s pet supply company hits milestone. LD 12 contests appear set, GOP senate race tight
SPORTS ........................33
DV frosh Everest Leydecker already a champ. seeELECTIONS page 8 Whether you’re building a new home or renovating your existing one, your choices are wide open when it comes to selecting beautifully designed Milgard windows and patio doors. Strong, beautiful, long lasting and durable. Milgard windows and patio doors are designed with stunning architectural style and superior performance. Plus, you’ll feel secure in your investment with an industry leading, Full Lifetime Warranty that includes parts and labor. Milgard® offers beautiful, comfortable, energy efficient vinyl windows and doors for your home 4454 E. Thomas Rd. Phoenix • 602-508-0800 • liwindow.com Mon-Thurs 8:30-5pm • Fri 8:30-4pm • Sat 9-2pm • ROC#179513 GET OUT......................37 Company offers marijuanaflavored beer, cocktails.
‘Nutcracker’ made new
BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor The Nov. 8 General Election for the three legislative seats representing Ahwatukee appears to be a battle of the sexes of sorts as an all-male Republican slate will vie with three Democratic women. The two Ahwatukee women running in a five-way race for two Democratic House nominations in Legislative District 12 topped the field and the all-Ahwatukee contest for the Republican Senate nomination appeared won This is a scene from what turns out to be the 22nd and last presentation of of ”The Ahwatukee Foothills Nutcracker.” No, the community Christmas tradition – one of Ahwatukee’s oldest – isn’t going away but rather has been rebranded “The Arizona Nutcracker.” And where this scene is taken from may surprise you too, as you’ll read on page 23. (Tubitv.com)
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sity of Arizona, chose to open the first franchise in Ahwatukee after identifying a severe shortage of veterinary clinics and hospitals in the area.
Walling and other team members visited 17 other clinics in the vicinity before opening, and all were enthusiastic to hear about it and already started referring patients to PetWellClinic.
Walling’s mom, Dina Walling, who does marketing and social media for the company, said, “They’re thrilled to have us at their disposal.”
If You Go...
Who: PetWellClinics, walk-in veterinary care for minor ailments, preventative care and chronic conditions Where: 5029 E. Chandler Blvd., No. 305, Ahwatukee Hours: 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday–Friday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday Contact: Contact: 480-447-4566; petwellclinic.com
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