COLORADO VALLEY VETERINARY SERVICES

from Columbus, Texas - Fall/Winter 2022

TALK OF THE TOWN BLAKE’S KITCHEN & KOCKTAILZ

All Creatures, Great and Small

COLORADO VALLEY VETERINARY SERVICES PRACTICES LOVE FOR COLUMBUS, TALKS OF FUTURE PLANS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY HENDERSON

It’s a classic love story that stands the test of time. Dr. Michael Ridlen and his wife, Kathie, share a visible affection for each that is unmistakable. Although most couples might find it a bit challenging to work alongside their spouse day in and day out, these two make it look easy.

When I walked in for their interview, I wanted to know more than how they built Colorado Valley Veterinary Services into a booming veterinary practice on the outskirts of Columbus. What I was really curious about was their love story.

“We were high school sweethearts in Santa Fe, Texas,” Mike said. “We met in algebra class. I was a senior and she was a junior. My best friend wouldn’t take her to prom but I felt this young lady should go to prom and it was my last year to go. I asked her to go with me and we started dating. We were married eight-and-a-half years later.” Mike has a way of knowing what his heart wants and then putting in the work to be successful. The same was true for how he found his way into veterinary medicine.

“I love veterinary medicine,” Mike shared. “I love people. I love animals. In this small town, my clients are also my friends. They are my neighbors and the people who teach my kids. The people I see in this office are the same people that I run into at the grocery store or at football games. I was cut out for a rural, small-town practice. This makes me the happiest.

“My dad was the son of a farmer in Iowa. He grew up raising pigs, cows and chickens as a vocation. Naturally, I also grew up with lots of animals including horses, cows, ostriches, emus, and prairie dogs. While I was very young, I would see the veterinarian come out to work on some of our horses and I looked at him and said, ‘I want to be that guy.’ I’ve never regretted one minute of it. It’s a great vocation.”

I was cut out for a rural, small-town practice. This makes me the happiest.

Top, Dr. Mike Ridlen rounds up the herd as his wife, Kathie, stands ready to assist.

Kathie would soon discover that there was a place for her, too, in this dream they shared.

“After our daughter, Katie, came along, I found that I really had a desire to be a stayat-home mom,” Kathie said. “I found it really hard to go back to work as a teacher. I was blessed to be able to do that. When we started the veterinarian practice, I could just see there were things that he couldn’t do all by himself. He couldn’t answer the phone and treat a dog at the same time. I started jumping in and it just kind of evolved. As we grew, we were blessed over the years with really great staff.”

“I learned a long time ago that Kathie is my wife, not my employee,” Mike added. “We’re partners in this deal.”

When the time came for Mike to build his own veterinary practice, Columbus was an easy choice. The Ridlens would soon discover that this community possessed a heart as big as theirs.

“Neither of us are from Columbus but we’ve been accepted into this small town,” Mike shared. “We’re grateful for how everyone supports us. There are great people here. We’re extremely appreciative of the community and the support we get. We try to give back by either serving on boards or giving of our time. I’ve been involved with Columbus Little League for over 20 years now. I’ve seen generations of kids come through that program.”

“We’re super blessed that God put us here to raise our kids,” Kathie added. “They thrived here and did really well. Columbus is a big part of our story. God was putting the right people in the right place at the right time for us.”

But times haven’t always been easy. Adversity tests everyone and the Ridlens were no exception.

“We had just moved in April when I went in for a regular doctor checkup,” Kathie shared. “When the results came back, I had a cancer diagnosis that just rocked our world. I was diagnosed in 2004 and finished all of my treatments in 2005. Thankfully, I’ve been free and clear for some time now.”

“Our promise to each other was a covenant before God,” Mike said. “We both take that very seriously and it hasn’t always been easy. Marriage is never a cakewalk the whole way. This is unconditional love.”

Always looking forward, together the Ridlens are implementing their ideas for the future to better serve the community that has been a cornerstone for them.

“We have plans for a new veterinary clinic that will be built on this property,” Mike said. “If things go well, like they should, we’ll probably be breaking ground within the next month. CVVS is definitely ready for more than one veterinarian providing services.”

“I’m glad we’re here,” Kathie added. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else with anybody else.”

Colorado Valley Veterinary Service is located at 1391 Business 71 and online at www.coloradovalleyvet.com.