By Linda Hobbs
The Fountain Valley Animal Hospital (FVAH) has been a fixture in the community for as long as anyone can remember. They finally outgrew their old facility, both in space and the range of services they want to offer. The hospital moved on May 28 to a larger facility just around the corner at 311 Main Street in Security. They now offer in-house surgical procedures, x-rays, orthopedic surgery, laboratory diagnostics, immunizations, pet supplies, a full-service pharmacy, emergency care and dentistry.
"We do it all here now," said Dr, Sheila Schaffer, DVM. "We've raised the quality of service available to all our clients."
FVAH used to offer mostly out-patient services. Now, animals can receive full medical care on-site, under the supervision of two experienced doctors, Dr. Schaffer and Dr. Monica Campos, DVM.
Providing service for cats, dogs and "pocket pets" such as rabbits and guinea pigs, the clinic's emphasis is preventative care, keeping animals healthy over the course of their lives, from puppies and kittens, through adulthood to the unique concerns of geriatric care. The staff of FVAH have joined the overall shift in veterinary medicine from emphasizing the curing aliments to preventing aliments altogether.
Immunizations: The first line of defense in preventing some of the common diseases in animals. FVAH staff will discuss which vaccines best fit your animal's lifestyle.
Internal Medicine: Pets can have a range of digestive problems, either from parasites like Giardia or from eating things they shouldn't eat. The important thing is to figure out what is making the animal sick as quickly as possible, for the least amount of damage.
Surgery: Now offering a state-of-the-art surgical suite, FVAH provides a range of veterinary surgical procedures.
Emergency care: FVAH is prepared to take on the special challenges of animal emergency care with a full lab, x-ray, pharmacy and surgical suite.
Laboratory: Having an on-site lab means the hospital can diagnose and treat immediately.
X-Rays: X-rays are vital in determining the cause and treatment of illness, and FVAH is now equipped with x-ray (called radiograph) equipment.
The list goes on, as Dr. Schaffer has worked hard to make FVAH a full-service veterinary facility. Dr. Schaffer purchased FVAH in August of 2007. She is a Colorado native, raised in Welby near Denver. She earned her BS at Regis and her DVM at CSU, Fort Collins in 1994.
When the new site became available, she stopped by to have a look. The lobby is spacious and conveniently laid out, and the floor plan is ideal for a medical facility.
"When I first saw it, I knew," Schaffer said.
Overall, leaving their previous home was not a time for sadness, although some had served at the old location for over a decade. The need to offer more options with more space for an operating room, kennels, a lab, pharmacy, offices and x-ray area were too great for hesitation. Clients and staff all made the transition over the course of a weekend.
Dr. Monica Campos is also a CSU graduate. She was born and raised in the Fountain Valley region, and was the doctor at Cheyenne Mountain Animal Hospital before joining the FVAH team.
Also on staff are Karen Winters, VT, Rebecca Quick-Billings, CVT, Kozelle Peterson, VTA, Kimberlee Blair-Suder, Administrative Assistant, Traci Maldonado, VTA & Assistant, Heike Write, VTA and Administrative Assistant, Julie Horbath, Administrative Assistant and their newest member, Brittany Buening, Receptionist & Client Care.
In the future, FVAH may add another doctor and possibly offer animal grooming and day care.
"We want to encourage everyone to stop by and see what we have to offer," Schaffer said.
FVAH's office hours are Mon. - Fri. 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sat. from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
For information, call 392-4213 or visit their website at http://www.fvah-co.com.
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