The newly added areas to the Central Veterinary Clinic in Bashaw were opened up for use on June 7, 2021, and so far, everyone is loving the improvements.
The clinic, which had already added top-of-the-line equipment to make it a full-service clinic — an x-ray, large animal x-ray and dental x-ray machines, as well as two blood testing machines — now has the space and aesthetic appeal to match.
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“It’s really nice to have the space that we do,” said office manager Laura Duckett, adding it’s been really good to have the extra space.
The bright and spacious expanded lobby and reception area allows ample room for clients coming in with nervous or anxious pets, so everyone can be comfortable and feel relaxed, says Duckett.
With the 15-foot expansion to the north towards the legion, the building space almost doubled. In the new area, there are two new exam rooms which connect to a doctor work space and pharmacy area.
There is a new kennel room with it’s own air circulation system as well that includes two enclosed animal spaces with glass doors, that are useful for large breed dogs that may be more accustomed to roaming on the farm. They also have the added benefit of bio-secure if the animals are sick.
The whole building is also air conditioned.
There is now a new, large treatment room with recovery areas as well.
The large animal treatment area is set to be completed soon.
The entire ground area outside of the back of the shop where the loading alley, cattle shoot and horse stocks are located will be paved with concrete.
“We’re really excited to see the large animal community in-clinic,” said Duckett.
In the meantime, they’ve been seeing some calves and goats at the clinic.
There is also a new comfort room, which will be set up soon with seating, so owners can spend the last few moments with their pets in a comfortable space. The room is modelled after the one in Ponoka and is meant to be set up like a living room, to mimic the sense of a familiar setting for pets.
A large inventory and storage room has been added, and a second freezer for producer vaccines is coming, and will be set up in the front of the clinic.
The interior colours were selected by design consultant Vicky Robinson of Jessie-Jayne Design located in Ponoka.
The reception area will also receiving some finishing touches, with new lighting and the large window will be replaced as well. Commissioned art pieces are also on-order to further beautify the lobby area.
The added space in the front of the clinic also allows them to carry more pet products and items. More items will be stocked after they gauge what products customers are looking for, says Duckett.
The outside of the building will be getting a face lift with red parging and siding with some stone facing before it’s complete. The finished look will be similar to the Ponoka location.
The clinic is also looking forward to being full staffed come the fall, with two full time veterinarians and two veterinary technicians that will help to accommodate the schedule of their clients.
The clinic expanded their hours at the beginning of June to Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Central Veterinary Clinic in Ponoka purchased the Bashaw veterinary clinic in June 2019.
“(Bashaw is) a great community. The people have been very kind,” said Duckett.
“We’re just really grateful to the community for accepting us and allowing us to serve them.”
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