Image Courtesy Bow Valley Animal Companion Clinic

By Darren Rathwell

Brooks to create task force

Demand for local veterinarians to grow again after clinic closes

Dec 29, 2021 | 5:29 PM

BROOKS, AB – Some unfortunate news if you’re having trouble getting care for your pet: the demand for veterinarians in our region is about to grow yet again.

The Bow Valley Companion Animal Clinic in Brooks will shut its doors to appointments in February, as the owner says he can’t find veterinarians to staff it.

In fact, a shortage of veterinarians has been an ongoing issue across North America, including Medicine Hat. To help with the situation, the City of Brooks is starting a task force to look at attracting new veterinarians to their city.

Lisa Tiffin, community development manager with the city of Brooks, says the task force will look at possibly modelling how physicians are recruited to the area and will consist of Brooks city officials as well as veterinarians from Brooks.

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Tiffin told CHAT News that Brooks residents have been referred to Medicine Hat and Lethbridge for several months now.

“It’s difficult to expect somebody to drive an hour and a half to get vaccinations or spayed or neutered, (and) nail cuts or teeth cleaning,” Tiffin said, adding, “That sort of thing not only improves your pets’ quality of life obviously, it improves the quality of life for the person who owns them.”

Blake Balog, owner of the Bow Valley Companion Animal Clinic, says he had four veterinarians when he bought the clinic, but as of January all of his veterinarians on staff will be gone.

He says it’s unfortunate he’s closing the facility and adds he’s searched for new veterinarians for the past two years to no avail.

His small animal clinic will remain open from January to February 2022 for limited daytime appointments, prescription refills, and food sales. However, no surgical services or evening emergencies will be looked after.

From February until March, the clinic will be open for only medication refills, food sales, and record transfers.