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By Darren Rathwell

Veterinarian shortage adding stress to local vet clinics

Nov 23, 2021 | 6:37 PM

MEDICINE HAT — A shortage of staff is causing strain on some local veterinarian clinics, and one local vet is appealing for understanding on the part of clients.

Dr. Peggy Taylor-Mason, owner of the Cypress View Veterinary Clinic, says her operation needs at least two more veterinarians as well as more support staff.

She says pets are becoming more important members of the family, which adds to the stress involved with having a sick pet.

“(Clients) expect things and expect it now, which is fine. They have a right to expect it. But they also have to realize everything, a) takes time, and b) takes money,” Taylor-Mason said.

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She says there’s been a rise in unrealistic expectations where care and money are concerned.

“(Clients) sometimes say ‘OK, if you love them you’d do it for free or give me a break.’ But we do love pets. We wouldn’t be here otherwise,” Taylor-Mason said.

“I mean I could have gone into human medicine. It’s the same amount of schooling. I love animals and that’s who I want to work with,” she added.

In Brooks, the Bow Valley Animal Companion Clinic is also operating with a shortage of staff leading to a collaboration with another clinic about ways to attract more vets.

“We’re trying to do something together to help this community because the community needs it,” Bow Valley Clinic owner Dr. Blake Balog said, adding, “It’s a shame we can’t provide them with good vet care because we both have fantastic facilities and great staff but no veterinarians.”

The University of Calgary has a veterinary school, and in recent years the number of students it can take on has increased from 30 to 50.

But school officials believe one of the keys to retaining vets is to ensure there’s adequate support especially for those in remote or rural areas, and that changes to recruitment are made.

“I’d really like to explore (the idea) we recruit more (vet students) from rural communities so that these people go back,” Dr. Renate Weller, dean of the university’s faculty of veterinary medicine said.

Weller also says attracting out-of-country doctors could help ease the shortage as they wouldn’t need as much training.

As for the strain between clients and veterinarians seen by Taylor-Mason, Weller says clients should believe vets are on their side.

“I have never in my career or life met a vet who didn’t have the best interest of the animal at heart.”

And Taylor-Mason added, “When people get upset that they can’t get an appointment today, or their vet is running late because two emergencies just walked in, you have to understand what’s going on behind the scenes.”