Oregon veterinarian sells business to co-worker

OREGON – Why own the veterinarian clinic, if you can still enjoy the animals?

Thomas Champley, who’s owned Pines Meadow Veterinary Clinic, 1210 Pines Road, for 4 decades, sold his share of the business to co-worker Ginger Albano, who’s been there 14 years.

Champley, who started practicing veterinary medicine 45 years ago, will stay on a few days a week.

The building has undergone additions and remodeling, but the goal has always been the same: providing the best care possible for pets.

“We see cats, dogs, and pocket pets,” Champley said. “You need to love animals, and people, to do well as a veterinarian.”

“We do see the exotic pets come into the clinic,” Albano said, including the aforementioned pocket pets – small, caged animals that include hamsters, gerbils, lizards, and snakes.

Large farm animals used to be part of the practice, but the demand for service decreased.

New technology is helping Albano treat all the animals that visit the clinic. Ultrasounds and digital X-rays are among newer diagnostic tools Pines Meadow uses.

“Having in-house labs speeds up the treatment for the pet,” said Albano. “We can send results to specialists and get second opinions.”

Champley said there are times a veterinarian will recommend an owner take their pet to a specialist.

“Sometimes, that is the best way to treat an animal properly,” Champley said. “Experts may know a specific breed. When we refer a pet to a specialist, it is because we are concerned.”

“The specialists do the procedures every day,” Albano added.

MORE INFO

Pines Meadow Veterinary Clinic is open 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, and 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Later hours are available by appointment. It’s also open 7:30 a.m. to noon every other Saturday.

Call the clinic at 815-732-6861 or visit pinesvet.com to request an appointment. You can also find it on Facebook for more information.