Page 8 - Westman Business 2017

8 THE BRANDON SUN • WESTMAN BUSINESS • OCTOBER 2017

Veterinarian Dr. Jay Thrush examines a dog at Brandon Hills Veterinary Clinic in Brandon. Thrush has been practicing for 24 years at Brandon Hills, something that gives his clients confidence. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
Special friends deserve special care at Brandon Hills

In his 24 years at Brandon Hills Veterinary Clinic, Dr. as spays, neuters and dentistry. new things, and adapting to new research and technology.
Jay Thrush has gotten to know countless pets and their “We deal with any kind of an emergency, be that a “Things are always changing, we’re always increasing our
families in the Westman region. trauma, dog fight, hit by a car, porcupine quills, or a sudden knowledge and changing the ways that we do things,” he
“I’ve got people that have been coming here at least as illness,” Thrush said. said. “It just evolves continuously.”
long as I’ve been here — and some of them have been com- Brandon Hills does a lot of soft tissue surgery, as well as As they always aim to keep up with the times, the entire
ing here longer than that,” Thrush said, adding some of his orthopedic surgery. They also offer abdominal ultrasound, staff has become “Fear Free” certified. The new program
clients are now on their second or third generation of a pet. which can identify problems in the liver, gall bladder, spleen, was created a few years ago by American veterinarian Dr.
What has been particularly enjoyable for Thrush is see- kidneys, pancreas, urinary tract, intestines, and lymph Marty Becker, chief veterinary correspondent for the
ing the children of clients now bringing in their pets as they nodes. The clinic often gets referrals from other practices American Humane Association.
start their own families. for surgery, ultrasound, and endoscopy. “Our mission is to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and
Located at 733-17th St., the clinic’s motto is “Special “We’re big on nutrition here as well,” Thrush said. “One stress in pets by inspiring and educating the people who
friends deserve special care.” Knowing how important pets of the things that we focus a lot on is making sure that pets care for them,” states fearfreepets.com. The program's slo-
are to people, Thrush says they view them as family mem- are on the proper food. A good diet goes a long way to gan is “Taking the pet out of petrified.”
bers. keeping them happy and healthy in the long run.” Thrush said the program is simply a different approach
Thrush, along with his veterinarian colleague Dr. Colleen Thrush obtained his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine to dealing with pets — both how the owners prepare them
Fisher, work together at Brandon Hills. For farm animal in 1993 from the University of Saskatchewan. Looking for their visit, and how the clinic staff interacts with them
care, Dr. Trevor Shamanski operates out of the clinic as back, he said he chose the career path because he was in- to help reduce anxiety and stress.
well. There are 16 other staff members, including registered terested in science and nature. “A lot of animals, they’re nervous or a bit afraid … when
veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants and reception- “I spent a lot of time in the outdoors, did a lot of camping they come to the doctor,” he said. “So we try to make the
ists. and stuff when I was a kid,” he said. “So it combines the visit as smooth and easy for them as possible. It’s just a dif-
Brandon Hills Veterinary Clinic offers a wide range of natural sciences and dealing with animals, along with just ferent way of thinking, a lot of different techniques and
services, from regular preventative health care which in- a lot of medical and scientific things that we need to learn.” ways of doing things.”
cludes check-ups and vaccinations, to elective surgeries such Thrush said he loves the fact that he is always learning » The Brandon Sun