Our interview series have given new insights into different aspects of our community, from small business owners to newspaper staff. Now, we'd like to showcase the work done by those who care for our four-legged, winged and even scaled companions. For this series, we're interviewing animal care specialists.
This week, I spoke with Dr. Michelle Schenley from Animal Clinic of Rockbridge.
What services does this location provide?
We are a veterinary hospital.
Does this location have a high volume of animals?
We're a two-doctor practice, so I would say a moderate amount.
How does this location handle the volume of animals?
We see appointments every half an hour from 8:30 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon, with a break at lunch. We have two doctors here most every day, a whole amount of staff, and we have five licensed veterinary technicians
What do you like most about working with animals?
I think it's the challenge and it's never the same thing. It's always something new. You always get to learn. You see something different and see a variety of different species and wounds and things.
What is a major challenge for animal care in our area?
I think the biggest problem in our area is the lack of large animal veterinarians. This location only [handles] small animals.
What is the most common animal seen at this location?
Cats and dogs, that's all we do here.
What was the most unusual animal seen at this location?
We just do cats and dogs. I mean, in my career I have seen other animals but now we just do small animals.
What advice would you give to new animal owners in this area?
Do your homework. Be selective about what you choose to get, whether it's the breed of dog, or a cat, or whatever. Be prepared for the cost of veterinary medicine, it's very expensive. It's a responsibility, you can't get an animal and then not be able to take care of it. So, if you're not financially prepared to do that, you know, there's pet insurance and everything else but you need to be prepared to take care of it for 12 to 20 years.
