PEOPLE'S CHOICE 2005

ANIMAL CARE WITH A HUMAN TOUCH
By Stephanie Kosonen, Staff Writer

BURLINGTON - A bunch of cougars are waiting just up the highway to take care of your beloved "Rex" or "Fluffy," but these are not the wild cats that prey on domestic animals. No, the staff at the Chuckanut Valley Veterinary Clinic is exactly the opposite.

The clinic, located just off Interstate 5 exit 231 in Burlington, is made up of five graduates of Washington State University - the home of the Cougars. Though they all joined the clinic at different times, the veterinarians say they have found a great space to practice their medicine and don't plan on leaving to work elsewhere.

That's good news to fans of the business, who this year voted Chuckanut Valley Veterinary Clinic the People's Choice winners for Best Veterinary Clinic.

The three animal docs who own the clinic said their close-knit group benefits clients because it's like getting a second, third, fourth and fifth opinion every time your pet comes in.

"One set of X-rays often are looked at by five different doctors," said founder and co-owner Greg Ingman. "So we can all talk about it and share that collective experience and it makes for better medicine for our clients."

Veterinarians Peter Brown and Jake Searle co-own the clinic with Ingman. They said that along with being able to talk with other vets while they're working, they enjoy the technologically advanced equipment at Chuckanut Valley Veterinary Clinic.

A state-of-the-art ultrasound machine and dental X-ray equipment allow the vets to practice at their highest potential, and the support staff and specialized technicians at the clinic allow the veterinarians to fully focus on their jobs and ultimately handle tougher cases.

The clinic offers mixed-practice services - a full range of treatment from grooming to surgery for the smallest of companions to the full-size farm animal. Ingman said he predicts the future will bring a higher demand for veterinarians as pets continue to become members of the family and people desire to keep them in the best of health. In accordance with that, the clinic will hold the Dogs' Day Dash again late this summer, which encourages the bonding experience of exercising with your dog by hosting a 3-mile walk/run on the trails at the Skagit Regional Airport.

The clinic also partners with Doggie Come Play, a nearby dog daycare, to offer classes on how to live with your pet.

Pet First Aid nights and informational classes on things such as allergies and dental disease round out the total wellness approach of the Chuckanut Valley Veterinary Clinic.

With 2005 bringing 900 new clients to the clinic, the doctors are aware that their growth will continue to boom along with the growth of the county, but they welcome the new additions full-heartedly.

"People will be demanding more and better care for their animals and we will just continue to meet that demand," said Ingman. "We really appreciate our client base."

Skagit County Business Pulse / February 2006