Kamloops resident Lena Cimmarrusti's dog.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Lena Cimmarrusti
March 16, 2023 - 6:00 PM
Two veterinarians in Kamloops are another step closer to opening a much-needed 24-hour emergency vet hospital in the city.
Dr. Adrian Helmers and Dr. Megan Broschak have been working for over a year to open Phases Emergency Veterinary Hospital, and just secured the Nature’s Fare building on Summit Drive. Nature's Fare is moving to a new location in the city.
“We wanted something central and easy to get to so right off the highway was ideal,” said Dr. Broschak. “It's also an area with an accessible front, one-level lot. The building is large, emergency hospitals take up more square footage.”
When Dr. Helmers first spoke with iNFOnews in May of last year, the project was still “a distant dream” and a lot of fundraising and planning was in the works.
Providing the hospital will mean residents from the city and surrounding areas will no longer have to drive out of the city for emergency services.
“Sometimes we get people calling in from Williams Lake and Prince George,” Dr. Broschak said. “Burnout is high and not every vet can offer services after hours.”
Six veterinary clinics in town are on call rotating every night to meet what Broschak said is a growing need for services, and are not able to meet the demand.
Broschak said since COVID people have gained pets and there is a huge increase in veterinarian needs, both regular and emergency.
“A lot of the world is struggling with the need for vet care and we’ve reached the point where people are retiring, not enough new vets are coming up and there is burnout.”
The construction on the new facility is happening over the summer to bring it up to code, along with recruitment for veterinarian technicians, assistants and receptionists. The vets are hoping the facility will be running by Christmas this year at the latest.
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The project is mostly being funded by Helmers and Broschak who are using “substantial” personal loans.
“We are very passionate about bringing this service to our community,” Dr. Broschak said. “Any further donations will allow for purchasing more equipment and will be a benefit to everyone.”
Kamloops resident and dog owner Lena Cimmarrusti is relieved the facility is coming.
“There are conditions that dogs get that need immediate attention, and that level of care has simply not been available consistently in town,” she said. “Knowing I won’t have to drive to Kelowna or even Vancouver if my dog experiences a medical emergency is a huge stress reducer for me, and for the many other pet lovers in Kamloops. We are very excited to welcome the new clinic to town, and grateful for the hard work and planning it took to make it happen.”
Interested job applicants can reach out to Dr. Helmers and Dr. Broschak through email.
Go here to donate to the Phases Emergency Veterinary Hospital.
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