About Us
Dr. Scott Smith, Owner
Dr. Charlotte Lucas, Associate
Dr. Sara Bartlett, Associate
Our Mission
West Branch Veterinary Services exists to provide exemplary care to animals, always mindful of their comfort and needs as well as the needs and concerns of you, our clients.
Appointments
We prefer to see your pets by appointment; however, walk-ins are accommodated and will be seen as time allows and if there is a doctor available. Always call first to see if a doctor is in the office.
Emergency Services
Our doctors handle emergency services on a priority basis for our clients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If an emergency should arise, call our regular number, (989) 345-5363 and you will be directed to the doctor on call. Always call ahead first, as the doctor may be out on a farm call.
Our Facility
We are proud of our new state of the art hospital, which was designed for the comfort and convenience of our clients and their animals. Our pet reception area provides separate seating areas for cats and dogs. We have also provided a separate reception desk and staff that is specially trained to serve equine and farm clients. Our appointment system is designed to avoid long waits, but comfortable seating and a pleasant atmosphere with our friendly staff help to put your pet at ease.
Five exam rooms equipped with VCR TV education systems & x-ray viewers are used to help you understand your pet’s health and treatment needs.
In-house laboratory equipment enables us to obtain quick results on blood chemistry for pre-surgical or diagnostic work-ups.
Animals requiring special attention while hospitalized are kept in intensive care with oxygen, intravenous therapy, and ancillary heat available.
X-ray equipment allows us to examine your animal for orthopedic problems and other internal abnormalities.
Ultrasound equipment is used for equine reproduction and small animal diagnostics.
Our hospital offers modern surgical facilities including isoflurane gas anesthesia, pulse and respiration monitoring, and heated water blankets to maintain normal temperatures while under anesthetic.
Boarding Kennel
Boarding is provided for both dogs and cats in air-conditioned kennels and indoor runs. Dogs are walked at least three times a day in our fenced yard. Owners of pets that need medication can feel secure in knowing their pet will be monitored and well cared for while they are away. Our caring attendants will provide bathing if requested. Thank you for choosing us to care for your animal. We will be happy to arrange a tour of our hospital for you or for small groups.
Our Team
In order to better care for your animals, West Branch Veterinary Services provides annual continuing education for all doctors and support staff. We pride ourselves in constantly improving our education.
Our Fees
You are encouraged to discuss fees before services are rendered. We are happy to provide printed estimates of services needed, and we expect full payment when services are rendered. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, personal checks and cash are accepted for payment.
Waiting Room Courtesy
For the safety of your pet and children, we request that your animal be on a leash, in a pet carrier, or held in your arms before entering our waiting room. Additionally, if you suspect your pet may have a contagious disease, please leave your animal in the car, come in and let us know you have arrived and we will make certain the appropriate room for contagious animals is ready for your pet.
History of West Branch Veterinary Services
Dr. Timothy Eyth, a 1969 Michigan State University graduate, started West Branch Veterinary Services in 1976 in a pole structure on the west side of town. Dr. Eyth and his wife Susan were the operators of this mixed animal practice until 1980 when Dr. Ronald R. Risley joined their team. These two veterinarians serviced both small and large animals until 1990 when Dr. Sara Bartlett joined the practice. At this time Dr. Bartlett also practiced mixed animal veterinary medicine.
After outgrowing the original facility on the west side of town, in 1999 the practice moved to it's current location on the east side of town at 1938 Dam Rd. In our current, state of the art, 9,159 sq ft building we are now able to offer in-house treatment, hospitalization and surgical areas for both large and small animals. The hospital is equipped with 2 stalls, an equine surgical suite and recovery stall along with indoor stocks and treatment area. Our hospital also boasts an indoor boarding kennel for our smaller companion pets. Our small animal department consists of a radiology department, 2 table surgical suite, isolation ward, intensive care unit and large treatment area with multiple treatment tables and a dedicated dental area. This new clinic also features five small animal exam rooms and a large comfortable waiting room.
Dr. Eyth and Dr. Risley continue to be very proud of the hospital they built together and are proud to continue to serve the needs of both our large and small animals clients and patients.
Dr. Tracy Reaume joined the WBVS team in 2000 just shortly before Dr. Eyth and his wife Susan decided to retire in 2001. Dr. Scott Smith then joined our team in March of 2003. He brought a special interest in equine medicine while Dr. Tracy Reaume, now Goodroe, continues to bring a special interest in food animal medicine. Dr. Bartlett moved temporarily and when she returned to WBVS she took the role of small animal veterinarian at our practice.
In 2006 Dr. Smith took the jump to ownership. He will soon be the sole owner of our practice, as of January 2010. Dr. Risley will be retiring December of 2009.
During all of the changes in our practice we have still strived to serve our clients with the same friendly client-patient oriented service our large and small animal clients have come to know. While we have had to employee new staff members, we have maintained most of our original team as well.
