In our previous post, you got to know Dr. Schoonover, owner and director of WesVet Animal Health. Now, we will get to the heart of what the practice is all about in our one-on-one interview with the man behind WesVet. 

Question: Tell me the inspiration behind the name “WesVet Animal Health” and how you came up with it.

Answer: WesVet signifies my first name, Wesley. I wanted to go with a name that had a personal connotation, but my last name, Schoonover, is often hard for people to remember and pronounce. Having my first name in the title helps give a family-owned feel, which is what I want my clients to experience when they interact with the clinic.

Q: When do you plan to open WesVet Animal Health?

A: We are planning for an May opening. 

Q: What services will you offer at WesVet Animal Health?

A:  We plan to have a full-service veterinary hospital offering the following:

  • Wellness care, including vaccinations and early detection testing
  • Senior and pediatric care
  • Microchipping
  • Allergy testing
  • Full pharmacy 
  • Pet supplies and food
  • Bathing and nail trims
  • Emergency care and hospitalization
  • General surgery, including, spay, neuter, and other soft-tissue surgeries
  • Complete dental care, including dental radiography
  • In-house diagnostics, such as blood machines, ultrasound, digital radiography, blood pressure, and electrocardiogram
  • Easy access to veterinary specialists for advanced care

Q: How will WesVet be different from other veterinary hospitals?

A: My mission is to offer high quality medicine at a practical price with a client- and patient-centered focus. I believe this objective sets us apart from many of the corporate-owned veterinary hospitals. I have found that many veterinary practices are so busy that appointments or sick visits can feel rushed, and I want to avoid this problem. I want my clients to feel heard, and to explain the treatment plan for their pet in detail and with care, not in a hurry. 

Q: You talked about practicing high quality, but affordable, medicine. Tell us about that.

A: I was fortunate enough to work in a referral center straight out of veterinary school and was trained by many experts in their respective fields. High quality medicine is the only way I know how to practice. My experience in an emergency setting has allowed me to refine the ability to practice thorough medicine in a time-efficient way. As for cost, I don’t believe in the cost of care limiting access at every turn.  

Q: Are there any additional certifications or accreditations you plan to seek for WesVet?

A:  I plan to obtain accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and to become certified as a Cat Friendly Practice. I also intend to become a credentialed member of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP), which requires more specialized training than most general practitioners. To begin the ABVP application process, one must have practiced for at least five years post-graduation, and I hit that number this year. 

Q: How have your family values come into play while planning your business?

A: I credit a great deal of my ambition and personal values to the strong role models I have had in my life. My grandfather was a jack of all trades. He was a college professor, a certified public accountant (CPA), a botanist, a beekeeper, a dog breeder, and a real estate investor. While his extensive and impressive resume would suggest that he was more of a workaholic than a family man, that couldn’t have been further from the truth. He lived a modest life and valued his family over everything else. He was active and involved in his small community, and took every opportunity to pay it forward and give back. Likewise, my parents shared similar values as they opened their dental practice in the same small, rural town where my father grew up. He wanted to invest in his community and provide high quality care to the people. I suppose I have translated that philosophy into my own vision for this practice, and I look forward to serving the people and pets of the Brentwood community.

We’re excited to meet you and your pets after our grand opening in April!