BISBEE, Ariz. — If your dog or cat needs a check-up, vaccinations, spaying or neutering or even an operation to fix a traumatic injury, Veterinarian Carol Burke can help you out with her mobile clinic.
The new Bisbee resident, with 32 years of experience, has been making a name for herself at the Saturday Bisbee Farmers Market by offering needed vaccinations for dogs and cats via her van that comes equipped with everything one would find in a vet's office.
Thanks to her boyfriend Matt Freeman and his talent for building, the van is equipped with a digital X-ray machine, medicines, vaccines, oxygen tanks, anesthesia, an examination table that doubles as a scale and kennels for recovery.
"He did an amazing job on this van," she said. "This was all empty space. He even inlaid walnut in the counter tops."
They moved to Bisbee three months ago wanting to find a quieter, cleaner place to live. A chance to slow life down a bit. Her mother was an artist, so she was always fascinated by the artistic people she would meet. Bisbee seemed to be the place that would fit the criteria she was searching for. So far, she is extremely happy with her choice to live in the small town where critters probably outnumber the people.
"People have been so nice and are very friendly," she said. "They're very receptive to what I'm trying to do."
Of course she has pets — a 10-year-old chihuahua-terrier mix and a 16-year-old kitty that she rescued.
With her mobile van she can go just about anywhere in the city, with the exception of some of Bisbee's narrower, steeper, bumpier streets.
She can also go out into the rural areas and offer at-home care for folks who have a hard time dragging their reluctant pets to an office where they may encounter other dogs or cats who can be intimidating, making the whole trip a pain for both animals and owners.
She has gone as far as Portal to deliver pet care to people who need her services.
And what a list of services she provides: spaying/neutering, dental care, tumor removal, bladder stone removal, thyroidectomies, vaccinations, trauma care, and heart-worm and West Nile Virus testing.
Burke has been asked to help with spaying or neutering cats in the local rescue program, but she's not sure yet how to fit that in her schedule.
Though she is not a specialist when it comes to birds or amphibians or reptiles, there are minor examinations she can help with as well as some injuries.
She does not provide services for stock animals or horses.
Her basic fee for an exam is $45 plus mileage if she comes to your home.
When Burke is at the Farmers Market on Saturdays, vaccinations for rabies are $20 and $15 for parvo and distemper.
Information from: Sierra Vista Herald, http://www.svherald.com