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All-female group buys local clinic

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By Sandy Morris

When Brittany Berry DVM was still at Texas A&M, Dr. Keelan Lewis came and spoke to one of her third year classes.

“I remember thinking I wanted to be like her after I heard her speak to our class,” said Berry. 

The next year, when Berry was starting to look for an opportunity to begin her career as a veterinarian, she heard there was an opening with Dr. Lewis in Olney,  and the rest is now history. 

Berry joined Lewis’s practice, Salt Creek Veterinary Hospital, where she is now a partner.

The practice has since expanded to include Anson and as of last July, Albany.

A total of six female vets are with the practice with a seventh coming soon from Texas A&M. However, Berry said not all of their doctors are Texas A&M graduates.

“Last year, we added two vets from out of state,” Berry said, “one from Colorado State and the other from Lincoln Memorial.”

Berry said transitioning from Texas A&M to life as a rural veterinarian was relatively easy.

“Because Dr. Lewis was already established in Olney, the glass ceiling had already been broken,” Berry said. “As we have moved further west, we know that as long as we work hard and do a good job, being a female is a non-issue.”

Berry said she is always very appreciative of clients who offer to carry her supplies back to her truck or open a gate for her.

“I had fellow students in college who said they didn’t want anyone to carry their equipment for them,” Berry said. “I personally feel like it just means chivalry isn’t dead, and people were raised right.”

None of the Salt Creek vets have a particular specialty, and all of them can care for anything from large livestock to small animals, but they  do have their favorite animals.

“We have one vet that loves to work on horses,” said Berry. “Another one loves working with sheep and goats. We all have our passions.”

Like any profession, Berry said there are busy seasons, and spring is typically a busy time for the group.

“We are really busy from April through June with calving and then again in the fall from September to November,” Berry said. “This is also the time of year we see a lot of small animals in the clinic getting vaccinations. People start getting outside and start thinking about pet care.”

With temperatures rising, Berry said snakes are moving, and several pets have already been treated for snakebite. 

“We really encourage people to get the rattlesnake vaccine for their pets,” Berry said. “It can make a difference between a dog  going home with antibiotics and pain medicine versus spending several days with us and having IV treatments.”

Berry also said they can help animals who become anxious around holidays such as July 4th when fireworks are exploding.

“We are passionate about providing quality vet care in the small rural towns we serve,” said Berry. “We also try to be competitive and affordable in our pricing.”

The passion that Berry speaks about extends into the personal lives of the staff with the group regularly getting together for family dinner nights. 

“We truly have a village mentality whether we are in or out of the clinic when it comes to family,” Berry said. “If someone needs their kids picked up, it’s covered. If someone has a family emergency or is sick, everyone else will step up to help. If they are wearing black scrubs with our logo, that person is part of our Salt Creek family.”

Berry said the doctors and techs look forward to being more involved in the communities they serve and getting to know the people they help. 

She also said Albany residents can keep up with the latest promotions and information by following the practice on Facebook at Salt Creek Veterinary Hospital.