Mother-daughter duo to host open house Saturday for new veterinary clinic in BG – BG Independent News

Mother-daughter duo to host open house Saturday for new veterinary clinic in BG – BG Independent News

By HEIDI GASSER BG Independent News After growing up in the old clinic on East Wooster Street, Hunter Frobose will welcome community members as a practitioner for the brand-new Town and Country Animal Health Care location, alongside her mother and fellow veterinarian, Vicki Frobose, this Saturday.  “It’s amazing. It’s always been our dream to do this. I’ve wanted to be a vet since I was 5 years old, and I have always idolized my mom. This was the goal, this was the dream,” Hunter Frobose said. “If you have ever seen our old clinic, you would know this was needed. It was so small … it was the upgrade we needed to keep servicing our community in the best way possible.”  Hunter Frobose said that some returning clients knew her from days spent at work with her mom.  “I’ll say, ‘Hi, I’m Dr. Hunter,’ and clients will say, ‘I remember you when you were this high,’” Hunter Frobose said. “I grew up hanging out in the cages. Literally, our old babysitter was at the clinic.”  Plans to build the new facility started during Hunter’s third year of veterinary school, once she knew she wanted to practice in Bowling Green. Monumentally, the land underneath the new practice was sold to Vicki Frobose with the expectation that the property would support women in agriculture.  Vicki Frobose said that with a transition from the previous 1,200 square feet to 4,200 square feet, and Hunter joining as a full time veterinarian, the practice will upgrade its quality services to clients.  “We are very blessed to be able to do this,” Vicki Frobose said. “We can provide better facilities and services to our clients, and our patients: the animals.”  Exam room at new Town and Country facility. The clinic offers general wellness check-ups, surgery, vaccinations, testing, modern medications, and treatment services, along with education for pet owners to administer certain medications. Vicki and Hunter both service large and small animals, unlike most vets who typically specialize in one category. A client since 2012, Arielle Patty has brought 14 cats and several dogs to Vicki Frobose, whom she has called “Doc,” over the years.  Patty also said that she has chosen Vicki Frobose for the practice’s affordable options.  “We would not be able to do it with another vet,” Patty said.  Having grown up on a farm, Patty said she believes the veterinarian pair truly appreciates the full spectrum of animal care.  “When you are from a farm, you have a different feel and approach about animals,” Patty said.“Doc is so both. She loves doing cats and dogs, and she loves her large animals.”   With 40 years of service under her belt, Vicki Frobose said she has not had time to count passing moments. “My other hats I wear are mom and farm wife,” Vicki Frobose said, “I’ve been so busy doing those things, I haven’t even watched the clock tick by.”  Dr. Vicki Frobose in new facility Frobose performed one of her first cattle C-sections for Steve Weihl, a grain farmer and cattle operator. In the new practice, owners will be able to haul in pigs, goats, sheep and some large livestock with the bigger space available. Weihl said that the facility will give large animal owners better options.  “With large animal vets, there’s a shortage,” Weihl said. “There’s nobody in Toledo that works on large animals. You’ve gotta go out to the rural community and find a vet that has experience and knowledge to work on large animals.”   Weihl said he visited the space already, and was impressed by the design.  “It’s very inviting. You go to the lobby and it’s very open,” Weihl said. “That’s what you want clients to see going into a new business.”  Aside from physical improvements, the Froboses are also treating mental health as a top priority for employees in the new clinic.  “We seem to be the type of people that are very compassionate and empathetic to the nth degree,” Vicki Frobose said. “But, that’s not always the healthiest. We have to learn to put up boundaries.”  Some days, Hunter said, she can support one family by completing a euthanasia, and another by celebrating a new puppy.  “Thankfully we are a family that supports mental health,” Hunter Frobose said. Amy and Talon Johnson, with their dog, Tilly, at the new veterinarian clinic. Through it all, both vets said that they want to provide personal care that values clients and their furry companions. “I’ve always wanted to give a personal approach to the care of our clients and our patients, whether they are large animals or small animals,” Vicki Frobose said, “We give personal service and personal care as much as possible.”  “We believe in that private practice feel,” Hunter Frobose said. “We believe in servicing our community the way our community serves us. We want you to feel at home with your pet while you are here.”  Town and Country Animal Health Care, now located at 811 S. Dunbridge Road in Bowling Green, will welcome local pet owners to stop in from 12-4 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, for the open house.