Veterinarian staff settling in to new building

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

The staff at Avenue of the Saints Animal Hospital are stretching out and getting accustomed to their new building.

At the start of May, the veterinarians and staff of the animal clinic took a long weekend to pack up their things and move down Grand Avenue into the former location of the Charles City Animal Clinic.

Leasing the building from Dr. John Moellers, who owned the Charles City Animal Clinic for 25 years, the Avenue of the Saints crew seized the opportunity to move into Moellers’ building when he retired last April.

“It was smooth and we are loving our new space,” said Practice Manager Brenda Gravdal.

Located just past the highway on-ramp, the new building is not only a better fit for the Avenue of the Saints Animal Hospital’s name, but also considerably larger than their previous location to accommodate the needs of their staff.

“We actually have a break room now, said Gravdal. “We’re so pumped about that.”

From an additional exam room to larger pharmacy space, the staff have spent the last couple weeks enjoying the extra room in the building. And while the veterinarians enjoy the larger treatment area, the administrative staff is just as happy about their new workspace.

“I get to look out the window,” said Jessica Viers. “It’s so nice. I love my view of the windmills.”

The calming view is especially beneficial as Viers has spent the last few weeks working through the pile of medical records from the Charles City Animal Clinic’s clients, many of whom have transferred the care of their pets to the building’s new occupants.

“It’s been very busy,” said Gravdal. “We’ve had much higher demand.”

Fortunately, the new building also came with new help. Avenue of the Saints retained Charles City Animal Clinic’s Kristen Aikey, who has not only served as a familiar face for clients, but has also helped guide the staff through the quirks of their new workplace.

Also to help lighten the load, the clinic is anticipating the arrival of a third veterinarian who will be starting in June. While mostly assigned to the company’s Waverly location, the new vet will be spending one day a week in Charles City.

“We are so excited about that,” said Gravdal.

Once they are fully settled into to the new building, the clinic will start exploring an expansion of services. With an outdoor enclosure attached to the kennel room, dog and cat boarding could be offered.

“This place will definitely allow us to open that possibility,” said Gravdal.

In the meantime, the vets and staff at the clinic are eager to welcome clients new and old to their building and are planning an open house sometime in July to celebrate.