By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG
The Jasper Veterinary Clinic’s satellite operation in Valemount will stay open until at least October 17th, according to clinic owner and veterinarian Janet Jones.
The Valemount clinic had initially been scheduled to close for good at the end of September. However, as the Jasper clinic was lost in the Jasper wildfire, closing the Valemount clinic would have left clients without anywhere to get veterinary care, Jones said.
“We didn’t want to have too long a gap between shutting down Valemount and starting up Jasper, so we [decided to] carry on in Valemount for the extra three weeks,” she said.
Still, there may be a gap in service for about a week towards the end of October, according to Jones. The clinic has found a temporary location for their Jasper services: a camper that’s been modified to have just enough room for providing basic care. Jones said she will need to move the equipment that is currently in the Valemount clinic to the temporary Jasper site, which will then be inspected by the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association.
The exact length of time between the Valemount clinic’s closure and when the Jasper clinic is officially licensed and ready to operate will depend on how quickly the Association can send an inspector, but Jones said she’s tried to coordinate the closure of the Valemount clinic and the opening of the temporary Jasper clinic to be as close together as possible.
“I’m sorry about the circumstances of finishing up in Valemount, that we don’t have full services in Jasper. I realize that makes it harder for people,” Jones said. “Unfortunately, it’s kind of been taken out of my hands.”
Jones has served the Valemount community for 27 years, and is no longer able to drive to Valemount twice a week in dangerous winter conditions. When the veterinarian who she had hoped would replace her in Valemount had difficulties with their work visa, she made the difficult decision to close down the Valemount clinic.
“I feel badly for the inconvenience, and I know that this will cause problems for some people,” Jones said. “We’ll do the best we can to service people from Jasper, and as time goes by, we will get another facility that will have more capabilities.”
It will likely be about two years before the clinic can open with a full range of services, Jones said. She will know which services are being offered in Jasper once her equipment is licensed.
“I truly enjoyed working in Valemount with clients and pets,” Jones added. “It’s been an honour and a privilege to be a part of their lives for the past 27 years.”
