Colborne Veterinary Clinic has 50-plus-one reasons to celebrate the new year.
The veterinary clinic, located on Highway 24 just north of Simcoe, marked its 50th anniversary in 2022 serving the Norfolk, Haldimand and Brant county areas.
“We treat all the clients with huge respect,” said owner and veterinarian Dr. Paul Arora.
“And we take pride in the quality of services we provide. We don’t aim to do it from a business perspective, we simply try to serve them the best we can and with a happy and smiling face.”
Over the last 50 years, the clinic has been a full-service animal hospital that offers emergency and non-urgent medical, surgical and dental care.
“We are not one of the biggest clinics in the area… but we are still holding our own with the big, giant clinics we have in the area,” said Arora.
“I think, in a small community, it matters even more because everybody knows each other and I think we become just like a family. We know our clients by name, we know their pets by name, and that is how we bond.”
The clinic traces it roots to when, 50 years ago, veterinarian Dr. Ken Moore began practicing out of his home in Villa Nova, east of Waterford. To meet increased demand for small animal care, Moore purchased property on the outskirts of Simcoe, and, in 1972, the Colborne Veterinary Clinic was built. Its name pays tribute to the former Colborne Village where the clinic was originally founded.
In 1977, Dr. Shane Renwick joined the team. And, shortly after, Moore decided to step back from the practice due to unforeseen health complications.
In 1981, Renwick recruited Dr. David Horton as a business partner. They remained partners until late 1988 when Renwick stepped back, leaving Horton as the sole owner.
In 1993, the clinic underwent renovations to better suit patient needs.
Arora purchased the clinic on July 1, 2010.
Over time, the small animal practice has continued to grow and so has the clinic’s team. Today’s clinic consists of veterinary technicians, assistants and client-care representatives.
In the summer of 2017, the clinic welcomed Dr. Carol Richards, who has a special interest in exotic animals, ranging from small rodents to birds and rabbits.
With its clientele growing, a sister clinic was added in Brant County with the opening, in November 2018, of the Burford Veterinary Hospital.
Arora said the Burford clinic offers the same type of services as the one in Simcoe.
“Everything is the same,” he said.
“Staff alternates between the two clinics, back and forth, but we have separate doctors.”
Dr. Meaghan Clench joined the team in 2021 to assist the growth of the Burford clinic, which was expanded.
Arora noted that pandemic created challenges in finding employees and made for stressful situations for clients and staff.
“Everything is going as well as it can go, and the customers are happy.”