Dr. Sarah Stephenson and a friend with a plucking problem. |
Dr. Sarah Stephenson checks the waiting room after her morning surgeries.
Raymond the chinchilla needs a checkup. Howard the duck got belligerent
with an intolerant neighborhood dog, a shih-tsu with hot spots and
a cockatoo with a plucking problem check out an edgy calico cat. Cassie,
a beautiful golden retriever waits placidly, acknowledging a steady
flow of compliments.
It’s going to be another busy day, exactly the kind Dr. Sarah
has had in mind since she was eight. Most days she sees 20-25 animals
after completing 3-4 surgeries. “I always wanted to be a veterinarian.”
Fifteen when she got her first job in a vet’s office in Parkersburg,
she worked with Dr. Jiim Davis and Dr. Rhodes, veterinarians in her
hometown while she was at WVU and during veterinary school at Ohio
State. “Dr. Davis started me drawing and designing veterinary
clinics. I always intended to open my own practice.” Last August,
after seven years with Charleston’s Valley West veterinarians,
she started construction on the veterinary hospital she’s been
planning all her life.
Five weeks later, Good Shepherd Veterinary Hospital opened it doors
to a clientele that’s about 80% fur and 20% feathers and scales.
The clinic is light, bright and open, immaculate even with the colorful
finches peeking out in the waiting area. All the young veterinary
student’s ideas have been implemented – lots of open space,
a special room for cats, an aviary and a spacious treatment area.
“It’s the right size for the kind of personal veterinary
medicine I want to offer. I don’t want a huge practice, just
one where I can give the best quality care possible.”
Encouraged at Valley West to develop areas of specialty, Dr Stephenson
expanded her expertise in the treatment of exotics and eyes. Birds
are common patients and guests at Good Shepherd- twenty birds were
boarded there over Easter. A specially designed aviary with French
doors facing the treatment area allows birds to watch the activities.
“Birds get lonely and stressed left by themselves. They’re
so smart, they need mental stimulation regularly.” Because of
her interest, Sarah took extra electives on birds in college, so her
growing bird practice has been a natural progression. “Birds
are very intelligent. They require a lot of attention, but they give
back as much as we give them. Some parrots are as smart as people,
like African Greys. Cockatoos are emotionally demanding. They need
someone who can stay home and pet them all day. Parrots and Macaws
can reach 50-60 years, probably outliving their owner, so they need
arrangements for continuing care. Conyers are beautiful, but their
high-pitched scream can be unnerving. I tell anyone thinking about
a bird or exotic animal to research like crazy. Find out all the special
needs before making the decision.”
Good Shepherd is a fully equipped, state-approved veterinary hospital,
not just a clinic, and Dr. Stephenson does a lot of surgery. She’s
often called for delicate eye surgeries on all kinds of pets, like
grafts for corneal injuries. Few local veterinarians are experienced
in eye surgery and exotic care, so she tries to be available for those
emergency calls. But, hers is a one- woman practice and she recently
reduced Saturday office hours to give herself a little time to rest.
For relaxation at home, she says, “I walk, ride horses and read.”
A walk in client brings holds a blind box turtle that may be ill.
Dr. Sarah listens sympathetically, then prepares to do a throat swab
The turtle chomps down on the swab, and won’t let go. Sarah
says, “I love turtles.”
The beautiful golden retriever has cancer, a virulent form that kills
quickly. Dr. Sarah cannot make this patient better. Six weeks later,
when the magnificent animal is brought in too sick to stand, Dr. Stephenson
administers the last treatment; Cassie is gently put to sleep. Every
single person in the office is in tears as the family bears the beautiful
dog away.
Dr. Stephenson says she’s learned to look at the sad endings
in a different way. “Euthanasia is not surrender; it’s
a final treatment. It’s something we can provide for our pet
family members that we can’t provide for our people family members.
We can end suffering. We give our animals a good life and it’s
important we give them a good death as well.”
Sarah says she believes animals are put here to teach us love. In
the long, busy days filled with every ailment and species, she does
everything she can to give people time to learn.
Send an Email About This Article