New area vet center

New area vet center

Pet owners to have new veterinary
option in northern Countryside

By Brandon Herman

One night, when Countryside resident John Finn had his dogs in the care of his sister, he received a phone call.  The message was that one of his dogs had something stuck in his mouth.  His sister had tried to find a close all-night emergency vet, but the closest one was in Berwyn. 

Needless to say, Finn is one among many who are happy to have the Countryside Veterinary Center coming to Countryside.  The center will not only offer normal veterinary procedures, but will also offer around the clock emergency care, therapy and rehabilitation programs, boarding, and more.

“I think this new hospital is truly an animal hospital and not a clinic,” Countryside Mayor Ed Krzeminski said.  “Their full staff of surgeons would be able to treat any ailment of the pets of the residents.”

When the business introduced themselves to Countryside in the summer of 2013, it was a complete surprise to city officials, Krzeminski said.  However, the city welcomed the business with open arms.  One city official that was especially happy was Countryside Ward One Alderman James Jasinski, since his ward would be housing the business.

“Specialists will be coming in that will make it easier for residents,” Jasinski said.  “It will offer a lot of people in the area better service.”

“It helps the whole community,” Countryside Ward One Alderman Robert Pondelicek added.  “When you help one ward, you help the whole city.  It’s great for the city of Countryside as a whole.”

As excited as some may be about the opening of this state of the art facility, a known issue stands before Countryside residents and city officials alike, and that issue is competition.  Finn has been going to Western Springs’ Boone Animal Hospital for 16 years, and says it will be hard for the center to attract customers.

“I don’t think they’re going to get those customers [loyal to other vets],” Finn said.  “They’re going to get new customers with new pets.  I’ve got a 16 year old relationship with our vet, and we don’t think about the cost because it’s in our dogs’ best interest.”

The Countryside Veterinary Center will compete against other hospitals for basic services, but what sets it apart is the emergency care, boarding, grooming, and other services that surrounding areas do not have, Jasinski said.

“I could see other clinics referring customers to the center,” Pondelicek said.  “They will work hand in hand.”

Not only will this help pet owners in the area, but it will help other Countryside businesses as well, Krzeminski said.  Visitors who come to use the veterinary services may not know what the city has to offer, and they may end up stopping at one of the stores or restaurants.  This will help the city financially through sales taxes. 

“They might see that we have a Texas Roadhouse, or that we have an Andy’s Custard,” Jasinski said.  “Then they may come back and spend some of their time at these businesses.”

The center is not only expected to help the city through sales taxes.  Employment is also going to be boosted, with an expected 30 to 40 jobs on the way.

The Countryside Veterinary Center will be located at 9825 West 55th St.  The business’s grand opening is scheduled to happen in May.