Veterinary group picks Greencastle location

Monday, January 7, 2008
The vacant building at 316 N. Jackson St., in Greencastle, is scheduled to be torn down later this month to make way for a new veterinary clinic. The property has been purchased by West Central Veterinary Services, with clinics in Rockville and Veedersburg.

A group of veterinarians with clinics in Parke and Fountain counties announced Monday plans to expand eastward, including a new facility in Greencastle.

The site they've chosen is located at 316 N. Jackson St., directly across from White Cleaners. The property has been home to a number of businesses in the past but has been vacant for several years.

Veterinarian Mike Meade, a partner in West Central Veterinary Services, told the BannerGraphic that the company provides services for domesticated pets, such as cats and dogs, in addition to offering medications and treatment for farm animals, including sheep, cows, hogs and horses.

The company plans to demolish the existing building on the site, possibly by the end of January, and could open the new clinic by Labor Day, or possibly sooner.

Once built, the 3,600-square-foot facility will include exam rooms, a surgery room, treatment room, kennel and dispensary. In addition to on-site services for pets, Meade said the clinic will provide site visits to farms in and around Putnam County.

Meade said he feels there is a need for more services for farm animals in the area and that the new clinic will help fulfill that need. He said he is well acquainted with the two other clinics already operating in town and hopes to complement their services.

West Central includes nine veterinarians that cover clinics in Veedersburg and Rockville. Two of them, Jason Huff and Jennifer Hochstedler, live in Greencastle and will work out of the new location.

The co-op was formed in 1995 when veterinarians from two separate clinics merged into one medical group. They have since built new facilities in those two locations.

Meade said the Rockville clinic already provides services to clients in parts of Putnam County, however, with the addition of the Greencastle site, it is hoped that more clients can be served not only in Putnam County but in Hendricks County as well.

Last month, the project went before Greencastle officials in technical review. Aside from some minor additions and clarifications, the project received approval, according to City Planner Shannon Norman.

Officials do not anticipate having to go before any additional city boards for approval.

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