The staff and customers of Chosen Valley Veterinary Clinic in Chatfield, Minn., are getting ready to celebrate a monumental anniversary for the business.
The Chosen Valley Vet Clinic first started serving the Chatfield area in 1955 by Dr. Donald B. French, who ran the business out of his home for 17 years. The vet clinic moved its location to downtown Chatfield in 1971. Several veterinarians have worked at the clinic over the years.
In 1995, Dr. Hank Peeters, DVM joined the staff at the Chosen Valley Veterinary Clinic as it continued to flourish. After becoming a partner is the business in 1997, Dr. Peeters became owner of the clinic in 2019.
“Dr. Peeters specializes in Bovine and Small Animal practice handling a large portion of the current small animal practice at Chosen Valley Vet Clinic. Dr. Peeters has a passion for caring for animals no matter the size or species offering customized care to suit our customers’ needs,” as explained on the vet clinic’s website chosenvalleyvet.com.
Also on the team is Dr. Bryce Niemeyer, DVM, Associate Veterinarian who began working at the clinic in 2018. “Dr. Niemeyer grew up in Chatfield, MN training horses and working on a hobby farm. He is happy to be back living and working in his home town clinic. Dr. Niemeyer specializes in equine dentistry but is well versed in all aspects of the Chosen Valley Vet Clinic practice,” states the website.
As they say, teamwork makes the dream work, and this is certainly true at Chosen Valley Veterinary Clinic. Additional members of the team at the clinic include Carmen Merkel – office manager, Beth Pagel and Michelle Garson – receptionists, Amanda Tart and Emily Braun – certified vet techs and MaKayla Morgan and Lori Janet – vet techs.
Dr. Peeters speaks highly of his staff, saying, “They are good; loyal, dependable, come early-stay late, do whatever needs to be done, everyone pitches in, everyone helps everyone out when we are busy.” It is easy to see that he really appreciates the staff.
It is also very apparent that the staff not only likes their jobs, but respects their boss. They work hard but are easy going people who can also manage to have fun even when the office is crazy busy.
As with most professions, a lot has changed in the veterinary field since Peeters began at the clinic almost 30 years ago.
“Yes, a lot has changed. The in-house lab equipment is much better and affordable. Digital x-ray versus the old x-rays, so x-rays are instant,” he explains.
Peeters likes the variety in his work from day to day. “I like the mixed practice, so a little bit of everything, or a lot of everything. I think that’s what I like, not any one thing in particular,” he notes. He does like the challenges that the job brings and solving problems that will help the animals. Although, he never knows what the day will bring. “That’s for sure, we start off with a plan at 8 a.m., and by 9 a.m. there is no plan,” says Peeters with a chuckle, adding, “which is good, it keeps us on our toes.”
Looking back on the business through the years, Peeters expressed the importance of honoring those who came before him.
The founder, Dr. French, passed away in 2022, after working at the Chosen Valley Veterinary Clinic until 1989, although he continued treating horses until 1996, treating animals for over 40 years.
Dr. Gary Daniels started working at the vet clinic in 1970 and retired in 2010 after 40 years of service. Dr. Dale Timm joined the clinic in 1971 and retired in 2015 after serving the community for 44 years. Dr. Myron “Mike” Cyphers began his career with the vet clinic in 1978 and retired in 2019 after 41 years of service.
“They put their whole careers in here,” states Peeters, acknowledging their decades of hard work and adding, “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them,” and the business they help to build.
Some things have remained the same, like the compassionate care given to animals, and other things have changed. “It’s changed since they retired. We do over half small animal now, where it used to be 90% large animals when I started here,” explains Peeters.
The staff at Chosen Valley Vet Clinic specializes in veterinary care for small animals, equine and dairy and beef cattle.
Services include routine pet exams and pet dental exams, vaccinations, parasite prevention, diagnostics and more. Services are also offered for companion pets such as ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits, chinchillas, hamsters and potbellied pigs.
The Chosen Valley Veterinary Clinic is located at 115 Main St. S. in Chatfield. Business hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Saturday hours are 8 a.m. – noon. There is an Emergency Vet on call 24/7.
For more information phone (507) 867-3610, follow them on facebook, or visit chosenvalleyvet.com.
Leave a Reply