A BUSINESS HE REALLY BUILT

VETERINARIAN AND FATHER-IN-LAW DESIGN AND RENOVATE BUILDING AS ANIMAL HOSPITAL

Author: Compiled by editorial assistant Julie M. King.

Article Text:

Peter W. King, DVM, opened the Mexico Veterinary Hospital in Mexico in May. He recently spoke with Neighbors about the business.

Name of business: Mexico Veterinary Hospital

Name of owner: Peter W. King, DVM

Hours and days open: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday; closed Thursday and Sunday

In a few words, describe what your business is: A high quality, full service hospital providing internal medicine, surgery (large surgical suite with advanced patient monitoring), in-house laboratory, radiology, EKG and general health care counseling. We're fully equipped with all new and modern equipment and facilities. We are able to provide for the medical and surgical needs of 95 percent of our patients - the rest are referred to specialists.

Address: 48 Cornell Road, Mexico. The location is a country setting on the top of a hill with 150 acres surrounding the hospital. My father-in-law and I designed and renovated the previous building by hand, from tile floors to piped oxygen.

Telephone: 963-1300

Web site: Coming in future.

Number of employees: Eight, including two part-time high school students interested in veterinary medicine.

How long has the business existed? Established May 2003.

Education background: A 1974 graduate of University of New Hampshire majoring in animal sciences and biochemistry and a 1978 graduate of Cornell University (NYS College of Veterinary Medicine).

Were you involved in the business before owning it? I owned and operated a hospital in Syracuse for about 20 years before moving to the North Country and building the Mexico Veterinary Hospital.

Describe a typical day for you - what types of animals do you see? We see dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, ferrets, reptiles (snakes and lizards), rodents (guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats, chinchillas) and other exotics.

What's your favorite part of running this business? The most challenging part? With ownership comes a high degree of responsibility for all aspects of practice management including legal, OSHA, personnel management, quality control of veterinary services, inventory, scheduling, client relations and marketing, to name a few. While this is complex and time consuming, it is gratifying for the right type of person to be able to control and be responsible for this type of operation. The reward is in the challenge - anything worth being proud of requires hard work.

What led you to open a new hospital in Mexico? I designed and built Mexico Veterinary Hospital for two reasons. First, I needed a new challenge and decided retirement would be boring. Secondly, by doing everything myself, from plumbing to the computer system, I personally know where everything is, how to fix it, and can appreciate the new skills learned. The town is very pleasant, rural, growing, caring, community-oriented and appreciative - a good place to live and raise children.

How do you feel about the business climate in Oswego County? Fair, for service-oriented businesses. Unfortunately, with industry leaving all regions in the U.S., New York state, county and town taxes draining family coffers, and cost of services and goods increasing, people are reduced to spending on necessities and families are relocating to find jobs. Fortunately, veterinary medicine is a service which people require in all economic climates and people in Mexico have proven to be very good and caring pet owners. Our pets are members of our families and do not tend to be classified as expendable by most people.

Any advantages/disadvantages to running a business in Oswego County? Mexico is a pleasant, safe, picturesque town located in the center of Oswego County with easy access to 81, 481, Oswego, Fulton, Baldwinsville, Central Square and Pulaski. The school system is excellent and there are a large number of families with high values and high expectations for their children's futures and present quality of life. Mexico Veterinary Hospital has been well received and adds to the attraction of a growing community. Mexico has been an excellent choice for the establishment of a veterinary facility.

Your advice to students interested in a career in veterinary medicine: Observe or work at a veterinary hospital to determine whether the reality equals the dream. We routinely encourage students to observe a morning of medical procedures and a morning of surgery. Some decide that another career choice may be better while some confirm that it is worth pursuing. Regardless, the commitment in time, mental effort and finances is so great that only a complete commitment will achieve the goal.

Caption:
PHOTO
C.W. McKeen/Staff photographer
DR. PETER KING checks the ears of Snuffles, a male cat, at Mexico
Veterinary Hospital. Color.

Copyright, 2004, The Herald Company

Record Number: 0402180544