Valleywide Veterinary Services

Located at 2562 Vermont, VT-22A, Bridport, VT 05734, USA, Valleywide Veterinary Services stands as a cornerstone of large animal veterinary care in the region. With a strong focus on the well-being of dairy cattle, sheep, and goats, this practice has a long-standing history of serving the agricultural community of Addison and northern Rutland Counties. The team at Valleywide Veterinary Services can be reached at (802) 758-6888 or +1 802-758-6888.

Valleywide Veterinary Services, originally known as Cornwall Large Animal Clinic, has been a trusted name in veterinary medicine since its founding by Mike Wood and Bob Taylor. In 1995, it transitioned to Valleywide Veterinary Services with the partnership of four dedicated veterinarians: Mike Wood, Bob Taylor, Jack Bouffard, and Drexel Wheeler. Today, the practice is led by four full-time veterinarians: Drs. Rockwell, Martens, Bandoski, and Cijka, with Dr. Dave Rockwell currently serving as the sole owner. This rich history underscores their deep roots and commitment to the local farming community.

While specific details about the physical environment of the clinic for client visits are not extensively publicized, it is clear that Valleywide Veterinary Services operates as a full-service food-animal practice, indicating specialized facilities and equipment geared towards large animal care. Their primary service model involves on-site farm visits, which is typical for large animal veterinary practices. The clinic is equipped with essential resources to support their comprehensive services. For instance, they boast a dedicated milk quality lab with the capability for aerobic and mycoplasma culturing, as well as a somatic cell counter, crucial for dairy herd health. They also possess embryo transfer equipment and freezers, further demonstrating their commitment to advanced reproductive services. The presence of a part-time veterinary technician on-site and four full-time veterinarians ensures that they are well-staffed to meet the demands of their clientele. Furthermore, they offer student housing at no cost in the homes of practice owners, indicating a supportive and educational environment that fosters learning and professional development within the large animal veterinary field. This suggests a practice that is not only dedicated to its current clients but also to the future of veterinary medicine.

Valleywide Veterinary Services offers a wide array of services tailored to the unique needs of large animals, with a particular emphasis on dairy farms, but also extending to sheep and goat owners. Their expertise covers several key areas:

• Herd Health Management: This critical service includes record analysis, vaccination protocols, and diagnostic testing to maintain the overall health and productivity of animal herds. They also provide Certificates of Veterinary Inspection, which are often necessary for animal transport and sales. Routine procedures such as dehorning and castration are also performed.

• Reproductive Programs: Valleywide Veterinary Services specializes in optimizing reproductive efficiency. Services include ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis, thorough herd infertility work-ups, and the development of customized heat synchronization programs designed to fit individual farm needs. They also conduct abortion diagnostics to identify and address reproductive issues.

• Embryo Transfer: A specialized service, they provide complete super-ovulation programs, with the capability to freeze and store domestic embryos. They also facilitate the transfer of purchased frozen embryos using 4-step or direct transfer methods. Additionally, they offer sales of frozen embryos from top-quality Vermont and Wisconsin dairy herds.

• Milk Quality Services: Understanding the importance of milk quality for dairy operations, they offer individual cow mastitis clinical case culture for causative bacteria, including mycoplasma and prototheca. Bulk tank culture and Delaval SCC Counter services are also available. They provide milking system equipment analysis, testing vacuum levels at unit claw and teat ends, pulsation, and unit on time. Furthermore, they offer evaluation of milking procedures, teat end health, and hygiene.

• Dry & Transition Cow Management/Monitoring: This involves crucial support for cows during their dry period and transition into lactation, including body condition scoring on a monthly and/or weekly basis to prevent metabolic diseases. They also monitor anionic salt (DCAD) feeding by urine pH testing for close-up/pre-fresh cows.

• Necropsy and Diagnostic Testing Services: For comprehensive understanding of animal health issues and disease prevention, they offer necropsy services and a range of diagnostic testing.

• Spanish/English Employee Training and Translation: Recognizing the diverse workforce in agriculture, Valleywide Veterinary Services provides veterinarian-prepared trainings for calf care, maternity pen management, basic physical exam and treatment protocols, milking procedures, safety, and biosecurity. They also offer translation of in-person meetings to effectively communicate animal health concepts and care expectations, and develop bilingual protocols, posters, and other visual aids.

Valleywide Veterinary Services distinguishes itself through several key features:

• Specialized Large Animal Expertise: Unlike many general veterinary practices, Valleywide Veterinary Services is entirely dedicated to large animals, particularly food animals. This specialization means their veterinarians possess in-depth knowledge and experience specific to the challenges and needs of livestock.

• Proactive Herd Health Approach: Their emphasis on record analysis, vaccination protocols, and preventive measures highlights a proactive approach to animal health, aiming to prevent issues before they become severe.

• Advanced Reproductive Technologies: The availability of services like reproductive ultrasonography, herd synchronization plans, and embryo transfer positions them as a leading provider of advanced reproductive solutions for farms.

• On-Farm Service Model: Their primary mode of operation involves visiting farms directly, providing convenience and allowing for assessment of animals within their natural environment, which is often crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment of herd issues. This also allows for emergency calls, with an answering service directing calls to the veterinarian on-call for urgent situations outside of regular business hours.

• Commitment to Client Education: The provision of Spanish/English employee training and translation services demonstrates their dedication to empowering farm employees with the knowledge and skills necessary for optimal animal care.

• Experienced and Compassionate Team: As evidenced by customer reviews, the team, including Dr. Stephanie, is lauded for being "incredible; patient, kind, extremely knowledgeable." One client specifically noted that the team "saved my goat’s life!", highlighting their dedication and effectiveness in critical situations. This reflects a deep level of care and professionalism that sets them apart.

While extensive promotional campaigns are not overtly detailed, Valleywide Veterinary Services relies on its strong reputation and community engagement. Their website provides detailed information about their services and their team of veterinarians, allowing potential clients to understand their capabilities. They actively participate in the agricultural community, as evidenced by their involvement in events and educational initiatives, such as their veterinarians contributing to discussions on topics like colostrum management for calves, as seen in past Vermont Dairy Producers Conference materials. This indicates a commitment to sharing knowledge and fostering better animal health practices across the region.

For new clients, Valleywide Veterinary Services provides a transparent basic cost structure. Payment is expected at the time of service, and they accept cash, check, and credit cards during business hours. Call charges for farm visits are determined by the distance from their office in Bridport, VT, and professional time is prorated. They also have specific fees for daytime and weekend/night emergencies. It is legally required that sale of all prescription products necessitates a site visit to examine animals within one year, ensuring proper oversight and care. Prospective clients are encouraged to call the office for up-to-date pricing inquiries and to establish themselves as clients.

In summary, Valleywide Veterinary Services is a highly reputable and essential veterinary practice in Bridport, VT, specializing in comprehensive care for large animals. Their experienced team, broad range of services, and commitment to on-farm care make them an invaluable resource for farmers and animal owners in the region, ensuring the health and productivity of their herds.