Every bedroom community needs good animal care, and that is what the Animal Hospital of Falcon strives to provide to its clients. Doctor of veterinary medicine Anita Baker and certified veterinary technicians Diann Bukowski and Pat Jones started the practice out of Baker’s home in July 2001.”We had a desk in my foyer, an exam table next to my bedroom door and a surgery suite and kennel room in my unfinished basement,” said Baker.Baker, who received her veterinary degree from Kansas State University in 1985, moved to Colorado shortly after and saw growth moving towards Falcon. The three partners bought land at McLaughlin and Swingline roads and gave up their paychecks for two years to make it all happen. While working from Baker’s home, they designed the floor plan of the current animal hospital and began accumulating equipment for their proposed hospital.The Animal Hospital of Falcon opened for business on July 1, 2002, and Baker said, “The response was fabulous.” The clinic gained 90-to-100 new clients each month, Baker said. Dr. Phil Jackson joined the practice in 2003, bringing a few more clients to the clinic.The Animal Hospital of Falcon offers complete dog and cat care, including medicine, surgery, dentistry, radiology, ultrasound, a complete in-house laboratory and geriatric and pediatric animal care.Other special clients have included a pot-bellied pig, ferrets and a guinea pig who needed his nails clipped. Baker and the staff do not treat reptiles or birds.The clinic does offer limited equine care, which includes vaccinations, health certificates, coggins, minor surgery and parasite control.The Animal Hospital of Falcon also provides small-animal reproductive services, such as artificial insemination, semen evaluation and semen freezing and storage.”We’re the only center in the area certified with the International Canine Semen Bank,” said Baker. The first dog they bred was for a couple from Wyoming.The doctors and technicians have created a large number of top-notch, show-quality dogs for well-known owners and companies sponsoring the dogs. Jones said their clients have included dogs that have shown at the well-known Westminster Dog Show.Jones and Bukowski are quick to point out that, although they work with show dogs, they “adore the little mutt in the backyard just as well.” That goes for the barn kitties and the big outdoor dogs, too.The Animal Hospital of Falcon operates with high-tech, state-of-the-art equipment. “We like to say we have modern equipment with old-fashioned values,” said Baker.The three equal partners say they work well together and complement each other. “Diann lives close by so she can check on the animals easily, and she handles inventory and equipment,” said Baker. “Pat is great with the office and the paperwork, and I make all the medical decisions.”Baker said the hospital’s goal is to have a friendly, caring staff.”We’re not all about the money,” said Baker. “We allow our owners to come to exam rooms during consultations, and we maintain good communication with our clients. We want to have a personal relationship with the owners and their pets.”The Animal Hospital of Falcon has a resident cat, and has had numerous stray dogs and cats dropped off at the clinic. Someone dropped off a dog at the clinic, and the abandoned canine was discovered in the clinic’s enclosed garbage area. The staff always tries to find the owner or a new home for the animal.Someone also left an injured hawk at the clinic, and the Colorado Department of Wildlife retrieved the injured bird.The Animal Hospital of Falcon is open Monday, Tuesday and Fridays, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The three owners have elected not to be open on Saturdays, so they can spend time with their families. Though they each work about 60 hours a week, they all agree their families come first.Eventually, they would like to extend the hours, because there is a great need in the Falcon area for emergency animal services, Baker said.Baker said she enjoys working in a rural area.”The people are different out here,” said Baker. “Everyone is friendly and caring. They don’t have to drive to Colorado Springs for care, which is best for them. I love the country atmosphere out here.”
