Pets lap up the physical therapy
Sunday, November 30 | 4:32 p.m.
Veterinarian Maurine Fritch puts Myle on a therapy ball while Oliver, left, and Aoifa work on underwater rehabilitation treadmills at Cascade Park Animal Hospital in Vancouver, whose facilities also include a swimming pool, separate dog and cat wards and a lab. (Photos by Zachary Kaufman/The Columbian)
Dr. Maurine Fritch watches "Oliver" work on a treadmill in the rehabilitation pool because of a knee injury at the Cascade Park Animal Hospital on Tuesday November 25, 2008. (The Columbian/Zachary Kaufman)
"Oliver" works on bouncing back after a knee injury by walking on a treadmill in the rehabilitation pool at the Cascade Park Animal Hospital on Tuesday November 25, 2008. (The Columbian/Zachary Kaufman)
Technician Sherry Keith cleans the cat adoption room at the Cascade Park Animal Hospital. (ZACHARY KAUFMAN/The Columbian)
Business name: Cascade Park Animal Hospital.
Owner: Maurine Fritch.
Address: 16820 S.E. McGillivray Blvd.
What the business does: Veterinary practice where Maurine Fritch specializes in cats and dogs, and Sharon Graham cares for birds, snakes and other exotic pets. Along with the separate cat and dog wards, surgical suite, treatment and laboratory areas, the practice has what may be Southwest Washington’s only rehabilitation center with physical therapy equipment, an in-ground swimming pool and two underwater treadmills. There is also a room to showcase kittens for adoption through Second Chance Companions.
Employees: Nine, including one veterinarian.
Greatest challenge: Going beyond the medical side of the practice, being a small business owner and having to run a staff.
What’s ahead: Build up the rehabilitation part of the business so it can support itself.
Telephone: 360-892-2122.
Fax: 360-567-3397.
E-mail: cpah@cpahcares.com.
Web site: cascadeparkanimalhospital.com.
Year established in Clark County: Fritch opened her first veterinary clinic in 1991 and built the current location, with rehabilitation facilities, in 2006.
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Each week, The Columbian offers a brief snapshot of an interesting Clark County business. Send ideas to Mary Ricks: mary.ricks@columbian.com ; fax 360-735-4491; phone 360-735-4550.
