After 15 Years, Spirit Lake pets Have a doctor close to home

If Spirit Lake residents are hearing more barking, growls and caterwauling, it’s because sick animals are heading to Hunt PRN Veterinary Services, which opened Oct. 1. 

The newly established clinic is the first one in Spirit Lake in the last 15 years, said Dr. Brittney Hunt. She moved to Spirit Lake in 2021 with a history of working in the veterinary field. What she saw was pet owners having to drive 30 minutes or more to Rathdrum, Hayden, or Coeur d’Alene

“In this area, we have a limited number of veterinarians and veterinary clinics for all of the influx of people that have moved here,” Hunt said. “I was surprised that there was no vet here.”

Though the physical location opened recently, Hunt started treating Spirit Lake pets a few months ago.

“We started vaccine clinics back in April in Spirit Lake at (the nonprofit) Cup of Grace,” Hunt said.

Since moving into a physical building, Hunt PRN Veterinary Services has expanded into spaying and neutering, in-home euthanasia and dental work. They will also do the occasional house call. One client was wheelchair bound, making it a hassle to get to a clinic.

“All she needed done for her dog was some vaccine updates,” said Matt Kramer, clinic technician. “We were able to do a house call with her and she was so grateful. If we weren't able to do that, it would be such a huge process to get transportation for the owner and the dog. All that would be quite a lot, but for us, it took 15 minutes.”

Many consider their pets to be part of the family, so when medical care for their animals isn’t nearby, it can be difficult for owners. Kyla Thierry and her dog, Chewbacca, had to make the drive to Coeur d’Alene after the latter swallowed a rock.

“I had to take him in for emergency surgery,” Thierry said. “It was an hour trip down there, which was terrifying.”

With Hunt PRN Veterinary Services nearby, vet visits are no longer an ordeal.

“It's a relief to not have to go that far to get care,” Thierry said. “And it's a lot more affordable too than the bigger chain or corporate places.”

Hunt and Kramer said they work hard to give people and their pets personalized care.

“You can really have one-on-one discussions about your pet's health with her and she really understands the pet's needs,” pet owner Tiana Heath said.

Kramer has noticed how patients appreciate being able to make same-day appointments.

“Owners have been very grateful for that and I've seen the impact here,” Kramer said. “They don't have to drive 45 minutes to an hour to find the same needed care for their animal.”

For Hunt, her new clinic is about more than convenience. Hunt PRN Veterinary Services allows people a nearby option for pet care.

“As we get farther north, the vet (practices) get more and more sparse,” Hunt said. “It can be such a big trip, so this clinic creates a more accessible mode of veterinary care to serve this community. This is something that was really needed.”

    Dr. Brittney Hunt with two cats she treated.
  

    Hunt PRN Veterinary Services client Kyla Thierry's dog Chewbacca, who had been hospitalized after eating a rock. Now, Thierry and Chewbacca don't have to travel to Coeur d'Alene for veterinary care.
  

    Veterinary technician Matt Kramer with a dog being treated by Hunt PRN Veterinary Services.