2020_Summer_VMag_forweb

DEVELOPING A FOOTHOLD INTO TOMORROW
Dr. Mary Ann Sheller, Practice
Owner and Dr. Brent Lakia,
Practice Owner, Vale Park
Animal Hospital
>> production, but overall our craftsmen
and contractors were able to forge
ahead without a perceivable delay in our
construction timeline.
As for how the practice will open, we’re a
bit disappointed that we won’t get to have
a grand celebration during our opening.
During the initial stages of the pandemic, we
developed curbside services where we cared
for our patients in the hospital while our
clients remained safely in their cars. We’ve
since opened the hospital to clients to be in
our exam rooms, but we are requiring masks.
We anticipate opening our lobby to clients
when we open, but we will be ensuring social
distancing to the best that our profession
can allow. Once the gathering guidelines are
clearer and our community is comfortable,
we are looking forward to celebrating with
everyone. We hope to have a grand opening
in the fall.”
Why did you choose the Lakes of
Valparaiso to build your new location?
“Our client base has grown so much since I
started at the practice some 20 years ago.
Over that time, our clinic has expanded
several times to include more parking space,
added exam rooms, and additional hospital
space to accommodate our patients. But,
over the past few years, it became clear that
we had run out of space in our current land
area to make the changes we would need to
increase our ability to serve the community.
So, about two years ago, we purchased
the land at Lakes of Valparaiso to build our
new clinic. We chose the Lakes because
it was a business park; there would be
accommodations for water drainage and
other infrastructure already in place; it
offered a great location with high visibility
from Route 49; and, of course, it was right off
of Vale Park Road.
The Lakes of Valparaiso is a wonderful
development. It was easy to get our utilities
set up, as all of the power, water, and more
was already on the street – which was made
for us – and delivered to our curb. We didn’t
have to build new lines or pipes to establish
our services.
Additionally, they had already designed out
lots for water drainage to help with run off
and other concerns that come with building
a new building. The apartments on the south
end of the complex provide a ready, new
market for the services we’ll be offering
shortly after opening. We’ll offer expanded
boarding services for cats and dogs, doggie
day care, and grooming services, which we
were unable to offer in a similar manner at
our current location.
And, the aesthetics of the park itself, the
apartments, and the whole project match
the greater Valparaiso community. Whether
you’re a client coming in for a wellness
appointment, or, a business person looking
to relocate or establish a business, the Lakes
complex is a great place to be.” >>
16 VALPARAISO MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2020