Today we’d like to introduce you to Colleen Ritter.
Hi Colleen, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve worked in veterinary medicine for 15 years, always as an associate in someone else’s practice. I relocated to the Clarksville area four years ago and began working at a local clinic, which, like many others today, was corporately owned. Over time, I’ve come to feel that the corporate presence in veterinary medicine has made care increasingly impersonal and unnecessarily expensive for pet owners.
This realization inspired me to start my own practice, and I felt a mobile veterinary clinic was the ideal approach. With a mobile clinic, I can deliver high-quality veterinary care in the comfort of the pet’s home—at the owner’s convenience and at a fair price. I’m also committed to giving back to the community by offering low-cost spay and neuter clinics outside of Tractor Supply locations.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This journey has been filled with its ups and down just as anything in life. One of the most challenging issues that I, myself, as well as I think other veterinarians run into as a whole, is conveying the value of properly caring for a pet in relation to the cost of that care. Its always a struggle to get customers to understand that the cost of your pet’s care is a fraction of the cost of what is charged in human care, yet we as veterinarians still incur the same medical school bills as human doctors.
Another challenge I’ve faced with starting this mobile veterinary service is trying to communicate the value and benefits of having a veterinarian come out to one’s house. I try to be one of the most competitive priced vets in the area while helping customers save their own time from having to load up their pet into their car and sit in a waiting area of a clinic and all the headaches that can come with that.
Creating awareness through word of mouth and social media has been another challenge as it has been a relatively slow process.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about CRITTERS ANIMAL SERVICES?
We are an appointment based non-emergency mobile veterinarian that travels to our clients’ homes. I will see cats, dogs, and provide wellness services for horses. I offer wellness exams, vaccinations, laser therapy, diagnostic lab work, dental cleanings, spay/neuter surgeries, compassionate end of life care, I try my best to remain competitively priced while providing the best care possible my clients’ pets. We are also a veteran-family-owned business that can provide these services to military families on post. As a wife of a retired veteran I can also relate to the challenges of military life.
I think I provide a more personal touch with Critters Animal Services compared to most other veterinarian clinics. My clients can pick up the phone and call or text us and they’ll be speaking with the doctor directly or will receive a text back directly from me. That just doesn’t happen at most clinics.
I’m proud of the hard work that my team and I have put in to make this idea come to life. I’m most proud of the quality of care that we strive to provide day-in and day-out and the continued compassion for my patients.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Operating a business that allows me to sustain my life while allowing me to work with animals.
Pricing:
- pricing one4 www.crittersanimalservices.com to view our prices.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.crittersanimalservices.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/critters-animal-services/61566842711406
