The New and Improved Heartland Animal Hospital

Our building process finally seems to be finished...it was quite the experience. While we are still dealing with a few issues the majority of the project is done. Here's the first look at the lot once they started moving dirt two summers ago. 

Nathan had quite the fight with the Marion city council to get the codes changed to allow a veterinary practice so close to residential property. He also had a big headache dealing with a city engineer getting her paperwork turned in on time to FEMA so we could move forward with the project without flood insurance. The 'Hein Mafia' prevailed again as he had to contact his cousin who is a state senator to provide him with the right government official to call to catch the engineer in her flat out lies and get the ball rolling so we could pour cement. Nathan finally got the paperwork approved and the contractors were finally able to pour the cement pad and get the framing up. 

We finally look like we have a building! 

Giving the first tour to family and friends on July 4th...

Some of the first decisions that had to be made were the types of stone and brick on the front...

Finally the inside started to take shape...Lily the lab was the head supervisor...

Nathan had first told Steve, our general contractor for the inside buildout, to just make the new clinic 'look like the old one'...until I stepped in! I wasn't going to let a bunch of MEN make all the design/decorating decisions! I may not be a fancy interior decorator but the old clinic had a hint of orange running through it which I detested. So I went bold and went with red for the reception area. 

I also detest light wood...so we went with a dark stain everywhere. The beginnings of the front desk. 

Lily inspecting the new big dog kennels...

The treatment area taking shape...

We finally got the sign up...

The the finished product...the new and improved Heartland Animal Hospital! We've doubled our square footage from our last space. We added a comfort room and break room for the staff. We now have designated areas for each 'department' and more storage area. Nathan now actually has his own office and bathroom, which I know he appreciates. 

Reception area...

Nathan was really excited about having a bigger waiting room...

Food storage behind reception...

Radiology...

Treatment area....we now have a wet and dry table so the available technicians have room to work while a dental procedure is going on. 

The logo is painted on the floor on both sides of the treatment area. It was originally added to cover a major faux pas created by the plumber but we actually really liked it once it was added. 

The pharmacy/lab area...

The new and improved break room...so no more OSHA rules are being violated by keeping lunches next to vaccines and parvo tests. 

Surgery...

We added more exam rooms...Everything is digitized so all of the radiographs and bloodwork can be viewed on monitors or iPads in each exam room. 

The entrance to the comfort room...this room is intended to be used for consultations and euthanasias. It has a separate exit so clients don't have to leave through the main lobby after they are through visiting with a sick pet. The tree leading into the entrance is to be used to hang pictures of beloved deceased pets. So far the room hasn't been used much...except by Mimi the clinic cat. She used to spend her days under the front desk. Now she loves to take naps on the sofa in the comfort room. 

The new fancy grooming tub...The grooming area in the old clinic left much to be desired. This tub has a ramp for big dogs so they can walk into the tub rather than being lifted. 

And finally Nathan's office....he's wanting to upgrade his desk, so we are working on that, but he is enjoying having some privacy to make phone calls and space to himself. 

We didn't get to put our handprints in the cement when they poured it so Nathan asked if something special could be added with the stain on the concrete. We traced our hands and paw print and then they etched them into the stain. Nathan wanted them someplace he could see them easily so they are in the entrance to his bathroom. The year is also included under Viv's handprint. 

We had an open house in November and had a very good turnout. Nathan's planning on having another this spring since he's had so many people ask 'when is the open house?' Apparently, we didn't get the word out well enough! 

We are still working out the kinks and we learned a lot during the process. It was very stressful! There were a lot of problems and issues that came up a long the way and we soon learned that contractors never give you an accurate time frame on when things will be accomplished/finished. We also learned that they still expect you to pay to fix things that were their huge mistakes to begin with! We are in no mood at this time to start any other projects like building a house! Everyone is enjoying the new space and we've had many compliments on the building. Nathan has already seen an increase in new clients and he credits that to our improved visibility from the road. We are on the verge of a new business signing a lease to rent out one of our available spaces. We are crossing our fingers that will all work out. Unfortunately, our associate just announced she'll be leaving in January so we are in search of another doctor. It would be great to have someone in place before Rowan arrives but I'm definitely not holding my breath. We just continue to take one day at a time and know that everything will turn out in the end.