On Monday, November 4, a veterinary clinic opened its doors in Silt for the first time in five years.

Silt Veterinary Clinic, located at 470 County Road 311 in the former Divide Creek Animal Hospital building, has brought veterinary services back to the municipality, which has been without a local veterinarian since Divide Creek closed in 2019.

One of the first appointments at the new clinic was euthanasia.

Veterinarian Dr. “Unfortunately, we were able to perform euthanasia on Monday morning,” Sydney Hayter said. “(The customer) sent us an email telling us how grateful he was and how much Silt needed a place like this. “It was really gratifying to hear and everyone I spoke to was so excited and couldn’t wait to tell their friends.”

Silt clinic is a new locally owned branch Glenwood Veterinary Clinic in Glenwood Springs. Founded in 1936, the Glenwood clinic offers medical, surgical and dental procedures for a variety of animals, as well as internship and apprenticeship opportunities for students and recent graduates.

“We do not use external resources. Many of these corporate practices bring in people from other parts of the country. Glenwood and Silt clinics owner and veterinarian Dr. “They can move people around easily because they have all these different locations,” Sam Johnson said.

“They really don’t care whether these apps are successful or not,” he added. “They have no investment in society. A percentage of every dollar you pay to a corporate group will be paid to their corporate structure. Every dollar spent on this app will be invested directly back into society.

Johnson, who started working at Glenwood Veterinary Clinic in 2017 and became a full owner in 2019, knows it’s often difficult for customers in the valley to travel to Glenwood Springs for veterinary services.

“I think it’s getting harder and harder to get into Glenwood Springs, and we wanted to try to provide services to this community that hasn’t been here in years,” Johnson said. “I had heard about Divide Creek Animal Hospital when I first started…and we had heard really good things. “I know the community in Silt, Rifle and New Castle really lost a great service when they stopped providing service here.”

When the old Divide Creek building went up for sale in August, Johnson felt the opportunity was too good to pass up.

“I didn’t really know anything about it because I hadn’t been in,” Johnson said. “When we saw this, we saw that the bones were very good. “There was so much potential to help this community.”

Like the Glenwood location, Silt Veterinary Clinic is a mixed animal practice: veterinarians treat everything from reptiles and other exotic animals to livestock. Clients who own two of the three types of animals the clinic sees – small animals (including exotics), cats and dogs, livestock and horses – receive a 5% discount on all services.

The clinic also offers a referral program. Existing customers will receive a $25 credit for each referred customer who makes an appointment at the clinic, and a new customer will receive a $50 discount. Through the end of the year, new clients can book their first exam at the clinic for just one dollar.

Eventually, Johnson plans to offer animal boarding services at the Silt clinic and will use the building’s extra space to sell products by partnering with local retailers.

“We are perpetuating an extinct brand of medicine that is the brainchild of veterinarians who can see all species,” Johnson said. “There are many families, especially in Silt, who don’t just have dogs. “They have a dog, they have 4-H animals, they have horses, they have all these different breeds, and being able to have all your care under one roof is a huge thing.”

Accredited sources have published different accounts of the current national situation of the veterinary workforce. The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges stated in March that “Significant shortages of veterinarians exist in all sectors of professional activity and at all levels of specialization,” while the American Veterinary Medical Association said, “An up-to-date analysis of supply and drivers.” “Demand for veterinary services in the United States indicates that the number of graduates from current U.S. veterinary colleges will likely be sufficient to meet demand through 2035.”

However, veterinary shortages in rural communities are still a concern, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which reported 237 rural veterinary shortage areas in 47 states in 2023. The USDA reports veterinary shortages in 16 Colorado counties in 2024, 13 of which are classified as private. According to the application, food animal medicine shortage in rural areas Veterinary Services Shortage Situation Map. Although Garfield County is not listed as a shortage area, Silt Veterinary Clinic fills a gap in veterinary care for residents.

“We come here to take care of the animals, it’s not about the money,” Johnson said. “For us, coming here is an opportunity to expand ourselves into a new world, into a community we already know but have known for some time has needed help.”