Pets and their people
story by Shane Noem
Beyond the lofty peak entrance to the Westside Veterinarian Clinic lays a tried-and-true relationship between man and animals.
Dr. Robert Salley and Dr. Noel Thomas started their practice in 1985. When they recently added Dr. Damon Eastwood, it made them the largest veterinarian practice in Calloway County.
Thomas specializes large animals and reproductive issues.
“He is the nicest guy in the world, but his intelligence intimidates the hell out of me; he is very smart,” said Linda Thurman, one of Westside’s receptionists.
The atmosphere is always upbeat and positive, even though clients may be distraught about the condition of their pets.
Linda frequently answers the phones by saying, “Good afternoon, how can I make your day better?”
Westside provides many services including standard services such as blood tests, flea irradiation and prevention, spay or neutering, grooming, boarding and many others.
Their facilities are open 24 hours a day. Westside’s doctors will travel beyond the office walls to care for patients. They visit local farms to care for animals.
Westside serves as Calloway County’s “go to” on issues of animal wellness.
“We pretty much do everything,” Robert said.
Under Dr. Noel Thomas's leadership, veterinarian assistants Kelli Kamousi and Whitley Delaney restrain a dog, while two others prepare a cat for euthanasia. Dr. Noel Thomas had to euthonize a cat because he had kidney failure and was in a lot of pain. Thomas is also a specialist on large animals and reproductive procedures.
The Bull Dog with attitude, Issac Traylor, heads to the waiting room with veterinarians assistant Damon Brazzell to meet his owner, Shirley Traylor after his short stay at the Westside Veterinarian Services' kennels.
Hannah Lawson, 8, Brittany Lawson, 10, and their mom Stacey nervously watch as their yorkie Titus gets her yearly check-up and vaccinations. Dr. Robert Salley and his veterinarian assistant Whitley Delaney, a 19-year-old Murray State Student inject Titus with a rabies shot.
Vet Technition Juli McClain and veterinarian assistant Damon Brazzell help give dogs vaccines every day at Westside Veterinarian Services Clinic. Saturday patients are tended to on a first-come, first-served basis with no appointments and are unpredictably busy from time to time.
Dr. Noel Thomas performs more than a dozen spay or neuter procedures every week. He is also a specialist on large animals and reproductive procedures.
Veterinarian technician Juli McClain moves a sedated cat to its cage until it wakes. The cat had its ovaries removed in a simple procedure.
Dr. Noel Thomas had to euthanize a cat because it had kidney failure and was in a lot of pain. Thomas is also a specialist on large animals and reproductive procedures.
Vet Assistants, Whitley Delaney and Dana Kielerbring Sadie back to her owner after her successful amputation surgery. After a failed attempt, by another clinic, to reset a broken leg, Dr. Noel Thomas was forced to amputate Sadie's leg otherwise she would have died of internal bleeding.