Answering the call: Silverton native steps into local veterinary practice

By Brenna Wiegand

The bittersweet call came on Easter.

Although he’d spoken before with 30-year Silverton veterinarian Phil Andrews about helping out at Abiqua Animal Clinic, Brian Dietrich was shocked to learn the older doctor was gravely ill. Andrews, 61, had suffered a sudden seizure, leading to tests that revealed he was in the advanced stages of cancer.

Dietrich, 29, had just left the Woodburn veterinary clinic where he’d been since graduating in 2005. Now, he was treating farm animals from his home outside of Silverton. So, yes, he was glad he could step in and help.

However, Andrews died nine days later, and working with Phil’s widow, Anita Andrews, the position grew more permanent in nature.

Dietrich says they’re big shoes to fill, but couldn’t be more thrilled at assuming a practice in his hometown.

“I came in here a few times during high school to observe and stuff,” Dietrich said. “My family is behind me in this, and we’re young and ready to work hard.”

Dietrich and his wife Amanda have three children: Johanna, 4; Jennifer, 3 and Gabriel, 1.

“It’s been a very exciting, good change for our family,” Amanda Dietrich said. “Just working in Silverton is a blessing. I like being part of a town and can tell that Brian’s happier.”

Dietrich would like to expand the clinic’s practice in a number of ways.

“During college I worked at a Portland clinic that specialized in (pet) dental work,” he said. “That’s a big field to develop.”

He especially enjoys obstetrics and dairy work, setting aside many afternoons for farm visits. The farm calls have been fun for eight-year Abiqua Animal Clinic employee Amy Reeves, who’s staying on.

“I miss Dr. Andrews dearly; he was a good family friend,” Reeves said. “I am enjoying learning new stuff though. I helped Dr. Dietrich with a C-section on a cow the other day; I could do that kind of stuff all day long.”

Dietrich also retains Allison Horton, who worked with Andrews for about a year. Dietrich’s dad, Jim, also has been helping with the change, and both the Dietrich and Andrews families are grateful at the smoothness – and swiftness – of this unexpected transition.

Whether treating large beasts, small critters, farm animals or house pets, Dietrich, as Andrews did, finds satisfaction in getting to know people and their animals – and helping them solve their problems.

“I saw a dog that was born with his eyelids rolled in,” Dietrich said by way of example. “He had really watery eyes and was always rubbing at them; he was in constant pain.” A simple operation and he’s a whole new dog. “Now, life is good,” Dietrich said of his bright-eyed patient. “He’s so much happier and more active.”

But many pet owners inadvertently dish up potential problems for their pets every day.

“I see a lot of obese pets,” he said. “Some pets can’t handle having food left out all the time.” Plus, measured meals helps you know right away if your pet is not eating, he added – a major indicator that something could be amiss.

Another malady pets unnecessarily suffer from – skin problems – can often be solved through a little detective work. It may be an allergy – to fleas, something in the air, or an ingredient in their food. In fact, Dietrich says, cheaper food can actually cost pets – and their owners – more in the long run. “Cheaper foods tend to contain a lot of fillers,” he said. “These can cause a lot of allergies, cause the animal to poop more; and you usually have to feed them more of it.”