House calls: Local veterinarian takes her practice to her patients

By Melissa Wagoner

If you own a cat or a dog, this may have happened to you. You convince your dog to get in the car. You drive to your vet’s office – who is extremely nice and has a great staff – and you try to get your pet out of the car.  Except Bowser won’t budge.

Trips to the vet can be stressful for both the pet and the owner. Now there is an alternative.

Dr. Denise Piaskowski of Valley Veterinary House Calls, LLC makes house calls for treatments that do not require radiology services, anesthesia or surgery.

An Oregon native who grew up on a farm in Brownsville, Piaskowski or Dr. P as she is known, attended the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University specializing in the treatment of small animals.

She has been a practicing veterinarian for 16 years in Southern Oregon and Olympia, Wash., and more recently at a clinic in South Salem.

“I have always been interested in doing house calls ever since I got out of vet school,” Piaskowski said. “It used to be that’s how veterinarians practiced.”

While working in traditional clinics, Piaskowski saw the need for home services “because it is so much less stressful for the pets and more convenient for the owners as well.”

“I really like developing relationships with my clients and providing personalized care for my patients,” Piaskowski said.

The mother of children in middle and high school, Piaskowski said having her mobile clinic allows for a flexible schedule.

Piaskowski’s clients include those with busy schedules, multiple pet families, those who cannot easily leave their homes, and animals who get stressed when being transported.

“I see a lot of cats. People hate stuffing cats into carriers,” Piaskowski said.

She also offers at home euthanasia. “In-home euthanasia is better for pets and families,” Piaskowski said. Pets resting in the comfort of their own bed are less stressed.

While many mobile veterinarians travel in vans, Piaskowski drives a compact car meticulously organized to meet her needs.

“Most of the time I get a good feel (for what I need) over the phone. You have to know what you’re getting into and be prepared for all situations. It’s kind of fun,” Piaskowski said.