Is Steeples Veterinary Clinic privately owned or corporate owned?
Steeples Veterinary Clinic is locally and privately owned. Founded by Dr. Patrick Rice in 1978, the clinic has remained independent ever since. It is currently owned and operated by Dr. Ruth Sawatsky, who took over in 2008.

What animals do you see?
We see all animals! From dogs and cats to cows, horses, reptiles, birds, and other exotics—we truly see it all. The variety of species we care for keeps every day interesting.

Do you offer specialized services?
While we do not have board-certified specialists on staff, our veterinarians receive extensive training and continuing education. This allows us to offer advanced services in-house, including orthopedic surgeries such as fracture repairs and TPLOs (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy), emergency surgeries, rehabilitation, and more.

Can I request a specific veterinarian when I book?
Absolutely! We value case continuity and do our best to schedule patients with the same veterinarian each time. However, due to scheduling, this isn’t always possible. If your pet does especially well with a particular doctor, just let us know—we’ll do our best to accommodate your request.

Do you offer payment plans?
Yes! We offer financing through a third-party service called PetCard. Many of our clients have found it helpful for managing unexpected veterinary expenses. Learn more at PetCard’s website or call 1-888-689-9876.

Do you offer emergency or 24-hour care?
We’re proud to be part of the East Kootenay Veterinary Group—a network of clinics that share after-hours emergency coverage across the region. This group includes clinics in Cranbrook, Kimberley, Fernie, Creston, and Invermere, allowing us to provide local emergency care without the need to travel to Calgary.
After-hours calls are managed by a professional triage service that will direct you to the on-call clinic for that day. During regular hours, most local clinics (including ours) do their best to accommodate emergencies.

My pet is afraid of going to the vet. Is there anything you can do to help?
Absolutely. We take fear and anxiety seriously and strive to make every visit as stress-free as possible. For cats, we have a dedicated Cat-Only Exam Room located on the quieter side of the clinic. For dogs, we encourage “Meet & Treat” visits during calm times to help them build positive associations. We also partner with local trainers to offer puppy classes.
Other options include side-door entry, curbside appointments, house calls, or pre-visit calming protocols (“Chill Protocols”) that can be discussed in advance. Whatever your pet needs, we’ll work with you to make the visit easier.