Pet Tracks
Changing Of The Guard
with Jan Jaeger
Island pet owners are reeling with the impact of last week's public acknowledgement that long term Nantucket MSPCA-Angell veterinarians, Dr. Paula Klek and Dr. Bill Mentes will be leaving the island. Dr. Michele Zarif is actively seeking employment opportunity elsewhere and Dr. Jamie Driscoll has just returned to the Cape due to family responsibilities.

Rumors have been flying about this turn of events. There is valid concern, both from our community and from the Nantucket MSPCA veterinary and support staff about the effect these departures will have on their internal structure as well as the impact this will have on the care for our pets, the MSPCA organization's commitment to continue our hospital and the significance of doctors leaving at the same time.

I went to the top for some answers to these concerns. Joe Silva, Assistant to the CEO of MSPCA-Angell in Boston explained some basic facts, "From 2000- 2008, there have been 225 employees placed in the 25 available Nantucket positions. Even in the best of times, we have high turnover with people rotating in and out, but it is especially difficult to retain people on the island. In the past it has been hard to recruit long-term employees, particularly veterinarians." He added, "You are very lucky Dr. Klek has stayed as long as she has, and Dr. Mentes has been there for eight years. Even though they will be leaving, it speaks to their commitment to the island that they are willing to stay through the summer."

Some of the talk implies their departure is a walkout of the medical staff. Based on Silva's responses and my conversation with Dr. Klek, nothing could be farther from the truth.

Silva said, "None of this has happened overnight. Mentes talked with me months ago about his future plans. For your veterinarians to be willing to go through this demanding summer season, knowing they are moving on, is just huge. They are making a statement about how much they care about you and your pets."

Dr. Klek said, "Deciding to leave is the hardest decision I have had to face. Of course, I'm still conflicted, but it is the right time. However, to hear negative reactions from our community is difficult. The staff who live here and work here and who love their jobs, now find their situation is even more stressful."

Klek elaborated, "This is not a lifestyle many people desire. I work 65-70 hours each week. If you want some time for yourself or your family, this commitment is difficult. Having a normal life and buying a home can become unattainable goals."

One of the major issues for veterinary staff is the long hours with additional responsibility for on-call emergencies.

Klek explained, "When I first came here, emergency calls were few and far between. Now the rotations to cover off hours are every few days. You can expect calls during the night, and Sundays require being at the hospital for much of the day. When I'm on call, I don't even want to start watching a movie because I know whatever I'm doing will be interrupted."

I was flabbergasted to hear another customer authoritatively announcing the MSPCA building was for sale and her speculations went on wildly from there.

Silva explained, "The building is absolutely not for sale. We recently did have an assessor and architect visit all our buildings, system-wide, to prepare a report for our capital needs. This is due diligence we perform every four to five years for insurance purposes, similar to what you do for your own personal property."

He reiterated, "The building is not for sale."

There are some who feel the closing of the Springfield medical facility a year ago set a precedent and that Nantucket will surely be next.

Silva further clarified, "In Springfield 60 years ago, there was no other practice around. Closing this hospital was very sad, because we had so much history there. But today, with 13 private practices located close to that facility, it made no sense to compete with others who can adequately handle pet care needs in the area."

Silva said the MSPCA is looking for the right long-term solutions for our community, but readily admits it is complicated. "It is a huge misconception that the Nantucket hospital is a moneymaker. We would be ecstatic if it could break even. Many of the fees are lower than in Boston. Contributions from the rest of the system sustain your facility."

"We are willing to try anything and willing and able to be a part of the solution. We have been advertising four years for a practice manager, a non-vet who can focus on client relations to ease the management responsibilities for the veterinarians," said Silva. "We have come close, but we haven't yet found the right person who is strong enough to thrive there. We are aggressively advertising for veterinarians. General practitioners good with both people and animals are hard to attract because they can go anywhere they want. and the larger vet services can offer them a lot."

It's true, we're a small island, and only a small puddle under the MSPCA-Angell umbrella. Yet we have a lot of pets to care for and our remote and often inaccessible location can be problematic when a sick or injured pet is involved. We need our animal hospital and its medical staff.

Added to the demand for emergency care is the additional difficulty of being a seasonal community, with the pressures of staffing and scheduling for summer surges. Cost of living and housing, with only one house available for staff, compounded by long hours and accountability, makes recruiting a challenge.

Many of these same issues plague every service provider and business owner on Nantucket. Yet somehow we manage and sometimes we have to be innovative and creative in finding solutions. We have a powerful ally in the resources of MSPCAAngell in Boston, and they have pledged to help. However, as a community we need to be a part of the solution.

Klek said, "I hope you will find good people to be here. People who choose to be here, who are willing to stay in spite of the hardships of practicing in a small resort community with a fluctuating seasonal population and a difficult location. The MSPCA and its veterinarians are a valuable resource. The pet-owning community should acknowledge, appreciate and support this resource."

Jan Jaeger is owner of Geronimo's, Ltd., Nantucket's pet supply and gift shop, and is a member of DWAA and CWA (Dog and Cat Writer's Associations of America). Her pets at home are Junior, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and two cats. At the shop are cats Messrs. Fish and Chips, Flower bunny, Millie guinea pig and two budgies. Send e-mail to jan@geronimos.com. I