from Heritage Valley Newspaper

When it comes to pet owners needing someone to care for their ailing cats and dogs, there's simply no such thing as having too many veterinarians in town. That's why so many Santa Paula residents were thrilled when Four Paws Veterinary Clinic recently opened for business.

Clinic operator Dr. Michael Kelly, former owner of Bristol Animal Hospital in Ventura, says he picked Santa Paula to set up shop for several reasons. One is the "sense of community" demonstrated by the people he's met there. Another is that he loves "watching the airplanes land at the Santa Paula Airport."

But mostly, it's because he missed practicing veterinary medicine after selling his Ventura practice in June 2009 "and wanted to start a practice in a more rural atmosphere."

"When I sold the practice in Ventura, I had no idea that I would end up in Santa Paula," he says. "While attending the 4H projects at the Ventura County Fair with my 13-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn, I was encouraged to start a new practice in Santa Paula where a great need was expressed by my friends from Santa Paula."

Kelly decided to purchase the property at 1107 East Harvard Blvd. that was previously Mupu Trail Veterinary Hospital, operated by Dr. Jackson from 1956 to 1987. "I hope to continue Dr. Jackson's legacy as the veterinarian loved by the community of Santa Paula," he says.

Kelly insists he's no threat to the other vet in town, who he describes as "a friend of mine."

"She told me that when she originally came to Santa Paula there were three veterinary hospitals," he says. "The population of Santa Paula is 30,000 people and can easily support mulitple veterinary hospitals. Unfortunately, it seems most of the residents of Santa Paula are going to Ventura for their services. I hope to change this and encourage the residents to support their local community and stay local."

Kelly purchased the Harvard Boulevard property on Sept. 15, 2009. "With my background in building and design, I was able to complete the plans and tenant improvements in 63 days," he says. They opened Dec. 1, and spent the first month concentrating on staff training and finishing construction of the outside improvements.

The grand opening, held Jan. 17, was a "great success," Kelly says, with representation by vendors such as the National Police Dog Foundation, Aloha pet grooming with their petting zoo, the 4H Club and other community service groups.

Kelly says the community has made he and his staff feel more than welcome.
"The reception by local residents, officials and clients has been overwhelmingly positive," he says. "I feel like home and love going to work to serve the public."

After retiring from is Ventura practice, Kelly briefy operated a mobile veterinary practice, but quickly realized the limitations of caring for people's pets without the services of a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital. At Four Paws Veterinary Clinic, he's happy to be able to offer such services, including internal medicine, surgery, dentistry, X-rays and ultrasound, as well as paperless records "to support the green movement."

Number One, however, "is our compassion for our animal friends and their needs," he says. "We care!!"

Kelly says his background of personally owning many animals -- turtles, chickens, pigeons, rabbits, guinea pigs, snakes, dogs, cats, goats, pigs, sheep, donkeys and horses -- is a big asset to the practice.

"My strong point is a great bedside manner with a broad background in animal husbandry to convey to both pet owners and livestock owners," he says. "Obviously, I am a mixed animal practitioner but focus on the companion animals such as dogs and cats."

Kelly finds he also has to look out for the pet owner's needs, both financial and emotional. A good vet, he says, should be able to diagnose what is wrong with a pet without running a battery of tests, relying instead on effective client communication and a good history taking of the pet.

"Owners are often emotional about their pets because their pets provide unconditional love not received by other members of their lives," he says. "I try to put myself in the shoes of a pet owner and understand their emotions and help them make decisions."

Kelly credits his children, Kaitlyn, and Trevor, 10, for teaching him a "deep compassion for the families and their pets." The lesson apparently took, for it's clear he loves everything to do with animals, both on and off the job.

In addition to raising McNab herding dogs and racing pigeons, Kelly is a 4H large animal leader, and is currently teaching a class in veterinary medicine. He also is a board member for the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology in Camarillo, which has the largest bird egg and nest collection in the world.