MEEKER | When it comes to caring for your four-legged friends, trust and expertise are essential. Meeker has a new hero for pets and their owners: Dr. Shane Porter, the new veterinarian at Meeker Vet Clinic. Porter is working for clinic owner Dr. Paul Neilson. Dr. Porter is excited to get started and is set to become your go-to ally for keeping tails wagging and paws healthy.
Dr. Porter’s journey to the community is as impressive as his commitment to animal care. Originally from New Castle, he graduated from Rifle High School, while his wife, a Glenwood Springs High School alum, hails from Glenwood Springs. Dr. Porter earned his veterinary degree from Oklahoma State University in 2010 and has been practicing in eastern and western Colorado as well as Idaho ever since. He explained his decision in coming to the town of Meeker.
“I have known Dr. Paul Neilson for a long time, and he has been a mentor to me. He said there was an opportunity here, so I decided to come. It feels like home,” Dr. Porter said.
Being from the Western Slope, Dr. Porter brings a wealth of experience and certifications tailored to serve the unique needs of the Meeker community.
“I have kept my focus broad to meet the varied needs of a small agricultural community. I also have master’s degrees in animal nutrition and business administration,” he said.
Dr. Porter will offer a range of services for small and large animals.
“We can do small and large animal surgeries and some diagnostics here in the clinic. We hope to have some equipment in the near future to do complete blood counts and blood chemistries,” he said.
The clinic is currently covered five days a week by Dr. Neilson and Dr. Porter when he is here. There may not be someone at the clinic at all times as veterinarians are often working on ranch calls.
The clinic will provide after-hours and emergency care, a crucial service for the community.
“We will put an after-hours number on the answering machine at the clinic. I won’t always be available due to family activities, but I will make an effort to be available when necessary, especially during the times of the year when there are a lot of farm animal after-hours calls,” Dr. Porter said.
To encourage visits during business hours, the clinic will offer in-hours emergency visits at a lower cost than after-hours emergencies.
