The sense of community is apparent when a client walks through the door at Brekke Veterinary Clinic. From the warm receptionist’s greeting to the spacious, inviting waiting room and pet treats on the counter, clients and their beloved pets know they are getting the personalized attention they seek.
“We really emphasize on personalized care and really engaging with people,” says owner Dr. Jay Brekke, DVM. “Our biggest goal is to be here for the community.”
Since opening his clinic in 2015, Jay founded his practice on community and ensuring owners and their pets receive the care he would provide to his own dog or cat. His college friend from Hawaii, Dr. Jacqueline Rudzinski, DVM, joined his practice in 2020 during a crucial time, helping care for the animals during the pandemic. Two other associate veterinarians, Dr. Andee Youngblood, DVM, and Dr. Emily Sponseller, DVM, have joined the practice, too.
In addition to four veterinarians who provide customized care, Jay’s practice is family-owned. His wife runs the business side of things, and her sister handles customer service and client-based initiatives. They love pets and have many to show for it.
“At one point, we had like 11 rescues between her [sister-in-law], my in-laws, and my wife and I,” explains Jay, citing that he also has four kids to add to the mix.
Celebrating 10 years this August, Jay is proud of his family-centered business and what it offers people that larger corporations cannot. Lower visit costs, personalized attention, and relationships with other local specialists are only a few attributes of Brekke Veterinary Clinic.
“One thing that we do is have very good relationships with a lot of specialists,” Jay explains, listing several local specialists he works with, including a veterinary surgeon, a veterinary cardiologist, a veterinary radiologist, a veterinary anesthesiologist, and a veterinary internal medicine specialist.
He goes on to say, “We’re able to conduct and coordinate a lot of that specialty care in-house, so people don’t have to go to other places and drive, and they get to keep everything through us with partners that we trust.” This level of care sets the Brekke Veterinary Clinic apart, especially as pets age and have more specialized needs.
Jay has developed relationships with specialists over the past 10 years to provide better care for his patients without having them go to a large corporation where they feel less connected to the community.
“It’s important,” Jay says, “because we can hold people’s hands during the specialty process, which is usually very advanced situations that are stressful and expensive.” For pet owners everywhere, knowing their doctor is not only familiar with a particular specialist but works with them directly is the old-school bedside manner people long to find.
As Brekke Veterinary Clinic expanded in 2020, there was a need for more space. They opened a sister clinic in East Castle Rock on Aloha Street. This space is an extension of their Happy Canyon location and is where they perform all their procedures.
While the clinic specializes in dogs and cats, Jay also lends his expertise to non-profit groups that rehabilitate wildlife birds whenever possible. For him, it’s another way to give back to the community.
When speaking about his clients, Jay beams with pride: “We have a lot of good clients, and the people we see appreciate and value what we value. It’s a good relationship because that’s what they’re looking for and what we are looking for.”