Employees at Ralston Vet don’t see caring for animals as merely a profession, but a lifestyle. Embedded in the community in multiple ways, the employee-owned clinic has served local families and their furry companions for nearly 60 years, focusing on collaborative care, keeping pets comfortable, and their people confident.
“That’s really a core value for us,” says Cori Ochoa-Bond, Marketing Director at Ralston Vet. She shares that nearly all staff members have pets at home, have been part of a pet family, or have been touched by owning pets, and so they understand how many people view dogs and cats as more than animals, but as a part of the family. “We try to take care of their emotional health as much as their physical health.”
For example, the clinic emphasizes compassion training with pets. This way, everyone knows how to read a pet’s body language and notice signs of stress. This information is documented so the team can cater to the emotional needs of each pet and build a better experience with each visit.
Collaborative care is another cornerstone of the clinic’s philosophy. Dr. Eryn Parkening, who celebrates her seventh year at Ralston Vet this July, says it plainly: “We want pet parents to feel just as involved in their pet’s care as we are.”
That means taking the time to talk, teach, and tailor treatment. Whether it’s advice on calming anxious dogs before an appointment or showing a client how to give meds at home, the team strives to empower, not just treat.
She says the personal investment goes beyond the exam table. The clinic’s history of community involvement includes actions as small as baking cookies for a family in a health crisis to assisting with a larger fundraiser. One recent story even involves a newly adopted dog slipping away from its owner on the way to the clinic.
“We didn’t even know them yet,” Ochoa-Bond says, “but we had 10 to 12 team members out in the neighborhood helping them search.” The dog was found four days later, thanks to community teamwork, including team members volunteering after hours.
“It’s very special to us that our clients are here as locals. We are locally owned. And we run into each other at the gas station, at the store,” says Dr. Parkening. “I think that makes the job more fulfilling. It makes the relationships easier knowing we’re giving back to the local community the same way they’re giving to us.”
With this commitment to total, family-minded care for your dogs and cats, Ochoa-Bond and Dr. Parkening emphasize the joy of working alongside families inside the clinic and out in the community. From personalized treatment plans to neighborhood support, the Ralston Vet team aims to go above and beyond to make a difference where it matters most.
To learn more or schedule a visit, go online to ralstonvet.com. Then follow Ralston Vet on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected with updates, wellness tips, and the occasional adorable pet photo or behind-the-scenes video.
402.331.6322 | ralstonvet.com
“We try to take care of their emotional health just as much as their physical health.” – Cori Ochoa-Bond, Marketing Director for Ralston Vet