Nobody
at the Wisconsin Equine Clinic & Hospital in Oconomowoc cares if
other members of the medical team spend their days horsing around.
After all, caring for the noble equus is their business.
The
state-of-the-art veterinary hospital has the latest equipment and
technology to diagnose and care for horses, whether a foal or a
beloved "old gray mare." Its magnetic resonance imaging
device for diagnosing injuries makes it one of only 16 such equine
medical centers in the world with this advanced aid.
Dr. Robert
Magnus,the hospital’s co-owner (with doctors Doug Langer and Rachel
Bourne), founded the company in 1992. It now serves hundreds of
clients in Wisconsin’s horse country, as well as
"patients" from out-of-state. A client appreciation day to
celebrate the firm’s 20th anniversary is set for Oct. 20 at the
sprawling site, with its extensive stables, operating rooms and
pastures.
Not only does
the staff of doctors and other trained specialists care for the
animals onsite, but it also visits farms and stables, says Magnus.
"We’re the Mayo Clinic for horses," he chuckles,
explaining how the staff can treat just about everything that affects
these noble beasts, from colic to lameness and fertility issues. Since
many of the horses are used in shows, "sports medicine"
treatments are similar to those for professional human athletes,
Magnus explains.
He and wife
Gina, also a veterinarian who helped start the clinic, have 40 acres
of their own near Oconomowoc. There, Fred, a massive Belgian, and
Illuminaries, a gelding Paso Fina, can graze alongside flocks of ducks
and chickens, the family’s cats and several dogs in the menagerie.
The couple met while in the first veterinary class at the University
of Wisconsin-Madison.
Magnus has
always been a horse lover, growing up on a farm in Elkhart Lake. He
fondly remembers his boyhood hero, Hoss Cartwright, the lovable
brother on the "Bonanza" television show. Others on the
clinic staff are just as devoted, such as Sheila Barnes, the clinic’s
COO and a certified vet technician, who doubles as a barrel racer and
breeder. Farrier Kelley House regularly visits to care for hoof
challenges.
The clinic’s
mission is the same as if dealing with people. A good bedside manner
is appreciated, even by horses.
|
A grand
idea
Navigating
downtown Milwaukee just became a lot easier for visitors and
residents alike.
Milwaukee
Downtown BID No. 21, along with the West Wisconsin Avenue
Workgroup and The Marcus Corp., recently turned part of the
former Grand Theatre, 214 W. Wisconsin Ave., into a Visitor and
Newcomer Information Center. The center will be staffed by
public service ambassadors. Much like the Traveling Information
Kiosk or Bicycle Information Kiosk, visitors will be able to
seek out ambassadors for all things Milwaukee in a year-round
location.
"The
goal of the information center is to build community downtown,
and have people that are knowledgeable about the downtown area
accessible to our visitors and residents," says Beth Nicols,
Milwaukee Downtown executive director. "It can be compared
to a concierge service, whether you are a day visitor or a new
resident, it will provide you with information on where to eat
lunch, trolley rides and times, concerts taking place, special
events and show times, ticket information, and brochures and
maps," says Nicols.
The West
Wisconsin Avenue Workgroup — which was created by Mayor Tom
Barrett to revitalize and bring activity to West Wisconsin
Avenue — is also seeking local business partnerships that will
promote downtown businesses through complimentary event tickets,
product sampling and more. "Our goal is to develop weekly
programming all summer long, mid-May through September,"
Nicols says.
The
Milwaukee Downtown Visitor and Newcomer Information Center will
be open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 1-7:30 p.m. Saturday and
noon-5:30 p.m. Sunday.
—
Emily Shippee |
