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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 19, 2001)
January 19.2001 » Just out, 1 3 rTîTTTTTTnTïnews T he O ut D octor I s I n First Congregational United Church of Christ ombaid F LOW' E RS Rose City vet brings animal hospital back to good health Located in Historic St. Johns by Tim othy Krause P ro u d ly Serving The G rea ter P o rtla n d M etro A rea . 503/286-1330 8302 N. LOMBARD PORTLAND, OREGON 97203 P t B A 1126 SW PARK AVENUE 228-7219 PHOTO BY MARTY DAVIS Portland Lesbian Choir Guest Choir Dr. Craig Quirk’s business has thrived thanks to personal referrals as well as support from Portland’s gay and lesbian community £ £ t only had two good things going for it: location and size,” says Dr. Craig |1 Quirk, recalling his purchase of Rose City Veterinary Hospital almost five «Jlw years ago. “The building is huge, and it’s in a high-traffic location. But the practice had been neglected. We put a lot of work into getting the place cleaned up and modernized.” The 38-year-old gay man steadily built his solo veterinary practice by “getting back into the neighborhood and having people realize that it’s a whole new place with new people practicing a different kind of medicine than they’ve seen in the past.” This is a more modem type of animal care, he specifies, describing progressive technol ogy that includes veterinary specialists, updated equipment and even Internet resources. Business since has thrived in large part because of personal referrals as well as support from Portland’s gay and lesbian community. Even road construction hasn’t dampened the practice despite its location near the intersec tion of Powell Boulevard and Milwaukie Avenue at the foot of the Ross Island Bridge in the Brooklyn neighborhood. “Traffic volume is down,” Quirk acknowl edges, “but people are also slowing up with the traffic, so they’re probably noticing us more. It probably evens out in the end.” W ith such a healthy prognosis, the business soon might recmit a second veterinarian to join its staff. Quirk confesses, however, that the hardest part of owning a business is being the manager, especially when business management classes are not part of a veterinary curriculum. “I’m very lucky,” the veterinarian imparts. “My partner takes care of the books, and I take care of the medicine.” And when it comes to practicing medicine, Quirk points out his most evident challenge: His patients can’t talk to him. He instead has to fig ure out what’s going on based on a gtxxJ medical history and observant owners. But not all owners are observant, and one of the most difficult situ ations is when a pet suffers benign neglect. “A lot of times it’s the pet who is just left out side and isn’t really part of the family,” Quirk explains. “They’re in the hack yard. They get their dinner. They get their breakfast. But the emotional bond is a big part of it.” That bond often can he missing when an owner realizes the amount of responsibility that accompanies the fun of taking care of a pet. Quirk thinks the emotional bond with a pet also can be a great source of strength during dif ficult times. W hen he took over Rose City Vet erinary Hospital, he became involved with Pet Pals, which is sponsored by the Friends of Peo ple with AIDS Foundation. Quirk provides low-cost veterinary care for the animal companions of the program’s clients. From this work, he has seen firsthand how pets can provide a sense of family and a source of emotional support. “One of the worst parts of veterinary medi cine is when it comes down to economics and pet owners can’t afford treatments from special ists or even the basic stuff that we do,” Quirk says. “We try to offer cost-effective treatment that is best for the pet.” Quirk suggests two ways to avoid this situa tion. First, he recommends pet health insurance. Even more important, however, is the practice of preventative medicine. “A good annual checkup and vaccina tions," the doctor prescribes. “I don’t think there’s probably much more important than an annual physical.” Despite all the challenges of veterinary health care, Quirk says it’s something he always has wanted to do. He spent most of his youth in Eugene, where he began working and volunteer ing at animal clinics during his high school years. Quirk attended Oregon State University and received his veterinary degree in 1990. His first job was at a Wilsonville veterinary practice, but when the opportunity arose to purchase Rose City Veterinary Hospital, he was happy to con tinue his career in a larger city. In Portland, he sees a clientele that is younger, more urban and definitely more gay and lesbian. Without admitting to any new year’s resolu tions, Quirk does foresee some changes at the hos pital in 2001. In addition to the potential for bring ing a second veterinarian on staff and “more new, nice clients,” he says he likely will begin renovat ing parts of the building. The reception area, for example, will be opened up and remodeled. i n R o se C ity January 21, 2001 10:25 a.m. Sunday Service Celebrating the church's 9th Anniversary Open and Affirming n a tu r a l f o o d s • g o u r m e t treats exotic c o l l a r s • u n i q u e t o y s luxurious b e d s A n open, affirming church where everyone is welcome — including straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. find us at 108 ne 28th c a l l us at 503 . 238 . 7793 The Perfect Valentine's Gift February 16 & 17 RELATIONSHIPS THAT LAST Friday, 7 PM - 10 PM & Saturday, 10 AM - 3 PM $50 per couple includes Sat. lunch The 7 best kept secrets of successful life-long relationships Facilitateli by Casey A Berdell Moffett-Chaney Registered Domestic Purtners - 17years Enhance Your Spirituality! t Ce nie r for W o r s h ip ; G r o w th &. L e a d e rsh ip Revs. Casey and Berdell Mofreft-Chaiiey (503) 481-7591 ome.c\m 4828 NE 33rd, Portland www.godconnection.org V et er in a r y H o s p it a l , which is located at 8 0 9 S. E. Powell Blvd., can he reached at 5 0 3 -2 3 2 -3 1 0 5 or on the W eb at rosecityvet. city search. co m . T im o th y K r a u s e dug deep into dusty Internet archives to learn the true meaning o f the red dot painted on the exterior o f Rose C ity Veterinary Hos pital. H e can be reached at ttmkrciQmiUenicom .com. I Sunday Services 10:00 AM Bible Interpretation Study 9:00 AM Leadership Program Growth Classes Stimulating Workshops Support Groups Weddings, etc. Honoring Diversity GLBTS
