Zionsville Country Veterinary Clinic

Photos by JJ Kaplan

Zionsville Country Vet Clinic located on an idyllic “pet campus” at 5366 South Indianapolis Road just west of Zionsville. To one side is the Zionsville Country Kennel and to the other is a three acre dog park complete with a pond! The original slogan, “Come to the country for down-home care” was welcoming, but did not adequately convey the commitment to excellence behind the welcoming sentiment.

Walking into the clinic, you are taken aback by the vaulted ceiling and sheer size and lightness of it all, with a stenciled border reading, “All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all.” This verse, made popular by James Herriott, rural Britain veterinarian-turned author, is part of an Anglican hymn, but it certainly applies here.

Established in 1996 by Dr. Shari Lyons and her husband Dr. Rick Lyons, Zionsville Country

Owners of Zionsville Country Veterinary Clinic Dr. Rick and Shari Lyons

Veterinary Clinic provides a nice mix of individualized preventive care plans and complex procedure capability. Adding to Dr. Rick’s experience and skill with orthopedics, complicated dental and surgical procedures,

Dr. Leslie Tragesser-Smith and Dr. Jackie Busch join the western with eastern medicine by providing integrative medicine options such as acupuncture and medical massage.

Fulfilling the dream to become a veterinarian came with its own set of challenges for Dr. Shari, the first of which was that her patients could not tell her “where it hurts”. To help overcome this obstacle, the doctors at Zionsville Country Veterinary Clinic are fortunate to have vital advanced technology at their fingertips. Full In-House Laboratory, Digital X-ray (including dental), Ultrasound, Endoscopy, Surgical and Therapeutic Laser, as well as skilled nursing staff with a heart for patient care allow the doctors and staff to fulfill the clinic mission of providing the best outcome for their patients. Right here.

Resident cat, George!

The entire staff at ZCVC are excited about their newest focus which is animal behavior. The clinic has recently received the Feline Friendly Practice Gold Certificate awarded by the American Association of Feline Practitioners. Dr. Shari was delighted to hear Dr. Ian Dunbar (the founder of the animal behavior movement) speak, and the entire staff attended a recent all-day seminar by renowned animal behaviorist Sophia Yin on Low-Stress Handling Techniques (see our Facebook photo!). Knowing how best to minimize stress for your pet during its veterinary visit is their goal. It is a lot of work learning new techniques, but the benefit to the pet makes it all worthwhile!

The ZCVC philosophy is embodied in the heart of their team members. They are compassionate people dedicated to your special furry family member. That dedication spills over into the clinic’s commitment to community. Zionsville Country Vet Clinic’s doctors work regularly with the Boone County Humane Society, Cats Haven, and many specific breed rescue groups such as Bulldog and Greyhound Rescue.

Dr Bush doing dental, with assistant AJ

The creation of the DADO Animal Fund (named after Dr. Shari’s father, another animal lover) was in response to a community need to provide medical care to homeless dogs and cats in Boone County. This Good Samaritan fund has provided care and found homes for scores of animals!

For the dedicated team at ZCVC, the new slogan says it all: Together we do it better!

Zionsville Country Veterinary Clinic
5366 South Indianapolis Road
Whitestown, IN 46075
317-769-PETS (7387)
www.zionsvillecountryvet.com