THE DOYLESTOWN ANIMAL MEDICAL CLINIC - HEEDING THE CALL, BARK AND MEOW TO PRACTICE MEDICINE

On a snowy evening a few months ago, after most of Doylestown had long retreated to the comfort and warmth of their beds, Dr. Dale Mantell was tirelessly attending to one of his patients through the early morning hours. By daybreak, he'd helped the new mom welcome 13 puppies into the world in an emergency Caesarean birth. But for Mantell and the staff of the Doylestown Animal Medical Clinic (DAMC), it's all in a very full day's work.

Mantell, along with his partner, Dr. Drew Sporer, and the experienced team of veterinary professionals tend to the medical, dental and husbandry needs of Central Bucks County’s valued canine, feline and avian communities. Since opening their practice 27 years ago, the DAMC remains busy just about any day of the week. Teems of family pets, small livestock and critters of all kinds can expect first-rate medical care at the high-tech facility located at 802 North Easton Rd., only a few quick Frisbee tosses north of downtown Doylestown. “Our motto used to be, ‘We’ll treat anything you can get through the front door,’” says Sporer, citing their experience with animals ranging from parakeets to potbelly pigs. “More recently, our focus has definitely shifted toward household pets.”

Both Mantell and Sporer agree they are fortunate to practice in a town that pays so much attention to the welfare of those that can’t help themselves. “A lot of people in the area are interested in animals. It’s especially prevalent among the younger generations,” says Mantell. “It’s so gratifying to see kids volunteer here, grow up, go on to college and then veterinary school all because they were inspired early on.” Recently, the doctors welcomed a new vet to the practice, Dr. Corrie Bates, who happens to be one of their former interns.

“This community has been good to us through the years,” says Sporer, “We feel obliged to give back as much as we can.” In addition to offering a wide range of veterinary services on a flexible, client- oriented schedule, Mantell and Sporer – along with their team of nine vets, veterinary technicians and support staff – are dedicated to raising public awareness about animal-related issues. The DAMC actively supports the Friends of the Doylestown Dog Park, a group of dedicated volunteers committed to raising the necessary funds to open a dog park for the Doylestown community, as well as Animal Lifeline, a support organization for rescues, shelters and municipal groups who advocate anti-cruelty community outreach and health services for homeless or abandoned animals. They also host 4-H Club tours, speak at schools, open their doors to high-school students looking to complete their graduation requirements and routinely offer externships to Manor College veterinary-technician students and pre-veterinary students from Delaware Valley College. Students from any undergraduate institution are also welcomed as observers.

“The people that work here really want to be here,” says Sporer, on the dedication of his staff and interns. As a result, the DAMC retains a large client base with the kind of individualized attention you might expect from a much smaller practice. Bucking a nationwide trend toward deprofessionalizing veterinary care, wherein nurses and technicians shoulder a greater share of the responsibility for meeting with clients, performing diagnoses and rendering treatment, Mantell says that he and Sporer have long-term plans for the practice. “A common tendency among practitioners is to look toward retirement and not put their time and money back into the practice,” he explains. “Drew [Sporer] and I made a commitment early on that the lifecycle of the DAMC would exceed our tenure here.” As a means to this end, the two doctors continue to recruit new, younger vets; stay abreast of the newest trends in the profession; and invest in the latest technology.

The difference becomes palpable as soon as you set foot – or paw – in the waiting room. “We have wonderful client and staff retention,” says Mantell. “Both of these things speak to a difference in attitude.”

Go online at damcvets.com