TOM SCHMAR MOBILE VET There's no dragging your dog or coaxing your cat through the doors of Dr. Tom Schmar's veterinary clinic. In fact, you don't bring them through the doors at all. That's because Schmar comes to you. His veterinary practice is based on house calls. "When I went to vet school, I thought I'd be a large animal doctor and work the farm - and that's what house calls are," Schmar said. "Being stuck in one place all the time doesn't make me happy, so this is perfect for me."
Schmar graduated in 1989 and went to work for a traditional vet clinic in Topeka. Two years later, they parted ways; with the agreement Schmar wouldn't open a competing clinic. He made a living doing relief work, including a regular gig in Omaha, where he came to know a couple house call vets. Schmar observed them, asked questions and decided he could make the approach work in Topeka.
PERSONALIZED SERVICE “I cater to a clientele that loves the convenience and they like the way I do veterinary medicine.” Schmar said. "I'm not a white shirt, white coat, bowtie vet." While Schmar is proud of his personalized service, the disadvantage is he can't do everything at a house call.
For surgery, dentistry or radiological tests, he has a network of colleagues who allow him privileges at their hospitals or to whom he will refer a client. Even then, he will pick up the animal from the client’s home or meet the client at the facility. Thanks to technology, Schmar business functions much like a regular clinic. Medical records are computerized, with the pet's photograph on invoices and documents; smart phones allow him to text orders; he's able to print out certificates and labels on site; and he's able to accept credit and debit card payments. “The love that pets give you— that’s what I’m trying to give back to people and trying to make a living while doing that,” he said.
“I cater to a clientele that loves the convenience and they like the way I do veterinary medicine.” - Dr. Tom Schmar, veterinarian
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Summer 2013
TK...Topeka's Business Magazine