The University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center (VHC) has purchased the Animal Emergency Center in Kansas City, Missouri. The sale was finalized on Wednesday, April 25. The clinic reopened April 26.
MU College of Veterinary Medicine Alumnus Karl Mischke, DVM, ’89, established the Animal Emergency Center, located at 8141 North Oak Trafficway, in 1993 to offer emergency care to Kansas City-area clients during overnight hours, and on weekends and holidays.
Mischke passed away unexpectedly on April 20, 2017. Due to Missouri regulations governing the operation of veterinary facilities, which require veterinary businesses be owned by a licensed doctor of veterinary medicine, Mischke’s widow, Nyla Mischke, had to either sell or close the practice.
“We became aware of Mrs. Mischke’s situation last summer,” said CVM Dean Carolyn J. Henry, DVM, MS. “Since then, we have been working on a solution that would serve the needs of the clients and veterinarians with whom Dr. Mischke and his wife had worked for so many years, and also resolve the licensing issues of the clinic. We also see the opportunity to expand our real-life practice management training for veterinary students, provide continuing education to licensed DVMs, heal animal patients, advance new medical therapies and serve the community in a way that is a living legacy to a beloved veterinarian and alumnus.”
The clinic’s new name will be University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center at Kansas City Animal Emergency Center. Initially the hours of operation will be Tuesday through Friday from 6 p.m. to midnight; Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“As soon as we can get up to full staffing we plan to return to full overnight, weekend and holiday hours,” said VHC Hospital Director David Wilson, DVM, MS. “We also see opportunities to offer screenings for veterinary clinical trials during the day when the clinic isn’t receiving emergency cases. This will allow area residents to have their animals evaluated for state-of-the-art drug and therapy trials that we are offering in Columbia without needing to make the trip to Columbia to find out if their pet is a suitable candidate. We can screen right there in Kansas City first to determine if a dog or cat is eligible,” Wilson said.
The Veterinary Health Center at Kansas City will also provide veterinary students and VHC interns and residents who are pursuing advanced training in small animal specialty services additional clinical experience.
The MU College of Veterinary Medicine is Missouri’s only institution that confers the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Thank you for exploring how you can partner with us to make a positive difference in the lives of animals and people.