Island veterinarian Constance Breese is closing her practice as Animal Health Care Associates fights to retain its lease at the airport.
Getting medical coverage for pets on the Island could become harder as one of the few remaining Vineyard veterinarians is planning to close their practice and another’s lease is going back out to bid.
Dr. Constance Breese, a Vineyard Haven veterinarian of 40 years, told her clients last week that she will be closing her Sea Breeze Veterinary Service in April, the second veterinary practice on the Island that has closed in the past year. Only four Island-based practices are left.
“I want to give my thanks for your support and trust over my years of practice,” Ms. Breese wrote in an email to a customer that was shared with the Gazette. “This year marks 40 for me as a veterinarian and I have decided to step away from daily clinical practice.”
Animal Health Care Associates' lease at the airport will end this year.
Animal Health Care Associates' lease at the airport will end this year.
Ms. Breese said the decision to retire was difficult, given fellow veterinarian Kirsten Sauter’s retirement last year and several failed attempts to find new veterinarians.
“The people of Martha’s Vineyard should know that we have worked tirelessly but unsuccessfully to find veterinarians to take over the reins and move here to work,” she said.
One of the largest Island practices is also on uncertain ground. Animal Health Care Associates will have its 40-year lease at the Martha’s Vineyard Airport property end this year. Under state and Federal Aviation Administration regulations, the airport must now put the property out to bid again, giving both veterinarian Dr. Steven Atwood or another business a chance to operate on the property.
Mr. Atwood fears that he could be outbid by larger commercial enterprises, potentially eroding the already dwindling number of veterinarians on the Vineyard.
“We will make the best bid we can, which we already know will involve a huge increase in rent, but we could be facing competing bids from others with greater resources seeking different uses for our animal hospital, perhaps even a tear-down and construction of a commercial building,” Mr. Atwood wrote in a letter to his clients in late February. “We simply don’t know.”
A request for proposals for the property was sent out on Feb. 12 and proposals are due back on March 29. The FAA requires the property be bid at its fair market value, which according to a recent appraisal, means the minimum rent for the land is $12,000 a month, or about $144,000 a year.
“We can not subsidize non-aviation type businesses,” airport director Geoff Freeman said. “We’re required to follow a very stringent process.”
Mr. Atwood asked people to send letters of support to Animal Health Care Associates that could be included in the clinic’s application to the airport commission, but declined to be interviewed due to the ongoing request for proposals.
“We value our relationship with each of you and the animal members of your family, look forward to continue serving you for many more years, and thank you for your essential support at this key moment in our history,” Mr. Atwood wrote to clients.
Mr. Freeman also said he couldn’t talk more about the businesses that could be vying for the lease before the submission period ends. The airport commission is expected to decide on the lease on April 11.
Mr. Freeman did say the highest bid doesn’t always necessarily win. The commission considers a proposal’s contributions to the airport and the community. He pointed to Star Propane, which recently had a winning bid even though the company wasn’t the highest bidder.
Animal Health Care Associates hopes to renew its lease and has asked for clients to voice their support.
Animal Health Care Associates hopes to renew its lease and has asked for clients to voice their support.
“[They] had a direct benefit to the community as a whole,” Mr. Freeman said.
The lease can be up to 15 years with another 15-year extension.
The loss of two veterinary practices in quick succession could be disastrous, said Vickie Thuber, a pet owner who has brought her dogs, cats and horses to Mr. Atwood’s for decades.
“It’s essential for them to be there,” Ms. Thuber said. “It’s a dire situation.”
Animal Health Care Associates has provided aid to smaller practices like Sea Breeze, making its future important for the remaining clinics, Ms. Breese said.
“On numerous occasions over multiple decades, I have needed additional radiological, surgical, laboratory or emergency care for my patients,” Ms. Breese said. “AHCA and the staff have been an invaluable and always willing resource. Their potential loss of lease puts veterinary care in a precarious situation.”
While Sea Breeze closes and Animal Health Care Associates looks to retain its spot, other entities have tried to pick up the slack. All Pets Medical Center, a veterinary practice in Bourne, has started to visit the Vineyard regularly to provide pet care at the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard.
The Martha’s Vineyard Horse Council has also been holding first aid trainings for large animal owners, secured an X-ray machine for local use and attained a below-market rate home that is designed to be specifically rented to a local veterinarian.
Attracting veterinarians to the Island is hard because new veterinarians often are saddled with thousands of dollars from school debt and the high cost of living on the Island can be a barrier, said Laura Plunkett, a member of the horse council’s large animal emergency response committee.
But these steps will hopefully make it slightly easier.
“As a committee, we are working really hard to secure housing and other benefits for veterinarians so that they will come and build a life here on the Vineyard,” Ms. Plunkett said.
Comments
The Airport Commission
Susanna J. Sturgis West TisburyThe Airport Commission implies that "federal regulations" are behind their threats to terminate Animal Health Care's lease at the airport. So I strongly suggest that everyone concerned about this contact Bill Keating, our representative in Congress. He's very aware of the situation on MV. His contact info is here: https://keating.house.gov/contact
This is what I just sent the congressman: "The M.V. Airport Commission is threatening to not renew the lease of Animal Health Care. They claim that "federal regulations" require them to put the lease up for bids when the current one expires this spring. One Vineyard vet has recently closed her practice, and another is about to do so. The cost of living here makes it extremely unlikely that they can be replaced. To lose Animal Health Care would be disastrous. To go off-island for veterinary care is difficult in the best of times, and in emergencies it's often impossible. Can you intervene with these federal regulators who have no idea what life is like here?"
Susanna - Thank you for this
Sylvia Courtney EdgartownSusanna - Thank you for this information. Animal Health also provides boarding facilities which are very hard to come by on the island.
Thanks, Susanna. Done!
Brenda Horrigan Vineyard HavenThanks, Susanna. Done!
Thank you Susan for this
James Heathman HoustonThank you Susan for this information. I will be contacting Mr. Keating for sure. I live in Oak Bluffs half the year. I would be in serious trouble if something happened to my pet and while I was there and I had to take him off island. The Animal Health Care is MORE important to the Island community year round and summer, than a furniture store or some of the other businesses at the airport.
We have many summer residents
just a thought mvyWe have many summer residents with deep pockets who generously support many non-profit organizations in the community. It would be greatly appreciated if any of them could purchase a building and give Dr Atwood a fair market rate rent, or a reasonable rate mortgage for a property to purchase. Its not a give away, just an appreciated way to help the people of the island by keeping an essential crucial business operational. Having to take pets off island for care is ridiculous. Everyone here has animals, whether year rounders or summer residents. Someone should make this happen.
The lack of veterinary care
Liz Toomey Vineyard HavenThe lack of veterinary care also affects our island farmers who need to keep their livestock healthy.
My greater family has been a
Jay MacLeod AquinnahMy greater family has been a customer of AHC for about 40 years having taken excellent care of over 20 dogs during this time. Never a bad experience with Dr's Atwood and Ross who have set the AHC care bar very high. One instance that comes to mind was my daughter's 13 year old Labrador who sadly needed to be euthanized.We asked Dr Atwood if he would consider coming all the way to Aquinnah to put Annabelle down under her favorite shade tree in the yard for a very peaceful farewell. He made time during his lunch and even took her in his car back to
his clinic sparing us the sad final moments. As we know there have been a number of island vet closures in recent years putting a strain on those few that remain. AHC, by far, is the largest remaining full service Veterinarian practice on the island and to potentially loose them because of needless federal aviation bureaucracy is unfathomable to all islanders, both seasonal and year round. AHC's exceptional care standards and true dedication simply cannot be duplicated in todays island environment. With our recent post pandemic population growth here almost every newly arriving family has a pet (or two) that needs vet services. If Dr Atwood and staff can successfully remain at their present clinic location , I know that he will staff up and continue to work with the few other remaining island vet service groups to shoulder the load and continue to provide exemplary veterinary services to our community and their animals. Otherwise pet owners and the animals themselves are in real trouble
Dr. Atwood is uniquely gifted
Sheila Beasley Oak bluffsDr. Atwood is uniquely gifted with animals and provides an essential service akin to a human hospital but for animals. If we lost our ambulances ,paramedics ,doctors and ambulances our lives literally would be at stake. This is the situation with Dr. Atwood’s vet clinic but for animals. He provides an essential service without which the horror of suffering animals unable to receive care would be horrific. As we attempt to encourage local farms denying vet service would render farming with goats and cows ,impossible. Dr Atwood and Dr, Ross has been incredible assets to our community and losing them would literally be catastrophic in the light of the current severe shortage of animal care providers.
Let’s think past Dr Atwood I
Tom engley West TisburyLet’s think past Dr Atwood I’m sure he would like to retire lots of people don’t know that Steve is also an Md in human care. This is a great place with great people working there. I would like to start a conversation about running a not for profit animal teaching hospital on MV. We could form a NP get an angel on board get someone to donate several acres of unused land build a state of the art complex with dorm rooms for students. A residence for rotating professors we can do boarding, grooming and everything in between.
The high school should teach animal husbandry as well. Is there anyone out there interested in fund raising for this effort. There is a need for large animal care as well. What are we waiting for.
great idea. There are large
just a thought mvygreat idea. There are large off-island corporations that have been buying up vetinary practices *just as hospitals buy up medical practices in competitive areas off island*. My off island vet practice was purchased by VCA and last year I told them about the shortage of vets at MV. They said they usually purchase existing practices with vets who would agree to stay in place. Obviously as vets retire here that wouldnt be an option, However your idea of a teaching hospital is brilliant, as I was told there was a shortage of vetinarians. If a big corporation could use the idea of living here as a 'recruitment tool' it would benefit the animals here. And hopefully some of the student vets would choose to stay here.
I hope that the Airport
Tristan Israel TisburyI hope that the Airport Commission will see fit to allow Animal Health Care Associates to remain where they are and give them a new and reasonable lease. In following the bid process, I believe they can justify approval based on the benefit for the overwhelming public good that this facility provides. Already some folks have been forced to seek help for their pets off island which is often more expensive and not ideal in an immediate health care situation.
I've read through the
JB TisburyI've read through the comments here and mostly agree with at least the sentiments. Tom E. from WT has an interesting idea but I highly doubt it'll come to pass. There are so many veterinarian schools as it is and the real issue with MV is the cost. Of everything.
At the root here the MV Airport says that the FAA requires them to bid government (I presume the surround area of the airfield, the old Navy base, is USG property transferred to MV for airport use) property out to get the best return for the USG. I applaud that.
However, we've all seen many circumstance where other factors are taken into account - and I think this is definitely one that should be.
MV already has a cost crisis. For years I've heard comments about affordable living, supporting various groups to get help. But it's not just housing. Everything costs much more on island, with the excuse being that the "Summer" residents can afford it. Many of those are in the same boat as the islanders, but with the added higher costs and not living there.
My intent is to help convince the MV Airport to consider the broader impact of the loss of critical services and healthcare on island. People often take better care of their pets than themselves and spend a significant amount of money on them. Which means it's a critical service and part of the critical infrastructure.
Dr. Atwood will, at some point, retire. That will leave MV without any critical animal care facilities or an animal hospital. It'll mean that the farming community on MV is now without a critical resource to help care for their livestock and an element of MV life that is intimately intertwined with the island's history and persona - agriculture. Anyone needing urgent care will be restricted to the SSA boat times and space availability, and to resource availability off island. Time is often the most impact factor in critical care. Adding the delays imposed with having to go off island may mean the difference between life and death, much less increasing and imposing needless pain and suffering on animals, and humans.
Ideally the MV Airport finds a very equitable middle ground - and gains a lot of goodwill at the same time - by extending the Animal Health Care's lease for as long as possible at the best possible rate for the business and the MV Airport, recognizing the critical impact to life on MV that the loss of this service will have.
Side thought - with the cost of everything so high on MV, as out island veterinarian's retire they're likely not able to transition their practices to another entity due to the cost of living, access to the island, space and services. An off island vet business will not be likely interested in purchasing the practice knowing they're under the gun with a high-cost lease or property expense. The ROI is likely in the realm of a 5-10 year timespan, especially if acquiring the practice's location comes with a high lease cost.
MV Airport, if you read this, please seriously consider these factors. It's not like we're talking about another automotive services business or a gas station, which while very important and necessary, we at least have some redundancy and options on island. If we lose the animal hospital we'll have nothing, no options for critical and important care. The wealthy will go elsewhere and the rest will suffer the loss.
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