PET CAMPUS
A “college” for pets is set to open next month in downtown OKC
A “college” for pets is set to open next month along the s outh f r i nge of downtown emerging as a new area for investment with the opening of Scissortail Park.
OKC Vet Campus, 601 W Reno Ave., is a new venture for veterinarian Shara Carlton and her husband, Tristan Young.
“This is the first of its kind,” Young said. “This i s an all encompassing entity that has a clinic, but it also includes all the other aspects. We will have a store, education for training and obedience, a day care, long-term kennel boarding, and grooming and washing.”
Carlton noted this campus will also have agility training for dogs, including for those that might be competing in the upcoming Canine Olympics set for October at the OKC Fairgrounds.
Carlton has 20 years exper i e n c e a s a v e t e r i n a r i a n including work with the U.S. Army.
“I've had a pretty exciting career, and I've lived in a lot of different places,” Carlton said. “I want to be able to provide the things to my clients that are beyond the medicine side.”
The l ocation i s a f ormer
furniture store and garage that was boarded up for the past several years and is in walking distance to the Myriad Gardens, Scissortail Park and Film Row.
“We looked all over Oklahoma City,” Carlton said .“Honestly, it just
seems like this area is underserved. Given the distribution of all the clinics, and the increase in the number of apartment dwellers, it seemed like the right place to be to serve new populations.”
Carlton and Young were represented in the deal by Jeremy Burroughs with Carr Healthcare.
The property is being leased from Tulsa-based The Ross Group, which bought several properties
along the corridor several years ago. Newmark G rub bL evy Strange Beffort broker Brad Rice, who represented The Ross Group, said the remaining properties are up for sale.
The building, which is one story on the east half and two stories on the west half, is being split up into separate clinic areas for cats and dogs to reduce stress for cats uncomfortable around dogs.
Day care play yards for the dogs will include an indoor and outdoor run on the west side of the building. The building spans 17,000 square feet with ad joining green space totaling 7,000 square feet.
“It's an exciting place to be for me and my staff,” Carlton said. “We have a lot of space for our clients, and we are using the latest technology wherever we can. This is my dream practice.”