Pleasant Hills Animal Clinic – Caring for Polk County’s Critters

BY JACLYN ROSE –

In 2001, shortly after completing veterinary school, Dr. Gordon McDonald moved back to Mena and opened what is now Pleasant Hills Animal Clinic, formerly Town and County Vet Clinic, located at 3112 Highway 71 South in Mena.  For the past 13 years they have offered a wonderful service to animals in Polk County with a wonderful and caring staff.

Currently, McDonald travels across the state of Arkansas performing orthopedic surgeries, as well as some soft tissue surgeries, on animals and though he performs surgery on animals at Pleasant Hills Animal Clinic, he relies on his hand picked and very skilled staff.  “I travel extensively throughout the state but have full confidence in my team.  Dr. Anne Hatley taught me a lot as a teenager and is just amazing as a vet and Dr. Crystal Garner was brought on several years ago as a relief vet before I asked her to join the team full time as our staff vet.  Most of my staff has been there my entire career which allows me to be gone and trust that things are being done right,” explained McDonald.

Dr. Garner, a Danville native, graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2001 and completed her vet degree from Louisiana State University in 2005.  “Growing up we always had animals, and unlike people, animals don’t judge.  Animals can make such a huge impact on you in their short life, even though they don’t live as long as people, they can have a greater and more positive impact on you than some people,” said Dr. Garner.

Being a Veterinarian requires very specific education, as well as the knowledge of many different species. “We work on dogs and cats, but also cows, horses, rats, lizards, and so many other species and you have to be able to diagnose each different one.  I often joke that I am going to go to the doctor and run around and try to bite the nurse and pee on the floor and then say, ‘ok what is wrong with me?,’” said Dr. Garner with a laugh.

Pleasant Hills is open Monday to Thursday, from 7:30 am until 5:00 pm and on Friday from 7:30 am until 12:30 pm, where they close for staff meetings and reopen from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm.  They do all basic small animal procedures, as well as preventative medicine, vaccines, and general health.  They do check-ups, flea and tick provision, and they offer boarding services to their clients.  They also offer surgical services: x-rays and ultrasounds, spays and neuters, soft tissue surgeries and foreign body removal.  Orthopedics are performed on Dr. McDonald’s scheduled days in town.  Pleasant Hills also offers emergency services on weekends and evenings by calling 479.216.3019.

“We have a great staff that is willing to help in any way we can,” explained Dr. Garner.  “I have full confidence in my vets and staff and know they will offer the very best care you can ask for pets to receive,” added Dr. McDonald.

About Author

Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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