Ben Madilynn
A new veterinary surgery clinic is coming to Queen Creek this fall. At Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit, pet parents will be able to get the surgeries their cats and dogs need at a reasonable cost.
“We’re not like a typical veterinary clinic,” co-founder and CEO Douglas Patriquin said. “We’re just doing affordable, convenient soft-tissue surgery, so the majority of our business is spay, neuter, dentistry (such as) extractions and cleaning, and lumps and bumps.”
The vets at Dr. Kelly’s only treat dogs and cats, but the services are numerous — eye removals, vaccinations, microchipping and nail clipping to name a few. Basically, pet parents will find most maintenance services that a cat or dog might need.
At a typical veterinary practice, vets and techs see all species of animals, not just cats and dogs, with all sorts of conditions. They have to have “all kinds of diagnostic equipment, medicines and instruments to do work for every type of ailment,” Patriquin said. Dr. Kelly’s veterinarians have a narrower scope of practice; therefore, they do not have to invest in all the equipment required at a full-service veterinary practice. That savings is passed on to the consumer.
Plus, “we reduce the margins so it’s a little bit cheaper,” Patriquin said. “We make it up in volume.”
The new clinic will be located at the intersection of Ellsworth Avenue and Ocotillo Road in Queen Creek. Although there will be one veterinarian when it opens, with 2,800 square feet, there will be room for two vets. Patriquin said he expects that when the clinic is up and running at full capacity, they will perform 15 to 20 surgeries a day.
Patriquin added that despite the fact that Dr. Kelly’s costs less, there is no skimping on the quality.
“It’s top-of-the-line equipment, it’s top-of-the-line anesthesia,” he said. “There are four nurses per doctor. We are overstaffed … so that we can be trusted. It’s all part of our business.”
The Queen Creek location is actually set to be the fifth. The business began in 2016 with a mobile unit. When Maricopa County gave out vouchers for free spay and neuter services, Dr. Kelly performed those operations. That began in October 2017. A few months later, the county discontinued the service, which left the Patriquins wondering what they were going to do. They took stock of Dr. Kelly’s surgery skills and opened the mobile clinic.
“At first we thought we were done for,” he said. “Then, in very short order, the phone was ringing so much I bought another unit.”
Three months later, Patriquin knew they would be successful. He credits the prices of services for that success.
With the addition of the Queen Creek location, there will be five Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Units. Currently, there are nine veterinarians performing surgeries in Peoria, North Phoenix, Mesa and Tucson.
“We’ve grown in the Phoenix market equal to the demand,” Patriquin said. “The Southeast Valley is an area we used to go to. We used to go to Queen Creek with one of our mobile units, and we had to leave that area for business (reasons). We’re excited to be back because we know there’s a tremendous demand in that area that’s been unmet. We’re excited to open up an area that’s been in need of affordable surgical options.”
“We are thrilled to continue serving the Queen Creek and adjacent communities with our specialized veterinary care,” Dr. Kelly Patriquin, co-owner, said in a statement. “Our mission has always been to offer accessible and affordable surgical services for pets, and we are excited to continue to meet the needs of pet parents in this area by opening a clinic right in the heart of Queen Creek.”
Look for the clinic to open in late October.
Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit
To make an appointment or to see prices, call 602-909-5383 or visit
