Best wishes for retiring vet

I am submitting this letter to extend my deepest appreciation and sincere disappointment in the retirement of one of the finest veterinarians I have ever known.

It is rare to find one who doesn't ask, "How much is this animal worth to you?" It is even rarer, when your vet refers you to a large animal hospital for an emergency injury, and yet, doesn't hesitate to do "the right thing" when you explain that the horse is a gelding and the expense is more than you can afford. With my assistance, that vet removed a bone chip, sutured up the wound and gave me the necessary medication and the instructions for administering it. This vet also calmed me down when my horse became "needle shy" after five days of twice-daily injections and began to shake uncontrollably when he saw me.

"Katharine," he said, "I will walk you through this; do not worry; I know you can do it; you just have to believe in yourself."

In this era, it is difficult to find a vet who will calmly discuss options before considering the final choice. Finding a vet who will call to inquire how the animal is doing requires more than office protocol; it requires compassion. And realizing that some medications are expensive: There are not many vets who will cut their profits by giving you a discount or even charging you cost. It is unbelievably kind.

When an individual has an opportunity to speak about the qualities that make an average person a great person, there are few places that a person can go to congratulate someone. Given a platform to speak from I would reach only the committed, but by submitting this letter to the Capital Press I have a much larger audience to reach. Maybe other people have similar stories to tell about someone who has gone beyond the usual.

Dr. Andrew Stang, of NW Veterinary Clinic, Stanwood, Wash., is that type of veterinarian. I commend you, Dr. Stang, for your compassion, your kind-heartedness, for your guidance and trust in my ability to follow your instructions.

When other vets would recommend test after test, or transporting to a hospital because they either did not want the liability or having to deal with the injury at the farm, Dr. Stang never hesitated.

When other vets required a farm visit before recommending a prescription, Dr. Stang listened and offered options.

Dr. Stang, I will miss your visits, your consultations and just knowing I could always call you if I needed to. Snohomish County has lost not only a good vet but a great vet. A vet who could lasso eight llamas for vaccinations. A vet who never asked for payment before he came out. A vet, who after hearing about my mare's colic attacks, and the expense I had with other clinics, chose ulcer treatment, successfully.

Dr. Stang, there is a saying that, "animals are God's window to man's heart and soul, and the way you treat animals is the way you will treat your fellow humans."

Dr. Stang, I don't believe I could have stood in front of a group and say what I have been able to write. We will all miss you and the contribution you have given us over the years.

Congratulations, Dr. Andrew Stang, and the very best retirement ever.

Katharine Shouse-Pridoehl

Granite Falls, Wash.