By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
As the Great Bend City Council approved a new contract for veterinary services for the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo, Zoo Director Ashley Burdick joked that the new contract is necessary because Dr. Mike Malone thinks he needs to retire.
Malone, with Animal Care Hospital, was recognized at Monday’s City Council meeting for 46 years as the zoo veterinarian.
"I'm very happy with what has happened," said Malone. "I think we've created a great atmosphere at the zoo. We're taking care of all of our animals with the best medical care that we can give them. I couldn't have done that without your (council) support. I'm very grateful for that. Having said that, all good things have to come to an end."
Animal Medical Center is purchasing Malone’s clinic and will be keeping Dr. Jackie Corbett as the zoo veterinarian with the addition of Dr. Ty Brunswig. Brunswig has assisted with procedures at the zoo and will continue to train with Corbett as she works with the zoo animals.
Brunswig said the new agreement will be a three-year contract.
"When we leave school with our DVM, we do minimal zoo work," said Brunswig. "We do very little exotics in our practice. Really, the smoothest way for this to happen with Dr. Mike and Dr. Jackie doing the majority of that work, and Dr. Mike retiring, we're going to have one veterinarian very comfortable with that. The best thing for the zoo, animals and staff is to have multiple people trained. With Dr. Jackie joining our team, it just makes sense for us to do that training and it takes a lot of time to do that."
Last December, the council approved a one-year contract with Malone’s clinic, knowing he was contemplating retirement. The contract included a monthly rate of $1,800 and an hourly rate of $180. Total services were not to exceed $116,000. Those rates will remain the same with the new contract.