TOP DOG: Employee takes ownership of Animal Care Center

It’s a brand new day at Animal Care Center of Pahrump” is the friendly greeting clients hear when calling the veterinary clinic.

But, it’s also a new beginning for Dr. Jack K. Thomas, Jr., doctor of veterinary medicine who officially took ownership of the practice June 1, following the retirement of Drs. Holly and Gerald Henseler.

Thomas will now be the sole owner, doctor and surgeon there along with five staff members which he describes as “phenomenal.” In addition, his wife, Karen is a registered nurse who will be helping with managing the office.

“My wife, being a registered nurse, she’s super-excited that that’s the field we chose,” he said. “We just think it’s the greatest thing that we could have done and we just absolutely love doing it.”

Dr. Thomas is no stranger to the four-legged kids and their owners in Pahrump and the surrounding areas since he has worked with the Henselers at the clinic for the past eight years.

“The four-leggeds are our kids, you know, as far as I’m concerned,” he said. “My wife and I don’t have any human children. We only have the four-legs and so we treat them just like that and that’s the way I treat everybody. If you’ve read my Facebook page, then you see I’m always on the floor with them, you know. I get down there first and say ‘hi’ to them first. Then I’ll go up and say ‘hi’ to the owner, you know.”

Thomas was born and raised in the St. Louis area where he graduated from high school and attended college for a few years before entering the Marines for six years. He then finished his bachelor’s degree in animal science at the University of Missouri, Columbia and entered veterinary school there earning his doctorate in May 1997.

This was a dream come true since Thomas wanted to be a veterinarian since he was 4 years old.

He practiced in Las Vegas until 2007 when he started a relief practice driving to Pahrump two-to-three days a week and eventually full-time.

“I love the small town aspect of Pahrump versus the large town of Vegas,” Thomas said.

Dr. Holly Henseler will still be available occasionally to perform acupuncture.

Animal Care Center of Pahrump will continue to offer in-house laboratory services, X-rays, surgery and dental procedures. Thomas plans to increase the boarding facilities.

“Being able to board at a place where there is a veterinarian on duty is a big benefit and so we want to push our boarding a little bit more, let people know we have that service to provide,” Thomas said.

There will also be day boarding for people to drop off pets and run errands. By the way, classical music is played in the kennel area for the “guests”, but they probably will not be hearing “Who Let the Dogs Out”.

A grooming salon is planned and Thomas is currently looking for a groomer to add to his staff.

He describes his own dogs (two shih tzus and a lhasa apso) as “kids” and refers to his clients’ pets in the same way.

An open house will be held early fall at Animal Care Center of Pahrump, 6981 N. Highway 160.

Check out their Facebook page which is Animal Care Center of Pahrump, or call 775-751-2224 for more information.