There will be a patient switch from two-legged to four-legged.

Dr. Lori Milot, a veterinarian, plans to set up her business in what's now known as The Medical Arts Building, which fronts Lafayette Avenue in Rush Township.The township's zoning hearing board approved the venture during a meeting Tuesday.The building is presently used as a medical office for a pediatrician and general medical practitioner.Now that her business plan has been approved, Milot, a native of Brockton and a graduate of Marian High School, will finalize her purchase of the building and begin interior renovations.She hopes to open sometime this summer, and will employ eight staff members, including veterinary technicians, assistants and front desk workers.Once her business is established, she hopes to include a weekend urgent-care clinic. Currently, there is no weekend emergency clinic located in Schuylkill County, with the nearest located in Plains and Reading."My plans include primarily the implementation of a general veterinary practice offering basic medical and surgical services to companion animals, dogs and cats," Milot said."Additional future plans may include a spay/neuter clinic and a weekend urgent-care clinic to address the animal emergency needs of the local community and surrounding area."I'm excited to come back because I grew up in the area," Milot said as she addressed the board. "I've always wanted to open a business here."Milot needed to request a variance from the zoning hearing board because a veterinary practice is not a use permitted by right in an R-4 district.Members of the board approved the plan by unanimous vote, adding the caveat that should the doctor sometime in the future wish to add on to the building, she'd need to come back to the zoning hearing board for approval of a land development plan.Several citizens attended the meeting but no one spoke in opposition to the plan.Milot said her hours of operation would be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. If she's able to add the weekend urgent-care clinic, those hours would most likely also be 8 to 8."I think there's a big need for emergency care for animals on the weekends," Milot said."It will be a benefit to the community."