Lehighton natives and Palmerton residents Dr. William and Pam Keer hosted an open house for the Mountain Valley Spay/Neuter and Vaccine Clinic recently to introduce the establishment to the community.

“It was great to see how the community came out and supported us. It was a great feeling,” said Pam Keer, veterinary technician at the clinic.

Located at 5730 Interchange Road, the couple opened the doors to the Lehighton business this spring after seeing the need for a low-cost, basic-care veterinary clinic in the area.

Dr. Keer worked for a spay/neuter clinic in the town of Clearfield, eventually bringing the idea to his hometown.

“He worked there for a couple years. He’d do surgeries all day and he saw the need for it here,” she said.

“It’s just something closer to home that we can offer the community,” Keer said.

“We can handle normal, everyday things in veterinary care, but we are unable to do X-rays or ultrasounds.”

Dr. Keer has been practicing veterinary medicine since graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. He has worked as a lecturer and instructor, the medical director of a large practice, to present day where he works as a relief veterinarian for practices that can’t afford to hire two full-time doctors.

The close-to-home practice allows the couple to spend more time with the family while curbing the veterinarian’s commuting time.

“We have three kids and vet hours are extensive,” she said.

The vet tech says the clinic works to inform patients’ owners as well as give great care.

“We concentrate on education as well,” she said.

By law the only vaccine required for pets is the rabies shot, “but we try to teach about preventative actions for flea, ticks and heartworms. We have seen more cases of Lyme disease recently.”

Pam Keer says the clinic also treats “pocket-pets,” such as rabbits and guinea pigs.

Having grown up with her own bunnies, Pam Keer brings her real-life experience to the practice for such patients.

“We try to make the experience as stress-free as possible,” she said.

Because the clinic has a specific niche, patients can be scheduled for a regular exam or surgery in under two weeks, or vaccines in under one week’s time.

The practice works with shelters and nonprofit rescue groups, offering discounted rates.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 610-377-3949, or visit the Mountain Valley Spay/Neuter and Vaccine Clinic’s Facebook page.