On Oct. 3, Dr. Peggy Purner of the Mesquite Veterinary Clinic held one of several low cost vaccination clinics she has been conducting for many years at the Beaver Dam Fire Station in Littlefield, AZ.

Dr. Peggy Purner and the Mesquite Veterinary Clinic held a low cost vaccine clinic at the Beaver Dam Fire Department in Littlefield, AZ on Oct. 3 which was well attended by Arizona Strip residents.  Photo by Teri Nehrenz.

Dr. Peggy Purner and the Mesquite Veterinary Clinic held a low cost vaccine clinic at the Beaver Dam Fire Department in Littlefield, AZ on Oct. 3 which was well attended by Arizona Strip residents. Photo by Teri Nehrenz.

Dr. Purner holds the vaccination clinics several times each year so the people in the Arizona Strip have access to vaccines for their pets. Otherwise, due to low income, lack of transportation or any other reason they may be unable to visit a veterinary office; no questions asked.  During this particular clinic Dr. Purner and her Assistant Angela Tackett were busier than beavers all day due to the largest turn out ever.

This low-cost clinic was the best attended so far and Dr. Purner was very pleased with the turnout of people who were able to take advantage of the services offered.  “That’s what this clinic is all about,” said Dr. Purner. “If Mohammed can’t come to the mountain…”

Dr. Purner also said, “Things have been going great, it is a fabulous turnout here today. We’re very busy. It’s such a wonderful change for what it usually has been.  We are so grateful to the community for turning out here today for us.”

It should come as no surprise to Mesquite residents that Dr. Purner would reach out to the community in this way. ‘Dr. Peggy,’ as she’s known by most people in the community, is an avid supporter of the Exchange Club of Mesquite, an organization that raises money for prevention of child abuse, scholarships for Virgin Valley High School Students and other causes.

Clinics such as the one Dr. Purner facilitates are a blessing to many of the Arizona Strip residents such as Dawn Hawkes who adopted a rescued puppy even though she hadn’t actually planned on getting a pet.

Dawn Hawkes walks away a happy pet owner after saving a little money getting her rescued puppy his first set of shots thanks to the low cost vaccine clinic sponsored by the Mesquite Veterinary Clinic and Dr. Peggy Purner which was held on Oct. 3 at the Beaver Dam Fire Station.  Photo by Teri Nehrenz.

Dawn Hawkes walks away a happy pet owner after saving a little money getting her rescued puppy his first set of shots thanks to the low cost vaccine clinic sponsored by the Mesquite Veterinary Clinic and Dr. Peggy Purner which was held on Oct. 3 at the Beaver Dam Fire Station. Photo by Teri Nehrenz.

Hawkes had a friend who rescued a pregnant mom after its owner was shot and killed in Mesquite.  Rescuing the dog was something that had to be done, but having a new litter of pups along with the nursing mom was a lot of work for Hawkes’ friend. But the puppy was so darn cute that Hawkes said she couldn’t resist and brought home little “Tripper.”  When asked why she named the dog Tripper, Hawkes’ chuckled reply was, “He’s always under my feet!”

Tripper was carried away, only slightly fazed by the experience.  “He’s got his first set of shots thanks to Dr. Peggy,” said the very grateful new puppy mom.

For more information on the low cost vaccine clinics contact the Mesquite Veterinary offices at 371 Riverside Road in Mesquite or call 702-346-2456.