OTHELLO - The former Broadway Animal Hospital in Othello got more than a name change when Moses Lake vet Dr. Sheena Sorensen took over the clinic earlier this year.

Sorensen changed the name of the clinic to Sagehills Veterinary Services in January and brought in state-of-the-art equipment to better serve the area's animal population.

Sorensen said the clinic now features digital X-ray, ultrasound and in-house blood-work machines.

"A few years ago, not many clinics could do in-house blood work, you would have to wait a day or two for results," she said. "Now I can get results in about 30 minutes."

And since records will all be digital, she said, it will be easier for the clinic to send information to larger facilities if animals need more work.

Sorensen said she updated other aspects of the clinic as well, like the facility's surgery tables.

"We now have better equipment and can offer a better service and more quality medicine."

Sorensen said owning her own practice has always been a goal of hers.

"Dr. (Marvin) Chamberlain owns Broadway Animal Hospital in Moses Lake and this used to be Broadway Animal Hospital too, so I would go back and forth between the two offices," she said. "But we've always kind of planned that someday I would take this over."

Sorensen said she is excited about practicing in the Columbia Basin.

"I was born and raised in Moses Lake, my mom is from Othello and my dad is from Warden," she said. "So, I'm as local as you can get."

Sorensen said she initially wanted to be a horse surgeon, but she didn't want to have to move away from her family.

"The reality of that is I would have had to move away from the place I love," she said. "I also realized I just really enjoy helping a variety of animals."

Sorensen said while the Othello clinic sees a lot of cats and dogs, they have the ability to help various animals.

"I've seen horses and cattle, and small livestock, like sheep and pigs," said Sorensen. "I've even had someone bring me a chicken."

She said animal owners in the area can find out more about the clinic's services during their open house event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 20. Pet owners can tour the clinic and see how some of the new equipment works, she said.

Pets from Adams County Pet Rescue will also be available for adoption that day, she said.

People can buy refreshments and raffle tickets for door prizes, said Sorensen. The proceeds will go to the pet rescue organization.

Sagehills Veterinary Services is located at the corner of Bench Street and Broadway Avenue, at 2780 S. Broadway Ave. in Othello. They are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.