Dr. Jim Evans, originally of Pennsylvania, has been practicing veterinary medicine for approximately 50 years. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, and later taught and did research there. Reproduction was his specialty, and his life’s work has been about agriculture. After his university work, he opened his own practice in Pennsylvania. Though he moved to Redvale for “retirement” four years ago, he is still seeing animal patients, sometimes at his home office and now twice a month in Redvale through Hoof & Paw.
To Redvale, Evans brought his wife, along with his horses, draft horses and cattle. He’s got sheep too, but they’re back East. He said he likes ranching communities. He appreciates the people and the lifestyle of the local area.
He can see large or small animals, but with limitations. Semi-retired, he’s not doing labs or radiography. He does basic treatment and is leaving more involved medical issues and surgery to other doctors. Yes, he can administer vaccines and antibiotics, or diagnose hip dysplasia and prolapsed discs. He sometimes cuts dogs’ nails for pet-owners.
He takes his own calls, has no receptionist and tries to do some assessment beforehand, so he knows whether or not he can see an animal, or if it should be taken to another clinic.
He is doing some farm calls as needed, and he wants to help Hoof & Paw during this time. He knows volunteers are making trips to Moab to see the vet there. He feels that relationship is important, and he supports it. He wants to also help as needed, to simply ease the burden of volunteers’ travel time and money.
“These guys pour their hearts into this whole thing, and if I can help them it’s worth it,” he said.
He also likes building relationships with those in the West End. He said rural medicine does have a different feel than working in urban areas. The interactions in the countryside are deeper. Here, he said people are so appreciative of his work.
And, he knows many remote places are understaffed with medical care. He hopes more young people go into the veterinary field and work in rural areas, but he’s not sure what the future will hold.
The Forum spoke with Evans as he was headed to Naturita for a veterinary medicine clinic Nov. 6. He’s holding the affordable animal care clinics at the Hoof & Paw thrift store in a designated room there from 1 to 3 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month. He said maybe the clinics can give the nonprofit some shopping business to support their work. Hot drinks were also being sold outside by a vendor.
Evans said if there were people still waiting at 3 p.m., he would treat them. He won’t turn people away, though he may have to refer animal patients to Moab or Montrose for more serious care.
“We will take care of everybody,” he said.
Depending on how the next few weeks go will determine if Evans adds in more clinics, or does less. His home office is also just eight miles down the road, and he makes himself available for others at a reasonable cost.
Evans told the Forum he loves agriculture; that is his main passion. However, he did get his guitar out after 50 years. He is not sure, though, if his musical practice will take off or not.
