On Friday, April 4, Dr. Bernd Kretzschmar of the London Equine Hospital announced that the popular southwestern Ontario facility will stop servicing horses effective April 8, 2014.
“Building the Hospital was hard work and financially costly,” Dr. Kretzschmar said via release. “At no time would I have thought that the government of the day would be the biggest threat to our operation.”
In the release, Dr. Kretzschmar stated that while the hospital is closing in London, it has taken the possibility of future relocation into consideration.
The contents of the release from the London Equine Hospital appear below.
Dear Clients and referring Veterinarians;
It is with a somewhat heavy hart that I have to announce that the Hospital will stop servicing horses in South-Western Ontario.
Standardbred Racehorses comprised over 90% of our caseload. As a direct result of the cancelation of the Slots at Racetrack Program by the Ontario Liberal Government and the ensuing decimation of horses in our area has forced us to suspend our surgical and medical services in London Ontario.
The Hospital closure will be effective April 8, 2014.
A special Thank you, to all referring Veterinarians, and Clients that have supported us over the 18 years. It has been a privilege to work for you and I hope that in some way we were able to provide you with good service.
Building the Hospital was hard work and financially costly. At no time would I have thought that the government of the day would be the biggest threat to our operation.
While the Hospital is closing in London we have taken a relocation in the future under consideration.
A sincerest thank you to all of you, the hard working staff, interns and last but not least my family that helped to build the previously successful London Equine Hospital.
Sincerely,
Dr. Bernd Kretzschmar
The closing of the Beiderman
The closing of the Beiderman Vet Clinic in Essex and London Equine Hospital are more classic examples of the collateral damage caused by the cancellation of the SARP. There will be many more. If this gov't is serious about saving horse racing in Ontario and the various businesses associated with it, they need to re-instate the SARP.... NOW..... before more entities bite the dust. Another great facility lost. I wish all the best to Bernd, his family and the staff. Nice people!
A huge loss....Thanks Bernd
A huge loss....Thanks Bernd for all the great work with our foals in the past and we all wish you and your awesome staff good luck with what ever you decide is best for the future.
It illustrates the damage one
It illustrates the damage one horrific purely political decision can do to someone's personal lifes work. That one surgery clinic which services a huge area cannot survive speaks volumes of the disaster. Perhaps the breeders will let him in on their lawsuit as they weren't the only ones to suffer huge losses.
How very sad to see yet
How very sad to see yet another well established business close up shop. Politicians of today seem to lack foresight. Best of luck.
How very sad to read this.
How very sad to read this. Dr. Bernd Kretzschmar was and is a wonderful equine veterinarian. The province and the horse industry have lost an exceptional talent. His expertise, care and concern with our horses was exemplary whenever we required his skills. Likewise for his staff. Dr. Kretzschmar always talked honestly to and with us about our horses and explained everything in detail in terms that we understood. He made us feel welcome, confident and comfortable. His concern for horses and the industry were evident every time we met. SARP has robbed of so many good people and Dr. Bernd Kretzschmar is definitely one of them. If racing industry turns around, I hope that he will re-establish himself. The equine industry needs good people like him and the many others who have been pushed out of business. Can the province really afford to keep this up?
P.S. I wish you and your family all the best, Dr. Kretzschmar.