Clark Stewart inherited a 14-year-old cat named Kitty that became his best friend, but when the feline fell ill four weeks ago, money seemed in the way of getting his pal proper care.
Unemployed because of a spinal cord injury, Stewart said he became desperate to find affordable care for his pet. He almost gave up until he heard about Dr. Edward Garcia. Since 1972, Dr. Garcia, 78, or “Dr. G” as he is affectionately known to family and staff, has treated injured and sick animals at his North Metro Animal Hospital and Fun Pet Center, offering services at no or low cost to clients who are elderly, disabled and poor.
“She’s getting back there with his help,” Stewart said. “I think the world of him, he’s a godsend.”
But the animals and people who rely on Dr. G’s expert care may not have a place to go to much longer. His animal practice in Denver’s Sunnyside neighborhood is struggling to stay afloat.
“We are close to being shut down,” said Dr. G’s daughter, Theresa Garcia, who quit her job as a drug court division clerk and postponed law school so she could help her father out.
“We can’t let him close down,” she said. “If we do, then who will help them?”
Last year, Theresa came up with an idea to dress up the clinic’s exam rooms and the acre that surrounds the building as a “haunted” pet hospital. More than 250 people attended the one-day event, so this year they decided to keep the haunted hospital open weekends through Oct. 31.
Dr. G was born in Cheyenne. He spent his early childhood in Fort Collins, and then moved with his family to Denver’s Barnum neighborhood. He graduated from West High School and served in the military during the Korean War. He went to college on the GI Bill, graduating from the University of Maryland in 1961. He earned his doctor of veterinary medicine degree at Colorado State University, and is believed to be the school’s first Latino graduate.
Dr. G’s clinic was the first 24-hour animal hospital in the Rocky Mountain region, he said.
His legs weakened from years of doing his favorite pastime — skiing — Dr. G. uses a wheelchair when he’s not standing. He enjoys making jams and canning fruits and vegetables.
And he still loves caring for pets — and their people, who sometimes are handed a plate of homemade tamales with a side of red chile — in the clinic that is surrounded by warehouses and housing projects.
“These are my people, nobody serves them,” Garcia said. “We have a purpose here in this neighborhood, we just need help to keep going.”
Gloria Martinez brought her Siamese cat — Mickey Blue Eyes — for another checkup last week. Another veterinarian wanted to charge her $400 to treat a fungus growing on the cat’s ears, and then recommended cutting off a paw because of an infected claw.
Ultimately, nothing was cut off.
Martinez who is retired and couldn’t afford the other vet’s fee, went to Dr. G, who treated the cat and is letting Martinez pay for the treatment by doing volunteer work and donating cat food.
“This cat means the world to me,” Martinez said. “I have faith in Dr. Garcia and I’ll never go to another vet.”
Annette Espinoza: 303-954-1655 or aespinoza@denverpost.com
Haunted North Metro Vet & Pets 4 People
The spooky spectacular, which took eight months to complete, includes food, pet psychic readings, a pet caricature artist and pet photos. The haunted house is not recommended for young children.
Where: 1050 W. 47th Ave. (Interstate 70 and Pecos Street), Denver
When: 5-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 31.
Admission: $10.
Info: 303-433-8835.
