Country Lane vet George McKenna, vet tech Mitch DeSmit honored

Provided photos: (Left) Mitch DeSmit was recognized with a national award as a “Vet Tech Champ.” (Right) Dr. George McKenna, owner of Country Lane Veterinary Services, is presented with an award last week from Rachel Fronckowiak (left), senior territory manager for Merck Animal Health; and Christina Laniak, territory manager for Patterson Veterinary Supply.

BARRE – A local veterinarian and a veterinary technician have received national recognition from Patterson Veterinary Supply and Merck Animal Health for World Veterinary Day.

George McKenna, owner of Country Lane Veterinary Services on East Barre Road in Barre, is one of five veterinarians highlighted by Patterson and Merck for the World Veterinary Day celebration that was on April 29.

Patterson and Merck representatives were at Country lane last week to present McKenna with his award. They also recognized Mitch DeSmit, a vet tech at Country Lane, with a “Vet Tech Champ” award.

McKenna was hailed for providing an elevated level of care to his patients and making a difference in his community. He is a member of the Barre Town Board. He and his wife Iva have raised four daughters in Barre. McKenna still lives in his childhood home.

The family also has been active in the American Guernsey Association. McKenna’s daughter Jenny was the National Guernsey Queen in 2015, and served as an ambassador for the industry.

McKenna said he believes he was recognized by Patterson and Merck because a local woman called to say her dog was feeling lethargic and was refusing to come inside her home once it was let outside. McKenna advised the woman to get a CO detector. She followed his advice and discovered there was a gas leak in her home. McKenna said the carbon monoxide could have been fatal to the woman.

McKenna has worked as a local vet for about 35 years.

“It’s nice to be recognized especially because we’re just a solo practitioner and not a mega-practice,” he said.

McKenna said he was pleased to see DeSmit also get recognition. He has worked at Country Lane for six years, with three other years as an intern. Country Lane welcomes interns or students job shadowing from Albion, Holley, Lyndonville, Medina and Genesee Community College.

“Mitch is independent and he’s very good at his job,” McKenna said. “He is thorough.”

DeSmit will check animals for their temperature, pulse, respiration and do X-rays, ultrasounds, clean teeth and assist McKenna in checking or treating an animal.

The Country Lane Veterinary staff celebrate the awards last week.