VINTON–Veterinarian Sonia Wiley Bolen is returning to Vinton with the opening of her Parkway Veterinary Hospital on May 11. The clinic is located at 2445 East Washington Avenue next door to Snap Fitness on the way to William Byrd High School.
Dr. Bolen grew up in Blue Ridge, graduated from Lord Botetourt High School, and went on to complete her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech in 1999.
She has been a practicing vet for 16 years, starting out with a year in Martinsville before joining Vinton Veterinary Hospital in 2000. In fact, Bolen worked at the Vinton clinic as an undergraduate. She left about two years ago to work with Dr. Eric Lorens at the Pet Clinic of Rocky Mount in a smaller practice.
She, her husband, and seven year old twins live in Vinton where Bolen said she kept running into former patients who said how much they missed her. She missed them in return. She said so much encouragement and her positive experience at a small clinic gave her the courage to open her own locally owned and operated veterinary hospital.
The building which was formerly a restaurant at the end of Washington Court Plaza has undergone extensive renovations to convert the space into a brand new animal hospital.
Walls have been added. In addition to a reception area, there are now two examination rooms, a treatment area, a surgical suite, an ICU recovery area, a radiology room, a pharmacy and office area, and a small space for animals who need isolation or have contagious diseases.
Bolen will not offer boarding or professional grooming services at this time, beyond simple bathing. Her new hospital does have some green space outside and eventually will have a fenced area.
She will be treating companion animals, mainly dogs and cats, in a general practice operation.
Her husband Scott works in the security system business, with both residential and commercial customers. He also works as a sound engineer for various music events and groups. They were married in 2003.
Bolen said she has had a menagerie of pets her entire life and knew early on that she wanted to become a veterinarian. Her family currently has a rescue dog and an elderly, 16-year-old cat.
Her dream coming out of veterinary school was to open her own small practice where she could develop a relationship with pets and their owners. She said she is “very excited to re-connect with old clients and looks forward to meeting new ones.”
She has begun accepting appointments and will request pet records for clients from their previous veterinarian.
Bolen has a Parkway Veterinary Hospital Facebook page. Her website is under construction. She may be reached at 890-9000 to schedule appointments.
