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W ednesday, March 29, 2000 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER B3 An animal' s best friend retires after 48 years H of dogs, cats, the odd ocelot, and other tiny creatures, which have come through the doors of his clinic. Originally from Toronto's east end, Dr. ad he known then what he came to know later, veterinarian Dr. Frank Badame grew up in a family of three boys Badame would have had a differ and one girl, with a father who owned and trained race horses. ent answer. "I knew I'd end up in the sciences One Sunday morning, while working somewhere," says Dr. alone at his small, Badame, who recent yellow brick clinic ly sold his practice, to on Kerr Street, the the enormous disap doorbell rang franti pointment of his cally. When Dr. clients (he still con Badame answered, tinues to treat animals there stood a tiny cir during the transition). cus person with a "My family goes five-foot, 400-pound back in animals. I bear. Turns out the guess it was an inher two were performing ited thing." around the comer at Upon his gradua Oakville Arena, and tion from the the bear needed Veterinary College in stitches to repair a Guelph, he joined a laceration on his clinic in Oakville rump. with his brother "I think my jaw George, an equine was down to here," specialist, and says Dr. Badame George Peck, the first with his jaw drop office of its kind in ping in demonstra the small town. tion. The partnership But with `barely' worked because Dr. a hesitation, he invit Badame had training ed the two visitors in horses and could into his clinic. The fill in for his brother bear obediently lay on the operating Photo by Barrie Erskine while treating his first table, took a local Dr Frank Badame gets a hug from his love, companion anianesthetic toallow daughter Julie Butler while his grand- mals. His brother left the vet to work, then son James waits in the middle. the clinic a few years later to journey g o o d -n a tu re d ly between race tracks in the Golden walked back out the door. In gratitude, the circus employee invit Horseshoe area, and Dr. Peck, several ed the doctor and his four daughters to an years after that. Dr. Badame was on the leading edge of afternoon show just for them. The trainer proceeded to wrestle with the bear which introducing the concept of small animal involved his 180-pound human frame clinics, comments Dr. George Grieve, who being tossed about the arena. has known his colleague for the past 30 "I'm sure that the bear was playing years, first as a client, then as a fellow vet with him and he was playing with the bear, and now as a friend. "I took my dog to him as a young high but..." laughs the soft spoken Dr. Badame, folding his arms and shaking his head in school student," says Dr. Grieve. "He cer recollection, "...had I known earlier what I tainly enhanced my image of veterinary knew then, when the doorbell rang, I medicine. Many who have known him have attempted to ^mulate his style." would have said I was a bird specialist." Dr. Grieve says he was as surprised as Dr. Badame could fill a book with anecdotes from nearly 50 years in animal anyone about Dr. Badame's retirement. "When you devote 48 years of your life medicine, including a second visit to the circus to diagnosis an elephant's painful to something, it has to be very hard," says foot. He opened his doors when Oakville's Dr. Grieve. though his patients can't talk, their population was just a fraction of what it is today, and specialized in the treatment of owners and his fellow vets all used terms small animals, a whole new field in post like gentle, compassionate and empathetic in the same breath as Dr. Badame's name. war time. The memories still bring a smile to his "His softness and professionalism," is face. There have been literally thousands what Ruth Anne Winter will remember. By Kathy Y anchus SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER One in a line of four generations who sought out Dr. Badame's diagnosis and advice, Winter says, "He has a deep love of animals. He is a very gracious and kind man, a true gentleman." Dr. Badame deflects the praise else where, to colleagues, to his front staff, to the patients and "super, super clients" which kept him steadfast in his location. His sage advice and mediation skills were put to good use as a member of the former Ontario Veterinary Association's (now the College of Veterinarians of Ontario) complaints committee on which he served, sorting through emotional and factual misunderstandings, and doling out the appropriate advice, discipline or vin dication, says Dr. Grieve. Dr. Badame admits that, although the timing was right, he is not prepared to forgo all ties with veterinary medicine. It's too difficult to walk away after nearly half a century. Even at a recent surprise retirement party, Dr. Badame found him self too choked up to finish his speech. "I haven't planned for retirement," he says. Building up the practice required long exhaustive hours ``'and it really hasn't eased off." Over the years, veterinary orthopedics has seen the greatest advancement, says Dr. Badame, but there has also been the development of several specialty areas such as internal, dermatology, opthamology and dentistry. "It's (dentistry) a brand new field and a very difficult one. It's very important. Dental problems , which can begin as early as four years old, can have far-reaching side effects." Because of his own interest in the field, the Oakville Animal Clinic opened one of a handful of dentistry operatory rooms. The Kerr Street clinic boasts an American Animal Hospital Association four-year accreditation, the highest award ed, and one of the first Canadian clinics to receive the honor, a source of pride for Dr. Badame. The building itself, deceivingly compact from the front, has grown by leaps and bounds physically. The first ren ovation occurred in 1982, when surgery rooms were moved to the rear of the build ing, and the second in 1991, when the square footage was extended and the den tistry room added. One of Dr. Badame's other community efforts involved the rounding up of area vets to contribute veterinary services at reduced costs to the Lions Foundation upon its opening. What has surprised Dr. Badame most about animals in his lengthy association with them, is both how forgiving or unfor giving they are; there's no grey area. He is quick to dismiss the scratches and bites, including one cat nip which caused a seri ous infection. He still bears the scars, but harbors no grudges, nor favorites. "The one I'm working on at the time is always my favorite. Big or small, cat or dog." O A KV ILLE CHAM BER o f COMMERCE , BUSINESS AFTER HOURS "Putting kin into Business" A jo in t event w ith the M e m be rsh ip Services and H o m e Based Business C om m ittees ; .............. Sim one ' P feR fel.E Wednesday, April 12, 2000 H osted by: H o lid a y Inn Express LOCATION 2525 Wyecroft Road (QEW & Bronte Rd.) TIME 5 - 7 p.m. COST FREE to Chamber members, their employees, guests and future members An opportunity to make business contacts, meet old and new friends and discuss mutual concerns. Bring your brochures and business cards (display tables available) and take advantage of a great networking event! Non-alcoholic refreshments also available. Pl.ease fegl free to bring a guest - friend, co-worker, or neighbour! RSVP's not required* A B C D E F G H I J K p e tite to fu ll fig u re Don't Farpet: March 8 - 107 Reynolds St. (North it Lakeshore Rd. E.) downtown OAKVILLE 845-1210 IF YOU LOVE LIN G ER IE ... LOVE T H E BEST JsaS S ss^ Future Business After Hours Events: Quality Hotel & Suites May 10 - Exit Realty June 14 - Oakville Museum/Erchless FITTING * DAY M arch 30th ALejabv B ra fitter will be joining o u r staff to help you ` nd th a t perfect fit! I T · 1 · ^ Balfour, C a m p b e ll & A ssociates FAMILY DENTAL OFFICE Accepting New Patients We offer: · · · Gift with purchase. Enter to / win a ; $100 General ir Cosm etic D en tistry Endodontics Gum Specialist on site · C h ild Specialist on site · Lejaby · - 1 Gift Certificate size 30-52, cup ABCDEFGHIJK Laughing Gas · G eneral A nesthetic FI NE L I NGE RI E An Established Practice in the H eart o f O ld O akville 100 Bronte Rd. 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