About Us

A Family Practice. In Every Sense of the Word.

We treat your pets like family. That's not a tagline — it's the promise that Dr. William Skaer made when he opened this clinic in 1971, and the one Dr. Christen Skaer carries forward every single day.

55 Years of Caring for Wichita's Pets

In 1971, after completing his service as a Captain in the US Air Force, Dr. William Skaer and his wife Vicki opened Skaer Veterinary Clinic right here in Wichita, Kansas. Their goal was simple: provide quality, caring veterinary medicine — and treat every pet like family.

Over the next three decades, that little clinic grew into something special. In 2001, they built a larger, modern facility at 404 S Edgemoor. And through every change, the values stayed exactly the same.

Dr. William's daughter, Christen, grew up inside these walls. She learned from her father what it means to truly listen to a pet — and to the family behind them. Today, Dr. Christen Skaer leads our team with the same warmth, the same standards, and the same deep love for animals that started it all.
The Independent Difference
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What We Believe

"This sense of community is why we have clients who have trusted us with their pets for over 50 years." — Dr. Christen Skaer

We listen deeply

Every pet is different. Every family is different. We take the time to understand your pet's personality, lifestyle, and history before we make any decisions.

We dig for root causes

We're not interested in treating symptoms while the real problem hides underneath. Our vets are known in the Wichita community for going further to find out what's really going on.

We never cut corners on safety

Whether it's anesthesia, diagnostics, or pain management — we strive to do it properly. Every time. Because your pet deserves nothing less.

We stay independent — on purpose

We've resisted corporate buyout because being locally owned means we make medical decisions based on your pet's needs. Not a spreadsheet somewhere.

Our Accreditations and Certifications

The certifications we hold reflect a simple commitment: to be held to the highest standards in everything we do.

AAHA Accredited — For Over 30 Years

The American Animal Hospital Association sets the gold standard in veterinary care. Only 15% of veterinary clinics in the US earn this accreditation. We've held it for over 30 years.What does that mean for you? It means we've been independently evaluated against hundreds of standards covering equipment, protocols, staff training, and record-keeping. When you bring your pet to an AAHA Accredited clinic, you know it's been held to the highest bar.

Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice

Cats experience the world very differently from dogs — and vet visits can be genuinely stressful for them. We've earned Gold Certification from the American Association of Feline Practitioners by going out of our way to make the entire experience gentler for cats. That means separate exam spaces, calming protocols, pre-emptive medication when needed, and keeping you by your cat's side as much as possible.

Member of the Independent Veterinary Practitioners Association

We're proud to be locally and independently owned. The IVPA represents vet practices like ours — small, community-focused, and committed to doing right by the animals and families we serve.

LGBTQIA+ Ally

Every pet owner is welcome here. Full stop.
"My father started this clinic 55 years ago to give Wichita families the highest level of veterinary medicine. I grew up here. The people you see on our team — they're not just colleagues, they're an extension of my family. That's why I only hire people who genuinely embody the standards my father taught me from day one.You are part of our family too. And your pet's care is a trust we take very seriously."
Dr. Christen Skaer
Owner, DVM

Our Service

From routine wellness visits to dentistry, surgery, diagnostics, and gentle end-of-life care, we offer a full range of veterinary services under one roof. Our team is known across Wichita for digging deeper to find the real cause of a problem, not just treating the symptom in front of us. Whatever your pet needs, at whatever stage of life, we're here to help them stay happy, healthy, and comfortable.
Hospice Care
Compassionate end-of-life care for dogs and cats — pain management, in-home euthanasia through trusted partners, and honest guidance, on your…
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01
Veterinary Dentistry
Anesthetized dental care including full-mouth digital X-rays, dental nerve blocks, and thorough cleaning above and below the gum line —…
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02
Veterinary Surgery
Personalized soft-tissue surgery for dogs and cats — from routine spays and neuters to more complex procedures, with custom anesthesia…
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03
Anesthesia
Individualized anesthesia plans with pre-operative bloodwork, advanced real-time monitoring, and a dedicated nurse whose sole job is watching your pet…
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04
Diagnostics
In-house bloodwork, urinalysis, cultures, cytology, and parasite screening for dogs and cats — many results the same day, so treatment…
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05
Ultrasound
Painless, real-time imaging of your pet's kidneys, liver, spleen, bladder, and heart — usually without radiation, sedation, or any discomfort…
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06
Radiology / X-Ray
Digital X-ray imaging that produces instant, high-quality views of bones, joints, the chest, abdomen, and mouth — at a lower…
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Internal Medicine
Thorough, evidence-based diagnosis and long-term management of complex organ-system disease in dogs and cats — kidneys, liver, pancreas, GI tract,…
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