Sunrise Vet Clinic’s new owner has plans for building, technology improvements

Sunrise Veterinary Clinic in Benton City kicked off the new year with a change of ownership, new hires and plans for several improvements.

Dr. Sharon Molton took over the 2,800-square-foot, full-service practice for companion animals and the active customer base of 2,000 on Dec. 28, 2017.

She’s lost no time in rolling out updates to the facility and its services.

“She’s really modernizing everything,” said former owner Dr. Carole A. Mylius, who bought Sunrise Veterinary Clinic in 1988 after working under the clinic’s founder for about three years.

Much to the delight of longtime customers, Molton retained Mylius’ support staff.

Katie Storm of Benton City has been bringing her pets to Sunrise for 25 years.

“The old staff is there … and the new staff is helpful and great, so I have no complaints. … I met Dr. Sharon, and she’s really nice, so I’ll continue to go to Sunrise Vet,” she said.

Molton also hired some new veterinary technicians, as well as the office manager from her previous practice in western Washington.

“Licensed veterinary techs are the equivalent of a human nurse; they do bloodwork, X-rays, client education, patient care and dental cleanings. They’re the go-to support staff,” Molton said.

In addition to a new digital X-ray machine and new software, Molton said modernization and improving the quality of care were at the forefront of her plans.

“The big thing is we’re offering very modern anesthesia and diagnostics and treatment capabilities while still being competitively priced, and so standard of care is the same as you would get in town.

“With additional staff, we can actually have a veterinary nurse monitoring anesthesia the whole time for dentistry and surgeries, just like in a human hospital,” she said.

Sunrise Veterinary Clinic is also now open on Fridays.

“It’s nice for the Hanford workers who can’t get in otherwise,” Molton said.

Located in a town of about 3,300 residents, the clinic draws in clients from a large region.

“We actually have more Tri-Cities customers than (those from) Benton City,” Molton said. “We also have customers from surrounding areas, like Prosser, Walla Walla, Hermiston and Burbank. They drive by other clinics to get here … we’re growing by 40 to 50 clients per month.”

Molton said it’s more than competitive pricing.

“We offer a small town, family-friendly atmosphere. We’re happy to see people and happy to see their pets. It’s more individualized care that you don’t get with bigger clinics,” she said.

Storm said it’s what’s kept her coming back: “(Dr. Mylius) didn’t gouge us — no frills — and I liked her staff. Costs were pretty much lower than in Tri-Cities, and it was close and convenient.”

Mylius and Molton said it was good timing that brought on the change of ownership.

Molton grew up in Kennewick, but moved to the west side of the state following her veterinary training to start a practice. After 11 years in the business, she decided it was time to move home.

“Sharon had contacted me five or six years ago, and was interested in buying the practice, but I wasn’t financially ready to sell at that time,” Mylius said.

Molton went to work at Vista Veterinary Hospital in Kennewick. And Mylius later listed Sunrise through a brokerage, but there were no bites for a couple of years.

“Out of the blue, (Sharon) called me again,” Mylius said. “I said, ‘Yes, I’m ready to sell,’ and we just went from there.”

“It’s been a great career,” Mylius said. “I really do appreciate this profession. I enjoyed the work immensely and all the people I was dealing with and I made friends with over the years. It’s just a wonderful profession.

“I started out when I was young, working on everything — cows, horses, pigs, calves and sheep. I was doing C-sections on cows, delivering calves in the field. Eventually, as the years went on and I got a little older, I decided to just work on the small animals.”

As for retirement plans, Mylius said, “I’m looking forward to having more time to ride horses, spend time with my grandkids and getting life organized at home.”

She just recently returned from her first retirement trip — a vacation to Hawaii — and is looking into remodeling her house.

“I just really appreciate the support and everything I’ve had over the years from the people who brought their animals to me,” she said.

As for Molton’s plans, she said, “We’re growing, so down the road we might be hiring a second doctor. There’s a huge demand for a horse vet out here; maybe down the road.”

She also mentioned that she has some ideas for renovating the exterior of the clinic. “But I’m only a month in, and I want to still be able to take care of our clients and pets.”

“The community has been very welcoming and it has been a great community to join. I think people are excited it’s still in business and by the upgrades … I think as we continue working on remodeling and staffing, it’s just going to be great,” Molton said.

Sunrise Veterinary Clinic can be reached at 509-588-6970 and online at sunrisevetclinic.com. It is open from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Phone hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.