Dr. Peter Farrell had a young veterinary practice and three small children when he invited a new, young physician named Dr. Keith Clement to his home for a job interview.

It was a moment that was impossible to forget.

“My son had taken a liking to Dr. Clement and was sitting on his lap,” Farrell recalled. “While I was busy with the phone, my son had a giant full diaper while he was sitting on Dr. Clement’s lap, and I figured, boy, anybody who can tolerate that kind of surprise occurrence during an interview, I probably should hire that person.”

What You Need To Know

  • Dr. Keith Clement has been a veterinarian at the Burnt Hills Veterinary Hospital for 30 years

  • At the beginning of February, he was admitted to Albany Medical Center, where he remains in treatment for the coronavirus

  • Clement’s colleagues started a GoFundMe page to help cover the cost of his care, which quickly surpassed its $25,000 goal

Over the next 30 years, Farrell’s instincts would prove to be rock solid as Dr. Clement grew into one of the most beloved and experienced doctors at the Burnt Hills Veterinary Hospital.

“He’s really been a cutting-edge doctor, and has really made a lot of pets' lives better and longer than they would’ve been otherwise,” Farrell said Friday morning.

In recent years, Dr. Matt Duemler and his wife, Dr. Emily Falls, purchased the practice from Farrell. They say Clement has remained an invaluable asset.

“You can work at a place for 30 years and not develop relationships, but because of the extra mile he goes, his clients absolutely adore him,” Duemler said.

“He does it with a smile,” Falls said. “He is really dedicated and is just a really nice person to be around.”

About two weeks ago, Clement started to feel sick and was admitted to Albany Medical Center on February 1 after being diagnosed with the coronavirus.

“We were all very worried for his future because at admission to the hospital, his oxygen level was dangerously low,” Farrell said.

“It is always scary,” Falls said. “I think for the people here at the hospital who had not had a close call with COVID, that kind of hit home for them.”

To help Clement and his family with medical and other expenses, the team at the hospital started a GoFundMe page, which quickly surpassed its goal of $25,000.

“Overwhelming is definitely a good word for the response,” Duemler said.

“I think it is really a testament to all of the lives he has touched,” Falls said. “When you are a veterinarian, you don’t just care for animals. You care for those owners, as well.”

Clement remains hospitalized, but his colleagues are happy to report he’s turned the corner. All are looking forward to the day he can start treating his beloved patients again.

“I miss that he is not here, and I’m sure his patients miss that he is not here,” Farrell said. “There will be a really warm reception for his return for sure.”

Anyone interested in donating to Clement and his family is encouraged to visit the GoFundMe page setup by the staff at Burnt Hills Veterinary Hospital.