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Historic first for Medina – a veterinary clinic opens

By Stephanie Parker

Changing the face of downtown Medina, James L. Lindstrom, DVM, recently opened a veterinary clinic to treat all creatures great and small. Medina has never had its own veterinarian before.

The new vet clinic is located in the old Hatfield Store building on Main Street across from the Medina Community Library.
Lindstrom’s wife, Mary Ellen, works in the library. She and the couple’ youngest son Jacob – who attends Medina Schools – also help Lindstrom with his large and small animal patients.
James and Mary Ellen are the proud parents of seven children and the grandparents of six.

“James is a wonderful husband and a tremendous father,” Mary Ellen declared proudly. “All of our kids are good kids because of their father’s example and teaching. I admire James so much.”

Although she described her husband as “modest” and reluctant to “brag on himself,” Mary Jane showed no reticence when asked about the doctor.

“He’s is well rounded and respected in his profession. He’s a cowboy and a roper and he loves animals,” she said. “James became a veterinarian because he wanted to take care of animals and help them – and he’s good at it.”

Mary Jane added, “His horse clients love him and will probably follow him to Medina eventually. One horse owner, who moved to Mountain Home, still brings his horses to Buda for James to treat.”

A graduate of Texas A&M, Lindstrom has been practicing veterinary medicine for 36 years. His mixed practice includes everything from horses, cattle, goats and pigs to house pets. During his years living in Stephenville, Lindstrom taught agriculture classes on a college level and also spent 12 years as the assistant veterinarian for the State of Texas.

Lindstrom continues to operate his veterinary practice in Buda, just south of Austin. Six years ago, he and family were looking for “a nice place” to purchase when they found Medina and bought land there. When Lindstrom decided to open up a branch of his clinic in Medina, he named it “Bandera County Veterinary Clinic” to avoid confusion with Medina Lake or Medina County. The clinic has been open for three weeks and Lindstrom said the community had welcomed him and embraced his veterinary practice.

“I treat animals of all sizes,” Lindstrom said, “and provide all medicine and surgery available and needed for a large and small animal practice. I also make ranch calls.”

Bandera County Veterinary Clinic is located at 13937 Highway 16 North. Hours are from 8 am to 5 pm on Thursdays and from 8 am to noon two Saturdays a month. However, there is always someone in the office from 8 am to noon, Monday through Friday, to take phone calls and make appointments.

For more information, or to make an appointment, call 830-589-2406.