Dr. Douglas Chilcoat, 71, a longtime veterinarian in the Westminster area, died unexpectedly June 17, 2010, at his home in Talkeetna, Alaska.

Chilcoat began practicing veterinary medicine in the early 1970s in Westminster.  For more than 30 years, he maintained a practice at the Westminster Veterinary Hospital at the intersection of New Windsor Road and West Main Street.

Chilcoat was one the first area vets to maintain a 24-hour emergency animal care service.  A Baltimore Sun article from May 31, 1994, noted, “Starting tomorrow, pet owners won't have to worry about waking their regular veterinarian to rush to the office when an animal companion becomes seriously ill or is injured during the night.

“'We plan to provide a 24-hour emergency trauma veterinary care center,' said Dr. Douglas T. Chilcoat of the service he is opening at the Westminster Veterinary Hospital this week … 'Our goal is to provide a veterinarian and a technician on site 24 hours, 365 days a year.' 

In reference to being an on-call vet for many years, Chilcoat was quoted in the article, “ 'After 24 years, it definitely takes a toll on one.' ”

Several years ago, Chilcoat relocated and started a new veterinary practice in Talkeetna, a small town of about 778 residents in the Upper Susitna Valley, where the Susitna, Chulitna and Talkeetna Rivers come together, two-and-half hours north of Anchorage, Alaska.  Mt. McKinley is nearby and the area is well known for salmon fishing and spectacular scenery.

 “Cicely,” the fictional town from the television series “Northern Exposure” was “based on Talkeetna, a town on the rail line between Anchorage and Denali National Park, with plenty of its own quirks…,” according to a Sept. 30, 2007, article in the San Francisco Chronicle.

News of his death spread through the Carroll County community earlier in the week primarily by word of mouth.  An article published by KTNA, a community radio station in Talkeetna, on June 17, included, “Dr Chilcoat was a practicing veterinarian in Talkeetna, and also served as a volunteer veterinarian in the Iditarod Trail sled dog race.  He was well known by dog and other pet owners in the Upper Susitna Valley.”

Numerous comments on the radio station's website shared expressions of shock, sadness, prayers, and thoughts from Carroll County residents and co-workers, who knew him a “country vet” in Westminster who not only cared for their animals and pets, but also cared for the pets' owners.

“Doc was so very special to me and my dogs through the years since 1974.  A truly dedicated vet and always willing to go the extra mile.  He will be missed by so many people who loved him.  My thoughts and prayers to his family,” wrote “susan ay.”

“Dr. Chilcoat had been our vet since I was a little girl back in the early 70s and he was practicing on his side porch.  He was the most wonderful, caring vet.  I always told my parents when I had children if I couldn't get them to the pediatrician; I was taking them to Dr. Chilcoat,” wrote “Nancy.”

In Alaska, Chilcoat served as a volunteer vet for the famous annual Iditarod Trail sled dog race. 

A  recent article in The Anchorage Daily News, mentioned his veterinary services at the “Anchorage staging area for dropped dogs.  An army of volunteers from across the country and beyond care for the ones that mushers think shouldn't continue pushing toward the finish in Nome …

“Behind the Millennium Alaskan Hotel, hundreds of miles from their teammates on the Iditarod Trail, sled dogs with sore wrists, frostbitten lips or tired bones rested on piles of straw.  Volunteers checked vitals, ladled out kibble, and comforted weary dogs.  Over the weekend, the place was hopping …

“Back at the Millennium, each dog is secured to a post behind the hotel, given some straw and a blanket, and checked by one of the two vets working dog drop: Douglas Chilcoat of Talkeetna …”

A private memorial service has been scheduled in the Westminster area for later in the week.  Other details of Chilcoat's funeral or internment are unknown at this time.

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