About Snake River Veterinary Center
Snake River Veterinary Center has proudly served the Fruitland community and the greater Treasure Valley since 2003. Our mission is simple yet powerful: to provide exceptional veterinary care for both small and large animals with honesty, compassion, and respect. From beloved family pets to livestock that sustain our region’s farms, we’re dedicated to the health and well-being of every animal that walks—or trots—through our doors.
Our Story
Growing Alongside the Community We Serve
Snake River Veterinary Center began as a small but ambitious practice in Payette, Idaho, under the partnership of Dr. Wayne Ashton and Dr. Brent Varriale. When Dr. Ashton retired, Dr. Varriale expanded the facility to include onsite large animal and equine services—meeting the needs of local ranchers and farmers as well as family pet owners.
In 2019, the clinic entered an exciting new chapter under the ownership of Dr. Alicia Ewing, a dedicated veterinarian and longtime associate. Recognizing the growth of the Fruitland area and surrounding communities, Dr. Ewing led the effort to build a larger, more modern facility designed to enhance comfort, efficiency, and care.
In March 2024, we proudly opened our doors at 405 N Whitley Drive—a custom-built space featuring six exam rooms, a dedicated consultation and comfort room, four treatment stations, and a dual-table surgical suite. This expansion allows us to better serve our patients while maintaining the personal, compassionate approach that has always defined our practice.
A Glimpse into Our Roots
The Limbaugh Home
Before moving into our new state-of-the-art facility, Snake River Veterinary Center operated for over 20 years out of the historic Limbaugh farmhouse, a local landmark dating back to the late 1800s. The home carried generations of Fruitland history—from the Spainower and Limbaugh families to the Vaughns, who once owned the Gayway Bowl.
During our time in the farmhouse, clients often shared fond memories of their own family connections to the property. Remnants of that past—like hand-painted floors and vintage fixtures—became cherished reminders of the community we’re privileged to serve. Though we’ve since moved next door, we remain deeply connected to the legacy of that home and the town that shaped it.
Our Mission and Core Values
At the heart of Snake River Veterinary Center is a team that believes in doing the right thing—always. Our care philosophy is guided by a set of values that define who we are and how we serve our clients and their animals:
We are accountable & part of the solution.
Our goal is to help your animal enjoy a healthy, thriving life. We pursue this goal by actively seeking solutions to the health issues you identify, and we take responsibility for the care we recommend.
We will be genuinely positive.
Kindness and smiles are core to our culture. We want you and your companion(s) to enjoy a warm, welcoming experience every time you visit our practice, and we provide it in part by embracing a friendly, positive attitude in our work.
We are willing to learn & able to teach.
While we are here to advise and educate you on animal care, we strongly believe client communication goes both ways. We pride ourselves on continuously updating our own veterinary education, and we welcome input and suggestions from our clientele.
We are honest, dependable & compassionate.
You and your animal companions deserve a team that is truly dedicated to their health. We strive to serve as your dependable veterinary resource with trustworthy, evidence-based care that puts your animals’ comfort and longevity first.
We will communicate directly & respectfully with all humans.
Our clients are just as much a part of our veterinary family as our patients. In every interaction, we treat all animals’ owners with the respect and professionalism they deserve as our valued clients.
Following these principles, our team combines advanced medical expertise with genuine small-town warmth, offering the best of both worlds: modern veterinary medicine delivered by people who truly care. Whether you’re in Fruitland, Payette, Weiser, New Plymouth, Parma, Midvale, Cambridge, or just across the border in Ontario, OR, we’re honored to be your trusted partner in animal health.