In 2009, Lawton native, Dr. John Hergenrether, founded Hergenrether Animal Hospital. After 10 years of private practice it had become clear to him that Veterinary Medicine as it stood was a flawed system. He recognized some very simple facts:
Dr. Hergenrether recognized that too often the veterinary profession was only reacting to problems as they became evident on their own. This approach often led to tragic results. He knew that screening and early detection of disease met with the greatest amount of success in terms of length and quality of life. Dr. Hergenrether envisioned an animal hospital in Lawton that was centered on proactive and preventative care. He knew that sometimes the best medical care was not initially inexpensive. However, in the long run doing things right the first time saved money in the end. Due to his upbringing he refused to cut corners that could compromise patient safety. He knew that to create a proactive animal hospital, pet owners must part of the health care team. Open and honest communication between the veterinary staff and the pet owner must be the cornerstone of this hospital. Examinations and communication on the health status of the pet must be more frequent. Screening programs based on age, breed, s*x, and other risk factors must be initiated.
Out of this vision Hergenrether Animal Hospital was born. Now 10 years later, it is the premier veterinary hospital in Southwest Oklahoma. This form of proactive medical care has led to countless animals enjoying prolonged happy lives.