01/18/2025
Today had a bittersweet moment at Cricket Ridge Animal Hospitalā¦
as I walked out the door at the end of the day, this would be the last day I would be the owner of Cricket Ridge Animal Hospital. From the opening of South Russell Veterinary Hospital on January 26, 1999, when I had three clients, to this beautiful facility that we grew into with more than 2000 clients and 3000 patients, I knew this day was coming. I have so many wonderful memories of the times at South Russell as well as Cricket Ridge helping people and their pets. I learned early on that you couldnāt force people to do anything with their pets, that I was here to guide and support and help them to make the best decisions for their pets. That turned out to be my passion and my drive. And, I definitely didnāt do this alone - I had an amazing, compassionate group of coworkers who ALWAYS supported me and believed in me, as without them, it wouldāve been difficult to be me. They have supported me for many years through all the ups and downs, and now in this new venture.
I also thank all my wonderful clients with their dogs and cats who have trusted me with the care of these loved little pets. Some of my clients I have had for 30 years when I first graduated and worked in Chardon, some for 26 years since I started out on my own, and many that I have developed trusting relationships over the last few years. What has been so endearing are the clients that are children of my older clients - so fun to see these children as little toddlers and young children to now adults with their own families and pets!!
Being an owner also gave me the opportunity to help so many strays and rescues; over 3 dozen dogs and at least 100 cats in my 26 years. They were tested, vaccinated and spayed or neutered to prepare them for their new homes - so very rewarding when given the gift of becoming a veterinarian. We had 15 clinic cats over this timeframe and still have 3 there now (Bobbi, Tucker and Pumpkin) that will continue to call Cricket Ridge their home.
Because of this passion, I knew the type of owner that I wished to take over, and finding someone with similar values could be difficult. I knew to never give up hope as I looked for someone that would check the boxes in what I was looking for as a new owner. Along came Dr. Kelly Knapp, a doctor that I have the utmost respect for and feel confident that she will do an outstanding job in continuing the Cricket Ridge Animal Hospital legacy (of course, in her own way). She will bring some new, exciting energy into this hospital!! It is time for me to move on, slow down a bit, and enjoy life a little bit more with my husband and my dogs. I will still be at CRAH part time for a bit before I decide to retire, so please know Iām still around!!! But I ask that you all bear with us as we go through this new and exciting transition!
To end, I canāt thank all of my clients (past and present) enough for trusting me with your petsā care - it has truly been an honor to be part of your families. Again, thank you, thank you thank you to my incredibly awesome coworkers (Laramie who has been my right hand person/support for almost 17 years, Morgan who has helped with just about everything for the past 12 years, Sarah who is so eager to learn and keeps me on schedule as best she can, Sami who is the newest team member who is always positive and polite up front, and to Karen, who has taken care of the clinic cats on the weekends and has been with me for 22 years) - you all are truly the BEST any vet could ever ask for!! But most importantly, thank you to Dan Walker, the most wonderful and understanding husband who has supported me through all of this. He had to be the jack of all trades for so long! It hasnāt been the easiest journey to go through the last 26 years, but in the end as we look back, it was well worth it.
We are a full service companion animal and exotics veterinary hospital located in Newbury, Ohio. We will be opening on December 5, 2017.
