Lavonia Veterinarian Celebrates 40 Years in Business
Banner graces the exterior of Lavonia Animal Hospital Tuesday noting the practice’s 40 years in business.
A Lavonia veterinarian is celebrating his 40th year in practice.
Dr. Pat Hitchcock, owner of the Lavonia Animal Hospital on Main St. was honored by friends and employees Tuesday.
Hitchcock set his practice up in 1974 in Lavonia and over the past 40 years he says it’s the people in the community who readily accepted his practice that has meant the most to him.
“The people here are good people and they’ve been very receptive to us,” Hitchcock said. “It’s just a good community with a lot of good folks up here.”
As for any one special case or event that stands out over the past 4 decades, Dr. Hitchcock says there are too many to count.
Vet Techs Tyler Poole (L) and Tyler Vaughn (R) attending UGA Vet School
Over the years, Dr. Hitchcock has not only helped animals, but has also helped launch the medical and veterinary careers of many local students who worked at his practice.
Just this past year, one of those students Dr. Tyler Vaughn, graduated from the University of Georgia School of Veterinary Medicine and now works at Lavonia Animal Hospital.
In February, Vaughn credited Dr. Hitchcock and his staff with sparking his decision to become a vet after visiting Lavonia Animal Hospital while in high school.
“My mother had worked with one of the husbands of one of the employees up here,” Vaughn said. “And they had given me the opportunity to come. That day was a complete turning point for me. I was here for two hours and I knew this is what I wanted to do.”
Two other veterinary students,Tyler Poole, and Savannah Thomas-Grizzle continue to work at the practice as vet techs.
Dr. Hitchcock poses with plaque presented to him Tuesday by his staff
In addition to helping pet owners with their pets’ and livestock needs, Dr. Hitchcock has also worked with the local animal shelters offering discounts spays and neuters to people who adopted pets from the shelter, helped establish an annual discounted rabies clinic, and is a state-certified wildlife rehabilitator.
With all Dr. Hitchcock has accomplished over the past 40 years, you would think he would be considering retirement, but he says that’s not going to happen.
“Oh no. I’m having too much fun,” he said. “I would miss the people and the animals. Why quit now? No, I have no plans to retire.”
Staff Vets, Dr. Vaughn, Dr. Macomson, and other staffers at Lavonia Animal Hospital honored Dr. Hitchcock Tuesday with a special plaque that now hangs in the lobby of his practice that reads, “Lavonia Animal Hospital, Established in 1974.”