Getting a business to not only survive, but thrive for 70 years takes hard work, innovation and care, something that the Vicksburg Animal Hospital has dedicated themselves to providing the community.

James Valentine, a retired veterinarian who began working there in 1967 and is still a common sight at the practice today saw that in practice throughout the years, not only from the veterinarians, but also the other employees who work there, some of whom have been with the business for more than 40 years.

“When an animal comes in, they take it seriously, and they take the people seriously,” Valentine said. “They want to satisfy the people if they can, and do the best for their pets that they can. The dedication and expertise they practice with is tops.”

The business was started by Dr. William H. Lindly, who eventually brought Dr. Adam Brunton on board with him. Both doctors would become known in the south for their expertise in diagnostics.

When the business started in 1948, you might’ve not recognize it compared to what it’s grown to now, but the history of the building stretches back all the way to antebellum times. Long before it was an animal hospital, it was a saloon. During the siege of Vicksburg, it was actually shut down by the Union troops in an effort to keep them sober, as their colonel couldn’t keep his troops from sneaking over to enjoy a drink.

The original building is still standing, but it has been built onto and expanded to cater to the practice’s needs, which is just part of the innovation the practice has undergone to stay up to date with a profession that has undergone some major changes.

The practice has always been ahead of the curve, as Valentine hired the first female veterinarian in the area, Marie Martin, in the mid 80s. But perhaps the thing the clinic is most known for is diagnosing the very first case of canine parvovirus, an intestinal illness mainly found in dogs. Brunton spoke about it a state convention, warning his fellow veterinarians the disease could spread at a fast rate. There is thankfully now a vaccine for the virus, but Valentine said it is probably still the most common disease treated at the practice today.

The biggest change for the practice has been the acceleration of medical technology. Things like digital x-rays and anesthesia machines exactly like those used for humans at hospitals, which have helped the business stay modern.

Perhaps the most important shift comes with blood work, as for many years, the veterinarians had to send off blood work to a lab and wait on the results in order to correctly treat their patients. Now, their blood work is done in house.

“Now, we can pull the blood, and in 30 minutes we have the results and we can move forward with treatment and know with confidence we’re going in the right direction,” Dr. Dale Cordes said. “It’s been a huge plus in that regard.”

The veterinarians working there today have treated animals ranging from cats and dogs, to small pocket pets, birds, turtles and even sugar gliders and snakes. They’ve also dealt with all manners of injuries and illnesses, some of which are truly absurd, such as saving a dog who had been run over by a train and removing seven pacifiers from a bulldog’s stomach. The unexpectedness of the job has kept it interesting for them over the years.

“It’s not dull, that’s for sure,” Cordes said. “I never know what’s going to happen.”

Cordes said his favorite part of the job comes from the relationships he has built with the pets and their owners, a sentiment that Dr. Jon Ruggles shared as well.

“There’s no telling what I may run into in a day’s time,” Ruggles said. “Everything’s different every day, and I of course enjoy meeting all the clients, and growing a dog from a puppy to an adult.”

The excitement of the job resonated with Dr. Stephanie Duhon as well, who said that her favorite part came from saving the lives of animals in emergency situations. 

“If you’re doing a cesarean section in the middle of the night, that dog and puppies or that cat would pass away without you,” Duhon said. “Then you get to follow that animal and that family all the way through that dog or that cat’s life.”