History

Dr. James G. Wilcox graduated May 20, 1968 from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. He worked for the vet’s school large animal clinic for 4 weeks gaining experience in veterinary medicine. Dr. Wilcox started an internship at New Bolton Center July 1, 1968. This involved working with senior students with food animals in the clinic and going on farm calls (food animals and horses). This internship ended July 1, 1969 and he moved back to East Smithfield, Pennsylvania on July 2, 1969.

Dr. Wilcox started his practice under his name July 7, 1969 renting the old office from Dr. Hugh Keeler’s widow for doing small animal work and vehicle storage; he also purchased Dr. Keeler’s equipment and drug supplies from his widow. In July of 1976 he hired his first associate, Dr. Mark Kester with the intent of forming a partnership with him after his first year of working. With that in mind the name of Laurel Hill Veterinary Service came about. That partnership never developed but the name has stayed with us since. Laurel Hill Veterinary Service saw many associates come and go throughout the years.

In 1980 Dr. Wilcox moved out of the old Keeler clinic and into a room located in his garage by his house. This again was used mainly for drug storage and some small animal surgeries and appointments. After several years of working from this small one room office it became cramped and a change needed to occur or he needed to get out of veterinary medicine. He then bought the current property in 1987 with the idea of building a clinic there. New plans were made and ground was broken in November of 1988 and then opened just 6 months later on May 9, 1989.

In July of 2001, Dr. Robert D. Fetterman came to work with us. He works both with dairy and companion animals and he has a special interest with llamas and alpacas. In January of 2004, the clinic became incorporated with the name changing to Laurel Hill Veterinary Service, Inc. and Dr. Fetterman became a share holder in the practice. In June of 2004, Dr. Rachel M. Teribury came to work with us. She primarily works with companion animals but has a special interest in equine medicine. Dr. Andrew R. Wilcox just recently came to work with us in June of 2005. His main interest is dairy and beef medicine as well as companion animal medicine. All the doctors at Laurel Hill Veterinary Service, Inc. work together to give their clients the best possible service they know how; no matter what their individual interests are they will treat whatever case that comes their way.

From the start this area has always been a dairy community. When Dr. Wilcox first started the majority of the work was dairy animals (~90%) and the rest companion animal’s (~10%). It stayed this way pretty much until the current clinic was built. As each year has passed the numbers have changed. The number of dairy farms has decreased as well as a small decrease in cow numbers. However, the number of dogs and cats that are seen has grown tremendously. Currently we probably treat about 65% companion animals and 25 to 30% dairy (large) animals and about 5% equine.

We have come a long way from a one doctor practice to a 4 doctor practice over the course of 36 years and we are still striving to improve and offer the best service to our clients.