Kimberling Animal Hospital gains national recognition

“We (met) the standards of the American Animal Hospital Association and they have 900 standards,” said Dr. Ross Henry, owner of the $700,000 building completed in October 2005.

Henry said his hospital is one of only about 15 percent of veterinary hospitals nationwide to meet the association’s standards for certification.

Henry said he collaborated for years with Welko Construction owner Steve Welko on the construction and design of the new building, located at 5 Fisher Creek Road. Henry has practiced in Kimberling City since 1988, moving from a building of 1,000 square feet to the two-story, 4,500-square-foot award-winning clinic.

In addition to the vaulted-ceiling lobby, the hospital has four exam rooms, a surgical room overlooking Table Rock Lake, an X-ray room, an isolation room, a laboratory area and a dental area. The new kennels, built with block walls filled with sand for sound control, offer separate areas for dogs and cats. The upper level includes a conference room and office space. Welko said other features of the project include special ventilation for air quality control, a central vacuum system for easy animal hair cleanup, cement-based acoustical tile for humidity resistance and hand-welded vinyl floors for easy maintenance to control bacteria. Interior vision glass throughout the building allows the staff to see activities in the various rooms.

In the first nine months after opening the new building, Henry said revenues increased 28 percent. June and July revenues were up 60 percent over the prior year.

“I can leverage my staff better in the new facility, and we can see more clients,” Henry said. The hospital employs a staff of seven full-time and one part-time.