Community

Guthrie Pet Hospital has undergone a change in ownership over the past year, but the new owner and head veterinarian, Dr. Jennifer Schoonover, would like to assure pet owners that the excellent care at the clinic will continue.

Dr. Schoonover has been caring for animals her entire life. She was raised on a small cattle farm in Northeastern Oklahoma; she was very active in youth rodeo; and she has practiced veterinary medicine in both Oklahoma and Ohio.

She also currently owns and runs Sooner Veterinary Hospital in Norman, and has played an active role as a member of the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association for over 20 years, including serving as president and chair of the Oklahoma State Fair birthing center committee.

After moving to Mulhall in 2012, she wanted to find a place to open a clinic closer to home. When the opportunity to buy Guthrie Pet Hospital came up, she found a perfect fit. She and her husband, Dr. Mike Schoonover, who is also a veterinarian, both graduated from OSU, and he works with Dr. Anna Coffin’s husband at the OSU teaching hospital. Their two sons, William and Garrett, are very active in sports, 4H and FFA in Mulhall, showing goats and pigs, and judging livestock. Dr. Schoonover, herself, has served on the Mulhall-Orlando school board. The family raises a myriad of their own animals, large and small, on their farm.

Dr. Schoonover said it’s important Guthrie Pet Hospital’s existing clients know that the clinic’s high professional standards and hometown feel will continue.

“I want to get to know everyone in the community,” she said. “We’re still going to have that oneon- one connection with our clients. I would just like for everyone to know that even though Doctor Anna has moved on, they can still rely on us at Guthrie Pet Hospital to uphold all the standards of care that they’re used to. We’d love to have everyone come meet us and get to know us.”

The clinic has six employees, including professional groomer Stef Fortney; and Dr. Schoonover is looking to add another veterinarian. Her intention is to keep Guthrie Pet Hospital a strictly companion animal veterinary clinic, primarily treating dogs and cats, so that they can maintain the full range of expansive care.

“Something that we pride ourselves on here, and in our other hospital, is complete quality care for our pets, including preventative,” the doctor explained. “Wellness is very important. Obviously, there are times that pets are ill, but we provide wellness care to help prevent those times.”

Expanding her practice and services is not out of the question.

“My plan for the future would be to expand this to a multi-doctor practice with several veterinarians, and expansion of services, and more boarding and grooming available,” added Dr. Schoonover.