Yellow Creek Animal Hospital opens in Bath, providing on-site surgical service

by Erica Peterson

After John Owen, DVM, sold his veterinary practice in Warren in 2016, he worked as a traveling veterinary orthopedic surgeon.

“I started doing total hip replacements, and I needed a building of my own to be able to do that in,” he said.

Since he moved back to Bath a year and a half ago, Owen started looking for a place nearby to open his practice. He found the perfect spot last summer at 799 Wye Rd.

He spent six months renovating the former medical office and is ready to open the Yellow Creek Animal Hospital.

Owen, who has been practicing veterinary medicine since 2003, will provide routine medical care for dogs and cats, as well as perform orthopedic, laparoscopic and soft tissue surgeries on site.

The building contains three exam rooms, a pharmacy, an X-ray room, a treatment area, a dental area and a surgical suite. Owen said he hopes to add a CT scanner within the year.

“There are only two or three independent veterinarians in the state that have a CT,” he said.

The surgical suite includes a laparoscopy tower. It is rare for veterinarians to have such equipment in their office, Owen said.

“Not many veterinarians do laparoscopic surgery,” he said. “And most regular veterinarians do not do in-depth orthopedic and soft tissue surgery. That’s one of the reasons we really wanted to make this as close to a comprehensive hospital as you can get without being a 24/7 operation.”

Extensive work was done to prepare the building, including installing a new roof, new heating and air conditioning, new flooring and custom cabinetry.

Owen takes pride in being able to practice in Bath, where he grew up.

“I wanted to build a place that reflects how proud I am of where I come from,” he said. “I wanted to create a special place for the people who are part of my home, part of my history.”

His parents, Carol and Dave Landis, have been Bath residents for over 30 years and are a big reason Owen decided to move to Bath with Cash (short for Johnny Cash), his 7-year-old golden retriever he rescued from a breeder.

His dad, who was also a veterinarian, is also a big reason Owen focuses on surgery.

“My father was big into orthopedics, and so I grew up with that, and I watched him,” he said. “When I got out of school, I took his torch and ran with it.”

Owen will work with Office Manager Nancy Breegle and two technicians initially. Office hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, though he plans to add some Saturday hours in the spring.

“I try to offer reasonable pricing combined with excellent surgical technique and compassion,” Owen said. “I didn’t get into this to be a businessman. I got into this to be a veterinarian and help people and their animals.” For more information, visit Yellow Creek Animal Hospital on Facebook, or call the office at 330-576-3017.

Feature image photo caption: Dr. John Owen stands next to a laparoscopy tower in the surgical suite. Photo by E. Peterson