In 1936, a loaf of bread cost 8 cents, a brand new Studebaker sold for a mere $665, and Route 22 was a two lane country road. Somerset Veterinary Infirmary began its long history of caring for animals in the area when it first opened its doors, founded by Dr. V. N. Gordon Darby. Back then, Dr. Darby was as likely to take care of a sick cow as a sick cat. Bridgewater was a farming community in those days, with a population of just under 4,000.
Ten years later, the practice was thriving, and the community was growing rapidly. The hospital and the companion animal portion of the practice were purchased by Dr. Arthur F. North in 1946, while the large animal side was sold to Dr. Carl Lohmeyer. Two years after that, the hospital underwent its first major renovation, which nearly doubled the size of the building.
Dr. North's son, John, spent much of his childhood at the hospital, cleaning cages and helping the doctors from a very young age. It was his home away from home and where he developed his great love for animals and medicine. Realizing that it was his life's dream to be a veterinarian, he attended Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated with his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1968.
John returned home and began working along side his father at Somerset Veterinary Infirmary in 1970. The hospital officially changed its name from Infirmary to Group in 1971. He has dedicated his life to practicing quality medicine and surgery, and caring for not only each beloved pet but also their owners. He assumed co-ownership with Dr. Raymond Kenny in 1982 when his father passed away and became the sole owner in 2001.
Dr. North's daughter, Robin Stankowski joined her father in 2006 as the Practice Manager. She is the third generation of North’s who have proudly served the local community at Somerset Veterinary Group and the many generations of clients over the years. "Joining the practice as the manager was like coming home," says Robin, "since I too spent many days here as a kid - helping out, doing odd jobs. Our staff is a family, we truly enjoy working together. I think that has such a positive effect on our patient and client care. I'm honored to work with such a talented team and I'm proud to continue to serve the community that my grandfather created."
Today, the practice has more than twenty employees, including six doctors. The main hospital is located in Bridgewater, in the same location where it began, and where it has flourished and become a much loved part of the community. An outpatient facility is located in the quaint town of Pluckemin, just five miles away. Many changes have occurred to the facility over the years, including the incorporation of computers in the late 1980’s, another huge building renovation and expansion in 1995 and most recently, the switch to cutting edge digital radiography in July of 2010.
As Somerset Veterinary Group celebrates its 75th anniversary, Dr. John North celebrates his 40th anniversary at the practice. He reflects on some of the changes that have occurred over the past four decades since he began practicing, both with the hospital and in veterinary medicine. "Things have changed drastically since I began," North reports. "Medicine has become much more sophisticated. Long ago, we had very limited choices for diagnostics and treatment options. And honestly, people didn't regard their pets as family they way they do now. There was less attachment in those days. Dogs and cats lived outside most of the time, and there was less demand for preventive medicine."
"Back then, diseases like FIV and Lyme disease were virtually unheard of." North recalls. "Distemper and parvovirus were rampant and often fatal. Laboratory testing was rudimentary early in my career, whereas now, we have twice daily pick up from a high tech laboratory and results are faxed back to us quickly, sometimes in just 12-24 hours. Vaccinations have basically eradicated diseases that were fatal just two decades ago. New research surfaces almost daily that creates new opportunities to diagnose and cure pets that owners now consider part of the family. Hip replacements, kidney transplants, MRIs and CT scans are all pretty commonplace now. These things were unheard of in years past."
Dr. Susan Laevey has worked at Somerset Veterinary Group for 17 years, starting at the practice shortly after graduating from University of Pennsylvania College of Veterinary Medicine in 1988. Laevey spent many years prior to studying veterinary medicine as a human cytologist, but made the change to medicine because she craved patient involvement. She fondly remembers one of her favorite cases. China Blossom was a 2 year old cat who literally came into SVG dead and left alive! "She was suffering from a severe asthma attack," Laevey recalls, "and she had no pulse and no respiration when she was rushed in. We dropped everything and treated her aggressively and immediately, and she responded and made a full recovery. Those are the cases that really make this career worthwhile."
Lorraine Kellogg, the bookkeeper, started at Somerset Veterinary Group 23 years ago, because she was looking for an employer who would understand her schedule and her need to take care of her young children. She stayed all these years however, because of the people. "It's the people that make Somerset Veterinary Group great. Everyone here is so caring, so understanding and so loving toward the animals. It's a great place to work."
Some of the more interesting species that have been treated at Somerset Veterinary Group over the years include chimpanzees, pythons and even an elephant from a traveling circus in the area. Famous clients of the hospital have included such names as Malcolm Forbes and his son Steve, Doris Duke, Robert Wood Johnson and the Merck family. Also among the clientele have been several senators and governors including former Senator Raymond Bateman, Senator Christopher "Kip" Bateman, and former Governors Thomas Kean and Christie Whitman. Even the Duke and Duchess of Windsor graced the hospital with the presence of their pets in years past.
The staff of Somerset Veterinary Group devotes some of its time to worthy animal causes, including The Seeing Eye, Somerset Regional Animal Shelter, the Somerset County Sheriff's Department Canine Unit, and Puppies Behind Bars. "There's something really special about doing work for service animals." Kristin Flanagan says. Kristin has been a veterinary technician for over seven years, and the newest employee of the hospital. She started in July of 2010 and really loves working at Somerset Veterinary Group. "Knowing that we're working with animals that help people in such critical ways is always heartwarming and very satisfying, as is helping rescued animals find new and loving homes."
As Somerset Veterinary Group celebrates its 75th anniversary, it has been fun to take a trip down memory lane and marvel over the changes that have taken place over the decades. But it is even more important to look forward and focus on the future, and to embrace the rapidly changing world of veterinary medicine. Somerset Veterinary Group stands ready to bring to the community the cutting edge, high quality medicine for which they are known, and the caring, compassionate, old-fashioned service that has earned them their reputation as one of the best in the area.
In celebration of our 75th anniversary, Somerset Veterinary Group will be hosting an Open House at their Bridgewater office on May 14th from 1-4pm (rain or shine). There will be a Tricky Tray fundraiser, prizes, give-a-ways and a behind-the-scenes tour of the facility. You can also bring your pet to get a free dental exam or get your pet microchipped for a reduced price. And Dave & Wendy from the WPST radio morning show will be broadcasting live. They will be running a pet photo contest on their website for a chance to win an iPad! The Somerset County Sheriff’s K-9 unit will be doing live demonstrations. So, don’t forget to bring your pet and your family.
