Neatly tucked away off busy G.A.R. Highway in Chardon sits a small animal practice led by a big-hearted veterinarian.
Neatly tucked away off busy G.A.R. Highway in Chardon sits a small animal practice led by a big-hearted veterinarian.
For nearly 40 years, Dr. David Allmon has been seeing generations of clients and their family pets at Chardon Veterinary Hospital — putting the number of his patients in thousands.
“Being a veterinarian in Chardon for many years is special because I’ve been able to create many bonds with family lines over the years,” Allmon said. “Dogs and cats are special because over the years, these domesticated animals have adapted to people to create bonds like none other.”
A Calling in the Making
His love for the profession became evident early on.
He grew up southeast of Canton in Carrollton and while in high school, Allmon would work with local veterinarians in their offices and on farm calls. His forays into the surrounding countryside reinforced his desire to pursue veterinary medicine as a profession.
Allmon, 76, never married and has no children — instead, he’s dedicated his life to veterinary medicine and other leadership roles in the Boy Scouts of America, and Rotary and Kiwanis clubs.
Graduating in 1975 from The Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Allmon served two years in the Army Veterinary Corps following four years of ROTC at OSU.
He purchased his practice in 1983 from veterinarian Dr. Alan Cragg, spending many years working seven days a week. He continues working not only to sustain his livelihood, but for the satisfaction of helping animals in the area.
On any given afternoon, clients filter into the hospital’s small parking lot — carrying or walking their furry family members into the waiting room.
When a staff member welcomes the next patient inside the exam room, the soft-spoken veterinarian is as pleased to see the dogs and cats as he is to spend time chatting with their owners and building bonds.
Sgt. Jacob Smith, of the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office, said his family has been seeing Allmon since his first family dog.
“He has always treated us as a friend and someone you look forward to visiting with,” Smith said. “He and his staff have always taken the very best care of any animal we have brought to him. The staff are some of the finest, friendliest and helpful people that I know. They are always there to help with any situation and answer (or get the answer) for the numerous medical questions I have had.”
Allmon and his staff have also helped with the hard end-of-life decisions.
“Many people, including my family, look for guidance on making the right choice,” Smith said. “Dr. Allmon has always helped with making that difficult decision easier and knowing that it is the right thing to do.”
Smith began taking K-9 Spirit, now retired, to CVH in 2012. His newest partner, K-9 Rookie, sees Allmon for health check-ups and vaccinations.
Allmon has donated all of Smith’s K-9 expenses, as the sheriff’s office’s K-9 unit operates on donations from the public or fundraisers assisting in the cost of maintaining a working dog each year.
“Due to the generosity of Dr. Allmon, the funds saved are put into use for food and equipment that is needed,” Smith said.
As a single veterinary practice, CVH does everything it can with the resources it has, but Allmon and his staff are limited in what services they can offer.
“If it is something out of what we can provide, we try our hardest to get our patients to the most reliable place we know of,” Allmon said.
A ‘Dr. Doolittle’ Connection
The phone rings often inside CVH, as Pat Downing, one of six staff members, answers it in between managing clients waiting inside the office and outside in vehicles.
If you are in a rush, CVH may not be the best fit. Known for being a bit late, Allmon’s focus on the patient’s needs is not a matter of clock time as he slowly takes out a small pad of paper to figure out expenses following all his exams.
“He has a big heart, not computer savvy and is good to his employees,” Downing said.
One might say Allmon has a “Dr. Doolittle-like” connection to animals.
His own rescue cats — Scotch and Linus, who was dumped in a yard because his first owners discovered he was blind — weave around his legs at the end of day.
“What makes him special is he cares about the animal and client more than his bank account,” said Audrey Kerr, who has worked for Allmon for the past 30 years. “He treats everybody like friends and family, that’s his whole essence. He has a loving heart. He’s there for the animals, clients and himself last.”
Downing, who has worked for Allmon for the past 12 years, called him “one of a kind.”
“There aren’t too many old school vets anymore,” she said. “Anytime a small business can survive is a good thing. This is his legacy.”
Life Outside the Office
Allmon has also been passionate about the BSA since his youth.
In 1965, he earned Eagle Scout status, later serving on staff at their National Jamboree and World Scout Jamboree.
He is a proud member and past president of the Chardon Rotary and Geneva Kiwanis Club, as well.
“I was fortunate to be one of the original (Chardon Rotary) members,” said Allmon’s long-time friend, Ward Lawrence. “David joined Rotary in December of 1987 and I have known him well from that time.”
Lawrence said Allmon is always available to contribute time and money to further the aims and goals of Rotary.
Lawrence recalled attending Allmon’s 75th birthday party with more than 150 well-wishers at BSA Lake Erie Council’s Beaumont Scout Reservation in Rock Creek.
“His commitment to the Boy Scouts of America both locally and district-wide is awe- inspiring for all of us,” Lawrence said. “Add in a pleasant, welcoming personality, I am happy to call him a friend.”
