Cricket Ridge Animal Hospital Caters to Cats, Dogs
When Dr. Lori Bieber’s veterinary practice, South Russell Animal Hospital, was struggling to meet the ever-growing demand for its services, she started looking for a larger facility closer to the center of Geauga County.
When Dr. Lori Bieber’s veterinary practice, South Russell Animal Hospital, was struggling to meet the ever-growing demand for its services, she started looking for a larger facility closer to the center of Geauga County.
Last year, she purchased a defunct car dealership at 11423 Kinsman Road in Newbury Township and soon had contractors knocking down walls, installing a new septic system and adding a foyer to the building on 1.5 acres.
When it was done in November, Cricket Ridge Animal Hospital had 4,300 square feet of treatment rooms, an office, lab and kennel space as well as space for future expansion.
In December, when the doors opened, most of her clients from farther west were willing to travel a few more miles to ensure their pets had the continuum of care provided by Bieber, her staff of six women and a rescued Maltese named Rita.
Compared to the suite on Chillicothe Road, their new facility is wonderfully spacious.
“When I decided to move, space was number one,” she said. “I wanted something new and clean.”
A lot of thought went into the redesign, with separate waiting areas for dogs and cats – and their owners. Cats and dogs are also separated in the kennel area to the south of offices, exam rooms and the lab.
Another reason for relocating after 19 years of practice was the number of vet clinics on the west side of Geauga and an increasing number of potential clients farther east, Bieber said.
She recognized more and more people want to take better care of their pets because cats and dogs have become family members, she said, adding it is a trend everywhere.
“They are now companion animals,” Bieber said.
While, in previous generations, they were kept outside for protection and vermin control, many of their purposes and lifestyles have changed and they have adapted to their new roles, she said.
“Now they go everywhere (with their people,” Bieber said.
Owners investing in the health and happiness of their furry friends have accompanied this change in attitude, and it led Bieber to update her practice, she said.
“I think people expect us to have better facilities if they are spending more money,” she said.
Providing top-notch care remains a priority for all seven staff members and they count on each other’s talents and abilities to keep the flow of patients moving along smoothly and safely.
“They each have a certain knack,” Bieber said of her assistants. “Each has an affinity.”
If a bigger dog appears nervous, Nikki Erdman is called in because she has a calming effect in those situations, Bieber said.
She recalled a pit bull patient who had tangled with something that caused a lot of facial damage.
“There were four of us trying to get a culture and the owner was stressed,” Bieber said. Erdman was able to settle the dog down and the culture was secured.
“We never had to muzzle him,” she said.
Never stressing a cat or muzzling a dog are priorities in the office, she said.
In the day-to-day routine, all the assistants can do each others’ jobs, so Bieber can count on competent, compassionate help any time during her six-day week.
“I love (the long days), but I couldn’t do it without my staff,” she said. “We all get along really well.”
Bieber said she and her husband, Dan, have two dogs, six cats, two horses and seven ducks at their home in Munson Township.
According to the Cricket Ridge Animal Hospital website, they provide wellness checks, surgery, dentistry, radiology, lab work, pharmacy services and micro-chipping.
