Growing a Modern Veterinary Practice
By Nate Paige
Lisa and Jeremy Welsh, owners of Shaker Heights Animal Hospital. Photos by Angelo Merendino
Pets are members of our families, so their health and well-being are important. Shaker Heights Animal Hospital, located at 3612 Lee Road (formerly the Shaker Animal Clinic), has been a staple in the community and on Lee Road for more than 75 years. Later this year, the veterinary operation will move from its current location into a larger, more prominent space at the gateway of the corridor – a former bank building at the corner of Lee and Kenyon roads. Dr. Jeremy Welsh took over the practice in December 2016 from now-retired Dr. James Prueter. Welsh was previously employed at the Brandywine Hospital for Pets in Zanesville, Ohio.
“We always wanted to be an owner-operator of a veterinary clinic. The opportunity wasn’t there in central Ohio, so we went through veterinary broker,” says Lisa Welsh, Jeremy’s wife. “Dr. Prueter was looking to retire and he had his practice listed. We came up to take a look at it, and it was a great fi t. Dr. Prueter stayed on for about six months to help with the transition.”
Despite the longevity of the business in its current location, the design isn’t especially conducive to the efficient operation of a modern clinic.
“We knew the limitations of the building when we bought it,” says Jeremy. “The location is excellent, and the history. But it’s an old house. I think the plan was for it to be a veterinary clinic and a home at the same time. That’s not the ideal setup for a veterinary practice for today’s society and needs, especially as things get built up around us. With the limited parking, and considering how we continue to grow, we knew we needed a new space.”
Timing is everything. After being vacant for many years, the building was purchased in 2019 by Shaker Heights Development Corporation (SHDC) as part of its work to revitalize the Lee Road commercial corridor. “Coincidentally, we scheduled a meeting with the SHDC when we were looking for spaces to build or to buy and renovate,” Lisa says.
Dr. Jeremy Welsh
The Welshes purchased the building from the SHDC in March 2020, and partial demolition took place in July to allow for the construction of an addition on the rear of the building. Renovations and construction of the addition started in January of this year.
Despite the ongoing construction of the new space, combined with the upcoming task of packing up the current offi ce for the move, the Welshes don’t view the situation as challenging.
“We’re super excited; the community has given nothing but support,” says Jeremy. “We love it here and I think there was a definite need for the kind of stylized medicine that we promote. The size of the building will ultimately determine how many we can serve, but our goal is high-quality medicine and communication. It’s been a great relationship with the community thus far.”
Continuing on Jeremy’s thoughts, Lisa adds, “We wanted to grow, but we never wanted to be a large practice. It’s a great fi t. We can expand a little bit and serve more people, but still have that small, hometown feel.”
The new Shaker Heights Animal Hospital is slated to open later this year. For more information on the hospital and its services, visit shakerheightsanimalhospital.com or call 216-561-7387.
