Meet the new practice at the September 9 Open House

By Jane Lebak

On July 7, Doctor Lyra Read and Doctor Brooke Crosier purchased Homeward Bound Veterinary Services from Doctor Karen Wilson, who formerly owned the practice for 27 years. Homeward Bound is now renamed Upper Charles Animal Hospital, and the doctors are in the process of rebranding the facility to align with their style of practice and design aesthetic.

Dr. Read, from Holliston, has worked as a veterinarian for eleven years after graduating with her DVM from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. For ten years, she worked at Foxboro Animal Hospital, as well as Holliston Animal Hospital, Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatment, and Fresh Pond Animal Hospital. 

Dr. Brooke Crosier, who’s been a veterinarian for thirteen years, worked with Dr. Read at Foxboro Animal Hospital. Prior to that, Dr. Crosier earned her veterinary degree from Cornell University and worked at Adirondack Veterinary Hospital. 

Upper Charles Animal Hospital is located on Route 140, near the high school and the library. The practice cares for dogs and cats.

Dr. Crosier says, “We have grown and expanded the practice, while still trying to maintain the family-focused atmosphere that Dr. Wilson fostered. Our goal is to serve the pets of Bellingham with high-quality, affordable care.”

The decision to purchase the practice stemmed from the great working relationship Read and Crosier had developed during a decade of working together in Foxboro. With both doctors starting families themselves (they both have two-year-old boys) they wanted a practice that had a strong family feeling.

To that end, they have updated the layout of the building, altered the aesthetic (the waiting room now has tile images of all the staff’s pets) and modified the exam rooms to make the animals more relaxed. For example, the dog room has a couch to make the dogs feel more at home. Another exam room has a private entrance for times when an anxious or upset patient may need to exit without passing through the waiting room.

On the medical side, updates include in-house ultrasound, digital ultrasound, full in-house bloodwork, more specialized surgical and treatment options, and in-house hospitalization for pets who require intensive daytime monitoring.

The practice currently offers both Urgent Care and same day appointments for emergencies.

The Upper Charles Animal Hospital’s website has been updated to include all current services. It has a patient portal for pet owners to make appointments, set reminders, order medications, and have instant access to their pet’s medical records. The site also includes informational handouts on several common conditions and procedures that a pet owner may encounter.

“Our purpose is nurturing the bond between pets and their owners by having owners take an active role in their pet’s care,” Dr. Crosier says. “We empower clients by giving them information.”

Upper Charles Animal Hospital has also entered into a partnership with Angelcat Haven Feline Rescue, an all-volunteer organization dedicated to rescuing stray and abandoned cats in Plainville and the surrounding towns. The doctors will be assisting the organization with appointments for routine and sick visits, as well as spay/neuter surgeries.

On Saturday, September 9, Upper Charles Animal Hospital will host an Open House from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. At the Open House, visitors can tour the updated clinic and meet the doctors and staff. Food from local vendors will be provided. In addition, visitors can enter raffles and other prize giveaways, make balloon animals, peruse goods from local vendors, have fun with a photo booth, and meet some cats available for adoption, as well as submit applications for adoption.

Dr. Read says of the new Upper Charles Animal Hospital, “What sets us apart is that we’re privately owned. In the vet world, that’s becoming less common. For us, that means we can make adjustments. We have the autonomy to develop our practice in the ways our patients need.”

The practice website is located at https://uppercharlesah.com, or pet owners can call
508-966-7605 to book an appointment. The Open House will be held onsite at 116 Mechanic Street, Bellingham (Route 140) on September 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m..

PAID ADVERTISEMENT