Since July of 2010, all of you have given me one of the greatest gifts in life. The gift of being able to serve you and your beloved 4-legged kids as their veterinarian at Country Oaks Animal Hospital. The experience has been all the things I had hoped for when, as a child, I told my parents I wanted to be a veterinarian. To say “thank you” doesn’t seem to be enough. However, when I feel the emotions that come up remembering the laughter, the heartbreak and tears of loss, the joy of a new puppy or kitten, and all the ups and downs of life we shared, please know each one of those feelings is behind those two words of gratitude.

I will be leaving practice at Country Oaks on August 5th. The decision to leave was solely because of an opportunity to be of service to the profession of veterinary medicine in wellbeing. Like many Americans, veterinary professionals are in currently in the most challenging times we’ve been in when it comes to burnout and mental health.

In the near future, some of you will get to meet the team at our sister hospitals, Best Care Animal Hospital & Animal Care Center. We are all part of the same family, and you will find the same level of care and compassion Country Oaks has delivered. Country Oaks will still be open, but there will be a change in services offered. Information on that will follow from our managers to you.

Lastly, I want to share my love and appreciation for our team at COAH with you. Their humor, compassion, love of learning, and daily dedication to you and your pets made Country Oaks feel like home. The care you received from me was a direct result of them.

Thank you again for letting me be a part of the lives of you and your pets.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Phil Richmond, DVM