The expansion features six examination rooms, state-of-the-art medical equipment for X-rays, ultrasounds and surgical procedures and a dedicated comfort room designed to provide families with privacy during end-of-life care for their pets.

For Dr. Robert D. Reese, DVM, the celebration marked not only the completion of a major project, but also the continuation of a family legacy that began more than six decades ago with his father, Dr. Robert H. Reese, VMD.

“It all began in 1960,” Reese said. “My dad had moved to Lock Haven, started his own practice and served the Clinton County community and beyond.”

Reese explained that his father initially focused heavily on dairy and farm animals while also caring for dogs and cats. As the small animal side of the practice continued to grow, Reese’s father built a new facility on Woodward Avenue in 1974, naming it Susque Valley Animal Hospital.

LISA SCHROPP/THE EXPRESS Pine Creek Veterinary Associates staff are pictured. From left, at back are Dr. Nathan Zerwig, Dr. Patrick Dubbs, Dr. Robert D. Reese (owner), Rebecca Lehman (office manager), Keri Fargus, Chiara Tibbens, Harley Baker, Stacy Miller and Amy Barnes. From left, at front are Dr. Robert H. Reese (founder), Meagan Glossner, Rachael Baust, Michelle McHenry, Danielle Love and Katie Malizia.

“As dad always said, it was the first animal hospital in Clinton County — the very first small animal freestanding hospital,” Reese said.

Over the years, the practice evolved to focus more heavily on companion animals. By the mid-1980s, Reese said his father was treating fewer farm animals and more dogs and cats as demand continued to rise.

After graduating from veterinary school in 1990, Reese followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the practice in 1992.

“I always wanted to follow in my dad’s footsteps and he was a great mentor to me,” he said.

Reese purchased the clinic from his father in 1999, and in the years that followed, the practice continued to expand.

LISA SCHROPP/THE EXPRESS The new surgical room in the expansion at Pine Creek Veterinary Associates is pictured.

“What Dad built for one doctor became really tough practicing with three doctors,” Reese said. “We renovated it, but I knew that we were going to have to go beyond that.”

Although economic conditions and financing delayed the project for years, Reese said the dream of expansion finally became a reality when construction began in September 2024.

“It took a while,” Reese said. “But with the great staff that I have, with Dr. Dubbs, who is amazing, and now we have added Dr. Zerwig, we just worked and worked and worked to get to this point.”

Now, nearly two years later, Reese said the practice is prepared to provide advanced veterinary care to the region for years to come.

“We’ve got the building to do it,” he said. “I’m just really excited and happy to be able to go beyond with serving Clinton County.”

LISA SCHROPP/THE EXPRESS The Pine Creek Boutique, which sells pet accessories, is pictured.

Reese also credited the clinic’s loyal clients for making the expansion possible.

“We couldn’t have done it without amazing clients, because we just have amazing people who come to us,” he said. “And hopefully we’ll get many more.”

Staff members also reflected on the significance of the expansion and the practice’s growth.

Customer service representative Katie Malizia said the transformation has been remarkable.

“It is amazing,” Malizia said. “We have basically quadrupled in size from our small building that we started with to now seeing this new complex — it is bigger than I ever thought it would be in the planning stages. We love it. I love it.”

LISA SCHROPP/THE EXPRESS Pine Creek Veterinary Associates has a wide range of pet food options.

Keri Fargus, also a customer service representative, said being part of the practice’s journey has been meaningful both personally and professionally.

“It’s exciting to be a part of something great after hearing about where it started,” Fargus said. “And just being able to be here, bringing my pet here before I started working here and seeing where it was and where it is today and where it will go in the future. It’s exciting to be a part of it.”

The community will also have an opportunity to tour the new facility during an open house scheduled for Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature guided tours of the renovated clinic, opportunities to meet the veterinary team and information about the practice’s expanded services. Guests can also enjoy local vendors, including Little Pine Coffee Company, along with raffle baskets, giveaways and family-friendly educational activities for pet lovers of all ages. Organizers ask that pets be left at home for the event.