Dennis
R. McDonald
Respected Experienced
Dedicated
Dennis
R. McDonald, D.V.M., founder of the North Fork Animal Clinic,
is a dedicated veterinarian who enjoys working with clients, teaching
others, and performing surgery to help his patients. In
addition to overseeing North Fork Animal Clinic, he performs cosmetic
surgeries at Canal Animal Clinic in Canal Winchester where he
and Dr. Ann Greenwald are co-owners. Dr. McDonald is also
the corporate veterinarian for Petland Inc., he also writes informative
articles for the company's quarterly newsletter, which is distributed
to more than 180 stores around the globe.
Dr.
McDonald is a respected and active member of the local community.
As a past member of the Rotary Club, he has attained the highest
honor as a Paul Harris Fellow. He is also a valued member
of the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA), the Ross County
Veterinary Academy, and the Southern Ohio Veterinary Association
(SOVA).
A
native of Ohio, Dr. McDonald grew up in Gahanna on the east side
of Columbus. Served two tours in Vietnam between 1968 and
1970 as a Seabee, he earned a Navy Commendation Metal from the
Secretary of the Navy. He returned to his home state to
attend the Ohio State University on the G.I. Bill. He graduated
from college of veterinary medicine in 1976 and came to Chillicothe
where he founded North Fork Animal Clinic, which he continues
to operate to this day (33 years) to serve the health needs of
the area pets and attend the concerns of pet owners.
In
his spare time, Dr. McDonald enjoys landscaping, working with
flowers, and spending time with his family. His wife Deidra
graduated from Marshall University and is a teacher. The
couple's daughter Lauren, and son Logan, both attended the Ohio
State University, their father's alma mater.
Kathy
J. Bates
Caring Skilled
Sincere
Kathy
J. Bates, D.V.M., joined the North Fork Animal Clinic family in
1999, incorporating her skill and dedication to the team.
Before coming to Chillicothe, Dr. Bates worked in Detroit Michigan,
and Nashville and Kingsport, both of Tennessee. Dr. Bates
is also a member of both the Ohio Veterinary medical Association
(OVMA) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
As
an undergrad, Dr. Bates attended the William Woods University
in Fulton Missouri; she then came to Ohio to attend the Ohio State
University to obtain her graduate degree in veterinary medicine.
She majored in biology and chemistry, but when she realized that
many of her classmates in her biology and chemistry classes were
entering the human field, following a path into veterinary medicine
was the natural course for her to take.
Dr.
Bates describes herself as unique as an animal lover in her family.
Her father was a history professor, her mother an art teacher,
and her only brother a museum curator. None the less, she
was always fascinated with animals of all kinds ever since she
can remember. She was constantly pestering her parents for
pets of all kinds. She was allowed to start with gerbils,
hamsters, and goldfish, and eventually was even raising zebra
finch flying loose in her bedroom before being allowed to move
on to cats and dogs. In high school, she was fortunate enough
to land a job working on a horse farm. She loved the time
she spent around the animals. Unfortunately, she sustained
a back injury severe enough to put an end to her days working
in stables. Dr. Bates and her two children, Ryan and Abby,
have a yellow lab named Bubba, and two canaries. Her son
is currently at Miami University in Oxford Ohio and her daughter
is at Unioto High School.
Her
interests outside of work are gardening, hiking with Bubba, reading,
knitting, and she is an amateur oil painter.
Amy
Smythe
Thorough Patient
Professional
Amy
Smythe, D.V.M., joined the staff of North Fork Animal Clinic in
2000. Her thoroughness, patience, and professionalism have
proven her to be yet another of the valuable members of the clinic's
respected team of veterinary doctors.
Dr.
Smythe grew up in West Virginia, but in 1992, after receiving
her undergraduate degree from West Virginia University, she came
to Ohio to study veterinary medicine at the Ohio State University.
While at Ohio State she met her husband, Dr. Zoran Naumovski.
The couple have since had four sons named Nicholas, Brenden, Zachary
and Cameron. Their family also includes a three legged cat.
After
graduating form the Ohio State University in 1996, Dr. Smythe
was a part of the staff at a mixed animal practice in Bellefountaine
for four years before joining the team at North Fork Animal Clinic.
She is also a proud member of the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association
(OVMA).
Raised
on a small family farm in West Virginia, Dr. Smythe developed
her love and respect for animals from a very early age.
As is the practice with most farms, the family had a local veterinarian
who made occasional visits to the farm. Observing that veterinarian's
visits to the farm as well as deep rooted love of animals led Dr.
Smythe to pursue her vocation in the field of veterinary medicine.
In
her spare time, Dr. Smythe enjoys quilting, gardening, and spending
a lot of time with her four sons.
Blake E. Lloyd
Enthusiastic Compassionate
Steadfast
Blake E. Lloyd, D.V.M., joined North Fork Animal Clinic in June. A 2011 graduate of The Ohio State University School of Veterninary Medicine, Dr. Lloyd brings a fresh perspective, excitement and love of animals to the clinic. He has always been a problem solver and fan of puzzles, science and how things work.
A native of Bainbridge, Dr. Lloyd graduated from Wright State University with a Bachelor of Science in biology. After briefly entertaining the idea of applying to medical school, his combined passion for medicine and animals made a career as a veternarian an easy choice. During his undergraduate years at Wright State, Dr. Lloyd spent time working at Banfield Animal Hospital in Beavercreek. After graduation, he worked for Battelle Biomedical Research Center. During his work there, his studies with monkeys, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats and ferrets certified his love for veternary medicine and solidified his future career path. At The Ohio State University, he discovered a love for surgical procedures and hones his skills by researching different methods and applying techniques combined with emerging technology.
As a pet owner, Dr. Lloyd understands the companionship animals offer to their owners. He enjoys interacting with clients to figure out the best possible care plan for their animals. He values compassion, professionalism and kindness. Dr. Lloyd knows the importance of always remaining a student and learning something new every day. He challenges himself to explore all options to provide the best care plan he can.
Dr. Lloyd is looking forward to settling down in his hometown-area and getting re-involved in the community. In his spare time, he enjoys landscaping, working out, competing in triathlons, being outside and spending time with his family. His wife Kimberly graduated from Wright State University and is a nurse on the mother/infant floor at Adena Regional Medical Center. The couple has a daughter named Adeline and a son named Oliver.