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.
Michael
J. Henricks
Enthusiastic Compassionate
Steadfast
Michael
J. Henricks is the newest member of our veterinary team, but he
has been associated with North Fork since his freshman year in
high school. His enthusiasm and dedication to being an excellent
veterinarian provide a firm foundation for his young professional
career.
Dr.
Henricks was raised in Chillicothe. His interest in veterinary
medicine was rooted in having multiple family pets while growing
up and having a babysitter that lived on a farm. From a
very young age, Dr. Henricks learned to appreciate the natural
relationship between humans, companion, and feedstock animals.
During high school, he worked as a student assistant at North
Fork Animal Clinic. His duties allowed him to gain valuable
experience working with clients at the front desk, caring for
patients in the hospital and kennels, and observing what it takes
to be a good veterinarian while shadowing our doctors.
Dr.
Henricks majored in Animal Sciences at the Ohio State University
for three years prior to being accepted into the College of Veterinary
Medicine at OSU. Throughout his college career, he took
advantage of many opportunities to gain experience in both the
companion and food animal fields. Upon graduating from vet
school in 2008, Dr. Henricks found the best fit for him, both
professionally and personally, to be at North Fork Animal Clinic.
Dr. Henricks enjoys performing surgeries and combining the owners
observations and their pet's clinical signs to build a plan for
therapeutic care.
During
his spare time, Dr. Henricks enjoys being involved in the local
community, being outdoors, and spending time with his family and
friends. Dr. Henricks is a big brother for Big Brothers
Big Sisters, is a member of Chillicothe Rotary, is an advisor
to the Ross County Humane Society, and is on the Stewardship Committee
at Walnut Street United Methodist Church.
