Our History
The roots of the Delmar Animal Hospital go back to a
veterinary practice established in Clarksville, NY, by
Thurman Church Vaughn, Jr., DVM, who was born and raised
in Greenville. Upon graduating from the New York
State Veterinary College at Cornell University in 1944,
during World War II, Dr. Vaughn became a commissioned
officer in the US Army Veterinary Corps. In 1947,
he returned to Greenville, where he both practiced
veterinary medicine with Dr. Romery, and met and married
the local math teacher, June Carlson.
In 1948, the Vaughns moved to Clarksville and opened
a solo, mixed practice in the garage of their home on
Olive Street. June did the bookkeeping and
answered the telephone. That meant scheduling
appointments and relaying messages through farmers'
wives when Thurm was making calls in the country.
In 1950, Dr. Vaughn built the Clarksville Animal
Hospital at 1967 Delaware Avenue, Clarksville.
(Today, that building houses the Clarksville Post Office
and The Quilters' Studio.) His first employee was
Burtis Woodruff, who took care of the building and the
kennels filled with animals, both patients and
tenants.
As the practice grew, other veterinarians were hired
to handle farm calls and an ever-increasing number of
companion animals. Their wives also answered the
telephone and relayed messages through farmers'
wives.
In 1961, Dr. Robert E. Lynk joined the
practice. By 1963, the small animal practice was
booming. On the other hand, dairy farmers were
selling their herds. Looking to the future, Dr.
Vaughn built a new facility in Delmar at 910 Delaware
Avenue. On January 13, 1964, the Delmar Animal
Hospital had a very quiet grand opening, thanks to 14
inches of fresh snow.
The move to town was a boon for the wives of the
veterinarians. The staff was increased by a
receptionist who handled the telephone during office
hours. An answering service took over when the
office closed.
That move has been followed by an ongoing number of
changes:
1966--Dr. Robert E. Lynk became a partner
1966--A third full-time veterinarian was employed
1970--The practice of equine medicine was discontinued
1972--The facility was renovated to enlarge the
reception area and the surgical suite and to create a
third exam room
1974--Part-time veterinarians were added to those
working full-time
1974--Dr. Stuart C. Lyman joined the practice
1978--Dr. Stuart C. Lyman became a partner
1984--Dr. Thurman C. Vaughn, Jr., retired
1984--Dr. Laura Tenney joined the practice
1986--A crematory was added to the facility
1994--A fourth full-time veterinarian was employed
1994--Dr. Jennifer Bull joined the practice
1998--Dr. Robert E. Lynk retired
1998--Dr. Carrie O'Loughlin joined the practice
2005--The practice was limited to on-site care of
companion pets, which can be accommodated by two
full-time and two part-time veterinarians.
2005--Drs. Bull and O'Loughlin purchased the practice
2008--Dr. Lyman retired
The following veterinarians have served or are serving
at the Delmar Animal Hospital in a full-time capacity:
1964-1984, Thurman C. Vaughn, Jr.
1964-1998, Robert E. Lynk
1966-1967, Bruce Hull
1967-1968, Hugo Viet
1968-1969, John Hilt
1969-1971, Ted Sprinkle
1971-1974, Bill Rebhune
1972-1973, David Bush
1974-2008, Stuart C. Lyman
1984- , Laura
Tenney
1994- ,
Jennifer Bull
1998- , Carrie
O'Loughlin
Veterinarians employed on a part-time basis have
included Holly Cheever, Tatty Hodge, and Victoria
Rafter. It seems worth noting that, with the
exception of Tatty Hodge, all of the veterinarians who
have worked in this practice have been graduates of
Cornell University. Five of them returned to
academia for veterinary faculty positions:
Jack Kavanaugh to Cornell University and then Penn State
University
Charlie Jjerpe to the University of California at Davis
Bruce Hull to Ohio State University
Hugo Veit to Virginia Stat University
William Rebhun to Cornell University
The Delmar Animal Hospital is also indebted to its
outstanding support personnel--its veterinary
technicians, animal and hospital care people,
bookkeepers, office managers, and receptionists.
VETERINARY TECHNICIANS
Kathy Versulli, V.T., Sharon Humphrey, V.T., David
Mason, and Jan Walsh
OFFICE MANAGERS
Olga Carlson, Linda Dole, Eileen DePaula, Brian Galimidi,
Reggie Grenier, Bev McGuire, Peg O'Toole, and Liz Wallen
RECEPTIONISTS
Sharon Ansell, Jennifer Bull, Pat Bull, Anita Dab,
Eileen DePaula, Sarah Elmendorf, Reggie Grenier, Jen
Keeler, Linda Kroth, Robin Lynk, Tony McGrath, Linda
Ringler, Sandy Miller Slingerland, Helen Potter,
Arlene Stilan, Bridget Urbano, Phyllis Vanderlinden,
Laudie Vaughn, Ann Vogel, Liz Wallen, and Rosie Zinn
BOOKKEEPERS
Ginny Hobbs and Sharon Humphrey
ANIMAL & HOSPITAL CARE MULTITASKERS
Sarah Bradt, Ted Bryan, SHaron Humphrey, Michael Sleurs,
Liz Wallen, and Burtis Woodruff
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Dick Brockley, Jim Brockley, Bob Illingworth, Kathy
Lindsay, Carrie Lyman, Tom Lyman, Dan McShane, Sheila
McShane, Mike O'Toole, Tim O'Toole, Peter Strand, and
Becky Thomas
VETERINARY STUDENTS
Buz Brody, Jennifer Bull, Roger Ellis, and Bruce Hull
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