Rockwall Veterinary Hospital celebrates 65 years

Rockwall, TX (June 23, 2023) – Today’s Rockwall Veterinary Hospital is a modern, small animal clinic, but the clinic’s history actually goes back 65 years! In 1958, Dr. Joe Loftis took over a downtown Rockwall vet clinic before moving to a newly constructed state-of-the-art facility in 1970, where today’s hospital remains.

In those early days, farm animals were a large part of the practice, and Joe’s wife, JoAnn (Rochell), used a short-wave radio to give direction for the next farm call. While much has changed, their mission has not.

Dr. David Loftis joined his father’s practice in 1990 upon graduation from Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine. When Joe retired in 2000, David continued to focus the clinic on the kind of personal care and work ethic his father and mother had established and become known for.

With integrity and honesty at the core, the Rockwall Veterinary Hospital mission is to provide great care with compassion for animals and owners, especially important on those difficult days. This in mind, having team members with a heart for pets and their owner is a clinic priority.

“I feel a tremendous obligation to the Rockwall community, and that certainly includes their 4-legged family members because I know pets help people live better lives,” said Dr. Loftis. “Service is the foundation of caring and that includes doing the right thing for our clients who put their trust in us, and I am confident that my entire team feels the same way.”

As a 4^th generation native, David has long been committed to the future of the Rockwall area. Having served in many capacities and boards including Rotary, YMCA, Rockwall ISD, and as a lifelong member of First Baptist Church, the people of Rockwall are family. Today, David works with RISD’s Gene Burton College & Career Academy, providing clinic rotations as students prepare to obtain a Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA) certification, the first step to becoming Vet Technicians. Helping young people develop interest and experience in vet medicine is rewarding knowing some day they may be caring for local pets too.

With the clinic’s 65^th anniversary, David and his wife, Chrissie, reflect on the past and the many patients who have become friends, old and new, with great appreciation. They also fondly remember Joe and JoAnn, the way they treated their clients, and the memories that make the history of Rockwall Veterinary Hospital. They also look toward the future, excited to meet new clients, pets and the growth to come.

Sponsored article. By Melanie Mayfield, Blue Ribbon News contributing writer.

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