In honor of the hospital's 60th anniversary, we asked doctors and staff to write a short passage describing why they do what they do. Here are some of their responses.

DR. RAYMOND RUSSO, FOUNDER
I have never regretted my selection of veterinary medicine as a career or Kingston as a resting place.

When my wife Milly and I arrived here as apprehensive newlyweds 60 years ago, the world was a different place. Kingston was a small agricultural hamlet with a population of 2500. Farm animal medicine commanded 75% of my time. Lacking funds, we had to turn half of our home into our office and kennels. We literally "lived with the dogs" for four years before our animal hospital was constructed.  In those days, pets were generally mere chattels that lived around the house, largely fending for themselves for survival.

What a transformation! With urbanization, farmers and farm animals have become a rarity here; and fortunately to compensate, pets have become members of the family, giving rise to small animal medicine as a specialty. When we first began, vets were known as "hoss doctors" and we were held in low repute. The public was not yet geared to pet practice, and we literally had to educate our slowly developing clientele as to what we could provide for pets' needs and welfare. Women originally were virtually excluded from the field. Today in the year 2007 marks the first time that women outnumber men in the field. New surgical and diagnostic techniques and instrumentation have brought us to a level of sophistication that human medicine enjoys. The human animal bond has become so strengthened that our veterinary hospitals duplicate their human counterparts.

I salute my profession that has risen to become one of the most highly regarded professions. The public is expecting more and better from our practitioners. I can only hope that we can meet and hopefully exceed expectationsin a compassionate, concerned and caring manner that our clients and patients deserve.

What I treasure most at the Kingston Animal Hospital is the day-to-day warmth and camaraderie shared by doctors, clients, pets and coworkers, and especially the spontaneous joy and laughter when pets and clients are reunited after successful treatment. I cherish our supportive clients and colleagues who have filled my life with irreplaceable pride and pleasure. What better life could I have ever experienced gaining joy from both human and animal associations.

DR. MARK RUSSO, CHIEF OF STAFF
Believe it or not, I was kind of ambivalent when I started veterinary school. I had always thought I wanted to follow in my father's footsteps, but it was the late 1960's a time when a young man's attention could easily be drawn to more frivolous pursuits. Several of my more committed classmates were rather aghast at my lack of ardor.

Well now it's almost 4 decades later and many of those fervent classmates are worn out, burned out, out of the profession or just plain unhappy. Over those same years it's become increasingly clear how utterly amazed I am to be doing what I'm doing. Along the way I've been a student, a teacher, a veterinary neurology specialist, a general practitioner, and a chief of staff. These days I spend quite a bit of my time doing acupuncture and holistic medicine.

Veterinary medicine is a difficult profession on many levels long hours, hard work, witnessing a lot of suffering (both patients and owners). Nevertheless, I get to crawl around the floor and whisper into patients' ears. Veterinary medicine is an incredible vehicle to try to do some good. I feel utterly blessed and am very thankful!

DR. PAT HESS, STAFF VETERINARIAN
I have always been awed by the personal relationships that Dr. Ray Russo has established through the years. When I first met Dr. Ray, before I worked at the Kingston Animal Hospital, I thought he could not be for real. His warmth and caring were evident, and perhaps I was jaded and thought that no one could be that nice. As I watched him interact with the staff and clients when I began working at the hospital, I realized that here was a genuine, special human being that we were lucky to have in our profession. His dedication to his clients and patients sets an example for all of us.

DR. SHARON DAVIS, STAFF VETERINARIAN
Why do I do what I do for an occupation? I love animals. Nothing gives me a greater joy than helping pets live the healthiest and most enjoyable life possible. They are an important part of every family and exponentially increase the joy and love within a family.

DR. EMILY CLAIR, STAFF VETERINARIAN
What I love most about the Kingston Animal Hospital are the people-the people who work there to create a warm and inviting place and the people who come in trusting us with their beloved friends. Sixty years ago, Ray Russo opened a veterinary hospital based on up-to-date medicine and surgery. More importantly, he opened a veterinary hospital where showing how much you care and taking the time to listen is as crucial as making a sick pet well. He has taught us all very well.

DR. AGATA THOMPSON-DEMARCO, STAFF VETERINARIAN
I do what I do because I can't imagine doing something else that would bring the same amount of satisfaction, happiness and fulfillment. Kingston Animal Hospital offers the feeling of being needed, part of something big and meaningful. It is like a musical instrument that needs occasional tuning, but once tuned can play anything. The warm and friendly environment that greets me each day, always finds a way to eliminate any tension. At work, I love turning frowns into smiles, guiding people through the challenges of having an animal companion and I enjoy getting my daily face wash from friendly pooches' tongues. My work gives me a chance to be a healer, educator, listener, advisor and counselor. One of the many special moments was my recent return from visiting my mother's land. The warm and enthusiastic welcome back here at the Kingston Animal Hospital made me realize once more where my true home is.

GINA SVELNIS-DAPSYS, HOSPITAL MANAGER
Graduating from college almost thirty years ago, I started my career as a veterinary technician at the Kingston Animal Hospital. Utilizing my skills in the years that followed, I was able to achieve what I wanted most-to excel in my career and to work with animals. But I got more than that. I got a lesson in humanity from Drs. Ray and Mark Russo. Their commitment to preserving the well-being of animals is equally matched by their nurturing of the human spirit. Through their inspiring ways, they create a unique place to work which benefits everyone including patients, clients and employees. Certainly in these days of "corporate" America, it would be difficult to find many who can say that about their employers. So this comes with deep gratitude to Drs. Ray and Mark for giving me the privilege to say that even after thirty years I truly love my job!

JAN HAAS, BUSINESS MANAGER
In this day and age, it's not easy to find a place where the old meets the new and it works. That's what happens at the Kingston Animal Hospital every day. We have available to our clients the most current technology. We also manage to maintain a sense of family. The staff here is second to none. They are a great group of caring, conscientious, funny, compassionate and hard-working people. I'm lucky to be a part of that every day.

CATHY, HEAD TECHNICIAN
Veterinary technicians are individuals who have attained an associate or bachelor degree in veterinary technology from a college accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Most of us have also taken and passed the Veterinary Technician National Examination and have earned the title of Certified Veterinary Technician. We draw blood, take radiographs, perform lab work, place intravenous catheters, perform dental procedures, answer clients' questions. We also prepare patients for surgery, monitor them during surgery and afterward until they wake up from anesthesia. We are the patients' biggest advocate, watching for signs of distress or discomfort as well as providing love and a comforting touch. Next time you bring your pet into the hospital get to know the veterinary technicians.

KRISTEN, SENIOR FLOATER
I love working at the Kingston Animal Hospital for many reasons. I love that the hospital is a very personable and friendly environment. It's great being able to establish relationships with clients and their pets and especially being on a first name basis with who visit us more frequently. I also love that we see a lot of exotic pets. There are few animal hospitals around that can see exotics and we have 3 doctors on staff that can.

JUDI, TECHNICIAN
Several months ago we had a case that I believe reflects many of our Kingston animal Hospital philosophies. A young man brought in his 9 month old dog who was severely ill. The pet was diagnosed with distemper. The puppy had not received any vaccinations which would have prevented this awful disease. The care and compassion that was shown to this young man and his dog by the entire staff was amazing. We had the opportunity to educate him about the need for vaccinations and unfortunately when to make the decision to his friend's suffering. The night we humanely euthanized this dog was tough for all of us. The pet was truly loved by the owner. He held his dog and we held him until his pet left us. The happy ending to a sad story is that recently we had the opportunity to meet his new puppy when he came in for vaccinations. The dog will be loved and cared for correctly and that makes what we do special to me.

MARINA, VETERINARY ASSISTANT
What I love about the Kingston Animal Hospital: I love the animals we SEE day to day, year after year, and love building a relationship with each client. I could not have picked a better group of women to work with. They are the best team and I am so lucky to be part of it all.

CAITLIN, VETERINARY ASSISTANT
Ever since I was a child, I have loved animals. My family however did not include animal lovers like me so we never had any pets except hamsters. I knew the only way I could get my animal fix was to work with them. I have been working with animals the last seven years. It is the most gratifying job knowing that you can help a sick animal feel better or at least comfort them in their time of need.

DANIELLE, VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
What I love about the Kingston Animal Hospital is the opportunity to work with an amazing group of people. I can't think of anything better than a career that involves my greatest passion-working with animals.

LINDA, RECEPTIONIST
My position at the Kingston Animal Hospital has given me the opportunity to meet many people and their pets. Many have become life-long friends. Servicing the public, the gratitude form the clients and the kisses from the patients is what I look forward to every day. I enjoy the dogs looking at me waiting for their cookie reward ands the families entrusting their babies with me while they are in with the doctors.Then there's Dr. Ray. This is a man I admire and love. He is like a second dad to some of us at work...I enjoy working with my friends at the Kingston Animal Hospital. Everyone cares about everyone. It's a good "family".

SUE, RECEPTIONIST
I was a client of the Kingston Animal Hospital for 25 years before I started working here. As a client I loved the personal feel as I walked in the door and people knew me and my pets. I like working here for the same reason. We see the familiar faces of clients who have been coming here for many years. We know and love their "fur children". We grieve with them when they lose their special friend and we are excited when they bring in a new friend for their first exam. It's all about sharing and experiencing the love of animals with our clients.

BETTY, RECEPTIONIST
I love my job because I love animals and the Kingston Animal Hospital. I have the opportunity to meet so many interesting and wonderful people both as clients and coworkers I've had so many memorable moments, but one that stands out was a dog who was rushed to the hospital with fish hook caught in his mouth. The owners were frantically crying and quite upset and so was the dog. In a matter of moments Dr. Mark was able to remove the hook. Suddenly, everyone calmed down. The dog and family were so thankful and relieved!

CINDY, WARD ATTENDANT
My passion is animals. My heart fills up with good stuff every time I set foot in the Kingston Animal Hospital. I get to comfort sick animals. I love the caring doctors and honestly Dr. Ray Russo is a one-of-a-kind man. I felt so honored when a family who was putting their dog to sleep asked me to sit with them and hold their dog with them.