After a rocky purchase of the Log Cabin Animal Hospital earlier this year, the new owner wants to put the ordeal behind him.
Veterinarian Keith Gaines threw his hands in the air after the existing staff at the Log Cabin Animal Hospital left in April, just two weeks after he closed on the biggest purchase of his life.
“I had everything on the line to purchase this practice, and as they say ‘everything that could go wrong, did’.”
Besides the departure of his key personnel, including the resident vet, Gaines had to deal with the drama from just outside Louisville where he resides and owns another practice.
“I was in a catch-22,” Gaines said. “I didn’t have a staff so I couldn’t hire a vet, and I didn’t have a vet so I couldn’t hire any staff.”
Customers panicked and requested copies of their pets’ records. Some were even told to go to the Fall Creek Veterinary Clinic at 96th and Olio. Meanwhile, Gaines went on the search to find a good local vet that he could build a practice around.
In early September, Gaines finally stopped the bleeding by hiring Erin Smyth DVM who was practicing in Avon. Veteran Log Cabin technician Renee Redman stayed on board and two new techs were hired: Allen Johnson and Ray King. Today, the Log Cabin Animal Hospital is back in business with a new staff and renewed enthusiasm.
“I look forward to coming to work everyday,” said Smyth who lives in Broad Ripple.
Smyth is full-time practicing Monday through Saturday and Gaines makes the drive up on Thursdays and Fridays. Now all they need is the customer base back.
To contact the Log Cabin Animal Hospital, visit their website at LogCabinAnimalHospital.com or call 570-8035.
