Dr. Stephen Walsh, who has owned the practice since 2008, had a mentor who helped instill in him a love of veterinary medicine. "Before going to veterinary school, I worked for a veterinary hospital on Cape Cod," Dr. Walsh recalls. "The doctor that owned the hospital became my mentor. I admired him for all that he gave back to the community, for the compassion he showed to all his patients, and I have always tried to emulate him in my practice."

Dr. Walsh also worked at a boarding school in Central Massachusetts and he started spending time around horses, dogs, cats and various farm animals, where the "challenge of veterinary medicine came alive."

Dr. Walsh earned his undergraduate degree in psychology from Merrimack College in 1991, where he was active in student government and the campus ministry. For several years, he was a high school math teacher.

He later attended the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, where he earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. Dr. Walsh was class president for four years, was named commencement speaker, and earned a Certificate of Merit for Exceptional Proficiency in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery.

Today, Dr. Walsh has special interests in surgery, internal medicine and dentistry. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Maine Veterinary Medical Association.

One of Dr. Walsh's fondest memories happened not long after he graduated from veterinary school. "I had a client who was blind and relied intently on his guide dog for his independence and daily functioning. The bond between that owner and pet was like nothing I had seen before. The dog was very ill, and I practically camped out in the hospital keeping tabs on the dog, and doing my best to keep his owner positive and at ease. At the end of the week, the dog was able to walk out to his owner, and we were very affected watching the reunion. It was a beautiful thing. Anytime I can help a pet recover from an illness and watch the happiness on its owner's face is a humbling and special moment."

Dr. Walsh and his wife Karin have two active children, as well as an aging cat named Herman and an energetic labradoodle named Lily they adopted. As a family they love to boat, camp, fish, barbecue, and get together with family and friends.