- 275 West Olentangy Street ( Powell Road), Powell, OH 43065
- Mon-Thur 8am-6pm | Fri 8am-5pm | Sat 8am-Noon
- 614-889-PETS (7387)
BEST FRIENDS
VETERINARY HOSPITAL
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If you are searching for the best veterinarians for dogs and cats in Powell, Ohio, you have found the right place. Our doctors, technicians, and staff specialize in caring for the health of dogs and cats. Whether it is the well care, and accident, or a sick visit, we are here to care for your best friend!
Best Friends Veterinary Hospital was born when Dr. Thomas Ritchie opened the doors on March 1, 1983 of the original hospital at the corner of Hard Rd. and Smokey Row Rd. We started in a 1,500 sq. ft. rented facility. Best Friends’ first employee was Barb Lyndes and she served as his technician, receptionist, and kennel staff! Over the next five years as the practice became established, Dr. Ritchie recognized his need for another veterinarian as well as a business partner. On April 8, 1988, Dr. Rex Riggs joined Best Friends.
The Best Friends family continued to grow, over the next 20 years, as the client base expanded. Dr. Ritchie and Dr. Riggs had to make the choice of remodeling the current rented building to create more space or build an entirely new facility. The decision was realized with a marvelous state-of-the-art 6,500 sq. ft. facility in Powell, Ohio. Our current veterinary staff includes multiple veterinarians and an array of extremely dedicated, knowledgeable assistants, technicians and receptionists.
Dr Rex Riggs grew up in Wadsworth, Ohio, near Akron. He graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1985. Dr Riggs joined Dr Ritchie at Best Friends in 1988. He firmly believes continuing education is important, and consequently attends multiple veterinary conferences yearly. He has attended veterinary conference all over the world, including Australia, New Zealand and Scotland.
Dr. Heidrich is a graduate of The Ohio State University, class of 1997. She has been practicing in Central Ohio for the past 14 years. In fact, you may remember Dr. Heidrich from when she worked at Best Friends from 1999 to 2003, when she gave birth to her son, Brayden. Before that, she worked with us as a Veterinary Student while she was attending veterinary school.
Dr. Todd Kyle joined Best Friends Veterinary Hospital in August 2018, after practicing as a veterinarian in Reynoldsburg and at a vet office in Dublin, Ohio for several years.
He grew up on a farm in Marion County. Dr. Kyle earned his undergraduate degrees in Zoology and Chemistry at Ohio University. He graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary medicine in 1995.
Dr. Baltzell grew up in the small town of Celina, Ohio, near Grand Lake St. Marys. She moved to Columbus to attend college and veterinary school at The Ohio State University. She has practiced in Central Ohio since graduation in 2007.
Our fees reflect the value of services provided. Payment in full is expected at time services are rendered. For your convenience, we accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Care Credit, cash, and personal checks (social security number required).
Estimates are provided for most procedures whenever they are requested.
Giving back to the community is very important to Best Friends Veterinary Hospital. We are proud to support the following associations and organizations, both with financial contributions and volunteer hours.