Archive 2008 - 2019

Holliston Animal Hospital, A Fathers Compassion and Work Ethic Comes Full Circle

by Meg Porter
1/19/2011

No doubt about it, Dr. Rod Poling, DVM, owner of Holliston Animal Hospital, is devoted to the compassionate care and healing of all animals.

As a kid growing up on a hog and cattle farm in northwest Ohio, Rod Poling knew that he wanted to become a veterinarian. His favorite subjects in school were physics, chemistry and math. He studied these subjects while plowing the fields after school. Under the caring and watchful eyes of his father, Charles, Rod and his six siblings learned by example: the importance of a compassionate, strong work ethic. Feeding and tending to the needs of all the farm animals was a daily responsibility and a way of life. So begins the sucessful journey of Dr. Rod Poling DVM.

A 1973 graduate of Ohio State Univ., Cum Laude, Poling gained additional training when he was offered an internship at Angell Memorial Hospital. One of only eight interns at the time, working 70-80 hours a week for 18 months provided Poling with an experience that any current veterinary student can only dream of. Angell Memorial Hospital is the offspring of the MSPCA and the first animal hospital in the country, opening its doors in 1915.

Dr. Poling was 25 years old and still an intern when he bought Brookline Veterinary Hospital. It was clear that the pratice and the building needed rejuvenation and renovation. He enlisted the talents and drive of seven other interns from Angell Memorial to build up the business. Once this practice grew to a staff of forty and established itself in the community, Poling sold it. Over the next ten years he would buy and sell seven other practices in Canton, Randolph, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline, Boston and Back Bay. He has also built ten kennels with the help and expertise of architects who specialize in designing warm, welcoming environments for pets and their owners that are also efficient and easy to clean.

I asked Dr. Poling what he considers to be the single most important preventative treatment that one can do for their pet? He quickly answered "weight control." He referred to a study done on dogs that found animals who were thin lived 2.9 years longer than those that were overweight.

Coming in second in the preventative treatment category is dental hygiene. "It is a source of infection later in life that can be prevented with regular, thorough cleaning."

Dr. Poling is also a family man. He met his wife Lynn when she brought her two dogs to an animal hospital in Needham where he once worked. They have been married for 37 years and have three children. His wife was a banker before she became a nurse and currently does the books for Holliston Animal Hospital and Holliston Meadows Pet Resort. His daughter Anne Byers manages both businesses. This is clearly a family effort.

I asked Dr. Poling what he finds most gratifying about his work? He said, "Animals come in in pain and discomfort and walk out healthy."

One of his employees said, "He is one of the smartest and most compassionate care givers of animals that I have had the pleasure to work with." He loves educating his clients on the well being of their beloved pets.

Holliston Animal Hospital is located at 13 Exchange Street, Holliston, MA 01746.

For more information or to make an appointment please call (508)429-8899.

Comments (3)

My little Katie Bear corgi is a client of Dr. Poling and I agree that he is an extremely kind and compassionate doctor. I also like that when he talks to the owner he is very clear and concise with directions and information.

Sherri Hebert | 2011-02-10 12:50:51

I have been very impressed with the insights to proper care and overall knowledge Dr. Poling imparts on his patient's primary care givers. He is a kind, caring, and extremely knowledgeable vetrinarian. Never hurried or harried...I always leave better informed and our dog Guinness is the benefactor.

paul tobin | 2011-01-21 11:08:35

On behalf of our ever-growing family of pets, awesome man, awesome article!

sarah commerford | 2011-01-21 07:30:47