veterinarian
Photo By Tom Ballantine
Part of the Family
Maher Animal Hospital WRITTEN BY MARIA D’ANTONIO
of Covington since 1982 lies Maher Animal Hospital. This fatherdaughter veterinary team yearns to do more than just treat pets for illness or injury but treat all the animals that walk through the hospital doors as part of the family. “It’s really humbling to work in the practice he built,” said Dr. Katie Maher. After moving to the Northshore to start the animal hospital, her father, Dr. Rusty Maher, set the stage to make an ordinary animal hospital truly a place for families. Dr. Katie, born and raised in Covington, started working with her father once she graduated from Louisiana State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine. While her father never pushed her to become a veterinarian, he nonetheless inspired not only her passion for veterinary medicine, but also two of her cousins to become vets. “He’s a really big influence on our family for sure,” she commented. With her education on the most recent techniques and technology, coupled with her father’s abundant experience, the two are able to provide top notch care for patients in a new way.
“We consult on almost every case,” Dr. Katie explained. “You may see only one of us, but most of the time we are putting our heads together behind closed doors.” Not only do both veterinarians work together to ensure the best treatment for pets, but new technology also assists in transforming the way the doctors diagnose diseases. “We have an ultrasound machine which has really changed the practice,” Dr. Katie commented. This, as well as their digital x-ray and in-house bloodwork machines, has helped to make clear and quick diagnoses. Dr. Katie went to high school at Saint Scholastica Academy before attending the University of Georgia and graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in genetics. When she’s not tending to patients in the hospital, she’s busy with her own pets—Mona, a lab; two rescues, Gertrude and Little Bit, and her cat, Prince. “People’s pets are more than just animals. They are beloved family members,” she said. It is this attitude toward patient care that has really helped the practice to stand out. While technology and the doctors’ teamwork on most cases have certainly had parts to play
in this successful business, Dr. Katie pointed out that what really makes the hospital special is their approach to care. “One of things we really pride ourselves on is we treat every animal that walks into our clinic as if they were our own,” she explained. In this way, the Maher Animal Hospital family grows with each new pet that walks through its doors. Maher Animal Hospital is located at 1031 S. Tyler Street in Covington. For more information, call 985-892-0113 or visit maheranimalhospital.com.
Photo By Bobby Gilboy
NESTLED IN THE HEART