A brother and sister team originally from Down East are the new owners of the Presque Isle Animal Hospital and veterinary practices in Caribou and Houlton.
Veterinarian doctors Hanna Cook and Jonah Babiarz took over the three animal care businesses on May 18 and are in the midst of settling in.
The move is “fulfilling their dream of owning a veterinary clinic,” said Dustin Cook, the husband of Hanna and the practice manager for the businesses.
Hanna and Jonah grew up in Cherryfield and went to veterinary school together in Mississippi, where she met her husband Dustin. For many years, the two siblings worked in the South, most recently in greater Raleigh, North Carolina.
Working with veterinarians in Maine to find potential veterinary practices in their home state, the Cooks and Babiarz learned of the opportunities in northern Maine, Dustin Cook said.
They purchased the Presque Isle Animal Hospital and Caribou outpatient clinic from veterinarians Nick and Andrea Pesut, who are staying on as consultants. In Houlton, they purchased the small animal division of the business from veterinarian Patrick Coville, who will continue practicing large animal medicine under the name of Aroostook Veterinary Services.
Dustin Cook, who will be managing the locations and also facing his first full northern winter, said that the three locations will compliment each other in their hours and range of services.
The outpatient clinic in Caribou will be open one day a week, on Thursday, while the Houlton small animal hospital will be open five days a week and the Presque Isle Animal Hospital six days a week.
“We’re excited. It’s a great opportunity,” Cook said.
For more information, call the Presque Isle Animal Hospital at 207-764-6392, the Caribou clinic at 207-498-3873 or the Houlton location at 207-532-4081.
