Our History

Caring for Springfield's animals since 1925, from cows and horses to today's family pets.

Dr. Farhy and Dr. Mann standing outside the blue-and-white Springfield Veterinary Hospital and Dental Clinic building in 2021

A Brief History

How a “Veterinary” sign became your neighborhood hospital

  1. 2020

    Springfield Veterinary Hospital and Dental Clinic

    In December of 2019, before the craziness of the pandemic hit Springfield, Dr. Timothy Mann, VMD, CVA, fell in love with the area. Dr. Mann had previously created and managed three veterinary hospitals in New York City but wanted more space and a strong community for his family. Springfield was perfect for him and his unique holistic approach to medicine.

    Dr. Timothy Mann found Springfield Animal Hospital and vowed to return it to its former glory. He totally gut-renovated the 100-year-old building, adding hospital-quality services such as stem cell procedures, advanced in-house bloodwork, overnight care, advanced cardiac care, advanced cancer care, ultrasonography, dental radiographs, advanced dental procedures, orthopedic care, soft tissue surgery, acupuncture and herbal medicine, as well as routine veterinary care and vaccinations.

    Dr. Timothy Mann took over on July 22, 2020, and renamed the hospital Springfield Veterinary Hospital and Dental Clinic to highlight the pride taken in the advanced care given.

  2. 2001

    A smaller, local clinic

    In 2001, the practice was purchased by Dr. Omar and Dr. Laureen Pottyinski. Dr. Omar left after a year, and Dr. Pottyinski consolidated the practice from a larger hospital into a smaller, local clinic.

    Dr. Pottyinski had a big heart that loved cats. She started accumulating them at the hospital, and by July of 2020 there were three prides in the hospital totaling 51 cats. They now live with Dr. Pottyinski in upstate New York by the Canadian border.

  3. 1973

    Springfield Animal Hospital, open 24 hours

    The practice was purchased by Dr. John Farhy, DVM, on July 2, 1973, and renamed Springfield Animal Hospital to highlight the hospital qualities and overnight care provided. At that time, the hospital was open 24 hours a day and had a team of four doctors and 35 staff members.

  4. 1946

    Reopened as Springfield Veterinary

    Dr. Alex Hillerson, VMD, reopened the practice in 1946. Dr. Hillerson named the center “Springfield Veterinary.”

    It was said by Dr. Alex Hillerson that some of the very first orthopedic surgery done on animals was performed here by a Dr. Jacques Jenny in the early 1940s, with several new techniques and equipment. Dr. Jenny is now referred to as “the Father of Equine Surgery.”

  5. 1925

    Cows, horses and a “Veterinary” sign

    Dr. James Davis created Springfield Vet in 1925 by treating cows and horses, situated across from a large chicken farm that is now the Stoney Creek Shopping Center. The hospital was simply marked by a “Veterinary” sign.

    The practice went on hiatus during World War Two as the veterinarians went off to war.

We look forward to remaining a local landmark that continues to serve the community and generations of your animals for years to come. We love being part of this community!

Veterinarians of Springfield

The doctors who carried the practice forward

  • Dr. Alex Hillerson writing at his desk in a wood-paneled office lined with bookshelves

    Dr. Alex Hillerson, VMD

    Veterinarian

  • Dr. John Farhy smiling in a white shirt and tie, holding a cup beside a recovering patient wrapped in a towel

    Dr. John Farhy, DVM

    Veterinarian

  • Dr. Tim Mann in navy scrubs giving a large black-and-white lizard fluids by syringe on an exam table

    Dr. Tim Mann, VMD

    Current Owner

Moments in Time

Step back through a century of photos

A photographic history of Springfield Veterinary Clinic.

*Special thanks to Sue Hillerson Mitchell and Dr. John Farhy for their contributions.

  • Surgery room, early 1920s: a faded color print of a room with white cabinets, sinks and a steel instrument sterilizer, labeled “Surgery”
    Surgery room, early 1920s
  • Surgery room, early 1920s: an operating table under a ceiling-mounted surgical lamp, with gas cylinders and an anesthesia stand
    Surgery room, early 1920s
  • Dr. Alex Hillerson, VMD, in 1946: a black-and-white photo of him in a suit and tie, looking down
    Dr. Alex Hillerson, VMD, 1946
  • Waiting room in the mid-1900s: a wood-paneled wall with a slatted window and a mounted fish, beside a handwritten note about the room
    Waiting room in the mid-1900s
  • In-clinic laboratory equipment in the mid-1900s: a counter with a microscope, centrifuge and other lab instruments
    In-clinic laboratory equipment in the mid-1900s
  • Patient in surgery with Dr. Hillerson: a dog under drapes on the operating table beside red anesthesia tubing
    Patient in surgery with Dr. Hillerson
  • Exam room with Dr. Hillerson: a black-and-white photo of a stainless steel exam table, a stool and wall-mounted equipment
    Exam room with Dr. Hillerson
  • Dr. Hillerson’s office: wood-paneled walls with framed certificates and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves
    Dr. Hillerson’s office
  • A wood-paneled waiting room with red and white chairs and framed pictures on the walls
    The finest wood paneling!
  • Dr. Alex Hillerson, VMD, smiling in a yellow short-sleeved shirt
    Dr. Alex Hillerson, VMD
  • Dr. Alex Hillerson, VMD: a sepia head-and-shoulders portrait
    Dr. Alex Hillerson, VMD
  • Springfield Veterinary Clinic in April 1969: a black-and-white photo of the low building with a car parked out front
    Springfield Veterinary Clinic, 1969
  • Springfield Veterinary Clinic in April 1969: the front of the building behind bare trees
    Springfield Veterinary Clinic, 1969
  • Springfield Veterinary Clinic in April 1969: a side door with posted signs, framed by shrubs
    Springfield Veterinary Clinic, 1969
  • Springfield Veterinary Clinic in April 1969: the recessed glass entrance
    Springfield Veterinary Clinic, 1969
  • Dr. Alex Hillerson in 1981, writing at his desk in his wood-paneled office
    Dr. Alex Hillerson, 1981
  • Dr. Farhy after a successful pyometra surgery, smiling beside the patient resting in a towel
    Dr. Farhy after a successful pyometra surgery
  • Springfield Animal Hospital in 2004: the building seen across the road, surrounded by spring trees
    Springfield Animal Hospital, 2004
  • Springfield Animal Hospital in 2004: a wider street view of the building and its parking lot
    Springfield Animal Hospital, 2004
  • Springfield Animal Hospital waiting room in 2004, with wooden benches, framed animal prints and a reception counter
    Springfield Animal Hospital waiting room, 2004
  • Springfield Animal Hospital waiting room in 2004, looking toward the front desk
    Springfield Animal Hospital waiting room, 2004
  • Springfield Animal Hospital staff in 2004, working at computers behind the front desk
    Springfield Animal Hospital staff, 2004
  • Springfield Animal Hospital staff in 2004: two snapshots labeled “Margie” and “Kathy”
    Springfield Animal Hospital staff, 2004
  • Dr. Farhy and Dr. Mann standing outside the blue-and-white Springfield Veterinary Hospital and Dental Clinic building in 2021
    Dr. Farhy and Dr. Mann outside Springfield Veterinary Hospital and Dental Clinic, 2021
  • Dr. Farhy and Dr. Mann standing together at the hospital’s side doorway in 2021
    Dr. Farhy and Dr. Mann, 2021
  • Dr. Farhy and Dr. Mann standing together in the renovated hospital lobby in 2021
    Dr. Farhy and Dr. Mann, 2021
  • Dr. Farhy, Dr. Mann and the clinic staff posing together outside the hospital in 2021
    Dr. Farhy, Dr. Mann and Springfield Veterinary Clinic staff, 2021

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