ABOUT US
HISTORY

NORWALK VETERINARY HOSPITAL

The Norwalk Veterinary Hospital was founded in 1942 by Dr. George
Alfson (Cornell '40) and was located further north on the Post Road in
Norwalk.  Dr. Alfson's classmate, Paul Kahl (Cornell '40), joined him in
practice in 1950.  As dairy farms were still active in the area
at that time, the partners cared for both large and small animals.

The practice was moved to it's present location upon purchase of
an existing boarding kennel in 1955.  The property included four separate
buildings in a peach and apple orchard setting. One building was
converted into a hospital.  The others were a boarding kennel, a cattery
with outdoor runs and an old farmhouse situated where McDonald's now
stands.
The practice was well established by the end of the 1950's and ready
for another veterinarian by the early 1960's.  Dr. Donald Hartrick
(Cornell '63) joined Drs.  Alfson and Kahl as their first associate in July
1963.  He became a partner in 1970 and sole owner upon retirement of
the two senior partners in 1980.  The facility eventually evolved into the
largest one-owner veterinary complex in the Northeast.

Since 1967, we have maintained a four doctor staff and many
young veterinarians have begun their professional careers at
the Norwalk Veterinary Hospital.

Veterinary medicine in the 1960's and 1970's "came into its own"
as veterinary technology advanced and the economy boomed.  Our knowledge,
equipment and skills have continually kept pace with these advances.

As the Practice grew in the 1960's the physical plant needed to be
updated and enlarged. Our present award-winning (Veterinary Economic's 1970
Hospital of The Year) hospital was opened in January 1970.  Our physical
plant remains the same today as in 1970 and is still considered one of
the premier facilities in the United States.

January 1995 witnessed the beginning of a new era for the Norwalk
Veterinary Hospital as Dr. Charles Duffy ( Univ. of Penn.'88) and Dr.
Janice Duffy (Univ. of Penn.'91 )  joined Dr. Hartrick in a partnership
commitment and eventual buy-out arrangement.  This partnership
arrangement will insure that the Norwalk Veterinary Hospital tradition
of personal attention coupled with high-level veterinary care will
continue for many years to come.

Thank you for letting us serve you.

Dr. Donald W. Hartrick graduated from the Cornell School of Veterinary Medicine in 1963,
and joined original owners Dr. George Alfson and Dr. Paul Kahl as their first associate in
July of 1963.
He became a partner in 1970 and sole owner upon retirement of the two senior partners
in 1980.
In January of 1995 Dr. Charles and Dr. Janice Duffy joined Dr. Hartrick in a partnership
commitment.
Dr Hartrick decided to retire in December of 2000 to pursue his other interests and
spending more time with his wife, children and grandchildren.