Best Friends Veterinary Hospital

Veterinarian Rex Riggs and his partner worked with CCDC and Key Bank to secure $1.2 million to build a new 6,713-square-foot veterinary hospital in Powell, which opened in December 2005. Located in a growing area about three miles from its prior location, where it had been since 1983, the clinic boosted business by 20% its first year and 10% each subsequent year. 

“This is what I dreamed of when I went into veterinary medicine. The CCDC process went really well. It was so nice to have to put only 10% down. You’re able to do what you want to do without straining it.”

Best Friends co-owner Dr. Rex Riggs

The new facility has more than twice the square footage than the prior location, and the treatment area – which Dr. Riggs calls the “hub of the hospital” – has increased tenfold. Best Friends has four doctors on staff and serves primarily dogs and cats as well as some “pocket pets.”

“I’m passionate about veterinary medicine,” said Dr. Riggs, whose brother is a veterinarian at the Akron Zoo. “My mom always had animals and really nurtured a love for them in us.” He and his brother travel around the world together to attend veterinary conferences.

Dr. Riggs believes there’s an unbelievable connection between people and animals. “Many don’t realize how important animals are in people’s lives. One of my customers recently brought in his 16-year-old poodle just so we could help him celebrate the dog’s birthday. I love the animals, but I also love meeting the people,” Dr. Riggs said.

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