Detroit Dog Boss | Dr. Graham
We’re diggin’ on Detroiters who are the top dogs in the animal care industry. These entrepreneurs, innovators and educators are what make our community a top notch place to own our pups. We hope you enjoy learning about Detroit’s Dog Bosses as much as we enjoy working with them.
Patterson Dog and Cat Hospital
Dr. Glynes D. Graham is the owner and primary veterinarian of Patterson Dog and Cat Hospital. This #bosslady celebrated her practice’s 175th year in business in July of 2019. We wanted to know more about this #detroitdogboss and how she became the owner of the oldest continuously operating veterinary practice in the United States, so we reached out and asked her!
Q: When did you know you wanted to work with animals and how did you get there?
A: I decided to become a veterinarian around age 15 while doing an animal first aid badge. My dad took me to meet Dr. Miller, the then owner of Patterson, who helped me with the requirements for the badge and encouraged my interest, and I just never left! I worked summers and during vacations, and that continued once I left for MSU to pursue my education. What I didn’t realize at the time was that not only did I want to be a vet, I wanted to be a vet in Detroit- as a matter of fact, I wanted to be Dr. Patterson! I got married out of college and followed my husband, also a vet, to West Virginia where we lived for about a year and a half. I was home in Detroit for Christmas of 1984 and stopped by to see Dr. Miller who told me he was going out “the next day!” to sell Patterson to an early practice consolidator. I asked him to give me 24 hours- went home and called my husband and told him “pack your s*&t (stuff), we’re moving home to buy Patterson’s!” And we did. We signed the papers on April 1st, 1985. In 1991 I purchased his half of the practice and became the sole owner of Patterson, finally realizing my dream of being “Dr. Patterson”.
Patterson Dog and Cat Hospital
Q: What do you like the most about working with dogs?
A: What I like the most is the ways I can help pets to live long healthy lives. I love preventive care, client education, and the bond that forms with being your vet from the time you get a brand new puppy, through their whole lives, until it’s time to talk about how best to support them in old age. Being a family vet is how I see myself, and the relationships I have with my furry patients and their families are what makes this worthwhile to me.
Anisa Jibrell/Crain’s Detroit Business
Q: What’s the most exciting thing happening in your organization this year? (2019)
A: This year we’ve added another full time doctor! Dr. Amanda Lee joined our staff on May 28th. This is so exciting and really expands how we can care for our pet community. We have extended hours to include Wednesday from 9-12 – the first time we’ve been open on Wednesday for about 20 years. We just received a Motor City Re-Store grant and will be renovating our front facade and fencing. And of course, we celebrated our 175th anniversary. Patterson is the oldest veterinary hospital in the US, and the one of the oldest businesses in Detroit. It’s an amazing year for us!
(Photo: Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)
Q: Favorite dog breed, and why?
Q: What’s one thing you want dog owners in Metro Detroit to know?
A: I want dog owners in Metro Detroit to know how great they are. They care not only for their own pets, but for strays, lost pets, abandoned animals, injured pets, abused animals, wildlife, and any animal that crosses their path. Your pets are living amazing lives, with dog parks and day care and group dog walks and travel, as well as the advances in veterinary care that allow them to be healthier and better cared for than ever before. Everyone who walks into my hospital is there because they want to provide the best that they can for their pet. I’m proud to serve the pets and people of Detroit.