Riversbend Animal Hospital
Big Rapids, MI
At a glance
- Facility type
- Veterinary Practice
- Practice tier
- General
- Clinic type
- Standalone
- Operating status
- Operational
- Appointment model
- Appointment
- 24/7 care
- No
- Accepting new patients
- Unknown
Species treated
Services
Accreditations
Amenities & accessibility
Overview
Riversbend Animal Hospital is a family-owned and operated veterinary practice that has proudly served Big Rapids and its surrounding communities since 1978. Our veterinarians and veterinary care team strive to create personalized experiences in a warm, friendly environment where your pet always comes first
1978: Riversbend Animal Hospital was founded by Dr. Edward Lepley in Rogers Heights. 1980-1981: Dr. James Krellwitz & Dr. James Scott graduated from Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and joined Dr. Lepley. 1990’s-2000’s: Two of Dr. Scott’s seven children, Ruth and James (Jimmy), joined as assistants; their brother Joseph followed. 2008: Dr. Krellwitz retired and Dr. Scott became sole owner. 2014: Dr. Scott pursued AAHA accreditation. 2016: Business outgrew original space; kept Rogers Heights as Riversbend Boarding and Grooming and purchased a building for Riversbend Animal Hospital. Ruth graduated from MSU with DVM, completed small animal surgery residency at University of Minnesota, returned to provide specialty surgical services. Jimmy became Certified Veterinary Practice Manager. 2019: Dr. Ruth took over as sole owner. 2020: Closed Riversbend Boarding and Grooming. 2022: Dr. Ruth became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (Small Animal). Joseph rejoined after graduating from MSU with DVM, focuses on internal medicine
Mission — We strive to have a friendly and caring environment for our team members and clients
Team at a glance
Individual names, titles & bios are in the practice intelligence layer below.
Services in detail
Appointments & hours
Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Thursday: Open for Surgery Only, Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Frequently asked
Is Riversbend Animal Hospital AAHA-accredited?+
Yes — Riversbend Animal Hospital is an AAHA-accredited hospital.
What services does Riversbend Animal Hospital offer?+
Riversbend Animal Hospital offers General Practice, Wellness, Vaccination, Dentistry, Imaging, In House Lab, Surgery, End Of Life.
When was Riversbend Animal Hospital established?+
Riversbend Animal Hospital has served the Big Rapids, MI community since 1978.
What reviewers say
Riversbend Animal Hospital is a well-maintained, modern veterinary facility offering comprehensive medical, surgical, and end-of-life care. The dedicated team of veterinarians and support staff are recognized for their compassionate approach, thorough explanations, and strong follow-up care. Separate waiting areas for cats and dogs help minimize pet anxiety during visits. While same-day and urgent appointments are frequently accommodated, scheduling constraints and pricing concerns are occasionally noted by clients.
Frequently praised for
Aggregated from reviewer feedback across multiple sources.
Now hiring
Open roles aggregated from multiple sources; apply links go to the employer's own posting.
Practice Intel
Inside the full profile
-
Ownership & corporate structure -
Team & DVM count -
Hiring & expansion signals -
Key contacts — owner & medical director -
Practice history — ownership, pricing & quality shifts -
Capability signals — gaps & confirmed services -
Review intelligence — sentiment, pricing & named staff
Unlock the full profile
Free to unlock — takes a few seconds.
Data as of July 2026. VetPulse aggregates public-record and licensing data; it does not represent the practice directly.