Homestead Veterinary Hospital

At Homestead Veterinary Hospital, we believe every animal deserves exceptional care — from the family dog to your prized performance horse. Our team of seven veterinarians in Villa Ridge, located within Franklin County, combines advanced diagnostics, surgery, and digital imaging with a deeply personal approach, ensuring each patient receives the right treatment at the right time. Whether it’s a routine wellness visit or an urgent call, we’re here to support pets, horses, and the people who love them

In 1970, Dr. Don Walsh founded Ellisville Veterinary Clinic on Clarkson Road, caring for both small animals and horses. The practice grew steadily over the next 15 years as families throughout the community came to rely on his mixed-animal expertise. By 1985, the practice expanded enough to divide services. Dr. Carter Smith continued the small-animal clinic on Clarkson Road, while Dr. Walsh established Homestead Equine Hospital on the historic Kreinkamp homestead. The new location allowed him to travel farther, serve more horses, and grow the equine practice. Dr. Mark Cassells joined in 1999, followed by Dr. Derek Craig in 2002. The current hospital officially opened on July 7, 2014. In 2009, Dr. Cassells and Dr. Craig purchased the practice and began planning for a larger facility. With Dr. Aarah Craig joining in 2012 and the team outgrowing the original building, the hospital moved to its new Villa Ridge location on Whispering Hope Drive. The new facility opened on July 7, 2012, offering expanded space and modern equipment to better serve both small and large animal patients. Dr. Donald Walsh began practicing in 1969 and retired from clinical work in 2015. He lead clinical research at Homestead, focusing on advancing treatment for laminitis. Internationally recognized for his expertise, Dr. Walsh also founded the Animal Health Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to funding research toward preventing and curing laminitis

Mission — Excellence guides our past, innovation shapes our future, and compassion drives everything we do