Doctors Lyra Read (left) and Brooke Crosier recently expanded Upper Charles Animal Hospital with a new office in Hopkinton.

Pet owners in Hopkinton have a new option for traditional veterinary care. Upper Charles Animal Hospital, based in Bellingham, recently opened a satellite office at 8 Lumber Street in town. Drs. Brooke Crosier and Lyra Read, the hospital’s founders and owners, had hoped to establish a practice in Hopkinton for years but could not find the right space until recently.

“We saw a real need for a traditional veterinary practice in Hopkinton,” said Read, a graduate of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. “Some towns have several options within their community, but Hopkinton did not, and we are excited to offer high-quality care in a personal setting.”

Crosier and Read have nearly 30 years of combined clinical experience and opened Upper Charles Animal Hospital in July 2023. They previously worked together for 10 years at another local veterinary hospital, which was later sold to a large corporation. As corporate ownership of veterinary practices becomes more common, Crosier and Read said they wanted to to establish an independent practice that provides high-quality veterinary care at an affordable price while maintaining the feel of a hometown veterinary office.

“Families like to see the same face at every appointment and know the person who answers the phone,” said Crosier, a graduate of Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “Our goal is to have a personal, family pet doctor experience for our clients.”

The Hopkinton office provides traditional wellness care and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses in cats and dogs. Dr. Stephanie Wilson, a graduate of the University of Edinburgh School of Veterinary Medicine, works mainly at the Hopkinton location and has a special interest in allergies and dermatology, which are common issues among pets. The office also has an in-house laboratory and ultrasound capabilities. More advanced imaging and surgical procedures are available to patients at the Bellingham location.

Rising veterinary care costs are one of two recent challenges for pet owners, according to Crosier and Read. The practice has begun recommending pet insurance to clients and provides related resources on its website.

“Clients can usually plan for routine visits and care,” said Read. “But when there is an illness or injury, care can be costly, and that’s where insurance can really make a difference.”

Crosier also noted an increase in anxiety and behavioral issues among dogs. With more people adopting rescue pets, Read emphasized the importance of researching and understanding a dog’s breed and its needs before bringing it home.

“Now that people are going back to work outside of the home, we are seeing dogs with separation anxiety and behavioral challenges,” said Crosier. “We are fortunate to have some really great training facilities in the area that we collaborate with.”

Upper Charles Animal Hospital’s Hopkinton office is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments can be booked by calling 508-784-7605 or visiting uppercharlesah.com.

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