Choose Holt: Professional Care For Park Cities’ Pets
Park Cities Healthcare Professionals For Your Pets
Since 1946 the Holt Clinic exemplifies what every veterinary practice tries to achieve but often falls short. That is the commitment and ability to combine cutting edge medicine while providing old-fashioned service. The Clinic has bridged the neighborhood’s transition from unpaved roads to the bustling University Crossing district just across Central Expressway on SMU Blvd. As a nationally registered AVMA Heritage Veterinary Practice and a TVMA Texas Heritage Veterinary Practice, they ’ve served Park Cities pets and their human companions for more than 75 years.
A registered historic practice
Dr. Joseph Newton started the practice on what used to be called Yale Blvd in 1946. Dr. Holt and his family lived on the property and the buildings were constructed from WWII surplus materials. In 2014 construction of their beautiful new hospital facility was completed at the same location on what is now named SMU Blvd.
Caring for a growing community of Dallas pets for the next generation
Dr. David W. Baxter purchased Dr. Holt’s practice in 1982. “Dr. B.” enjoyed working with local students and emphasized the importance of compassionate care. Dr. Baxter hired the present director, Dr. Geoff Bratton, then a 16 year-old student at Highland Park High School, to work as a kennel assistant. Dr. Bratton later worked as a technician and veterinary intern before he became an associate veterinarian under Dr Baxter in 2003. Dr Bratton assumed leadership of the practice in 2010 upon Dr Baxter’s retirement. As a member of the Veterinary Emergency Critical Care Society and the Texas Academy of Veterinary Practice, Dr. Bratton stays on the cutting edge of veterinary practice. He also carries Vet-Stem accreditation and is a USDA-APHIS certified veterinarian for international travel/export certificates. Dr. Bratton is the Dallas County District Director of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association and previously served on the Dallas County Veterinary Medical Association Board of Directors. He also served on the Emergency Animal Clinic Board of Directors from 2011 to 2015. He and his wife, Amy, have twin boys and a Havanese mix named Mr. Fezziwig. He is an avid road cyclist and loves to spend time with his family in the mountains of northern New Mexico.
Planning for the future
In the beginning, Holt patients included swine and other non-domesticated animals. Since the early 1950s, however, the practice has focused solely on family pets. The Holt Clinic offers a full range of surgical, diagnostic and laboratory services, as well as boarding and bathing services. Holt is proud to have achieved certification as both an Accredited Clinic by AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) and a Fear Free Certified Practice.
