Andover Animal Hospital open for business

ANDOVER — The newly relocated Andover Animal Hospital celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting on Jan. 26. "It was meant to be in Andover Township," said hospital administrator Jill Hummel. Her husband, Dr. Harvey Hummel, is the third owner of the veterinary practice, which was founded in 1958 and originally located on Perona Road in Sparta. When the Hummels saw an opportunity to acquire the 8,000-square-foot barn on the corner of Newton-Sparta Rd. and Limecrest Rd. in Andover, they jumped at the chance. Circa 1910, the structure had been a milk barn in its heyday and later housed a publishing company and furniture store. "It's an honor and privilege and I wish you the best of everything," said Mayor Michael Lensak, prior to cutting the ribbon. Following the ceremony, the Hummels gave a tour of the facility before ending the day with a lunch. "We went from two exam rooms and 1,800 square feet to five exam rooms, and 8,000 square feet," Dr. Harvey Hummel said. The state-of-the-art hospital boasts a surgery suite with anesthesia, a monitoring system, and a special HVAC system. It also has digital radiography, an in-house lab, pharmacy, isolation ward, a separate cat ward, a comfort room and a memorial garden. The bottom floor of the building is where the veterinary hospital offices are located. Terwisscha Construction Inc., of Minnesota, carried out the project, which took over a year and a half to complete. First Hope Bank assisted with the financing. "It was a unique project," said Charles Luszcz, commercial lending officer at First Hope. "We're very happy it turned out this way, it will be a nice addition to the town and community." "We're so happy to see you've been residents for so long and you were able to take your business back to Andover," said Vita Thompson, township administrator and clerk. The Andover Animal Hospital is located at 243 Newton-Sparta Rd. For hours and other information call the hospital at 973-940-2276.