Docton Animal Clinic was founded by Dr. Frank L. Docton over 60 years ago. Dr. Docton orginally began practicing veterinary medicine with Dr. William H. Pavey on Country Club Drive in January of 1952. He practiced there for many years before moving the office to its current location off Old Springfield Pike. Dr. Docton treated the pets as if they were children, often stepping into the waiting room and calling for the "next child please."   Dr. Docton was born April 28, 1919 in Cleveland. He served his country proudly during WWII in the Army Air Corp in the South Pacific. He had 2,200 combat hours to his credit. He taught Pathology at the Ohio State University before coming to Xenia in January of 1952. Doc was a member of several local, state and national veterinarian associations and Faith Community United Methodist Church. Dr. Docton passed away on February 20, 2009 at the age of 89.

Bill Imperial, DVM, graduated from Ohio State University Veterinary school in 1978 and moved to Xenia, where he began his career working with Doc. "Doc was a great teacher and a lot of fun to work with - never a dull moment," Dr. Bill said of his late employer. "I will always be grateful for Doc sharing his experience within our wonderful career." In March 1988, Dr. Bill purchased the clinic from Doc, who retired shortly thereafter. Dr. Gretchen Gale joined the team in November 1988.

In the early 1990s, with the blessings of a growing practice, Dr. Bill remodeled and added to the building. The front addition allowed for a larger reception area and a spacious waiting area and restroom were added for the client's comfort. The original building was renovated, allowing for an additional exam room, a library and a laboratory. The rear addition accomodates the surgery suite, dental suite, treatment area, isolation room, an additional recovery/boarding area, an employee restroom and an office.
 In 2000 Dr. Bill hired Matt Stonecypher, a new Ohio State graduate. Dr. Matt's ultrasound skills and emphasis on feline medicine added a great deal to the practice. Several years later in 2006, Dr. Bill hired Dr. Tina Stonecypher, Dr. Matt's wife. Have you ever worked with your spouse on the job? Did Dr. Bill make a  mistake hiring a husband-wife team? The answer, of course, is no! Dr. Matt and Dr. Tina work very well together. They both have admirable skills and compliment each other's strengths and weaknesses.
  Dr. Matt and Dr. Tina soon had a strong desire to own their own clinic, so Dr. Bill decided to sell the practice to the Stonecyphers in 2007. Dr. Bill comments, "After being in practice for almost 30 years, with so many loyal clients and a fantastic staff, you can't sell "your baby" to just anyone. New owners have to take care of all your wonderful clients that have taken care of you. The Stonecyphers have done just that and I am very grateful."

Dr. Matt enjoys computer technology, so it wasn't long before he purchased new computer software. Within the first year of ownership, he installed more computer stations to compliment the new system and purchased a digital x-ray system. In 2012, Drs. Matt and Tina also decided to enhance the quality of our diagnotic equipment by purchasing a new ultrasound machine and installing a new computer server to maintain our clinic's computer stations. In 2014, we upgraded our dental digital x-ray unit and software, as well as upgraded to full digital general x-ray equipment. These upgrades have greatly improved our ability to diagnose and treat a variety of dental and general issues. Upgraded LED lights in surgery and entrance and exit doors were added in 2015 and a new furnace and air conditioner was installed in 2016.

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