Our Veterinarians

Ohioans are warm, unassuming people who, despite their independence and self-reliance, will always lend a hand to a friend or even a perfect stranger. Dr. Felton considers himself lucky to work in a profession that ties in so many of the activities he loves, provides mental challenges and learning experiences to grow and rewards him with personal fulfillment. His parents recognized early on his love and aptitude for science and it was their dream for him to become a medical doctor. His father’s job as a middle school principal and his mother’s as a hospital administrator afforded Dr. Felton the learning resources and job experiences to observe doctors and the inner workings of hospitals first hand. It wasn’t until his junior year in college that two events changed his path. First, his mother lost her battle with leukemia, and second, he met a pre-vet student who gave him direct access to observing what his future profession was all about.

Unlike human medicine where all doctors are highly specialized, most veterinarians wear “multiple hats”, which allows animal doctors to follow their patients from infancy to death. They are forced to learn and become proficient in all aspects of medicine and surgery. Dr. Felton’s mother’s illness showcased one shortcoming to specialization: the fact that a serious illness like cancer requires multiple highly specialized doctors. There were more opportunities for lapses in communication and fewer opportunities for compassion and connection to their patients. Ultimately, his decision to become a veterinarian balanced his passion for science and learning with his family’s core beliefs in compassion and empathy for all living things.

Dr. Felton received a BS degree from Ashland University in 1973 and then spent a year of independent research at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. In 1978, he received his DVM from Ohio State University. He has interests in internal medicine, soft tissue surgery, ultrasonography, laparoscopic diagnostics, acupuncture (CUA), and he is a USDA accredited veterinarian.

Dr. Felton married his college sweetheart, Debbie, with whom he will celebrate 40 years of marriage in 2013. They are blessed to have 2 beautiful daughters, Kelly and Lindsey, who still have their father wrapped around their fingers. 2013 is also a milestone year as Craig and Debbie officially became grandparents for the first time. Dr. Felton is looking forward to spoiling his granddaughter and grandson and the opportunity to talk jibberish and act like a kid again. The Feltons have one male miniature poodle, Eli, who keeps them on their toes with his zest for living and regularly outwits everyone at every opportunity.

Now that he is in his sixties, Dr. Felton’s interests are a little more leisurely than athletic. His two previous passions, tennis and running, have given way to low impact activities like kayaking and biking. White water kayaking is now morphing into less excitement and more the pursuit of the zen stroke and reading the river perfectly. He still enjoys home improvement projects, especially those involving woodworking, and now that he has grandchildren, has rediscovered his love of photography. Finally, gardening has and will always be a form of meditation and a creative outlet for him.