7995 Pine Bluff Rd. Morris, IL 60450
Introduction To Our Practice
Our full-service hospital is home to advanced technology and modern amenities. Whether your pet needs emergency care or is simply visiting for a wellness exam, our doctors are experienced in a wide-range of conditions and treatments. Beyond first-rate pet care, comfort is a top priority and we strive to create a welcoming and calming atmosphere for your pet. We want your beloved companion to feel at home!
With a focus on preventative care, we strive to maintain good health and believe in the power of client education. By being a knowledgeable pet owner, your pet will be happier and healthier between visits—and we want to help! Check out our helpful resources and informative articles. If you have any questions about our facility or services, do not hesitate to call us.
We treat your pets like the valued family members they are.
Our History
Pine Bluff Animal Hospital has proudly served pets and families throughout the region for decades. The practice began in 1951 under the leadership of Dr. Robert K. Gay, initially providing veterinary care primarily for livestock. As the needs of the community evolved throughout the late 1950s, the practice gradually transitioned its focus to companion animal medicine.
In 1975, Dr. Gay established Pine Bluff Animal Hospital, expanding the practice to six veterinarians. At that time, the hospital cared for both small and large animals. In 1999, the practice became an L.L.C. with Dr. Gay, Dr. Louis Cronin (Kansas State, 1975), Dr. Larry Johnson (Missouri, 1976), Dr. Brian Schmidt (Illinois, 1982), and Dr. R. Todd Gay (Illinois, 1983). As the team continued to grow, the practice transitioned to providing exclusively small animal care.
To serve pet owners throughout the region better, Lakewood Animal Hospital opened in 1992. In 2011, Skinner Animal Clinic joined the family of practices to serve the Wilmington, Illinois area. Together, these full-service hospitals provide general medicine, surgery, dentistry, nutritional and behavioral counseling, and emergency veterinary services. Pine Bluff Animal Hospital also serves as the referral center for advanced orthopedic and soft-tissue surgeries for patients across the network of clinics.
It is our privilege to care for the pets and families who place their trust in us. We invite you to visit our hospital, meet our dedicated team, and tour our facility. You can also learn more about our staff and services by exploring our family of associated clinics.
"We love what we do... We love who we do it for!"
Honoring Our Founder
Dr. Robert K. Gay, whose vision laid the foundation for what is now Pine Bluff Animal Hospital and its family of veterinary clinics, passed away on February 14, 2005. His legacy continues to shape the values and commitment to compassionate care that define our practice today.
A graduate of the Ontario Agricultural College and Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, Canada, Dr. Gay earned his veterinary degree in 1950. He established his first veterinary practice in 1951 and later founded Pine Bluff Animal Hospital in 1975. He continued expanding veterinary care throughout the region with the opening of Lakewood Animal Hospital in 1992.
Dr. Gay was respected not only for his dedication to animal health but also for mentoring generations of veterinarians and helping build a practice that continues to serve the community today.
He will always be remembered for his compassion, his commitment to his patients and clients, and his love for the Central Illinois community. As he once said:
"I don't know what I would have rather done, and I don't know a place I'd rather have done it in. It's been a wonderful life."
His legacy lives on through the care we provide every day.
