With deep roots here, Glastonbury Veterinary Hospital has long been a family-focused animal-care practice.
“This really is a family story about a local veterinary practice with a long history of caring for local family pets,” says Dr. Griffin Haviar.
Griffin, along with her husband, Dr. Jason Haviar, recently purchased Glastonbury Veterinary Hospital, which is located at 121 Pratt St. The couple are longtime Glastonbury residents and have two children, a daughter, Finley and a son, Maxwell. The family also includes a cat, Sushi, and two Rhodesian Ridgebacks: Bodhi and Sparkle.
Glastonbury Veterinary Hospital was founded in 1965 by a local veterinarian, Ed Stewart. Dr. Stewart sold the practice in 1993 to William Keish. He practiced veterinary medicine for over 40 years. He prided himself in practicing alongside his daughter, Laura Sprague for many years and she eventually purchased the practice from him.
Griffin and Jason decided to purchase the facility when Dr. Sprague needed the help of additional veterinarians. She was also looking forward to slowing down and eventually relocating to the midwest after her daughter Caitlin, an aspiring veterinarian herself, heads to college.
“It was always our longtime dream to own our very own veterinary practice and we’re proud to continue the tradition of a family-owned practice here,” Griffin says. “It’s very rare for a veterinary practice to be sold to a family as compared to a corporation, this was important to Dr. Sprague as well to continue that tradition for her clients and staff. She didn’t want to lose that family-feel and was very happy to find the right fit.”
Griffin earned her veterinary degree in 2007 from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Jason earned his veterinary degree in 2003 from Purdue University and is the former owner of the Animal Emergency Hospital of Central Connecticut. Both his father and sister are also veterinarians graduating from Purdue University and own the Animal Hospital of Rocky Hill.
“Dr. Jay grew up watching and learning from the very best, his father,” Griffin says. “From a young age, he was always in the clinic watching and assisting his father. This is why having his own practice and now letting his children learn from him is very important. Finley has hopes to follow in the family's footsteps of becoming a veterinarian (likely from Purdue.) Max would like to be a police officer. The children have helped with a few puppy deliveries as well!”
Glastonbury Veterinary Hospital has a staff of 12, including two veterinarians. Dr. Sprague and Dr. Haviar. Griffin works to manage the practice while fulfilling veterinary obligations nearby. GVH staff also includes a few receptionists and veterinary technicians.
Griffin says GVH’s mission is to provide compassionate and comprehensive care to family pets through progressive preventive care, customized to the unique needs of every patient. The hospital’s staff also seeks to provide a comforting environment for pets to mitigate the fear that some animals might experience during a veterinary visit.
“We treat our animal patients the same way we would treat our own pets,” Griffin says. “We provide custom treatment plans for all of our patients and we consider ourselves consultants who help clients make the best health care decisions based on their individual needs. Our staff is kind and courteous and takes pride in being honest and always accessible. We’re eager to have every owner and pet receive the highest level of care.”
Glastonbury Veterinary Hospital
121 Pratt St.
Phone: 860-633-3588
Email: Gvhstaff@gmail.com
Online: Glastonburyvet.com
