Mark Lotspeich stands beside animal cages at the Twin Oaks Veterinary Hospital. The animals within are recovering from surgery.

Lotspeich joins staff at veterinary hospital

After 28 years in a busy urban-area practice, Dr. Mark Lotspeich is enjoying his role as Alleghany County's newest veterinarian. Lotspeich, who joined the team at Twin Oaks Veterinary Hospital in late September 2002, has observed advancements in treatment for animals similar to those in medicine for humans. He has also noticed differences in ailments and injuries in animals in a rural versus an urban practice.

He realized he wanted to be a veterinarian while growing up on a cattle ranch in Nebraska, the state where he was born and raised. "Early on you realize you have an affinity for animals. It was an opportunity to follow up on that," he said. An older veterinarian whom he admired in his home town also served as a role model.

Lotspeich attended Colorado State University, where he got his doctor of veterinary medicine degree. For most of his career he was a staff member at a veterinary practice in Grayslake, Ill., near Chicago.

As a veterinarian, he said, "I enjoy the interchange with both patients and clients — it's about equal....Generally, people who have pets are good people."

He retired to this region — specifically, Todd — about three and one-half years ago. "I stepped back from everything; I didn't do anything for a while," said Lotspeich.

After about a year, he began to ease out of retirement, doing some part-time, as-needed work with practices in Boone and Banner Elk. He then learned that Twin Oaks Hospital was looking to fill a vacancy following the death of Dr. Bill DeBord.

"I happened to be talking to a sales representative that covers this area. He said I should talk to Dr. Nash Williams. I found out there was a need, so here I was," Lotspeich said.

His area of expertise now is small animals. "That's just what I've done for so long," he said.

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