TOWN AND COUNTRY ANIMAL CLINIC

Drs. John Jacobson and Laurie Johnson were classmates at Oregon State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating together in 1990.   Several times during veterinary school they discussed opening a practice together on the Southern Oregon coast.  After taking associate positions in very busy mixed animal practices for a few years, they both felt they had gained enough experience and practical knowledge to start their own clinic.  Dr. Johnson’s parents lived in Brookings and her mother was a real estate broker, who located the perfect property for them.  The property was at the time an RV sales and service business with lots of room to remodel and expand.  Dr. Johnson’s brother was a local contractor, who remodeled the building into a 4000 square foot veterinary clinic in 1993. The dream of Town and Country Animal Clinic became a reality, and it has been growing ever since!  In 2008 we again remodeled and expanded our clinic in order to provide better service to our rapidly growing equine, small and large animal clientele.  We encourage you to come visit our hospital and see what we have to offer the Southern Oregon and Northern California coastal communities.  

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Our Doctors

Dr. John Jacobson, DVM

Dr. John Jacobson grew up in rural Eastern Oregon. During high school he worked on the family sheep ranch and the neighbor’s cattle and potatoes ranch. He attended Oregon State University and received his bachelor’s degree in Animal Science in 1987. He attended Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine and received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1990. Upon graduating him and his wife Amber moved to Visalia, CA. In Visalia Dr. Jacobson joined a 6 Doctor mixed animal practice (Lone Oak Veterinary Clinic) and worked on small animals, dairy, beef and equine.

In 1993 Dr. Jacobson and Dr. Laurie Johnson, who were class mates at OSU, started Town and Country Animal Clinic.

Dr. Jacobson and his wife have 2 daughters who are active in 4H, sports, and other outdoor activities. When Dr. Jacobson has time off he enjoys spending time with the family, as well as hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities.

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Dr. Laurie B. Johnson, DVM

Dr. Johnson was raised with a menagerie of animals in the Medford, Oregon area.  She filled her hours training and competing with her horses in 4H, open, dressage, hunter/jumper and 3-Day event competitions.  She graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University in 1990.  Following graduation, she went to work at Bailey Veterinary Clinic, a very busy mixed animal practice in Roseburg, Oregon.  In 1993, Dr. Johnson and Dr. Jacobson formed a partnership and opened Town and Country Animal Clinic.  Her special interests include equine and small animal reproduction, equine dentistry, small animal ultrasonography, and soft tissue surgery.  In her spare time, Dr. Johnson enjoys boating with her family, showing dogs in conformation and agility, riding horses, and driving her 2 children all over the state for various athletic competitions.

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Janis G. Hammer, V.M.D.

Dr. Jan grew up on the east coast just outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She received a B.S. degree in Animal Science from the University of Delaware. She received her doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania. She has been in private practice, worked in the pharmaceutical industry, and spent many years as Associate Professor in Animal Science at Delaware Valley College. She is also the cofounder of the Animal Behavior Institute, an online education provider.

She and her husband moved to Gold Beach in the summer of 2006 to enjoy the beauty of the area and the outdoor activities. Dr. Jan was told that the best clinic in the area was Town and Country so she talked to Drs. John and Laurie, and luckily they were looking for an associate!

Dr. Jan has a strong interest in Animal Assisted Therapy - where animals play a role in the recovery of human patients. She has a Certificate in Animal Assisted Therapy and is a licensed Team Evaluator for the Delta Society (www.deltasociety.org). Other hobbies and interests include hiking, riding, and quilting. She, her husband, and dog Mayo, reside in Gold Beach.

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Dr. Fern Fitzgerald, DVM

Dr. Fern Fitzgerald moved to Oregon from Southeast Alaska when she was 9 years old. The move to a small town in the Willamette Valley allowed her lifelong love of animals to flourish as the small farm started to fill with pets that were not practical on an island in Alaska. Around this same time, she remembers meeting the family veterinarian and deciding that was the career for her. Dr. Fitzgerald then moved to Corvallis, Oregon where she finished her schooling. She worked at the Humane Society for several years, where she gained invaluable experience and compassion working with animals and people in need. Dr. Fitzgerald received her Bachelor’s degree in General Science through Oregon State University. She took a break from studying to travel overseas and gain further experience working with animals, spending 5 months as a polo groom in New Zealand and 6 months volunteering at a small clinic in the South Pacific. After her travels she returned to Oregon State University and received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. Following graduation, Dr. Fitzgerald spent a year as an intern at a busy Equine clinic in Nevada. She has since been enjoying life on the beautiful coast with her husband and their ever expanding animal family. Working at a busy mixed animal practice is the perfect fit for Dr. Fitzgerald to continue to challenge herself while providing a valuable service to the community.

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Dr. Kristina Welsh

Dr. Kristina Welsh was born and raised in Gold Beach. After graduating from Gold Beach High School, Kristina attended Pacific University in Forest Grove and earned her bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Several years on a tropical island brought Kristina back to academia, where she completed her veterinary degree at Oregon State University and earned a certificate of advanced proficiency in equine medicine and surgery.
Kristina has been an active member of the horse community since her early years in 4-H and Pony Club. She, along with her horse Harley, is the second person in Curry County to earn the coveted E. L. Dad Potter horsemanship award. Kristina has also been a 4-H horse show judge, High School Equestrian Team coach for Gold Beach/Brookings High Schools, and Vice Chair for the South Valley chapter of the Oregon High School Equestrian Teams.
Fishing, kayaking, and of course riding horses are favorite pastimes for Kristina, who is very happy to be home serving her supportive community. She is looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones at Town and Country.