08/13/2026
Dear South Town Animal Hospital Family,
We’re excited to share an important new chapter for South Town Animal Hospital.
South Town has a new owner - but it remains proudly independent, locally owned, and veterinarian-led. My name is Dr. Jacquie Cobb, and I recently became the owner of South Town Animal Hospital. For Dr. Crittenden, South Town has never been “just a veterinary practice.” It has been her passion - something she has spent years building, nurturing, and making part of this community. So when she began thinking about the hospital’s future, who took over mattered tremendously.
At a time when more and more veterinary hospitals are being purchased by large corporations and private-equity groups, Dr. Crittenden felt strongly that South Town should remain independently owned by a veterinarian - someone who would respect what she built, care about the team and community, and continue investing in excellent medicine. I feel incredibly fortunate that she trusted me with that responsibility.
What isn’t changing:
You’ll continue to see Dr. Crittenden, Dr. Groth, and many of the familiar faces you already know and trust. South Town will remain South Town. We’re not interested in turning it into a corporate veterinary hospital or taking away the personal relationships that have made this practice special. Instead, our goal is to build on the foundation that is already here.
What you will see:
Over the coming months, we’ll be making thoughtful investments in the hospital, our team, and the care we’re able to provide. That will include:
- Low-stress handling techniques designed to make veterinary visits easier and more comfortable for our patients
- Expanded surgical capabilities
- Greater ability to accommodate urgent and same-day medical needs
- Updated diagnostic equipment and technology
- Expanded laboratory and diagnostic capabilities
- Continued education and training for our doctors and veterinary team
- Improvements to communication, scheduling, and the overall client experience
- Some updates to the hospital itself - because the building deserves a little love, too!
You will likely also see me around South Town. In addition to owning South Town, I’m a veterinarian and the owner of Cobb & Co Veterinary Clinic, another independently-owned local veterinary hospital in Elgin. I also founded Second City Canine Rescue in 2011, so rescue dogs - including plenty of scared, anxious, complicated ones - have been a huge part of my life and veterinary career. That experience has helped shape my commitment to compassionate medicine and low-stress handling techniques that make veterinary care easier on both pets and their people.
I believe strongly that veterinary medicine can be both exceptionally good medicine and genuinely kind care. That means continually learning, improving, and investing in our teams - while never losing sight of the fact that the animal in front of us is someone’s family member.
That philosophy fits beautifully with what Dr. Crittenden has built at South Town. And fortunately, this isn’t a goodbye from her. Dr. Crittenden and I get to work together on what comes next.
There is nothing you need to do differently. You can continue to call South Town, schedule appointments, request medications, and bring your pets to the same hospital and many of the same people you already know.
We’re incredibly grateful for the trust you place in South Town Animal Hospital - and genuinely excited about what we can build here together.
Thank you for allowing us to care for your best friend. ❤️
Warmly,
Jacquie Cobb, DVM
Owner, South Town Animal Hospital
Cobb & Co Veterinary Clinic
Denise Crittenden, DVM
South Town Animal Hospital
