The Animal Ark of Elkin, a veterinary hospital, plans to open around the first of November at 188 Claremont Drive. Dr. Mitchell Spindel, President of Animal Ark in Clemmons is expanding his practice with the opening of the facility in Elkin.

Dr. Richard Brinegar, an Elkin native, will be the resident veterinarian at the Animal Ark of Elkin.

The animal hospital will looking to fill several positions within the next 60 days, to work in the Elkin facility.

Animal Ark of Elkin will be a small animal only hospital, treating cats, dogs, and exotic animals. Rabbits, ferrets, birds and reptiles will have access to full service medical treatment including surgery and hospitalization.

Spindel received his doctorate in Veterinary medicine from Oklahoma State University in 1995 and practiced in Syracuse, New York before moving to North Carolina.

He spent two years at Mt. Tabor Veterinarian hospital in Winston-Salem before opening the Animal Ark in Clemmons.

He is an active member with the Forsyth Humane Society and the veterinarian for Sci-Works in Winston-Salem.

Spindel had been married to his wife Kim for 15 years and the couple has four children.

Dr. Brinegar is a native of Elkin who returned to the area in 2001 after moving away with his family as a child.

He has been practicing veterinarian medicine for eight years, and will be leaving the Mt. Airy Veterinary hospital to join Spindel.

Brinegar and his wife Ava, of 18 years, have three sons. Mrs. Brinegar is a school teacher at Traphill Elementary school.

Brinegar will be the managing partner and resident veterinarian at the Animal Ark of Elkin.

"It's good to be home, I've always thought of Elkin as home," Brinegar said. "It's good to be able to work and live in my home town and be a part of the community. I can remember going to the Reeves Theatre when I was a child and going to the five and dime. It's the best place to raise kids.

Although my license allows me to practice anywhere in NC, it is very nice to be able to come home and be able to practice in my field. I have very fond memories of being a child in Elkin and I want my children to experience the same."

At the August Elkin Board of Commissioners meeting, approval was unanimously given for the opening of the veterinarian hospital on Claremont Drive.

There will be no kennel/boarding facilities for dogs on site except for observation after surgery.