Dr. James A. Farrell           

Arlington Animal Hospital was the first veterinary facility in the City of Arlington, Texas.  It was built by Dr. James A. Farrell in 1946.  Hwy 80 (Division Street) was the main road between Dallas and Fort Worth, when Arlington was a small rural community between the two cities.  Dr. Farrell proudly described how his hospital sat right at the edge of town, where the pavement stopped.  It was a dirt road the rest of the way to Fort Worth.  The veterinarians in the 1940’s and ‘50’s treated mostly horses and livestock.  It wasn’t until the 1970’s that his practice became a small animal hospital.  The building has been repeatedly expanded and improved throughout the years as times and needs have changed.  Where cattle pens and horse stocks once stood behind the building, now exist runs and kennels for dogs and cats.

Dr. Herbert C. Schoonover

Dr. Herbert C. Schoonover  bought the Arlington Animal Hospital from Dr. Farrell in 1974.  Dr. Schoonover had been practicing medicine for over 30 years, and he worked hard to maintain the quality of medicine and compassion that was pioneered by his mentor, Dr. Farrell.  He was well known and well loved by many patients and clients.  Dr. Schoonover was an active Rotarian and an active charter member of New World United Methodist Church on North Davis Drive.  In 1990 his daughter, Bonnie S. Harris joined the practice, and they worked as a team for 10 years.  Dr. Harris purchased the hospital from her father in December 1992.