Relationships Make the Difference
Wellness Begins With Heart and Healing
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Our History
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1979
- Forestbrook Animal Hospital opens in Gastonia, NC, founded by Dr. Bob Neunzig, an early ABVP Canine/Feline Specialist.
1980
- Bethel Animal Clinic opens in the Lake Wylie area after a small house is renovated into a veterinary hospital.
1985
- New Hope Animal Clinic opens in Gastonia.
- Dr. Mark E. Epstein joins the practice as a new graduate under Dr. Neunzig’s mentorship.
1987
- Dr. Epstein becomes a partner alongside Dr. Neunzig and Dr. Dale Pickens.
- Dr. Epstein oversees AAHA accreditation for all three hospitals.
- Dr. Herrick R. (“Dick”) Hay joins the practice as an associate and later becomes a full partner.
1991
- Veterinary HealthCare Associates opens Paw Creek Animal Hospital in northwest Mecklenburg County, with Dr. Hay as Hospital Director.
- Bethel Animal Clinic relocates to a larger, purpose-built facility and comes under the leadership of Dr. Jodi Werfal.
Mid-1990s
- Drs. Epstein and Hay buy out Drs. Neunzig and Pickens.
- The practice becomes an early adopter of a Human-Animal Bond–centered care model.
1999
- The organization rebrands as TotalBond Veterinary Hospitals.
- TotalBond Veterinary Hospital at Davidson opens in a renovated home, with Dr. Hay as Hospital Director.
- Veterinary HealthCare Associates receives the Practice of Excellence Award from Veterinary Economics.
Early 2000s
- Dr. Charles McLaughlin joins leadership, strengthening team development and client services.
- Dr. McLaughlin later passes away after battling leukemia, leaving a lasting legacy within TBVH.
2005
- TotalBond Veterinary Hospital at Mountain Island Lake opens in north Charlotte, led by Dr. Kim Langholz.
2011
- Bethel undergoes its first major expansion.
2015
- TBVH receives the Small Business Award from the Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce.
- All hospitals achieve Certified Cat Friendly Practice status and later Fear Free Certification.
2019
- Mountain Island Lake relocates to the newly developed Riverbend district, becoming Riverbend Veterinary PetCare Hospital.
2020
- TBVH partners with Veterinary Practice Partners (VPP).
- Founding partners include Drs. Epstein, Hay, Werfal, Spangler, Harris, Plourde, and Langholz.
- Dr. Epstein becomes Group Medical Director.
2022
- Bethel undergoes further expansion and renovation under Dr. Hadley Harris.
- New Hope Veterinary Hospital opens in south Gastonia as TBVH’s sixth hospital.
2023
- Newport Veterinary Hospital in Rock Hill, SC, joins TBVH.
- Dr. Katie Propst becomes Medical Director; Dr. Ryann Jones becomes Executive Partner.
2024
- Riverbend expands into adjacent space, more than doubling in size.
- Dr. Áine Schanche becomes a partner and Medical Director at Davidson.
2025
- Dr. Peter Rowan becomes Medical Director at New Hope.
- Five additional associate veterinarians join as partners across Davidson and Paw Creek.
- Paw Creek undergoes significant renovation under Dr. Wes Spangler.
Today
- TBVH includes 7 hospitals, 24 veterinarians, and a growing number of associate partners.
- The organization remains privately led, relationship-centered, and deeply committed to the Human-Animal Bond.
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The Reason We Love What We Do
