Adam Hurlbut, DVM

"One of my favorite parts about working at Kelley Animal Hospital is practicing medicine that allows pets to live longer lives with their families that love them. Finding solutions to medical issues that work for the families that come to Kelley Animal Hospital is why I love coming to work.” -Dr. Adam Hurlbut

Dr. Adam's first pet was named Dickens, but his family called her Ding for short. She was an AKC-registered Lahsa Apso that tried everything in her power not to live up to that standard. According to Dr. Adam, she was basically a food-obsessed junk yard dog trapped in a fluffy toy breed dog's body. She was the runt of the litter and ended up being twice the breed standard weight, tipping the scales at about 30 pounds. She was everything but dainty. She would chase Dr. Adam's grandparents' horses, roll in manure if given the opportunity, and take on the black lab farm dogs for any scrap or treat given to the group... and win! She also played a mean game of hide and seek. As a child, Dr. Adam would throw a toy, and while she chased it, he would hide. Ding would search the house to find him, and as the game would go on, she would methodically go to each place he had hidden previously to make sure he wasn't there.

Dr. Adam remembers, “Ding was a truly awesome dog, and I will always have a place in my heart for her. She helped me become a veterinarian. I distinctly remember pretending to be a vet as a small child, Ding being my patient and always happily participating.” With Ding's influence, Dr. Adam always just kind of knew that he should be a veterinarian. It never really occurred to him to do anything else. He always had a strong connection with animals and wildlife, and no other career seemed to interest him as much as veterinary medicine.

Currently, Dr. Adam has three dogs and a turtle that live with him and his family in White Bear Township. All three dogs come to work with him every day, so you might just meet them when you're here. Outside of spending time with his family and pets, Dr. Adam enjoys snowboarding, surfing, wakeboarding, paddle boarding, riding his motorcycle, and teaching his kids how to fish.