Sagamore Hills Animal Hospital welcomes new doctor

by Nicole Rosselot

Sagamore Hills Animal Hospital welcomed a new veterinarian into their practice this past December. Dr. Christopher D. Shockley joins Dr. Eve E. Schaming and Dr. Mark S. Hennis, president of Sagamore Hills Animal Hospital. After studying at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Shockley completed his clinical studies at The Ohio State University and received his doctor of veterinary medicine degree in 2020.

Shockley previosuly worked at Kettering Animal Hospital near Dayton. He moved to Northeast Ohio to be closer to family.

“I have close family that lives here [including] my sister and her fiancé,” he said. “Honestly for the first time since I’ve been out of high school I am close to family again and it’s kind of nice.”

Growing up in Tiffin, Ohio, Shockley spent his youth surrounded by animals, both at home and at the Humane Society of Seneca County.

“My mother served as the director of the Humane Society of Seneca County for years, so I grew up spending a lot of time there, volunteering and taking care of animals,” Shockley said. “There was never a shortage of animals in my home growing up. … I just finally get to play out a dream of being able to enjoy the work that I am doing.”

Accompanying Shockley to the Cleveland area is his canine companion Maddox, a Newfoundland/St. Bernard mix. “I have had Maddox since he was a teeny tiny little guy about 8 weeks old,” Shockley said. “He has been all over Ohio and to several different countries with me; he is my little sidekick.”

Shockley and Maddox know from personal experience just how important veterinary care is for family pets. Maddox was diagnosed with cancer when he was three years old, resulting in the amputation of one of his legs.

“In order to get rid of all of [the cancer], we did go ahead and amputate his leg. He really doesn’t even know it’s gone, he really and truly thinks he still has four legs,” Shockley said.

After years of caring for animals, including Maddox, Shockley’s best advice to potential pet owners is to fully consider the financial implications of adopting a pet.

“Part of owning a pet absolutely does mean veterinary visits and it does mean being able to afford things that are basic husbandry costs,” he said. “It’s all about planning and being able to take care of a pet.” ∞