Pictured, from left, are Dr. Jeff Clinebell, 25-year volunteers Marge Lueking and Linda Meinhardt, and Dr. Rita Ryerson. Bellson Animal Hospital, 1400 Columbia Centre, will celebrate an open house 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday. (submitted photo)

Twenty-five years ago, Drs. Jeff Clinebell and Rita Ryerson joined together to form a veterinary clinic in Columbia with the shared goal of putting patients’ needs first.

“We believe in educating clients, providing quality medicine for animals and helping clients look at every possible treatment option for their pet,” Clinebell said.

Additionally, Ryerson “has endless compassion for her patients and loves forming lasting friendships with her clients,” the hospital website states.

Today, the animal hospital, at 1400 Columbia Centre Drive, puts this same goal into practice in treating a variety of animals, including cats, dogs, exotic pets and even horses. Clinebell goes out to farms to care for the horses.

“We want to make sure clients are happy and pets are healthy above making a huge profit,” Clinebell said.

Bellson has a total of three veterinarians, including Dr. Jessica Carr, who began working at the practice in 2007 and became full-time in 2011. Clinebell and Ryerson have about 15 people working for them in some capacity.

Employee Casey Ray serves on the staff as a dog groomer, and also trains dogs to earn an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen certificate. The accolade is considered “the gold standard for dog behavior,” according to the club’s website.

But of the people who contributed to the company’s success through the years, the stories of Marge Lueking and Linda Meinhardt are most unique.

“(These volunteers) have been with us since the hospital opened in 1991,” Clinebell said.

Lueking, Meinhardt and the rest of the hospital will welcome people to an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the hospital. The event will include a raffle with dog and cat items; free food and drinks; an ice cream truck will make an appearance; and drug sales reps will come and showcase their products, among other activities.

Support Dogs Inc. in St. Louis is one of a handful of organizations that will be stationed at the open house. Support Dogs provides Therapy of Unique Canine Helpers, which involves taking dogs to residential care facilities for patients to interact with the dogs.

“It brings some joy to be able to interact with a pet,” Clinebell said.

For more information, call 281-5100, visit the website at BellsonAnimalHospital.com or go to Facebook.com/Bellson-Animal-Hospital.