Ortonville- Dr. Lincoln Baylis comes from a family of doctors. His father was a surgeon at Pontiac General Hospital. One brother is an allergist and another is a family physician, both in Clarkston.
Baylis, however, wanted a twist on the medical field. He is a veterinarian. And while he loves animals and treating them, he also cares for their owners.
‘I have such a love for animals and even more of a love for people,? says Baylis, who is opening Baylis Animal Hospital, 50 S. Ortonville Road, next month. ‘If you’re not a people person, how do you come up with a plan of treatment for animals? I want what is best for the animal and even moreso, what is comfortable for the owner.?
Baylis, 40, is one of nine children. He moved with his family to a racehorse farm in Clarkston in 1979. They had anywhere from six to 15 horses at a time growing up and he trained them.
‘I thought maybe I could do medicine a little different,? recalls Baylis who graduated from Clarkston High School and still lives in Clarkston. He graduated from Michigan State University Veterinary School in 1993 and worked for the Michigan Department of Agriculture for a year as a vet, treating animals at county fairs.
From 1994-2000, Baylis worked at North Hills Veterinary Hospital in Rochester Hills, before taking an internship for a year at Animal Cancer and Imagery Center, also in Rochester Hills, where he received special training in treating cancer in small animals. Baylis has been a veterinarian at the Ortonville Animal Clinic for the past six years.
‘I gained lots of experience, but my dream was to have my own practice,? he said.
While the new animal hospital, located in Narrin Plaza near Ken’s Coney Island and Brandon Chiropractic, is being completed, Baylis is available for house calls, at the same fee as an office visit.
‘I enjoy going to people’s homes and it’s less stressful on animals,? said Baylis, but adds that he is limited in what he can do. The animal hospital, set to open around the first of the year, will be a full-service, state-of-the-art facility, with digital X-rays and images to allow dog and cat owners to see what ails their pets instantaneously.
All services are offered at reasonable fees.
‘I’m sensitive to people’s economic struggles and what they are capable of,? Baylis said. ‘I’m very compassionate. I care about the animals, and I care about you. My patients are my pets and I treat them and their owners as family.? Details: (248) 627-5500 or www.baylisanimalhospital.com.