Our Founder's Journey
Growing up on a farm in Minnesota, I learned early that family and community are the pillars of success. From a young age, I had a deep love for animals, and at just 4 years old, I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian. The turning point came when I witnessed the struggles my family faced with farm animals due to a lack of vaccines, and animals would die from preventable diseases. This left a lasting impression on me and inspired my passion for vaccine development, leading me to work in that field before eventually pursuing my dream of becoming a veterinarian.
After earning my degree, I worked in vaccine development, contributing to creating vaccines that saved countless animals. From there, I continued my education in genetics before attending veterinary school. My journey then led me to New Hampshire, where I completed an internship and met my husband. Together, we started a house call practice while raising two beautiful daughters. During this time, I knew I wanted to build something more—Canobie Lake Veterinary Hospital was born at the same time my third daughter came into the world, and I knew then that I was living my dream and fulfilling my life’s passion.
Dr. Melissa Magnuson
AAHA Accredited Hospital
We are honored to be an AAHA-accredited hospital—and AAHA’s Practice of the Year in 2024!—a designation that reflects our commitment to maintaining the highest standards in veterinary care. This accreditation is a testament to the trust we build with our clients, and we take great pride in fostering strong, respectful relationships with every family we serve. By keeping our clients informed and involved at every step, we ensure that the care we provide is always aligned with your needs and expectations.
Our Promise to You
At Canobie Lake Veterinary Hospital, we understand the true meaning of family. As a family-owned business, we believe in treating every pet who walks through our doors as part of our own. Our mission is simple: to help pets live long, happy, and healthy lives by providing professional, compassionate, and personalized care. We pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality medicine, continually investing in the education and training of our entire team to ensure that your pet receives the best care possible.
Our commitment to excellence, compassion, and community runs deep. We are here to serve you and your pets like family—because that’s exactly who you are to us.