On March 1st the Flint Hills Veterinary Hospital in Junction City changed ownership.

Dr. Casey Thomas opened the clinic in 1984 and recently decided to sell it to Dr. Julie Ebert.

“We’ve been considering it for sometime,” Dr. Thomas said. “About six years ago I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and in the last years it was becoming increasingly difficult to do my job and manage the practice so it was time to sell and Dr. Ebert is a lady that will do a great job and could buy it.”

Dr. Thomas officially retired on Wednesday and he reflected on his years in Junction City.

“It’s been a great experience for us, Junction City has been very good for us. We’ve met a lot of wonderful people, wonderful pets. We’ve really enjoyed our experience getting to know the folk’s in the Army, really fine people out there.”

The clinic has grown a lot since Dr. Thomas opened it in 1984. When he first opened he was by himself and within the last five years his staff has grown to four Veterinarians and ten assistants.

To find his successor Dr. Thomas went through the Red Tire program offered through the University of Kansas School of Business.

“The purpose of the Red Tire program is to take businesses that are well managed and thriving and introduce new owners to come in and have the old owners work as mentors for the new owners. The idea is that they take the practice over knowing full well that they’re getting into.”

Through that program Dr. Julie Ebert purchased the clinic on March 1st.

“She’s doing a great job. She’s an experienced Veterinarian knows a lot about medicine and surgery, also knows a lot about managing people so she’s going to do just great here.”

Dr. Alice Shaffer and Dr. Tiffany Moses will stay on at the clinic with Dr. Ebert.

In retirement Dr. Thomas plans to spend more time with his grandson, daughter and son-in-law along with working outside and those types of things.

An open house and ribbon cutting has been scheduled for next Friday ( May 9 ) between noon and 3:00 p.m. at the Flint Hills Veterinary Hospital located at 2206 Prospect Circle in Junction City.