FARMINGTON — Dr. Cathy Morton has returned to the veterinary clinic that was the site of her first job as a local teenager.

This time she returns as owner.

Morton and her husband, Thomas, have recently purchased the Falls Road Veterinary Clinic from Dr. Kenneth and Marcia Rockwood.

Cathy Yeaton Morton grew up in Farmington, the daughter of Neil and Camillia Yeaton.

She was friends with Rockwood’s daughter and he started her working at the clinic, she said. It was a job that extended her love of animals. As a kid she showed horses and tended Craig Jordan’s horses, she said. There’ve always been dogs and cats in her life.

Skiing was her other passion. One she shared with Thomas while both were students at the University of Maine at Farmington. Thomas grew up in Hanover and attended Rumford schools, he said.

After graduating, the couple moved on to Utah to ski. Thomas found employment there through UMF’s Ski Industry program.

Cathy went on to veterinary school obtaining her degree in 2004 and then Tom became a pilot. She worked for a veterinarian outside Salt Lake City.

The birth of their children, Madeline, 5, and Finn, 3, started to change their perspectives, she said. Being closer to family in Maine was appealing.

Rockwood, who retired 10 years ago and moved to Parsonsfield, kept the practice running, she said. He hired Dr. David Chaplain and Dr. Lisa Morin to cover and returned once a week.

Chaplain and Morin will continue their work at the clinic, making it a three-veterinarian staff, Cathy Morton said.

Morton joins two other female veterinarians in Farmington.

Morton and her staff have their own specialities in veterinary medicine, she said, ones she believes will compliment each other. Their training ranges from cardiology to oncology. She likes dermatology, using ultrasound and soft-tissue surgery.

She’s also community-minded and is set to do a rabies clinic for the Franklin County Animal Shelter this month. She also is becoming involved in the “Help Fix ME” program, which offers neutering services for low-income families.

While Thomas travels to Portland to connect with his work in Chicago, flying jets for United Express and the Delta Connector, the couple remain active with running, biking and, of course, skiing. She’s joined a woman’s running team in Farmington.

After about 15 years away, they are impressed with Farmington.

“It’s thriving,” she said. “Farmington looks amazing. We were pleasantly surprised.”

The school system and Titcomb Mountain were big draws affecting their decision to move back.

The couple is renovating the historical home attached to the clinic and believe in using local contractors and purchasing local products, Thomas said.

“It’s a little frightening to buy a business but pets are part of our families and we take care of family,” she said.

For more information, contact the clinic at 778-2840.

abryant@sunjournal.com

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