Doctor realizes dream Veterinarian made plans in high school to open community pet hospital BY PATRICIA YOCZIS Correspondent While she was a student at Red Bank Regional High School, Meredith Weltner made a career decision to become a veterinarian and to one day open her own veterinary hospital. That decision became a reality when she recently opened Barnside Veterinary Hospital on Route 33 in Howell. Above: Dr. Meredith Sharin draws blood from Kelly, a 3- year-old golden retriever, during an examination at the new Barnside Veterinary Hospital, Howell. Left: Kelly cooperates during an examination. Below: Barnside Veterinary Hospital on Route 33, Howell, is one of the newest businesses in the community. The Planning Board unanimously approved the application for the facility on May 25, 2006, and the hospital opened in April. "During high school I worked cleaning cages and doing odd jobs at the Monmouth Animal Hospital in Little Silver," said Sharin (neeWeltner). "My role model was veterinarian Dr. Robert Nelson and he still is my life-long mentor." Sharin's new Barnside Veterinary Hospital is a two-story, barnlike building painted red with white windows. Its 6,000-square-foot space contains state-of-the-art technology, including an in-house laboratory, areas for radiology, laser surgery, electrocardiograms and ultrasound equipment. Grooming facilities and limited boarding facilities for pets with special needs are offered, too. PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff "I like barns, and the architecture goes along with the rural setting of the hospital," said Sharin, who operates her own practice. "I want to offer modern facilities with a family-doctor care philosophy." Along with a staff of about 12 persons, Sharin will be the sole general practitioner who will treat a variety of animals, including "pocket pets" such as gerbils and hamsters. Her mission is stated as "veterinary excellence through education, knowledge and compassion." Sharin is the first veterinarian in her family, which has many teachers. She has added teaching as part of her practice and visited several Howell schools to teach the children an appreciation of the natural and animal world around them. "I worked with the teachers and coordinated my talks with the topic the class was studying," said Sharin. "I intend to continue to be available to students and other groups even as my practice grows." A 1997 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Sharin did an internship at the Philadelphia Zoo. She worked at Stafford Veterinary Hospital in Ocean County before opening her own medical facility. Sharin resides in Belmar with her husband, Michael, and their three dogs. She said, "I am excited to be a member of the Howell community and hope to remain here a long time." Barnside Veterinary Hospital is open for appointments, with a formal open house scheduled for May. The facility is at 1236 Route 33, Howell, near Colts Neck Road and the Roehrs Nursery. The hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. For further information click on www.barnsidevethospital.com or call (732) 919-7373.