Community Mourns Major Loss at Warrick Veterinary Clinics

Warrick Veterinary Clinics Mourn the Loss of Dr. John Baker

Since I've been a perverbial adult, I've had two dogs, Waylon and Joplin. Both of them received their care at Warrick Veterinary Clinic. My initial reason for choosing Warrick Veterinary Clinic is that I went to school and was in 4-H with two of the veterinarians there, Doctors Jordan and Natalie Baker. What I wasn't prepared for was meeting their Dad and the veterinarian who started Warrick Veterinary Clinic in 1984. Dr. John Baker was more than a lover of animals. He was a force of care, compassion, love, and understanding. Dr. Baker treated every person and animal that came to his clinic with the kind of care a parent shows their child. I truly feel like family at Warrick Veterinary Clinics. This is why sharing this news is so incredibly difficult. On Monday, June 15, Dr. John crossed the rainbow bridge peacefully at his home. His children will continue the legacy John built for them at Warrick Veterinary Clinics, but anyone who has had the pleasure of knowing the Baker family knows it will not be the same without John.

The Compassion Witnessed at Warrick Veterinary Clinic

A little over a year ago, we had to put Joplin down. It was one of the worst days of my life, but Dr. John let me bawl my eyes out and scream at the top of my lungs, all while being compassionate and professional. Dr. Baker had a softness that's incomparable in the veterinary world. For some people, the days after losing their fur baby are worse than the actual action of putting them down. I received multiple follow-up inquiries from Warrick Vet Clinic to check on our family and to make sure we were dealing with the grieving process, something I absolutely did not expect. Additionally, a donation was made in Joplin's honor to a branch of Purdue's future veterinarians, a surprise that gave me some form of closure after losing my fur baby after 11 years of love. When everyone else thought Joplin was gone and it was time to move on, Warrick Veterinary Clinic understood it would not be that easy. These simple yet important actions are part of the foundation that Dr. Baker has built into the framework at all of the Warrick Veterinary Clinics.

The Legacy of Dr. Baker and Warrick Veterinary Clinics

When you think of most vet clinics, you might think of dogs, cats, or small pets you have at home. One of the coolest things about Warrick Veterinary Clinics is that they work with all animals! In the past, most livestock or agricultural veterinary-related needs required a house call, or a good chance there wasn't anyone around here to help. Dr. Baker started the clinic as a true mixed-animal practice, offering the ability to perform complex livestock procedures as easily as common care for house pets. Aside from his exceptional veterinary care, Dr. Baker was a prominent figure in the community, constantly giving back to those who allowed him to grow and succeed here. His contributions to 4-H might be his greatest of all, in my opinion. The number of farmers and children that Dr. John mentored through 4-H is endless, starting with his own children. Dr. John worked with his kids on their family farm, helping with projects such as ponies, goats, and Suffolk sheep. However, I can't remember a county fair Dr. John wasn't at, as he was always present to make sure every competing animal was healthy and safe, and met the incredibly high standards that are practiced at Warrick Veterinary Clinics. Dr. John Baker will be missed by everyone, especially the Warrick County community, and absolutely by this fur baby mama.