Harris Veterinary Hospital has been an essential part of San Jaoquin County for six decades. In fact, 2012 marks the 60th anniversary of Dr. Buck Harris first opening his office doors in 1952.

Dr. Harris was born in Vancoucer, WA in 1915. He graduated from Washington State University and his studies were interrupted for the four years he served in the Navy during World War II. Since he grew up on a farm, Dr. Harris said he knew many veterinarians and one of them recommended he attend vet school.

For the first fifteen years, up until the mid-1960s, Dr. Harris was primarily a cattle doctor, but that has changed over the years. In the past 35 years, Dr. Harris was one of the most prominent veterinarians in the area, serving dog and cats primarily. Harris Veterinary Hospital has seen patients from San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco, Big Trees, Bear Valley, Galt, Sacramento and Manteca.

It took three attempts before Dr. Harris retired permanently to his vineyard in Acampo (he's now 96). His gentle, caring approach to animal health is now carried on by Dr. Jim Jones.