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W. E. Howard, DVM -- Practice Owner (Primarily at The Crossings)
 Dr. Howard's love for science, medicine and animals brought him to the field of veterinary medicine. Dr. Howard graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 1973. Before Animal Clinic At The Crossings opened in 1997, he worked with his partners Dr. Owens and Dr. Balliett at West Loop Animal Hospital, which opened in 1981. Dr. Howard is an active member in many associations including: American Association Of Equine Practitioners, American Veterinary Medical Association, he is an Equine Committee member of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, and he was President in 1979 of the East Texas Veterinary Medical Association, which he is still an active member. He is also on the grievance board for our East Texas Pet Emergency Clinic in Longview, TX. During the year, Dr. Howard attends veterinary conferences and seminars continuing his education in veterinary medicine. He conducts meetings with our clients to speak about equine reproduction and small animal preventative care. He also attends meetings with the Professional Compounding Centers of America, where they discuss compound equine medications. His most recent speaking event was at the opening of Jakes American Country Feed Store in 2004. He gave advice on equine nutrition and health care, as well as answering questions to the crowd that attended. Windridge Therapeutic Equestrian Center is a non-profit organization that holds roughly 20 horses, and Dr. Howard speaks there as well as happily donating his services. He also attends speaking events and donates his services to the Safe Haven Equine Rescue Center.
Dr. Howard is an outdoorsman. He enjoys fishing, hunting and maybe cutting down a few dead trees. His wife, Jan, is an incredible baker and brings us her famous chocolate cake! Dr. Howard and his family attend the Alpine Church of Christ, where he is an active member, elder and sings in a Southern Gospel Group. He has two grandsons, Ethan and Isaac. It is always a pleasure to see them because they are quite entertaining. Dr. Howard has two daughters, Laura and Wendy. They are a close Christian family. Dr. Howard also has a miniature poodle, Honey, also known as Honey Buns of Steel, who is close to her daddy! She gets to spend every other Wednesday afternoon with us after her long day at the doggie spa. He also has two horses, Reylyda, a Thoroughbred mare and Rubylynda, an Oldenburg mare.
We know Dr. Howard to be a teacher. He is always willing to speak at any event about veterinary medicine. Our team and our clients love and trust Dr. Howard. This proficient veterinarian has a great sense of humor and bedside manner. When our team members need to ask him a question, he answers promptly. He asks probing questions and will provide more information than we had anticipated, so we are sure to always have a pen and pad ready! Dr. Howard has too many memorable experiences to mention because he enjoys his work so much. Whether it's suturing a cut on a horse's leg, to seeing a new puppy in the exam room, he enjoys helping animals and their owners take the best care of their pets. Although he is skilled in all aspects of his work, his focus is on equine dentistry and equine reproduction.
The best qualities we find in Dr. Howard are his abilities to continue to learn, practice excellent up-to-date veterinary care, leading his team, and teaching others. He does this with grace and has a true caring nature for people and animals.
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Bart Owens, DVM -- Practice Owner (Primarily at West Loop)
 Who would have thought that this highly-respected and competent veterinarian once wanted to be a dentist? Dr. Owens started out at Baylor University in the field of pre-dentistry, but later transferred to Texas A&M University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Science, Magna Cum Laude, in 1978 and subsequently received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Cum Laude, in 1979.
Biology and Life Sciences captured Dr. Owens' interest at a young age. He spent summers on the farm instead of the little league fields like many young men his age. After watching his brother-in-law, also a vet, he finally felt the calling to become a veterinarian himself. Dr. Owens and Dr. Howard purchased West Loop Animal Hospital in 1981 and were joined by Dr. Balliett in 1986.
Dr. Owens is an active member in the American Veterinary Medical Association, Texas Veterinary Medical Association, Gregg County Veterinary Medical Association, East Texas Veterinary Association, and the East Texas Pet Emergency Hospital. Serving on the Board of East Texas Pet Emergency Clinic and also the founding President, Dr. Owens was instrumental in the cooperative effort to provide 24-hour care of East Texas pets. As a member of Texas Academy of Veterinary Practice, an organization that promotes excellence in veterinary medicine through promoting continuing education, Dr. Owens attends at least 50 hours per year of training and review courses to stay current with the rapid advances in veterinary medicine.
Dr. Owens is Penn Hip certified through the University of Pennsylvania College of Veterinary Medicine. This certification allows Dr. Owens to take and submit radiographs for evaluation to detect hip dysplasia at an early age, allowing the reduction of incidence of this crippling disease. Not only has Dr. Owens volunteered his time as a mentor in the Pine Tree Independent School District, he has been chosen as a speaker by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals to give presentations on topics such as safe vaccination protocols and the importance of staff training.
When not caring for animals, Dr. Owens enjoys many types of outdoor activities. He enjoys hunting, fishing and water sports. Dr. Owens also believes that a healthy mind needs a healthy body, so he is active at the gym, running and cycling. Dr. Owens has 2 children, a daughter Ashley, and a son, Ben. He is the most proud when he is referred to as Ashley or Ben's dad. Dr. Owens also claims his pets as part of his family. Red, a Golden Retriever, and Beau, a Brittany Spaniel, are both faithful and loyal dogs. Dr. Owens plays an acoustic guitar and sings in the praise band at 1st Lutheran Church in Longview. He is also a Stephen's minister. Dr. Owens loves to travel and recently went on a medical mission trip to Guatemala where he donated his veterinary services.
We know Dr. Owens as a sweet and caring individual. Not only is he a highly-skilled veterinarian, he is extremely giving of his time. He is patient with his staff as well as his clients. We are blessed to have Dr. Owens.
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David Balliett, DVM -- Practice Owner (Primarily at West Loop)
 Personal quote: "If your animals are truly considered part of your family, then we are like your other family physician."
Most people don't know what they want to do with their lives. However, Dr. Balliett always knew two things: he always wanted to be a vet, and he always wanted to go to Texas A&M University. He never had any doubt in his mind about his future. This strength and show of fortitude and drive is what makes him the valued professional that he is today.
Dr. Balliett married Clair in 1981. While honeymooning in Colorado, they got the news that he had been accepted into vet school. He received his Bachelor in Biomedical Science in 1980 and then his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1985 from Texas A&M University, achieving those two certain goals he always knew he could.
While living in East Texas, Clair has been the Executive Director of the Women's Center, an Adult Felony Probation Officer and is now in the teaching field. Their son, Blaine was born in 1992. He was born with physical handicaps, but those have not handicapped his personality! This cheerful and positive young man loves to golf, go horseback riding, and play any sport that he can.
Dr. Balliett likes all sports, mostly watching though, because he claims he is too old to participate. He enjoys spending time with his family and working around his house. Dr. Balliett, Clair, and Blaine share their home with Sweetie, a female cat who even sleeps with them. Dr. Balliett never thought he would ever allow an animal to sleep in their bed, but Sweetie quickly captured their hearts. They have recently added a new puppy to their home, Sarge a beautiful golden retriever.
After joining the practice in 1986, Dr. Balliett says, "We have been in partnership a long time and we're still talking!" Dr. Owens and Dr. Howard share the privilege with Dr. Balliett of being able to call West Loop Animal Hospital and Animal Clinic at the Crossings not only a business, but a family.
In addition to the continuing education opportunities that Dr. Balliett attends, he is also an active member in the American Veterinary Medical Association, Texas Veterinary Medical Association, Gregg County Veterinary Medical Association, East Texas Veterinary Association, and the East Texas Pet Emergency Hospital. He is also the current President of the East Texas Pet Emergency Hospital, an after-hours pet emergency care facility in Longview.
Dr. Balliett, the one who towers over the rest of us in more ways than just physically, is professional and proficient. His knowledge of veterinary medicine is most impressive, which is a comfort to his clients as well as his staff. Dr. Balliett not only has a sense of humor, but he manages to keep his staff motivated and inspired. |
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J. Scott Handlin, DVM -- Associate Veterinarian (At the Crossings)
 Dr. J. Scott Handlin is our newest addition to Animal Clinic At The Crossings and West Loop Animal Hospital family. He is originally from Mt. Pleasant, Texas.
Dr. Handlin served in the United States Navy from 1992-1998. He married his lovely wife Sheryl in 1993 and has two sons, Garrett and Grayson.
Dr. Handlin began his studies at Texas A&M University in 1998 as an Animal Science major. While attending TAMU, he worked as a surgical technician in the large animal surgery center for three years. In August of 2001, Dr. Handlin was accepted into the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. He was an active member of the student chapter of the American Association of Equine Practitioners for four years and president for two years. Dr. Handlin graduated from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in May of 2005. He completed his preceptorship with Dr. W.E. Howard at Animal Clinic At The Crossings. His area of special interest in equine medicine is lameness and reproduction.
We are very lucky that he decided to join our team. Dr. Handlin has a wonderful personality; he is very personable with our clients and their pets. He enjoys his work and is very intuitive with our equine patients.
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