Paws and Progress
Entering its 20th year, Fall Creek Veterinary Medical Center is a fixture in the Geist area, with clients and their furry family members visiting the office at 96th Street and Olio Road from Fishers, McCordsville, northeast Indianapolis, Fortville, Greenfield and beyond. Founded by Dr. Jerry Risser in the adjacent strip mall, the growth has been significant in an area with new home developments all around. “When I started the practice, it was just me and a small staff, and I dreamed that maybe we would add a doctor someday,” Risser says. “Those early days, I worked overnight shifts at an emergency hospital to help pay bills, and remember the mornings after, putting a blanket into a dog run between appointments and taking a quick nap. I don’t really miss that part!”
In 2014, Dr. Aaron Luth joined the practice, and the existing facility was stretched beyond its capacity. The year 2016 saw construction of their current freestanding building completed, and Luth commented, “When we moved into this building over four times the size of the prior space, I thought we’d never use it all. Next year, we plan to expand it.” Their current facility includes six exam rooms, a pet grooming area, a consultation/comfort room, and a large surgical suite that allows two procedures to go simultaneously.
Five veterinarians are now on staff: Dr. Ernie Harshman joined in 2023, Dr. Jennifer Crowe in 2024, and Dr. Nicole Hoffmeyer in 2025. Additionally, 63 support staff members are kept busy with the growing patient load. The added capacity has been helpful in creating same-day appointment availability. Hoffmeyer notes, “When pets get sick, it’s better to have animals getting seen, and feeling better faster, by their own doctors, without the stress and added expense of an urgent care or emergency facility.”
The practice has worked to be consistent with its core values of ethics, kindness, consistency, thoroughness, generosity, and community. “We are by no means perfect, but we continue to strive to meet those goals,” says Risser. The practice administrator, Kristen King, marvels at the number of patients and the many services, from ultrasound and chemotherapy to “puppy parties,” the practice offers. “From the building’s outside, you’d never guess all that is packed in and goes on, and how many pets and their humans are served inside. I believe the key is the unchanging dedication of the doctors and staff to these core values, and the way the team works together to provide the best care and service we can.”
Another thing that will not change is the dedication to remain a privately owned practice. As corporations continue to purchase veterinary practices at an expanding rate, Fall Creek Veterinary Medical Center remains independently owned and directed by Dr. Risser and Dr. Luth, with no plans to join corporate veterinary medicine. Risser says, “Every week, I get more calls and emails than I can count from companies who want to own us. I ignore or politely decline each one. There are some advantages to corporate ownership, but the advantage we have is being more flexible and nimble, able to meet the needs of our very specific clientele, providing more personalized care. We don’t have to please investors, so we can focus on our medicine and client service.”
Lots has changed in 20 years…medicine is more sophisticated and options for pet care are plentiful. New medications and therapies, as well as communications technology for clients; all are exciting developments. Fall Creek Veterinary remains committed to being a full-service “family doctor” for its primarily canine and feline patients for many years to come.
