Apple Tree Animal Hospital: Veterinary Care in Hopkinton, NH

Last updated May 26, 2026

A Veterinary Practice Built on Continuity and Trust

Apple Tree Animal Hospital, located at 662 Maple St in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, is a full-service veterinary practice serving pets and their owners in the Contoocook area. The clinic offers everything from routine wellness visits and vaccinations to advanced diagnostics, endoscopy, and orthopedic surgeries, all under one roof. What sets it apart from many practices its size is the atmosphere clients describe repeatedly: warm, unhurried, and genuinely attentive.

Dr. Kimberley Chase leads the hospital today, continuing a tradition of community-focused veterinary medicine that predates her ownership. The clinic has earned a reputation among local pet owners for transparent communication, fair pricing, and a staff that treats anxious animals with real patience. For families in Hopkinton and the surrounding communities, Apple Tree is frequently the only veterinary practice they consider.

History and Founding: A Legacy Passed with Purpose

Apple Tree Animal Hospital's story is one of mentorship and intentional succession. Dr. Chase trained under the practice's previous owner, Dr. Furness, who built the clinic's identity around compassionate, community-minded care. When Dr. Furness was ready to step back, he wanted someone who understood that identity from the inside, not simply a buyer who could write a check. He turned to Dr. Chase.

In January 2019, Dr. Chase returned to Apple Tree Animal Hospital as its new owner, fulfilling what the practice's own website describes as a long-held dream. That transition preserved the clinic's culture while bringing Dr. Chase's own priorities to the forefront: high-quality medicine, thorough client education, and a genuine investment in the well-being of the Contoocook community. The address, the name, and the ethos all carried forward.

Veterinary Services and Specialties at Apple Tree Animal Hospital

Apple Tree Animal Hospital covers a broad clinical spectrum, which means most pet owners won't need a referral elsewhere for common or even moderately complex cases. The practice handles both the routine and the demanding, which is relatively uncommon for a community-based clinic in a small New Hampshire town.

Core services include:

• Vaccinations and preventative care
• Internal medicine and diagnostics
• Endoscopy
• Orthopedic surgeries
• End-of-life and euthanasia services, provided with documented compassion

The availability of endoscopy and orthopedic procedures in-house reflects a deliberate investment in clinical capability. Pet owners dealing with a dog's torn ligament or a cat's gastrointestinal issue don't necessarily have to drive to a specialty center in Manchester or Concord. That convenience matters in a rural region where specialist access can mean long waits and significant travel.

Dr. Chase has also made client education a formal priority. Appointments at Apple Tree tend to run long enough for owners to actually understand what's happening with their pet, what the treatment options are, and what each option costs. That transparency shows up consistently in how clients talk about the practice.

Team and Leadership

Apple Tree Animal Hospital's staff is a notable part of its identity. Several team members have earned specific certifications that elevate the level of care animals receive, and the clinic's reviews frequently name individual staff members by name, which says something about how memorable those interactions are.

• Dr. Kimberley Chase (Owner and Veterinarian): Took ownership in January 2019 after training under the previous owner, Dr. Furness. Known among clients for patience, gentleness, and a willingness to spend real time answering questions.
• Dr. Stephen (Veterinarian): Recognized by clients for exceptional care during emotionally difficult visits, including end-of-life appointments.
• Candace (Veterinary Technician): Holds a New York State license and a New Hampshire certification in veterinary technology, and is also a Certified Cat Friendly Veterinary Professional, a designation that reflects specific training in low-stress feline handling.
• Ariel (Veterinary Technician): Praised by clients for her ability to calm anxious dogs during what can be a stressful clinical environment.

The Cat Friendly certification Candace holds is worth understanding in context. Many cats experience significant stress at veterinary visits, which can mask symptoms, complicate exams, and make the experience miserable for the animal. Certified Cat Friendly professionals have completed training specifically designed to reduce that stress through handling technique, environment, and communication. It's a practical credential with a direct effect on patient outcomes.

What Customers Say About Apple Tree Animal Hospital

Clients at Apple Tree Animal Hospital tend to describe the practice in terms that go beyond clinical competence. The atmosphere, the staff's demeanor, and the time spent in appointments all come up regularly. Two recurring themes in reviews are the clinic's homelike feel and the staff's ability to handle pets that arrive anxious or fearful.

From the moment we walked in, everyone was kind, patient, and compassionate... Dr. Stephen was exceptional.

- Holly Boone

Holly Boone's review was written in the context of a euthanasia appointment, one of the most emotionally charged experiences a pet owner faces. The fact that the clinic's care registered so clearly in that moment reflects something real about how the staff approaches difficult situations.

Dr. Chase and her vet tech, Ariel are truly incredible! Our dog has a lot of anxiety with vet visits...

- Belle

Belle also noted that Dr. Chase spent substantial time explaining everything and answering questions, and found the pricing fair and transparent. That combination of clinical thoroughness and clear communication shows up across multiple client accounts.

Dr. Chase is wonderful. She's so kind, patient, gentle, and really listens to all of your concerns.

- Catherine McMullin

Reviewers also describe the physical space itself as part of what makes the practice distinctive. One client put it plainly: there's a nice vibe about the place, and it doesn't feel like a business but more like a home. For a veterinary clinic, that's an unusual thing to earn. Steve Barrie, another client, wrote that Apple Tree is the only place he'll take his animals because he trusts the staff completely. That kind of loyalty doesn't come from a single good appointment.

Location and Community: Serving Hopkinton and Contoocook

Apple Tree Animal Hospital sits at 662 Maple St, Hopkinton, NH 03229, in the Contoocook village area. The practice has served this community since before Dr. Chase took ownership, and her return in 2019 was explicitly framed as coming back home, not just taking over a business.

Dr. Chase's stated passion for community education means the clinic functions as more than a place to bring a sick pet. It's a resource for local pet owners trying to understand preventative care, make informed decisions about treatment, and navigate the emotional complexity of caring for an aging or ill animal. That orientation toward education reflects an understanding that good veterinary outcomes depend partly on what happens outside the clinic walls.

The Contoocook and Hopkinton area is a small, tight-knit community, and the practice's reputation spreads largely through personal recommendation. Clients who trust Apple Tree tend to tell their neighbors, and the clinic's culture of genuine attention makes that trust easy to sustain.

Why Choose Apple Tree Animal Hospital

Apple Tree Animal Hospital offers something that's harder to find than advanced equipment or a long list of services: a consistent, human-scale experience for both pets and their owners. The clinical capabilities are real, covering everything from preventative care to orthopedic surgery and endoscopy. But the practice's identity is built on how those services are delivered, with patience, transparency about costs and options, and staff who are trained and motivated to make anxious animals feel safe.

For pet owners in Hopkinton, Contoocook, and the surrounding region, the choice often comes down to whether you trust the people on the other side of the exam table. At Apple Tree, that trust is earned one appointment at a time, and it shows in how clients talk about the practice long after they leave.

Customer quotes shown above are from public Google reviews.