Fort Thomas & Independence, Kentucky

Medicine that knows your
pet's name.

Fear-free visits, same-week appointments, and a team genuinely invested in this community. Two locations in Northern Kentucky built around real relationships.

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0 Reviews
5+ Yrs Serving NKY
Veterinarian with a pet at VMC
Why VMC

What makes us different from the rest.

Small practice, big commitment. Dr. Baker built VMC because Fort Thomas and Independence deserved a vet who actually stays — one who picks up the phone and remembers your pet's name.

01

Fear-Free Certified

We know vet visits can be stressful — for pets and people alike. Every part of how we work, from the way we handle your animal to how we talk through your options, is designed to keep things calm and low-pressure.

02

A Doctor Who Knows You

You won't cycle through a different vet every time you come in. Dr. Baker and Dr. Golatzki build real relationships with their patients over time — which means they notice things, remember things, and actually know your pet.

03

Honest, Upfront Medicine

No surprises, no pressure. We'll tell you what we see, what we recommend, and what it costs — then let you make the call. Good medicine means being straight with you, even when the answer is "let's wait and watch."

04

Rooted in This Community

VMC exists because Fort Thomas and Independence deserved a practice that actually belongs here. We're not a chain. We're your neighbors, and we're not going anywhere.

What We Do

Six things we do exceptionally well.

Wellness & Prevention

Life-stage care that actually fits your pet's current chapter. Not a generic annual checklist. Puppy, adult, or senior — we meet them where they are.

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Dental Health (COHAT)

Most dental disease is invisible until it hurts. Pets never complain. Our Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment finds and treats what's hiding.

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Soft Tissue Surgery

From routine spays to complex mass removals, with careful pre-operative prep, full monitoring under anesthesia, and attentive recovery care.

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Behavioral Consults

Aggression, anxiety, litter avoidance — behavior problems often have medical roots. We dig past the surface to figure out what's actually causing it.

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Urgent Care

Something feels wrong and it can't wait. Monday through Friday our team is staffed and equipped to see urgent cases. Call us first and we'll get you in.

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Feline-Only Hours

Cats deserve a dog-free waiting room. Our dedicated feline appointment windows mean a quieter, dramatically less stressful experience for your cat.

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Meet Your Doctors

Veterinarians who actually stay.

When you come to VMC, you get continuity — with someone who remembers your pet, your history, and what actually matters to your family.

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Dr. Kristi BakerOwner & DVM

Dr. Baker is a licensed veterinarian in both Kentucky and Ohio. She built VMC because she wanted to practice medicine the right way: unhurried, thorough, and rooted in a community she genuinely cares about.

I have always loved animals and pets so working with them all day and learning how their bodies work fascinates me. Everyday, I feel like I am making a difference in the lives of not only my pet patients, but also their human families as well.
Licensed in Kentucky and Ohio
Fear-Free Certified practice
Soft tissue surgery and oral health expertise
End-of-life care, in-clinic and at home
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Dr. Becky GolatzkiAssociate Veterinarian

Dr. Golatzki brings warmth and expertise to every appointment, partnering with Dr. Baker to provide the same consistent, relationship-focused care VMC is known for.

I love being part of a practice where we truly know our patients. Building those long-term relationships — with the pets and their families — is what makes this work so rewarding.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Compassionate, relationship-focused care
The Whole Team

People who love what they do.

From the front desk to the treatment room, every person on the VMC team is here because they genuinely care about animals.

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Cara
Office Manager
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April
RVT
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Jess
RVT
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Taiyler
RVT
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April
Veterinary Technician

April graduated from Morehead State with her associate's in veterinary technology in 2002. She has been in the industry since 1999 and licensed for over 20 years. She loves helping animals live their best lives and dreams of opening a rescue one day. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her family. She has two dogs (Echo and Griffin) and three cats: Cleocatra, Spitfire, and Cuddles.

I work here because in all the places I've worked, I like the medicine and care the best here. Dr. Baker's knowledge is top notch!

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Emerald
Veterinary Assistant
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Jamie
Client Service Representative / Veterinary Assistant

Jamie is currently attending Penn Foster online to get her degree in veterinary technology. She likes working here with team members who share her same goal of doing what is best for animals. She has two dogs (Sammy and Ranger) and two cats (Serenity and Ezra).

I have been working with animals since I was young. It all started when my grandpa was an animal control officer. He taught me the importance of loving and helping animals.

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Missy
Veterinary Assistant

Missy has been in the veterinary field for 12 years. She enjoys working with and getting to know the clients and their pets and loves developing relationships with them. In her free time, she takes care of her 50 chickens, 16 cats, and three dogs on her farm, and enjoys time with her three adult children.

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Natalie
Veterinary Assistant
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Scotty
Service Dog
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Terri
Client Service Representative

Terri has been an integral part of the team for over 15 years. In her free time, she likes to read, work in her garden, and attend concerts. She has a Dachshund mix named Beatrix.

Client Reviews

What our community says.

4.8
★★★★★
49 reviews · Fort Thomas
109 reviews · Independence
Verify on Google ↗
"
★★★★★

Dr. Baker and her associates are amazing. They treat your pets like family and take the time to answer every question without rushing. You can tell they genuinely care about both the animals and their owners.

BK
Brat K.
Google · Fort Thomas, KY
"
★★★★★

From the moment we walked in, everything felt calm and thoughtful. The team took time to help my cat feel comfortable, and the care was incredibly thorough. We are so happy to have found our new family vet.

BB
Bilinda B.
Google · Independence, KY
"
★★★★★

Amazing is an understatement. The staff is gentle, kind, and professional. They explained pricing upfront and even followed up the next day to check on my pet. That level of care is rare.

TB
Tiffany B.
Google · Northern Kentucky
"
★★★★★

Our first visit couldn’t have gone better. Everyone was kind, patient, and made sure our pet felt comfortable. From start to finish, it was a 10 out of 10 experience.

JR
Jerriann R.
Google · Fort Thomas, KY
"
★★★★★

The most thorough and compassionate care we’ve ever experienced. The staff went above and beyond, even helping us during a stressful situation. You can truly feel how much they care.

EJ
Elizabeth J.
Google · Covington, KY
"
★★★★★

Fantastic service and expert care. They treated our cat quickly and effectively, and even followed up afterward. We won’t be going anywhere else.

CJ
Christopher J.
Google · Independence, KY
Read all reviews on BirdEye ↗
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Whether your pet needs preventive care, a second opinion, behavior support, dental treatment, or more advanced care, our team is here to help you take the next step with confidence.

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