Columbus veterinarian hangs up his coat after 60 years

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Lots of people love pets, but Virgil McKee has made a 60-year career out of it.

McKee, 91, said he still loves the work he does treating and caring for pets at the Tri-Village Animal Hospital on Doten Ave. He's been at the role since graduating from The Ohio State University's veterinarian school in 1965. Now facing some eyesight issues, McKee said he's decided to hang up his coat and retire.

With his last day of work coming at the end of the month, his clients decided to throw him a party to celebrate decades of service. McKee said he considers them more like family.

"We get the families. The little children, the next thing they're coming in with their children," McKee said. "Four generations of families coming in … it just makes you feel good."

He said he's treated dogs, cats and even snakes and monkeys for those generations of families in Columbus.

In his decades of running the clinic, he's only ever had one staff member, his assistant, Jean. She has been his side-kick since she graduated herself, and she will be retiring alongside McKee.