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Our Story
Deep roots, renewed energy.
A Norfolk clinic that's cared for Northeast Nebraska's pets for more than 50 years — now locally, independently, and woman-owned.
HOW IT STARTED
When Dr. Robert Hartley opened Companion Animal Veterinary Clinic in 1970, the idea was simple: give the families of Norfolk and Northeast Nebraska a place they could trust with the pets they love. More than fifty years later, that's still exactly who we are.
In 2017, veterinarian Dr. Whitney Tramp joined the team — and fell for the clinic, its clients, and the community it served. So when the chance came to take ownership in 2022, she didn't hesitate. Today, Companion Animal is proudly independent, locally owned, and woman-owned, with Dr. Tramp leading a team of four veterinarians caring for the region's pets.
WHAT'S NEW, WHAT'S STAYED THE SAME
Better medicine. Same hometown heart.
Taking ownership was never about changing what people already loved — it was about quietly making it even better. Since 2022, we've invested in advanced anesthesia monitoring, digital dental X-rays, new services like acupuncture, and ongoing training for our whole team.
What hasn't changed is everything that matters most: the familiar faces at the front desk, the time we take to learn you and your pet by name, and our commitment to this community. We're still your neighbors — just with a few more tools to keep your pets healthy and comfortable.
MEET THE OWNER & VETERINARIAN
Dr. Whitney Tramp
Dr. Tramp grew up on a family farm near Elgin, Nebraska, where caring for animals was simply a way of life. A 2012 graduate of the Iowa State–University of Nebraska 2+2 program, she's especially passionate about preventive and geriatric care — keeping pets healthy in the early years and comfortable in their golden ones.
Outside the clinic, her hands are just as full: she and her husband, Justin, are raising three daughters alongside a lively household of dogs and cats. When she's not at work, you'll find her camping, gardening, or in the woodshop. She's a Norfolk-area neighbor first, and your pet's veterinarian second.
