Dr. Baker was born in a “Navy Family”, and lived in six states before his father retired from the Navy and settled in Louisville, Kentucky. He started working for a vet when he was 13 and has now been involved with veterinary medicine for more than 50 years.

Dr. Bob has had an unusual career, to say the least.  He started working in the Carolina’s for two veterinarians that were outstanding practitioners.  Dr. Walter Robinson in Greenville, South Carolina was a renowned surgeon and board certified in veterinary practice.  Dr. David Harling in Greensboro, North Carolina was double boarded in veterinary ophthalmology and veterinary practice.   Having two tremendous mentors, Dr. Baker has always strived to practice the way he learned his first three years out of veterinary school.

Trussville Animal Hospital was the first small animal practice in Trussville, AL and Dr. Baker’s first experience in practice ownership.  After 15 years, though, he was recruited by the University of Alabama at Birmingham to join their laboratory animal program as a clinical veterinarian and head of experimental surgery.  This led to jobs at two of the National Primate Research Centers at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and at Texas Biomedical Research Institute in San Antonio TX.  Dr. Baker became a Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine in 2011.

After 15 years in biomedical research, including 10 years as a “monkey doctor”, Dr. Bob and his wife Sheila relocated to Fort Payne thinking they would semi-retire.  While working as a relief veterinarian at several local practices, he realized that starting his second practice would allow him more control over the quality of medicine he could practice.

Dr. Baker has also enjoyed living an adventurous life.  He started rock climbing in college and has climbed “The Diamond”, the 2000-foot East Face of Long’s Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park as well as the 2000-foot Northwest Face of Half Dome in Yosemite Valley.  He has also been a checkpoint veterinarian five times for the Alaskan Sled Dog Race, the Iditarod, and worked in a medical mission in Ecuador as an assistant surgeon operating on children with club foot disorders as well as other congenital problems.

Dr. Bob enjoys most aspects of veterinary medicine, but especially enjoys challenging surgeries and teaching clients how to better take care of their animals. He and his wife Sheila live with two dogs, two cats, and three nanny goats on the brow of Lookout Mountain.  After traveling most of his life, Dr. Baker likes to say that his next mover will be an undertaker!

Robin is a friendly and talented team player that joined our staff in 2020. She enjoys helping people, their pets and she spends her free time kayaking and fishing.

She has an extensive and diverse fur-family that includes dogs, cats, and a large flock of chickens. In the past, her family has had several different species of exotics and large animals.

After she retired from her first career, Rita came to work part-time reception for us and enjoys all animals. Rita enjoys church and teaching her Sunday School girls. 

Marissa previously worked at another animal hospital before coming to work here at Fort Payne Animal Hospital. She is a dog lover and comes from a large family.

Biography coming soon!