Ann Harris DVM

About Ann

Ann was born with the " connection to animals" gene. With the support of a loving family and the mentorship of three local veterinarians, her passion for veterinary medicine began at the age of 13, when she was offered a summer job as a "kennel girl" at Cobleskill Veterinary Clinic. Her experience there spanned more than a decade, over which time she mastered the many tasks involved in operating a veterinary hospital. 

 This experience led to a BS in Animal Science from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell, followed by a DVM degree from the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine in 1983. After graduating Ann worked as an associate veterinarian at Boulevard Animal Hospital in Syracuse for 15 years, then briefly at the Syracuse SPCA, before joining the staff at Manlius Veterinary Hospital. In August of 2001, she ventured out on her own to establish Rockacres Veterinary Hospital. 

The mission statement of Rockacres is simple, solid and steadfast: "We treat your pet like part of the family." This means striving for excellence and compassionate care when interacting with both clients and patients.

Ann knows the recent crisis for vets, clients and companion animals caused by a lack of  adequate veterinary care, particularly in emergency services, for the ever-increasing pet population has been taxing physically and mentally for everyone concerned.

Dr. Harris in her own words:

“As I enter this transition towards retirement, it is my passion for this wonderful profession that fuels my interest to work on solutions for the future.

The establishment of a scholarship-tuition reimbursement program for technicians who are dedicated to return to the central New York region is one recent idea spear-headed by a group of industrious friends and colleagues who have experienced the veterinary crisis firsthand.

In recognition of my retirement, I am humbled and honored to have it named in my honor and view this as a wonderful way to begin the journey of repair and improvement for the profession that I am so blessed to have enjoyed for forty years.”