Christina Dayton: Mixed-animal veterinarian comes home to Sussex

After a 10-year sojourn in Georgia to study and practice veterinary medicine, Lincoln native Christina Dayton returned to Sussex County with a "Doctor" in front of her name, a "Wall" behind it and the skills to serve the medical needs of livestock and pets statewide.

In less than two months, Dr. Wall has built a clientele across Sussex County and said she hopes to continue the growth of her business, All Creatures Veterinary Service, specializing in home visits for large and small animal health as a division of A Little Veterinary Clinic in Harrington.

She's the only veterinarian in Sussex County who treats large livestock, horses as well as household-variety dogs and cats, said client Laurie Vonasek, co-owner of Harmony Hollow farm in Ellendale. It's a much needed service, Vonasek said.

With the farm owner ticking off a list of animal residents at Harmony Hollow that ranges from large horses to sheep and guinea hens, Wall confirmed she could care for most, if not all.

"Well, I don't do fish, but I would do the rest," Wall said while checking on a Kinder goat she delivered by C-section just days before. "This afternoon I'm going to see about a duck that was attacked by something."

Before Wall returned to Delaware, Vonasek, who is also a nursing instructor at Delaware Technical and Community College, said she had to play doctor for most of the animals at her farm.

"I just imagine what I would do for a human, then I call her," Vonasek said.

For miniature horses, donkeys, cattle, pot-bellied pigs, goats, dogs, cats or sheep, animal-lover Vonasek  has been talked through medical procedures over the phone. When she has also transported ailing animals out-of-state for veterinary assistance, the situation has been extremely stressful for all involved, Vonasek said.

"We would do all our care ourselves," Vonsek said. "Otherwise, we have talked to vets over the phone or been left transporting goats to Chestertown, Md."

Because of her large-animal training, when Wall makes a home visit to treat one animal, she usually checks in on others to update vaccinations and provide checkups and other consultations.

This may be one of the biggest selling points of Wall's new service.

"What's great about Christina is that she sees multiple animals so we are all able to do multiple things," Vonasek said. "That actually saved us time, and we didn't have to stress the animals with a transport."

Though most of Wall's patients take advantage of her home services, the veterinarian also has use of the clinic in Harrington for surgeries or clients who prefer to meet in-office.

As for the vet, she's been staying busy and enjoying her return as she reestablishes herself in Sussex County.

Wall said she's glad to be back home and making use of her skills to benefit animals and their owners in her home state.

"It's a lot of fun," she said. "I love it, getting to meet the people and their animals. Animals are like family, so it's important."

For more information about All Creatures Veterinary Service or Dr. Christina Dayton Wall, call 302-258-8160 or email AllCreaturesVetDe@gmail.com.