Contact Keauhou Veterinary Clinic at 322-2988.
BY BOBBY COMMAND
WEST HAWAII TODAY
bcommand@westhawaiitoday.com
Jacob Head always knew what he wanted to do with his life. He never thought he would end up doing it in his hometown.
“Kona’s changed a lot in the last 20 years,” said Dr. Head, who recently acquired the Keauhou Veterinary Clinic and established his practice in the unique building just off the intersection of Kuakini Highway and Kamehameha III Road.
“But it is still home,” Head said, “and it is good to be home.”
The clinic provides annual exams, progressive treatment and patient care, state-of-the-art X-rays and an in-house lab, dental care and senior wellness, orthopedic surgery, medical boarding and a large selection of pet nutrition.
Head, who was born and raised in Kona, acquired his love of animals through the 4-H program and the influence of his parents, John and Vicki Swift, who own Mother Goose Farms of South Kona.
Prep sports fans may remember Head as the quarterback of the 1988 Konawaena Wildcats, which won the Big Island Interscholastic Federation championship in a thrilling 24-21 come-from behind game in the rain at Honokaa.
While caring for animals and playing football as a teen, Head said he knew what he wanted to do but had no idea that he would one day return to West Hawaii to set up his practice.
“This kind of just happened,” said Head, who was the medical director of a veterinary hospital in Washington state, where he lived with his wife, Jolene, and three children, Bradly, Conner and Elaina.
“There are so few opportunities here,” said Head, “So it never really was something that crossed my mind. But it presented itself, and we took it.”
Along with Head and Jolene, who is a technician and clinic manager, the staff at Keauhou Veterinary Clinic comprises Dr. Kristina Henrick, PhD, DVM, and employees Angela Stetler, Kristine Stone, Dodie Boewer, Ajjani Knoght, Bobye Jensen, Myrna Kirihara, Chayson Matsuoka, Abby Kruse and Bridget Pasco.
So to what does this local boy from South Kona attribute his success?
Head said his education at Konawaena High School, while not the same quality as some of his medical school peers who came from private schools, did prepare him for college.
“I can see in some respects it wasn’t the best, but I also have classmates from Konawaena who have done significant things as attorneys and engineers,” he said. “Look at (Astronaut) Ellison Onizuka; you really can do anything at any school.”
But Head said the keys to his success were his parents, along with his mentor, Jim Richards, of Waimea. “It takes a family to do something with your life,” Head said.
The Heads feel fortunate for the opportunity to serve the Kona community and will give back to it by providing a free neuter clinic for cats every six weeks, donating to the Food Basket and working with Advocats to help the stray population. Head also provides animal care for the police and the Humane Society.
They have also traveled to Spain to care for abandoned hunting galgos so they can be adopted internationally. They are also hoping to start a school program for children who want to learn about proper pet care.
“It is never to early to start taking care of a pet and understanding the importance of the basic fundamental needs of all living creatures,” Jolene Head said.
The building itself is somewhat of a landmark. Built of koa by the late Dr. Kid McCoy in 1963, the clinic, which has changed hands a number of times, is in need of repairs, which the Heads say they will carry out.
“We’re going to keep the bones of the building,” he said. “But we’re going to bring in a whole bunch of new equipment.”
Contact Keauhou Veterinary Clinic at 322-2988.