Dr. Miriam Dreewes and the staff of Hometown Animal Hospital.
Hometown Animal Hospital has been named the 2026 Winterfest Honored Organization, in recognition of years of compassionate service that extends far beyond veterinary care. From rescuing overlooked animals to supporting local events and businesses, the clinic is making a profound impact on the community.
Dr. Miriam Dreewes and her team at Hometown Animal Hospital are the recipients of the 2026 Winterfest Honored Organization award. This recognition highlights the clinic’s nearly twenty years of service and its role as an informal rescue that saves, heals, and re-homes animals in the community. The organization will be officially celebrated during the Winterfest opening ceremony on January 17th.
While the sign at 830 S. Main St. marks a place for veterinary medicine, the selection of Hometown Animal Hospital as the 2026 Winterfest Honored Organization reveals the profound community impact of the practice. Dr. Miriam Dreewes, the owner and practitioner, leads a dedicated team that provides full-service care while frequently operating as a quiet safety net for the area’s stray and unwanted animals. The honor, which Dr. Dreewes noted was “completely unexpected,” acknowledges the dedication of a staff that views their work as “really more of a calling than a job”.
The organization’s history is rooted in Dr. Dreewes’ career transition over 23 years ago, from psychology studies to veterinary medicine, inspired by students at Washington State University. Since earning her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 2002, she has built a “work family” at Hometown Animal Hospital that supports various local initiatives. During a recent interview regarding the award, Dr. Dreewes provided deeper insight into the mission and heart of the organization:
On receiving the Winterfest honor:
Dr. Dreewes admitted she did not initially realize the magnitude of the award. “It feels very nice to know that the rescue work that often goes on behind the scenes, the passion I put into the animals and my work, the love I have for my clients and patients, the dedication of my team to improve animal lives… hasn’t gone unnoticed,” she stated. “I love that I can make a positive difference to the animal community (and the animals’ people) in the Deer Park area. It is really more of a calling than a job. I go home and think about my patients and how I can help them,” she explained. A quote she lives by is, “Changing one cat’s life won’t change the world, but it will change that cat’s world forever.”
On community involvement:
Hometown Animal Hospital stays active in the Deer Park community well beyond its daily medical practice. Residents can often find the team at local events like Pumpkin Lane, where they hand out candy and bring dogs for children to pet. The hospital also supports the local school district by participating in career days, donating to the band program, and sponsoring advertisements on the high school football field.
The practice maintains close ties with other local pet businesses, specifically Grrs and Purrs, Ruff’n It Dog Day Camp, and Cattery. These relationships are personal for the staff; their own dogs, Bailey and Oliver, are regular clients for grooming and daycare. In addition to supporting the local food bank and various fundraisers through auction baskets, the hospital provides discounted services, food, and supplies to Freddy’s Furry Rescue to help local animals in need.
On the “Work Family” culture:
Dr. Drewes views the clinic’s positive energy as a direct reflection of a staff that treats veterinary medicine as a calling rather than just a job. “My staff is nothing short of amazing,” she says. “They come in every day ready to pour their hearts into their work.” By intentionally hiring people who genuinely love animals and thrive on human connection—and avoid drama—Dr. Drewes has cultivated a true “work family.” This bond is what sustains them through the emotional highs and lows of the profession. “We have moments of triumph where it feels like we conquered death, and days of sorrow where we feel the defeat alongside the owners,” she explains. To maintain their resilience, the team leans on one another and the power of joy: “We laugh often and hard, relish in the good times, and never miss a chance to snuggle a puppy or kitten.”
On the importance of animal welfare:
The team’s dedication to strays stems from a belief that animals feel many of the same emotions as humans, including joy, fear, and loneliness. Dr. Dreewes explained her commitment to taking in animals with no other options: “I will take in those pets that have no other options – that require treatment that won’t be possible at the shelter. Or that are very unlikely to get adopted by someone at the shelter – they will get overlooked, left behind, lonely, euthanized”. She views this work as the clinic’s “tithing,” operating under the motto: “Another man’s trash is our treasure”.
The community’s support for the organization is reflected in numerous testimonials regarding their compassionate approach. Client Bonnie Ackerman noted, “All of our animals have been treated with such extraordinary kindness and care. She spends more time with them than most vets. You don’t feel rushed out the door”. Another resident, Cathy Valigura, highlighted the staff’s dedication: “I can remember multiple cases where one of the vet techs was outside trying to catch an animal that was running loose. In one case, the vet tech rescued an abandoned kitten as she was driving through the McDonald’s drive-thru”.
Hometown Animal Hospital is particularly known for handling complex medical cases. Regarding a dog named Molly who required surgery after being relinquished, owner Angie Hall-Jones shared: “They could have taken the easy route, but instead they saved, healed, fostered, and found a (very) loving home for my best friend”. Another pet owner, Damaris Soltis, added, “her and her staff make you their family as soon as you walk through their doors!”.
