The Life in Business: Keauhou Veterinary Hospital

Dr. Jacob Head and wife Jolene bought the existing veterinary practice, Keauhou Veterinary Hospital, in 2007 with the goal of making it into a very progressive hospital, says Jolene Head.

“We are the only AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited practice on the Big Island. Only 15 percent of practices in North America are accredited.”

Jacob Head was born and raised on the Big Island, graduating from Konawaena High School. His parents John, a retired fireman, and Vicki Swift still own the organic coffee farm where Dr. Head was raised.

He graduated from Colorado State University with a B.S. in microbiology and received his veterinary degree (DVM) there in 1998. Dr. Head was medical director for a veterinary hospital in Washington State prior to moving back here four years ago. With over 13 years of experience, including 8.5 years in emergency critical care at specialty hospitals in Colorado, he has extensive training in surgery and critical care. Jolene has been a veterinary nurse since 1998 and has worked in general care and emergency critical care in specialty hospitals in Colorado.

Keauhou Veterinary Hospital treats primarily dogs and cats, including basic and more extensive work-ups, surgery and chemotherapy.

“We have tried to bring up the level of medicine available to the animals here on the Big Island,” says Jolene.

The practice takes calls 24/7 and is open six days a week: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. -5 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Jolene writes two columns, “Pet Chronicles” and “Pike’s Corner” for West Hawaii Today on Fridays.

The couple has three children (two boys and a girl ages 16, 10, 4). “We enjoy being outside, running , hiking and enjoying Hawai‘i,” she says. “We are very involved in the community, sponsoring numerous events and charities. We particularly try to be involved in activities that benefit children and children’s organizations, and we offer several mentorship programs and children’s programs to the local schools.“

Dr. Head is a director for the Konawaena Foundation.

Keauhou Veterinary Hospital
78-6728 Walua Road, Keauhou.
Phone:  808.322.2988
www.keauhouvet.com