SBA recognizes Central Square animal hospital as Woman-Owned Business of the Year

CENTRAL SQUARE, N.Y. — The Upstate New York district of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has awarded its 2023 Woman-Owned Business of the Year Award to Dr. Alex Hawthorn, owner of Highland Animal Hospital in Central Square. 

Bernard J. Paprocki, director of the SBA Upstate New York District, presented the award at the business as part of National Small Business Week. He was joined by Oswego County Administrator Phil Church and James Weatherup, chairman of the Oswego County Legislature, at Highland Animal Hospital at 12 Gertrude Drive in Central New York.

The SBA Upstate New York District selected Hawthorn’s animal hospital for the Woman-Owned Business of the Year for “strategically” growing the practice since purchasing it in 2019. Hawthorn then expanded the animal hospital to a new building. 

With her commitment to care for clients and staff alike, Hawthorn led her team through “uncertain times, high stress and increased demand” during the pandemic without losing a single employee, the SBA said. Hawthorn also has a “passion” for shelter medicine, and she works with many local animal rescues to provide discounted veterinary care and surgical services weekly.

TD Bank approved an SBA 7(a) loan for Hawthorn in 2022 to construct a new 7,200-square-foot facility on a property abutting the existing operations, which is currently 3,000 square feet. 

The Oswego native designed the building with the needs of her patients and staff, preparing to double her staff and “fill a critical urgent-care gap” for Central New York’s pets, SBA said.

“Helping and healing animals is tremendously rewarding. We are excited to expand our services to our surrounding community,” Hawthorn said in an SBA news release. “It has been such a pleasure working in the Central New York area over the last four years. We are fortunate to have the most wonderful patients and clients, and we can’t wait to continue these relationships for many years to come!”

In the few years since Hawthorn has taken over the practice, Highland Animal Hospital has already increased its client base by 50 percent, doubled sales revenue, added five new staff members, rebranded, and modernized equipment, according to the SBA.