Dr. Donald Stanton
Stanton Animal Hospital's Founder
1938 - 2019
Dr. Donald Walter Stanton was the founder of Stanton Animal Hospital which he established in 1971 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Dr. Stanton attended and graduated from Wichita High School and Wichita State Community College. Earning his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1964, Dr. Stanton also received recognition of high scholarship from the Honor Society of Agriculture, Gamma Sigma Delta, as well as outstanding achievement and service in Agricultural Science.
At Kansas State, Dr. Stanton was the houseboy at the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority house. It was there that he met his best friend forever, Susie. They were married May 20, 1960. Susie supported him working as a home economics teacher while he attended veterinary school. Their daughter, Pam, was born during Christmas break of 1961. They had always planned to move to Arkansas, but after graduation they chose to move to the largest animal hospital in the United States located in St. Louis, Missouri.
In 1971 Dr. Stanton began his veterinary career in Fayetteville, Arkansas, opening Stanton Animal Hospital for the small animal community. He grew the practice from a single doctor practice to a busy, multi-doctor establishment. In 1996, Dr. Stanton’s son, Derik Stanton, graduated from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, joined the practice, and he will now continue his father’s legacy.
Dr. Stanton was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association for 55 years. He received the gold membership, which identifies him as an Honor Roll member of AVMA, for the past 10 years. He was also a member of the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association for 48 years. Dr. Stanton served several years on the AVMA board of directors, served as President in 1984, and was named Arkansas Veterinarian of the Year in 1991. He was a member of the Orthopedic Surgical Society and American Animal Hospital Association.
Dr. Stanton was also active in community organizations. He was a lifetime Methodist. In 1972, his family joined the Central United Methodist Church, where he served as a church usher for many years. He was also a member of the Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville-Sequoyah. He was a Kiwanian for 47 years, received the Legion of Honor for his time with the club, and served part of that time as club President. Another community service that Dr. Stanton performed was volunteering at Bikes, Blues and BBQ as the bell ringer for the Salvation Army. He also delivered fruit baskets at Hillcrest Towers, often accompanied by his grandchildren.
Dr. Stanton began each day with set goals and ended the day with his accomplishments. Although he never officially retired, he always had many interests and hobbies including fishing, woodworking, bicycling, grilling, riding his tractor, watching the Razorbacks, piddling at Beaver Lake and, in later years, watching his grandsons play baseball and run track.
His love for his family will never be forgotten, but it is quite evident that the four-legged community knew him the very best.