Construction of a new veterinary clinic is expected to be completed in the next eight months.

Creekside Animal Hospital will be located off Highway 125 across from Roanoke Rapids Fire Station 2.

It has been a 12-year dream of Cindy Elias, currently an animal doctor at CoatsVet in Rocky Mount, said her husband, Tripp, the owner of Little and Jenkins.

“When we got married we talked about her having her own place,” Mr. Elias said today. “We waited to get our children of age. It’s something we’ve been planning for a long time.”

Mr. Elias said Creekside will offer emergency care and will specialize in small animals, including birds. “She’s very good at what she does. She shows a lot of compassion.”

Mrs. Elias worked at both local animal hospitals before going to Rocky Mount.

An Elizabeth City native and 1995 graduate of the University of Florida School of Veterinary Medicine, Mrs. Elias already has a large list of bird patients, her husband said.

Mrs. Elias designed the building herself and it will include treatment, exam and surgery rooms. Creekside will also board animals. She has already had people contact her about staffing.

The building is 4,649 square feet, according to the building plans at the city Planning and Development Department.

Building plans have already been approved because there were no rezoning issues that needed to go before the planning board or city council, Planning and Development Director Amanda Jarratt said today.