We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Emma Hart to the Faithful Friends team! As the newest veterinarian at our Cat Specialty Center, Dr. Hart brings a deep love for feline medicine and a personal, science-driven approach to every patient interaction. Located in Dublin, near Plain City, the Cat Specialty Center welcomes pet patients from throughout Central Ohio.
We sat down with Dr. Hart to learn more about her path to veterinary medicine, what inspires her, and what makes our new facility such a special place for cats, and the people who love them.
Q&A with Dr. Emma Hart
Q: What inspired you to become a veterinarian?
I’ve always loved animals but didn’t initially have the confidence to pursue a career path in veterinary medicine. I started in pre-pharmacy and very strongly considered pursuing a PhD, but during my last year of college at University of Illinois Chicago it became clear to me that I wanted to work with animals. After graduation, I moved to Ohio and worked in a vet practice to get more experience and confirm this path. That paved the way to attend The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and I haven’t looked back since.
Q: What’s your favorite part about working with animals?
What started as a love for animals has grown into a passion for solving complex problems. I love applying clinical reasoning to improve pets’ lives and creating meaningful relationships with their people too.
Q: Do you have a specialty?
Yes, feline medicine is my special interest. I’ve received close mentorship from leading feline experts like Dr. Ashlie Saffire and Dr. Jessica Quimby and just completed an internal medicine specialty internship focused on clinical research and feline chronic kidney disease (CKD) at OSU.
Q: What drew you to Faithful Friends?
Watching Dr. Saffire work was honestly inspiring. Her compassion and expertise made me want to follow in her footsteps, ever since I first shadowed her as a vet student over 4 years ago now. I knew this was the kind of clinic—and team—I wanted to be part of. I’m very proud to be a part of the Cat Specialty Center.
Q: What’s special about the new Faithful Friends facility?
Everything has been designed with cats in mind—from separate entrances and waiting areas to stress-reducing exam rooms and feline-only boarding. It’s quiet, calm, and truly optimized for cat comfort.
Q: How do you help keep visits low-stress for cats and their people?
I’ve lived with 5–6 cats at a time and currently foster kittens, so I get it. I know how stressful vet visits can be, especially when you’re adding medications or facing tough news. And, when cat parents hear about my own experiences and challenges when caring for my own personal , they often feel at ease. They know that I can often deeply relate to what they’re experiencing. That empathy helps me create a more supportive, understanding experience.
Q: What’s one thing you wish more pet parents knew?
Pet insurance! It helps take the financial pressure off during emergencies or chronic care. Having it in place before something happens allows you to focus on treatment, not the cost. Plus, there are more options now, from companies that are more familiar with vet care. It’s definitely worth exploring if you’re a pet parent, especially when your pets are still at their healthiest.
Q: Tell us about your pets.
I have five permanent feline residents, one of whom is my “honorary son” who arrived at two days old, and two 5-week-old foster kittens. Plus, I have a dog named Ash. Yes, I do like dogs, too. Ash is a Border Collie, Boxer, and Jack Russell mix who “thinks he’s a cat” and is amazing with the kittens.
Q: How do you spend your time away from work?
Obviously, I like hanging out with cat family, fosters, and Ash. But I also enjoy gardening, cooking, hiking…and I’m really into K-Pop!
Q: If you could talk to cats, what would you ask?
Seriously? I’d ask what we can do to make vet visits better.
Not-so-seriously? I’d tell them, “Please stop judging me, because I know you already are!”.
Rapid Fire with Dr. Hart
- Mountains, beach, or city? Mountains
- Favorite vet gadget? Pan retinal lens – for eye exams. It is my thing.
- Most used emoji? 😻 and 😂
- Favorite local hangout? Ty Ginger
- If you weren’t a vet… Marine Biologist, that’s what I wanted to be growing up
- Favorite season? Fall
- Clinic walk-up song? Still deciding… maybe calming cat music
- Last TV show binge? Wednesday (watched it in two days!)
- Fun fact? Most people are surprised I have a dog…and that I’m a big K-pop fan!
Why Cats (and Their People) Love Our Cat Specialty Center
Faithful Friends’ new 7,000 sq. ft. facility was built to deliver advanced, cat- and dog-specific veterinary care. Some highlights include:
- Dedicated feline exam rooms and condos
- A new radioactive iodine treatment suite for hyperthyroidism
- Minimally invasive diagnostics
- Ohio’s only board-certified feline specialist: Dr. Ashlie Saffire
Now, with Dr. Hart on board, we’re expanding our ability to care for more cats—especially those who need extra time, compassion, or advanced support.
Ready to Schedule?
📍 6780 Liggett Road, Dublin, OH
📞 Call or Text: 614-389-0997
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