A Visit to Homeward Bound Animal Clinic

Dr. Natalie Lucca (second from right) and her team: Alisia (CSR, left), Raelynn (technician, holding Russian tortoise patient), and Aaron (practice manager, right).

On a Friday afternoon in September, I made my way to Rochester to pay a visit to Dr. Natalie Lucca and her staff at Homeward Bound Animal Clinic, which opened its doors in April 2024.

A native of Rochester who attended vet school at St. George University in Grenada, Dr. Lucca first practiced as an associate veterinarian in the Twin Cities and Rochester before deciding that practice ownership was the path for her.

Her passion and independent spirit shone through as Dr. Lucca gave me a tour and talked about all that went into designing and opening her own practice. From taking into account values-based considerations such as transparency—there is an opening in the wall that provides visibility into the back of the clinic from the lobby—to personal preferences such as not liking stainless steel cages, Dr. Lucca embraced the opportunity to design and supply her clinic thoughtfully, and it shows.

One of the touches I was impressed with was the cat exam room. With two cat trees, a scratching post, tunnel, and engaging toys, it is the definition of “catified.” On the tour, we briefly poked our heads in while technician Rae was speaking with a client whose cat was in for a wellness exam. I’d never seen a more contented feline patient!

Dr. Lucca also has two dog exam rooms and an exotics room. Besides practical reasons for separate rooms, this set up allows her to display posters of species-specific client education materials, such as AAHA-AVMA Preventative Healthcare Guidelines, for clients to read.

While not a specialist, Dr. Lucca has a strong interest in exotics and enjoys seeing exotic pets. The day I visited, there was a Russian tortoise in for a beak trim—just in time to join the team photo! Fun fact: Dr. Lucca also provides veterinary care to the animals at Zollman Zoo, located about 10 miles northwest of her clinic.

Another thing that made an impression on me was Dr. Lucca’s dedication to technician utilization and deep sense of trust in her staff. “I would be nowhere without [technician] Rae and [practice manager] Aaron!” Dr. Lucca shared. Wellness exams are led by veterinary technicians so that she can focus her time on things only she as a DVM can do. It makes sense that this is a strong area of interest, given that before enrolling in vet school, she explored multiple paths to a career working with animals, including obtaining a Bachelor’s in Wildlife Management followed by a Veterinary Technology degree. Though she never actually worked as a CVT, for a number of years she served as Program Chair of the Veterinary Technology Program she’d attended while also working toward her MBA.

It was also clear that Dr. Lucca values community and relationships. As just one example, Homeward Bound has a relationship with the senior living community across the street. Dr. Lucca and her staff provide pick up and drop off services to resident pet owners with mobility issues, ensuring that these pets have access to veterinary services. As a practice owner, Dr. Natalie Lucca prioritizes patient-centered care, education, transparency, community, and teamwork—and it shows. Homeward Bound is growing and providing great value to the Rochester community.

Article by Jenn Stromberg, MVMA Marketing and Communications Manager