Nickerson Animal Health Center

A Benton Harbor Animal Hospital Nickerson Animal Health Center has been a continuously operating veterinary practice since 1878. Dr. J.C. Cole opened his doors on Elm Street (currently known as State Street) in Benton Harbor. At that time, the horse was king and many of his patients were of the larger type. Next in line was Dr. Bert Johnson who assumed the practice and eventually re-located it to Green Avenue in Benton Harbor. In 1901, Dr. Eugene Krieger purchased the business and developed the first local pet hospital in 1929 and eventually moved it to 1298 Colfax Avenue in Benton Harbor. The city directory described Dr. Krieger as a person having "years of successful experience in reliev