The Vet Who Served the Department of Defense Now Serves Lincoln Parish

RUSTON, Louisiana — Is your dog overdue for a checkup, or has your cat been acting off lately but you keep putting the appointment off? If you're in Lincoln Parish and looking for a veterinary practice that brings serious credentials to small-town care, Lagniappe Animal Health on Farmerville Highway is worth knowing about.

Dr. Ratliff founded Lagniappe Animal Health with a resume that doesn't come around often in a community this size. Before setting up practice in Ruston, she spent years in emergency medicine and served as Lead Veterinarian to the Department of Defense — the kind of experience that shapes how a vet responds when things get complicated. She is also USDA certified, which matters for pet owners who travel or need official health documentation for their animals.

The practice handles the full range of what pet owners need: comprehensive wellness exams and vaccines, full laboratory diagnostics, dental procedures, surgery, and boarding. Whether you're bringing in a new puppy for its first visit or managing a senior dog's ongoing health, the team at Lagniappe is built to handle it. What sets them apart from a bigger corporate clinic isn't just the credentials — it's the pace. Appointments here don't feel rushed, and the staff treats your animal like it matters, because to them, it does.

Clients consistently point to the personalized attention and Dr. Ratliff's calm, direct communication style. One reviewer described leaving every appointment with a clear picture of what's going on with her pet and exactly what to watch for at home — something she said she never experienced at previous clinics. Others highlight the clean, welcoming facility and note that even anxious animals seem to settle in quickly. Several clients have mentioned bringing multiple pets and always walking out feeling like each one got individual attention.

If your animal is due for a visit — or if you've been waiting until you found a vet you could actually trust — Lagniappe Animal Health is located on Farmerville Highway in Ruston, just north of the main commercial corridor heading toward the parish line. Call ahead to schedule at (318) 255-0246 or visit lagniappeanimalhealth.com for a full list of services. They are open Monday through Friday and welcome new patients.