Kasey Canton, DVM
Dr. Kasey Canton's father and grandfather were entrepeneurial Crucian farmers that seeded his interest in animal husbandry and medicine. He began working at the hospital as a teenager in 1988, after participating in Country Day School's Mini Gusto program. He worked weekends, summers and holidays at the practice through high shool, college and grad school. After graduating Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998, Dr. Canton returned home to serve the community he loves. He worked under the esteemed Dr. Eugene Petersen for 2 years before purchasing the practice in 2000, continuing a legacy of more than six decades of trusted care for the island’s pets and families.
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Over the past 2+ decades, Dr. Canton has built a reputation for excellence, combining extensive clinical experience with a deep commitment to his patients and clients. His leadership has guided the hospital’s growth into a modern, full‑service facility, while maintaining the personal, compassionate approach that island families have relied on for generations.
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Beyond veterinary medicine, Dr. Canton is widely recognized as an award‑winning, world‑renowned underwater photographer. He is also an avid waterman, cyclist, a commercial pilot, and philanthropist engaged with his alma maters and other NPOs. In his work beyond St. Croix, he does relief and volunteer medicine in Western North Carolina, his second home.
With a lifelong interest in history and deep roots in St. Croix, Dr. Canton takes pride in being the steward of Estate La Grande Princesse, a former sugar plantation with a rich and complex past. His commitment to preserving the island’s cultural heritage is matched by his devotion to its people, pets, and future.
Ariel Baumann, DVM
Dr. Ariel Baumann, DVM is a dedicated veterinarian at Progressive Veterinary Hospital in Christiansted, St. Croix. Born in upstate New York but deeply rooted in the island community since moving here in 1997, she returned to St. Croix after completing her veterinary studies to serve the animals and families she considers home.
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Earning her DVM in 2011 after clinical rotations at Oklahoma State University, Dr. Baumann has practiced at Progressive Veterinary Hospital for more than a decade. She specializes in soft tissue surgery, oncology, pathology, infectious disease management, and preventative medicine—offering compassionate, evidence-based care to every patient.
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Off-duty, Dr. Baumann is as energetic and creative as she is at work. She and her family lives with her blue pitbull Sir Hamilton III and Girl Dog. She rejuvenates her free hours spending time with her daughter, exercise, baking, and intricate cross‑stitching.
Our story
​Progressive Veterinary Hospital began more than sixty years ago with Dr. “Red” Crago, who retired from his family’s practice in Youngstown, Ohio in the mid 1950s and moved to St. Croix. At the urging of the local community, he gradually turned his own property into a veterinary clinic that grew into what we know today as Progressive Veterinary Hospital.
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By the mid 1960s the clinic had grown into a full practice with four employees. During this time a teenage Eugene Petersen began helping after school, while Sylvia Ward Hanley trained to become a lifelong, exceptional, veterinary technician and office manager.. Another St. Croix animal care pioneer, Mary Edwards, went on to manage the St. Croix Animal Shelter for many years.
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Dr. Petersen continued working summers throughout high school and college. In the 1970s Dr. Ed Jacobs joined Dr. Crago and later opened his own practice in Peter’s Rest. After graduating from Tuskegee University’s veterinary program, Dr. Petersen completed an internship in Boston before returning home to St. Croix. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Paul Hess joined the team and in 1979 Dr. Crago sold the practice to Drs. Hess and Petersen.
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In 1988 a teenage Kasey Canton began working weekends, summers, and after school, following a path similar to Dr. Petersen's. After earning his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 1998, Dr. Canton returned to work with Dr. Petersen, completed a two year internship, and purchased the hospital in 2000.
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In 2025 Dr. Canton purchased the historic Estate La Grande Princess and moved Progressive Veterinary Hospital to its new home. The new facilities are larger and modern, offering more space and advanced equipment while providing a peaceful setting that reflects the beauty and history of St. Croix.
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Today Progressive Veterinary Hospital is proud to continue this tradition of compassionate care. As the practice has grown, it has prioritized continuing education, improvement, reinvestment into state of the industry equipment,.
We look forward to caring for the pets and families of St. Croix for many years to come.