On graduation from Ohio State University in 1968, Dr. Putkonen took a position in a small animal practice, worked at the Cincinnati Zoo and King's Island as a veterinarian, and was an Adjunct Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati. " I can't remember but I must have had some free time."

In 1973 he bought the Avon Animal and Bird Hospital so the family could be in a more rural environment and the children could be close to their grandparents. Turns out that running the Avon Animal Hospital took more work and time than the four previous positions combined.

He lives with his wife and dogs on a small farm they moved to shortly after coming to North East Ohio. Carole raises horses while "Doc" hybridizes thousands of daylilies. Dr. Putkonen is heavily involved in two wheeled vehicles. (Motorcycles and bicycles) So far nobody has run him down. In addition he likes to travel and take pictures.