Guests to the Apple Tree Animal Hospital in Contoocook, pet or owner, will now have something to look at while waiting to be called into Robert Furness’ office.

Eileen Ketcham, one of the doctor’s regular visitors of the human variety, walked into the newly redone waiting room and had some advice for Furness.

“Eileen walked in and said that it would look good with a mural, and she was a muralist. I said to her, ‘You’ve got a job,’” said Furness.

So Ketcham went to work, painting a mural on each side of the Apple Tree waiting room, and after spending a few hours an afternoon two to three days a week, she finished the mural with about 90 hours under her belt.

The result was a mural with a spring and summer theme on one side, and an autumn theme on the other side, with lifelike animals painted throughout the landscape.

Ketcham went to school for industrial design, with some influence from her family.

“I didn’t go to school for art because my father didn’t want me to be a starving artist,” she said with a laugh. “I enjoy the creativity and making something that people will enjoy. It’s peaceful and calm, and hopefully people won’t mind waiting now.”

In addition to her artistic ventures, Ketcham also has a love for animals, which is why she has been taking her animals to Apple Tree for about 20 years.

She breeds Labrador retrievers and also owns a horse.

The reaction to the mural so far has been flattering for Ketcahm.

“I have really loved it. Maybe if my family said those kind of things when I was making dinner I would cook a little more,” she joked. “It’s been a heartwarming experience. I really like when people appreciate the work that I’ve done. It’s a relaxing hobby.”

The process begins when Ketcham formulates the basic idea of the mural and then looks at photographs of the animals she wants to paint into the scene.

She adapts the photos she sees to the lighting and shadows of what will be in the mural.

Ketcham said the most difficult part was the waterfall and also one of the birds, because she had never painted one before. After the first bird came out well, however, she said she felt a lot better.

Furness was impressed with the finished product, and was glad to steer away from typical office decorum.

“It seemed like it would be more interesting than just pictures,” he said. “I couldn’t have asked for better. Hopefully, it will make for a better experience for my patients.”

With one mural already in the building, Furness hopes Ketcham will break out the paint brushes again.

“I’m kind of hoping she can come into my office and paint me a Caribbean scene,” joked Furness. “That way, every day I come to work I could feel like I’m on vacation.”