Raised during the Depression in the Catskill Mountain area of New York, Harry Feldman was one of nine Jews, mostly from New York City, who matriculated in the veterinary Class of 1938 at Cornell University. He changed his name from Feldman to Fallon while in college, thinking that it would increase his chances to obtain a job in what he perceived to be an increasingly anti-Semitic climate. Following graduation, he worked for a progressive mixed animal practice in Akron, Ohio, where he gained valuable experience in business practice as well as companion animal medicine. He then opened the first exclusive small animal hospital in Huntington, West Virginia and, except for his service in World War II, spent the remainder of his career there. Dr. Fallon was a leading veterinarian in the State, serving as president of the West Virginia Veterinary Medical Association and twice being named Veterinarian of the Year. He also published two clinical papers in national veterinary journals.