What to expect at your first appointment.
Welcome. We are glad you are considering us. The notes below cover the small but mostly-uninteresting logistics of becoming a new client. The bigger questions — does this clinic suit your pet, is the doctor a fit, what does the visit really cost — are best answered by calling us at (804) 594-3545 or scheduling a first appointment. We see dogs, cats, and a wide range of exotic species including birds, reptiles, amphibians, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small mammals.
What to bring.
- Previous vet records
- We will request these from your prior practice if you give us their name and city — we have a release form ready at the front desk. If you have your own paper or PDF copy, even better.
- Vaccine history
- If your pet has been vaccinated at a corporate-chain, big-box, or low-cost clinic where records sometimes don't transfer, bring whatever paperwork you have. For exotic species, any previous wellness notes or lab work are especially helpful.
- Current medications
- Name, dose, and how often. A photo of the bottle label is fine. Include flea/tick and heartworm prevention for dogs and cats, and any supplements or treatments for exotic pets.
- Diet details
- Food brand and variety, daily portion, treats, table scraps, and — for exotic animals — hay types, fresh foods, UVB lighting setup, and substrate. Be honest — we are unjudgmental.
- Questions written down
- Most clients arrive with three questions and remember two of them. Write them down. We will answer them.
What to expect — five steps.
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Check in with the front desk.
Our front desk team will greet you warmly. New-client paperwork takes about ten minutes if you didn't fill it out online. We have water available in the waiting area for dogs, and secure carriers are encouraged for cats and exotic pets.
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Wait in a comfortable, species-considerate space.
We do our best to keep dogs, cats, and exotic animals comfortable and calm during your wait. If your pet is especially anxious, let the front desk know and we will do our best to get you into a quiet exam room as quickly as possible. Average wait at a scheduled appointment time is minimal.
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Technician takes vitals and history.
One of our veterinary technicians will take weight, temperature, heart rate, and a thorough patient history before the doctor comes in. For exotic species, this includes housing and husbandry questions that help us give you the most accurate care recommendations. This is when the unwritten questions tend to surface — the technician will note them for the doctor.
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Doctor exam and plan.
Thirty minutes scheduled. Head-to-tail (or head-to-tail-feathers) exam, the conversation about what you came in for, the conversation about anything we find, and the recommended plan. We give written estimates before any procedure.
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Settle the bill and book what's next.
Front desk runs payment, schedules any follow-up, and emails you a written visit summary the same day. Most first visits run 45 minutes total in the building.
Payment & insurance.
What we accept
Cash, check, all major credit cards, CareCredit, and Scratchpay. Payment due at time of service.
Pet insurance
We work with all major carriers — Trupanion, Healthy Paws, Embrace, ASPCA, Lemonade, Pets Best, MetLife. We collect at time of service; you submit the itemized invoice for reimbursement. Some exotic-species policies are available — ask us for guidance.
Wellness plans
Monthly memberships covering preventive care for dogs, cats, and select exotic species. See /wellness-plans for the full comparison.
New-client form.
Fill this out and the front desk will reach out within one business day to schedule. Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat 8am–1pm.