Companion animal hospital serving Suffolk, VA and surrounding Hampton Roads Communities since 1996.
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Glenn Chase, DVM • Maura Ambrosio, DVM • Hannah Adams, DVM • Marsha Councill, DVM • Karen Brown, DVM
Are you fluent in "pet speak"? 💁
Today's back-to-school lesson is in LANGUAGE ARTS. Take time to speak to, love and praise your pets. They need attention to thrive. 🧡️ Make eye contact. Hang out together. Enjoy daily playtime. Cuddle, hug and pet.
We hope you have enjoyed this week's tips and features. From our Academy Animal Care practice family to yours, we hope all students have a safe and fulfilling academic year ahead! 🙂
You are so kind, Tracy. Saying goodbye to a beloved companion is one of the hardest steps to take as a pet owner. It was an honor for us to be at your side. ❤️
Back to school with AAC – today's lesson: BRAIN HEALTH! 🧠
Muscles are not the only part of the anatomy that need exercise. Try out these tips to stimulate your pet's brain too!
Interactive toys, such as puzzles, spinners and treat mazes are fun for all kinds of pets! 🧩
Old pets can (you know) learn new tricks. Teach them a few! 🐕
Consider enrolling your canine in agility training.
Take them on walks, introduce them to people and pets 💁
Play with them!
Pets are more than capable of learning … and we bet they will enjoy the extra time with you. 🧡
Today's BACK-TO-SCHOOL lesson in Health & Hygiene: If your pets look good, they feel good! 🧼🛁
Groom them regularly to avoid matting, parasites and odors
Keep their beds clean and bacteria-free!
Maintain annual veterinary appointments
Keep up with their flea/tick/heartworm treatments
Make sure their food and treats are the right kind (and do not feed them off your plate)
Create a pet first aid kit, just in case
That's a wrap ... class dismissed! 🙂
Thank you Karen and Ted! Our AAC team has a passion for pets ... and it shows. How lovely that you recognize this and take the time to share your thoughts. In turn, we think we have the best pet parents! ☺️
BACK TO SCHOOL WITH ACADEMY ANIMAL CARE! 🏫
Like us, pets can suffer from obesity and problems with being overweight, such as arthritis and diabetes. Regular play time is fun time for them (and you!), and will help them live a long, healthy life.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION ...
DOGS 🐶
👉 Exercise them with games of fetch, running off leash in a protected area, daily walks.
👉 Teach tricks beyond sit/stay … such as “roll over,” “spin” and “high five."
👉 Put their nose (and body!) to work by hiding treats in boxes, empty paper towel holders and safe places around the house.
👉 Take them for outings to the park, beach or local trails.
CATS 😺
👉 Use a laser pointer to get them moving and engaged!
👉 Set up a cat tree to encourage climbing.
👉 Turn mealtime into an activity with puzzle feeders.
👉 Give them an empty box! 😉
How do you keep your pets active? We want to know! Please share in the comments. ... ⤵️
BACK TO SCHOOL WITH ACADEMY ANIMAL CARE! 🛎
In the spirit of school starting, we're hitting the books here at Academy Animal Care! We'll tackle a topic a day this week, with tips to help your pets move to the head of the class safely (and in style). And good luck to all human students as you begin a new academic year! 🧡
SOCIAL STUDIES ...
Dogs and cats are supremely social. Provide opportunities for them to have human interaction—and time with other pets. For puppies and kittens especially, the goal is for them to learn and accept new experiences with confidence.
PRO TIP: Allow your pet to withdraw if they are uncomfortable. Move at a pace that is appropriate for their personality. 🐈
We love seeing new faces! Please browse our site to learn more about our companion animal hospital located in the heart of Suffolk. We're here for your pets ... and for you too! Providing every pet owner the personal attention you expect and deserve. 🧡
Discover care and compassion under one “woof”... at Animal Academy Care 🔗https://academyanimalcare.com/
Such a cutie, your Miss Kitty. And it's true ... we love all the pets that come through our doors. How could we not! 😊❤️
Thank you, Kenzai. It's a privilege and an honor to be the veterinary care provider to all the pets we see and treat. (We think their humans are pretty special, too.)🥰
If your pet is scheduled for surgery at Academy Animal Care, you may have questions about preparing them for the appointment and handling post-op care. Check our Surgery FAQs page for details on everything from stitches (we use absorbable sutures underneath the skin) to pain management and what to expect following surgery, including the important use of the Elizabethan collar! 👑
🔗 https://academyanimalcare.com/resources/surgery-faq/
We love your feedback, Shea. Academy Animal Care is blessed to have such a compassionate and caring team of veterinary professionals. They are dedicated 100% to the pets they see. Thank you for such kind words! 🙌
🐾
Itchy dogs and cats could be telling you something about their health! This signal could be due to food or environmental allergies, parasites or nutritional needs. If you notice these signs in your pet + licking, biting and rolling around, please call. 🐾
We can diagnose the condition and recommend a treatment to get them back to good health. ! 🐈⬛
PRO TIP! Grooming is important during the “dog days” of summer, to control excess or matted fur, which can contribute to their overheating. 🐕 Brush your pet often. Consider increasing their grooming schedule. And don’t forget that Academy Animal Care offers bathing services. 🛁
After a romp at the shore or a walk in the woods, our cleansing baths remove dirt, debris and that doggie/kitty pet odor. Each bath includes a complimentary nail trim, ear cleaning and a**l gland expression (!!).
📞 us to schedule their “me time” at 757-934-2273. 💛
Janice, we surely have the most wonderful pet parents around! Thank you for sharing your sentiments and super five-star rating. Hugs and 😉😉 to Wink!
In protecting the health and welfare of the animals we see at Academy Animal Care, we are committed 💯 percent. We don’t just care for pets when they are sick or injured. We provide:
👉 Preventative care and exams to keep them healthy
👉 Counsel to pet owners regarding nutrition and exercise
👉 Tips and referrals for behavior and training
👉 Advice on pet selection to fit with an individual’s budget and lifestyle
Our dedicated team of professionals—doctors, client service reps, technicians, and assistants—are here for you and your furry charges. Let us know how we can help! ❤️
It’s bee-utiful weather for being outside with our pets … but please watch out for stinging insects that may draw their attention! Pets are naturally curious, and it’s best to keep an eye out to prevent a run-in with airborne pets.
🐝 Scope out your yard and have a pro remove or relocate bee hives, wasp nests and underground nests (made by ground hornets and yellow jackets).
🐝 If your pet is stung, see if you can remove the stinger, then apply ice to reduce swelling and provide a quiet distraction like a treat, belly rub or hug.
🐝 Remember, you may not witness the sting. Signs to look for include pawing at the face, swelling, redness, limping, chewing on a paw, or yelping or whining.
🐝 For a non-life-threatening allergic reaction (mild swelling or raised patches of fur with itch/hives), it is safe to administer human Benadryl at home.
Dose Benadryl as follows, orally up to every 8 hours 💊
5-15 pounds: 12.5 mg (HALF of a 25 mg tablet)
15-35 pounds: 25 mg (ONE 25 mg tablet)
35-60 pounds 50 mg (TWO 25 mg tablets)
60 pounds or more: 75 mg (THREE 25 tablets)
Seek emergency care in the event of swelling near the neck or throat, increased noise while breathing, changes in energy or responsiveness, vomiting or diarrhea associated with the allergic reaction. Questions? Call us at 757-934-2273.
Please note our hours for the Fourth of July holiday.
👉July 3rd, Academy Animal Care will be open from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm.
👉July 4th, we will be closed.
👉July 5-6th, we will be open for our normal operating hours.
We hope you and your pets have a safe enjoyable time together. From all of us at Academy Animal Care! 🎉
Ready for a festive Fourth? What’s fun for humans may be frightening and even dangerous for pets. Noisy fireworks and celebrations can startle animals, causing them to run away. And all the ruckus is certainly stressful for an already anxious pet. 😞
For this holiday especially …
👉 Keep pets inside and away from fireworks, sparklers, glow sticks, barbeque grills and kebob skewers
👉 Make sure they are microchipped and wearing ID tags
👉 If your pet is prone to anxiousness, ask us about ways to help keep them calm
👉 And remember too much sun and heat can be dangerous for them too
Thank you for being careful and considerate to our animal friends. 🧡 Your AAC veterinary care team appreciates it.
Sharing this important message from our friends at The COVE - Center Of Veterinary Expertise. If you spy a baby bunny in the wild, leave it be (unless it's injured). 🐇
It’s Baby Bunny Season, so a quick PSA from our team to you ♥️
Interesting facts:
- A rabbit’s mom will only visit a baby twice a day, in order to make sure no predators are able to track it back to the burrow.
- Wild rabbits leave the nest by the time they are 3 weeks old!
All this is to say: If you find a baby rabbit out and about, please leave it alone if it’s not injured! If you notice it is or if the burrow is destroyed by a nosy animal, you are always welcome to give us or Virginia Wildlife Response a call for some help with the next steps.
Thank you everyone for looking out for them, but we promise, they’re just independent little guys!
Thank you Beverly. We have the best jobs on the planet 🌏 ... providing expert care, treatment and 🤗s to all the adorable animals we see.
Hugs to Harry and Sally!
🐾
Ready for "Take Your Dog to Work Day"? Wilson is! And this dawg has tips to help you make it successful for you, your pets ... and the boss. 😉
#1 First, make sure it is okay with your employer (maybe slip 'em a little beef liver).
#2 Pet-proof your workspace, making it safe for pets to hang out.
#3 Bring their necessities … water/bowl, doggie doo bags + treats, treats (and more treats!).
#4 A cozy bed for napping.
Do you bring your dogs to work? What did we miss? Let us know in the comments below .... and please post pics here; we'd love to see your pets on the job! 📸
Summer is starting with a sizzle ... and with dangerous heat building as we approach the weekend. If it’s too hot for you to be out and about … it’s too hot for your pets! 💥
✴ Keep them hydrated ... with access to plenty of H2O!
✴ Avoid walking/playing with your pet when the heat index is high.
✴ If you must go out, touch the sidewalk or pavement with your hand first. If it's hot to your touch, it's too hot for their paws! 🐾
✴ Never leave a pet in the car, even in the shade or with windows cracked. Cars can overheat quickly to deadly temperatures, even when the weather isn’t severe.
It’s also good to consult your veterinarian before starting an exercise program for your pet in the summer. 🐕 Overweight pets and short-nosed dog breeds have a higher risk of problems with warm-weather exercise. At Academy Animal Care we are always happy to confer with you. Don’t hesitate to call us at 757-934-2273.
Fantastic, Travis! We do agree that Dr. Ambrosio has a passion for pets, as do our entire AAC family. Go team! 💥 (And thank you kindly.)
🐾
Whether your pet has special dietary needs or should shed (or gain) a few pounds, our nutritional counseling services can help you accomplish these goals. 🐈⬛
We offer counseling in dietary selection and feeding practices for pets during various life stages, such as growth, pregnancy, nursing and the “golden years.” If your pet has a medical condition, we can help you select the most appropriate diet to suit your pet’s needs. 🐶
Please 📞 today at 757-934-2273 to ask about our nutritional counseling services or to schedule an appointment.
We appreciate you, Randy! And love, love, love that you make the extra effort to travel to AAC with your pups. 😉
June is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, and our local shelters have tips to help your new kitty acclimate to your home.
✴️ Before taking them home, safe proof your home or apartment by removing poisonous plants and putting toxic products out of their reach.
✴️ Cats like small, cozy places, so find a dedicated spot (and a soft bed!) so they can cat nap to their heart’s content.
✴️ Let them exit the carrier when ready and give them time to adjust to their new setting.
✴️ Be patient ...
Adapting to a new space can take a while. But before you know it, they will purr-fectly happy with their new home. 💛
Victoria, you are so kind. The pets we see are like family to us. Helping them through their amazing life journeys is a privilege indeed. Thank you for sharing your kind words for others to see. 💛
Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 … do you have an evacuation plan for you and your pets? 🐈🐕 Be sure to include for them ...
✔ Food and water to last several days + bowls
✔ Medicines they will need, stored in a waterproof container
✔ Their collar, ID tag, harness and leash; make sure they are microchipped!
✔ A travel carrier for each pet
✔ Pet litter/litter box, newspapers, paper towels, trash bags and cleaning supplies
✔ A picture of you and your pet, in case you become separated
Plan ahead and stay safe is our mantra. Right, April?
AAC Family our phones are back up and working. Thank you for your patience!
3372 Pruden Boulevard
Suffolk, VA
23434
| Monday | 7:30am - 1pm |
| 2pm - 6:30pm | |
| Tuesday | 7:30am - 1pm |
| 2pm - 6:30pm | |
| Wednesday | 7:30am - 1pm |
| 2pm - 6:30pm | |
| Thursday | 7:30am - 1pm |
| 2pm - 6:30pm | |
| Friday | 7:30am - 1pm |
| 2pm - 5:30pm | |
| Saturday | 8am - 1pm |
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PRO TIP! Grooming is important during the “dog days” of summer, to control excess or matted fur, which can contribute to their overheating. 🐕 Brush your pet often. Consider increasing their grooming schedule. And don’t forget that Academy Animal Care offers bathing services. 🛁 After a romp at the shore or a walk in the woods, our cleansing baths remove dirt, debris and that doggie/kitty pet odor. Each bath includes a complimentary nail trim, ear cleaning and anal gland expression (!!). 📞 us to schedule their “me time” at 757-934-2273. 💛 #AcademyAdvice #AcademyAnimalCare #HealthyPets #hamptonroadsva #SuffolkVA #AnimalHospital #PetCare #AACprotips
It’s bee-utiful weather for being outside with our pets … but please watch out for stinging insects that may draw their attention! Pets are naturally curious, and it’s best to keep an eye out to prevent a run-in with airborne pets. 🐝 Scope out your yard and have a pro remove or relocate bee hives, wasp nests and underground nests (made by ground hornets and yellow jackets). 🐝 If your pet is stung, see if you can remove the stinger, then apply ice to reduce swelling and provide a quiet distraction like a treat, belly rub or hug. 🐝 Remember, you may not witness the sting. Signs to look for include pawing at the face, swelling, redness, limping, chewing on a paw, or yelping or whining. 🐝 For a non-life-threatening allergic reaction (mild swelling or raised patches of fur with itch/hives), it is safe to administer human Benadryl at home. Dose Benadryl as follows, orally up to every 8 hours 💊 5-15 pounds: 12.5 mg (HALF of a 25 mg tablet) 15-35 pounds: 25 mg (ONE 25 mg tablet) 35-60 pounds 50 mg (TWO 25 mg tablets) 60 pounds or more: 75 mg (THREE 25 tablets) Seek emergency care in the event of swelling near the neck or throat, increased noise while breathing, changes in energy or responsiveness, vomiting or diarrhea associated with the allergic reaction. Questions? Call us at 757-934-2273. #AcademyAdvice #AcademyAnimalCare #HealthyPets #AACsafetyfirst #hamptonroadsva #petsafety
We appreciate you, Randy! And love, love, love that you make the extra effort to travel to AAC with your pups. 😉 #pawsitivepraise #AcademyAnimalCare #SuffolkVA #hamptonroadsva #weloveallthepets
June is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, and our local shelters have tips to help your new kitty acclimate to your home. ✴️ Before taking them home, safe proof your home or apartment by removing poisonous plants and putting toxic products out of their reach. ✴️ Cats like small, cozy places, so find a dedicated spot (and a soft bed!) so they can cat nap to their heart’s content. ✴️ Let them exit the carrier when ready and give them time to adjust to their new setting. ✴️ Be patient ... Adapting to a new space can take a while. But before you know it, they will purr-fectly happy with their new home. 💛 #AcademyAdvice #AcademyAnimalCare #HealthyPets #Shelterpetsrule
Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 … do you have an evacuation plan for you and your pets? 🐈🐕 Be sure to include for them ... ✔ Food and water to last several days + bowls ✔ Medicines they will need, stored in a waterproof container ✔ Their collar, ID tag, harness and leash; make sure they are microchipped! ✔ A travel carrier for each pet ✔ Pet litter/litter box, newspapers, paper towels, trash bags and cleaning supplies ✔ A picture of you and your pet, in case you become separated Plan ahead and stay safe is our mantra. Right, April? #AcademyPetTricks #AprilandWilson #AcademyAdvice #AcademyAnimalCare #HealthyPets #AACsafetyfirst
Taking your pet to the shore or pool this weekend? 🌞 👉 Always keep an eye on them. 👉 Remember, most dogs can swim, but not all enjoy it. 👉 Brachycephalic breeds, with flat faces, can tire more quickly when swimming (and may sink). 👉 Follow local laws regarding pets at local beaches, lakes and recreational areas. And ... if pets aren't welcome at such public places, they may enjoy a romp through the sprinkler just as well (and some may prefer it.😉) #AcademyAnimalCare #CoastalVirginia #Hamptonroadsva #HealthyPets #Safetywithpets #watersafetyforpets
Victoria, you are so kind. 💛 The pets we see are like family to us. Helping them through their amazing life journeys is a privilege indeed. Thank you for sharing your kind words for others to see. #pawsitivepraise #AcademyAnimalCare #SuffolkVA #hamptonroadsva #weloveallthepets
April is Prevent Lyme Disease Month, a reminder to check you and your dogs after woodsy walks! 🎋 In addition to causing serious medical conditions such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease, ticks can generate a disease known as ehrlichiosis, which can lead to ocular conditions with dogs including uveitis, retinal disease and corneal opacities. 😕 Make sure to keep up with their triple protection preventatives, covering flea/tick, heartworm and Lyme disease. Call us at 757-934-2273 to get your pet started on this good-for-them regimen! 💛 #AcademyAdvice #SuffolkVA #AnimalHospital #AcademyAnimalCare #HealthyPets
Your pet may love hanging out in the yard while you water the plants or trim the hedge. Just make sure that any toxic gardening products are out of paws’ reach! 🐾
How many puppies can you walk at one time?!?! 😍 In addition to being cute and cuddly, these little fuzzballs are a BIG responsibility. They need more than hugs; they need dedicated pet parents … like you! For National Puppy Day, a reminder to 👉 please consider the needs of orphaned puppies that weren’t a “good fit” for some homes. Our awesome local animal shelters always need and appreciate your help! ❤️ #Cleartheshelters #Petadoption #Veterinarian #AcademyAnimalCare #SuffolkVA #AnimalHospital #hamptonroadsva #veterinarylife #veterinarypartners #animalshelterrescue #animalsheltersupport
How your pet eats may be as important as what they eat. If meals are devoured in one fell swoop, consider alternatives to slow down the process, such as slow feeders, licking mats and devices that dispense food a bit at a time (or present a toy or puzzle). 🥰 Not only are these products good for their digestion, but they also provide mental stimulation and introduce a slower, more mindful approach to eating. 🧡 #AcademyPetTricks #AcademyAdvice #SuffolkVA #AnimalHospital #PetCare #Veterinarian #AcademyAnimalCare #HealthyPets
🥁 Drum roll, please … our new website is live! We hope you agree that www.academyanimalcare.com reflects the way we feel as compassionate partners in your pet’s health. To that, we’ve included lots of features to help make you and your pet’s time with us easy and efficient, including online access to: • Appointment scheduling • Boarding forms • House call questionnaire • New client registration • Online pharmacy • Surgery FAQs See for yourself! And let us know what you think. Then stay tuned here for additional website updates, Academy news and a new “Pet Tricks” feature courtesy of April and Wilson. 🐾 #academyanimalcare #suffolkva #veterinarian #animalhospital #newwebsite #launchday
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