Willow Animal Hospital

06/26/2025

Today marks the 1 year we’ve had to survive without our beloved Dr. Smith. There’s an “empty” feeling in the clinic nearly every day, and it’s just a little less chaotic than it should be.

You, the clients, have made it obvious you all miss him like we do. We still get people asking about him and his family almost weekly, which is so sweet. It’s appreciated.

The staff wanted to share some of our favorite photos of us with you all. Many of us considered him family, and we took photos constantly. These are just a small amount of them.

We’re the same staff he hand picked over the years, and many of us knew him long before Willow too. Every day we clock in to keep his dream alive, even on days when it’s hard. From Reception, to the Doctors, to the Assistants and Techs: Thank you for continuing to support us and Dr. Smith’s dream.

Please share any memories of him in the comments, or small things that make you miss him from time to time. Bonus points for photos! There’s never enough. ❤️

06/21/2025

☀️ 🐕 ☀️
Reminder, Summer has arrived as of this weekend! It’s set to be 90 degrees or higher for the foreseeable future. Please be mindful of our furry friends during this time.

Only exercise them during the early morning or late evening, don’t leave anyone in a car “even with the windows cracked” or “just for a moment”. Pavement is hotter than you think, and yes your dog will run around when it’s entirely too hot for their own good. Make sure any community cats have access to water in a shaded location, and that it’s free of pesky mosquito larvae. Know the signs of heat stroke for our best friends so we can have a great start to summer! 🐾

06/17/2025

We have a very special guest coming tomorrow! Bea, Dr. Marley’s daughter will be selling specially designed horse shoes and lemonade on Wednesday, 6/18/2025. Stop on by to pick up a horse shoe, a drink, and help support the local 4H! I heard she takes custom requests too 👀

Prices are as follow:
Lemonade: $1
1 horse shoe: $20
2 horse shoes: $30

She will be accepting cash and Venmo for payment! 🐴 Catch Bea at 10:30am - 1pm

06/14/2025

🎉 Introducing Pet of the Week: Mick!

Mick was in earlier to update his Rabies. He took the liberty of checking himself in, which we greatly appreciate. 10/10 well trained boy 🐾

06/13/2025

‼️Awareness post‼️ We know a lot of our clients go swimming in local ponds. Burke Lake Park in Fairfax has confirmed growth of Blue-green algae, or Cyanobacteria. This is a deadly bacteria growth that is found in some water sources, often worse in summer through fall. Toxins enter the body when an animal drinks contaminated water, but can also be ingested if a pet licks contaminated fur.

This bacteria produces toxins that affect the nervous system, liver, or skin. Symptoms can appear minutes to hours after exposure. Prognosis is poor to grave even with aggressive treatment. Animals can even succumb before making it to a veterinarian.

Please practice caution when allowing dogs to swim this summer. This bacteria can be found in fresh water, salt water, or brackish water, and isn’t limited to just ponds. Unexpected places include backyard fountains, puddles along trails or in your yard, bird baths, or anywhere water is stagnant. Also while we’re discussing water, make sure your Leptospirosis vaccine is up to date if your lifestyle demands it! Feel free to ask our staff if you have any follow up questions, and please share this information with your other dog loving friends.

⚠️ WARNING: HARMFUL ALGAE BLOOM IN PROGRESS
A blue-green algae bloom has been identified at Burke Lake.
• Avoid contact with the water. This includes swimming, wading, and letting pets enter the lake.
• Keep pets away from the shoreline and do not allow them to drink from the lake.
• Individuals with respiratory sensitivities should avoid prolonged exposure near the water.
Avoid contact with the water until further notice. Blue-green algae can produce harmful toxins that pose serious health risks to people and animals.
Fairfax County Park Authority is monitoring the situation and coordinating with state and local health officials.

Please check Parks Alert webpage for updates before visiting: https://bit.ly/3x7CrP7

Additional information can be found on the Virginia Department of Health website: https://bit.ly/45Z3oUi

06/06/2025

Don’t be freaked out! You still have one more month to get your medications for your pup’s fireworks phobia. We still have availability if we need to update a Wellness exam or to speak with a Doctor about starting them.

Friendly reminder we have a 3-5 business day allowance to fill medications, that includes through online services. If your neighborhood is anything like ours, fireworks start several days before July 4th and go well after as well. Make sure you have enough!

05/31/2025

🎉 Introducing our Pets of the Week: 🎉

Vinny and Lucy! 🐾

This wonderful pair of Labs love to give their best smiles to the staff when they come in. They visited us this week for a Tech Appointment nail trim and vaccine update, and both were absolutely perfectly behaved.

05/23/2025

Friendly reminder, we are closed this Monday 5/26/2025! Make sure to map out the closest emergency vets/urgent cares to you in case your pets need to be seen somewhere.

Hopefully it won’t be too cold to enjoy those swimming pools!

05/20/2025

The internet is back! Our phones are working again. Thank you for your patience!

05/20/2025

Oh no! Our internet is down, which means our phones are down. We will update when they’re back up and running.

05/20/2025

Happy National Rescue Dog Day! We wanted to take a moment and highlight two very deserving pups who have been waiting for months at City of Manassas Animal Control and Shelter for their forever homes. Panda, the fluffy one, and Zara are two pups who love other dogs and would love to go on adventures with you. They are not bonded, just good shelter buddies. If you’re possibly interested in either one of them, don’t hesitate to reach out to the shelter and ask for more info! They also have some other great cats and dogs available as well. 🐾

Not able to open your home for a new pet right now? Have you done it in the past already? Then show us pictures in the comments of your rescue cuties! Bonus points if you can share a little story about their past. We love to see glow ups around here 😻

05/11/2025

Happy Mother’s Day to the pawsome pet parents who keep everything going for the animals in their lives! Especially the ones that send lists to the vet’s office whenever they have to send a spouse or child. You’re our favorite.

Everyone, go enjoy the beautiful weather today!