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JARRELL ANIMAL HOSPITAL
COVER FEATURE JARRELL ANIMAL HOSPITAL
Big City Technology and Care... Small Town Feel
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by Charlotte Kovalchuk • photos by Christianna Bettis
When Rebecca Alacci’s Australian Shepherd Lana tore her ACL last summer chasing horses, Jarrell Animal Hospital was there to provide the compassionate, high-caliber care she needed to get back on her paws.
Lana sustained an injury to her other leg while recovering, which resulted in a total of two surgeries by Dr. Tom House, whose caring touch made the traumatic experience easier for Rebecca and Lana. “He was very kind and patient, explained things very well, and took really good care of her,” Rebecca says. “He clearly cares about animals and was very compassionate to her. She was clearly in pain—he was very aware of that and tried to make her as comfortable as possible. When this injury first happened, it was really tough to see her in so much pain and not able to walk. Now she’s walking, playing, and running again. She's living a dog's life.”
Lana’s story is just one example of the personable care Jarrell Animal Hospital provides every day, care that hasn’t changed despite the monumental growth the hospital has experienced in the last three years.
BUILDING A LEGACY SMALL PATIENTS, BIG HEARTS
From connecting with animals to staying late to make sure each gets the help they need, Jarrell Animal Hospital’s team is
Jarrell Animal Hospital is a full-service practice that has been serving Williamson County and neighboring cities since 2019. They use an affordable, common-sense approach and practice to the highest standard of veterinary medicine. When the facility opened its doors, half of its patients were horses, cows, goats, and pigs. Today, the patient population has shifted to small animals, mainly dogs and cats, a change that hospital owner and veterinarian Dr. Nathan Carlton (right) says correlates with Jarrell’s development as a suburban town. “We now see so many small animals that we are able to offer an array of medical, surgical, and dental procedures we couldn’t offer before,” from surgery to chemotherapy to blood transfusions. “It’s exciting that we’re providing services not typically found in a general practice.”
Even though Jarrell’s growth has kept Jarrell Animal Hospital increasingly busy, which led to a move to a larger building last October, the team works hard to ensure every person who calls gets help. “Even if we’re slammed and booked, we will make space for a walk-in. We try very hard not to turn anyone away,” LVT and hospital manager Elisabeth Zabori-Blazquez says. Vet technician Robyn José adds, “I love that any time a phone call comes in, we are empowered to help right on the spot.”
And “even though we’re growing, we’re still able to be personable with everyone,” vet technician Daniela Kasper says.
dedicated to the wellbeing of every animal that comes their way. “Part of the reason we have grown the way we have is our determination to meet the needs of animals,” Dr. House says. “And sometimes that means working after the clinic is closed or really working together to make sure everyone gets seen during the day.”
It’s a job Dr. Carlton has enjoyed since he was a kid surrounded by farm animals and a veterinarian dad. “I love getting in animals that are sick and figuring out what’s wrong and helping them feel better. They don’t talk so you have to really pay attention to them. It’s a fun challenge.”
Having also grown up on a farm, Dr. House remembers a vet coming by to treat his calf he had bought for a high school ag project. “I could do better than that,” he thought. While he doesn’t know if he could have or not, today he does his best to serve the animals of Jarrell Animal Hospital and specializes in surgeries. It’s a difficult experience but a rewarding one, especially when he receives a note of gratitude from a client like Rebecca. “Her dog was healthy and running around better than she had in several years. It’s rewarding when the client appreciates and acknowledges our efforts.”
For Dr. Kara Harman, her veterinary passion has always been about the connection between a person and an animal. “I love being an integral part of the relationship by caring for the health of the pet and making sure that relationship lasts as long as possible,” she says, adding that she focuses on behavior cases and is certified in Fear Free medicine, which strives to reduce pets’ anxiety and stress. “I also love working with rescues and helping to ensure those that don’t have a voice have someone supporting them.”
Elisabeth Zabori-Blazquez
Dr. Kara Harman
Engaging with the Community
With the goal of developing the next generation, Jarrell Animal Hospital supports area youth through veterinary internships, veterinary services for FFA programs, and donations to sports programs as well as the Jarrell Community Library. “Family is important to us. All of us have children,” Elisabeth says. “It’s near to our hearts that we are fortunate to be able to help the youth of the community as well. We’re helping to develop the next generation in the best way we know how, which is teaching them skills in veterinary medicine.”
512.598.3036 104 WESTERN SKY TRAIL
