Fern the Possum

Social Media Manager Jen Cole keeps an active facebook page to keep clients engaged, featuring a Pet of the Week every week. At the beginning of January, Cole put the spotlight on a more unusual pet. Fern lives with a wildlife rehabber and is one of Dr. Smith’s patients.

to treat those animals without them having to ever enter the hospital.” To accomplish that goal, Willow’s isolation space opens directly to the outside, and the dedicated supply area boasts commercial laundry equipment. “After treating the animals, the staff’s protective clothing simply goes into the washer,” explained Dr. Smith.

Urgent Care

As all pet owners know, one of the hardest things is to have an emergency outside of regular business hours. At this time, Willow offers 24-hour emergency call-in services for their customers. After a phone consultation, regular clients can be seen in the office if necessary. But Dr. Smith also has plans for growth. “Our goal is to expand Willow to 18 hours a day, 7 days a week within the next 12 months.”

Commitment to Community

Veterinary care can sometimes be expensive, especially when a serious injury occurs, and Dr. Smith is very sensitive to that. Cole explained, “His number one priority is to the animal, so he is careful to offer as many options as he can as far as cost and payment plans.”

Despite being open for less than six months, Willow Animal Hospital has already become an important part of the pet rescue community. While I was there I heard stories of bottle feeding squirrels and kittens who had been abandoned and saw the cutest little seven week old pit bull puppy whom the staff had bottle fed with the rest of his litter. Willow works with several animal rescues to find homes for the discarded animals who find their way through its doors, and works to control the stray cat population through spaying and neutering feral cats in the area.

In addition to the care Willow provides animals, it also cares for its human community. “I will never not have an Autistic employee,” Dr. Smith promises. He values his opportunity to provide employment and job training for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and appreciates the unique skills and abilities these individuals bring to the workforce.

Final Impressions

The last space I walked through was the area where pet owners say their final good-byes to their animal companions. The soothing blue and green color scheme felt peaceful, and just outside the good-bye room was an external door which allowed grieving pet owners to leave the building privately.

Instead of turning left to exit the building, I turned right to go back to the receptionist area. I had found my new vet. L

Willow Animal Hospital

4228 Aiken Drive, Vint Hill 703-754-8000

Hours: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Monday-Saturday; closed on Sundays willowvethospital.com

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