t u o b A l l A Pets
Pet-Friendly Options Abound Veterinarian clinics and dog parks are aplenty By Carrie Snider
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ewcomers with pets will be pleased to find many animalfriendly options in the West Valley. From vet clinics and animal hospitals to dog parks and even a pet festival, the West Valley has pet owners covered. Horse owners can keep their animals healthy by consulting Durango Equine Veterinary Clinic. Owner Dr. Lloyd Kloppe, who has been in private practice since 1980, is the only Maricopa County veterinarian who is board certified in veterinary reproduction. Aside from breeding services, Kloppe and his staff offer reproductive services, equine dentistry, lameness exams, ophthalmology and surgery. Location: 20908 W. Durango Street, Buckeye. For more information, call (623) 3862928 or visit durangoequine.com. Gentle Hearts Animal Hospital specializes in exotic pets like gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, iguanas, rabbits, snakes, mice, rats, potbellied pigs and hedgehogs. Gentle Hearts was founded in 2017 by Dr. Pamela 58
WEST VALLEY NEWCOMERS’ GUIDE
Boyd. She encourages pet owners to see her because the internet shares misinformation about caring for exotic pets. The hospital is at 14445 W. McDowell Road, Suite A-106, Goodyear. Call (623) 298-4200 or visit gentleheartsanimalhospital.com for more information. Dog and cat owners will find many veterinarians and animal hospital options throughout the West Valley. One such option is the husband-andwife team of Dr. Matthew and Kristi Hillebrand, who started Dreaming Summit Animal Hospital several years ago. The staff specializes in dentistry, radiology, cardiology, dermatology, flea control, medical assessment, spaying, neutering and soft tissue surgery. It’s located at 5115 N. Wigwam Creek Boulevard, Litchfield Park. For information, call (623) 935-1555. For pet emergencies, BluePearl Pet Hospital is open 24 hours. It’s a fullservice hospital, with in-house X-ray, ultrasound and laboratory, as well as emergency surgery facilities. It’s found at 9875 W. Peoria Avenue, Peoria. Call (623) 974-1520 or visit bluepearlvet.
com for more information. DOG PARKS Folks move to the Valley for its weather. Hanging out at the dog park with your pup is the best way to enjoy it. In Glendale, dog owners can bring their pets to Sahuaro Ranch Dog Park, an off-leash park with agility equipment, water fountains, waste stations and a designated area for little dogs. The park is closed on Tuesdays. Visit it at 9901 N. 63rd Avenue, Glendale. Call (623) 9302820 or visit glendaleaz.com for more information. In Avondale, Friendship Park, at 12325 W. McDowell Road, is full of a variety of amenities for families, including a dog park. For more information, call (623) 333-2400 or visit avondaleaz.gov. Buckeye is home to Sundance Park, which is a dog park with a shaded playground, picnic shelters and athletic fields at 22865 W. Lower Buckeye Road. Call (623) 349-6605 or visit buckeyeaz.gov for more information.
