With so many veterinary hospitals in town, how can pet owners be sure they’re choosing the best one? DoveLewis, the first emergency animal hospital in the country and a beloved Portland institution since 1973, recommends that pet owners look at a facility’s certifications, staff expertise, and ownership. “It matters who treats your pet,” said Ron Morgan, President and CEO of DoveLewis. “Certifications and experience aren’t lip service—they’re lifesaving.”

CHECK YOUR HOSPITAL’S CERTIFICATION

A facility’s certification is critical information that helps you choose the best care for your pet, but few people know that certification is voluntary and that not every hospital in the area holds one. A key certification to look for is from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).

“We encourage all pet owners to consider the importance of a hospital’s credentials,” Morgan said. “When your pet needs help, you don’t want to leave anything to chance.”

Certified as an AAHA Referral Center, DoveLewis is the only hospital in Oregon to hold an elite Level 1 certification from the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS). This is reserved for veterinary hospitals that demonstrate the most exacting standards for 24/7 emergency and critical care. There are fewer than 20 Level 1 certified hospitals in the United States.

LOOK FOR BOARD-CERTIFIED SPECIALISTS

Unlike in human medicine, a veterinarian can practice independently—and even perform surgery—after graduating veterinary school, but a small segment pursues advanced expertise through a grueling process of internship, residency, and board examinations.

“You want a specialist on your pet’s team,” said Morgan. “Our board-certified specialists collaborate with our emergency veterinarians every day. Their collective expertise is a big part of what sets us apart in critical moments.”

DoveLewis has 13 board-certified specialists on its team of 36 doctors and 41 certified veterinary technicians, all of whom benefit from the hospital’s rigorous training standards as a teaching hospital. This is the most of any hospital in Oregon and SW Washington with a full staff of 225 treating 31,000 patients this year.

SUPPORT LOCAL OVER PRIVATE EQUITY

“We were founded to support our local community, and we’ve stuck to that mission for 51 years,” said Morgan. “We’re here to help our neighbors, their pets, and the animals that make this place so special.” This commitment stands in contrast to a growing trend in the veterinary industry, where many clinics are now funded by private equity, often without pet owners even realizing who they are supporting. “The injection of private equity funding in veterinary medicine is directly impacting the increased cost of veterinary care. As a nonprofit, we are committed to doing everything we can to keep our ER and specialty care as affordable as possible,” Morgan said.

DoveLewis, a 501(c)(3)  nonprofit organization that is governed by a volunteer board of directors, remains focused on innovative programs like financial aid for families who need emergency medical care for their pets, help for abused animals, a community blood bank, and an international distance-learning platform that trains 35,000 veterinary professionals every year.

COMPREHENSIVE CARE MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Never resting on its reputation as a national leader in veterinary care, DoveLewis has just embarked on an ambitious capital campaign that will open up more resources for local pets and their families. The organization is actively raising $7 million in community donations for the unique needs of its medical services and for an endowment that supports financial aid for low-income families.

Located across the street from the current location, this expansion aims to transform care for local pets with more specialty services and advanced medical resources all in one veterinary campus. “We’re focused on care that will improve the lives and lifespans of our pets,” said Morgan. “They’re family and they deserve the best, and that’s what we offer.”

Extra space will allow DoveLewis to explore the addition of specialty services like oncology, rehabilitation, expanded elective surgery, and ophthalmology in the future. An additional 12 exam rooms and eight specially outfitted treatment rooms will reduce wait times and allow the hospital to treat more animals every year. New state-of-the-art surgery suites will also be incorporated in the expansion, providing DoveLewis with a total of six surgery suites to meet the needs of all its patients. A new 3 Tesla MRI, which is state-of-the-art in veterinary medicine, will provide the veterinary professionals with the critical diagnostic tools they need and give families the answers they need to make informed medical decisions.

For more information on the many DoveLewis programs, as well as resources for pet health and wellness, please visit dovelewis.org.