A lot happens in just one day at the animal hospital
Humans aren’t the only greeters at the cozy door of Animal Hospital of West Chester (AHWC)—a dog’s wet nose and the gaze of a ginger cat come alongside the smile from behind the reception desk. It’s clear that animals come first here.
“We are here for the animals. I am an advocate, one hundred percent,” says AHWC owner Jennifer Dehnbostel, DVM, affectionately known as Dr. D.
The friendly 18-member staff like what they do and love their patients and the families that come with them.
“There’s no routine day,” Dehnbostel adds. “Every day is different.”
While every day is a bit different here, the one thing you can count on is that happy tails are wagging all day long. We take you behind-the-scenes for a sneak peek at 24 hours with Animal Hospital of West Chester.
- 7:00 a.m. Kennel Manager arrives to medicate and check hospital patients and give boarder pets individual yard time and breakfast. AHWC happily boards pets with difficult situations: anxious, epileptic and diabetic pets are welcome.
- 8:00 a.m. All staff on deck. Morning patient and grooming appointments check in.
- 8:02 a.m. Dr. D reaches into her pocket to give out her first treat—one of approximately 200 she gives each day from a stock of specially made treats.
- 8:15 a.m. Dr. D scrubs in for surgery. She once removed 23 hair ties and headbands from the aching tummy of a curious pup.
- 9:05 a.m. Dr. Kara Ringenbach, DVM, gives her first belly rub at the first well-visit appointment.
- 11:00 a.m. Freshly fluffed morning grooming clients show off their new looks. Afternoon grooming appointments arrive.
- 12:00 p.m. Staff breaks to eat lunch surrounded by their furry playdates, the boarding cats.
- 1:15 p.m. Exam and operating rooms undergo a daily deep clean.
- 2:00 p.m. Technicians provide onsite lab work for quick results.
- 3:30 p.m. Injured patients receive pain-relieving laser treatments.
- 5:45 p.m. Last scheduled appointment of the day.
- 7:15 p.m. Hospitalized patient treatments continue after hours for the very ill.
- 9:00 p.m. Shhh! It’s bedtime—last walks and medications for the Kennel crew.