Helping service and working animals see a better life
Animal Vision Center of Virginia to provide free eye screenings for Hampton Roads area assistance animals Sign up in April for appointments in May (Hampton Roads, Va., March 20, 2024) – Since opening Animal Vision Center of Virginia in 2015, Dr. Heather Brookshire has offered free eye-screening exams year-round for service and working animals in Hampton Roads. She has a passion for these furry companions that assist people with daily living needs, as well as working animals that support police and rescue operations with their important jobs. Beginning in April, however, Brookshire ramps up the outreach even more, by donating her screening [READ MORE]
Historic Pembroke Manor Ideal Location as Healing Place for Ophthalmic Animal Care
(Virginia Beach, Va., April 10, 2023) – Pembroke Manor’s new owner is ready for company. The walls of the historic home have a fresh coat of paint, the heart pine floors are clean and the lawn is lush and green. Beginning April 12, Heather Brookshire, DVM, will open the doors to greet guests of a most amiable kind—pets in need of ocular care at Animal Vision Center of Virginia’s new location. “We can’t wait to welcome pet patients and their owners to our new practice home,” said Brookshire, who purchased the property in September 2022. “The look and feel of Pembroke Manor make [READ MORE]
New Owners of Historic Pembroke Manor to Welcome People and Pets as Next Location for Animal Vision Center of Virginia
(Virginia Beach, Va., Oct. 14, 2022) – Soon after opening its second Hampton Roads clinic earlier this year, Animal Vision Center of Virginia has finalized plans to open another practice in one of the region’s oldest historic buildings. According to Dr. Heather Brookshire, her veterinary ophthalmic care business will expand to occupy the Pembroke Manor House at 520 Constitution Drive in Virginia Beach. “We are so excited to be the new owners of this historic home and grounds,” said Brookshire. “The look and feel of Pembroke Manor make it an ideal location as a healing practice for ophthalmic animal care. We look [READ MORE]
Animal Vision Center of Virginia Opens Second Practice in Chesapeake
New clinic brings eye care services in focus to more Hampton Roads pets (Hampton Roads, Va., Aug. 31, 2022) – Animal Vision Center of Virginia is now bringing ophthalmic care services to more animals in Hampton Roads, with the launch of its second practice in Chesapeake. Located in the Great Bridge area at 228 Mt. Pleasant Road, the clinic offers a full array of animal eye care services, including exams and diagnosis, medical therapies, genetic testing for ocular conditions, and surgery. “We are excited to expand our reach in the region,” said Dr. Heather Brookshire, owner and operator of Animal Vision [READ MORE]
Capacity Increase at Local Veterinary Practices Placing Pressure on Animal Care Providers
(Hampton Roads, Va., Aug. 6, 2021) – The purrs and nuzzles of pandemic pets have been good for those seeking comfort and support this past year. Veterinarians love that more people are opening their homes to animals, with many choosing pet ownership for the first time. But the influx of new pets is adding to the stress of maxed-out practices and overworked staff. “Please be patient,” advise a group of Coastal Virginia veterinarians. “On average, local veterinary practices are experiencing as much as a 30% increase in the number of new pet patients they see,” said Dr. Ashley Powell, a veterinarian with [READ MORE]
Animal Vision Center of Virginia Offers Free Eye Screenings for Pets of Region’s First Responders and Healthcare Workers
(Virginia Beach, Va., April 20, 2020) – In recognition of the dedication and compassion of those working on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, Animal Vision Center of Virginia is offering free animal eye screening exams now through May 31, 2020 for pets of first responders and healthcare workers in Hampton Roads. “We know this community is giving up time with their loved ones and their pets to do their job. We wanted to make at least one thing a little easier,” said Dr. Heather Brookshire, who owns and operates the Virginia Beach practice. “A screening doesn’t take a lot of time, [READ MORE]
New Drive-up Telehealth Appointment Option Helps Animal Vision Center of Virginia Clients—and their Pets
(Virginia Beach, Va., March 23, 2020) – Animal Vision Center of Virginia, a Virginia Beach animal ophthalmic care practice, is now offering drive-up telehealth appointments for the safety and convenience of their clients—and their pets. With the telehealth offering, the pet parents stay in the car and call the front desk staff on arrival. A veterinary technician carries the pet from the car to the clinic. Via phone, the staff gathers a complete history on the pet’s progress, and the owner can be “present” for the entire exam via live video or voice telehealth phone conferencing. Providing quality ophthalmic care for animals of [READ MORE]
Have You Hugged a Therapy Dog Today?
(April 5, 2018) – While dogs don’t wear glasses, they do need to have their eyes checked regularly, especially if they are a registered service or therapy animal. May is National Service Dog Eye Examination Month, and many board-certified diplomats of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists will offer free screenings for these hard-working and caring creatures throughout the month. Animal Vision Center of Virginia (AVCVA) feels so strongly about the importance of healthy eyes for these pets, we perform free exams for qualified service animals all the yearlong. It helps us detect signs of ocular disease early, allowing the animals to keep [READ MORE]
Caring for the Horses of Untamed Spirit
(Virginia Beach, Va, June, 2016) -- In addition to their work with service animals, the AVCVA staff also volunteers their time and expertise in caring for the horses of Untamed Spirit, a Virginia Beach non-profit therapeutic and educational riding program with the purpose of providing, promoting and supporting equine assisted activities for individuals who have mental, physical, emotional, and social or learning disabilities. Eye problems are common in horses, due to the prominence of their eyes and their environmental conditions. For the past five years, Dr. Heather Brookshire has examined the organization’s therapy horses, even performing laser surgery on Ben to deflate what’s [READ MORE]
Animal Vision Center of Virginia Offers Free Eye Screenings for Service Animals All Year
(Hampton Roads, Va., May 4, 2016) – May is National Service Dog Eye Examination Month, and many board-certified diplomats of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists will offer free screenings for these hard-working and caring animals. One local veterinary ophthalmology practice, the Animal Vision Center of Virginia (AVCVA), feels so strongly about the importance of healthy eyes for these pets, they perform free exams for qualified service animals all year. “The screenings allow us to detect signs of ocular disease early so that therapy can be administered as soon as possible,” said Dr. Heather Brookshire, a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist who owns and operates [READ MORE]
New Animal Vision Center of Virginia Provides Complete Ophthalmic Care for Hampton Roads Pets
(Hampton Roads, Va., Oct. 8, 2015) – Dogs, cats, horses and animals of all shapes and sizes can now receive the eye care they need. The Animal Vision Center of Virginia opened this month at 521 Old Great Neck Road in Virginia Beach, and a grand opening celebration will take place Saturday, Oct. 17 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. For the opening event, pet owners are invited to BYOD – bring your own dog! The celebration will feature tours of the state-of-the-art facility, a canine agility course, petting zoo and lunch provided by Major League Bar-B-Que as well as light fare from Baladi [READ MORE]
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