Eastfield Hospital For Animals: Hughes Barbara DVM

Eastfield Hospital For Animals, featuring Dr. Barbara DVM Hughes, is a well-established and highly-regarded institution within the "Pet Hospital" category, located at 1964 Boston Rd, Wilbraham, MA 01095, USA. Accessible by phone at (413) 543-2772 or mobile at +1 413-543-2772, this family-owned and operated veterinary clinic has been a trusted partner in pet care since 1989, serving the Wilbraham community with a philosophy of compassionate, quality veterinary medical and surgical care for all its clients and their beloved pets.

The environment at Eastfield Hospital For Animals is designed to provide a supportive and understanding atmosphere for both pets and their owners. From the moment clients walk in, they are met with "great customer care" and a team that is described as "very friendly, helpful and fast for my needs." This immediate sense of empathy is particularly crucial during sensitive times, as highlighted by a review praising their "sympathetic towards my loss." The clinic aims to create a setting where pets feel as comfortable as possible, and where owners feel heard and supported. The hospital prides itself on offering a similar level of medical technology to pets that would be offered to humans, demonstrating a commitment to advanced care within a comfortable, family-oriented practice. The physical space is equipped to handle various diagnostic procedures, surgeries, and general wellness visits. The overall environment reflects a dedication to providing personalized, one-on-one pet care services, allowing the veterinarians to fully understand each pet's condition and ensure effective treatments. This personalized approach contributes to a reassuring and professional setting, fostering a sense of trust and community for long-term client relationships.

Eastfield Hospital For Animals offers a comprehensive range of services, positioning itself as a full-service "Pet Hospital" capable of addressing a wide spectrum of veterinary needs for dogs and cats. Their core services include vital wellness care, encompassing routine examinations, vaccinations, fecal exams, canine heartworm/tick testing, and feline Leukemia and FIV testing, all crucial for preventative health. For pets that are ill or injured, they serve as "first-line providers for all conditions." They offer robust diagnostic capabilities with a fully-equipped, in-house IDEXX laboratory for complete blood counts, chemistry panels, fecal exams, and urinalyses, providing quick results. For more complex testing, they utilize daily lab pickups to regional IDEXX or ANTECH laboratories. Radiology services are advanced, featuring a state-of-the-art digital X-ray suite that can perform most radiographic studies and digitally transmit X-rays to board-certified radiologists for further diagnostic workup. They also offer dentistry, including professional cleanings and most dental surgeries, with referrals to dental specialty clinics as needed. Surgical services cover a wide range of soft-tissue procedures such as spays, neuters, mass removals, and abdominal surgeries. They also manage basic orthopedic problems and offer orthopedic referrals for more complex issues. While they do schedule office visits by appointment, they also accommodate unscheduled urgent care visits during office hours whenever possible. However, true life-or-death emergencies are stabilized and then referred to one of the nearest available 24-hour facilities, ensuring critical care when the clinic is not staffed around the clock.

Several key features distinguish Eastfield Hospital For Animals and contribute to its strong reputation and the loyalty of its clients. The most prominent feature, consistently praised by customers, is the profound compassion and empathy displayed by the entire staff, especially during difficult times like pet loss. This "very sympathetic" and caring approach fosters deep trust and makes a significant difference in the client experience. The clinic prides itself on having "exceptional veterinarians" who are "friendly, experienced and have the knowledge to treat your pets with optimal care." The long history of the practice, having been helping animals since 1989, speaks to its stability, experience, and enduring commitment to the community. Being a "family-owned small animal practice" directed by Bob Shurtleff, DVM, and his wife, Theresa Shurtleff, further emphasizes a personal touch and a dedication to core values. The clinic also features a comprehensive team of two associate veterinarians, eight veterinary technicians, two assistant technicians, and six receptionists, ensuring that pets receive attentive and efficient care. A significant feature is their ability to offer onsite consultations with board-certified veterinary cardiologists, internal medicine specialists, and ultrasonographers. They also have quick-turnaround telemedicine access to board-certified veterinary radiologists and pathologists, providing access to highly specialized expertise without requiring travel to external specialty centers for many conditions. Their commitment to affordability is another distinguishing feature, as they "strive to work with your budget to ensure that your pet gets the care they need" and "work hard to keep our fees reasonable." This dedication to balancing quality care with financial considerations is highly valued by pet owners. They also work extensively with dog and cat rescue groups in the area, as well as with wildlife under the auspices of the Urban Wildlife organization of Springfield, showcasing their broader commitment to animal welfare.

For promotional information, Eastfield Hospital For Animals leverages its long-standing reputation and the overwhelmingly positive feedback from its clients. The consistent recommendation for "all your pet care needs" and the description of their services as "affordable" are powerful organic endorsements. While specific limited-time discount offers are not explicitly detailed, their stated philosophy to "work with your budget" and "keep our fees reasonable" acts as a continuous, strong promotional message, appealing to pet owners seeking both quality and value. They facilitate payment by accepting cash, cheque, and card payments, including telephone payments for repeat prescriptions. Furthermore, they are equipped to help with finances by accepting CareCredit™ and working with pet health insurance companies, which is a significant promotional advantage in making high-quality veterinary care more accessible. The testimonials from clients who have been entrusting their pets to the hospital for decades, recommending them to "many family and friends," underscore the deep loyalty and trust they have cultivated. Their engagement with local rescue groups and wildlife organizations also serves as a positive promotional aspect, showcasing their community involvement and commitment to a broader range of animal welfare initiatives. The detailed information about their advanced diagnostic capabilities and access to specialists through both onsite consultations and telemedicine also serves to promote their high standard of medical care. Ultimately, Eastfield Hospital For Animals promotes itself through its proven track record of compassionate, comprehensive, and accessible veterinary care, delivered by a dedicated and knowledgeable team that treats pets and their owners like family in Wilbraham, MA.