Fredonia Animal Hospital: Jon D. Redfield, DVM

Fredonia Animal Hospital, located at 10049 NY-60, Fredonia, NY 14063, USA, stands as a long-standing and integral 'Pet Hospital' in the Fredonia community, proudly serving pets and their owners since its founding in 1969 by Dr. Josef M. Powell and Linda Powell, LVT. Today, Dr. Jon D. Redfield, DVM, a 1991 graduate of the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, leads the practice, continuing its mission to provide a high standard of veterinary care for dogs, cats, and even exotic animals. With contact number (716) 679-1561 and +1 716-679-1561, Fredonia Animal Hospital aims to be a comprehensive resource for pet health in the Chautauqua County region.

Fredonia Animal Hospital operates as a traditional, fixed-location 'Pet Hospital', providing a dedicated facility for veterinary services. The clinic is equipped to handle a variety of animal patients, from common household pets like dogs and cats to more specialized exotic animals, reptiles, small mammals, and even some livestock. This broad scope indicates a versatile facility capable of accommodating different species and their unique needs.

The hospital maintains its accreditation with the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), a significant indicator of its commitment to high standards. AAHA-accredited hospitals voluntarily undergo evaluations on over 900 rigorous standards across various areas, including quality of care, diagnostic and pharmacy practices, management, medical records, and facility. This suggests that Fredonia Animal Hospital invests in maintaining a well-organized, clean, and properly equipped environment for patient care. The clinic provides a designated waiting area, and the staff aims to ensure comfort, even offering options for clients to wait in their cars if rooms are busy. For dog owners, there's a large yard available for leashed walks, and benches are provided, demonstrating an effort to make the waiting experience more pleasant. The hospital also emphasizes the importance of secure carriers for cats and leashes for dogs due to its location on a busy highway, highlighting a concern for safety within and around the facility.

The facility is designed to support the array of services offered, which implies dedicated spaces for examinations, diagnostic imaging (including digital radiography), a pharmacy, and potentially surgical suites, ensuring a comprehensive in-house capability for most veterinary needs. The fact that they encourage children to attend health checks and tour the facility, even offering child-geared grief counseling, suggests a family-friendly and welcoming atmosphere, emphasizing the role pets play as family members.

As a 'Pet Hospital' committed to providing comprehensive care, Fredonia Animal Hospital offers a wide spectrum of veterinary services for various animal types. Their service categories include:

• Wellness and Preventive Care:
  • Yearly Physical Examinations and Immunizations: Essential for monitoring overall health and protecting pets from diseases.
  • Flea and Tick Control: Offering veterinarian-recommended year-round prevention products (e.g., Seresto Collar, Advantage, Revolution Plus Topical) and education on parasite control. They also provide a free dose of flea and tick control for new patients (and heartworm prevention for puppies).
  • Heartworm Prevention: Critical for protecting dogs and cats from this serious parasitic disease.
  • Nutritional Counseling: Guiding pet owners on appropriate diets for their animals' specific needs.
• Diagnostic Services:
  • In-house Laboratory: For quick and accurate results on routine blood work, urinalysis, and fecal exams.
  • Digital Radiography (X-rays): For detailed imaging of internal structures.
  • Access to Veterinary Specialists: For procedures requiring more precise knowledge and experience, the hospital can refer to nearby veterinary specialists.
• Medical Services:
  • Diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of illnesses affecting domesticated animals, including cats, exotics, reptiles, small mammals, pocket pets, and livestock.
  • Management of chronic conditions and acute health issues.
• Dental Care: Annual dental exams and cleanings are recommended to prevent decay and periodontal disease, which can lead to more serious health issues.
• Surgical Services: While specific types of surgeries are not detailed in the provided information, a full-service AAHA-accredited hospital would typically offer general surgical procedures like spays, neuters, and mass removals.
• Emergency Care: For established clients, the hospital endeavors to accommodate pets who are ill or injured, though they advise patience due to a double-booked schedule with one doctor. This indicates a commitment to their existing patient base for urgent needs.
• Pharmacy: Likely an in-house pharmacy for convenient access to prescribed medications.

A notable feature of Fredonia Animal Hospital is its AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accreditation. This voluntary accreditation signifies a commitment to high standards in various aspects of veterinary care, including facilities, equipment, patient care, and staff training. This provides an objective measure of quality for pet owners. The hospital also prides itself on its long history in the community, celebrating over 50 years of service, indicating a strong foundation and enduring trust.

The hospital emphasizes a family-oriented approach, recognizing that pets are crucial members of the family. They encourage children to be present during health checks and offer "child geared grief counseling," showcasing a holistic understanding of pet ownership and its emotional aspects. The staff regularly attends "monthly or twice monthly education meetings" and regional/national seminars, which suggests a commitment to continuous learning and staying updated on the latest veterinary practices. The clinic aims to be a "one-stop shop for your pet's health and medical needs," highlighting their comprehensive service model.

However, customer experiences at Fredonia Animal Hospital appear to be inconsistent. One review describes a significantly negative experience, citing staff who were "rolling their eyes" and "speaking negatively" about a barking puppy, a vet who administered a shot "without telling me what it was" and quickly left, and a tech who "didn't acknowledge or bend over to pet" the puppy. This specific feedback indicates a lack of empathy and communication in that instance, which is a critical aspect of patient and client comfort, especially during a puppy's first visit. Conversely, another review states that the "Staff are always kind & courteous" and that the "Veterinarian explains everything and takes such good care of our cat." This disparity suggests that individual experiences may vary, highlighting the importance of the specific veterinarian or staff member on duty during a visit. The clinic's own website explicitly asks for "patience and understanding" and "kindness and good manners" from clients, which, while understandable in a busy environment, might also allude to the challenges they face in maintaining consistent service quality amidst high demand.

Fredonia Animal Hospital promotes itself as a veterinary facility dedicated to providing "the highest standard of veterinary care for pets." They emphasize their AAHA accreditation as a testament to their rigorous standards. Their promotional efforts focus on their longevity and experience ("Celebrating Over 50 years!") in serving the community. They highlight their comprehensive range of services for diverse animal types, including dogs, cats, and exotics, positioning themselves as a versatile and capable 'Pet Hospital'.

The hospital also uses its online presence to educate clients, offering access to "thousands of articles about pet health and behavior authored by vets." This commitment to client education aligns with their family-oriented philosophy. They offer an incentive for new patients with a "one FREE dose of Flea and tick control," and heartworm prevention for puppies, aiming to attract new clientele. While their promotional materials speak of compassionate care and a team committed to client service, the conflicting customer reviews indicate that prospective clients may wish to evaluate if these promises consistently translate into practice. The hospital's direct appeal for patience and understanding on their website also serves as a form of communication about their operational realities, particularly regarding busy schedules. Overall, Fredonia Animal Hospital positions itself as a well-established, comprehensive, and AAHA-accredited veterinary hospital that prioritizes preventive care and aims to treat pets as beloved family members.