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Providing the very best care for your pet is our main focus and priority, but client education and community involvement is also a passion of ours. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to gain access to more information, including our uplifting stories, events and seminars, educational articles, “how-to” videos, featured products, special offers and of course, photos of our Animalia family and friends!
Focusing on a Fear Free mission means we understand and identify our anxious and timid patients, giving them the time and space needed to adjust to each visit at our hospital. Scooter was a little fearful at his recent exam, so we slowed things down, gave him plenty of loving and peanut butter distraction. Sorry for the messy nose mom!
Zetti is loving this crisp, leafy, pumpkin-everything season! It’s sweater weather, y’all! 🍁
October is “Adopt A Dog” month and a reminder to consider finding your next furry family member at your local shelter or animal rescue group! In the United States, there are over 6.5 million companion animals that find themselves in shelters each year. Some are homeless, lost, abandoned, or their family could no longer care for them. Adopting a pet is a life-long commitment, so please adopt with care and consideration. To see a full list of animals in your area, visit www.petfinder.com.
Gizmo arrives in VIP stroller-style for every wellness exam!
A special thank you to our Animalia family and loving clients who showered us with food, snacks and oh-so-chocolatey goodness during Vet Tech Appreciation Week!
We can’t wait to hear about your recent experience at Animalia! Your kind words and reviews not only make us smile, but they motivate our team to be better. We value you and want to ensure that each visit to Animalia is better than the last. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to love and care for your family!
Kona and Mochi are taking moral support to a whole new level!
Cezanne is working on weight management by braving the underwater treadmill and his many canine admirers. No performance anxiety here! He is rocking these hydrotherapy sessions and getting ready for a fun and fit 2020 with the help of Animal Rehabilitation of Tennessee! For more information on canine and feline physical rehabilitation, visit www.animalrehabtn.com
We’ll admit that the royal baby is cute, but THIS baby Archie has us swooning!
Ozzie is rocking his laser safety glasses, designed to block particular wavelengths of light and protect his sensitive little eyes. He is currently receiving laser therapy and therapeutic exercises from Animal Rehabilitation of Tennessee to reduce pain from chronic inflammation.
Veterinary technicians are the very heartbeat of our hospital and play a vital role in preserving animal health and well-being. National Veterinary Technician Week provides us with an opportunity to recognize and celebrate our coworkers and hard working animal advocates. Thank you for the outpouring of compassion and dedication that you bring to Animalia each and every day!
Have you met Lionel? If not, watch out because he will steal your heart! This handsome boy has been working hard to lose a few pounds with the help of hydrotherapy sessions at Animal Rehabilitation of Tennessee. Lionel also suffers from hip dysplasia, so he is receiving laser therapy to reduce painful inflammation. We love this goofy boy!
Everything is better when it comes in three...right? Especially puppy breath and wet noses!
Who doesn't enjoy a little trivia challenge? Let's see how much you know about animals! Play along by visiting our Facebook page and posting your answer. It’s that simple! *This challenge has ended, but check back each month for a new animal trivia question*
Dr. Moser visited Career Day at Hillwood HS earlier this month to discuss the exciting field of veterinary medicine. There may be some future doctors in this group!
Leo and Makayla are hoping to be SO completely adorable that it makes you forget that it’s only Wednesday. Is it working?
Dr. Turner ordered Stella to ice her knee, watch Animal Planet and return for laser therapy sessions twice a week. We have the most well behaved patients! You’ll be back to normal activity soon sweet girl.
Located in the heart of our historic 19th century home is an award-winning boutique, featuring products that pets and their people are sure to enjoy! While focusing on quality and design, we offer durable toys, interactive puzzles, and feeders for the intelligent and high energy canine. Choose from our hand-woven collars to functional, ergonomic harness and leash options. Our carefully selected treats feature all-natural ingredients with an array of novelty proteins for the allergy-prone pet. We offer a variety of tasty diets and highest quality certified organic supplements.
Allow us to serve as your pet concierge, utilizing our knowledge of animal nutrition and behavior to find a solution to any problem. As veterinary professionals, we look forward to empowering fellow pet owners to make informative decisions regarding the products they expose to their pet and family!
We had a nice surprise visit from Brooklyn Brothers Pizza Parlor today! They gifted Madison with her very own pizza for outstanding customer service. We love our clients and their generous hearts!
Max had his first session with Animal Rehabilitation of Tennessee, focusing on building strength and mobility in his hind legs through hydrotherapy. Sometimes all you need is a cheer squad and you can accomplish anything! To learn more about adoptable Max and follow his story, visit Williamson County Animal Center!
With the rise in heartworm disease cases in Middle Tennessee, our veterinarians recommend year-round protection for your pet. Animalia is offering complimentary testing with the purchase of a 12-month supply of Interceptor Plus. If you are new to heartworm prevention or have additional questions, please give us a call to speak with one of our customer service representatives or to schedule an appointment with your doctor!
Meet Harvey, a beloved bull terrier mascot of the 104th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, also known as the Barking Dog Regiment. When Harvey's owner Daniel Stearns joined the Federal Army in 1862, Harvey came along as a companion and comrade. In fact, there were at least three canine mascots, squirrels and raccoons. Harvey was said to have worn a collar that read "I am Lt. D.M. Sterns dog; whose dog are you?"

By the time Harvey reached the Battle of Franklin, he had been in many battles and served as one of the very first therapy dogs. He was wounded twice, once in Virginia and again in the Battle of Franklin, but thankfully both Harvey and his owner survived the battle. After the war, the men of the 104th had Harvey's portrait painted for display at reunions, and his image was also incorporated into keepsake buttons.

Animalia and Animal Rehabilitation of Tennessee are excited to partner with The Battle of Franklin Trust in creating a tribute statue to Harvey and his important role in the War. Most of us have no concept of the fear a soldier may endure during wartime, but we can relate to how our beloved pets help us through today. Harvey offers a piece of relatable humanity and speaks to all ages. Artist Janel Maher of Janel Maher Fine Art, known for capturing the heart, soul, and very essence in her sculptures, brought Harvey to life so all future visitors could experience the beloved mascot.

The unveiling will take place on October 24th at 6 p.m. at the Carter House Visitor Center, 1140 Columbia Avenue. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided by Menu Maker Catering and Triple Crown Bakery. For more information, please contact hannah@boft.org.

Sources:
Joanna Stephens, Battle of Franklin Trust Curator
Marilyn Seguin, Dogs of War
Michael Zucchero, Loyal Hearts, Histories of American Civil War Canines
Mr. Coco Shah spent the day with us to have his periodontal cleaning and we are just plain smitten!
Green living is easier than you think! By making a few small changes in our routines, we can dramatically help to make our environment a cleaner place...all while feeling better about our eco footprint.
Our beautiful ladies represented Animalia at the recent Art for Animals event, benefiting our friends at Pet Community Center. It was an amazing night filled with great food, drinks, company and art!

​For more information about PCC, visit www.petcommunitycenter.org or click on the image below.
September is National Preparedness Month and the perfect time for a refresher course on disaster safety for you and your pets. Life happens, so we need to be prepared to act quickly with a clear head! This emergency checklist can help you be prepared with the pet essentials in the event of a fire, flood, storm or disaster.
If you’ve ever wondered what motivates us to work in the veterinary field, just take a look at this photo of Sara and Darcy Jo. We are all here because we love animals and want to do everything we can to comfort and protect them, starting with keeping them safe and healthy. We enjoy getting to know you and your pets on a personal level and having the opportunity to create a trusting bond that grows with each visit!

​Animals suffer from pain just like people do. Pain comes in many forms and has many causes. Acute pain is obvious and distressing, where as chronic pain can be subtle and often masked as "getting old" or "slowing down." There are many options to treat the various causes of pain in animals including pain medications, physical rehabilitation, acupuncture, laser therapy, and therapeutic massage. The key is noticing when your pet is in pain, and sometimes that can be difficult. Below are a few tips from our team:

1) Keep an eye on behavior. Most often, behavioral changes are the most obvious sign that your pet may be in some sort of distress. The most common signs that your pet might be in pain are decreased activity, inability to climb stairs or jump onto surfaces, decreased appetite, over grooming or licking a particular area, and difficulty standing after lying down.

2) Use caution when your pet is in pain. Even the most loving animal can lash out when experiencing discomfort, so make sure to use caution if you suspect something is not right with your pet.

3) Pill popping isn't the only solution. While your pet may need medication, there are other avenues such as integrative medicine, physical rehabilitation, and weight management. Don't hesitate to call us to discuss scheduling a consult with Dr. Turner if you are interested in these forms of therapy. She focuses on integrative care and physical rehab at Animal Rehabilitation of Tennessee.

4) Your veterinarian can check for pain. As part of a routine visit, your doctor will check for any indications of discomfort. Annual exams are very important because they create a baseline for your healthy pet, which makes it more obvious if/when their health changes from year to year.

5) There are some easy ways to minimize pain. As a pet parent, it's our responsibility to keep an eye on our pets' dental hygiene and weight. Proper nutrition and exercise go a long way. Ask your veterinarian for advice on any of these topics!
Fiona gives the best kisses! It must be her extra scruffy little face!

​September is National Healthy Cat Month! We would like to dedicate the entire month to celebrating our feline friends and their well-being. Below are 8 ways to make your cat happy and healthy during the month of September:

1) Visit your veterinarian. Annual exams are important to monitor the health of your pet and ensure the happiness and wellness of your cat. We know that travel can be scary for some cats, so ask your veterinarian about Fear Free tips that will make the experience easier and less stressful!

2) Provide preventive medications. Part of keeping your cat happy and healthy is keeping up with flea, tick and heartworm prevention year-round. Even if your cat is strictly indoor, they can still come into contact with little critters that cause big problems.

3) Microchip your cat. In addition to collar and identification tags, consider microchipping your feline friend. If your indoor or outdoor cat ever gets lost, having this type of permanent ID will make a reunion much more likely. Ask your veterinarian about this low cost service!

4) Provide toys. Every cat loves a new toy and mental stimulation! Each cat has it's own preference, so experiment between toys with squeakers, feathers, string, and catnip.

5) Train together. Cats are intelligent and can be trained to do fun tricks. The mental and physical stimulation of training is great for felines and it will strengthen the bond between you and your buddy.

6) Work for food. Feline obesity is a huge problem and one way to combat it is to make cats work for their food. Toys are available that slowly release kibble in small amounts as the cat uses its natural hunting instinct. This is great physical and mental exercise!

7) Go outside. Broaden their horizons by walking your cat on a secure leash with a harness or confine them in a special outdoor play pen so they can experience the world outside their window. Always supervise your cat's outdoor time to maintain their safety.

8) Think about getting another cat. Cats are social animals, so if the time is right, consider visiting your local shelter and adopting a buddy for your kitty. Cats love to play, and a playmate will make them happy! Remember that adopting an animal is a life-long commitment, so be sure to consider the cost and attention required to bringing a new animal into the family. Looking for a local rescue or shelter? Check out some of our local organizations or search www.petfinder.com to easily search multiple shelters at once.
Aspen loves toys almost as much as she loves making new friends!

​Living in Middle Tennessee has a few challenges for pet owners, including environmental allergies, higher than average heartworm disease cases, and the scorching summer heat. It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of heat stroke in pets, especially where smoosh-nosed/short muzzle, dark coat, senior or overweight animals are involved. Below are some tips to help you and your pet stay safe this summer while continuing to live an adventurous outdoor life!