By Cassandra Frey
Open 24/7, pets can experience the highest level of veterinary medicine the Central Coast has to offer Atascadero Pet Hospital & Emergency Center.
Where do you go when a pet emergency strikes in the middle of the night? Atascadero is lucky to be home to just the place to take care of our most beloved family members — our pets.
With 31 years of service, the Atascadero Pet Hospital & Emergency Center is one of the top locations on the Central Coast to receive caring and prompt service during stressful situations, and the usual, everyday veterinary care. The hospital is always available to test, diagnose and treat a wide range of ailments and animals.
In 1987 Robert Schechter and his family settled in Atascadero. Two years later “Doctor Bob” started a veterinary wellness practice in an old dairy barn on Rocky Canyon Road. During the mid-90s, the Schechter family purchased a 5,000 square-foot building to allow the veterinary practice to grow, and in 2002, the Atascadero Pet Hospital became a 24-hour emergency center. The hospital is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Day or night, the professional medical staff is ready to take on the direst of situations. Doctor Aaron Schechter and Doctor Ofer Cherbinsky became the new practice owners in 2007.
Animals can become sick with diseases that humans are affected with. Dr. Cherbinsky shared, “Dogs and cats are mammals, just like humans and they get some of the same diseases as us such as diabetes, thyroid issues, and cancer. Many people are surprised at this.”
The best way to know if your animal is in good health is with regular checkups and a vet who knows their history.
Dr. Schechter shared, “The most important thing for pet owners to know is that wellness and preventive care with regular check-ups are essential to keeping your pet happy, healthy and thriving.” He continued, “As a teaching and learning hospital, we encourage questions, participation, and hands-on training. Our diverse staff offers a unique set of opinions and a wide range of knowledge. This collaborative environment is very rewarding for everyone involved and offers our clients the best possible medical care on the Central Coast.”
Atascadero Pet Hospital & Emergency Center has a history of saving many lives with 31 years in the business and their dedication to the community shows.
“I enjoy meeting new people and developing the client/patient relationship,” Dr. Schechter said. “I enjoy treating animals and helping them live longer healthier lives. We love the small town feel here and Atascadero shows a real sense of community. Our clients are like family to us.”
Basic services such as wellness checks, vaccines, dental and diagnostics help to treat many four-legged friends. The facility also offers premier 24-hour emergency pet care, which includes the use of monitors, IV pumps, oxygen, ventilators, ECG w/external pacing, defibrillation, pharmacy, laboratory, blood transfusions, plasma transfusions, and rattlesnake antivenom. From bone surgeries to things like acupuncture and Eastern medicine, they cover it all. Some of the more advanced services such as CT scans and advanced imagery are available all night, even on holidays!
Rochelle Barnett Sutherland shared her experience at Atascadero Pet Hospital & Emergency Center, saying “This is the most compassionate and caring place a pet and their person could ever ask for. Doctor Aaron Schecter is such an amazing person. He is also a top-notch surgeon! The vets at this hospital are wonderful, loving people. Any parent would be very lucky to have any one of them if they needed care. The hospital is very well kept and extremely clean. The entire staff is so friendly and helpful. They have state-of-the-art equipment and we are confident they can handle any pets’ needs for emergencies. The prices for their services are very fair and very reasonable compared to other places we have been. They are as good as it gets for any pet emergency, day or night, seven days. We have been there on a Sunday night at 11 p.m. for a life-saving emergency and we were treated so good and the life of our precious lab was saved after being poisoned at 11 years old. She went on to live another three and a half years. We highly recommend this hospital. The staff are very thorough and explain the treatment options precisely and clearly, making sure to take the time and give extra attention to all the little details. The staff are well-trained, with a wonderful bedside manner and can help walk you through everything during difficult situations or end-of-life care.”
Atascadero Pet Hospital and Emergency & Emergency Center is available for appointments from 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, and Saturdays from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The staff is here for any pet emergency-24 hours per day, 7 days a week. In January, the hospital encourages everyone to get their pet’s annual wellness exams and are offering a discount on the exam fee. For more information, call (805)466-3880 or visit the website at apetcenter.com. Atascadero Pet Hospital is located at 9575 El Camino Real Atascadero, CA 93422.