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24/7 Comprehensive Pet Care Services in Winter Haven
At Veterinary Healthcare Associates, we are dedicated to providing exceptional veterinary care that prioritizes the bond between pets and their families. With over two decades of combined experience, our team of board-certified specialists and emergency veterinarians delivers comprehensive services ranging from routine wellness exams to advanced specialty care. Our state-of-the-art facility in Winter Haven, Florida, houses cutting-edge diagnostic equipment and offers 24/7 emergency services, ensuring pets receive timely, high-quality care at every stage of life.

We emphasize compassionate communication, preventive medicine, and tailored treatment plans that address individual patient needs. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond clinical care through community initiatives like our veterinary blood bank program and pet wellness education. By maintaining rigorous professional standards and continuous staff development, we strive to be the trusted partner pet owners rely on for their companions' lifelong health and well-being.
Services
Wellness Exams Vaccinations Teeth Cleaning Surgery Boarding Grooming Dog Park 24/7 Emergency Specialty Referral Blood Bank
Highlights and features
  • We offer 24/7 emergency veterinary services with board-certified specialists available
  • Our team includes veterinarians with advanced certifications in surgery and internal medicine
  • We provide three integrated care areas: General Practice, Specialty Referral, and Emergency
  • Our facility features advanced diagnostic imaging and hyperbaric oxygen therapy capabilities
  • We maintain strict infection control protocols for surgical and critical care patients
Services
Wellness Exams
Our comprehensive wellness exams include physical assessments, vaccinations, and preventive care for pets of all ages. These regular checkups help detect health issues early and establish baseline metrics for your pet's long-term health management. Our experienced veterinarians create customized care plans that evolve with your pet's changing needs throughout different life stages.
Teeth Cleaning
Professional dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup both above and below the gum line while pets are under anesthesia. Digital dental radiography helps identify hidden oral issues. Regular cleanings prevent periodontal disease that can lead to systemic health problems in dogs and cats through bacterial spread into the bloodstream.
24/7 Emergency
Our veterinary ER operates continuously with experienced emergency doctors and critical care specialists. We handle trauma, poisoning, acute illnesses, and post-operative complications with immediate diagnostic capabilities including digital radiology, ultrasound, and in-house laboratory testing for rapid treatment decisions.
Specialty Surgery
Board-certified veterinary surgeons perform complex orthopedic, soft tissue, and neurosurgical procedures. Our surgical suite features laser technology, advanced monitoring equipment, and dedicated recovery areas. We offer specialized techniques like laparoscopic spays and TPLO procedures for cruciate ligament repair.
Pet Boarding
Climate-controlled boarding facilities with separate dog and cat accommodations provide safe pet lodging. Medical boarding options allow for medication administration and monitoring of chronic conditions. All guests receive regular exercise, personalized attention, and access to veterinary oversight during their stay.
People
Loren T. Nations
Owner, DVM, DABVP
Specializing in internal medicine and oncology, Dr. Nations leads our team with 15+ years of veterinary expertise. He focuses on complex disease management and cancer treatment while maintaining active involvement in continuing education and staff development programs.
Katie Barry
DVM, DACVS-SA
Board-certified veterinary surgeon specializing in soft tissue and oncologic procedures, Dr. Barry brings advanced surgical techniques and compassionate patient care to our specialty services while mentoring surgical residents in training programs.
Michelle Murray
DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology)
Neurology specialist with advanced training in spinal disorders and neurodiagnostic imaging. Dr. Murray manages complex neurological cases while developing rehabilitation protocols that improve quality of life for pets with chronic neurological conditions.
Corissa Antemesaris
Chief Humanity Officer
Overseeing staff wellness and client relations, Antemesaris develops programs that maintain our high service standards while ensuring team members have the resources needed to provide exceptional care in a sustainable work environment.
Debbie Cort
COO, RN, MSN
Bringing 25+ years of healthcare leadership experience, Cort manages operational excellence across all departments while implementing quality assurance programs that maintain our hospital's high standards for patient care and medical outcomes.
Questions
What emergency services do you offer for pets?
Our hospital provides 24/7 emergency care with specialized ER doctors and critical care facilities. We handle trauma cases, poisoning, acute illnesses, and surgical emergencies using advanced diagnostics and immediate intervention capabilities.
How often should pets receive vaccinations?
We recommend annual core vaccinations with lifestyle-based vaccines administered according to risk assessment. Our doctors create personalized vaccination schedules that balance protection with minimizing over-vaccination risks for each individual pet.
What boarding options are available?
We offer medical and standard boarding with separate dog and cat accommodations. Medical boarding includes medication administration and chronic condition monitoring. All guests receive regular exercise, personalized attention, and 24/7 veterinary oversight.
Do you accept pet insurance?
Yes, we accept all major pet insurance providers. Our staff can help explain your policy coverage and documentation requirements while providing itemized invoices that streamline the insurance claims process for clients.
What dental care services do you provide?
Our dental services include professional cleanings under anesthesia, digital radiography, extractions, and oral surgery. We also offer home care guidance and specialized dental diets to maintain oral health between professional cleanings.
Are grooming services available?
Paw Pleasers Pet Salon offers full grooming services including haircuts, baths, and nail trims. Our groomers handle pets of all sizes with special attention to comfort and safety while maintaining strict sanitation standards in our dedicated grooming facility.
Reviews (6)
Abe Slomovitz
Jan 03, 2022 Report
Had our older small dog in for care. Its a very busy place and took quite a while due to COVID precautions. I was impressed by how thorough they were. The Dr called a couple of times and explained diagnosis. After some care prescriptions and special food he is slowly getting better. Thanks
I would recommend your clinic.
Sarah Catherine
Dec 31, 2021 Report
We recently adopted a little kitten! The experience was amazing. They took the time to meet with us and let us meet the kitten and make sure it was a fit. They make sure you agree to get all the medical treatment needed which to me is crucial to making sure a pet is well cared for. I had a prior experience with my former cat who passed and they treated her in an emergency. They were awesome then too. I highly recommend them if you are in the WH area.
Mark Wilson
Dec 30, 2021 Report
Very professional group of Drs and staff. Can't say enough good about how caring, professional, and supportive Dr. Phelps and the girl's who were involved with my dog were . Thank you all for the card and sympathy you each expressed during this difficult time for me. Best regards,
M. Wilson
Grazyn Kaluszkin
Dec 26, 2021 Report
4am on Christmas Day I call VHA .My Daisy was loosing balance when walking and like she have breading problem !!I was so scare Im loosing her she is 11.5 when I got to VHA very sweet nurse came and take Daisy,after few minutes Doctor call me and she explained Daisy is ok she needs inflammation and pain medicine and she is ok Thank you all for helping Daisy and Happy New Year.
Ashley Nickels
Dec 12, 2021 Report
The BEST ER VET ever! My dog was in the ICU for three nights. They saved his life!! He was not walking after surgery with his regular vet due to a reaction to the anesthesia. He was sent here for fluids… overnight but ended up needing one on one care, plasma, heart monitoring Etc. We didn’t think he was going to make it through night one and they told us to keep our phone near us. They nursed him back to health. I went to visit him and they were so caring and attentive to anything he needed and my concerns. After three nights he was back home and eating again. We had an episode while
Charissa Shae
Dec 10, 2021 Report
Two days before thanksgiving I noticed a huge hole in my cats leg. I freaked out and attempted to call his normal vet. Because of the holiday they were unable to see him until the following Monday. The day before thanksgiving I decided to bring him here. And it was the best decision I could have made. I waited maybe 30 mins in the parking lot… (which is the waiting area) for someone to take him back. I was able to continue my day preparing for the holiday and the vet assistant called me every few hours for updates. Later that night he was ready to be picked up. An assistant brought him out