Business Details
Your Trusted Partner for Veterinary Care in Elkin, NC
Animal Ark Veterinary Hospital is dedicated to providing comprehensive veterinary care with a commitment to compassion, expertise, and trustworthiness. Founded by Dr. Richard Brinegar, a native of Elkin, NC, the hospital combines decades of experience with cutting-edge medical equipment to serve pets and their owners. Our team delivers services ranging from routine wellness exams and vaccinations to advanced surgical procedures and specialized care for exotic animals. With a focus on preventive medicine, emergency care, and pet boarding, we prioritize the well-being of every animal entrusted to us. Our experienced veterinarians, including Dr. Debra Garing and Dr. David Ackerman, bring extensive knowledge in avian, exotic, and small animal care, ensuring personalized treatment for each patient.We emphasize transparency, client education, and community involvement, striving to earn lifelong trust through exceptional service. Our facility includes modern diagnostic tools like digital X-rays, CT machines, and in-house labs for rapid results. By maintaining rigorous standards and fostering a team of passionate animal lovers, we aim to be a reliable partner in your pets health journey. Our operating hours and referral partnerships ensure accessibility, even during after-hours emergencies. This dedication to excellence has earned us recognition as one of the highest-rated veterinary hospitals in the region.
Services
Veterinary Services
Pet Boarding
Dentistry
Surgery
Exotic Animal Care
Emergency Care
Diagnostic Testing
Pet Grooming
Nutritional Counseling
Highlights and features
- Experienced veterinarians specializing in exotic animal care
- In-house diagnostics including digital X-rays and CT scans
- Spacious boarding facilities for dogs, cats, and birds
- 24/7 emergency referral partnerships for urgent care needs
- Commitment to client education and preventive pet health
What people say
Compassionate care
Emergency assistance
Exotic pet expertise
Spacious boarding
Thorough explanations
Services
Pet Surgery
Our facility performs soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries using advanced equipment and anesthesia protocols. Skilled veterinarians handle procedures ranging from spays/neuters to complex orthopedic repairs. All surgeries include pre-anesthetic testing, monitoring, and post-operative pain management to ensure patient safety and comfort.
Exotic Animal Care
We provide specialized care for birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Services include wellness exams, diagnostics, and treatments tailored to unique species requirements. Our team addresses nutritional needs, disease prevention, and emergency care for exotic pets, backed by specialized equipment and expertise.
Pet Boarding
Secure boarding facilities for dogs, cats, and birds feature separate wards and spacious accommodations. Canine guests receive supervised exercise, while feline condos and bird enclosures ensure comfort. Boarding includes medication administration, dietary management, and 24/7 monitoring by experienced staff.
Dentistry
Comprehensive dental services include ultrasonic cleaning, digital X-rays, and oral surgery under anesthesia. Preventive care reduces risks of periodontal disease, while early detection addresses oral health issues. We educate owners on home dental care routines for long-term pet wellness.
Diagnostic Services
In-house labs enable rapid bloodwork and urinalysis, while digital imaging includes X-rays and ultrasound. These tools support timely diagnosis of internal conditions, fractures, and organ abnormalities. External partnerships provide specialized testing for advanced disease detection and treatment planning.
People
Dr. Richard Brinegar
Veterinarian
Dr. Brinegar earned his DVM from North Carolina State University. With over 15 years of exotic animal experience, he founded Animal Ark to combine hometown roots with veterinary passion. He contributes to community education as a school board member.
Dr. Debra Garing
Veterinarian
Dr. Garing brings 37 years of local veterinary practice experience. After graduating from Tufts University and UGA, she joined Animal Ark to continue community service through compassionate pet care while engaging in civic and arts organizations.
Dr. David Ackerman
Veterinarian
A practicing veterinarian for 30+ years, Dr. Ackerman owns Andrews Veterinary Hospital and directs a state diagnostic lab. He specializes in wildlife care and brings expertise in avian medicine, laboratory diagnostics, and agricultural animal health to the team.
Cheri Marks
Veterinary Technician
With 35+ years in emergency vet medicine, Cheri provides critical support to veterinarians. She manages patient care logistics and client communication, leveraging decades of hands-on experience to ensure smooth hospital operations.
Dr. Greg Dugan
Veterinarian
Dr. Dugan offers weekend relief services with 16 years of small animal practice. A pathology professor at Wake Forest, he brings academic rigor to clinical care while maintaining expertise in diverse species from pets to reptiles.
Questions
What are your operating hours?
We operate Monday-Friday 7:30am-5pm. For after-hours emergencies, contact Carolina Veterinary Specialists or Animal Emergency Clinic of the High Country.
Do you care for exotic animals?
Yes, we treat birds, reptiles, and small mammals including guinea pigs, hamsters, and ferrets with specialized medical protocols and facilities.
What boarding services do you offer?
We provide separate dog runs, cat condos, and bird enclosures with medication management and supervised exercise for canines.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, cash, checks, and CareCredit financing options for veterinary services.
Are vaccinations required for boarding?
Yes, all boarding guests must have up-to-date vaccinations and parasite-free status to maintain facility health standards.
Do you provide dental care?
Our dental services include full-mouth X-rays, ultrasonic cleaning, polishing, and fluoride treatments for dogs, cats, and exotic pets.
Reviews (7)
Debbie Pardue
Dec 17, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Value
Our new pup has visited Animal Ark twice now, and we love everyone there! Dr. Dugan is very knowledgeable, explained everything and answered all my questions. Everyone weve met there is very friendly.
Our new pup has visited Animal Ark twice now, and we love everyone there! Dr. Dugan is very knowledgeable, explained everything and answered all my questions. Everyone weve met there is very friendly.
Adam Peterson
Dec 08, 2021
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These guys are great, especially when you get down to end of life issues. They are always very kind, compassionate, understanding, and accommodating. They are very good about presenting all your options and being realistic with how much each is going to cost. Previous coworkers have always spoken well of Dr. Breniger, and if you have a bird, he's definitely your guy as well.
Tracy Cupaiuolo
Dec 06, 2021
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A wonderful caring veterinarian office. The young ladies in the office are always friendly and helpful. Dr. Dugan is an amazing caring Doctor he truly cares about animals and your pets he takes his time explains everything. Thank you Dr. Dugan and staff for taking such wonderful and loving care of Cayde Girlie and Eris. Very happy kitties. God bless you all.
Katie Ingram
Dec 02, 2021
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I took my kitten here. It was her first time at the vet so she was nervous. The staff said she was hissing and there was nothing they could do with her. Imagine a kitten thats never been to the vet and is surrounded by strangers hissing because she is scared... they do not care about the animals themselves, just getting you in and out the door. We will not be bringing any of our animals back here.
April Murray
Nov 29, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Reliability,Responsiveness,Value
I have called at the drop of a hat with an emergency with either one of my babies. They say bring 'em. They are awesome!
I have called at the drop of a hat with an emergency with either one of my babies. They say bring 'em. They are awesome!
John Hodges
Nov 27, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
The doctor and staff at Animal Ark Veterinary Hospital are very professional and very likable people. They are very knowledgeable and animal friendly and provide affordable care for your furry family members. I highly recommend Animal Ark Veterinary Hospital!
The doctor and staff at Animal Ark Veterinary Hospital are very professional and very likable people. They are very knowledgeable and animal friendly and provide affordable care for your furry family members. I highly recommend Animal Ark Veterinary Hospital!
Karen Kubecka
Nov 05, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Reliability,Responsiveness
Mason is back on the trail. Thank you for the great care.
Mason is back on the trail. Thank you for the great care.
