As many industries struggle to adapt to the new difficulties we face from the COVID-19 pandemic, others have actually experienced growth. This is the case among veterinarians, which is great news for one of Columbia Pike’s newest businesses: Clarendon Animal Care (CAC).
Clarendon Animal Care is owned by Dr. Natasha Ungerer and Dr. Kayleen Gloor. Dr. Ungerer is a native of western New York and Dr. Gloor grew up in Springfield, Virginia. The two met during their internship at a large referral/emergency hospital in Gaithersburg, MD. They became friends and had the pleasure of working together at another area hospital where they realized they shared the dream of owning their own veterinary hospital where they could provide the high-quality customer service and patient care they both strive to achieve. Their dream was realized in 2015 when they opened Clarendon Animal Care on 10th St.
They spent several years growing their practice to support seven full-time veterinarians before they felt it was time to open a second location. The partners wanted to be able to serve all of Arlington and settled on the Centro Arlington location at the corner of Columbia Pike and S. George Mason Dr. last fall. After nearly a year of planning and construction, Clarendon Animal Care opened its doors on Columbia Pike in June, just as Virginia’s reopening phases began. Since that time, they have seen an overwhelmingly positive response and influx of new patients.
“Business is actually booming right now for many veterinarians,” said Dr. Ungerer. “So many more people have been adopting or fostering pets while they work from home and we’re really grateful to be able to support these new pet parents.”
One of Clarendon Animal Care’s core values is education – mainly, helping facilitate a close human-animal bond that creates happy pet families. Their entire healthcare team is committed to providing personal attention to the unique concerns of clients and their pets.
Their team also embraces a unique approach to treatment called the Fear Free Initiative. All of their staff have undergone a series of training programs emphasizing calming techniques, low-stress handling, recognition of symptoms of fear, anxiety, and stress, as well as the use of pharmacological aids when indicated.
“It’s really important to us that a trip to the vet not be a stressful experience for either the pet or its parent,” said Dr. Ungerer.
Clarendon Animal Care offers dogs and cats comprehensive medical exams, wellness and preventative care, domestic and international health certificates, and sick pet and urgent care exams. Additionally, Dr. Ungerer, Dr. Gloor, and the entire CAC team have close working relationships with the nearby 24-hour emergency centers and travelling specialists for those times when your pet needs 24/7 care in an ICU or with a veterinary specialist.
CAC has also been very involved in the local community. Both Dr. Ungerer and Dr. Gloor volunteer their time with the Animal Welfare League of Arlington by offering visiting vet services, rabies clinics and sometimes surgical procedures; Dr. Gloor also serves on their Board of Directors. They also provide free initial exams to pets adopted from these shelters or rescue groups (within 14 days of adoption): K-9 Lifesavers; Humane Rescue Alliance; Animal Welfare League of Arlington; City Dogs Rescue; Lucky Dog Animal Rescue; Homeward Trails Animal Rescue; Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation.
“Before the pandemic, we often hosted workshops, sponsored dog parks, and were heavily involved in community events,” said Dr. Ungerer. “We are eager to be able to do the same in the Columbia Pike community once it is safe to host events again.”