Posted: July 7, 2009, 5 a.m. EDT
The Animal Emergency & Treatment Center is scheduled to open a new location in Chicago this September, becoming the first 24-hour emergency and specialty center in the city.
“Today’s pet owners expect a high level of care and service when their companion pet is sick or hurt,” said Matt Tompkins, DVM, co-founder and managing partner of AETC. “We identified a desperate need for high-quality, round-the-clock treatment for pets in Chicago. Until now, city dwellers have not had the option of 24-hour care for their pets, but instead have had to transport their sick animals from after-hours emergency facilities to their regular veterinarians’ offices every morning.
“AETC provides ongoing hospitalization, which allows pets to receive uninterrupted treatment from the same skilled medical team.”
The center, which joins AETC’s existing facility in Grayslake, Ill., broke ground on June 1 and will span more than 10,000 square feet.
AETC Chicago will be staffed by a team of more than 50 veterinary professionals. Specialty services will include surgery, internal medicine and critical care. Other services will include video endoscopy, video ultrasound, digital radiology and computed tomography, as well as a diagnostic laboratory and an intensive care unit.
In addition, AETC Chicago will house a blood donor program, through which any client may volunteer to have his or her pet screened to become a “Donor Hero.” Pets would give blood every eight to 10 weeks. Program participants can earn credit toward AETC services.