Dr. Craig Staehle

For pet owners across the Metro East region of Illinois, finding a compassionate and highly skilled veterinary partner is essential. **Dr. Craig Staehle** practices at the renowned **Best Friends Animal Hospital and Pet Resources** in Swansea, Illinois, a facility known for its commitment to excellence in comprehensive veterinary medicine. The practice is proudly **locally and privately owned** and holds the prestigious distinction of being an **AAHA-Accredited** animal hospital, meaning it voluntarily meets the highest standards in veterinary care.

Dr. Staehle and the dedicated team are driven by a passion to advocate for every pet's best interest, believing in building lasting relationships one animal at a time. The hospital caters to a diverse clientele, not only providing expert care for dogs and cats but also specializing in less common companions like **rabbits, pocket pets, and a wide array of exotic pets**, excluding birds. Dr. Staehle, a graduate of the University of Illinois and a former PetPlan Veterinarian of the Year nominee, brings a wealth of experience, with particular interests in **orthopedic surgery, dentistry, and exotic animal medicine**.

Clients consistently note the hospital’s **exceptionally clean environment**—often mentioning that it “smelled amazing inside”—and the **friendly, smiling, and genuinely animal-loving staff**. From routine checkups to complex surgeries and specialized treatments, Best Friends Animal Hospital aims to offer everything your companion needs in one convenient, compassionate location.

Location and Accessibility in Swansea, Illinois

Best Friends Animal Hospital, featuring the expertise of Dr. Craig Staehle, is conveniently situated in Swansea, making it an accessible and trusted veterinary resource for the surrounding Illinois communities, including Belleville, O'Fallon, and Shiloh.

• **Address:** 202 Frank Scott Pkwy E, Swansea, IL 62226, USA
• **Planning Your Visit:** To ensure all patients receive focused and timely care, **Appointments are recommended**.
• **Accessibility:** The facility is designed to accommodate all clients and their pets comfortably. Accessibility features include a **Wheelchair accessible entrance**, **Wheelchair accessible parking lot**, and a **Wheelchair accessible restroom**.

Comprehensive Veterinary Services Offered

The range of services provided at Best Friends Animal Hospital is extensive, covering essential wellness and prevention, advanced diagnostics, and specialized treatments, ensuring a continuum of high-quality care throughout a pet’s life.

Services offered include:

• **Wellness and Preventative Care:** **Comprehensive Exams**, **Routine Checkups**, **Puppy And Kitten Packages**, **Pet Vaccinations** (including **Feline Vaccination**), **Heartworm Prevention**, **Flea Control**, and **Parasite Prevention** and **Testing**.
• **Advanced Diagnostics and Internal Medicine:** Utilizing an **In-House Laboratory Testing** facility and the use of **Idexx Lab** services to perform **Blood Work**, **Fecal Tests**, and other diagnostics. Services also cover **Internal Medicine** for conditions like **Heartworm Disease**, as well as **Diagnostic Imaging**.
• **Surgical and Dental Services:** Offering a full range of **Surgical Services**, including **Routine Surgeries**, **Spay And Neuter Surgeries**, **Animal Dentistry Services**, and **Routine Cleaning** procedures focused on **Pet Dental Health**.
• **Specialty and Therapeutic Care:** Advanced options like **Pet Laser Therapy** (a non-invasive, drug-free treatment to reduce pain and speed healing), **Chiropractic Care**, a dedicated **Pain Clinic**, and consultation with a **Veterinary Dermatologist** for **Skin Disorders**.
• **Exotic Pet Medicine:** Expertise in caring for **Pocket Pet** species, as well as **Reptiles** and other non-traditional companions (excluding birds), ensuring these unique animals have access to expert **Primary Care**.
• **Support and Resource Services:** Maintaining an integrated **Online Pharmacy**, providing guidance on **Nutrition & Healthcare**, offering **Pet Food**, **Pet ID** services, information on **Pet Insurance**, and a full-service **Pet Resort** for boarding.
• **Urgent and Critical Care:** Providing essential **Animal Emergency** and **Critical Care** services, as well as **Outpatient Care** for **Sick Pets**.

Key Features and Highlights of the Practice

The reputation of Dr. Craig Staehle and Best Friends Animal Hospital is built upon several distinguishing characteristics that make it a favorite for pet owners in the Illinois area.

• **Exotic Pet Expertise:** This is a major highlight, as the practice is known as one of the few places in the area offering specialized care for reptiles, small mammals, and pocket pets. A customer review specifically praises the Dr. as **“extremely knowledgeable on snakes having a few himself,”** which instills high confidence in owners of non-traditional pets.
• **AAHA Accreditation:** The hospital is **AAHA-Accredited**, a voluntary process that signifies a commitment to the highest quality standards in facility, equipment, patient care, and staff education—a key differentiator in the Illinois veterinary landscape.
• **Advanced Pain Management Options:** The inclusion of non-invasive services like **Pet Laser Therapy** (to reduce inflammation and speed healing for conditions like arthritis and post-surgical recovery) and dedicated **Chiropractic Care** and a **Pain Clinic** demonstrates a modern, comprehensive approach to pet comfort and mobility.
• **Compassionate and Welcoming Environment:** The atmosphere is consistently described as **"friendly," "kind," and "compassionate."** The staff’s willingness to laugh and engage with a pet—even when a snake is climbing on its owner's head—creates a **low-stress experience** for both pets and owners.
• **Dr. Staehle's Recognized Experience:** Dr. Staehle’s background, including his veterinary doctorate from the University of Illinois and experience with diverse species, assures Illinois residents that their pet is being treated by a veterinarian with deep and broad expertise.

**Contact Information**

To schedule an appointment or to inquire about services with Dr. Craig Staehle and the team, please use the contact details below. New clients are always welcome to join the Best Friends family.

**Address:** Best Friends Animal Hospital, 202 Frank Scott Pkwy E, Swansea, IL 62226, USA

**Phone:** (618) 222-9860 or +1 618-222-9860

**What is Worth Choosing at Best Friends Animal Hospital**

For pet owners in the Swansea and Metro East Illinois area, choosing Best Friends Animal Hospital, featuring Dr. Craig Staehle, means selecting a practice that is both highly accredited and deeply specialized. The primary reason this hospital is an excellent choice is the **exceptional level of care for all pets, particularly those considered exotic**. Finding a knowledgeable reptile or pocket pet veterinarian is often challenging, and Dr. Staehle’s demonstrated expertise in this area is an invaluable local resource.

Furthermore, the AAHA accreditation ensures that your furry, scaled, or pocket-sized friend receives care that meets the highest standards in veterinary practice. Combined with the availability of cutting-edge treatments like **Pet Laser Therapy and Chiropractic Care**, and a staff that is genuinely warm and welcoming, the hospital delivers on its promise of professional, compassionate, and comprehensive care. This commitment to both medical excellence and the emotional comfort of their patients is what makes Best Friends Animal Hospital the trusted choice for pets throughout Illinois.

Dr. Craig Staehle

Best Friends Animal Hospital, 202 Frank Scott Pkwy E, Swansea, IL 62226, USA