St. Francis Animal Hospital

For pet owners in Jacksonville, Florida, and across the Sunshine State, the health and well-being of our animal companions are deeply personal and paramount. Finding a veterinary practice that not only provides exceptional medical care but also demonstrates genuine compassion and understanding can make all the difference in a pet's life journey. This article introduces you to St. Francis Animal Hospital, a long-standing establishment in Jacksonville dedicated to offering comprehensive and heartfelt veterinary services.

St. Francis Animal Hospital aims to provide a wide array of veterinary services to ensure pets remain healthy and joyful, treating them like family. Their commitment spans from routine wellness check-ups and vaccinations to advanced surgical procedures and emergency care. While feedback can vary regarding administrative policies, the core of their practice, centered around the expertise and compassion of their veterinarians and medical staff, consistently shines through in the positive experiences of many long-term clients. We will explore their convenient location, the extensive range of services they offer, the distinctive features that highlight their patient-first approach, and the compelling reasons why they continue to be a suitable and trusted choice for local residents seeking dedicated care for their beloved pets in Florida.

St. Francis Animal Hospital is conveniently located at 2736 University Blvd W #5, Jacksonville, FL 32217, USA. This address places the clinic in a well-established and accessible area of Jacksonville, making it easily reachable for pet owners from various neighborhoods across the city, including Arlington, San Jose, and Mandarin, as well as surrounding communities in Northeast Florida. University Boulevard West is a significant thoroughfare, ensuring straightforward navigation by car and typically offering good road access from major routes.

The clinic's location within a suite (#5) suggests it is part of a commercial complex, which often provides the advantage of ample parking, a crucial convenience for pet owners. Easy parking helps reduce the stress of a veterinary visit, especially for pets who may be anxious during car travel or in unfamiliar environments. Its placement in the 32217 zip code serves a broad local population, making it a practical choice for both routine check-ups and more urgent care needs. This ease of access ensures that quality veterinary services are readily available for a wide range of pets and their owners in the Florida region.

St. Francis Animal Hospital offers a comprehensive array of veterinary services designed to address the diverse health needs of pets, from their earliest stages through their senior years. Their approach integrates preventative care with advanced diagnostics and treatment.

• Wellness Care & Preventative Medicine: Providing essential routine check-ups, tailored preventative programs, and advice on overall pet health to ensure long, healthy lives. This includes regular exams for early detection of potential health issues.
• Vaccinations: Offering customized vaccination schedules to protect pets against common and serious infectious diseases, considering each pet's lifestyle and risk factors.
• Dental Care: Comprehensive dental services, including thorough examinations, professional cleanings, and necessary procedures to maintain optimal oral health and prevent systemic issues arising from dental disease.
• Surgical Procedures: Performing a wide range of surgeries, from routine procedures like spays and neuters to more complex soft tissue and some orthopedic surgeries. They utilize advanced techniques like CO2 surgical laser for reduced pain and faster recovery.
• In-House Diagnostics: Equipped with an in-house laboratory for rapid and accurate blood work, urinalysis, and fecal analysis, facilitating quick diagnoses and treatment plans. They also offer digital radiology (X-rays) for detailed internal imaging.
• Advanced Imaging: Providing diagnostic ultrasound and full cardiac workups, including echocardiography, to offer a higher standard of diagnostic care for complex internal issues.
• Parasite Prevention & Control: Offering effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of internal and external parasites, including heartworms, fleas, and ticks, crucial for pet well-being.
• Microchipping: Providing microchip implantation services to greatly increase the chances of reuniting lost pets with their families.
• Nutritional Counseling: Offering guidance on appropriate diets for pets at all life stages, addressing specific dietary needs, weight management, and therapeutic nutrition.
• Cold Laser Therapy: Utilizing therapeutic cold laser treatments to help reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling, and accelerate the healing process for various conditions, including injuries and arthritis.
• Emergency & Critical Care: Equipped to handle urgent medical situations, prioritizing emergency cases to provide immediate attention for critical conditions.
• Behavioral Counseling: Assisting pet owners with behavioral issues, providing insights and strategies to improve pet behavior and the human-animal bond.
• End-of-Life Services: Offering compassionate support and dignified options for end-of-life care, helping owners make difficult decisions with empathy and understanding.

St. Francis Animal Hospital stands out with several notable features and highlights that underscore its commitment to pet health and client satisfaction, even amidst challenges.

• Highly Experienced and Compassionate Veterinarians: The clinic boasts veterinarians, such as Dr. Shelton and Dr. Berkshire (specializing in cardiology), who are consistently praised for their expertise, kindness, intelligence, and level-headed approach. They are highlighted for not pushing unnecessary tests or services and for working within clients' budgets for the best pet outcomes, truly putting pets first.
• Commitment to Quality Care: Despite being a busy practice, the veterinary team makes time to explain diagnoses and treatment plans thoroughly. Their success in curing heartworm positive rescues and managing complex conditions like congestive heart failure (as seen with Dr. Berkshire's care) showcases their high standard of medical practice.
• Dedicated and Caring Support Staff: Many reviews commend the entire staff for being "incredibly kind, helpful, and knowledgeable." They are noted for their professionalism, attentiveness, and for making both pets and owners feel comfortable, even during stressful visits or emergencies.
• Advanced Diagnostic Capabilities: The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, including digital radiography, ultrasound, and comprehensive cardiac workups. They also utilize advanced treatments like CO2 surgical laser and cold laser therapy, indicating a modern approach to veterinary medicine.
• Positive Pet Experience Focus: Efforts are made to create a less stressful environment for pets, including having separate waiting rooms for dogs, which can be beneficial for anxious animals. The staff's gentle handling of timid and scared rescues further demonstrates their animal-loving approach.
• Strong Client Loyalty: Many clients express long-term relationships with the hospital, having brought multiple pets over many years. This enduring loyalty is a testament to the consistent quality of care and the trust built with the veterinary team.
• Ethical and Honest Practice: The recurring theme that the vets "won’t sell tests or services that are not needed" and are "straight forward" highlights an ethical business practice focused on genuine animal welfare over profit, which resonates deeply with pet owners.

For appointments, inquiries, or to learn more about their services, you can contact St. Francis Animal Hospital using the following details:

Address: 2736 University Blvd W #5, Jacksonville, FL 32217, USA

Phone: (904) 674-7223

For locals in Jacksonville, Florida, St. Francis Animal Hospital presents itself as a suitable and valuable choice for veterinary care due to the exceptional medical expertise and deep compassion consistently demonstrated by its veterinary team. While some administrative policies may present challenges for certain clients, the overwhelming sentiment from long-term patrons underscores the high quality of care pets receive. The praise for veterinarians like Dr. Shelton and Dr. Berkshire, who are described as intelligent, honest, and dedicated to working within budgets, highlights a practice that genuinely prioritizes the pet's best interest.

For Florida pet owners seeking a clinic where veterinarians are "animal loving, experienced, and well-trained," and where the staff is committed to providing excellent care even for difficult cases or during emergencies, St. Francis Animal Hospital stands out. Their willingness to thoroughly explain treatments, utilize advanced diagnostic tools, and provide comprehensive care from wellness to complex surgery offers peace of mind. Ultimately, the positive impact on pets' lives, such as the successful treatment of serious conditions, solidifies St. Francis Animal Hospital as a reputable and often life-saving resource within the Jacksonville community, making it a highly recommended choice for those who want nothing but the best for their beloved animal companions.

St. Francis Animal Hospital

2736 University Blvd W #5, Jacksonville, FL 32217, USA