Business Details
42 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Veterinarians in San Diego
At Ark Animal Hospital, we take pride in delivering honest, compassionate, and owner-appropriate medical care for dogs and cats. Since our founding in 1984 by Dr. John Hetzler, we have prioritized offering the best possible treatment options while considering clients' financial constraints, ensuring accessible care that strengthens the client-patient-veterinarian bond. In 2015, Dr. Lianne Chu continued this vision, maintaining high-quality medicine while fostering trust through transparent communication.Our team treats every pet as part of the Ark family, emphasizing preventive care, advanced diagnostics, and pain management to enhance pet-owner relationships. With decades of combined experience, we remain committed to advancing veterinary medicine while providing affordable, value-driven care tailored to each patient's needs.
Services
Pet Examinations
Dental Care
Emergency Care
Cold Laser Therapy
Online Pharmacy
Details
- Year established: 1984
Highlights and features
- We offer over 35 years of veterinary expertise with personalized care.
- Our team provides transparent recommendations tailored to pet owners' needs.
- We maintain 24/7 emergency support through partner clinics.
- Our staff conducts follow-up calls after treatments and procedures.
- We utilize modern equipment for diagnostics and pain management.
What people say
Caring and knowledgeable staff
Reasonable costs
Excellent follow-up calls
Clean facilities
Prompt appointments
Services
Pet Examinations
Our comprehensive wellness exams ensure early detection of health issues while maintaining preventive care. Experienced veterinarians assess vital signs, dental health, and overall condition to create tailored treatment plans for dogs and cats of all ages. Regular checkups help strengthen the human-animal bond through consistent, proactive healthcare management.
Dental Care
Full mouth cleanings include digital x-rays, subgingival cleaning, and periodontal treatment under monitored anesthesia. We prioritize patient safety through IV fluids and advanced monitoring while addressing extractions through local veterinary dental specialists. Preventive dental care maintains systemic health and longevity for companion animals.
Emergency Care
Daytime emergency services handle trauma, poisoning, and acute illnesses with immediate diagnostic capabilities. For after-hours critical care, we coordinate with specialized regional hospitals while providing follow-up support. Our protocols ensure seamless transitions between routine and emergency veterinary interventions.
Cold Laser Therapy
Non-invasive photo biomodulation reduces inflammation and chronic pain through targeted light therapy. Sessions lasting 1-8 minutes provide outpatient relief for arthritis, post-surgical recovery, and soft tissue injuries while allowing owner presence during treatment for patient comfort.
Online Pharmacy
Our integrated pharmacy offers prescription medications, flea preventatives, and specialty diets with convenient online ordering. Patients receive verified pharmaceutical quality control while owners benefit from direct access to veterinary-approved products through secure digital refill requests and home delivery options.
People
Dr. John Hetzler
Founder
Dr. Hetzler established Ark Animal Hospital in 1984, developing its core philosophy of compassionate, client-centered veterinary care. His legacy continues through personalized treatment approaches and community-focused medical practices.
Dr. Lianne Chu
Owner
Dr. Chu joined Ark Animal Hospital in 2008, assuming ownership in 2015 while maintaining Dr. Hetzler's patient-first principles. She specializes in advancing diagnostic capabilities and implementing modern treatment protocols for companion animals.
Questions
What veterinary services do you offer?
We provide wellness exams, dental care, emergency treatment, cold laser therapy, and online pharmacy services for dogs and cats.
Do you handle pet emergencies after hours?
We coordinate after-hours emergencies with specialized regional hospitals while providing follow-up care during regular business hours.
What payment options are available?
We accept Care Credit and offer financing options for veterinary treatments and medications.
How can I refill prescriptions?
Use our online pharmacy portal for convenient medication refills and home delivery options.
Do you offer dental care for pets?
Yes, we perform comprehensive dental cleanings with x-rays and anesthesia monitoring for oral health maintenance.
What areas do you serve?
We serve Clairemont, Kearny Mesa, and surrounding San Diego neighborhoods with centralized parking access.
