CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The Citrus Heights Pet Hospital located at 7404 Auburn Boulevard in Citrus Heights will be moving in August to its new location in the Greenfaire Village Center at the corner of Greenback Lane and Fair Oaks Boulevard.

With over 63 years in business, Citrus Heights Pet Hospital, founded in 1962, is one of the city’s oldest full-service animal hospitals. The practice thoughtfully cares for dogs and cats which require emergency care, as well as providing basic wellness checks, and attending to their general medical, surgical and dental needs.

“Like many local private vet practices, we found ourselves struggling to meet the demand from our growing community, and part of our struggle was due to the limits of our current facility,” said veterinarian-owner Dr. Averi Brickson, who earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Iowa State University.

“My husband and I purchased the practice in 2010 from Dr. Dean Hendricks and now care for some 15,000 active patients,” she said.

Citrus Heights Pet Hospital was opened by Dr. Frost, (no relation to the family of Sacramento County Supervisor Sue Frost). Dr. Frost then sold the practice to Dr. Dean Henricks in 1997 who grew it further.

“We actually still have clients who started with the practice in 1962 and who through the generations of pet families have continued with us ever since,” Brickson said.

“I’m proud of the great team of veterinarians and supporting staff we have at Citrus Heights Pet Hospital,” Brickson said. The practice has three full-time doctors, herself as owner/veterinarian, Dr. Zoe Wichmann, associate veterinarian; and Dr. Tami Rosich, associate veterinarian. Dr. Dean Henricks, an associate veterinarian who originally sold the practice to the Bricksons, continues to work part-time.

In its Auburn Boulevard facility, situated across from Sylvan Cemetery, veterinary staff work in approximately 2,500 square-feet of space that wasn’t designed for a modern style of practice and workload, Brickson explained.

“We’d been exploring opportunities to expand for years and when this property at Greenfaire Village came up for sale, we decided it was an ideal location to meet the needs of our rapidly expanding clientele,” she said.

“As general practitioners, we are family doctors, focusing on preventive care, wellness and public health,” she said. When patients require the next level of specialty care, Brickson said referrals are then placed to a robust community of boarded veterinary specialists in the greater Sacramento area.

Brickson provided a tour of the facility’s multiple special treatment rooms which are nearing completion. Interior demolition of the building started in March and was decidedly a “family affair.”

The new space in Greenfaire Village Center is almost double the size of the Auburn Boulevard facility.

“Having the opportunity to design and build it to our specifications will allow us to fully maximize the use of this new space,” she said.

The commercial building, now under construction, had been home to three separate tenants, including a former Beach Hut Deli.

“We love how much natural light comes into the new facility from windows on all four sides,” she said. “We also have advanced air handling to minimize stress for our pet patients, to minimize the chance of infectious disease transmission, and to maximize the movement of fresh, clean, temperature-controlled air throughout the building,” she said.

The finished interior will also feature an intentionally chosen color palate with patients in mind. Natural, calming colors on the floors, cabinets, counters and walls, and art from local artists have been chosen for their non-stressful content.

The practice in its new location will have the physical capacity to add three to four doctors and between nine to 12 support staff in the future, Brickson said. “It’s one of the most exciting aspects of our upcoming expansion,” she said.

“We hope to start seeing patients in our new facility in early August. We will continue serving patients out of our Auburn Boulevard location, but at a limited capacity,” Brickson said.

The practice continues to welcome new pet patients and their owners at the Auburn Boulevard location. A weblink:  http://chpethospital.com/new-patient-center features online forms, helpful information, practice hours, and payment information.

Citrus Heights Pet Hospital at 7404 Auburn Boulevard is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 6 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm and is closed on Sunday. Call (916) 725-2700 to schedule an appointment. The hospital offers a wide range of professional services including annual wellness exams, vaccinations, microchipping and spay and neutering services.