Caring for Animals and Our Community

Community Involvement

Ballston Animal Hospital values and appreciates the surrounding community and actively participates in a variety of ways to assist area shelters and charities. Members of the community have shown their appreciation for our work as well, and we were proud to be the recipient of the 2009 and 2010 ABBIE award for the "Best Place To Care For Your Pet" in Arlington County, Virginia In addition, Washingtonian Magazine and its readers voted Ballston Animal Hospital one of the "Best Vets" for the Washington, DC, area in its 2008 poll.

We offer a "Free First Visit" to animals adopted through the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, and to Arlington County residents who adopt from the Washington, DC, Animal Humane Society, and the Washington, DC, Animal Shelter, operated by the Washington Humane Society.

Staff members at Ballston also work with the following community organizations: Golden Retriever Rescue, Education, and Training - GRREAT ; the Arlington Food Assistance Center ; and the Paws Program of the Doorways for Women and Families.

Our veterinarians volunteer their time on the clock, as needed, at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. On occasion, an animal requires extensive medical care, surgery, and hospital care. Some case studies we have taken on include:

	Mr. Nellie, a stray kitten born blind with birth defects to both eyes, needed corrective surgery to remove both eyes and eyelids for comfort. Dr. Kira Leedom, who has since moved out of state, performed the surgery and oversaw his treatment. Mr. Nellie adapted well to his disability and was adopted from the shelter to a loving family.The Mr. Nellie story is told in full in this edition of the AWLA's 2007 summer newsletter from the the Animal Welfare League website.
	Pip was found as a tiny kitten with a badly crushed and diseased right front leg.Dr. Collins performed the necessary amputation, cared for him in the clinic, and decided to adopt him. Pip now rules the Collins’ household and is a formidable playmate for the other pets.
	Penn, a chocolate miniature poodle, was found badly injured from a car accident and brought to Ballston Animal Hospital by a good samaritan. Penn had a fractured pelvis and femur and needed intensive and expensive medical care. The combined efforts and contributions of Dr. Lynne Gallitz, Ballston Animal Hospital staff, Springfield Veterinary Referral Service, and the Animal Welfare League of Arlington allowed Penn to be treated and rehabilitated. Penn was adopted in October 2007.
	J.R. Penny was born without upper eyelids (eyelid agenesis) and would have probably either had both eyes removed or would have been euthanized if veterinarians from Ballston Animal Hospital and Southpaws Ophthalmology Service had not stepped in to correct the problem. Several reconstructive surgeries later by Dr. Nancy Bromberg, Dr. Gretchen Tripp, and Dr. Thomas Collins, J.R. is now recovering well with functional and, most important, pain-free and comfortable eyes! J.R. never made it back to the shelter; he was adopted by our Hospital Administrator, Jackie.

Read the following news stories detailing how the Ballston team helped give "puppy mill dogs" a second chance and gave comfort and life to a blind kitten that might have otherwise been euthanized, receiving a 2007 Annual Service Award.

Animal Welfare League of Arlington

See photos from the 2010 AWLA Walk for the Animals

Ballston Animal Hospital has been a proud sponsor of the two annual fundraising events of the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, the "Walk for the Animals" in the spring and "Catsino Night" in the winter, since 2006. Hospital staff has manned a booth at the annual walks with great pet giveaways and family fun over the years, and we’ve had as much fun doing it as our visitors have had. If you’ve attended these events, check out our photos and see if you, your family, or your pets are in there! View photos from the "2009 Walk for the Animals"

Other Community Events

We also participated in the 2009 Capital Pride Festival. With a history of 34 years, Capital Pride is an annual event attended by people from all over the country who come together to celebrate who they are as members of one human race. View photos from the "2009 Capital Pride Festival".