Pet Paradise will open its first full-service, seven-day-a-week veterinary hospital July 1 adjacent to its resort at 5140 University Blvd., the company announced Wednesday.
The hospital will offer medical services including soft tissue surgery, internal medicine, dental procedures and pain management. The hospital will have the capability to transport pets from other Pet Paradise resorts or other veterinary clinics. It also will have a pharmacy.
“It’s really just an extension of our service offerings,” Pet Paradise President and CEO Fernando Acosta-Rua said. “From a mission standpoint, our mission is to enhance the quality of life for pets and our customers. We do that by providing exceptional pet care, but also in a quality and convenient manner. So this will just give more convenience to our customers for their pet care needs.”
Dr. Michelle Delucia, who has more than 15 years of veterinary experience, will oversee the hospital. Delucia specializes in anesthesia, preventative care, dentistry and animal welfare.
The veterinary hospital was built into Pet Paradise’s former corporate headquarters. Acosta-Rua estimated the renovation costs at $500,000.
Jacksonville-based Pet Paradise moved into its new headquarters in San Marco in January.
In November 2017, Pet Paradise began adding veterinary clinics to all its new locations and began retrofitting its existing locations. Clinics are for more preventative care, while the hospital would have the capability to do higher acuity, more invasive procedures.
“From a convenience standpoint, being able to have all their pet care needs met with one company they already trust,” Acosta-Rua said. “Now they can go for boarding, day camp, grooming, preventative health care or more higher acuity health care needs, all under the Pet Paradise umbrella.”
Acosta-Rua said another veterinary hospital is under construction in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is expected to be complete by the beginning of 2020.