Valor Veterinary Emergency Hospital

04/25/2026

As we wrap up Veterinary Receptionist Week, we want to take one more moment to recognize the incredible people who stand at the front lines of everything we do. They are the calm in the chaos, the steady voices, and the compassionate hearts that help guide our clients through some of their hardest days. We are so grateful for each of them—not just this week, but every single day. 💙

Meet Demi—

Being a receptionist at an emergency animal hospital means so much to Demi because she deeply understands the bond people share with their pets. Growing up, animals were her comfort and safe place, creating a connection that has stayed with her throughout her life.

Because of that, she truly relates to the fear and worry clients feel when something is wrong. She knows these pets are family, never “just animals.” Demi takes pride in being the first person to offer comfort and reassurance, helping clients feel less alone during incredibly stressful moments.

She makes it a priority to ensure every client feels heard, supported, and included in their pet’s care. For Demi, knowing she can bring even a small sense of calm while someone’s beloved pet is being treated is what makes this role so meaningful. 💙

04/24/2026

We’re continuing to celebrate Veterinary Receptionist Week by highlighting the heart behind our front desk💙

Meet Danielle—

For Danielle, being a veterinary receptionist is all about helping pets receive the best care possible while also supporting their families through difficult moments. She takes pride in working with clients to find options that fit their needs, making sure both pets and their people feel cared for every step of the way.

One of her favorite parts of the job is hearing how much kindness and compassion clients experience from the team, especially during some of the most stressful times their families face.

Danielle is grateful to be there when it matters most, offering empathy, patience, and understanding. Because at the end of the day, everyone shares the same goal: helping each pet feel comfortable, cared for, and surrounded by love until they can continue their care with their primary veterinarian.

04/23/2026

Continuing our Veterinary Receptionist Week spotlight… 💙

Meet Shy—

For Shy, one of the most meaningful parts of being an emergency veterinary receptionist is being the calm, steady voice when everything feels chaotic. When clients walk in scared or overwhelmed, she helps ground them, making sure they feel heard, understood, and gently guided through what’s happening with their pet.

She sees her role as the bridge between panic and clarity, helping bring a sense of calm in some of life’s most stressful moments.

And for Shy, helping doesn’t always mean fixing something, it often means simply being present. Sitting with someone who is scared or grieving, offering comfort, patience, and respect to both the client and their pet.

04/22/2026

In honor of Veterinary Receptionist Week, we’re continuing to spotlight the amazing individuals who make up our front desk team. These are the people who hold it all together—guiding clients through stressful moments, offering reassurance, and showing up with compassion every single day. 💙

Meet Nerissa—

Nerissa has been in veterinary medicine for 16 years, and she truly can’t imagine doing anything else. Her love for animals started early, finding comfort, companionship, and peace in them during a difficult childhood. Whether it was walking neighbors’ dogs or trying to befriend every stray cat she came across, animals gave her a sense of connection and helped her find her voice.

That passion led her to volunteer at her local humane society in college, which eventually turned into a career, starting in kennel work and growing into the front desk, where she’s been ever since. As an emergency veterinary receptionist, Nerissa gets to do exactly what she set out to do: give animals a voice while supporting their owners through some of their most difficult moments.

No matter the case or the outcome, she finds purpose and meaning in being there when it matters most, and that’s exactly where she’s meant to be. ❤️

04/21/2026

It’s Veterinary Receptionist Week, and we’re taking a moment to recognize the incredible team who keeps everything running at the front lines. Our receptionists are often the first voice you hear and the first face you see, and they handle it all with compassion, patience, and strength—even on the hardest days. We appreciate them more than we can say, and this week we’ll be highlighting each of them and the heart they bring to what they do. 💙

Meet Ashland—

Ashland has been in veterinary medicine for over 10 years, with most of that time spent as a veterinary technician—but her true passion has always been connecting with clients. While she loves animals (like most of us do), she thrives on supporting the people who love them just as much.

In the chaos and emotion of emergency medicine, Ashland is a steady, compassionate presence. She has a special place in her heart for families navigating tough moments—especially parents who have to bring their kids along during stressful visits. As a parent herself, she understands that struggle and goes the extra mile to offer comfort, whether it’s reassurance for a worried pet owner or a simple distraction like crayons and stickers for their children.

Ashland knows firsthand how overwhelming emergency situations can feel, and she meets every client with empathy, patience, and understanding. As one of the first faces and voices clients encounter, she helps set the tone—offering calm, confidence, and kindness when it’s needed most.

She truly loves what she does… unless, of course, a job working with otters opens up. Then all bets are off.

04/05/2026

The Easter Bunny made a stop at Valor… and we’re pretty sure it had help 🐣💐

A huge thank you to Ellen Summers and the Ark-La-Tex Therapy Dog Group for the amazing Easter basket! They’ve been spoiling us with fun surprises every holiday, and we absolutely love it.

Nothing brightens a busy ER day like a little unexpected joy (and goodies 😉). We’re so grateful for this kind of support!

04/03/2026

🐣🌷 Easter Reminder from Valor Veterinary Emergency Hospital 🌷🐣

We’re here for you and your pets—24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. Emergencies don’t take a day off, and neither do we. ❤️

As you celebrate Easter, here are a few quick pet safety tips to keep your furry family members safe:

🐾 Chocolate is toxic – Even small amounts can be dangerous, especially dark chocolate.
🐾 Watch the Easter grass – Those colorful plastic strands can cause serious intestinal blockages if ingested.
🐾 Keep candy & xylitol away – Sugar-free treats can be extremely toxic to pets.
🐾 Be mindful of lilies – These flowers are highly toxic to cats, even in small amounts.
🐾 Table scraps = upset stomachs – Rich, fatty foods can lead to pancreatitis or GI upset.

If something doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts—we’re always here to help.

📍 Open 24/7
📞 Call us anytime

Wishing you and your pets a safe and happy Easter! 🐰💛

03/24/2026

Safe to say… our team had a great time at Best in Sheaux! 🐾

We were proud to be there in support of Robinson’s Rescue and the incredible work they do. It’s always a good day when you can support a great cause and have fun doing it 💙

03/17/2026

Case Highlight: Finn and GDV

Finn came to us last week in critical condition suffering from GDV (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus), commonly known as bloat.

GDV is a true surgical emergency that occurs when a dog’s stomach fills with gas and then twists on itself. When the stomach twists, it traps the gas inside and can cut off blood supply to the stomach and other vital organs. Without rapid treatment and surgery, GDV can quickly become fatal.

This condition is most commonly seen in large, deep-chested breeds such as Great Danes, German Shepherds, Standard Poodles, Weimaraners, and other similar dogs, though it can occur in any breed.

Finn underwent emergency surgery to correct the twist, but the days following surgery were challenging. He experienced complications that required intensive monitoring and critical care from our team.

After five days of dedicated care, Finn continued to improve and was able to go home with his family on Sunday.

We’re so proud of this tough boy and grateful his family trusted us with his care during such a critical time. Stories like Finn’s are a powerful reminder of how quickly GDV can happen—and how important immediate emergency treatment can be.

Keep healing, Finn. We’ll be cheering for you. 💜

— Valor Veterinary Emergency Hospital
📞 318-725-5990
Open 24/7 for pet emergencies

03/06/2026

🚨 Astrid Fan Club Reporting In 🚨

Some patients leave paw prints on our hearts… and Astrid definitely did. She was one of our first patients when we opened and she quickly became a staff favorite with her big personality, sweet spirit, and undeniable star power. Let’s just say… the Astrid Fan Club formed pretty quickly around here. 🐾

So imagine how excited we were to see Astrid competing in Robinson’s Rescue Best in Sheaux this year — and even giving our team at Valor a shout-out in her bio. Back at ya sister!

Now Astrid is using her star power to help raise funds for Robinson’s Rescue, an organization doing amazing work helping pets in our community.

If you’d like to support a great cause (and a very deserving little celebrity), consider casting a vote for Astrid in Best in Sheaux.

The Valor Astrid Fan Club will definitely be cheering her on. 🐶✨

Meet runway star, Astrid!
Astrid found her way to Ellen and Ian Summers in January of 2023, and though she's deaf and can't hear what's being said, she's always known it's all about her. Astrid enjoys sleeping in late, playing with her siblings, giving out kisses, sneaking snacks she shouldn't have and flying. Astrid loves visiting new people as a certified "dog-tor" and proud member of the Ark-LA-Tex Therapy Dogs group and her besties at Valor ER, giving out kisses and showing off her baby blues. This became an especially important skill when Astrid was diagnosed with Evan's Syndrome and spent 4 ½ days at Valor. Astrid also participates in FastCat, where she has a top speed of 21.9 mph. She's even won the Special Needs division at the world's largest we**ie dog race! Vote for Astrid at: BIS2026.GIVESMART.COM

02/25/2026

🐾 From Critical to Cuddles 🐾

Eleven days ago, Bear Bear was admitted after being attacked by a much larger dog. He came in with significant trauma and required intensive, around-the-clock care.

His hospitalization was not linear. He needed careful wound management with drains, supplemental oxygen, nutritional support through a feeding tube, aggressive pain control, antibiotics, and constant monitoring for complications. There were real highs… and some hard setbacks.

Through it all, this sweet boy completely stole our hearts. He was so very loved by every person who cared for him.

Cases like this take commitment both medically and emotionally. His mom never hesitated to do what he needed, even when the road felt long. And our team poured themselves into his recovery, adjusting treatment plans daily and celebrating every small win right alongside him.

Yesterday, after ten days of critical care, Bear Bear was stable enough to continue healing at home and we couldn’t be more excited for him and his mom.

We adore you, Bear Bear. Thank you for letting us care for you. Now go home and rest like the brave little warrior you are. 🐾