The Cooke Veterinary Medical Center

10/30/2026

Russell, the Wilderness Explorer came by our hospital and helped us do an electro-acupuncture on James kitty. 🐱❤️

10/28/2026

If squeezing your pets annual exam or updates during the work week is too hard, feel free to book in one of our upcoming Saturdays!

Call into the office or book online our website before they fill up ♥️

10/24/2026

Herbals can control seizures? YES THEY CAN!

New Case Study! Meet "Willow" T and Courtney!

October 2026Dr. Denette O. Cooke, DVM Signalment Willow is a three-year-old spayed female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a history of suspected seizure activity beginning at 17 weeks of age. October 18, 2023 — 17 Weeks of Age Subjective:The owner reported unusual seizure-like activity that mor...

10/22/2026

We are closing at 5:00 pm today. We will be back in the office at 8:00 am tomorrow ❤️

10/22/2026

💜 Our next Veterinary Technician Week shout-out goes to Courtney!

Courtney has been with us for almost two years, and her sweet, gentle nature makes her a wonderful source of comfort for our patients. She has a gift for caring for animals and connecting with the people who love them—and our clients absolutely love her!

Thoughtful, well-spoken, and detail-oriented, Courtney excels at keeping families informed and reassured. That ability to communicate with kindness and clarity is such an important part of veterinary medicine, and we are fortunate to have her!

Behind the scenes, Courtney helps fill so many of our patients’ needs, supporting Jess and keeping a close eye on the details that matter. She is a whiz at catheter placement and blood draws, and is Dr. Durso’s right hand when working with the feline patients in her studies.

Courtney, thank you for the gentle care, thoughtful communication, and love you bring to our patients every day. You make a difference to our team and to the families who trust us. I am so grateful to have you at The Cooke Veterinary Medical Center! 💜🐾

10/21/2026

💜 Today’s Veterinary Technician Week shout-out goes to Jess, our quiet leader and steady hand at the helm!

Jess joined us several years ago, bringing experience in shelter medicine and general practice, along with exceptional anesthesia and surgical skills. She is our go-to technician for all things anesthesia and surgery, loves dentistry and dental radiology, and excels at using our fluoroscopy unit.

She is also excellent in feline medicine, including the skilled handling and restraint of fractious cats—even our less cooperative feline patients are in capable hands with Jess!

But what makes Jess so invaluable goes beyond her technical skills. She brings calm leadership, steadies our ship, and helps our team move forward with confidence. Leadership doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful—and Jess demonstrates that every day.

We are a better team with Jess at the helm! I am so grateful and blessed to have her leading our staff and caring for our patients.

Thank you, Jess, for your skill, your dedication, and the quiet strength you bring to The Cooke Veterinary Medical Center. We appreciate you! 💜🐾

10/20/2026

For Veterinary Technician Week, I want to give a special shout-out to my friend and LVT, Lisa Jones. 💜

Lisa and I began working together “last century”—in 1998! What she didn’t know at the time was that I had only been out of veterinary school for two years. And I still had plenty to learn.

She taught me how to place a catheter. She taught me that “a lot of blood” means something very different to a new veterinarian than it does to a very experienced LVT! 😂 She taught me to extend my incisions and stop making my patients “do a sit-up.” And she saved my butt reading X-rays when I missed the bone cancer…again!

Veterinary school gave me my degree. Working alongside Lisa helped teach me how to be a better veterinarian.

When I opened The Cooke Veterinary Medical Center, Lisa put her faith in me and the business we would build together. As a single mother with an eight-year-old, she left a better-paying job to take that chance. I have never forgotten what that meant.

And Lisa literally does it all: medicine, surgery, computer networking and IT, security, inventory, deal-making—and calming the staff’s nerves like the consummate Momma she is. If you’re wondering how many hats one LVT can wear, Lisa has apparently never found the limit! 😂

Twenty-eight years later, she is—and always has been—invaluable to me. For her knowledge, her honesty, her watchful eyes, her faith in me, and most of all, her friendship.

Lisa, thank you for taking care of our patients, our team, and me along the way. Love you, my friend. Happy Veterinary Technician Week! 💜🐾

10/19/2026

Vet Techs =
❤️&Soul
Of vet med

10/16/2026

🐾 DID YOU KNOW… your Frenchie’s noisy breathing could be a sign they’re struggling to breathe?

💜 We can help! The Cooke Veterinary Medical Center offers soft palate surgery to help affected dogs breathe easier and live more comfortably.

Snorting, loud snoring, and tiring quickly may seem typical for French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Pugs, and other flat-faced breeds—but they can signal an airway problem.

An elongated soft palate means extra tissue at the back of the mouth partially blocks the airway. Soft palate surgery removes that excess tissue, creating more room for air to flow.

For dogs affected by this problem, surgery can help provide:

💜 Easier breathing
💜 Less snorting and noisy breathing
💜 More comfortable rest and sleep
💜 Better tolerance for walks and play
💜 Improved quality of life

Planning your dog’s spay or neuter? Let’s talk about their breathing, too. We can often perform soft palate surgery during the same anesthetic visit when appropriate.

Schedule a surgical evaluation with Dr. Carin Cronin to discuss your dog’s airway and the options that could help.

Because every dog deserves to breathe easier. 💜

The Cooke Veterinary Medical Center
The Place for Healing®

📞 Call 757-547-9421 to schedule an evaluation.

10/14/2026

When your mom is a rock star veterinary technician you ask your friends for a lift up so you can watch her work her magic in the operating room!!!! ❤️🐾. I bet your mom isn’t as cool as our mom!