Ocean State Veterinary Specialists

05/23/2025

Dr. Terry Hallowell, DVM, DACVECC, and Dr. Marisa Stone, DVM, DACVECC, recently presented an outstanding continuing education session to our Ocean State Veterinary Specialists team and local veterinary community.

This dynamic lecture, "No Pulse. No Problem. RECOVERing with CPR," blended interactive discussion and real-world case examples using the updated 2024 RECOVER Guidelines for canine and feline CPR. From best practices to hands-on application, our team gained valuable insight into this life-saving protocol.

At OSVS, we’re proud to be part of a small but mighty state that thrives on collaboration and growth. Continuing education is at the heart of our mission, veterinary medicine is constantly evolving, and we are committed to staying at the forefront through innovation, advanced training, and teamwork.

Thank you to Dr. Hallowell and Dr. Stone for sharing your expertise and passion with us!

05/20/2025

May is Mental Health Month!

We had a wonderful turnout on Saturday for the Paws for Prevention Walk, hosted by the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention Rhode Island. This event is incredibly meaningful to us. It raises awareness for mental health wellness and su***de prevention, while also celebrating the powerful role our pets play in our lives. Pets help reduce stress, bring us joy, and remind us daily of the importance of compassion and connection.

We’re proud to share that the Ocean State Veterinary Specialists team raised an incredible $957, making us the top fundraising team for the event! We had the honor of leading the walk, and our team showed up with a strong and passionate presence.

Mental health matters, and at OSVS, we work hard to foster a culture that supports wellbeing and celebrates the bond between pets and their people. Thank you to everyone who donated, walked, and stood with us for this important cause.

***deprevention

05/19/2025

Neo, a 3-year-old Puggle, came into the OSVS ER for evaluation after getting his tongue stuck in a ball. Upon arrival, Neo was in visible distress, with his tongue swollen and trapped through a hole in a rubber ball. The ER team acted quickly to assess his airway and circulation, administer pain relief, and reduce stress while preparing for intervention.

Using sedation and gentle manipulation, the ball was carefully removed without the need for surgical intervention. Neo’s tongue was examined for trauma, swelling, and tissue viability. While there was notable swelling and superficial abrasion, no permanent damage was identified. Anti-inflammatory medications were administered to reduce swelling and aid in recovery.

Neo was monitored closely and was discharged later with instructions for supportive care at home, including soft food, pain management, and follow-up monitoring.

05/16/2025

We hope to see you this weekend at the Paws for Prevention Walk! Ocean State Veterinary Specialists is honored to be a part of this event. 🐾

🗓 Date: Saturday, May 17th
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Location: Warwick City Park, Warwick, RI

Our pets have a positive impact on our mental health and well-being. This event is a chance for us to celebrate that and support a worthy cause. By participating and showing support, you can help us break the stigma surrounding mental health and raise awareness that su***de can be prevented.

You can choose from a variety of meaningful ways to participate, support, and create an impact. If you would like to join the OSVS team or donate to the walk, click here -https://supporting.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=364476&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR5IcskL-ZYYpXdtWfJWj3_7jRodwzqoNMCCIk1fPy_eknolH5-Zg6N0wknm5Q_aem_w6ytGwXiOivD6E42-2TRsA

A huge 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨 to our generous sponsors for supporting AFSP-RI Paws for Prevention Dog Walk! Your partnership helps us bring the community together, raise awareness, and fund critical su***de prevention efforts. We’re grateful for your support — we couldn’t do this without you! Veterinary Center
Ocean State Veterinary Specialists VEG ER for Pets
Del Vecchio Farm Royal CaninAFSP-RI

05/16/2025

We’re thrilled to celebrate Dr. Sarah Crain, DVM, MS, DACVIM, who has been nominated for Veterinarian of the Year as part of Trupanion’s Veterinary Appreciation Day™ Awards! 🐾

Dr. Crain has been a compassionate and dedicated Internist at both Ocean State Veterinary Specialists (OSVS) and Bay State Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Services (BSVESS) since January 2018. Her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of pets and the people who love them continues to inspire all of us.

💙 Help us recognize Dr. Crain’s incredible contributions to veterinary medicine by casting your vote here:
vetappreciationday.trupanion.com/vote/OXzfDwiXg/?si=OXzfDwiXg

Let’s show her how much we appreciate everything she does!

05/15/2025

This is us Thursday!

Say hello to Acadia Smith, one of our incredible Customer Service Receptionists in the Emergency Department at OSVS! Acadia joined us nearly six months ago after working as a Veterinary Assistant at a cardiology practice in Virginia, where she wore many hats, managing inventory, coordinating schedules, streamlining workflows, and helping to keep the communication flowing across departments. Now, she brings that same energy and dedication to our ER reception team. Since moving from Virginia, Acadia has been embracing all that Rhode Island has to offer and is especially excited for summer to explore even more.

At OSVS, Acadia plays a key role in supporting both our clients and patients. From phone triage and detailed history-taking to calling STATS and managing paperwork for hospitalizations, she’s often the first friendly face (or voice!) our clients interact with. She also assists during some of the most difficult moments, helping families say goodbye to their beloved pets with compassion, comfort, and care. Working afternoons, she ensures our reception area stays clean, organized, and welcoming. Acadia has found something special at OSVS: a true sense of belonging. She says the support and kindness of her teammates have helped build her confidence and made her feel right at home.

Outside of work, Acadia loves hiking, visiting gardens like the Roger Williams Botanical Center, and decorating her new home. She recently adopted Tulip, a spirited little kitten who beat the odds after being tube-fed as a baby. Tulip is now happily exploring her new home and making Acadia’s life even brighter.

We're so glad you’re part of the OSVS family, Acadia! Your empathy, dedication, and teamwork make such a difference.

05/14/2025

Meet Padiddle, a beloved patient who’s received care from multiple departments at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists! Her story is a great example of the comprehensive and collaborative care we offer through our emergency clinicians and board-certified specialists. Most recently, Padiddle visited our Urgent Care for a painful toenail injury; she has also been seen at OSVS for allergies, vomiting, idiopathic head tremors, enucleation, and diarrhea—all treated with compassion and expertise by our Urgent Care and ER. Earlier this year, in February 2024, Padiddle underwent TPLO surgery on her right leg to help restore mobility and comfort. This was performed by our talented surgeon, Dr. Mark Vardanega, DVM.

From urgent medical concerns to specialized surgery, Padiddle’s care has been a team effort, and we’re honored to be part of her healing journey!

At OSVS, we provide 24/7 Emergency & Critical Care, Urgent Care (8 AM – 4 PM most days), and a full range of specialty services including:

Oncology
Neurology
Ophthalmology
Cardiology
Exotics & Avian
Internal Medicine
Surgery
Digital Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging

We're here whenever you need us. Thank you to Padiddle’s family for trusting us with her care! 💙

05/13/2025

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing clients who take the time to leave feedback and share their experiences on Google, Yelp, and Facebook. Your reviews not only help other pet owners feel confident and supported when choosing OSVS for emergency and specialty care, but they also have a powerful impact on our team. We share your kind words internally to remind our staff how meaningful their work is and how much it's appreciated every single day.

Recently, we received glowing feedback from Scott, whose dog visited our emergency department. Thank you, Scott, for entrusting us and providing thoughtful feedback about your experience. We’re so glad to hear that both you and your dog felt well taken care of!

If you’ve had a positive experience at OSVS, we’d love to hear from you too! Your words mean more than you know. 💙

05/12/2025

Recently, a group of our managers, lead DVMs, and practice managers from Ocean State Veterinary Specialists and Bay State Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Services had the incredible opportunity to attend the UVC Pack Leaders Summit in Chicago!

This inspiring weekend was filled with opportunities to connect, learn, and celebrate our shared commitment to veterinary medicine. From leadership workshops to collaborative discussions, the summit fostered a dynamic space of growth, empowerment, and community.

We’re proud to be part of a network that values progress, supports leadership, and continues to invest in the future of veterinary care. Here's to learning, leading, and the future of veterinary medicine! 💙

05/09/2025

On April 27, the OSVS garden was filled with love and appreciation as Dr. Dave Sweet, VMD, DACVS, was surprised by his family with the dedication of our beautiful new pavilion, installed last fall. The pavilion was a generous gift from Dr. Sweet’s mother, made in honor of Dave’s more than 20 years of dedication to the surgery department at OSVS and in recognition of the hospital that allows him to practice the kind of medicine he values most.

We are incredibly grateful to Mrs. Sweet for this heartfelt donation. It’s already become a favorite spot for clients and staff to enjoy moments of calm and connection, and we know it will continue to be a cherished space for years to come.

Thank you, Dr. Sweet, for your unwavering commitment, and thank you to the Sweet family for this meaningful gift to our OSVS community. 💙

05/08/2025

This is us Thursday!

Meet Michael Brennan, one of our dedicated overnight Technician Assistants at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists! Originally from Connecticut, Michael made his way to Rhode Island thanks to his fiancée, a Rhode Island native. They have been together for 10 years and share a deep love for animals. Their home is full of furry companions! Michael’s journey into veterinary medicine is both inspiring and heartfelt. He studied early childhood development and spent 8 years working in daycare before deciding to follow his lifelong passion: helping animals. He joined OSVS during the pandemic as a Client Service Representative and transitioned into the Technician Assistant role soon after. Now, five years in and a Level 4 TA, Michael is thriving, especially during his overnight shifts, where he shines.

Known for his gentle, compassionate care, Michael takes pride in giving every patient the love they deserve, whether they’re with us for just an hour or heading home to their families. His cautious, thoughtful approach is a reflection of how deeply he understands the bond between pets and their people. Recently, Michael fostered a 3-day-old kitten, helping her grow strong and healthy until she was ready for adoption, an experience that built his confidence and showcased his nurturing spirit. Right now, his beloved 13-year-old Lab/Greyhound mix, Abbie, is hospitalized with IMHA, and Michael’s going through what so many of our clients face. It’s been emotional and difficult, but he’s grateful to be surrounded by a team that cares for Abbie deeply. He knows she is in the best hands.

Outside of work, Michael enjoys hiking, gaming, and spending time with his fiancée and four pets: Leilani the Chihuahua, Hercules and Nezuko the cats, and sweet Abbie. The couple dreams of buying a home—with a catio, of course! —to continue filling it with love (and probably a few more pets). Michael, your compassion, dedication, and empathy make you an invaluable part of the OSVS family. We’re so lucky to have you on our team!