Animal Emergency and Specialty Hospital of Grand Rapids

07/30/2026

This is Brandy, one of our amazing Veterinary Assistants, showing exactly what Fear Free care looks like in action. 🐾

Subcutaneous fluids can be uncomfortable, but a little peanut butter goes a long way. By keeping our patients calm and distracted, we're able to provide the care they need with way less stress.

Small moments like this, a gentle hand, a tasty distraction, and a whole lot of patience, are at the heart of how we treat every pet who walks through our doors.

07/17/2026

🍗💙 Tiny Treats for Tiny Patients 💙🍗

Even in the middle of an emergency visit, it's the little moments that can make a big difference. 🥹

This sweet little kitten enjoyed a chicken sucker while patiently waiting for her turn with our medical team and let's be honest, she absolutely stole our hearts. 🐱💕 Sometimes a tasty distraction and a little extra love are just what our patients need.

Wishing this precious baby a speedy recovery! Thank you to our team for making even the toughest days a little brighter for pets and the people who love them.

07/16/2026

🐩 That feeling when… you thought you found a delicious snack, but it lands you a quick trip to the emergency room. 🤦‍♀️🐾

Meet the beautiful Dolly Sue! This gorgeous standard poodle decided a maxi pad was too tempting to pass up. Knowing that foreign objects can easily cause a dangerous blockage, her family brought her straight to us.

Thankfully, our team was able to use a safe, fast-acting medication to induce vomiting. In no time at all, the "snack" made its return appearance with absolutely no issues, and Dolly Sue was back to feeling like her fabulous self!

We can't help but laugh at her perfect "Well, that backfired..." expression in this photo.

While Dolly Sue's story has a happy (and quick!) ending, ingestion of foreign objects is a very common emergency. If your pet eats something they shouldn't, always call us right away. Acting fast makes all the difference!

We're here for you and your pets 24/7. 💙

Grand Rapids: 616-361-9911
Byron Center: 616-537-1402

RapidsPets

07/15/2026

📚✨ Collaborating for Critically Ill Patients ✨🩺

Last week, we had the absolute pleasure of presenting to the Southwest Michigan Veterinary Medical Association (SWMVMA) at the iconic Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo!

Two of our very own specialists, Dr. Meghan Harmon (board-certified Criticalist) and Dr. Mark Harmon (board-certified Cardiologist), teamed up to deliver an incredibly impactful presentation: "Acute Assessment of the Respiratory Distress Patient."

When a patient arrives struggling to breathe, every second counts. Dr. Meghan Harmon and Dr. Mark Harmon shared their combined expertise on how primary care teams and emergency/specialty teams can collaborate rapidly to stabilize these critical cases, from initial triage and advanced diagnostics to tailored treatment plans.

A huge thank you to the SWMVMA for hosting us, to Bell's Brewery for the fantastic venue, and to all the veterinary professionals who joined us for an evening of learning and community! We love partnering with our referring veterinary community to support the absolute best care for West Michigan’s pets. 💙🐾

07/11/2026

🎉🐾 Last month, our team had the pleasure of celebrating an incredible milestone with the Humane Society of West Michigan at their 143rd Birthday Party & Carnival!

What an amazing day it was! We were surrounded by wonderful people, delicious food, fun activities, and, best of all, so many adorable animals hoping to find their forever families.

Thanks to the incredible support of our West Michigan community, the event was a huge success:
🐶 27 pets found loving homes
💙 Over $56,000 was raised to support animals in need

We're grateful to be part of a community that comes together to make such a meaningful difference for local pets. And if you welcomed a new furry family member into your home: Congratulations! 🐾 We hope your pet enjoys a lifetime of health and happiness. Just remember, if an emergency ever happens, the team at Animal Emergency & Specialty Hospital of Grand Rapids is here for you and your pets 24/7, 365 days a year.

Here's to many more years of supporting our community and the animals we all love! ❤️

07/09/2026

Did you know that both our Grand Rapids and Byron Center locations have a board-certified Criticalist on staff? 🩺✨

Meet Dr. Meghan Harmon, DACVECC! For the past year, Dr. Harmon has been an incredible asset to our hospitals, stepping in to manage our most complex emergency and intensive care cases, including severe trauma, sepsis, and critical illnesses.

Working right alongside Dr. Harmon is her dedicated team of highly trained veterinary emergency nurses, who are uniquely skilled in advanced monitoring and life-saving protocols.

Medical emergencies are incredibly stressful, but Dr. Harmon and her elite team are here 24/7 to provide the highest level of advanced care and give you peace of mind when your beloved pet needs it most. ❤️

We are always here for you and your furry family members, day or night.

📲 If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, please call us ahead of time so our team can prepare for your arrival.

Grand Rapids: 616-361-9911
Byron Center: 616-537-1402

07/08/2026

07/06/2026

🍓 The Cutest Picks in the Patch! 🍓

We may be an emergency and specialty hospital, but today we're celebrating some of the sweetest patients we've had the pleasure of caring for! These adorable strawberry-hat models prove that the cutest picks of the season aren't found in the fields—they're found right here at Animal Emergency and Specialty Hospital. ❤️

Our strawberry patch is full of familiar faces:

🍓 Faraday
🍓 Bogey
🍓 Jasper
🍓 Nellie
🍓 Probert
🍓 Auggie

Each of these precious pets brought their own unique personality, charm, and plenty of smiles to our team. From curious looks to picture-perfect poses, they made it impossible not to fall in love!

Thank you to their wonderful families for allowing us to be part of their care and for sharing these sweet moments with us. We are honored to care for such amazing patients every day.

Who do you think wins the title of Cutest Strawberry in the Patch? 🍓🐾 Share your favorite in the comments below!

❤️ Your friends at Animal Emergency and Specialty Hospital

🍓🐾❤️

07/04/2026

Happy 4th of July! As you celebrate, don't forget to keep your pets safe from fireworks, heat, and holiday hazards. We're here 24/7 if you need us. ❤️🐶🐱