Today we’d like to introduce you to Caleigh Garcia, Rick Garcia.
Caleigh, Rick, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
“Well, its two stories in one really. I was born and raised in Ohio and was raised with the vision that anything is possible if you’re willing to work hard enough for it. Rick (my husband) was raised in Miami, Florida and was also taught to always do the right thing- which shows in how he practices medicine and treats people. He acquired his Bachelor’s degree from The University of Miami and then graduated from a prestigious vet school in England, to become a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
We both share the same core wholesome values and love of life, so when we met over a decade ago, it was an instant connection. At that time, I was a photographer and Rick had his mobile vet practice that he built completely on his own. He’s your ideal doctor who is genuinely honest, makes house calls, loves to educate his clients and staff and gets joy out of helping people with their pets.
Fast forward to May 2015, at that time we’ve been married for 5 years and already had 2 kids under 4 years old. I had become an established internationally published photographer and Rick had outgrown his mobile vet practice. After many talks and some praying, he turned to me one day and said, “I think it’s time, we need to open a brick and mortar hospital so I can accommodate everyone”… that very month I went on a hiatus from my photography to dedicate all my efforts and time to help my husband with the load of finding a location and building a state of the art veterinary hospital. We found a location and it took one and a half years of zoning, permitting, architectural design, demolition, all new power to accommodate our medical equipment, all new plumbing, literally floor to ceiling overhaul. I designed the hospital to look, feel and smell like home. A nice home you’d walk into and want to live in it! It’s warm, inviting, clean and modern. The lobby is a comfy living room, the reception desk? Feels like a kitchen, and each exam room feels like a relaxing den including dog beds and couches.
By April 2017, it was finally the Grand Opening Day of Paws & Claws Veterinary Hospital! After a few more months of hard work we finished and opened our pet resort, The Sit & Stay. The whole resort space is meant to be a complete retreat for pets. Our Spa, is run like a luxury spa for people. The pets get a full body massage, blueberry facial, nails, ears, full grooming, all to the standard of Dog and Cat show quality. The pets are treated like children. They are living beings that have emotion, so we take care of more than just their physical well-being. We want each pet to go home happy and relaxed eager to return back to the resort & spa.
Has it been a smooth road?
Obstacles? Yes, it felt like there was a roadblock and speed bump every mile we drove. The zoning and permitting took a lot of time. I was at the city almost every day for 8-10 months straight. During construction, we had our “home base” which was a trailer and storage bins in the parking lot where we parked our mobile hospital RV, stored supplies and performed our office work. Our clients were so understanding of the tight quarters and loved that we were working toward something amazing.
As for challenges, we found out we were pregnant with our third child right before we started demolition. Yes, we built a hospital while pregnant and gave birth as the flooring was getting installed. Just a few hours after delivery, while our newborn slept in my husband’s arms, I was on the phone with the contractor. Our third child was a welcome blessing to our lives and we are so excited to have our family of five now complete. The challenge comes in with the juggling act of being parents of 3 small children under 4 years of age, operating a busy mobile veterinary clinic, expanding by building a state of the art hospital and building a pet resort and spa we would desire for our own pets.
We were handed a very loaded plate to perform a balancing act, and somehow we seem to be doing a pretty good job so far. We try to dedicate enough time to be there for our children to ensure a happy and balanced upbringing, and also be there to save lives and make sure every client is taken care of.
My husband is the hardest working man I know, it’s not uncommon for him to perform an emergency surgery that’ll go into the wee hours of the night. The kids understand that sometimes they have to say goodnight to their daddy via Facetime, but his reward is knowing that the pet being treated is going to be ok and to ensure the pet’s owners can sleep soundly at night. He gets satisfaction by doing the right thing even though it meant working late. He’s the best father and husband I could ask for and it’s so inspiring to see him in surgery, a problem solver in his element, taking each elegant step closer to fixing a complicated ailment that lays before him, it’s quite something to watch.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Paws & Claws Veterinary Hospital & Mobile Vet / The Sit & Stay Pet Resort & Spa story. Tell us more about the business.
We are a Veterinary Hospital and a Pet Resort and Spa. The Hospital side is a place for everything from ear infections and vaccines to orthopedic and soft tissue surgeries. Its state of the art with multiple surgical suites, a full lab, endoscopy, digital x-ray and ultrasound, beautiful exam rooms and it’s equipped with a staff that feels like family. And yes, we still do house calls in our twenty-six foot RV which is outfitted and built to be a fully loaded mobile hospital.
We literally pull up to your curb and your pet receives the medical attention they need without the stressful car ride and no waiting in a lobby! It’s very convenient and a comfort for those that don’t travel well.
Then there’s the pet resort… a tranquil setting that helps your pet recharge while experiencing a balanced environment. We offer aromatherapy, soothing music, water fountains with fresh water to double as drinking fountains, the indoor daycare is a large living room complete with a couch and fire place. Outside, our play yard is 3000 sq. ft. of grass, trees, climbing rocks and fresh water at every turn. If a pet is acting timid or shows any sign of an unbalance, we try to work with them. Pets need mental stimulation as much as they need physical exercise. In Daycare, to help ensure they get the most out of their day with us, we will make obstacle courses, work on basic commands (Sit, Stay, Lay down…) and offer a good game of fetch or go swimming! We let the pet decide what the activity will be based on interest. As for boarding, we like to think of it more of a hotel stay. They are guests who deserve a good experience in an inviting atmosphere. We have many sized suites for different temperament types and breed sizes, we have constant aromatherapy, soothing music, trickling water from the water fountains, fresh water for drinking, 24hour supervision/maid and linen service to ensure their well-being, safety, and comfort and if the parents say it’s ok they can have a toy to chew, bedtime snuggles, treats and even a visit to the spa…
Speaking of the spa, it is quite cute to see the pet before they go in for the first time and then when they come out, it really is a transformation into a new pet! The pet will arrive unsure, maybe scared or curious, then moments later I’ll peek my head in and there they are in the tub, lathered up, eyes closed as they calmly and quietly enjoy a full body massage and blueberry facial. By the time they’re done getting their hair blow dried by hand, they come out excited, full of energy as if they were truly a new pet! We are true pet lovers here, everyone who works here sees all pets as if they were children, and their needs are met as if they were too.
Contact Info:
- Address: 23210 Ventura Blvd.
Woodland Hills, CA 91364 - Website: www.PCMvet.com and www.SSpetResort.com
- Phone: 818-346-PETS(7387) or 818-940-4063
- Email: [email protected] and [email protected]
- Instagram: paws.claws.vet.hosp and sspetresort
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PawsAndClawsMobileVet and https://www.facebook.com/TheSitandStayPetResortandSpa/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/paws-and-claws-veterinary-hospital-and-mobile-vet-woodland-hills and https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-sit-and-stay-pet-resort-and-spa-woodland-hills
Image Credit:
Caleigh Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
