The new-look Friendship Hospital for Animals offers at least two veterinarians on-site 24 hours a day, a CT scan machine big enough for a human and an underwater treadmill for dogs in rehab.
It’s a long way from the veterinary clinic in Tenleytown, D.C., that hospital director Peter Glassman first stepped into in 1978.
“More and more, pet owners are aware of this sort of different level of care,” Glassman said.
The 24-hour emergency care, rehabilitation division and CT scan machines are all part of Friendship Hospital’s $5 million expansion and renovation project that was completed last month.
The project brought a second floor to the building on Brandywine Street and a reconfigured first floor that now holds an intensive care unit, dermatologist’s office and oncology department where dogs can be given chemotherapy treatments.
Long a place where local pet owners could go to for primary care, the hospital now offers that plus on-staff neurologists, a rehabilitation practitioner and specialty surgeons as well as around-the-clock critical care.
“That’s what we mean when we say comprehensive care,” Glassman said. “It’s a huge advantage for the consumer, because they can come to the same hospital where they get their primary care, where they’re used to getting their shots. There’s a comfort level.”
The hospital, which has 25,000 active clients whose pets have been seen in the past two years, is one of a few around the country that offers such a range of services.
A client waits Monday at the Friendship Hospital for Animals. Credit: Aaron Kraut
Examination rooms at the hospital feature photos of staff members with their pets. Credit: Aaron Kraut
CT scan equipment at the expanded Friendship Hospital for Animals. Credit: Friendship Hospital for Animals
Glassman, who took over the practice in 1982, said the expansion was a long time in the making. The hospital considered moving to a bigger space, but opted to apply for building variances at its existing location.
Now, instead of referring clients to specialists in regional centers in Gaithersburg, Prince George’s County or Springfield, Virginia, Friendship clients can stay close to home.
“We really like to think of this as a local community resource,” Glassman said. “It doesn’t make sense for somebody from Bethesda to have to travel to Gaithersburg to have an MRI, or have a CT scan or see a neurologist.”
Despite the increased level of service, the 175 staff members and 45 doctors, Glassman said he still sees Friendship Hospital as a neighborhood facility.
Glassman’s son Mathieu is in charge of orthopedic and soft tissue specialty surgery at the hospital. During a tour of the facility Monday, Mathieu Glassman was examining Willie, his father’s English cocker spaniel.
On Sunday, the hospital will host an open-to-the-public block party to celebrate the completed expansion.
“It’s a significant commitment on our part,” Glassman said of the project, “but we think D.C., Bethesda and Chevy Chase deserves a resource like this.”
The new lobby at Friendship Hospital for Animals. Credit: Friendship Hospital for Animals
Operating room on the new second floor of the expanded Friendship Hospital for Animals. Credit: Friendship Hospital for Animals
A rehabilitation treadmill that fills up with water. Credit: Aaron Kraut
