Banfield Pet Hospital to open 1st branch in San Patricio
Dr. Rhemuel Valcarcel, chief of staff at Banfield Pet Hospital of San Patricio, provides care at the Punta Santiago Community Clinic during a week of volunteering.
Portland, Ore.-based Banfield Pet Hospital, considered one of the world’s largest veterinary practices, announced the opening of its first Puerto Rico location, in the San Patricio sector of Guaynabo. The new hospital is located inside PetSmart and will open in February 2014.
Offering preventive care services that include twice-annual comprehensive examinations, nutrition counseling, dental cleanings and surgery, Guaynabo-area pet owners will have a one-stop shop to care for their pets while keeping them healthy with high-quality veterinary care.
“We are thrilled to open our first hospital in Puerto Rico and look forward to assisting local pet owners in the Guaynabo area by providing quality veterinary care for their pets,” said Dr. Rhemuel Valcarcel, chief of staff at the San Patricio hospital. “At Banfield, we are committed to working in partnership with our clients so we can deliver the best quality care to their pets to keep them happy and healthy throughout their lifetime.”
Valcarcel, a San Juan native who joined Banfield Pet Hospital in 2005, moved back to Puerto Rico with his wife, Dr. Sonia Cajigas, also a Banfield veterinarian and a native of Aguada. The San Patricio hospital will have a total staff of nine associates, all from Puerto Rico.
A second hospital, also in the metropolitan area, is planned to open in the first quarter of 2014. Banfield will offer its pet healthcare programs like its Optimum Wellness Plans, which include: unlimited free office visits, comprehensive physical examinations, routinely recommended vaccines and early screening for serious illness. Clients can spread the cost of their wellness plan across 12 months, making it easier to budget for the essential health care their pet needs.
