Vinton Veterinary Hospital was started in 1973 by Dr. Jesse Webster, whose passion for animal care led him to start the hospital after several years of working in other locations. He wanted to open a practice based on his own philosophy, which was to provide a Gold Standard of care with American Animal Hospital Association (AHAA) accreditation. He also wanted it to be a teaching environment in which new doctors could receive mentorship. He set up shop in a small strip mall on East Washington Avenue in Vinton, the current location of Valley Hall.
In 1975, Dr. Gerald Buckland joined the practice, adding his own touch to the thriving business. Dr. Buckland had experience working with large animals, and together with Dr. Webster, the two made a really great team.
Webster and Buckland continued operating in the strip mall for an additional four years, but then a building became available, just across the street. It was in 1979 that the doctors and staff moved Vinton Veterinary Hospital to its current location at 1309 East Washington Avenue. It was also in 1979, shortly after the move, that Dr. Kathy Neel joined the practice. This was also the year that Doctor Webster finally obtained the AHAA accreditation he had wanted for his practice. The hospital was growing.
In 2005, Dr. Courtney Wiegard became the youngest member of the already stellar crew. When Dr. Webster retired, she also became the managing veterinarian. Finally, in 2020, Dr. Wiegard completed her journey by becoming owner of the hospital.
Over the years, Vinton Veterinary Hospital has continued to provide Gold Standard care, and they have unwaveringly maintained their AHAA accreditation. They have also officially become a Gold Level, feline-friendly hospital.
The Vinton Veterinary Hospital has 8 doctors and 38 other staff. Pictured is a small selection of their staff. Left to Right: Front Row – Alyce Dantzler, Alex Worthy, Taylor Calhoun, Dr. Shelby Curbow, Solana White Rojas, Taylor Camp and Taylor Knight. Back Row – Bill Cosgrove, Liz Blyskal, Sandy Singleton, Rebekah Hughes, Christie Grimm, Cody Gunter, Sasha Kirk, Dr. Courtney Wiegard, and Heather Reed.
More recently, starting in 2015, they have certified all staff as Fear-free. Fear-free means that everyone at Vinton Vet handles pets in a way that is as fear free as possible. This is to ensure that pets do not fear coming to the vet for future visits. They never pull a pet on a leash, and they tailor each animal’s experience to their needs. They understand the fears, and they interact with the pets in way that reduces those fears. They also provide opportunities for ‘happy visits’, during which a pet comes to visit the vet without any procedures, treatments, or exams. Plenty of treats are shared so the pets learn the office can be a good place to go.
Through it all, the doctors and staff and Vinton Veterinary Hospital have treated the pets and their owners with the same care and compassion they would give their own pets and family.
In 2020, Pet Vet Roanoke joined that family. A boutique hospital located in the Oak Grove area of Southwest County; Pet Vet provides the same excellent level of care as its Vinton Vet partner. They also provide the same personal touch for clients in that area. Both hospitals provide general practice care for small animals, as well as advanced dentistry, endoscopy, acupuncture, and laser therapies.
In late summer of 2022, Vinton Vet plans to break ground on a multi-million-dollar expansion and renovation project to serve the community better. The practice will be expanding into the adjacent building which will house its Specialty Care Services. These will include a state-of-the-art surgery facility, expanded dental and endoscopy services, and a space for expanded exotic animal care.
New surgical equipment and training for doctors will allow for more extensive and complicated surgical offerings. The space will also have a comfort room for those times when end of life procedures must take place. This will allow for a more comfortable and private setting for clients and pets to share their last moments together.
The current hospital will house the general practice appointments, as well as a treatment area to support those appointments. The design includes a separate, cat-only waiting room, as well as cat-only exam rooms. This will help feline patients to remain as stress-free as possible. An updated and refreshed kennel will also add greatly to the boarding experience for customers.
While the staff of the hospital are excited for all the possibilities the expansion and renovation will offer the community and its pets, they are just as excited about a new focus on community outreach. The hospital is proud to announce a new partnership with the Science Museum of Southwest Virginia! In addition to serving as veterinarian for the animals the Museum has added over the past several years, the folks at Vinton Vet will be partnering to provide education for exotic animal ownership. They will also participate in planned events to educate children on careers in the veterinary field.
Another opportunity to educate children on career opportunities is a partnership between the hospitals and several local Boys and Girls Clubs. Visits will be to present information about pets and the path to different veterinary related careers to the students.
The doctors and staff of both hospitals truly care about the pets that they serve, and these community partnerships are a way for the hospitals to give back to the community they love.
With all the exciting things happening at Vinton Vet, it’s hard to pick one thing that shines brighter than its future. The star of this organization, however, is the hospital’s mascot, Louise. Lovely Louise, as she is known, was surrendered to the hospital due to a severe congenital condition with her knees. Louise had surgery on one knee and is doing physical therapy in preparation to have her second knee fixed. Dr. Henry at Peaks View animal Hospital in Lynchburg performed her first surgery for free. The staff at Vinton Vet and Pet Vet decided to do a bake sale to raise funds for her second surgery. Due to the extreme generosity of people all across Roanoke Valley, $5,000 was raised. Whatever money is left over, the hospitals plan to use for other animals in need of surgery who are unable to afford it.
Louise has become a local celebrity, appearing on television and across social media posts including Facebook. She even has her own Instagram account: Lovely.Louise. She is looking forward to becoming a certified therapy dog, serving as outreach from the hospitals to the community.
Whether it is providing routine care, specialty care services, advanced dental care, exotic animal care or providing outreach to the community, the staff at Vinton Veterinary Hospital and Pet Vet Roanoke are committed to giving the best of themselves for the residents of Vinton and the greater Roanoke Valley.
Vinton Veterinary Hospital: a trusted cornerstone of the community, making exciting changes to provide innovative care and outreach to the community while loving each and every one of the pets they see.

Vinton Veterinary Hospital
540-342-7821 • www.VintonVet.com

Pet Vet in Roanoke
540-904-2229 • www.PetVetRoanoke.com