Our Company Culture is Focused on Excellence and Empowerment
We strive to create a company culture of support, collaboration, and compassion for others. Our mission is to helping people, pets and planet become healthy, happy, and healed. To further this mission, we focus on providing high-quality medical and surgical care for companion animals well within their family’s physical, emotional, and financial capabilities. Further, we aim to deliver this high level of care within a professional, compassionate environment and to serve as a place of hope, healing, and long-term partnerships with people and their cherished pets.
How Do We Do It?
We Offer a Complete Spectrum of Care.
We provide general medicine for your dog or cat’s unique needs, 24/7 emergency services for urgent health problems, and innovative specialty services for complex medical issues. We do all this within your budget--without compromising our exceptionally high standards.
We Take a Creative Approach to Getting Your Pet the Care They Need.
We think outside the box to help your beloved four-legged family members, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. Whether through reaching out to a network of specialists or trying a different combination of treatments, we’re always looking for ways to deliver better, safer, and more effective treatments for your pet.
We’re Committed to
5-Star Service.
If you come to us with a problem, we’ll explore every option and do whatever we can to resolve it, while also helping you and your pet feel more at ease. With compassion, dedication, and perseverance, we aim to make their life healthier and happier than it was the day before, and to make you the best pet parent to your loving companion.
The VHA Philosophy--
in Dr. Nation’s Words
Our Core Values
Compassion.
Here at VHA, our culture is built on heartfelt compassion for our patients and their families. It matters not how much we know, unless you first know how much we care. That’s the VHA way.
Integrity.
We live and work by a code of high ethical standards, and hold ourselves accountable to deliver nothing less than the very best care to our patients and clients.
Communication.
Clear communication is the foundation of our success. Our communication channels enable us to partner with our clients, referring veterinarians, and fellow team members with ease. We listen, ask questions, explain, educate, and make sure there is understanding.
Excellence.
Excellence is inherent in every aspect of VHA, from our exceptional and highly-trained staff to our incredible medical facilities. We’re leaders in the veterinary community and are committed to advancing veterinary medicine on all levels.
Teamwork.
At VHA we’re not just a team; we’re a family. This family is built on the fundamental trust that each of us is here for the right reasons. We know that each team member is equally valuable, and that together, we can create an exceptional veterinary experience for all our clients. And we always have fun!
Empowerment.
Our team members are the bricks and mortar of our practice. Together we foster creativity, leadership, and personal growth, which helps to promote a sense of contribution and fulfillment.
VHA’s History
Veterinary Healthcare Associates in Winter Haven, FL, was established over 30 years ago as Maxwell Animal Clinic by Dr. John Maxwell. Maxwell Animal Clinic was a one-doctor general practice offering preventive care, dentistry, and standard surgical services to the community. As the years passed, Maxwell Animal Clinic evolved into a thriving 10-doctor general, specialty referral, and emergency veterinary practice.
Dr. Maxwell mentored Dr. Loren Nations, who is now the owner of Veterinary Healthcare Associates. Dr. Nations is devoted to family and pets and believes they're truly one and the same. Working side by side with Dr. Maxwell, he learned that you could help people in numerous ways by helping their pets. This motivated Dr. Nations to obtain specialty board certification in canine and feline practice in 1999.
Making Our Community a Better Place
Veterinary Healthcare Associates engages in community outreach through VHA Cares. Our hospital serves as the clinical lab site for Polk State College paramedic students every summer to help them learn intubation techniques. Additionally, Dr. Nations established a Support Fund to help care for special cases and provide services at no cost (with the exception of medical supplies and certain treatments).
