New Veterinary Specialty Hospital Opens as Jacksonville's Pet Care Needs Continue to Grow

As more families in Northeast Florida welcome pets into their homes, demand for specialized and emergency veterinary care has steadily increased. On July 13, a new hospital aims to help meet that need while entering an increasingly competitive landscape for advanced animal healthcare.

Arista Advanced Pet Care, a veterinarian-founded company specializing in emergency and referral medicine, will open its third hospital in Jacksonville at 2220 County Road 210 W. in St. Johns County. The 24-hour facility will provide emergency treatment, surgery, internal medicine, advanced diagnostics and critical care for pets requiring services beyond those typically available at a primary veterinary clinic.

The opening comes at a time when many veterinary practices nationwide continue to report high demand for specialty services, longer wait times and ongoing workforce shortages. Industry groups have pointed to a growing pet population, advances in veterinary medicine and increased expectations from pet owners as factors driving the need for expanded specialty care.

For Jacksonville-area pet owners, another emergency hospital could mean shorter travel distances and faster access to board-certified specialists during medical emergencies.

"Jacksonville is a market where we saw an opportunity to make a meaningful impact for both pet families and the veterinary community," said Dr. Jennifer Welser, president of Arista Advanced Pet Care. She said the company's goal is to strengthen relationships with referring veterinarians while providing around-the-clock specialty services.

The hospital will feature a team of specialists in emergency and critical care, internal medicine and surgery. Among them are Dr. Rebecca Gelé, a board-certified emergency and critical care specialist; Dr. Rachel Corlett, an emergency veterinarian; Dr. Krysta Deitz, an internal medicine specialist; and Dr. Lauren Pugliese, a board-certified surgeon.

Unlike many general veterinary clinics, referral hospitals typically work in partnership with primary care veterinarians, treating complex cases before returning patients to their family veterinarian for ongoing care. Arista says its Care Navigator program is designed to help coordinate communication between specialists, primary veterinarians and pet owners throughout treatment.

Still, expanded access does not necessarily resolve one of the biggest concerns facing pet owners: affordability.

Specialty veterinary care often involves advanced imaging, surgery or intensive care that can cost thousands of dollars. While hospitals such as Arista increase access to these services, many families continue to face difficult financial decisions when pets experience serious illnesses or injuries. Veterinary professionals across the country have also grappled with balancing rising operational costs against keeping care accessible.

Another challenge is staffing. The veterinary profession continues to face shortages of veterinarians, technicians and support staff, particularly in emergency medicine. New facilities compete for experienced clinicians while also expanding the number of available appointments and emergency services in growing communities.

Arista officials say their veterinarian ownership model is intended to help recruit and retain specialists by allowing doctors to have an ownership stake in the hospitals where they practice. The company believes that structure can support long-term stability while giving veterinarians greater influence over clinical decision-making.

The Jacksonville location becomes Arista's third hospital, joining facilities in the Dallas and Atlanta metropolitan areas. The company says it plans continued expansion as demand for specialty veterinary services grows.

For pet owners, the addition offers another option when emergencies arise—particularly after regular business hours, when choices may be limited. For the broader veterinary community, the hospital represents another investment in specialty medicine during a period of significant change for the profession.

Whether the new hospital eases pressure on existing emergency clinics, improves access to advanced treatment and attracts veterinary talent will likely become clearer as it begins serving patients later this summer.