Paws for Wellness A happy and healthy pet starts with a plan!

Check the Chip!

Dog and cat walking togetherCheck the Chip Day is coming up on August 15th! Many pets are microchipped for identification purposes should the pet become lost. But the chip is only as good as the information that it carries.

A microchip is a tiny computer chip (about the size of a grain of rice) that has a unique number. This number is entered into an international database. Ideally, this number has been registered with the owner’s name and contact information, but it may have been registered with the kennel club, or breeder from which the pet was purchased.

Once a microchip is implanted in your pet, it cannot be lost or damaged (very rarely a microchip will migrate), so it is a permanent method of identification – no tags or collars to fall off.

Unfortunately, if a pet owner changes their phone number, email address, or moves; or the pet is rehomed and contact information is not updated, locating the correct and current owner becomes difficult if a pet is lost. When a shelter or animal hospital attempts to contact the owner, they may receive a disconnected number, or a bounced back email.

It is the pet owner’s responsibility to keep the registry informed of any change in contact phone numbers, address, or email addresses, and to ensure that the chip is registered with the current owner.

Check the Chip Day reminds pet owners to contact their veterinarian and make an appointment to have their pet’s microchip scanned. This ensures that the chip is where it is supposed to be; and allows the pet owner or veterinarian to check if the chip is registered to the correct person.

If the pet owner already knows the microchip number, there is free on-line tool available that allows owners to enter the number and find out which database the microchip is associated with. By visiting the corresponding database website, a pet owner can check the registered contact information and update it if necessary. The website for North American microchip registries is: http://www.petmicrochiplookup.org/(in the UK, the website is http://www.check-a-chip.co.uk/ and in Australia, the website is http://www.petaddress.com.au/).

If your pet isn’t already microchipped or you aren’t sure if he/she is microchipped, consider making an appointment with your veterinarian to have a microchip implanted today! Don’t forget to Check the Chip this August 15th!

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    Our hospital is a 6,000 sq ft facility with a large kennel, grooming room, treatment area, and more to best serve our patients.

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    We value the human-animal bond and strive to provide premium, loving care for your pet's unique needs.

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Meet Our Team

  • Dr. Laura  Neuhaus (Raiff) Photo
    Dr. Laura Neuhaus (Raiff)

    Veterinarian

    Dr. Laura Neuhaus is a graduate of the University of Missouri - College of Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation, she completed an emergency and specialty medicine internship at VCA Emergency Animal Hospital and Referral Center in San Diego. She enjoys ophthalmology and has a special interest in avian medicine. Her hobbies include gardening, hiking, and spending time outdoors. She is the proud parent of a cat and 2 parrotlets.
  • Dr. Mitchell  Meyerhoeffer Photo
    Dr. Mitchell Meyerhoeffer

    Veterinarian

    A Virginia native, Dr. Mitchell Meyerhoeffer (Dr. M is fine!) started his career in the veterinary field in high school at Chesterfield Technical Center's veterinary science program. He completed his undergraduate degree in Biology at Virginia Commonwealth University while working as a veterinary assistant in a specialty and emergency hospital. Dr. M then completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine training at Virginia Tech, enjoying the hiking and outdoor scenery in Blacksburg when he could ...
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    Beth

    Veterinary Technician

    Beth joined the GAH staff in April 2010. Originally from Maryland, she now lives in the Gloucester area. She has been working as a Licensed Veterinary Technician since graduating from Blue Ridge Community College in 1989. Away from work, she enjoys reading and working her dogs in obedience and agility classes. She has two dogs, three cats, four ferrets and three reptiles.
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    Becca

    Veterinary Assistant

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    Cheyenne

    Veterinary Assistant

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    Zyiah

    Veterinary Assistant

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    Tomas

    Veterinary Assistant

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    Emily

    Veterinary Assistant

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    Mary

    Treatment Team Lead

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    Felicia

    Kennel Care Team Lead

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    Alex

    Kennel Care Team

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    Brittany

    Kennel Care Team

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    Morgan

    Kennel Care Team

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    Sophia

    Kennel Care Team

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  • Aidan   Photo
    Aidan

    Professional Groomer

    I'm Aidan, and I'm not your typical groomer. I'm a passionate animal lover with a heart full of love for our furry friends. Every day, I get the incredible opportunity to work my magic as a groomer at the renowned Grafton Animal Hospital. I can't express just how much I adore what I do. It's not just a job; it's a calling. I find immense joy in transforming your beloved pets into the best versions of themselves. Whether it's a shaggy dog that needs a fresh haircut, a cat in need of a spa day, or ...
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    Potato

    Grooming Manager

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    Tracy

    Practice Manager

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    Kourtney

    Receptionist

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    April

    Receptionist

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    Brianna

    Receptionist

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    Heather

    Receptionist

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  • Ricky   Photo
    Ricky

    Front Desk Supervisor

    Ricky came to Grafton Animal Hospital in April of 2011. He was a little shy at first, but once he became more comfortable with us, he became one of the team. Ricky is a Congo African Grey Parrot. We think he is around 10 years old, but no one is sure. He will sometimes put on a show of whistling, talking, singing and dancing, and imitating sounds like telephones and coughing. Visit our Facebook page for an opportunity to see Ricky in action.
  • Lucy   Photo
    Lucy

    Staff Meeting Coordinator

    Lucy joined the Grafton Animal Hospital reception team as the new Noisemaker bird in September 2016. After losing our long-time mascot, Croaker, earlier that year, we learned of a young Quaker parrot available for adoption at the Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter and decided she might be a good fit for the clinic. Lucy quickly made herself at home and before long, she was showing the staff who was really in charge. She is generally pretty friendly, so you will often see the staff holding her. ...
  • Daisy & Duke   Photo
    Daisy & Duke

    Staff Meeting Coordinators

    Daisy and Duke joined the GAH team in June of 2009. They were stray kittens that needed a home, and Squeaks was in need of a brother or sister. After some convincing, we were able to keep both. If you haven’t seen our kittens roaming the clinic, it’s because they are still learning their way around. For now, they are great morale boosters that keep us entertained during our staff meetings.
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