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Animal Emergency Hospital of Grand Rapids

Dog on Vet table with Vet

About Us

Dr. Brink holding a dog

Our Mission

At Animal Emergency and Specialty Hospital, we are dedicated to working collaboratively with referring veterinarians, clients, and each other to be the preferred provider of emergency and critical care in West Michigan. We understand how difficult it can be when your beloved pet isn’t feeling well and you’re unable to see your regular veterinarian. For over 30 years, we have been committed to supporting veterinarians in delivering comprehensive care, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Our highly skilled team of veterinarians, technicians, and assistants is always prepared to provide compassionate care when your pet experiences an unexpected illness or injury. Whether your pet stays with us for hours or days, we strive to make their experience as comfortable as possible.

Our Team

We proudly serve pet owners across West Michigan, from Grand Rapids to Holland, Grand Haven to Muskegon, Newaygo to Ionia, Wayland, Byron Center, Kalamazoo, Portage, Battle Creek, and everywhere in between.

Staff member examining a guinea pig

Species Served

We provide emergency and urgent care for small animals, including most exotic pets.

Common Household Pets:

  • Dogs, Cats

Exotic Pets:

  • Avian: Birds

  • Mammals: Rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, chinchillas, sugar gliders, rats, hamsters, gerbils, hedgehogs, pot-bellied pigs

  • Reptiles: Lizards, snakes

Please call us if your pet is not on this list. Small exotic pets can become critical more quickly, so contact us right away if your pet is not acting normally.

Hospital Features:

  • 24 Hour Emergency & Critical Care

  • Separate feline specific waiting area and hospitalization ward

  • Separate avian and exotics hospitalization ward

  • Conference center for continuing education and community events

  • Dedicated glass enclosed critical care/ICU suite

  • State-of-the-art surgery center with 3 operating rooms

  • Advanced on-site-diagnostics including Ultrasound and CT

  • Fully equipped 24-hour diagnostic laboratory

  • Independent GI & Respiratory isolation wards

  • Outdoor greenspace with covered pavilion

  • Board-certified specialty services at our Byron Center location

The Animal Emergency and Specialty Hospital Team is RECOVER Rescuer Certified!

At Animal Emergency and Specialty Hospital, we are committed to providing the highest standard of emergency care for our patients, and that means being prepared for even the most critical moments. That’s why our team members are trained through the RECOVER Initiative, the only standardized, evidence-based CPR program for dogs and cats.

Staff During RECOVER Training

RECOVER (Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation) certification is divided into two parts:

  • Basic Life Support (BLS), which focuses on recognizing cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA), delivering effective chest compressions, mouth-to-snout or intubated ventilation, and adhering to the CPR 2-minute cycle.

  • Advanced Life Support (ALS), which covers the full RECOVER algorithm, including ECG and ETCO₂ monitoring, rhythm diagnosis, defibrillation, and emergency drug administration.

Training includes both an online course and in-person simulation labs using CPR mannequins and team-based emergency scenarios. It also emphasizes feedback techniques and closed-loop communication to sharpen team performance under pressure.

RECOVER in action:

Read Piper’s story, a powerful example of how RECOVER training helped save a life.

Learn more about the RECOVER Initiative here: https://recoverinitiative.org

Why does this matter?

In an emergency hospital setting, every second counts. Having a team of doctors, licensed technicians, and veterinary assistants trained in RECOVER protocols ensures we can respond immediately and effectively when a patient experiences cardiopulmonary arrest. This training directly supports our mission to deliver exceptional, life-saving care when pets need it most.

Fear Free Certified Professionals

Small Dog Hugging Large Brown Dog Outside

At Animal Emergency and Specialty Hospital, we are proud to have Fear Free Certified Professionals on our team!

The Fear Free program is designed to help veterinary professionals reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in pets, making their visits as comfortable and positive as possible.

To become certified, team members must complete a comprehensive online training program focused on emotional well-being, enrichment, and reducing fear-based responses in pets. Certified professionals are also required to complete continuing education and recertify annually to stay up to date with the latest techniques and strategies.

We believe that delivering exceptional medical care includes caring for our patients’ emotional health. Whether a pet is here for an emergency or specialty visit, our Fear Free approach helps us provide a calmer, safer experience for pets and their people.

Learn more about Fear Free here: https://fearfreepets.com/

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