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DESTREHAN — After 34 years of serving the community from a cozy clinic, Destrehan Animal Hospital is moving to a spacious new home at 13524 River Road in Destrehan.

Located just a mile down the road inside the old Capital One in Destrehan, the 5,000 square foot facility is more than double the size of the current office. Manager Danielle Sutton said the move will allow for better customer service, decreased wait times, and expanded services including dental x-rays and ultrasounds.

Staff is expected to be in the new building by the end of December 2023. The Destrehan Animal Hospital team recently dressed in construction gear to celebrate the start of renovations at the new facility, ushering in a paw-some new era for the community-oriented business.

Destrehan Animal Hospital was established in 1989 by Dr. Jack A. Moreau to care for small animals including dogs, cats and the occasional rabbit and guinea pig. The staff initially consisted of one doctor, one receptionist, and two technicians, without any in-house technology. Clients’ info was written on small blue cards and stored in a file cabinet.

The Destrehan Animal Hospital staff has expanded just as rapidly as technology over the years. Dr. Moreau officially retired this month after 34 years of dedicated service, leaving care of the community’s beloved pets in the capable hands of Dr. Gina Goodier, Dr. Raymond Bourgeois, Dr. Alexander Carter, and the facility’s newest veterinarian, Dr. Bailey Clouatre.

“We started out with one vet and three employees. Now we have four doctors and 14 employees, and we’ve run out of space here,” Sutton said. “We are in a small building. It’s too small of a space for the clients up front, and there isn’t enough parking space. We currently only have two exam rooms. Moving to this new building will give us more opportunities. With more space, there will be less waiting for appointments, and we will have more available for the community. It’s going to be a big benefit for everybody.”

Destrehan Animal Hospital’s services include baths, boarding, vaccinations, wellness checks, spay/neuter surgeries, dental cleanings and more.

Business hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. For more information, call 985-764-0001.