Our Story
River Road Animal Hospital began at the end of 2006 - not as a polished expansion plan, but as an opportunity to serve a community that needed consistent, high-quality veterinary care.
The practice had been opened just ten months earlier by another veterinarian who ultimately chose a different path. When the opportunity to purchase the clinic arose, we took a leap of faith. At the time, the hospital consisted of one veterinarian, one staff member, and a lot of potential.
For the first several years, River Road Animal Hospital was a solo doctor practice, built day by day through long hours, word of mouth, and a commitment to doing right by pets and their people. As the community grew and needs expanded, so did we - first adding a part-time doctor, then steadily building into the multi-doctor hospital we are today.
Today, more than a decade later, River Road Animal Hospital is home to three full-time veterinarians and a dedicated team of approximately fifteen staff members. Together, we provide thoughtful, progressive care in a beautiful but geographically spread-out coastal community.
The Story Behind Our Logo
People often ask about our logo—and once you know the story, it makes perfect sense. When River Road Animal Hospital first opened, our logo was a simple sailboat. It worked well enough, but it didn’t really say anything about who we were. Like many coastal communities, we were surrounded by anchors, waves, and nautical imagery—and none of it felt particularly meaningful or distinctive.
We knew we wanted something different. Something a little unexpected. Something that reflected the fact that while we take medicine seriously, we don’t take ourselves too seriously.
Living near the coast, a flip flop felt like a natural symbol—but integrating it into a logo proved harder than expected. One early attempt involved a paw wearing a flip flop… which ended up looking less “veterinary” and more like a strange Star Trek insignia. That idea was quickly retired.
During a marketing meeting, someone suggested the logo should be personal. That comment stuck.
It sent me thinking about images that had meaning—not just to the hospital, but to me. Around the dawn of the internet, there was a now-famous image of a bunny calmly balancing a pancake on its head. My sister and I used to send it back and forth endlessly. It was funny, oddly comforting, and delightfully absurd. The message was simple: this doesn’t need to make sense to be wonderful.
That’s when it clicked. A bunny didn’t make sense for us—we don’t see many rabbits—but my dog did. Pig Dog, a sweet, tolerant Staffordshire Bull Terrier, happened to be lying on the floor nearby. On a whim, I placed a flip flop on his head and took a picture. He didn’t move.
I sketched the image, sent it to a graphic designer along with our early slogan—“We’re a little different”—and somehow, improbably, our logo was born.
A dog.
A flip flop.
A little weird.
Completely us.
What It Means to Us
Our logo is a reminder that veterinary medicine doesn’t have to be cold or cookie-cutter to be excellent. It reflects our belief that compassion, curiosity, humor, and individuality all have a place in great care.
It also reminds us to stay grounded, approachable, and human—no matter how advanced our medicine becomes.
And yes… it still makes people smile. Which feels exactly right.
Serious care. Thoughtful medicine. A little flip flop on the head.
Who We Are
River Road Animal Hospital is proudly independent, woman-owned, and veteran-owned. We believe diversity strengthens teams, perspectives, and care. We strive to create a welcoming environment for clients and staff from all backgrounds, and we value curiosity, respect, and lifelong learning.
Get to know us what makes our hospital different.
Growing With Our Community
Because specialty veterinary care can be difficult to access in our area, we’ve made a deliberate choice to expand what we offer in-house whenever possible. Our goal has always been to close gaps in care - so pets can receive advanced diagnostics, treatment, and ongoing management without unnecessary travel or disruption.
We are deeply committed to continuing education - not only for our doctors and team, but for our clients as well. We believe informed pet owners are empowered partners in care, and education is central to better outcomes. Explore our advanced services or ask us how we help pet owners stay informed and involved in their pet’s care.
Looking Ahead
River Road Animal Hospital is currently building a new facility following two devastating floods - Hurricane Florence in 2018 and PTC 8 in 2024. Rather than scaling back, we chose to reinvest in our community and build for the future. Our new hospital will be more than twice the size of our current space, expanding from three to nine exam rooms. This growth will allow us to provide more timely care, reduce wait times, and better serve the needs of our growing coastal community.
The new facility is designed with the future in mind, creating space for rehabilitation and physical therapy services and, eventually, advanced CT imaging - bringing even more specialty-level care closer to home.
Preventive Care for Pets You Love - Because They Deserve a Lifetime of Health
Progressive Veterinary Care, Longer Visits, and Local Advanced Services in Southport, NC
Community Matters Here
Being part of this community means more to us than providing medical care. We believe in showing up, giving back, and supporting the people and organizations that make this area special.
Over the years, we’ve been proud to support and participate in the local Chamber of Commerce, the North Carolina 4th of July Festival, beach clean-up efforts, Oak Island Loggerheads conservation, our local NPR station, and many other local organizations and causes.
See how we stay connected to our community, or ask us about local partnerships we support.
Why Independent Matters to Us
Being independent allows us to make decisions based on what’s best for pets and families - not corporate policies or quotas.
It means the freedom to practice medicine thoughtfully and ethically, the ability to invest in advanced care and continuing education, long term relationships with clients who know and trust us, and a hospital culture shaped by values rather than spreadsheets.
Independence allows us to stay curious, adaptable, and deeply connected to our community - while always putting patient care first.
Why This Matters
Rebuilding isn’t just about space - it’s about access.
By investing in a larger, more resilient hospital, we’re ensuring faster, more efficient care for pets, expanded services without long-distance travel, a facility built to withstand the realities of coastal living, and a long-term commitment to the community we serve.
This is our home, and we’re here for the long run.
Whether you’re a long-time client or new to our hospital, we invite you to be part of our story. Contact us today to schedule a visit or learn more about how we care for pets and the community we love.