While caring for a pet is incredibly rewarding, there’s also a whole lot of work involved from the very moment you decide to bring him into your life. With monthly checkups at the vet to biweekly stops at the neighborhood groomer, there are many aspects to consider when it comes to best care practices. Plus, it’s hard to navigate which facilities fit the needs of your pet.
Come 2020, there will be a one-stop shop for everything from basic grooming to a human-grade surgery suite in Heart + Paw, a new concept opening early next year in Ballston Quarter.
While the idea for the multifaceted business was first announced over a year-and-a-half ago by Pennsylvania-based founders Vincent Bradley, Teresa Fox and Dr. George Melillo, the first location officially opened in June, 2019 in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, followed by two other storefronts nearby. The company has plans to expand into Maryland and Virginia in 2020, as well as other states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
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“There’s a clear shift happening where pets are not just animals in our homes, they’re members of the family,” says Natasha Michalowsky, vice president of marketing for Heart + Paw. “We realized there was nowhere that served all the aspects of a healthy pet—from socialization to surgery—all in an elevated environment.”
Services available include low-stress health exams, exams designed specifically for cats, surgical procedures in a human-grade surgery suite, day care services, grooming and more.
The interior of every Heart + Paw location is minimalistic with a natural look of dark green and white, reflective of the company’s overall goal to offer comprehensive wellness for all animals. Plus, the space includes synthetic grass designed specifically for dogs both indoors and outdoors in the courtyard, a designated waiting and exam room just for cats, water fountains to keep pets hydrated, soft seating in the courtyard to create an “at home” experience and more.
There’s even something for owners too. The courtyard is designed for pet parents to relax while their pet is having a procedure, with things like a coffee and water bar, work spaces equipped with charging stations and viewing areas into the grooming and day care facilities.
“We’re focused on creating a low-stress environment for pets so that coming to one of our centers doesn’t become a signal for something scary happening to them like a traditional vet,” says Michalowsky. “Our team brings decades of experience at other pet companies, so we were able to bring our expertise together with our commitment to reimagining the potential of pet care to create something truly different.”
While there is no date set for when Heart + Paw will open in Ballston Quarter, Michalowsky hinted at an early 2020 opening. // 4238 Wilson Blvd., Suite 2220, Arlington
