Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Veterinarians in Bel Air, MD
Founded in 1945, Bel Air Veterinary Hospital has been providing exceptional veterinary care to pets in Harford County for over 70 years. Our philosophy, established by Dr. Richard Cook, emphasizes client education and involvement in ensuring pets receive the highest quality healthcare. Today, our team of five experienced doctors continues this tradition, offering comprehensive medical, surgical, and preventive services for cats, dogs, and small animals. We pride ourselves on treating every pet as if they were our own, maintaining a commitment to compassionate care and community trust. Our hospital features modern facilities for wellness exams, emergency services, and pet boarding, supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic tools.With extended weekday hours and Saturday availability, we accommodate busy schedules while delivering personalized attention. As a locally-owned practice, we value long-standing relationships with clients and remain dedicated to evolving with veterinary advancements. Our teams expertise spans internal medicine, dentistry, orthopedic surgery, and geriatric care, ensuring holistic treatment plans. We uphold strict safety protocols for all patients and adhere to rigorous financial policies for transparency. For generations, families in Bel Air have relied on our expertise, compassion, and unwavering dedication to pet health.
Services
Wellness Care
Preventive Medicine
Pet Surgery
Pet Boarding
Pet Cremation
Diagnostic Imaging
Dentistry
Pain Management
Vaccinations
Senior Pet Care
Details
- Year established: 1945
Highlights and features
- 70+ years of veterinary expertise in Harford County
- Team of five experienced, specialized veterinarians
- Emergency service availability for urgent pet care
- Military and senior citizen appointment discounts
- Indoor/outdoor boarding facilities with personalized care
Services
Wellness Care
Regular wellness exams ensure pets maintain optimal health through early disease detection. Our comprehensive assessments include physical examinations, weight management, and lifestyle-specific recommendations. Tailored vaccination schedules and parasite prevention programs protect against common threats while maintaining individual pet safety.
Pet Surgery
Our surgical services encompass soft tissue and orthopedic procedures with modern anesthetic monitoring. Preoperative bloodwork ensures procedural safety while postoperative care includes pain management and follow-up evaluations. Procedures range from spaying/neutering to complex orthopedic repairs for improved quality of life.
Pet Boarding
Our boarding facility offers indoor and outdoor exercise areas with individualized care plans. Pets receive regular feeding, medication administration, and supervised playtime. Climate-controlled kennels accommodate varying sizes with security measures ensuring pet safety during owner absences.
Pet Cremation
Compassionate end-of-life cremation options provide closure for pet owners. Individual cremations return ashes in selected urns while communal options offer collective remembrance. Keepsake memorials include paw prints and fur clippings to preserve cherished memories of beloved companions.
Diagnostic Imaging
Digital radiology and ultrasound equipment enable precise internal diagnostics for quick treatment decisions. Our imaging capabilities identify skeletal abnormalities, organ conditions, and soft tissue issues with minimal patient discomfort. Results guide surgical planning and chronic condition management.
People
Dr. Richard O. Cook
Founder
Dedicated veterinarian who established Bel Air Veterinary Hospital in 1959. Provided compassionate care for 50+ years while contributing to local agricultural events. Graduated from University of Pennsylvania with veterinary and agriculture degrees.
Dr. Deborah Kelly
Veterinarian
Serving since 1994, specializes in equine veterinary medicine. Combines clinical expertise with hands-on experience managing horses at her Harford County farm. Graduated from University of Pennsylvania with veterinary degree and Towson University chemistry background.
Dr. Dave Stevenson
Veterinarian
Bel Air native with expertise in internal medicine and dentistry. Completed veterinary education at VA-MD Regional College. Focuses on dermatological and dental health solutions for pets in the local community.
Dr. Thomas Schmidt
Veterinarian
Former emergency medicine practitioner with experience across three states. Specializes in geriatric pet care and internal medicine. Previously owned multiple veterinary practices before joining Bel Air's team in 2017.
Dr. Kara Young
Veterinarian
Equine specialist with surgical internship at University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center. Completed veterinary training at The Ohio State University. Provides expertise in critical care and large animal medicine.
Questions
What veterinary services do you offer?
We provide wellness exams, vaccinations, surgery, dental care, diagnostic imaging, boarding, and cremation services for cats, dogs, and small animals.
Are emergency services available after hours?
For urgent care situations, please call our office directly to receive immediate guidance from our veterinary team.
What payment options do you accept?
We accept cash, personal checks, major credit cards, and CareCredit financing for veterinary services.
Do you offer pet boarding facilities?
Our climate-controlled boarding facility includes indoor/outdoor exercise areas with personalized care for dogs and cats.
What are cremation service options?
Choose from individual cremations with ash return or communal cremation, with optional keepsake memorials available.
