Business Details
48 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your El Paso Veterinarians for Compassionate Pet Care
TLC Animal Hospital has been serving the El Paso community since 1978 with a commitment to excellence in veterinary care. Founded by Dr. Guy and Kathy Johnsen, our hospital continues their legacy of compassion and expertise under the leadership of Dr. Vicki Dashley and Dr. Alfredo Lara. Our team of Fear Free Certified professionals prioritizes your pet's physical, mental, and emotional well-being through comprehensive services including wellness exams, dental care, surgical procedures, and exotic pet treatment. We maintain AAHA accreditation, demonstrating adherence to rigorous industry standards for facility safety, medical protocols, and patient care. With decades of combined experience in both conventional and specialized veterinary medicine, we provide personalized treatment plans that address individual pet needs while emphasizing preventive care strategies.Our facility features advanced diagnostic equipment, including digital radiography and echocardiogram technology, to support accurate diagnoses. We accommodate urgent care needs outside regular business hours through our flexible scheduling system. Our staff includes specialists in internal medicine, orthopedic surgery, and exotic animal care who remain current with veterinary advancements through continuing education programs. We maintain transparency in treatment options, costs, and prognostic expectations while fostering client education through detailed consultations. Our institutional knowledge spans multiple generations of veterinary practice, combining traditional methodologies with contemporary medical innovations to optimize pet health outcomes.
Services
Wellness Exams
Vaccinations
Dental Care
Pet Surgery
Exotic Medicine
Diagnostic Imaging
Parasite Prevention
Nutritional Counseling
Laser Therapy
Microchipping
Details
- Year established: 1978
Highlights and features
- We maintain AAHA accreditation for facility and medical excellence
- Our team holds Fear Free Certification to reduce pet anxiety
- Veterinary specialists handle complex exotic animal cases
- 45+ years of combined experience in El Paso veterinary care
- We offer after-hours emergency consultations for urgent needs
Associations and certifications
- American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
Services
Wellness Exams
Our comprehensive wellness exams monitor pet health through weight checks, coat condition assessments, and vital sign evaluations. These routine visits enable early detection of potential health issues while providing opportunities for behavioral and dietary consultations. Our veterinarians emphasize consistent exam schedules as the foundation for lifelong animal health maintenance.
Pet Dental Care
Professional dental cleanings and oral exams address periodontal disease prevention and treatment. Our procedures include ultrasonic scaling, polishing, and dental radiography under safe anesthesia protocols. Regular dental maintenance prevents systemic infections that can affect heart, kidney, and liver health in companion animals.
Exotic Animal Medicine
We provide veterinary services for non-traditional pets including birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Our specialized equipment and trained staff handle diagnostic testing, nutritional counseling, and medical treatments tailored to exotic species requirements. Regular wellness checks help detect hidden illnesses in prey animals that mask symptoms.
Vaccinations
Customized vaccination plans protect pets against infectious diseases based on age, species, and risk factors. Core vaccines prevent distemper, parvovirus, and rabies in dogs, with feline equivalents covering panleukopenia and respiratory viruses. Our team explains vaccine benefits and schedules during wellness consultations.
Laser Therapy
Non-invasive laser treatments reduce arthritic pain and accelerate tissue healing in pets. This technology stimulates cellular activity to improve circulation and decrease inflammation without pharmaceutical side effects. Multiple sessions typically yield optimal recovery outcomes for post-surgical and chronic conditions.
People
Dr. Vicki Dashley
Veterinarian
A graduate of Texas A&M's veterinary program, Dr. Dashley brings 14 years of clinical experience in El Paso. She specializes in internal medicine and Fear Free-certified anxiety-reduction techniques while maintaining active roles in professional continuing education.
Dr. Alfredo Lara
Veterinarian
After practicing in Mexico, Dr. Lara earned US certification through ECFVG. He contributes expertise in small animal surgery and preventative medicine, balancing clinical work with family time at local El Paso attractions.
Dr. Brenda Castorena
Veterinarian
Following Oklahoma State veterinary training, Dr. Castorena focuses on soft tissue surgery and preventive medicine. She volunteers at El Paso Animal Services while integrating her UT El Paso biochemistry background into patient treatment plans.
Dr. Priscilla Garcia
Veterinarian
A Colorado State graduate, Dr. Garcia specializes in internal medicine and client education. She emphasizes cultural competence in veterinary care while raising twin daughters and promoting music-based pet therapy techniques.
Dr. Priscilla Rubio
Veterinarian
From UTEP to Texas A&M training, Dr. Rubio focuses on preventative medicine and community animal advocacy. She previously volunteered with the Humane Society before transitioning from technician to doctor roles at TLC Animal Hospital.
Questions
What veterinary services do you offer?
We provide wellness exams, vaccinations, dental care, surgical procedures, exotic pet treatment, diagnostic imaging, parasite prevention, and laser therapy for pets in El Paso.
Are your staff Fear Free Certified?
All our doctors and veterinary technicians hold active Fear Free Certification to reduce animal anxiety during medical visits through specialized handling techniques.
Can you treat exotic pets?
Dr. Dashley specializes in exotic animal medicine for birds, reptiles, rabbits, rodents, and other small mammals through dedicated examination and treatment protocols.
What emergency services are available?
For urgent after-hours needs, we offer doctor availability consultations to assess emergency care requirements outside our regular business hours through front desk coordination.
How often should pets receive dental care?
We recommend annual professional dental cleanings combined with home oral hygiene practices to prevent periodontal disease that could impact systemic health.
Do you accept walk-in appointments?
While preferred for scheduling efficiency, we accommodate urgent care walk-ins during designated hours with emergency case prioritization while maintaining regular appointment integrity.
