Bridging the Gap in Veterinary Care

A state-of-the-art veterinary urgent care center in the Mat-Su Valley brings compassionate, immediate care to Alaska’s pets and peace of mind to their families.

In the heart of the Mat-Su Valley, where pet owners are as deeply connected to their animals as they are to the surrounding wilderness, a new kind of veterinary care has emerged. Susitna Animal Urgent Care, founded by a team of three very experienced and compassionate veterinarians, is answering a critical need in Alaska: providing immediate, high-quality care for pets when primary care isn’t available and emergency hospitals are overwhelmed. With a new state-of-the-art facility on Trunk Road, conveniently situated between Palmer and Wasilla, Susitna Animal Urgent Care is a community-driven response to a growing healthcare gap for animals.

Like many regions across Alaska, the Mat-Su Valley and the greater Anchorage area face significant strain on veterinary resources. Local veterinary clinics are often overbooked, while emergency hospitals are pushed to capacity. This left pet owners with few options when their animals needed urgent but not life-threatening care. The lack of in-between services created both emotional and logistical challenges for families, often leading to long wait times or difficult choices. This gap was personal and unacceptable for the founders of Susitna Animal Urgent Care, who lived and worked in the Mat-Su Valley for years.

Susitna Animal Urgent Care was created to meet that need head-on. The facility is specifically designed to handle overflow from local veterinarians while reducing congestion in pet emergency rooms. The new center offers advanced diagnostic and surgical capabilities, including digital x-rays, urgent surgical interventions, and comprehensive urgent care services. The hospital also includes a thoughtfully designed Family Care Room, with a private entrance, for those navigating the difficult journey of end-of-life care. This quiet, respectful space reflects the clinic’s focus on the physical, emotional, and social needs of pets and their families.

With a focus on urgent care, not 24/7 emergency services, Susitna ensures continuity of care by facilitating transfers to emergency hospitals when needed. The team includes three highly skilled veterinarians—Dr. Clinton, Dr. Vollaro, and Dr. Wallace—each with unique expertise in critical care and advanced surgery, ensuring pets receive attentive, expert treatment no matter the situation.

The result is more than a facility, it’s a lifeline for pet owners across Southcentral Alaska. Even before opening in the summer of 2025, the clinic was already drawing attention from across the region. Community members were invited to meet the doctors and staff and tour the impressive space ahead of the grand opening.

That commitment to community doesn’t stop at the clinic doors. The Susitna Animal Urgent Care team plans to actively support local events and wellness initiatives, reflecting their dedication to animal and human health. Whether sponsoring fun runs, partnering with local organizations, or showing up at neighborhood gatherings, they will invest in the well-being of the region they call home.

The business’s success wouldn’t have been possible without strong planning and expert guidance. The founders worked closely with Misty O’Connor, Alaska SBDC Mat-Su Center Director, who helped them create and fine-tune their financial projections and find the best lender for their high-level project.  Once the lender was determined, the founders, with guidance from their SBDC advisor, focused on the business plan, securing bids from general contractors, and making sure the team was positioned for success. This support proved essential not just in launching the business but in securing funding from Live Oak, a bank specializing in veterinary practices.

“Our advisor, Misty O’Connor, was an integral part of helping us create our financial projections and fine-tune our business plan. Misty was always there to help answer questions and provide support. The senior vice president of the bank that provided our business loan commented numerous times that it was one of the best, most honest business plans and financial projections they have ever seen.”

Susitna Animal Urgent Care stands as a powerful example of what happens when passion, expertise, and community need come together. With help from the Alaska SBDC and the vision of local veterinarians, the Mat-Su Valley now has a dedicated facility to ensure no pet has to wait for the care they deserve. Whether it’s treating a sudden illness, performing an emergency surgery, or guiding a family through the end-of-life process, Susitna is there to heal, to comfort, and to serve.

Susitna Animal Urgent Care is located at 700 S Old Trunk Road, Palmer, AK. Learn more at https://susitnavet.com/ and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.