Creating an atmosphere of calm caring has helped North Royalton Animal Hospital score high marks among pets and their people

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Dr. Adam Hechko expanded North Royalton Animal Hospital, which was founded in 1957 by his father-in-law Dr. John P. Bryk, by adding a daycare facility, boarding suites and grooming services. (Photography by Benjamin Margalit/Margalit Studio)

By Laura Briedis

Without a single spoken word, our pets are master communicators. Whether a wag of the tail to let us know they are happy or a hiss that says stay away, our pets faithfully communicate with us.

So when animals are in the care of the team at North Royalton Animal Hospital, they make sure to keep the lines of communication open. For pets staying overnight in the hospital or recovering from surgery, the staff calls the family or texts photos or videos of their fur babies to assure the family that they are doing fine.

At the adjoining Paws at Play Resort & Daycare the same holds true, as the staff often sends photos to pet owners to show them all the fun their dogs are having. And if you have your dog groomed here, you might actually hear from your own pet. The staff uses a fun smartphone app that sends pet owners a text message with a picture and voice-over of their dogs telling them that they are ready to be picked up.

“We connect with families to keep them informed about what their pets are doing and how they are doing,” says Dr. Adam Hechko, owner and medical director of North Royalton Animal Hospital.

“Fostering the bond between families and pets is more than just a mantra here.”

“We make sure that not only are pets happy and relaxed, but also that the pet owners are comfortable with the information received during the exam,” he continues.

“The last thing I always ask before I walk out of a room is if there are any other questions or concerns so there is nothing left to worry about.”A friendly, personable veterinarian, Dr. Hechko sets the tone for the staff. Together they work to reduce the stress pets can have when they come into the office by using techniques that reduce anxiety. Bioacoustical music is piped into the rooms to produce a calming effect on animals.


“We don’t want pets to associate this office with where they get poked and prodded, but rather somewhere they get rewards,” he says.

“We reduce fear and anxiety through positive interactions with our staff. Reducing pets’ anxiety helps us to improve the care and treatment they receive and assures they are more comfortable.”

Outside of the office, North Royalton Animal Hospital is involved in the community.

For the past 13 years and running, they have sponsored the annual Pet Carnival held at the North Royalton City Green. It happens every summer and the animal hospital staff hosts fun games for both pets and kids.

“This annual event celebrates pets and brings everyone together in the community,” says Dr. Hechko. “In addition to dogs and cats, this year we had a donkey, miniature pony, birds and reptiles. It is nice to get out of the office and interact with the patients we take care of in a non-medical way.”

North Royalton Animal Hospital and Paws at Play Resort & Daycare are located at 9027 Ridge Road in North Royalton. Call 440-237-7691 for an appointment or visit NorthRoyaltonAnimalHospital.com for more information.

Categories: Westside Smart Living