Modern Animal is one of our favorite California transplants. In addition to two brick-and-mortar clinics in Austin, the modernized veterinary clinic offers 24/7 care, video chat, and has a membership-fee-based model that includes unlimited free visits. During pet procedures, which can often be scary for pet owners in addition to their furry loved ones, the high-touch practice provides updates every step of the way. We recently had a chat with Dr. Stacy Mozisek, aka Dr. Mo, the Lead Veterinarian at the South Lamar location. Dr. Mo is a Texas native who has lived in Austin intermittently since 1993 and permanently since 2012. She went to the University of Texas for undergrad, Texas Christian University for graduate school and Texas A&M for vet school! She later lived in Colorado, California, and Georgia but kept coming back to Austin, where all three of her kids attended Zilker Elementary – right down the street from Modern Animal South Lamar.
How is Modern Animal different from places you worked prior?
I love how transparent we are. Owners are allowed to stay with their pets for treatments, see all parts of our hospital, and see clear cost estimates prior to agreeing to a treatment plan for their pet.
Why did you decide to work at Modern Animal?
They met my criteria for professional core values, high-quality medicine, leading through integrity and the location was perfect - I have lived walking distance from the South Lamar Modern Animal for over a decade!
What are some of the benefits of membership at Modern Animal?
Unlimited veterinary exams and 24/7 access to the virtual care team chat. Modern Animal employees who can help owners 24/7– and our Virtual Care (VC) team has access to the patient’s medical records too.
Can you share the most common questions received on the app and the answer?
Regarding a pet vomiting and diarrhea. While a single episode of vomiting or mild, self-limiting diarrhea might resolve on its own, certain signs warrant an appointment. Specifically, if a pet:
· Refuses to eat for more than 24 hours.
· Cannot hold any food or water down: This can lead to rapid dehydration and may signal a more serious underlying issue, like a foreign body obstruction.
· Has diarrhea that is not improving or is actively worsening over a 24-hour period should be assessed immediately.
It is important to remember that our Virtual Care (VC) team is well-trained to triage these situations. They are skilled at asking detailed follow-up questions regarding the frequency, consistency, color, and presence of other clinical signs (such as lethargy, fever, or abdominal discomfort). This comprehensive questioning allows them to provide the most accurate and customized recommendations, ensuring that emergent cases are seen quickly and appropriate guidance is given for less severe situations.
What are some sometimes overlooked pet-care tips you use in your own home that you’d suggest others do?
-Engaging my kids in pet care- my kids all help feed, poop scoop and walk the dogs
-Soft Paws for cat claws
-Casa Leo auto-cleaning litter box
What’s something you love about your job?
Playing an important role in supporting the human-animal bond and the close relationships I develop with the clients.
Where in Austin do you like to take your dogs?
The Greenbelt, to work and Little Zilker Park.
What food do you feed your dogs?
Purina Pro Plan.
Do you have a favorite dog rescue in Austin?
Austin Humane Society
What do you enjoy most about serving pets here?
I love that Austin is such a pet-friendly city. People love the outdoors and take their pets everywhere.
Learn more at https://www.modernanimal.com