A home in Old Mandeville now houses a unique kind of care.
Built in 1910 as a private residence, the cottage at 2130 Monroe Street watched families come and go, storms pass, and a town change around it. Today, after renovation guided by the local historic commission, it holds Monroe Street Animal Hospital, a veterinary practice with the soul of a cozy front porch.
Inside, antiques sit comfortably beside exam rooms. Donated artwork warms the walls. Clinic cats, including Cheese, weave through the space like landlords.
For Dr. Paige Massey and Dr. Alissa Whitney, that feeling is part of the care.
“Our clinic is incredibly homey, because animals prefer it that way,” says Dr. Paige. “We do not rush our patients, because they usually want to take it slower. They set the pace, not us.”
Dr. Paige’s calling began early. “I first fell in love with helping animals at a ridiculously young age…maybe six or seven years old,” she says. “My first patients besides my dogs were my hamsters, Cotton, Candy, and Popcorn. They all tolerated quite a bit from me.”
She still reads animals closely. “I love seeing current and new pets with their people in my exam room,” she says. “I pick up a lot about a patient, watching how he or she behaves during an exam. I guess it seems like an exam is simply an exam, but you’d be surprised.”
Dr. Alissa’s path grew from a lifelong instinct toward care. “I was always an animal person, “she says. “There are a number of medical professionals in my family, so I grew up in a culture of care, and this was a natural route for me to follow.”
For her, general practice offers continuity. “It’s a privilege to be able to know a patient from their time as a puppy or a kitten as they move into adulthood and their golden years,” she says. “The same is true for the owners—I have clients now that I met when they were children, coming with their parents' pets.”
Together, Dr. Paige and Dr. Alissa built Monroe Street Animal Hospital around relationship-based medicine. The practice offers wellness care, surgery, dermatology, dentistry, diagnostics, boarding, business-hours emergency care, and compassionate end-of-life care. But the difference is not only what they provide, but in how carefully they provide it.
Dr. Paige has a particular love for surgery, especially the soft tissue procedures that require both precision and calm. In her hands, that clinical strength fits naturally with Monroe Street’s larger philosophy: move carefully, communicate clearly, and always keep the patient’s comfort at the center.
Dr. Alissa brings a deep commitment to emotional comfort as well. “We are a Fear Free practice; that was a priority from day one,” she says. “My goal is to treat every patient with the consideration I would give my own pets, and that includes managing their anxieties.”
Monroe Street’s reputation is built on choices that make all the difference to nervous pets and their owners. The clinic is trained in Human-Animal Bond principles, which means moving at the animal’s pace, explaining care clearly, tailoring recommendations to each pet’s age, breed, history, and lifestyle, and creating a space where anxious patients can begin to relax. Monroe Street’s veterinarians treat emotional comfort as part of the visit, not as an afterthought.
“As a group, we are all huge animal advocates,” Dr. Paige says. “We are always looking out for what’s best for our patients.”
“It is such a good feeling,” Dr. Alissa agrees, “to have patients that are not only unafraid to come here, but are actively excited to see us for treats and special attention.”
That’s the promise of Monroe Street Animal Hospital: modern veterinary care delivered in a calm, home-like setting by two doctors who believe that every pet deserves to be treated with patience, respect, and a special breed of tenderness that families will never forget.
Louisiana summers ask extra vigilance from pet owners. These tips from Dr. Alissa and Dr. Paige can help your pet stay safer through heat, storms, travel, and accidents.
Heat stroke is a real risk, especially for brachycephalic breeds: dogs and cats with shorter faces. Limit outdoor time during peak heat, watch for heavy panting or weakness, and keep fresh water available.
Storm season brings additional considerations. For pets with noise phobias, ask about anxiety support before thunder or hurricane warnings arrive. If evacuation becomes necessary, don’t leave pets behind. Keep a go-bag ready with food, medications, a leash or carrier, identification, and a copy of your pet’s current vaccine certificate. Ideally, pets should have both a name tag and a registered microchip.
Summer calls for sharper situational awareness. Pets may sneak barbecue, leading to pancreatitis or gastroenteritis. Cars, open doors, and busy gatherings also create risk.
And in our hot, humid climate, prevention matters. Heartworm, flea, and tick protection should stay consistent, especially with renewed concern over screwworms in the U.S.
The best plan is a personal one. Call Monroe Street Animal Hospital at (985) 629-4075, or visit them at 2130 Monroe Street in Mandeville.