Caring for animals is a life-long passion for Dr. Jason Norman, owner of Hammond Hills Animal Hospital. “I was raised in a home that adored animals, both domestic animals and wildlife,” says Jason, “and I got a lot of experience and joy caring for all of those types of animals. I learned that a lot of those species needed different levels of care. Not only were the species different, but each individual was different.”
“From childhood, I understood that they couldn’t necessarily care for themselves,” adds Jason. “So we had to be there to help them and give them the things that they needed.” Those realizations turned into a career.
Dr. Frank Moreland, Jason’s mentor, opened Hammond Hills Animal Hospital twenty-one years ago. About a year later, seventeen-year-old Jason started working part-time at Hammond Hills as a technician. After graduating from the University of Georgia with an undergraduate degree in Wildlife Biology and then a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, Jason joined the staff as a full-time veterinarian in 2011. He bought the practice in 2015. Of the twelve staff members, many are original staff and have been there most of the time the hospital has been open.
“We have a very well-versed, educated staff that is seasoned so we’re able to provide great care,” says Jason. “We love to educate and help owners take the best care of and make the best decisions for their pets. Everyday is a new challenge for us. It’s an opportunity to help the pets and the people.”
A strong emphasis at Hammond Hills Animal Hospital is on preventive care for pets. “Preventative medicine is the best thing you can do for your pet – it’s being proactive in keeping them healthy,” explains Jason. “You can do that through vaccinations, flea prevention, heart worm prevention, and deworming, as well as spay and neuter surgeries.”
The office is stocked with a large range of preventive medications to accommodate a variety of pets’ needs. “We understand that each pet is an individual and what works for one pet may not be a good fit for another pet,” says Jason. “We want to make sure each pet has their own tailored plan because it’s not one size fits all.” Jason is particularly excited about an injectable twelve-month heartworm prevention medicine, which ensures pets are protected year-round without the worry of monthly reminders. Although some heartworm medicines need to be administered by the staff, there are many over-the-counter flea and tick options available for pet owners to purchase without an appointment.
For sick pets, Hammond Hills has state-of-the-art technology to quickly diagnose and address illnesses. “We have the latest digital radiography machines and equipment. With these x-ray machines, we’re taking high quality x-rays that show much greater detail and you can also manipulate the images to improve visualization.” The digital system allows images to be forwarded immediately to specialists if needed for consultation or further treatment. Using updated technology also allows for quicker diagnosis based on bloodwork. “We can run full bloodwork on a sick patient and have those results in fifteen minutes,” explains Jason, “all done in-house and on-site.”
Other services offered through Hammond Hills include internal medicine services, a wide range of surgical care, care of exotic pets, and cold laser therapy, which is excellent for incision healing, arthritis, and inflammation. The facility includes extra-large exam rooms to comfortably accommodate large dogs and a separate quiet, calm room. “The room is set up like a household room to accommodate special needs like a distressed pet or a client having to make a difficult decision,” says Jason. “It also has a separate entrance and exit.”
“We’re a practice that truly cares about the patient and the client,” says Jason. “We want to build long-term relationships with people and their pets… that’s what this entire staff is about.”
Hammond Hills Animal Hospital is located at 454 West Martintown Road in North Augusta, a short drive from downtown Augusta and easily accessible from anywhere in the CSRA. To make an appointment for your pet, call 803-279-4090. For more detailed information about services, visit www.hammondhillsah.com.
Pull quote: "We love to educate and help owners take the best care of and make the best decisions for their pets."