FIRST LOOK BUSINESS Riverwalk Pet Hospital and Resort Fear-free clinic opened in Grapevine in July D r. Mark O’Gorman wanted to bring a service to the Grape- vine area that was unique to
BY CODY THORN
settled and other dogs are walking in for appointments. The location has a pharmacy, a surgical room and a comfort room for family members when their animals die. There is also an x-ray, grooming, laboratory and incubator room for dogs with breathing issues. The day resort is the other part of the location with a varying degree of space for the four-legged family members. There are outdoor and indoor play areas for dogs. The location has ve veterinarians, eight technicians and ve dog resort employees. Prior to this practice, O’Gorman operated two locations in Fort Worth. After selling those in 2017, the Keller resident turned his atten- tion to a new venture. The Grape- vine location is about a 15-mile drive from his house—just in the opposite direction. A native of Denton, O’Gorman recalls spending a lot of time in his youth driving to Arlington to watch the Texas Rangers play and passing through Grapevine each trip. The memories of that and the location near the mall played a factor in choosing this location, which is on a large lot. “It has been a really fantastic experience,” O’Gorman said. “When we opened, we thought we would really take o around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and we have. I think the fear-free [atmosphere] played to our advantage.”
his background as a veterinarian. After planning for more than four years, the Riverwalk Animal Hospital and Resort opened July 25. The clinic treats dogs and cats and is a fear-free certi ed practice, one of four such practices in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, according to O’Gorman. “The whole goal is to provide veterinary service with minimal fear and stress and eliminate anxiety,” O’Gorman said. Fear-free clinics require veterinari- ans, technicians and receptionists to all take courses and pass tests to earn the certi cation. O’Gorman worked closely with Animal Arts Design Studio in Boulder, Colorado, to construct the building with the aim of having a ow for the o ce that helps animals feel more secure in the setting. Instead of making dogs walk up onto a scale, a treat trail leads them to a mat with a scale sitting into the oor. There are 10 rooms, eight for dogs and two for cats, designed to help each animal. Rooms have features such as cat trees and a multitude of treats to help calm anxiety. Large rooms allow the veterinarians and technicians to get on the oor with smaller dogs if needed. Payments are also handled in the room, making it easier to leave and not have to stand at a counter while payments are
Mark O’Gorman and sta members at Riverwalk Animal Hospital and Resort had to get a certi cation to be a fear-free clinic. (Photos by Cody Thorn/Community Impact)
BOARDING A popular option at Riverwalk
Animal Hospital and Resort has been boarding.
CAT BOARDING $30 per night
Vanessa Calk grooms a poodle during a visit Dec. 23 in Grapevine.
DOG BOARDING See options below Condo for dogs under 25 pounds $40 per night 4 foot by 5 foot room $45 per night Dog day care with boarding $17 per day/pet 6’x6’ luxury suite $60 per night
The dog day care option o ers an outdoor play area.
GERAULT RD.
OUR NEW COURSE BEGINS FEBRUARY 20TH REGISTRATION GOES LIVE ON FEBRUARY 5TH AT 1 PM www.twistedclay.co For more details go to Riverwalk Pet Hospital and Resort 3985 Grapevine Mills Parkway, Grapevine 972-355-7747 Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Sun. 1-6 p.m.
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GRAPEVINE MILLS PKWY.
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441 E. Northwest Hwy. | Grapevine | info@twistedclay.co
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GRAPEVINE COLLEYVILLE SOUTHLAKE EDITION • JANUARY 2023
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