By Carlie Moore
The lobby at Roosevelt Station Vet Care at 6800 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 9811.
Before we introduce you to our Roosevelt Business of the Month for August, we would like to take a moment to introduce you to one of your fluffiest neighbors: Abby. Known best around our apartment for general mischief and mayhem, Abby is known around her vet’s office for her sass and her dainty size. But what she lacks in stature, she makes up for in years. Abby is currently nearing her double decade milestone of 20 (human) years! Moving to Seattle 2 years ago with a supersenior cat meant that finding a good veterinary office was a top priority.
We were drawn to Roosevelt Station Vet Care originally because of its location right in the heart of our neighborhood. We were also very happy to see that Roosevelt Station Vet Care proudly advertised their commitment to providing a fear free environment on the windows of their business. While we can’t be sure that Abby experiences fear specifically at the vet’s office, we do know she is not calm. Most vet experiences with Abby for the majority of her extensive years have ended with many scratches and Abby wrapped up as a kitty burrito in a towel. We were very excited to find something that sounded different from the previous veterinary office’s we had taken Abby to. While we don’t know everything that the team intentionally and lovingly does to design these fear-friendly spaces, we could immediately tell that Abby was calmer, more curious, and less aggravated with her visit. She still communicates her boundaries. Firmly. But we can see a big difference in how she experiences veterinary care at Roosevelt Station.
When we sat down with practice manager Emily Piotrowicz for an interview, she explained that the fear free strategies that brought us in the door were a foundational piece of the practice’s core values. Emily shared the story of the business’s origins, describing Veterinarians’ Dr. Annie Dittich and Dr. Cheryl Meyers decision to take what they knew about veterinary practice after many years of combined experience to create their shared vision and open their own practice in 2018. Later joined by Dr. Marie Adresen, the three work to create and maintain a space that is as stress free as possible for the pets in the community while also being a desirable place for humans to work and grow. While many of us may picture a career caring for animals as adorable and cuddly, Emily reminds us that caring for animals during their hardest moments of life can take a significant toll on the mental well-being of their human caregivers and medical team. Roosevelt Station Vet Care aims to provide a space where staff members feel supported during the good and the bad moments.
Another key principle of care at Roosevelt Sation Vet Care is a commitment to communication. Dr. Dittrich, Dr. Meyers, Dr. Andresen, and their team work to build a strong culture of communication internally and with patients/clients. The practice is small by design to create an intimate space and customized experiences. Their main goal is for pets and humans to walk away from their appointments feeling taken care of.
Roosevelt Station Vet Care is located at 6800 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, conveniently close to the light rail station and paid parking opportunities across the street at All Nations Church. They are open from 8AM to 6PM Monday through Friday, providing wellness and sickness exams, surgical procedures, dentistry, and hospice care. If you are looking for veterinary care for any furry friends in your life, you can get started with a client registration form on their website at rooseveltstationvet.com or call them at 206-420-4262.
Each month, the Roosevelt Neighborhood Association’s Business of the Month recognizes a neighborhood business for their great service and community involvement. To learn more, please email contact@rooseveltseattle.org.