Ponchatoula Animal Hospital

Welcome to Ponchatoula Animal Hospital, a family-owned and operated veterinary practice that has been providing expert care combined with personal and compassionate service to Ponchatoula, Robert, and the surrounding communities since 1980. We are one of the few privately owned veterinary practices left in the area, and we are dedicated to treating you and your pets like the special family members that you are.

Our staff is dedicated to treating each patient with loving care throughout every check-up, procedure, surgery, and recovery. We offer a wide range of services including boarding, dental care, digital radiography, surgery, and preventative veterinary care. Our goal is to make sure that your pets live long, enriched lives, and we want to partner with you to help make that happen.

Our History

The founder of Ponchatoula Animal Hospital is Dr. Larry Ernst, a member of the first class of graduating veterinarians from the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1977. In 1980, Dr. Ernst returned to his roots in Ponchatoula and established the Ponchatoula Animal Hospital on property that had been part of the dairy farm on which he grew up. Serving as the sole veterinarian for 25 years, Dr. Ernst built up the practice and expanded in 1995, doubling the size of the original hospital.

In 2003, Dr. Pete Hendry, who had practiced and owned General Animal Hospital in Covington for 34 years, came out of retirement to lend a hand to Dr. Ernst. In 2004, Dr. Bonnie Duhon also joined the practice. Due to her hard work, dedication, and adoration of her clients, it was only natural that she became co-owner of Ponchatoula Animal Hospital. The hospital continued to grow at a rapid pace, requiring the addition of an associate veterinarian to the staff in 2011.

Our Services

We offer a variety of services to meet the needs of your pets. These include:

• Preventative Care: Regular check-ups and vaccinations to ensure your pet stays healthy.
• Surgery: Expert surgical services for pets requiring operations.
• Dental Care: Comprehensive dental services to keep your pet's teeth clean and healthy.
• Digital Radiography: High-quality imaging to diagnose and treat your pet's conditions.
• Boarding: Comfortable boarding facilities for your pets while you are away.
• In-Clinic Diagnostics: On-site diagnostic services to quickly identify and treat your pet's conditions.
• Exotics: Specialized care for exotic pets.

Our Staff

Our staff is dedicated to providing exceptional care to you and your pets. Our team includes:

• Receptionists: Friendly staff to greet you and assist with your needs.
• Technicians: Skilled professionals who assist with medical procedures and care for your pets.
• Kennel Staff: Caring staff who look after your pets while they are boarding with us.
• Hospital Blood Donors: A program where pets can donate blood to help other pets in need.

Client Resources

We offer a variety of resources to help you care for your pets, including:

• New Puppy Corner: Tips and advice for new puppy owners.
• New Kitten Corner: Tips and advice for new kitten owners.
• FAQs: Answers to frequently asked questions about pet care.
• Prescription Refills: Easy online ordering for prescription refills.