Business Details
Your Trusted Veterinarian in Virginia Beach, VA
Independence Veterinary Hospital has been serving Virginia Beach for over 30 years as a locally owned and operated animal hospital. Founded by Dr. Derrick Kier and Dr. Karen Smithwick, our practice combines decades of veterinary expertise with a family-centered approach to pet care. Our team of Fear Free Certified and Cat Friendly Certified professionals prioritizes empathy, personalized treatment plans, and comprehensive medical services. We maintain strict safety protocols for surgical procedures and emphasize preventive care through wellness exams, vaccinations, and dental services.Our commitment to community extends to educating pet owners and collaborating with specialists when advanced care is needed. With extended weekday hours and Saturday availability, we strive to accommodate the needs of local pet families while maintaining a low-stress environment for both animals and their owners.
Services
Wellness Care
Vaccinations
Dental Care
Surgery/Spay and Neuter
Dermatology
Diagnostics
Grooming
Microchipping
Hospice and Euthanasia
Pet Nutrition
Highlights and features
- 30+ years serving Virginia Beach pet families
- Fear Free Certified and Cat Friendly staff
- Personalized treatment plans for every pet
- Comprehensive services from wellness to surgery
- Community-focused veterinary care approach
Associations and certifications
- Fear Free Certified
- Cat Friendly Certified
What people say
Empathetic staff
Personalized attention
Compassionate service
Community involvement
Exceptional care
Services
Wellness Care
Our wellness exams ensure pets maintain optimal health through regular checkups. We recommend biannual visits for comprehensive evaluations including heart and lung checks, weight monitoring, and parasite screening. Senior pets receive specialized assessments to detect age-related conditions early. This proactive approach prevents disease progression and maintains quality of life.
Vaccinations
We provide core and lifestyle-based vaccines tailored to each pet's needs. Our customized vaccination plans protect against rabies, distemper, and other preventable diseases while minimizing unnecessary treatments. The team assesses health history and lifestyle factors to create safe, effective immunization schedules that protect both individual pets and the broader community.
Dental Care
Professional teeth cleanings under anesthesia remove tartar buildup and prevent dental disease. Our procedures include scaling below the gum line, extractions when necessary, and polishing to reduce future plaque accumulation. We also offer home care guidance and recommend dental diets to maintain oral health between professional cleanings.
Surgery/Spay and Neuter
Our surgical suite performs spays, neuters, and soft tissue procedures with strict safety protocols. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork, IV fluids, and customized pain management ensure patient comfort. The team monitors vital signs throughout procedures and provides detailed post-operative care instructions for smooth recoveries at home.
Dermatology
We diagnose and treat allergies, infections, and skin conditions through comprehensive evaluations. Allergy testing identifies specific triggers while personalized treatment plans may include immunotherapy, dietary changes, or environmental modifications. For complex cases, we coordinate care with dermatology specialists to address chronic skin issues effectively.
People
Dr. Derrick Kier
Veterinarian
Co-owner with extensive dental care training, performing extractions and oral surgeries. Prioritizes personalized treatment plans and patient comfort during procedures.
Dr. Karen Smithwick
Veterinarian
Co-owner focused on compassionate care and client communication. Works closely with pet owners to develop comprehensive wellness strategies for their animals.
Richard B. Johnston
Veterinarian
Experienced practitioner providing general veterinary services with emphasis on preventive care and early disease detection during routine examinations.
Questions
What services does Independence Veterinary Hospital offer?
We provide wellness exams, vaccinations, dental care, surgical procedures, dermatology treatments, diagnostics, grooming, and end-of-life care for dogs and cats.
Are your staff trained for cat-friendly visits?
Yes, we have Cat Friendly Certified team members who use low-stress handling techniques and calming methods to make feline visits more comfortable.
How often should pets receive wellness exams?
We recommend biannual exams for senior pets and annual checkups for adult animals to monitor health changes and prevent disease progression.
Do you offer dental care for pets?
Yes, we perform anesthesia teeth cleanings, treat dental disease, and provide home care recommendations to maintain oral health between visits.
What surgical procedures do you perform?
Our surgical services include spays/neuters, mass removals, bladder procedures, and wound repairs using modern equipment and strict safety protocols.
How do you handle pet emergencies?
While we don't provide 24/7 emergency care, we recommend contacting local emergency clinics and can often accommodate urgent cases during regular business hours.
