Tawas Animal Hospital

12/17/2025

Kittens and puppies need socialization to grow into confident adults.

Short, positive exposures build resilience.

12/16/2025

🐾 NEW at Tawas Animal Hospital — One-Year Protection, One Visit! 🐾

We’re excited to now offer Bravecto Quantum and ProHeart 12 — once-a-year injectable protection for your dog.

✨ What does that mean?
✔️ No monthly flea, tick, or heartworm pills
✔️ One visit = 12 full months of protection
✔️ No missed doses, no refills, no reminders
✔️ Often less expensive over the year than buying monthly preventatives online or in-clinic

🦟 Bravecto Quantum protects against fleas & ticks for a full year
❤️ ProHeart 12 protects against heartworm disease for a full year

📅 Now scheduling January appointments!

📞 Call us to learn more or schedule your pet’s appointment: 989-362-4601

One visit. One year. Peace of mind.

12/16/2025

Annual checkups aren’t just for people — pets need them too! 🐾✨

Yearly exams help catch health issues early and keep your furry friend feeling their best.

Get ahead of the game and schedule their 2026 visit today!

12/15/2025

🐾🌪️ NEW BLOG POST: “The Wild Days of Veterinary Medicine” 🩺

There is no such thing as a “normal day” in veterinary medicine — especially in a small-town general practice.

In this week’s What I’ve Learned as a Veterinarian blog, Dr. Harrison shares what a real day looks like at Tawas Animal Hospital — from joyful puppy visits and wellness exams to urgent emergencies, late nights, and the teamwork it takes to care for a community of pets.

He also opens up about why he chose small-town medicine — how being raised in a tight-knit community shaped his values, his faith, and his belief that caring for neighbors is more than a job… it’s a calling.

This blog is honest, emotional, and deeply personal — a look at the wild, meaningful balance of veterinary medicine and the community that makes it all worth it.

➡️ Read it here:
https://tawasanimalhospital.com/%f0%9f%90%be-the-wild-days-of-veterinary-medicine-what-ive-learned-about-days-that-never-go-as-planned/

☕ Grab a cup of tea (Dr. Harrison’s favorite) and take a few minutes to step inside the life of a small-town veterinarian.

🐾 The Wild Days of Veterinary Medicine-What I’ve Learned About Days That Never Go as Planned - By Dr. Jason Harrison, DVM — Tawas Animal Hospital One of the first things I learned as a small-town veterinarian is this: There is no such thing as a

12/09/2025

Today, we received another wonderful update from Pumpkin

Hey everyone! It's been a minute since I wrote.... So.... guys, check this out. I now am weighing in at 4.5 lbs... mom says I'm growing like a 5 She also says that I am a monster, I have no idea what she means, but I do find myself in peculiar spots.. sometimes, she needs to rescue me. I think she kinda loves me..

I made mom send you this because I think of you guys and all the good you do for "little " guys like me... just wait till I'm not so "little ", anyway I hope you all have a great Christmas ( I know I will). Here's some pics of me now.. I don’t sit still enough for pics, but I hope you like these....talk to you soon.

Pumpkin

12/06/2025

🚨🐾 NEW BLOG POST: “What I’ve Learned About Emergencies as a Veterinarian” 🩺

When your pet is suddenly sick or injured, every minute feels like forever — and every decision feels impossible. In this week’s What I’ve Learned as a Veterinarian blog, Dr. Harrison opens up about one of the most emotional, misunderstood, and high-pressure parts of veterinary medicine: emergencies.

He talks about:
🔹 How to recognize true emergencies
🔹 Why some cases must be referred to emergency hospitals
🔹 The people power it takes to save a life
🔹 The emotional weight that never truly goes away

This is a conversation built on compassion, transparency, and the shared goal that unites us:
doing what is best for your pet when it matters most. ❤️

➡️ Read it here: https://tawasanimalhospital.com/%f0%9f%9a%a8-what-ive-learned-about-emergencies-as-a-veterinarian/

☕ Grab a cup of tea (Dr. Harrison’s favorite!) — this is an important one.

🚨 What I’ve Learned About Emergencies as a Veterinarian - A “What I’ve Learned as a Veterinarian” Series Post Emergency medicine is one of the most intense, humbling, heartbreaking, and equally rewarding parts of

11/27/2025

🧡🐾 NEW BLOG POST: “What I’m Most Thankful For as a Veterinarian” 🦃
“Every day, I’m reminded that life is fragile and precious — that love shows up in the smallest gestures, like an owner whispering to a pet before surgery or a child handing me a hand-drawn ‘thank you’ card for saving their dog.”
This Thanksgiving, Dr. Harrison is sharing one of the most heartfelt reflections in his What I’ve Learned as a Veterinarian series — a tribute to the moments, people, pets, and lessons that make veterinary medicine so meaningful.
After 23 years in practice, he’s learned that gratitude comes in many forms:
the trust of a worried pet parent…
the steady hands of a dedicated team…
the loyal presence of a family who supports unpredictable schedules and long nights…
and the pets who remind us, every day, why this work matters.
In today’s Thanksgiving blog, Dr. Harrison opens up about the blessings, the challenges, and the quiet moments of joy that shape his life as a veterinarian.

# ☕ Grab a cup of tea (Dr. Harrison’s favorite) and take a moment to enjoy this Thanksgiving reflection.PetsAreFamily
➡️ Read it here:https://tawasanimalhospital.com/%f0%9f%a6%83-what-im.../

🧡 From our Tawas Animal Hospital family to yours — Happy Thanksgiving.

🦃 What I’m Most Grateful For as a Veterinarian - Every Thanksgiving, when the last appointment is done and the clinic lights go out, I take a few minutes to sit in the quiet. The hum of the machines

11/26/2025

Fear Free Success Story: Chase’s Big Day

Today we are celebrating milestone that’s been years in the making. This milestone belongs to one very brave dog named Chase.

Chase has been coming to see us a couple of times each year for the past few years. From the start, it was clear that veterinary visits were overwhelming for him. New sounds, new smells, new people, and unfamiliar handling made him anxious and afraid. To prevent his stress from building, Chase’s family and our team worked together using Fear Free strategies, including pre-visit pharmaceuticals to help him stay calm and comfortable.

Each visit, Chase showed a little more trust. Each time, he relaxed a little sooner. And today… Chase walked through our doors for the very first time not needing his pre-visit medication—and he absolutely shined.

Chase stayed relaxed for his entire exam. He leaned in for treats, wagged his tail, and even allowed a full ear cleaning with no signs of stress. His confidence filled the room, and his family couldn’t have been more proud. Neither could we.

What Is Fear Free?

Fear Free is a veterinary care approach focused on reducing fear, anxiety, and stress in pets. It uses science-based methods—like gentle handling, positive reinforcement, calming pheromones, species-appropriate body language, and when needed, anxiety-reducing medications—to help pets feel safe before, during, and after their visit.

Why Fear Free Matters

A Fear Free experience means:

🐾 Happier pets who learn that the vet isn’t scary
🐾 Safer visits for both pets and veterinary staff
🐾 More accurate exams because relaxed animals allow better assessment
🐾 Better long-term health since pets are more willing to return for routine care
🐾 Strengthened trust between the pet, their family, and their veterinary team

Today, Chase reminded us, why we do what we do.

Fear Free isn’t just a philosophy, it’s a partnership. It’s patience, compassion, and consistency. And it’s moments like today that make it all worth it.

Way to go, Chase. We can’t wait to see you next time… and we know you’ll do just as amazing. 🧡🐶✨

11/23/2025

🩺 NEW BLOG POST: “When the Healer Needs Healing: A Veterinarian’s Reflection on the Su***de Epidemic in Our Profession”
This one was hard to write — and it’s even harder to publish.
After 23 years in veterinary medicine, Dr. Harrison opens up about one of the most serious issues facing our profession: the rising su***de rates among veterinarians, the emotional weight we carry, and the ways we can start healing together.
He shares stories of heartbreak, the pressures we face behind the scenes, and what you — as clients and community members — can do to make a difference.
➡️ Read the full blog here:
https://tawasanimalhospital.com/%F0%9F%A9%BA-when-the-healer-needs-healing-a-veterinarians-reflection-on-the-su***de-epidemic-in-our-profession/

***dePrevention

🩺 When the Healer Needs Healing: A Veterinarian’s Reflection on the Su***de Epidemic in Our Profession - "We have our own pets, our own families, our own grief and love stories that shape who we are." I love this work. I love animals. I love people. I love

11/21/2025

Turkey day is almost here! 🦃

Remember: bones, onions, grapes, and rich holiday foods can be harmful to pets.

Stick to pet-safe treats so everyone can enjoy the feast.

11/17/2025

🐾🎉 Join the Tawas Animal Hospital Fetch Club! 🎉🐾

Meet Coco, one of our Fetch Club stars! 🐶✨
Coco’s parents earned $35 off their annual wellness visit this year — just by using their Fetch Points!

The Fetch Club is our loyalty rewards program that lets you earn Fetch Points every time you visit, purchase medication, or stock up on your pet’s favorites at Tawas Animal Hospital. It’s our way of saying thank you for trusting us with your pet’s care! 💚

Plus, when you download our PetDesk App, you’ll get even more convenient features like:
📅 Online appointment scheduling
🔔 Pet care reminders
💉 Your pet’s vaccination records
💊 Prescription refill requests
…and so much more — all in one easy place!

Join the Fetch Club and start earning rewards today 👇


Because great care should come with great perks! 🐾🐕🐈

11/14/2025

🧠🐾 NEW BLOG POST: “From Psychology to Veterinary Medicine” 🩺

Did you know that Dr. Harrison didn’t start out in veterinary medicine?
He was actually finishing his third year of mechanical engineering at Western Michigan University when one elective class — Introduction to Psychology — completely changed his life.

(We’ll just say his girlfriend at the time — now his wife, Brittany — was a little concerned when he said he was switching majors 😅.)

What followed was a winding, wonderful journey through psychology, compassion, and eventually veterinary medicine. Along the way, Dr. Harrison discovered that understanding behavior — both human and animal — is just as important as understanding biology.

In his newest blog post, he shares how a single class, a childhood dream, and one special memory of his mom helped shape the way he practices today — and why Fear Free care and empathy are at the heart of everything he does. 💚

➡️ Read it here: https://tawasanimalhospital.com/🧠-from-psychology-to-veterinary-medicine-why-understanding-behavior-matters-as-much-as-biology/

☕ Grab a cup of tea (his favorite) and see how psychology became one of the most powerful tools in his veterinary toolbox.