Emergency

If your pet is having an emergency, call your primary care veterinarian or The Hope Center at 703-281-5121.

Crisis can strike at any time – that’s why The Hope Center is always there. We offer immediate treatment in life-threatening situations 24/7/365. Your pet receives the best care possible, while our staff explains the situation clearly and calmly to let you make the best decisions for your pet and your family.

Triage

Care for your pet begins as soon as you walk through the door of The Hope Center. When you arrive, our front desk staff will take the first step in treatment by beginning the triage process. They will listen closely to the symptoms you describe and note the appearance of the pet. If there is any question about the stability of your pet, a technician will be called to make a closer examination and bring your pet to the emergency room for immediate treatment with your permission.

If your pet is stable, your information will be taken at the front desk and then you and your pet will be escorted to a private exam room. A technician will be called to take vital signs, including pulse, breathing rate, and temperature and take an overall assessment of your pet’s condition.

Exam and Discussion

Whether in an exam room or if your pet has been triaged to the emergency room, a doctor will do a complete physical exam of your pet.

After the exam, the doctor will discuss your pet’s health status. If your pet was brought immediately into the ER, they will explain how your pet is responding to initial treatment. The doctor will then go over their findings and explain their initial diagnosis. Any questions you have will be fully explored and answered.

Treatment Plan

After discussing the assessment with you, the veterinarian will detail what treatment options they recommend. Each treatment plan will be customized for each individual pet and based on the wishes of the owner. After deciding the plan with the doctor, the front desk staff will go over a detailed estimate of all costs and financial obligations associated with the plan.

Continued Care

If your pet requires a stay at our hospital, you will be able to return home knowing that you can contact The Hope Center at any time for a progress report on the condition of your pet. Our staff will also be in touch with you as soon as there are any important changes in the status or plan for your pet. In addition, our automated online patient records system will email you copies of your pet’s medical records every morning and evening your pet is in the hospital. Your primary care veterinarian will also be kept up to date with your pet’s progress.

After Care

As soon as your pet is ready to go home, a doctor or technician will notify you. At discharge, a doctor will explain the care that your pet has received and then a technician will go over particulars, including medications to be given at home, symptoms to watch for, rechecks and other recommendations. In addition to a paper copy of all medical records and discharge instructions, an electronic copy will be emailed to you. Your primary care veterinarian will also be notified of your pet’s discharge from the hospital along with a copy of records.

If you have any questions after you return home, you are encouraged to call and ask. Our staff will be happy to answer any concerns you may have.

Emergency Room Veterinarians

• David Rouse, DVM, Chief of Staff

  
  Dr. Rouse received his veterinary degree from Italy’s prestigious University of Perugia in 1981. He joined The Hope Center in 1992, after 10 years of primary care practice in Vienna and North Carolina. He concentrates on emergency and critical care medicine, with an emphasis on radiology and surgery.Dr. Rouse lives in South Riding, Virginia, with his wife, son and daughter.

• Scott Moore, VMD

  
  Dr. Moore graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1992. After spending a year in Kenya studying wildlife management and biology, he completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Friendship Hospital for animals in Washington, D.C. Dr. Moore joined The Hope Center in March of 1995.

• Karena Joung, VMD

  
  Dr. Joung received her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2003. Her interest in Emergency Veterinary Medicine was cultivated during her internship at Michigan State University where she received recognition as Intern of the Year. Away for five years, Dr. Joung is delighted to be back home in the D.C. area, where she spends spare time with her husband, dog, and three cats.

• Cady Johnston, DVM

  
  Dr. Johnston began her education at Virginia Tech and stayed in Blacksburg to graduate from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004. After completing vet school, Dr. Johnston participated in a one-year rotating internship of small animal medicine and surgery at Southpaws Veterinary Referral Center. It was during her internship that she developed a strong interest for emergency medicine. Her four legged friends include 2 cats and 3 dogs.

• Courtney Mason, DVM

  
  Dr. Mason graduated from The College of William and Mary and then attended veterinary school at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduating vet school in 2010, she completed a one year small animal rotating internship at The Hope Center, gaining further education in various specialty fields. It was during her internship that she developed a strong interest for emergency medicine. As a Northern Virginia native, Dr. Mason is happy to return to the area and enjoys spending time with her Norwich Terriers.

• Elizabeth Abato, DVM

  
  Dr. Elizabeth Abato is originally from Southern California where she earned her Bachelor’s of Science in General Biology at the University of California, San Diego. She earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida and is a huge Gator fan. Soon after, Dr. Abato completed a year long rotating small animal internship in medicine and surgery at VCA Veterinary Referral Associates in Gaithersburg. She discovered her true passion for emergency medicine and stayed on to complete a one-year internship in emergency medicine and critical care. Dr. Abato is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society. Dr. Abato currently resides in Virginia with her husband and 11 year-old Black Labrador “Madison”.

• Cassandra Pugh, DVM, Practice Limited to Emergency & Critical Care

  
  Dr. Pugh graduated from the University of Georgia. She went on to complete an internship at Angell Memorial Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, then a 3 year residency at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists in Rhode Island in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care. Her special interests include management of severe trauma, critical anesthesia and post-operative patients, sepsis, respiratory distress, and toxicities.

  Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, anything on the water, music, and experiencing new places and travel.

• Margaret McCourt, DVM

  
  Dr. McCourt is a 2012 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. She grew up in Northern Virginia and is excited to be at The Hope Center and to be able to spend time in her home town. Dr. McCourt has an interest in general and emergency medicine and hopes to pursue a career involving this area of veterinary medicine in the future. She enjoys spending her time off with her dog and cat and horse back riding in her free time.

• Sarah Lehman, VMD

  
  Dr. Lehman graduated from the College of William and Mary and then received her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2012. Her interests include emergency medicine and cardiology. She grew up outside of Philadelphia, and is happy to be exploring the DC area. She lives in Annandale with her German Shepherd mix, Ayden.